BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING

THURSDAY JULY 5, 2007

6:30 P.M.

 

M I N U T E S  

 

  1.  CALL TO ORDER; OPENING STATEMENT:  This meeting is being held in          

       compliance with Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 and 13, as notice of

       this meeting and the agenda thereof had been reported to Morris County Daily Record

       on June 26, 2007 and posted in the municipal building.

      

       Mayor George Jackson called the meeting to order

 

2.  ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

       All Council members were in attendance except for Councilman Shaw and

       Deputy Mayor Davis.

       Also in attendance were Police Chief Tovo, Borough Attorney James Bryce and Borough

      Clerk Christina Whitaker.

 

3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The fire works display was cancelled on July 4th and rescheduled for Sunday, July 8th.

 

4. PUBLIC COMMENT

       Mayor Jackson explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to 5 minutes and no 

yielding of time to another person.

 

       Mayor Jackson read the following statement before opening the public comment portion of  

       the meeting:

 

      “Mr. Kanter has served a written notice of his intent to make a tort claim against the Borough of

      Mountain Lakes claiming that the Borough, its employees, and elected officials are engaged in

      conduct that he alleges is harassing.  On the advice of counsel any questions directed to us at

      this meeting by Mr. Kanter will be reviewed by our legal counsel; and if appropriate, will be

      responded to in writing. It is our considered judgment this procedure will minimize disruption

      and protect the interest of the public.”

 

      Mayor Jackson opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of Council.

 

      With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the public comment portion of the

      meeting.

         

5. ORDINANCE

       14-07

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 173 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES AND ESTABLISHING A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR “SPECIAL USE” FACILITIES            Public Hearing

           If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage as provided by law.

 

 

Mayor Jackson opened the Public Hearing.

 

Joe Morgis - West Shore Road

Mr. Morgis told the Council that since enforcing the Recreation Commission’s rules and regulations, the beaches are more enjoyable.  Police presence is more visible, resolving   most of the problems with non-residents.

 

Allison  Fenton - Roberts Drive

Mrs. Fenton thanked the Council for moving quickly to resolve the problems at the

Beaches. Her family is glad to be able to go back to the beaches.

 

Vicki Allison – Raynold Road

Mrs. Allison thanked the Council for all their efforts to resolve the problems at the beaches.

She thanked Councilwoman Emr for taking time to pick up bottles, cans, and trash around        

Birchwood Beach and in the lake.

 

Denise Brennan, Recreation Director Denise Brennan said she and Beach Director Dede

Conlon have instructed the life guards not to sell badges to non-residents and are

reinforcing the beach rules and regulation. New signage will soon replace old signs.

She noted that patrolling by the Police Department is going well.

 

Police Chief Tovo said that in the last 13 months there were a variety of 36 complaints,

ranging from dogs running at large, and unlawful use of alcohol and drugs. Of those

reported, eight complaints resulted in the charges being filed against non-residents.

 

With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the public portion of the

meeting.

 

The Council discussed the parking capacity at the beaches. Chief Tovo said that the driving

pattern in beach parking areas could be confusing if not familiar with the facility. He

added that if non-residents used the parking areas, they would be filled to capacity.  

 

Councilman Urankar explained to the public that the Council was taking precautions to make

sure it could support its position.   

 

Under the amended ordinance residents will need to have a beach tag on at all times

when at the recreation facilities.

 

Councilman Gormally and Urankar supported a study to possible eliminate the cost of beach

tags for residents. The matter will be reviewed during the 2008 budget process.

 

Councilwoman Wilson said she was satisfied that the Borough could support its position.

 

Councilwoman Emr said she was grateful that all Council members were willing to

support the amendment.

 

 

Introduced: June 25, 2007                                            Adopted: July 5, 2007

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Davis

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Wilson

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Urankar

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 6. ADJOURNMENT

      On motion by Councilman Gormally, second by Councilwoman Wilson to adjourn at 7 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.

 

*Consent Agenda

           Attest:

___________________________                            _____________________

Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk                           George B. Jackson, Mayor