Borough Council Commends The People of Mountainside

Tuesday’s Mountainside Borough Council meeting was marked by the praise and gratitude expressed by the Council for the people of Mountainside.

“Tonight we get to do something we really enjoy doing; which is to recognize outstanding achievements for people who live in Mountainside,” Mayor Paul Mirabelli announced.

The Council went on to congratulate individuals and departments, including the Mountainside Volunteer Fire Department on the celebration of its 100th Anniversary.

“We certainly encourage everyone to go out and support our fire department as they supported us during Hurricane Irene,” Mayor Mirabelli stated. “This is one of the best volunteer organizations in the state. My basement had to be pumped out by the fire department after the hurricane. What they accomplished during that time with the amount of man power and equipment they had was truly remarkable,” Mayor Mirabelli said.

To celebrate this occasion, the fire department will be holding a celebratory picnic for all residents of Mountainside on Saturday at Deerfield School from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

“I am very excited for the celebration,” Fire Chief Peter Esemplare said. “We have been working hard for over a year now to plan this event and we are looking forward to honoring our fallen brothers and sisters that have gone before us and made our department what it is today.”

Councilman Bill Lane, who is the chairman of the fire committee, read the proclamation noting that the fire department was founded in August of 1910. The department originally operated with a bucket truck brigade until an engine was purchased from Westfield for 35 dollars.  

Today, the fire department serves 7,000 residents within a four-mile radius, responding to an average of 350 calls per.  

“The fire department is staffed by dedicated volunteers and is responsible for protecting not only residential property, but also two large nursing homes, a hospital and a movie theater. We wholeheartedly thank all the members, past and present, who risked their lives in order to protect the residents of Mountainside,” Councilman Lane said.

The Council also handed out a Recommendation of Achievment to gov. Livingsston golf star Scotland Preston, who captured the state girls' high school championship this past spring as well as the New Jersey Amatuer Championship.

Councilman Bill Lane read the proclamation, stating that Scotland Preston played for the 2011 Governor Livingston High School boys’ golf team during her junior year. 

Preston went on to compete in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament of Champions where she won the NJSIAA/MGA Girls Tournament of Champions, before going on to win the 86th New Jersey State Golf Association Amateur Championship where she captured the title of 2011 New Jersey Women’s Amateur Champion. For more on this story click here.

The Council went on to approve the resolutions that had been proposed at the meeting held on September 6.  This included:

-  Awarding a contract in the amount of $429,426.86 to Jenicar Builders Contracting Company for the resurfacing Pembrook Road; the authorization for the Borough.

-  Authorizing the Borough of Mountainside to participate in the leaf disposal program at the Union County Conservation Center.

-  Authorizing the Treasurer to approve four Union County Tax Appeals, issuing refunds for four different owners.

-  Refunding tax overpayments for the current year to two banks that made duplicate payments and to two homeowners who also made duplicate payments.

-  Executing the agreement with the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council to renew membership so that Mountainside may take part in shared services which will provide “substantial savings on goods and services.”

-  Approval of the insertion of special item or revenue in the 2011 budget in the sum of 5,516 dollars for the Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund.

-  Authorization for the Council to apply for a NJ DOT grant to resurface Wyoming Drive, a heavily traveled route in Mountainside.

-  The Kaimer Family Partnership will be refunded for $198.00 to correct the business miscalculation that had been made resulting in an incorrect charge for a roofing permit for the commercial business.

-  Raffle applications submitted by the Frank K. Hehnly School PTA in Clark were approved so that the school may hold a raffle at L’Affaire Catering in Mountainside.

An ordinance was also filed by the Borough Council to appropriate six thousand dollars from the Capital Improvements Fund for the upgrade of several traffic lights including the traffic lights located at New Providence Road and Mountain Avenue, and Summit Road and Summit Lane.

The Council also noted that Friday, September 16, 2011 has been declared POW/MIA Remembrance Day. “The Borough of Mountainside urges all citizens to make a special effort to give thanks to and remember the sacrifices rendered to us by all these noble sons and daughters of America,” the Council declared.

The Council spent the remainder of the meeting reflecting on the valiant efforts of the Department of Public Works, fire, and police departments during Hurricane Irene, paying special recognition to the neighborly efforts of the citizens of Mountainside.

Councilman Lane began the discussion by giving a report on the efforts of the fire department. Currently the fire department has 34 active volunteers.  Between August 27 and 29, the fire department received 114 calls and executed 2,820 man hours to assist residents of Mountainside who suffered damage from Hurricane Irene.

“We don’t always appreciate or realize what our fire department does for us,” Councilman Lane said. “I actually had a tree fall through my house. The fire department came right away to help us before they got called away for a house fire. 

"The 100th anniversary celebration this Saturday will include food, drinks, rides, a DJ, and fire equipment on display. Come out and enjoy the day and support the fire department,” Councilman Lane stated.

Council President Keith Turner went on to commend the police department on their efforts for the community during Hurricane Irene.

Noting that “the police department received over five hundred calls in a 24 hour period,” Councilman Turner said.  “The main thoroughfare to Overlook Hospital was impassable. Other surrounding communities needed the help of Mountainside Police to navigate a route to the hospital,” Councilman Turner explained.

Councilman Robert Messler noted that the Department of Public Works “worked long hours,” assisting the police department in the removal of trees because NJ DOT was not immediately available.  Without the proper equipment, the crew used chains and dump trucks to remove trees from Route 22 which was blocked for fifteen hours during the storm.

Councilman Glenn Mortimer pointed out that the Mountainside Public Library, which suffered no damage during the storm “was a portal for grateful users who used the wireless internet in the library to complete critical work for the office or summer school.” The library also provided coffee and power strips for residents who came to the library to recharge electronics and relax after the stressful event. “The Library made a very good impression on a grateful community,” Councilman Mortimer said.

“I had the opportunity to drive around with Police Chief (James) Debbie after the storm and the one thing I noticed was that so many neighbors we’re helping each other,” Council President Turner said. “This spirit of volunteerism makes me proud to be a resident of Mountainside. It was nice to see not only the dedication of emergency volunteers, but neighbors helping neighbors as well,” Turner said.  

“I want to thank all of our staff and our residents for the work that they did during Hurricane Irene,” Mayor Mirabelli stated. “As I’ve always said, Mountainside is kind of like your family; sometimes we don’t get along but when the 'you know what' hits the fan, the people of Mountainside come running and we can always depend on each other for help,” Mayor Mirabelli expressed.