BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2009

8 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 The Citizen and the

       Morris County Daily Record and The Star Ledger on January 6, 2009 and posted

       in the municipal  building.

 

       Mayor Stephen Shaw called the meeting to order at 8 p.m.

 

2.      ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

 All Council members were present except for Councilman Jackson who was on vacation. Councilwoman Emr arrived at 8:04 p.m. and Deputy Mayor Gormally arrived at 8: 05 p.m.

 

3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS - None

 

  4. PUBLIC COMMENT

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

       yielding of time to another person.

 

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

 

Tobia Ippolito – Crestview Road

Mr. Ippolito requested the Council allow him to purchase the paper road contiguous to his property. Mr. Ippolito plans to raze the existing house at 15 Crestview Road and build a new one in its place. However, they have learned that the property has frontage on a paper road (North Glen), which affects the standards applicable to corner lots in the Borough. Mr. Ippolito said he would be willing to deed it back to the Borough allowing a permanent easement and access to the Tourne.

 

The discussion regarding the request to purchase the property was moved up on agenda from the Manager’s Report, with consent of Council.

 

Mr. Tempesta explained the request and referred to a letter from the couple’s attorney, Roy Kurnos.

The Council discussed the request and noted that the Borough has a long-standing policy not to sell Borough owned property.

 

Motion made by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilwoman Emr, to continue the policy of not selling Borough owned property, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”. 

 

Mr. Murphy said he had concerns regarding the actual ownership of the road.

The Council discussed possible alternatives. The Council authorized Mr. Murphy and Mr. Tempesta to examine other options and report back to the Council.  Mr. Murphy will contact Mr. Kurnos. Vacating a Borough road would require an ordinance.

 

5. ORDINANCES

1-09

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF

THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES AND PROVIDING FOR THE

ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF CLOTHING BINS

WITHIN THE BOROUGH

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

      law.  

 

     PUBLIC HEARING

 

     Mayor Shaw opened the public hearing.

     With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Shaw closed the public hearing.

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Gormally

X

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Wilson

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before adoption of ordinance 02-09

R47-09 -Application to the Local Finance Board

 

 

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

X

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

X

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

Wilson

X

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  02-09

  Refunding Bond Ordinance of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, in the County of Morris, 

  New Jersey Providing for the Advance Refunding of Certain General Improvement

  Bonds, Series 2002, Appropriating $3,300,000 Therefor and Authorizing the Issuance of

  $3,300,000 General Improvement Refunding Bonds of the Borough for Financing the

  Cost Thereof.

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

  law.   PUBLIC HEARING      

 

  Mayor Shaw opened the public hearing.

  With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Shaw closed the public hearing.

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Gormally

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

X

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Wilson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. 2009 BUDGET – Joe Tempesta-Ken Huelbig-Dana Mooney

Police

        Police Chief Tovo explained where increases in spending could be expected.

        He explained why there was an increase in the cost for County Dispatch Services. Fewer

        municipalities are on line with the County than expected.  However,  the County was not

        prepared to take on more towns at this time. Another problem was that the County

        had billed towns based on population, rather than calls received. The number of calls has

        exceeded the County’s expectation.

        The Chief informed the Council that certain police vehicles were scheduled for

        Replacement and trade in.

                

       Fire Department 

       Fire Chief Steve Butera said he would like his budget to include physicals for all active 

       members. This would be a reoccurring cost.  He would also like to purchase fire

       suppression equipment.  In addition, the budget calls for water rescue tools for each

       firefighter.

 

      DPW

Mr. Prusina explained that two men had been out with injuries, which resulted in an increase of overtime. Recent weather conditions have required additional overtime work for the DEP. 

Mr. Tempesta said former amounts budgeted for salt were unrealistic and more money should be placed in the budget this year. Ms. Mooney and Mr. Huelbig will do an analysis on the actual cost of salt in prior years.  

 

The Council discussed the recycling area at the DPW yard and the need to educate residents on what is acceptable recycling material.

 

The consensus of the majority of the Council was to remove the $7500 from the budget for tree limb pickup.

 

Administration

Mr. Tempesta informed the Council of expected costs related to administration.

 

The Clerk’s budget remained stable except for an increase in election costs due to an

annual 5% increase by the County Election Office. 

           

Finance

Ms. Mooney clarified where computer expenses for the police department were placed in

the budget.

 

 

7. DISCUSSION

A.      Mountain Lakes Centennial (Hereto attached)

The Council discussed creating a committee to handle the upcoming centennial celebration. Mayor Shaw noted that there has been a great deal of interest in the celebration. The Centennial book should be ready for sale by December 2010. The Council agreed on the mission statement as attached to the discussion item. He also asked for feedback on the list of potential committee members

 

8. *RESOLUTIONS

     R44-09 Dispatch Agreement – Refer to Agreement in 1/26/09 packet.

     R52-09 Refunding and Sale – pulled by Happer

     R53-09 Payment of Bills

 

 9.  *MINUTES

       January 26, 2009 – Regular

       January 26, 2009 – Executive

 

10. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A.      Health Officer

B.     Public Health Nurse

C.     Construction Official

D.     Fire Department

E.     DPW

 

 

Consent Agenda Vote

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

X

Gormally

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

X

X

 

 

 

Wilson

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

                               

                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

    

 

R53-09

Motion made by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman McWilliams, to amend the resolution to require both the Mayor and Chief Financial Officer’s signature, with all members in favor signifying by Roll Call vote.

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

X

Gormally

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

Wilson

 

X

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. ATTORNEY’S REPORT

      Mr. Murphy said he had reviewed the State statute on the merger of police departments 
      (N.J.S.A.40A: 65-8) and it would not be necessary to go out for referendum if the governing 
      body decided to merge its police force. 
 
      Mr. Murphy updated the Council on the Accardi appeal. The charge was affirmed but the 
      fine was reduced to $500.

 

     12. MANAGER’S REPORT

     Ippolito request for sale of Borough property – moved up on the agenda for discussion

 

     Public Health Nurse          

     Mr. Tempesta explained that Public Health Nurse Kathleen Skrobola had resigned in order to

     return to the private nursing sector. He said he was working with Montville Health Officer

    John  Wozniak in hopes of adding public health nurse services to the Borough’s health

    service contract.

 

    Mr. Tempesta said work on well # 3 has been completed and he was waiting on the testing to

    be completed.

 

    The Borough received three proposals for lake treatments. He plans to have a resolution to

    award a contract at the next Council meeting.

 

    Councilwoman Wilson asked the Manager to research who was responsible for replacing

    the lights in the parking lot at the train station.

 

   13. COUNCIL REPORTS

   Mayor Shaw reported that the new member orientation meeting went well.

 

   Motion by Mayor Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Gormally, to appoint the following people to

   the Shared Service Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

  1. Chair Peter Holmberg
  2. Mike Feigeles
  3. Glenn Tippy
  4. Rich Grebe
  5. Tom Ryan
  6. Dana Pogorzelski
  7. Roberta Spray
  8. Loretta Dobrosky
  9. James Gannon

 

     Deputy Mayor Gormally and Councilwoman Emr will serve as liaisons to the committee.

 

2009 Appointments/Vacancies

Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman Happer, to appoint Rob Waas to the Finance Advisory Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

Motion by Mayor Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Gormally, to appoint Courtney Whitney, Vince Dougherty and Mark Di Ionno to the Memorial Day Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.

 

Citizen of the Year Award

Janice Hunts Award

The Mayor asked that the Council submit nominations to him.

 

Councilwoman Wilson reported that the Fire Department was going through reorganization and hopes to have a new purchase order system up and running quickly. This year the Fire Department is planning a picnic fundraiser instead of having its usual Dinner Dance. The Junior Fire Department will hold its annual pancake breakfast on April 12,2009.

 

Councilwoman Emr said the Environmental Commission has received the finalized fauna report.

The Commission is looking for grant money to finish the NRI.

 

The Council suggested inviting Louise Davis to a Council meeting to give a presentation on “Sustainable New Jersey.”

 

14. ADJOURNMENT

On motion by Councilman McWilliams, second by Councilman Happer, to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

 

*Consent Agenda

          

Attest:

___________________________                            _____________________

Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk                          Stephen H. Shaw, Mayor