PORT JERVIS, NY — The Port Jervis Common Council addressed many issues at the meeting on January 25, starting with Phil Massey from the seventh ward, who wanted to know what the city was going to do about construction of a sidewalk to the trains many residents use. He said, “I approached you two years ago about this same thing. There’s snow and slush in the winter. It seems a reasonable thing to do; there’s no sidewalk. I’m a little baffled. What can be done?”

Mayor Kelly Decker said the council would definitely look into that.

Finance and insurance committee chair Frank Bell reported that the city needs to borrow money to pay bills, and requested the passage of a resolution to borrow $900,000. Decker said, “This is the first time we’ve done this since 2009; we have to pay it back. We shouldn’t have to do this.”

Fire and emergency management chair Stan Siegel encouraged young people to apply for the fire department. “Anyone 16 or older can apply. Now’s a time to serve our community,” he said. Application forms can be found at www.pjnyfd.com.

The code and legislative committee’s new chair, David Bavoso, proposed passing six new local laws, and hearings were set for all on February 8. They include:

1. The ability to override the tax limit of 2%, in order to give the council flexibility.

2. To start charging people for engineering or other inspectors’ fees if their properties are in such bad condition as to need to determine their structural state. At present, the city foots the bill.

3. Commit to adding vacant unfit buildings to city taxes for collection, including attorney fees.

4. Adding a definition to the zoning law to allow brew pubs and the like to operate in the central business district.

5. Changing hours of auctions, to extend to Sundays and legal holidays.

6. Denying water service if places have no occupancy for violation of statues or regulations.

Police committee chair Bob Ritchie said there had been an incident on Pike Plaza, a bomb threat to which the police responded. “It happens everywhere now. If you see something, say something; it’s critical now. The person was apprehended, had a court appearance, was released, and will have another court appearance,” he said.

Ritchie also reported that the Industrial Development Agency had a great meeting on January 13, when Frank Paladino, who owns Pike Plaza and is in the process of leasing out stores in it, made a presentation with Tim O’Brian, who works for him on current developments.

In the works are two grocery stores that are competing for space, a regional and national bank, a small retail store, and possibly a laundromat. The plaza could be expanded, possibly where the old pizza place was, but decay was found on the roof. With asbestos removal, the renovation will cost $250,000.

“I’m asking them to make a brief presentation to the council in March, plus press releases to be placed around town. There’s a lot of interest in town,” Ritchie said. “He did say between 60 to 90 days to actual activity, based on tenants. The IDA board is interested in keeping up with the business there. Our main goal is to get it up and running.”

Decker said Energize NY is trying to reduce energy use, and a strictly-for-business presentation will take place February 8.

A request from the U.S. Department of Health asked Port Jervis to take part in Let’s Move, the First Lady’s program to reduce obesity. “It doesn’t cost the city anything, we just have to write a letter. We’ll get our name in a nationally sponsored website,” Decker added.

Council member Stan Siegel met with John Fernandez, the former owner of the remote race car track, and Norman Coard, a remote race car aficionado, and Siegel reported the two have a new approach to reopening the track in Riverside Park. “I think it’s something great for the city. Our youth will benefit, and it fits into our recreational theme we’re trying to build here. Look at it with open eyes. The contract will have safeguards. I hope we get it opening.”

Bavoso said the principles are exactly the same as before. “I’ve seen it the previous time, and I don’t want to see the city jump into it,” he said.

Siegel defended the project, saying new people with a different demeanor were involved, and they had a sense of what’s necessary to keep the track safe. He also suggested putting a clause in the contract to be able to get out of the agreement.

Bell commented on why the track was closed last year. He said, “It didn’t only not work; they tore the whole place up.”

Decker suggested the contract should include a clause that the program has to give open time for people in town, and it has to be supervised.