Who's the Fool?

One of Bloomfield's semi-dubious distinctions is that it has more Garden State Parkway entrances and exits than any other town in NJ. So many of us Bloomfielders who rely on exact change lanes found that local media stories on the GSP's new "camera tracking" policy raised more issues than they claimed to have resolved.
The NJ.com story was one of many in that foolishly seemed to accept the GSP talking points without question.
There are more unanswered questions in this story than I've seen in a long time:

1. Who's to blame when the coin readers fail? Do we have to get out and photograph the jammed receptacle?
2. How can drivers prove that they actually paid the exact fare -- or more?
3. Where can they appeal an erroneous fine?
4. What proportion of failures happen at unmanned Pkwy entrances?
5. Isn't this a penalty for those who will never use EZ-passes because
they're rarely on toll roads, have too many cars to cover,
or are wary of the failures and abuses of a computer driven system?
6. Why can't a dollar bill machine(or a smart phone reader) be installed?

Perhaps, the GSP press release was taken at face value because most reporters use EZ Passes to save time and have never had to deal with the realities and insanities of exact change lanes. (Of course the GSP officials who design these policies NEVER need to use exact change lanes.)

Thankfully, many of the online versions of the story allow for reader comments.
These were a few I found on NJ.com(several from Bloomfield drivers:

" Will they allow you to back up and go to the next exit? They might want to put a sign on the main line warning people that exiting without exact change or EZ Pass will cost $50 I hope they are also ready for the backups. Because I'd spend a few minutes looking through my car for the money before paying the fine. 15 minutes of checking under the seats, floormats, trunk, etc would be worth not paying $50."
Or this solution: "Better yet, get rid of the tolls that are expensive to collect, and raise the NJ gas tax by 3 cents to maintain these highways."
"Okay, there was a great comment on app.com. The $50 for non-exact change is completely unconstitutional...>>>The federal government states that our money is valid "for all debts, public and private". You can not refuse to accept paper money (this has already been to the US Supreme Court). If the state does not make provisions for paper money then they will lose in court…"
"I seem to find that more and more, I'm having to honk and wait, as my toll money goes down the chute but never seems t register. And to top it all off, the Ledger posts a pic of the plaza in Bloomfield, which could easily be the poster child for busted toll baskets!"

The wisest course for non-pass holders right now would seem to be keeping a piggy bank in your trunk.

Bloomfield Neighborhood Association meeting

Spent this morning at a very productive meeting of Bloomfield Neighborhood Association today. Most of the meeting was spent updating our brochure and redefining the goals of the group. The BNA was established in 1997 to provide a forum for neighborhood groups to meet with Bloomfield's Mayor and to discuss issues affecting group as well as townwide concerns. It has usually met in the Mayor's Conference room, but as it has grown, moved most of its bi-monthly meetings to the larger Bloomfield College Library on Liberty Street.
 No one could remember a time when the current Mayor participated, but we've met with most other ton leaders, including, the Police Chief, Fire Chief, assessor and town manger. As a non-partison forum, he BNA was able to host Candidate's Nights at Bloomfield College's Van Fossen Hall before most local elections.
The newest issue to come up this morning was word of a planned methadone clinic for Watsessing St. The location seems problamatic to most attendees because of it's proximity to Watsessing RR station and the Lawrence Ave. condo redevelopment project. So far, here seems to have been little public notice of their plan. One more issue to bring up during the public comment section of Monday's Conference meeting of the council. Last week saw public comments taking up about 90% of the meeting.
Must see TV.

Bloomfield is Passing Montclair -- in the Tax Sweepstakes

I make it a habit to save my observations on Real Estate issues to my EcoRealty blog. But last Thursday I previewed one of two new listings in Bloomfield and Montclair that reflect a new reality that can't be overlooked. Both were listed at 399k. Both were 4 Bedroom homes built at about the same time with taxes of 11,.7k.The Montclair listing on James had taxes of 10.1K. Both were in excellent condition. The bottom line is that Bloomfield is passing Montclair for the dubious distinction of above average tax rankings in the highest taxed state in the U.S. From a look at current listings, you can see that this is becoming the rule rather than the exception when Bloomfield is compared to nearby towns such as Montclair, Cedar Grove and Nutley. This may make the "affordability" of Bloomfield a tougher sell as the housing market improves. On the bright side, we're still far behind Glen Ridge, Milburn, and the Oranges.

Cell Tower Opponents Speak Out at Zoning Board Meeting

The monthly meetings of Bloomfield's Zoning Board rarely see more than a handfull of residents in attendance. On March 10, About 180 residents of Bloomfield and Glen Ridge braved the biggest rainstorm of the winter to voice their opposition to T-Mobile's application to install a 120ft cell tower at the intersection of Broad And Bay Streets. Since this was the first board meeting for most attendees, ZB President Ed Michalski and the Board attorney spent much of the 3 hour meeting explaining the process and answering questions from residents.

In center photo is Dr. Michael Basista who owns the Immedicenter medical facility next door -- and brought his own attorney. Lower photo shows flier passed out by a group called janecelltower.com. A dedicated Facebook page has also been set up to share updates on the issue. the It is now anticipated that at least 3 monthly meetings will be required to allow residents to question T-Mobile's experts and voice their concerns. The next meeting will be on April 14th.

Cell Tower Meeting Now Scheduled for Thursday, March 10

Based on the nearest existing cell tower at Watchung Ave at the Garden State Parkway, I've imagined the future appearance on Bay and Broad St. from two vantage points in Brookside Park. Because of the lower location, the proposed 120 ft. tower will be about twice as high. (Click on photos to enlarge) More comments can be found on Baristanet.
AGENDA:
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2011 7:30 P.M.
Application of T-Mobile Northeast, LLC. as Applicant and O’Boyle Realty as Owner for a use variance, minor site plan approval and any such other relief that may be required from the Zoning Ordinance of the Township of Bloomfield to construct a new monopole for wireless telecommunications, in a Neighborhood Business B-2 zone on premises known as Map 29,Block 792, Lot 27 better known as 551 Broad Street.

Does Red White and Blue Trump Green?

This proposed T-Mobile cell tower will be discussed at Bloomfield Zoning Board meeting Thursday, Feb. 10.The chart at bottom lists the major variances that will be needed(click on image to enlarge) . An extended discussion can be found on Baristanet.

Ice Skating in Morris Canal, Bloomfield, Christmas 1855

All Saints Eve on Liongate

Liongate Road may be contain most of the last undeveloped open spaces in Bloomfield. For several months now, the township has been negotiating to purchase 5.7 acres of the site from the developer -- whose ambitions have been waylaid by the depressed housing market. The purchase would be funded by 1.9 million in state and nonprofit grants.

Developing Developments

Robert Ruane is not known for being subtle in expressing his opinions. Shortly after challenging his neighborhood fire department to a polygraph test. Bloomfield's Third Ward councilman, had some controversial comments to throw out in this weeks Council Conference meeting. Once again, a larger than usual turnout led to a move from the conference room into the spacious council chambers,
When several residents complained about a sharp increase in gang activity on Charles Street near Bloomfield's boundary with East Orange, Ruane's solution was: "The only way to stop it is to do what they did in Hillside -- they put barricades up there."
The conference meeting saw several developments on a major new development. On the agenda was a discussion of issues related to planned mega conversion of Bloomfield's former National Starch Factory complex at 225 Belleville Ave -- across from Oakside Mansion Recently christened "Oakes Pond," the developer is projecting as many 390 rental units.to replace a dozen "light manufacturing." facilities. The plan was moved into Closed Session part of the meeting due to land acquisition and abatement issues that needed to addressed. In the public comment section of the meeting Trish Comstock spoke about traffic problems that already exist in the Belleville Ave. neighborhood. "During rush hours, traffic is frequently backed up (from Broad St.) to Woodland Road."
Their current plan by Garden Commercial Properties is to create two buildings along the lower bend of the Third River, four stories each with a parking deck beneath, to serve as luxury one- or two-bedroom apartments. The developer, has said that the properties could begin as rental units and potentially become condominiums. when the real estate market improves.

Commenting on the news of a $100,000 grant received for studying the causes and cures of flooding along Bloomfield's segment of the Third River, Councilman Nick Joanow asserted that " You don't build on a floodplain. There's a cost/benefit analysis that needs to be understood …. Homes along that river have lost 5 to 10 feet of their property due to riverbank erosion. There are homes that are consistently flooding…the water has to go somewhere." He referenced the township's 2002 Master Plan which included the Army Corps of Engineers conclusion that
"The increase in the intensity and number of 100 year and 500 year flood events can be attributed to the way that development has occurred in Bloomfield. Impervious surface coverage along stream corridors in wetlands and floodplain areas leaves stormwater with no place to go. Generally these areas would absorb and filter the waters acting as a natural
detention basin for the surrounding community. In Bloomfield, storm water travels through streets, driveways, and sometimes basements, rather than vegetated riparian corridors and wetlands."

Rouane asserted that arguments on flooding issues caused by development plans along the Third River were a diversion for the "fact that the river is full of debris and it has never been cleaned up or dredged." River Liaison Bernard Hamilton refuted Ruane by stating that he has personally been involved with several river cleanups. The Mayor concurred with Hamilton and moved on.

Brookdale Garden Center

Spring Cleanup at Clarks Pond Sunday, 11 -2

The annual Spring clean up at Clark's Pond is Sunday, April 11 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rain or shine. Heavy rain date: Sunday, April 25

Gloves, bags, refreshments will be provided
Wear appropriate foot wear (shoes, boots) because it might be muddy.

To get to Clark's Pond take the bridge at Bessida (off of Broughton) or park at the back of the middle school (Huck Road off of Broad).
Also, if you have boots that can go in the water bring them!

New Leadership in Bloomfield

Bikeride for a Healthy Greenway at Liongate