This is the second post in a series of question asked by Bogota Blog NJ to all four candidates running for the two available seat for Bogota Borough Council. The order in which the answers appear for the first question is determined by how the answers were received by Bogota Blog NJ. After that the first answers will be by a different candidate. I hope this is a fair, informative, and useful series of posts to be held over the next few days. There will be two questions with answers per post per day.
The Candidates are Councilwoman Wanda Uceta, School Board Member Christopher Keleman School Board Member John Mitchell, Councilman Arthur Konigsberg. Election Day is Tuesday 5-Nov. polls will be open starting at 6:00a and close at 8:00p
-Question #3
- Now that the Dewey School site has started to move forward, how can development for these three site be addresses.
- Fuda Tile Site
- The At&t building at Elm Ave & W.Ft.Lee Rd
- The old car dealership on W.Ft. Lee Rd near the Bridge
What would be the best way to use them, and how would you encourage development of those sites.
John Mitchell
The Fuda Tile area since it is a considerably smaller site than the car dealership site I would
like to see the car dealership site addressed first. I do believe this would lend many opportunities to the Fuda site upon completion. The area of the car dealership must be more business and less residential. A PILOT program in this area would bring us minimal return for the size of the area. It is crucial we do not make a mistake here as this is the only area in town big enough to make the best deal in terms of ratables we so desperately seek. It may be a very good idea in portions of this area to have a mixed commercial/residential area. However the residential area should be minimal. Bogota’s close proximity to NYC as well as Rt. 80, Rt.4, Rt. 17, GSP, is vital to some companies and we must push for a large business here where infrastructure is vital to their every day business.
AT&T
For this area I think a great idea is a medical arts building. This brings in employees as well
as patients to the area so our local businesses can flourish. We can make the below section
a parking garage and the upper sections medical offices. Medical offices tend to come
with large financing so I am sure this would help to beautify the area as well. Our close
proximity to local hospitals such as Holy Name in Teaneck & Hackensack University Medical
center would have appeal as well for our area to have a medical arts building.
Arthur Konigsberg
It is vital that new development occurs in Bogota to help reduce the tax burden faced by our home owners.The Dewey School site was unused for 17 years. The new apartment development will add new tax revenues,support local businesses,& give up the right to appeal it’s tax assessment.The Fuda Tile site could be used for commercial retail or other business purposes.The AT&T building can be used for additional apartment housing for seniors, or commercial use,depending on the zoning situation.There has been some interest in developing the W.Fort Lee Rd.property(Sifford Pontiac) into an apartment complex hopefully attracting young professionals.The initial potential plans include a pool,a river walk along the Hackensack River, extensive landscaping, & a clubhouse.It is an ambitious plan & we will see what happens.
Wanda Uceta
I am very happy that an actual redevelopment has finally come to Bogota. Decaying and fallow properties being turned in viable and vibrant opportunities this is what will bring us income and a reduction of property taxes. In regards to following sites, I believe the Fuda Tile would make an excellent commercial retail store opportunity. The old bank building AT&T at elm Avenue and west Fort lee Road is a great location for a medical office or possibly additional Senior Housing. The old “Sifford Pontiac” site is currently slated for 300 upscale 1 & 2 bedroom apartments, with a landscaped clubhouse, pool and beautiful “river walk”. It is an exciting time to be a resident of Bogota.
Christopher Keleman
It is very important that redeveloping the three sites in town (Fuda Tile, AT&T Building & Sifford Pontiac) be given plenty of thought process. I am not in favor of what is being planned for the Dewey Site. I do not “not favor” redevelopment, because something has to be done, I however do not favor what has been approved. Before a “PILOT” program be approved, lets do the right thing, our homework. Sewer charges, garbage pick up costs and the cost of public education for each child should be factored before anything be decided. As for the Sifford Pontiac site a lot program for rentals is a “no go” , we need tax revenue and relief. Fuda Tile is a mess. We have a beautiful “turn of the century” building on site there that was at one time a train station, lets try to enhance someone to take advantage of this property, but it is going to be a difficult task with the Hess oil drums having such exposure. I sell homes, I have previously listed a home 40 yards from this exact location, the customers feedback was that they did not like having the gas station and the oil drums hit them as they walked out there front door, you cant blame them. So basically, utilize this spot for commercial or office. As for the AT & T site, take down that dump and build a few homes. this site kills the area & if I was a owner looking at this everyday, I would most likely be in jail. I can not understand why this has been allowed to look like this for the amount of years it has. A multi-family unit would not fit in the neighborhood, unless a cozy style town house unit is planned. The only way to encourage development in these locations would be to clean up their act and if not, start fining. This town became very happy fining homeowners for sloppy lawns, overgrown weeds, 4 inch or more lawns, chipped paint of woodwork and what ever else, but what about these dumps, where are the fines!
Question #4
- There has been some public, and official discussion about the private use of public vehicles. Is there (or can there be) a system that if they are used for private duty by a town employee that the mileage, and gas consumption be tracked and the Borough reimbursed fully for being allowed to use the vehicle. Along with the burrower having to show that their insurance would cover any expensive that may occur while in their possession. And have to sign a waiver that would absolve the Borough from any , and all damages that may come from legal actions against the operator of the burrowed vehicle.
Arthur Konigsberg
While private use of public vehicles can be a sensitive issue, most of the vehicles are provided only to our volunteer chiefs;EMS,rescue, fire,& OEM Coordinator.The police chief(a paid public servant) also has use of his vehicle.The main reasoning for their use is that these people are on call for emergencies, & must respond immediately no matter what time of day or night. Most of the vehicles were either donated or purchased using money collected from fire violation fines. The town administrator keeps track of the vehicle mileage. I believe the use of the vehicles by our volunteer chiefs is a minimal reward & incentive for these essential people who serve & assist our fellow neighbors. Their service to our community helps keep our taxes lower than other towns that have paid personnel performing their duties.
Wanda Uceta
OEM “volunteer” chiefs along with the police chief are given the use of command emergency response vehicles. These included our fire chiefs, rescue chief. EMS chief and OEM Coordinator. The borough provides the gas and the town insures the vehicles under the municipal joint insurance fund. All of the fire chief vehicles, rescue chief vehicle and EMS chief vehicle were “free” They were either purchased with money collected by the fire dept or donations. Most of our residents don’t realize this. “No tax dollars” The mileage is tracked by our borough administrator.
Christopher Keleman
As far as Borough used cars, as a candidate, I can only say that by going door to door campaigning, people are turned off about this, they are angry and very upset. I support the fire chief and assistant chief and fire prevention personal having their cars as they always had, but that’s about it. We have a ton of volunteers in town, it’s just not right.
John Mitchell
We need to supply our volunteers with their “tools” however we do need to be
very cautious of protecting the tax payer from legal action. We need to be the
“watchdogs” of the people’s money. I do believe a system in place to track the
expenditures is a must and this would not be too difficult to put in place. I am
sure our volunteers may like such a system as well this would prevent any
question of the need for some of the vehicles the Borough provides. Some of the
residents should know that some of these vehicles have been donated to us. We
need to however make sure that taxpayer dollars are not wasted by anyone who may
be tempted to use any vehicles for personal benefit.
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