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Belleville Watch

10 hours ago

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫'𝐬 "𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩"Last week, the Watch reported on the new parking meters in Belleville, which take only credit cards or you can scan a QR code to download an app. Coins are no longer accepted in these machines (as an aside, I get the vibe that having credit-card and app-accepting meters in town is a way of making the town seem more "young" and "affluent," while giving the perhaps unintentional message that using coins is "old-fashioned" and maybe even "low-class.")At Tuesday night's Town Council meeting, vocal resident and Washington Avenue business owner Vinnie Frantantoni spoke on what Your Belleville Watchdog found out two weeks ago: all our neighboring towns still have coin-accepting parking meters, and don't seem to have a problem with emptying the meters and depositing the coins! Frantantoni says the new meters have cost him business.After Frantantoni spoke, Mayor Michael Melham said that a family member carries coins, and isn't happy about the new meters. He also that he had no input into the new meters and was frustrated as well., implying his hands were tied with the Town's decision.You'd imagine the mayor of a town would have some kind of influence or input into something like this. As someone who ran for office on boosting revenue for the town, it makes sense that Melham would have been in the loop about what kind of meters were being proposed. I don't buy the "my hands were tied" schtick and neither should anyone else.Granted, in our council-manager form of government, there are things that our elected officials cannot do. The Town Manager runs day-to-day operations, and the mayor or council members can't, for example, discipline a Township employee. They may be able to recommend a course of action or even bring a matter to the manager's attention, but the Manager oversees personnel matters. But that's a far cry from not having input on something as important as how the Town gathers revenue.So far, I haven't heard any great raves about the new meters; as a matter of fact, I've heard almost nothing but complaints. Because it seems like these new meters haven't won the public over, the mayor has decided to throw his hands up and say he had no part in this. Now I'd wager if they were a big hit with the public, his social media would be brimming with self-promoting posts and accolades.In 2018 and again last year, Belleville was promised an administration that broke with Belleville's negative political past and would bring transparency and bold leadership to the town., For five years, it's been the same-old, same-old but with a new face. ... See MoreSee Less

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Belleville Watch

1 day ago

𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 -- 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 $𝟖𝟗 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞The Town Council voted to introduce the 2023 municipal budget at last night's meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, Township Manager Anthony Iacono stated that the budget -- developed by the Budget Committee and Township CFO Frank DiMaria -- was one that looks different from previous ones, thanks to those involved. Iacono projected an $89 increase of the municipal property tax on the average Belleville home assessed at $267,000 (this increase 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 potential property tax increases from the board of education.)Iacono, DiMaria and Township Clerk Albert Cabrera agreed that the budget should be available for public viewing starting today or tomorrow. Now that the budget has been introduced, the State of New Jersey must review and approve it. Depending on possible state aid and such, the $89 figure could change. Once the state has done its reviews, it goes back to the Town Council for adoption.Never one to miss an opportunity to complain about perceived ingratitude on the public's part, Mayor Michael Melham bemoaned that nobody gave accolades to the Town Council and Township administration for introducing the budget on time. Well, Mr. Mayor, it shouldn't be hard to grasp that residents and taxpayers actually expect Town Hall to do things by the book and on time! Basic governance!But if you need applause, here you go!tenor.com/xvrI.gif ... See MoreSee Less

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About The Watch

The Belleville Watch is part of the Essex Watch Project, an interconnected network of independent public advocacy groups and citizen coalitions sharing resources and common goals.

The Essex Watch is a volunteer watchdog organization and public advocacy platform. It partners with engaged citizens and civic groups in various municipalities, and offers guidance on how to identify, report, and raise awareness of misconduct in local government.

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