[ back ]
Mayor has no tolerance: Business owners must clean up
(by Cindy Forrest - April 16, 2008)
“We have tried and tried and tried to get business owners to comply with the property maintenance code,” said Mayor James Dodd, “and now we have a zero-tolerance policy in place.”
Clearly frustrated with the continuing lack of compliance, the mayor made the new policy announcement at a recent Board of Alderman meeting.
Dodd has repeatedly talked about the need to clean up the downtown business district. During his first administration the town purchased a $75,000 street sweeper that is used day and night to keep the sidewalks and the streets of the business district clean. On numerous occasions, the mayor has insisted that it would behoove business owners to keep the area around their businesses clean and attractive.
In addition to enforcing maintenance ordinance, he has been looking at plans for unifying the colors and the awning styles in the business community. As a Dover business owner, Dodd said he understood the pressures but he remained adamant that well-maintained shops attract more business.
However, after a recent early morning drive down Blackwell Street with litter still an issue, he said, “Compassion has turned to zero tolerance and that’s the approach that will be taken to get rid of the garbage and litter on the streets of Dover.”
Dodd has enlisted the support of Dover Police Chief Harold Valentine who now has foot patrols out on the streets. Those officers will issue tickets on the spot for violations. The police presence on the streets is in addition to the town’s property code enforcement officers who will also be out there to enforce the town’s clean street ordinances.
Other news:
Parking
The board also introduced two new parking ordinances. Ordinance 08-2008 requires that before a monthly parking permit will be processed the name, address and telephone number of the applicant, along with the license plate number, make, model, year and color of the vehicle that will display the permit must be provided. Additionally, residents purchasing permits must have a valid license and some form of photo I.D.; two documents indicating proof of residence; and a valid registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle.
Before the vote, Alderman Pat Donofrio asked whether current permit holders would be grandfathered in and therefore not required to supply the required documentation. Dodd said no because one of the purposes of the new ordinance is to make sure that town residents are given first consideration for these permits and that means verifying their place of residence.
“There’s a waiting list in town for all of our parking lots,” the mayor said, “and our best interest here is to serve our residents first, then commuters.”
The second parking ordinance being considered will make additional permit parking spaces available. Ordinance 09-2008 would convert the parking spaces in the municipal lot along River Street between North Essex and North Bergen Streets from metered parking to permit parking. Day permits, from 6 to 2 a.m. and night permits, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., will be available for purchase.
Pedestrian killed
A pedestrian was struck and killed on April 5 at the intersection of Route 15 and Gray Street, the same site where seven years earlier, another pedestrian was killed. The man, who died after being hit by a JCP&L truck, had not been identified at press time.
“The New Jersey Department of Transportation has that location on its list of ‘most dangerous intersections’ said town administrator Bibi Stewart Garvin, “but no action has been taken.”
The mayor has scheduled a meeting with state officials to address this safety issue.
Bridge work
Finally, as state project work begins on the roads and bridges in Dover, Dodd told residents that public meeting would be held to keep them apprised of what would be happening in their neighborhoods, even though at times the turnout has been disappointing.
“At two of the meetings we held in relation to the South Salem Street Bridge construction, there were no residents in attendance, Dodd said, “and not only did the state send out notices but the town also sent out information.”
Cindy Forrest can be contacted at: forrestc@northjersey.com.
[ back ]
