Councilman hopes to document day laborers Buccellato says boro's muster area should be moved to train station BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Paul Buccellato MATAWAN - Councilman Paul Buccellato would like documents for undocumented workers. On Friday, Buccellato, a Republican, issued a press release saying he wants to set up a voluntary registration program for the undocumented workers who wait outside 7-Eleven looking for day labor. "Since the borough has an ordinance regarding business registrations … it would only seem fair to extend this registration process to those what are conducting business in the area of the train station," Buccellato's release stated. Buccellato also wants the muster zone moved from its current spot next to the 7-Eleven on Route 516 to the old train station building located on the northbound side of the tracks. "The white building, not the old historic building," Buccellato stressed on Friday. He added, "The issue is mostly a safety issue and has nothing to do with depriving someone from making a living." Buccellato said trucks are presently stopping "right in the middle of the street" to pick up workers, causing traffic and other safety concerns. "These are the reports we've been getting from residents and from commuters I've heard from," the councilman said. On Monday, Councilman Joseph "Bud" Mullaney, a Democrat, said the topic is a delicate one. Mullaney mentioned the firestorm of criticism that the Keyport Borough Council faced after proposing an ordinance that would have outlawed renting a dwelling to illegal aliens. "I really don't want to be caught in the middle on this one," Mullaney said. He added, "I'm not as well-versed in it, but I did hear [Borough Attorney] Pat Menna, more or less, saying it's very delicate. They do have rights. I guess 7- Eleven, that's another issue. If they don't want them, they can keep them out. But I guess it's economics to them." If the Borough Council were to enact the proposal, the registration process would involve a criminal background check. "Although it wouldn't be one that included immigration status, it would certainly include any criminal activities," Buccellato said. When asked why an undocumented worker and/or likely illegal immigrant would want to submit to a background check, Buccellato said the process would show the individual is looking to become a legal resident and therefore increase his chances of landing a day job. "Anyone who's working towards legal status in this county, a registration of this nature would certainly help him," Buccellato said. He continued, "My understanding is that there are steps they need to take to get that status. This would be something else to present to the government: I submitted to this process and I got a clean background check." Buccellato said the registration card, which would include a photo, might help a person land a job. Employers may feel more comfortable in hiring them knowing that the worker has submitted to a background check and is intending to become a legal resident, he said. Buccellato said he has already had preliminary talks with the borough attorney and the chief of police. The next major step would be to NJ Transit for permission to use the northbound side of the tracks.