About 120 properties won tax appeals at the Union County Board of Taxation this fall, collectively knocking almost $182,000 off their tax bills for the 2012 year.
Continue reading 2013 tax appeals ding city for almost $182,000
Tag Archives: Hurricane Sandy
State of the City 2013
Mayor Rick Proctor focused his State of the City remarks last night on regional flood mitigation efforts and the city’s response to Hurricane Sandy while touching on some redevelopment topics. He also warned of a tough budget year, thanks to another water utility deficit that will raise water rates.
Nearly $500k in damage to rec center, library
Rahway Public Library and Recreation Center were among the “victims” of Hurricane Sandy, with damages running as much as a half-million dollars to the two facilities.
The City Council last month approved a $750,000 bond ordinance (O-35-12), including a downpayment of $35,715, for various improvements to city facilities damaged in the October storm. The largest item listed in the ordinance was $285,000 for the acquisition, installation and replacement of the floor at the Recreation Center, and another $205,000 for acquisition, installation and replacement of the roof at the library.
There also was $155,000 for acquisition, installation and replacement of various office furniture and equipment at City Hall and $105,000 for the repair of the roof and acquisition, installation and replacement of various equipment at the Department of Public Works.
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The bond ordinance was prepared until insurance comes in but the Redevelopment Agency might pursue the builder of the library for damage incurred if it’s not covered by insurance. The city plans to file for reimbursement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for costs due to Sandy, including physical damage as well as overtime salaries and additional expenses allowed, such as hiring of out-of-state tree crews, according to City Council President Samson Steinman, though he said there’s no estimated total yet.
During his report to the Redevelopment Agency last month, City Engineer James Housten said the membrane that was attached to the library roof came loose during Sandy’s high winds, causing tears around the drains and columns, de-laminating the membrane and tearing it from the insulation.
The tears and drains were repaired to keep from losing the membrane and temporarily reinforce it. Roof replacement likely would be necessary in the near future, which Housten estimated at about $150,000, on top of about $35,000 to reinforce the membrane. The drains connected to the plumbing were never attached to the framework, allowing the wind to lift them up, he said. There was a 15-year warranty on the roof, but only up to winds of 55 mph, but if it was cause by improper installation, he added, it might not be covered by insurance.
The 75,000-square-foot facility opened in 2004, with $3 million of the $15-million construction cost coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), another $7.4 million from federal and state governments, $1.4 million from the state Office of Emergency Management, $1 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and $2 million from the New Jersey State Public Library.
The library was built as a public-private partnership. The Redevelopment Agency remains a member of the condominium association that manages the facility along with the owner of the top two floors of office space which was acquired in 2009 for $4.55 million, The old library, at the corner of St. Georges and Central avenues, was destroyed by Tropical Storm Floyd in September 1999.
Neighboring Carteret had planned to request $53 million from FEMA for damage to public and private property. In Passaic County, the federal government had planned to buy 65 homes damaged during last year’s Tropical Storm Irene.
Power seems restored to more of Rahway
The Rahway Power Map has been updated through Monday evening, with numerous reports from readers on Monday afternoon of restored power throughout town. Some parts of the map might not be accurate if someone reported power being out but has not posted or tweeted a follow-up that power is back.
It would seem there might be some folks still stricken with no power, particularly these areas:
* A large swath near the Linden border, an area east of Grand Avenue, West Scott and Linden avenues to Lower Alden Drive — lots of downed trees in this area.
* West of St. Georges Avenue in the vicinity of the high school (also saw lots of downed trees around there).- Near the Colonia border around Murray Street.
* A section of West Milton Avenue near West Emerson — with reports of still no power at a few places in the vicinity of Maple Avenue and West Emerson Avenue, including the Clifford Case Senior Housing.
* Some issues within complexes, such as River Place, where both buildings have been restored but there are reports of issues with individual meters.
* Near the Colonia border around Murray St.
Thanks to everyone for their patience during this difficult week, as well as to everyone who has helped in getting power restored (hope it wasn’t too much of a hardship for anyone). But if you still don’t have power, don’t take for granted that PSE&G knows you’re out of juice; contact them to be sure (and hang in there!). For information on voting in Tuesday’s election, jump below the map.
Election Day is still Tuesday, with Roosevelt School the only local polling place without power but the county Board of Elections will provide a generator and the Police Department and Board of Education will provide external and internal lighting; voters should enter through the West Lake Avenue entrance (Door 17), according to the city. The polling place may not open exactly at 6 a.m. Polls are open until 8 p.m. Voters in the 5th Ward at the Senior Center on Esterbrook Avenue should enter the rear of the building.
The city clerk’s office will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for assistance or election concerns, and can be reached at City Hall or by 732-827-2100.
Hurricane Sandy
Taking inspiration from this map created by folks in Hoboken after Hurricane Sandy, I’ve come up with this version for Rahway to show what’s open and where power has been restored – or not. It appears that a few buildings downtown still are without power, as well as several neighborhoods around the city. The map was created through various reports from residents via Facebook, Twitter or direct emails.
If you have an update on your neighborhood, contact us by:
– email at RahwayRising@gmail.com
– Tweet at us Twitter @RahwayRising
– Post on our Facebook page
The latest post on the city’s Facebook page on Sunday indicated a message from PSE&G that “it looks like the majority of Rahway customers will be restored by Tuesday.’ In the meantime, warming stations have been set up at Rahway High School on Madison Avenue, Grover Cleveland Elementary School on East Milton Avenue and St. Thomas Church on St. Georges Avenue — and as of Sunday, they would be operating 24 hours a day until further notice.
Stay warm!