Boro seeks NJT's OK to relocate day laborers Council wants attorney general's opinion on registration proposal BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer "... I really don't think it's the municipality's job to go out and document people... " - William Malley Councilman MATAWAN - Plans to move day laborers from in front of the 7-Eleven to an unused portion of the train station made headway last week. On Sept. 18 the Borough Council voted to write to NJ Transit asking if the railroad agency would allow the day laborers to congregate on the northbound side of the tracks. Councilman Paul Buccellato proposed the idea, saying vehicles that stop to pick up the day laborers are causing a traffic problem in the busy intersection of Route 516 and High Street. Borough Attorney Pasquale Menna will pen the letter to NJ Transit. "The council voted to direct Mr. Menna to prepare a request to NJ Transit to help with the safety and hazardous conditions that presently exist on the west side of the train tracks," Buccellato said Monday. "This request is to allow the workers to assemble on the east side of the tracks near the old white building." Buccellato also suggested that the workers be given photo identification cards as part of a voluntary registration program through the police department. FILE PHOTO The Matawan Borough Council must get permission from NJ Transit to use a portion of the Aberdeen-Matawan Train Station as an area for day laborers to await potential employers. "The second vote was taken to have Mr. Menna write a letter to the state Attorney General's Office to get a ruling on whether business registration of the workers could be enacted," he said. While the idea to write to NJ Transit passed unchallenged, Councilmen William Malley and Joseph Mullaney both voted against the idea of asking the attorney general about registration cards. Council members Debra Buragina and Buccellato voted in favor of seeking the attorney general's opinion. With council members Meghan Mullaney and Michael Cannon both absent, Mayor Mary Aufseeser broke a tie by voting favorably. Malley explained on Monday why he voted no. "I understand the chief feels it's a quality of-life issue," Malley said on Monday. "I did talk to the borough attorney and the chief about it. The 7- Eleven is private property. I just worry that we'll end up just moving the problem from one place to another. I really don't think it's the municipality's job to go out and document people, you know. I think it's going to end up being another expense the municipality can't afford." Buccellato responded to Malley's comment. "Obviously, he misunderstood my proposal," Buccellato said. "It was always my intention to establish a nominal fee to cover the borough's expenses. I don't understand why anyone would not want to make an attempt at addressing an obvious safety issue that is presently existing." In addition to traffic, Buccellato said there are now health dangers associated with the current location. "The board of health has been on that site and has issued a notice to clean the rear portion of the property," Buccellato said. He added this incident occurred last week. "Hopefully New Jersey Transit will help and assist the borough with this endeavor to eliminate a hazardous condition," Buccellato said.