Nicole Tagliente Inducted into the National Health Education Honor Society at Scranton

Frank L. Cahill
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Nicole Tagliente Inducted into the National Health Education Honor Society at Scranton
Nicole Tagliente

PARSIPPANY — Nicole Tagliente, a Parsippany Hills High School graduate, was among The University of Scranton students inducted into the national health education honor society (Eta Sigma Gamma).

The honor society is open to all community health education majors with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher in the major and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0.

The University’s chapter of the honor society was established in 2012.

Tagliente is a senior majoring in community health education at the Jesuit University.

Founded in 1888, Scranton is a private Catholic and Jesuit university that is known for outstanding academic quality, a beautiful and technology-rich campus, and a sense of community that helps you feel right at home.

The University of Scranton was founded as Saint Thomas College by Most Reverend William G. O’Hara, D.D., the first Bishop of Scranton, who had always hoped to provide an opportunity for higher education in the Lackawanna Valley. In August 1888, with few resources at hand, he blessed a single block of granite as a cornerstone for his new college, which would admit its first students four years later. The cornerstone of Old Main is preserved in the wall of St. Thomas Hall.

The college was staffed by diocesan priests and seminarians until 1896 and then, for one year, by the Xaverian Brothers. From 1897 until 1942 the school, which was renamed The University of Scranton in 1938, was administered for the Diocese by the Christian Brothers. In the late summer of 1942, at the invitation of Most Reverend William Hafey, D.D., 19 Jesuits, led by Rev. Coleman Nevils, S.J., the newly appointed president, arrived on campus to administer the University.

The Jesuits restructured and strengthened Scranton’s traditional and pre-professional programs with an emphasis on the liberal arts, which are the foundation for every program at a Jesuit university. This emphasis is intended to give Scranton students an appreciation for all disciplines as they develop specific subject knowledge.

The University has flourished under the Jesuits, growing from a primarily commuter school with fewer than 1,000 students to a broadly regional, comprehensive university with a total enrollment of approximately 5,500 students in undergraduate, graduate and nontraditional programs.

Bob Venezia discusses “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”

Frank L. Cahill
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Bob Venezia discusses “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”
Council President Lou Valori

Editor’s Note: Parsippany Resident Bob Venezia presented the following facts during the Council Meeting of Monday, May 22.

Unfortunately due to time restraints imposed by Council President Louis Valori, limiting the public portion to three minutes, Mr. Venezia didn’t finish the entire presentation.  Mr. Valori cut off Mr. Venezia after speaking for three minutes. Parsippany Focus is publishing his entire presentation.
Here is the complete presentation he attempted to discuss with the Mayor and Council:

A little known and even less publicized feature of the affordable housing rules is the concept of Urban Aid Municipalities as defined by the state legislature. The 46 Urban Aid Municipalities are home to 30% of New Jersey’s population, and they contribute heavily to the number of affordable housing units needed at the state and regional level. However, they are under no obligation to actually build affordable housing units, so their obligation must be absorbed by the remaining 70% of the state. In Morris County, which lies in region 2, affordable housing quotas are inflated by at least 40% because of the Urban Aid Municipality exemption.

To be designated as a “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”, only one of three criteria must be met. It should come as no surprise that each of these criteria have little to do with affordable housing and everything to do with politics. As a result, the majority of voters in almost every municipality that appears on the Urban Aid Municipality exemption list is affiliated with a single political party. Let’s examine each of these criteria a little closer.

Rule #1 states that if a municipality contains a number of substandard housing units greater than the regional average, then it qualifies as an exempt urban aid municipality. But logically, why would you want to discourage towns that have a large inventory of substandard housing, like Newark, Camden, Paterson, and Trenton, from building affordable housing that actually meets acceptable living standards?

Rule #2: Any municipality with a population of at least 10,000 people per square mile of land area is exempt from affordable housing obligations. This rule may also be labelled as the Hudson County Exemption Rule because of the way it is constructed. Rule #2 exempts 87% of Hudson County’s population, while few, if any, other towns in the state meet this criterion. A high population density has not prevented affluent towns like Jersey City and Hoboken from adding tens of thousands of market value housing units in the last decade. Why shouldn’t some of them be affordable?

Rule #3 appears to be specifically targeted to exempt the Essex County constituency. Essex didn’t quite make the 10,000 people per square mile criterion, so that rule had to be tweaked a little bit. Rule #3 exempts municipalities with populations of 6,000 to 10,000 per square mile provided that the amount of vacant land in the municipality is less than 5%. This contrived rule exempts 70% of Essex County, while the 5% vacancy clause limits many other towns in the state from qualifying. Montclair, one of the more affluent towns in the state, gets an affordable housing free pass under this rule.

It’s easy to understand why the legislature included these rules in the Fair Share Housing Act. They were just taking care of their loyal constituents. But if the New Jersey Supreme Court was truly concerned about the equitable distribution of affordable housing throughout the state, then these rules should have been struck down. The true intentions of the Fair Share Housing Center and Dr. Kinsey also come into question here because of their lack of objection to these rules. Why didn’t they demand that their fair share methodology be applied to all municipalities equally and without exception? In fact that is exactly what should happen. The Econsult and Dr. Kinsey methodologies should be applied uniformly throughout the state. The only reason any municipality should be exempted from their affordable housing obligation is if the Econsult and Dr. Kinsey calculations result in a zero obligation.

The Urban Aid Municipalities Exemption rules need to be challenged and they need to be overturned.

So, I am asking the Council and the Mayor to initiate the process by either formally requesting Econsult to challenge the rules, or by commissioning our own legal counsel to do it. I would now like to hear from each of you whether you intend to pursue this course of action or not, and if not, please explain why.

Thank you
Bob Venezia

Letter to the editor: Inglesino wrong about Highlands Coalition

Frank L. Cahill
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Letter to the editor: Inglesino wrong about Highlands Coalition

Dear Editor:

Pasippany-Troy Hills Township Attorney John Inglesino said Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Highlands Water Protection & Planning Act and Affordable Housing was no longer valid.

He is wrong. COAH does have environmental policies like leaving steep slopes, or properties on list for open space. Highlands would make even stronger where housing goes. Parsippany was in a state of conformance from July 2010-June 2014.

Waterview could of been put on a “checklist” to give it the expected highlands protection during the time. Our own steep slope ordinance Master Plan Goals 2, 7, 10, Troy Brook study all could of made Citizens Goal possible. Forge Pond also would of been gotten in the same manner. Being in complete regional master plan conformance also brings legal shields from developers lawsuits and brings more transparency and citizens participation if they want it..

Also told by UPS person they paid $6 million for the property in Morris Corporate Park, so why would they go to Georgia, plus they got the PILOT deal. Barberio had to allow more office space to be built, to validate his claim to have more occupied. He thinks he’s some great job creator instead of making sure our Municipal workforce is doing their jobs and enforcing ordinances. He never noticed or cared about the conditions on North Beverwyck. Recycling is still not according to the law either all too many establishments ignore or have no disciple in this this. 

Nick Homyak

From Highlands Coalition on MOU…

In 2008 soon after the RMP was adopted Governor Corzine issued Executive Order #114 that among other things directed COAH and the Highlands Council to fairly balance the needs to promulgate affordable housing as stipulated by the Fair Housing Acts, with natural resource protections for the Highlands Region, as stipulated in the Highlands Act. Accordingly, once the memorandum of understanding was signed, the Highlands Build Out reports (a required conformance module), which calculated the ultimate development potential of a town, including the number of affordable units, would be considered as certified by COAH. Across the state muni’s were as freaked then as they are today with the prospect of being forced to reconcile their Constitutional obligations under the Fair Housing Act. Almost all Highlands muni’s, even those who had viciously opposed the Highlands Act, were clawing past each other to file Notice’s of Intent to Conform to the Highlands Regional Master Plan with the Highlands Council. Corzine had issued additional Exec Order that stated that by merely filing a NOI, they could choose between the build-out under their current zoning to determine their AF numbers, or the Highlands. And in almost all cases the Highlands numbers were significantly lower.

The Fair Share Housing Center immediately challenged the MOU in Court. But, the RMP and the MOU were upheld. I’ve attached the FSHC challenge and Judge Skillman’s decision. The FSHC brief includes a copy of the MOU in its appendix.

Letter to the editor: DeCroce Practicing Gutter Politics

Frank L. Cahill
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Letter to the editor: DeCroce Practicing Gutter Politics

Dear Editor:

Republican candidate for Assembly in New Jersey’s 26th District, John Cesaro called on BettyLou DeCroce to “stop relying on half-truths and innuendo to hide from her own shortcomings and talk about issues.”

A day after Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce attempted to turn what one official called “a paperwork snafu” into a campaign issue John Cesaro is fighting back.

Cesaro said, “My campaign has been an issues focused campaign and I’d like to keep it that way, but I will not allow BettyLou DeCroce’s continued cheap shots to go unanswered.”

Cesaro campaign manager Steve Kush added, “If DeCroce wants to attempt to make a paperwork snafu about character, fine, let’s compare the character of the candidates. Unlike DeCroce, John Cesaro never used his position of influence to get lighter duty for a relative performing community service. DeCroce has yet to explain what connections she may have used to make that incident go away.”

Kush asked, “Does DeCroce forget the fact that while she was the township clerk in Roxbury she requested a defendant serving community service do that service in her office? Does she forget that defendant was her nephew? Does she forget that her defendant nephew was, according to news accounts, ‘completing a juvenile probationary sentence for a minor role he had in a locker room sex scandal’ at the time she was getting him an easier community service assignment?” 

“It didn’t require knowledge of the law to understand defendants were, and still are, prohibited from serving community service in a place where a relative held a position of influence. Commonsense would tell any reasonable person that,” Cesaro explained. “And, BettyLou DeCroce exercised about as much commonsense in Roxbury as she did in voting for the gas tax.”

“Because she is a part of a culture in Trenton that has gotten New Jersey into the mess we are in, I suspect BettyLou DeCroce will continue to try to drag this campaign into the gutter, and that’s her choice,” Cesaro said. “And, while I will defend myself from her constant cheap shots, I will also continue to offer ideas that can lead to solutions to make New Jersey safer by fixing the failing bail reform law, making school funding more fair to suburban districts and working to reduce the gas tax.”

Steve Kush 

Source: Daily Record February 25, 2006; Daily Record December 16, 2005

 

 

 

Morris County Freeholders Honor Military Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Freeholders Honor Military Veterans at Memorial Day Ceremony

MORRIS COUNTY—  Military veterans from across Morris County, and representing a host of military conflicts from World War II and Vietnam to Operation Iraqi Freedom, were honored today at Morris County’s Memorial Day ceremony, which was sponsored by the Morris County Board of Freeholders and conducted on the lawn of the historic County Courthouse in Morristown.

One of the honorees was U.S. Army and World War II veteran John McDermott of Denville, who served in Japan at the conclusion of the war, and today received his long-awaited World War II Victory Medal and Army of Occupation –Japan medal.

The medal was presented to him by fellow World War II veteran Hjalmar Johansson, an Air Force veteran and former German prisoner of war. Johannson, a Montville resident, was today’s keynote speaker.

“We in Morris County honor those Americans who have served in the armed forces and honor those Americans who have given their lives while serving,’’ Freeholder Director Doug Cabana said at the event. “President Harry Truman once said, ‘our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.’’’

Freeholders Cabana, Hank Lyon, Tom Mastrangelo and John Cesaro were joined at the event by Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, Sheriff James Gannon, Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp,   and Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz.

The county’s Memorial Day ceremony featured the freeholders presenting the Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medal to the eight honored Morris County veterans in recognition of their service to our nation.   

The full list of honorees include:

  • George Briscoe, Budd Lake, U.S. Navy. 2001-2004
  • Loris Clarke, Kenvil, U.S. Army, 1992-95
  • Louis Bodian, Morristown, U.S. Army, 1969-71
  • Eugene Lemoncelli, Dover, U.S. Marine Corps, 1954-57
  • Kenneth Gorman, Mount Hope, U.S. Air Force, 1965-71
  • Christopher Orr, Wharton, U.S. Army, 1974-89
  • Paul Vico, Morris Plains, U.S. Army, 1969-70
  • John McDermott, Denville, U.S. Army, 1946-47

The county’s Distinguished Service Medal is unique to Morris County and features the county seal encircled with the words, “Morris County Distinguished Military Service,” on the front.  An outline of the county and the American flag is on the back of the medal, along with the words, “Morris County Freeholders Military Commemorative.”

Each medal’s striped ribbon is the color of the specific conflict during which the veteran served.

Since the freeholders began the program in 2000, nearly 10,000 medals have been presented to veterans or to their family members.

During World War II Hjalmar Johansson was assigned to a heavy bomber crew of B-24s, as a nose gunner, with the 15th Air Force, 461st Bomb Group, Squadron 767. In December 1944, during a mission to take out a refinery in Poland, his plane encountered German fighter planes, engaged in battle, was badly damaged, and eventually crashed in Austria.

He was able to bail out. However, while some of his crew were saved by Romanian partisans, he was captured by the German Army and became a prisoner of war for six months, until liberated by the Soviet Army.

His story is chronicled in a History Channel in a video entitled “A Leap of Faith.’’

As for McDermott, he has long been eligible for his World War II medals but he never received them after service – possibly due to bureaucratic snafu. His daughter contacted Morris County Veterans’ Office last year and they interceded to contact the Army and arranged to have the medals sent to her.

The ceremony featured the Marine Corps Color Guard, Golf Co, 2nd Battalion, 25th Regiment from Picatinny Arsenal; the Morris County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard; an invocation by Rev. Sydney Williams, Bethel AME Church, in Morristown; and patriotic songs by the Lakeview School Select Chorus of Denville.

Bagpipes were played by Sergeant Matt Potter and Captain Robert McNally of the Prosecutor’s office, and the wreath laying featured retired County Veterans’ Services Officer Charles Jurgensen and Gary Zakrzeski.

To view the full program click here.

PHS Environmental Club organized and hosted annual grounds cleanup

Frank L. Cahill
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PHS Environmental Club organized and hosted annual grounds cleanup
Poster Designed by Corinne Troccoli, Artist from Morris Knolls High School

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School Environmental Club organized and hosted the annual grounds cleanup: Slam Dunk the Junk-Keep Morris County Litter Free, on May 10.

This is a state-wide campaign and held by the New Jersey Clean Communities Program and sponsored by the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority.

PHS Environmental Club advisors Nancy Lennon and Kelly Garbarino, club President Sean Callaghan, Vice President Daniela Rengifo Marmolejo, Secretary Caitlin Ford, and many PHS students collected garbage and beautified the school grounds for over two hours, resulting in multiple bags of garbage and recyclables being collected. Refreshments for the effort were supplied by the PHS PTSA and were very much appreciated.

The PHS Environmental Club will be receiving a $500 grant for participating in this campaign and will use the money to buy necessary equipment to further recycling programs at PHS.

According to Liz Sweedy, Morris County Clean Communities coordinator, “Keep Morris County Litter Free” is part of the “Slam Dunk the Junk” statewide initiative sponsored by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council, which focuses on conducting litter cleanups, enforcing anti-litter regulations and changing the attitudes of “litterbugs” through education.

 

DeCroce: Parsippany’s Chief Municipal Prosecutor Cesaro ineligible to practice Law

Frank L. Cahill
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DeCroce: Parsippany’s Chief Municipal Prosecutor Cesaro ineligible to practice Law

PARSIPPANY — Two weeks before the June primary, news broke on Tuesday that Morris County Deputy Freeholder Director John Cesaro has been ineligible to practice law since October 21, 2016 but still continued to handle cases. Cesaro is a Chief Prosecutor in Parsippany, and also serves in Essex Fells, Hanover, North Caldwell and Rockaway Township.

Incumbent Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, one of Cesaro’s opponent in the primary released a statement and a link to the state Supreme Court order saying Cesaro had been administratively ineligible since October 2016 over his failure to register for the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA). Attorneys are required to register annually with the IOLTA fund (Rule 1:28A).

Since 1989, the IOLTA Fund has awarded grants of more than $400 million to Legal Services of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and 134 other non-profit, 501(c) 3 organizations. The grants provide funding for free legal services to low-income people with civil legal problems, improvement in the administration of justice and education about the law.

“If true, this is an outrageous breach of trust by someone being paid by property taxpayers to represent the legal interests of multiple municipalities and citizens,” DeCroce said in a press release. “Freeholder Cesaro needs to come clean and explain why he is on this list and whether he disclosed his ineligible status to any of the elected officials in the towns where he has public contracts and was practicing law.”

John Cesaro told Parsippany Focus he registers every year but he apparently failed to do so last year. He wasn’t aware of his ineligibility until DeCroce contacted newspapers and some of his supporters.

Cesaro’s license is otherwise in good standing and ineligibility is not equivalent to being suspended, which was confirmed by the State Office of Attorney Ethics, according to the Daily Record. He also is up to date with his annual, $212 fee to the Lawyer’s Fund for Client Protection.

“It must have been a clerical error,” he said. “It was not an ethics issue, not a disciplinary issue.”

After finding out his status, Cesaro contacted the fund and filled out the appropriate paperwork.

“I got to thank my opponent for bringing this to my attention,” Cesaro said. “If I were her, I would focus on this, too. It takes the attention away from the fact that she voted with the Democrats for the 157-percent gas tax increase.”

According to the NJ Attorney Detail, John Cesaro, Esq. has a current status of active

According to the Daily Record, IOLTA Fund Executive Director Catherine Ferrise stated Cesaro resolved the issue and was expect to return to the active attorney list.
At the time this article was published, Parsippany Focus checked with the New Jersey Court website, NJ Attorney Detail and Mr. Cesaro’s license is active.

Cesaro also called DeCroce’s statement “her Hail Mary attempt to try win an election.”

Both 26th District Assembly seats – one occupied by DeCroce, the second by Jay Webber – are available this year. Cesaro and fellow Morris County Freeholder William “Hank” Lyon are both running for the seats and have specifically targeted DeCroce.

On Wednesday, it was reported that DeCroce filed a lawsuit in Morris County Superior Court claiming Lyon is violating state election finance laws.

On May 8, Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Mayor James Barberio submitted a resolution to the Township Council to approve Cesaro as the Chief Municipal Prosecutor of Parsippany Municipal Court. (Click here to view Resolution 2017-68). Also on May 8, Resolution 2017-69 was presented to the Township Council to appoint Doug Cabana as Municipal Prosecutor. (Click here to view Resolution 2017-69). The township council approved both resolutions, based on the due diligence is completed by the Township Attorney, Township Clerk and Business Administrator.  Parsippany Focus submitted an OPRA request for copies of the Professional Services Agreement.

Click here for a complete list of the 1,320 Attorneys not in Compliance with Rule 1:28A for 2016.

County Improvement Authority Chooses Firm for Potential Lease of Operations at Morris View 

Frank L. Cahill
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County Improvement Authority Chooses Firm for Potential Lease of Operations at Morris View 

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Improvement Authority, after briefing the Board of Freeholders, today selected Allaire Healthcare Group of Freehold as the company best qualified to lease and run the county’s Morris View Healthcare Centre.

That decision will allow the MCIA to commence negotiations with Allaire which has offered the county $2.7 million annually to lease Morris View. (click here for website)

Combined with a reduction in costs to the county to operate Morris View, the lease could result in an initial total annual savings of $4 million to $6 million, and up to $8 million a year by the end of the decade.

The MCIA chose Allaire based on the unanimous recommendations of a special seven-member county panel, which reviewed eight proposals to lease Morris View based on evaluation criteria approved by the State Comptrollers’ Office. Factors considered by the panel, included financial viability, staffing capabilities, operational practices, and quality control.

Allaire previously purchased and is successfully operating a former Monmouth County nursing facility, which had been owned and managed by county government.

It is important to note Morris County will continue to own Morris View and will closely monitor the quality of care offered by Allaire, or any other company that would lease the 283-bed nursing home and sub-acute rehabilitation facility located in Morris Township.

The MCIA in March issued a Request for Proposals for the potential leasing of Morris View. It sought proposals from experienced private health care organizations for the lease of the 211,277 square-foot facility, including the transfer of the 283-licensed long-term care beds, now held by the county, through the New Jersey Department of Health.

Eight firms responded to the RFP. For a complete list click here.

The Board of Freeholders, when authorizing the development of an RFP for the potential lease of Morris View in 2016, stressed that the county is retaining ownership of the facility and insisted on specific patient care requirements to maintain the high quality of care now offered to elderly and disabled residents living there.

To ensure the choice of a high quality private health care provider, the freeholders voted to employ the MCIA to handle the RFP process, which could give the county more flexibility in choosing the most qualified respondent, rather than be tied to the highest bidder.

The Freeholders approved the leasing option last year following an independent study of Morris View. The study by consultant Perselay Associates projected that the tax-supported subsidy to run Morris View would rise from some $7 million incurred in 2016 to $15.5 million annually by 2020.

The study found that a potential leasing option of Morris View to a private nursing home company could be a viable solution to respond to the projected financial issues that are likely to affect Morris View, while also maintaining the high quality of care offered at Morris View.
The information compiled by Perselay Associates supplements a 2015 report by done for the county by consultants Marcus and Millichap.

To view the Perselay report, click here.

To view the Marcus and Millichap report, click here.

 

Ribbon Cutting Opens the Wellness Path at Lakeland Hills YMCA

Frank L. Cahill
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Ribbon Cutting Opens the Wellness Path at Lakeland Hills YMCA

MOUNTAIN LAKES — Vik Joganow, CEO at Lakeland Hills Family YMCA cuts the ribbon that officially opens the Wellness Path at the back of the Y facility.

Thanks to the support of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, the funding collaborative of New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, the New Jersey Department of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Atlantic Health System, the Y was able to construct a Brazilian Teak boardwalk path for members and the community to utilize year round.

The path connects the woods behind the facility to the playing fields of Mountain Lakes High School.

Also in attendance from left to right, Chris Michael Kirk and Jessica Mulcahy from Atlantic Health, John Sheehan, Y Building & Grounds Supervisor, Anthony Shovlowsky, Y Fitness Director, Lauren Barnett, Deputy Mayor of Mountain Lakes, Beverly Cooper, Y Communications Director, and Y Board Vice President, Angelo Intile.

Parsippany Town Hall Council Regular Meeting 05/22/2017

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Town Hall Council Regular Meeting 05/22/2017
Parsippany Resident Bob Venezia presented the following facts during the Council Meeting of Monday, May 22. Unfortunately due to time restraints imposed by Council President Louis Valori, limiting the public portion to three minutes, Mr. Venezia didn’t finish the entire presentation.  Mr. Valori cut off Mr. Venezia after speaking for three minutes. Parsippany Focus is publishing his entire presentation.
Here is the complete presentation he attempted to discuss with the Mayor and Council:

A little known and even less publicized feature of the affordable housing rules is the concept of Urban Aid Municipalities as defined by the state legislature. The 46 Urban Aid Municipalities are home to 30% of New Jersey’s population, and they contribute heavily to the number of affordable housing units needed at the state and regional level. However, they are under no obligation to actually build affordable housing units, so their obligation must be absorbed by the remaining 70% of the state. In Morris County, which lies in region 2, affordable housing quotas are inflated by at least 40% because of the Urban Aid Municipality exemption.

To be designated as a “Qualifying Urban Aid Municipality”, only one of three criteria must be met. It should come as no surprise that each of these criteria have little to do with affordable housing and everything to do with politics. As a result, the majority of voters in almost every municipality that appears on the Urban Aid Municipality exemption list is affiliated with a single political party. Let’s examine each of these criteria a little closer.

Rule #1 states that if a municipality contains a number of substandard housing units greater than the regional average, then it qualifies as an exempt urban aid municipality. But logically, why would you want to discourage towns that have a large inventory of substandard housing, like Newark, Camden, Paterson, and Trenton, from building affordable housing that actually meets   acceptable living standards?

Rule #2: Any municipality with a population of at least 10,000 people per square mile of land area is exempt from affordable housing obligations. This rule may also be labelled as the Hudson County Exemption Rule because of the way it is constructed. Rule #2 exempts 87% of Hudson County’s population, while few, if any, other towns in the state meet this criterion. A high population density has not prevented affluent towns like Jersey City and Hoboken from adding tens of thousands of market value housing units in the last decade. Why shouldn’t some of them be affordable?

Rule #3 appears to be specifically targeted to exempt the Essex County constituency. Essex didn’t quite make the 10,000 people per square mile criterion, so that rule had to be tweaked a little bit. Rule #3 exempts municipalities with populations of 6,000 to 10,000 per square mile provided that the amount of vacant land in the municipality is less than 5%. This contrived rule exempts 70% of Essex County, while the 5% vacancy clause limits many other towns in the state from qualifying. Montclair, one of the more affluent towns in the state, gets an affordable housing free pass under this rule.

It’s easy to understand why the legislature included these rules in the Fair Share Housing Act. They were just taking care of their loyal constituents. But if the New Jersey Supreme Court was truly concerned about the equitable distribution of affordable housing throughout the state, then these rules should have been struck down. The true intentions of the Fair Share Housing Center and Dr. Kinsey also come into question here because of their lack of objection to these rules. Why didn’t they demand that their fair share methodology be applied to all municipalities equally and without exception? In fact that is exactly what should happen. The Econsult and Dr. Kinsey methodologies should be applied uniformly throughout the state. The only reason any municipality should be exempted from their affordable housing obligation is if the Econsult and Dr. Kinsey calculations result in a zero obligation.

The Urban Aid Municipalities Exemption rules need to be challenged and they need to be overturned.

So, I am asking the council and the mayor to initiate the process by either formally requesting Econsult to challenge the rules, or by commissioning our own legal counsel to do it. I would now like to hear from each of you whether you intend to pursue this course of action or not, and if not, please explain why.

Thank you
Bob Venezia

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