t* Pulse o f the M eadowlands' W ood-R idge • C arlstadt • East Rutherford • Rutherford • Lyndhurst * A r l i n g t o n Established 1894 COMMUNITY NA changes Porete zoning laws How dangerous BRIEFS allowed to exist for years.” about $14 million in new By Tony Aurino Rich Ochab, a spokesman annual tax revenue anticipat­ R e p o r t e r are these tanks? for Cherokee Porete, said ed when the project is com­ Elks plan New the New Jersey Department plete. NORTH ARLINGTON of Environmental Protection A financial study released Year's celebration — The cleanup and redevel­ has “open case files” on some last week states the borough LYNDHURST — The opment of brownfield sites of the properties along will earn $4 million in taxes Lvndhurst Elks will host an on Porete Avenue moved Porete Avenue and contin­ on clean land regardless of opportunity to ring in the closer to reality last week as ues to study the problem of whether the property is new year “Mardi Gras Style” elected officials changed contaminants there. developed. That’s compared on Saturday, Dec. 31. zoning laws to help develop­ To expedite the redevel­ to $900,000 in tax revenues The event will be held ers Cherokee Porete LLC opment and remediation the borough would receive if from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will create a neighborhood in process, Pitman and the Porete Avenue remains in its include open bar, salad and line with an architectural council voted on Dec. 8 to contaminated condition. pasta bar, filet mignon din­ style known worldwide as rezone the area from light Redevelopment plans ner, coffee and dessert, with “New Urbanism.” industrial to mixed-use to aren’t sitting well with Porete DJ music bv Hot Fred on the New Urbanism mixes include residential struc­ Avenue business owners, Mix. A continental breakfast compact, yet vibrant houses tures. Under the amended some of whom have shown will be served at 1 a.m. and condominiums with redevelopment plan, Porete up at planning board and Donation is $60. For tick­ shopping centers and light Avenue lot sizes will become council meetings to protest ets, contact the Elks at 201- industrial businesses. narrower and deeper, and the project. Pitman and the 507-1503, Dave at 201-893- Cherokee Investment builders of new homes will council have been threat­ 3207 or Janel at 201-600-5399. Partners has inked a $270 be required to hide parking ened with lawsuits from million deal with the bor­ garages in the rear of the property owners who do not MRCC sponsors ough to build 1,625 condo­ structures while providing want to leave. Photo by Jeff Fucci miniums, townhouses and sidewalks out front. Representatives of concert for Fritzky single-family homes by the “We’re talking about Cherokee have said that Two liquified natural gas tanks in the Carlstadt Meadowlands have RUTHERFORD — The end of the decade. Cherokee building a community- property owners who do not been cited as a danger to potential residents who would live in the Meadowlands Regional owns EnCap Golf, which friendly neighborhood,” voluntary move will be planned Tomu development. Chamber of Commerce will plans to transform more Ochab said. “It’ll be along forced out under the govern­ According to Williams sponsor a Christmas concert than 700 acres of landfills the lines of old Philadelphia ment’s power of eminent By Jeff Fucci Pipeline and Facilities, which to raise funds and offer trib­ into golf courses in the and Boston neighborhoods.” domain, a legal avenue used Se n io r R ep o r te r acquired the tanks in 1995, ute to its former president, Meadowlands. The amended redevelop­ when the purchase of real they are part of a massive Richard Fritzky, who fell crit­ The project will involve ment plan figures into the property is necessary to CARUSTADT — Current Transco pipeline that serves ically ill to a very serious form relocating several businesses, borough’s plan to clean up improve or maintain a public residents keep a frightful eve the power and heating needs o f menifigitis early in perhaps under the govern­ more than 80 acres of pollut­ construction project. on them every time a brush of locations up and down the October. ment’s power of eminent ed ground over Porete Salvatore DiBlasi of Cobra fire breaks out in the East Coast. Those who wish to attend domain. Avenue, buy out all of the Construction has said that Meadowlands. Mayor Will Natural gas is brought in by the concert, which will be Some property owners industrial businesses located he’s formed an association of Roseman has called them a truck and by pipe, cooled to held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. have vowed to fight. there, and build homes and Porete Avenue businesses clear and present danger for minus 260 degrees, and kept on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the “Eminent domain is to be retail space. and hired a law future residents that will live in inside of double walls of nickel Williams Center for the Arts used as a means of last North Arlington will Carlstadt’s share of the 840- and steel on reserve for high in Rutherford, can buy tickets resort,” Mayor Russ Pitman receive more than *17 unit Tomu development demand. The tanks are insulat­ at the door or call Betsv said this week. “I’m against million over five planned for Paterson Plank ed like thermoses, and risk Spano at the MRCC, 201-939- eminent domain. But you years in addition to Road. assessments and safety tests are 0707, ext. 13 for more infor­ have to realize that you have So just how dangerous are performed on an “ongoing mation. Donation for adults is contaminants down there the two W’illiams tanks at the basis, always looking to $10 and children $7. outskirts of the borough? improve,” said Chris Stockton “If something happened to of Williams Media Relations. them, it’d blow us all off the Stockton said no borough Santa is coming map,” said Second Deputy ordinances had been drafted to breakfast in NA OEM Coordinator Hernan to restrict development Lopez. “With the housing, of around the tanks. NORTH ARLINGTON — course there’s the possibility of The North Arlington Rose man said he was uncer­ more danger than there is cur­ Emblem Club No. 297 will tain whether or not the bor­ rently with wildlife.” hold a Breakfast with Santa ough would try to pass such Lopez said the borough on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 9 ordinances. The NJMC con­ kept him and other emer­ a.m. to noon, at the North trols the zoning of the area. gency personnel in-house Arlington Elks Lodge located On Nov. 10, the NJMC, 9/11 out of concern that the at 129 Ridge Road. Donation along with East Rutherford tanks could be terrorism tar­ is $7 for adults and $3 for gets. children. Please see T A N K S on Pòge Ó Breakfast will include a buffet of pancakes, eggs, French toast, potatoes, bacon, sausage, toast, coffee, Fritzky children will tea and jfriice. Participants are Photo, Cherokee Porete, UC reminded to bring their cam­ eras for pictures with Santa. An example of new urbanism in West Park Village in Tampa, Fla., the type of development slated sing for dad's benefit (or North Arlington, according to Cherokee Porete, U.C. Chamber of Commerce. When See Page 4 for more By Tony AHrino he became ill, he was a consult­ community news... R e p o r t e r ant to the chamber and the RUTHERFORD — When editor of the Meadowlands Passamano resigns post Richard Fritzky’s 12 children Magazine. because his new job at the ignadon had nothing to do sing holiday songs at the experiencingOn Oct. 3,what Fritzky he thought began By Susan Moeler board of education demands with the other commissioners. Williams Center next week, was the onset of a cold. He R e p o r t e r 120 percent from him and He also said that “the future theirThe efforts children will beare for trying him. to developed flu-like symptoms LYNDHURST — Paul thus, keeps him from giving becauselooks bright of the for board Lyndhurst” of com­ raise money to pay the medical the next day, and by the third Passamano resigned his post as 100Passamano percent to said the thattownship. he had missioners. expenses for their father, who pitalday, hewith was a rushed 105-degree to the fever, hos­ commissionerafter he gave ona Dec.speech 7, aat day a to make a decision between Passamano garnered the fell critically ill to a deadly according to information post­ board of commissioners meet­ two demanding positions, and third largest number of votes ago.form of meningitis two months ed on RichFritzky.com. ing praising the board and he decided that he had “to inthe theDiLascio election team that into brought office. “Most victims of the disease To save his life, doctors stating he was proud to be part concentratethe table." He where also said food that is onhe Passamano was the lone mem­ perish within 24 hours,” states amputatedthe knee and his mostright ofleg his below fin­ tUljB JG eahtr of the team. Joe Sireno, who organized Alter his resignation, is proud of his accomplish­ Guida'sber of formerticket toMayor retain James his public relations for die con­ gers. His left foot was amputat­ Published Weekly Passamano, who was recently thements previous on the board and withcurrent both office. cert. “Mr. Fritzky has a lot to edabout from 35 toepercent to mid-arch of the heeland Lyndhurst,251 Ridg* NJ Road 07071 choaen to head the board of administrations.