Paramus NJ Pool Fees Up for 2009

PARAMUS ­— Fees for the borough swimming pool will rise by as much as 70 percent when it opens this summer for the first time since dangerous levels of PCBs and other containments were found throughout the property almost two years ago.

Borough officials say the rate increases are necessary to offset the more than $2.5 million they spent cleaning the soil and updating the facility without passing too much of the expense on to taxpayers who don’t use it.

But the rate increases, passed by a 4-2 council majority on Tuesday, highlighted friction between the Democratic majority and Republicans Maureen O’Brien and Cathy Bentz, who voted against the measure. The pair said the fee structure puts too much of a burden on residents who are already struggling in the economic downturn.

“I don’t think we should increase the rates this year,” O’Brien said. “I think we should leave it so people could see what a beautiful pool we have this year, and next year maybe a lot of people will come, and if you’ve got to raise the prices then, you’ve got to raise the prices.”

Most of the money for the soil remediation and swimming pool upgrades — such as a new kiddie pool, new plumbing and a new slide — came from bonds the council approved last year, before Bentz and O’Brien broke a Democratic monopoly on the council in the November elections. The Republicans raised the pool-spending issue during their campaign.

They contend that the borough should have concentrated on the state mandate that contaminants be removed from the soil, and that the upgrades could have been made later.

Now, they said, the borough is attempting to bump the rates too quickly, a strategy that could backfire if too many people decide to continue with alternative arrangements they made last year, when the pool was closed.

They also said their council colleagues did not give them enough time or information to fully consider the decision after they had raised concerns about the price increases at a work session last week. They said they did not know they would be voting on new rates until the issue appeared on the meeting agenda, and they did not know what the proposal would be until an informal meeting about an hour before the vote.

Councilmen Fred Hayo — the swimming pool liaison — and Richard LaBarbiera shrugged off the criticism, saying the new rates were in line with what other towns were charging.

 “The fee is still extremely competitive and probably one of the best bargains around,” LaBarbiera said. “To not increase it would have been an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer, which at this time would have been inappropriate.”

They also said they addressed Bentz and O’Brien’s concerns about the first draft of the rate structure when they introduced the final proposal, scaling back the fees and adding one-month memberships.

“The rest of us were flabbergasted by the vote,” Hayo said. “I don’t know where this is coming from. It stinks of party politics.”

Borough manager Anthony Iacono said the swimming pool, which is supposed to operate on its own revenue, has a deficit of about $300,000, which the new rates are meant to reduce. He said the pool was not sustaining itself even before it closed in 2007, when it had about 5,500 members.

E-mail: akin@northjersey.com

Article from NorthJersey.com

For assistance is selling your home in Bergen County, River Edge NJ, Oradell NJ, Paramus NJ, Emerson NJ, Fairlawn NJ. Contact Carmelo Oliveri, Coldwell Banker Realtor at (201) 618-2854. Visit our web site at http://www.ournjhouse.com

NJ Home Sellers, Taking Care Of Granite & Marble

The following care and maintenance tips will help keep your new kitchen and/or bathroom looking radiant for many years.

• It is recommended that you do not use your newly installed countertops or vanities for 48 hours. That includes any work to be done to your cabinets or plumbing fixtures.The silicone adhesive needs to set and if disturbed may cause seams and backsplashes to shift.
• Granites are made up of many different types of natural stones that may vary in color and grain. They are porous and require sealants or waxes to maintain their beauty.
• Granite is resistant to stains. Generally, any liquid spilled on agranite top, if wiped up within a few minutes, will not stain. However if left for a long period of time, even water can soak into a granite countertop and leave a dark colored spot; but this usually will evaporate. Liquids that do not evaporate, such as oils, will cause stains if left to soak into the stone; however, if the source of the stain is known then it is very likely that the stain can be removed. Most stains can be removed by a professional stone restorer. Even oil stains can usually be removed using a poultice or paste that will draw out the oil from the stone.
• Granite is heat resistant and can withstand the heat of hot pots and pans without damage. Impact from a heavy object may scratch, chip or break granite. We recommend that you do not use your countertop as a cutting board or place hot skillets or roasting pans directly onto the surface. We suggest using cutting boards and trivets/hot pads at all times.
• Granite will become damaged from use of harsh chemicals. Routine cleaning with mild soap and water is all that is required. Avoid using bleach, abrasive cleaners, strong chemicals and solvents, permanent markers and inks and oil soap products. They will remove any waxes and sealants, create stains and will expose your stone to damages that may or may not be repaired by a professional.
• Some granite is more porous than others. However, all of our granite countertops are sealed upon installation. The rule of thumb is that when the water no longer beads up, it’s time to re-seal. A re-application of a penetrating sealer should be performed either by the home owner or a professional, every year (longer or shorter depending on usage), which only takes about 15-30 minutes.

 To Learn More About This Topic visit  http://stoneplusdesignllc.com

NJ Loan Remodification Assistance____Learn More www.OurNJhouse.com

A Loan Modification is a permanent change in one or more of the terms of a mortgagor’s loan, allows the loan to be reinstated, and results in a payment the mortgagor can afford.

Question 1: In utilizing the Loan Modification option to bring an asset current, can the mortgagee include all fees and corporate advances?

Answer: It depends upon when the closing date occurred. For assets closed:

After July 1, 1991 but before January 1, 2001, the 7-year unearned premium refund schedule shown in Mortgagee Letter 1994-1 remains in effect,

On or after January 1, 2001 that are subsequently refinanced, the 5-year refund schedule shown in the attachment of Mortgagee Letter 2000-46 applies, or

On or after December 8, 2004, refunds of upfront MIP are eliminated except, when the mortgagor refinances to another FHA insured mortgage. The refund schedule attached to Mortgagee Letter 2005-03 has been modified to a 3-year period.

Question 9: Can a mortgagee qualify an asset for the Loan Modification option when the mortgagor is unemployed, the spouse is employed, but the spouse name is not on the mortgage?

Answer: Based upon this scenario, the mortgagee should conduct a financial review of the household income and expenses to determine if surplus income is sufficient to meet the new modified mortgage payment, but insufficient to pay back the arrearage. Once this process has been completed the mortgagee should then consult with their legal counsel to determine if the asset is eligible for a Loan Modification since the spouse is not on the original mortgage.

For assistance is selling your home in Bergen County, River Edge NJ, Oradell NJ, Paramus NJ, Emerson NJ, Fairlawn NJ. Contact Carmelo Oliveri, Coldwell Banker Realtor at (201) 618-2854. Visit our web site at http://www.OurNJhouse.com

River Edge NJ Real Estate Market Update

As of 4-15-2009 River Edge NJ has 51 Active Homes for sale,  9 Properties Under Contact and 8 Properties that have the past month.  River Edge is an amazing commuter town with NJ Transit Train Station, Blue Ribbon School District and a Small town feel. 

As of 4-15-2009 Paramus NJ has 121 Active Properties for Sale, 15 Properties Under Contract and 9 Closed and Sold the Past Month.  If you are looking to get in to a great town with great schools and conveniently located, NOW IS THE TIME AMPLE INVENTORY TO PICK FROM AND SOME AMAZING DEALS!!!!

For assistance is selling your home in Bergen County, River Edge NJ, Oradell NJ, Paramus NJ, Emerson NJ, Fairlawn NJ. Contact Carmelo Oliveri, Coldwell Banker Realtor at (201) 618-2854. Visit our web site at http://www.OurNJhouse.com

Paramus NJ Recent Real Estate Sales

As of 4-15-2009 Paramus NJ has 121 Active Properties for Sale, 15 Properties Under Contract and 9 Closed and Sold the Past Month.  If you are looking to get in to a great town with great schools and conveniently located, NOW IS THE TIME AMPLE INVENTORY TO PICK FROM AND SOME AMAZING DEALS!!!!

For assistance is selling your home in Bergen County, River Edge NJ, Oradell NJ, Paramus NJ, Emerson NJ, Fairlawn NJ. Contact Carmelo Oliveri, Coldwell Banker Realtor at (201) 618-2854. Visit our web site at http://www.ournjhouse.com