Jackson seeks land for affordable housing
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - An ordinance author-izing the acquisition by the township of 23 small lots that would pave the way for an affordable housing project to be constructed has been adopted by the Town-ship Council.

The lots, many of which measure about 20 by 100 feet, are off County Line Road near Christopher Columbus Boulevard in the vicinity of the Italian American Club.

According to the ordinance, which was adopted Feb. 13, the lots will be acquired through a negotiated purchase with the owners or by condemnation.

During the public portion of the meeting, resident Dan Gross asked if officials are going to use condemnation to take the property at taxpayer expense (i.e. legal fees). He also asked if the township is going to sell the property to a developer for $1 so that affordable housing can be built there.

Township Attorney George Gilmore said this particular project was contained in an affordable housing plan that was filed years ago.

"The town has an obligation to acquire the property and have affordable housing built on that property as part of the affordable housing plan," Gilmore said. "[That] is required by the state."

He said most of the land that is needed for the project has already been acquired.

"The balance of the properties that have to be acquired are small lots," Gil-more said. "It is the desire of the town to acquire the property by negotiations and not to condemn property unless there is a particular piece of property that is in the middle of the [area] that we have to acquire and the owner will not sell. Then we have no choice."

The governing body has the power to condemn property through a process known as eminent domain and to take it from the owner for fair market compensation if the property is to be used for a public purpose.

Council President Angelo Stallone said the money for the affordable housing to be constructed off County Line Road will come from previous payments that have been made to Jackson's affordable housing fund.

Affordable housing as defined by the state Council on Affordable Housing is sold or rented at below market prices to people who have incomes that meet regional guidelines established by the state.

"We're moving forward with something that has already been predestined," Mayor Mark Seda said.

At this point there could be 100 affordable housing units constructed in that area, but the number is not definite, Stallone said.

In other council business, salaries for Seda, Stallone and for council members Ann Updegrave, Emily Ingram, Jason Gudaitis and Scott Martin were approved.

For 2006 (July through December), the salary for the mayor was approved at $9,337. In 2007 the mayor will be paid $29,500.

For 2006 (July through December), the salary for all council members was approved at $8,668. In 2007, Stallone, the council president, will be paid $9,668 and the remaining council members will each be paid $8,668.

A resolution authorizing random drug testing of the mayor and council members was passed by council members.

"The way it is set up is that the township has a contract with a [drug testing] firm and they will come out at two different times during an executive session and do the test," Business Administrator William Santos said. "No one will have any knowledge of when the firm will come."

The resolution states that upon a first positive drug test, the mayor or council member will pay a fine of $500 and attend at least 10 hours of certified drug and alcohol counseling sessions. In the event of a second positive test, the mayor or council member will immediately resign his or her position, according to the resolution.

Santos said he believes the public's response to those type of drug test results would force the official to leave the governing body.

The council also passed a resolution appointing Fred Rasiewicz as director of public works beginning March. 5. His salary will be $85,000.

A plaque was presented to Peter Carlson Jr. in memory of his father, former mayor Peter H. Carlson, who served on Jackson's governing body from Jan. 1, 1984 through Dec. 31, 1989 and from Jan. 1, 1993 through Dec. 31, 1998. Carl-son was Jackson's mayor in 1985, 1993 and 1995. He served on the Planning Board for almost 25 years.

"Pete was a great man and a great guy to be around," Updegrave said. "He was a very fair leader who knew how to extend his hand across the table. It didn't matter what political beliefs you had. He was a very good friend of mine and I will miss him dearly."