BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING/ WORK SESSION

BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009

7:30 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 The Citizen and the

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

municipal building.

Mayor Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

All Council members were in attendance except Councilwoman Emr, Councilman Happer and Deputy Mayor Gormally. Mayor Shaw said all were expected soon.

Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Joe Tempesta and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.

Deputy Mayor Gormally arrived at 7:32 p.m., Councilwoman Emr arrived at 7:34 p.m. and Councilman Happer arrived at 7:42 p.m.

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Resolution 69-09

WHEREAS, the Borough Council of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, County of Morris, State of New Jersey

finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to:

· Pending Litigation/Sharkey’s Land Fill

· Shared Services – Contract Negotiations

· Attorney – Client Privilege / Settlement – Trash Bag Agreement

WHEREAS, the Borough Council believes it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss such matters in

closed session.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, that it shall enter Executive Session to discuss only those matters mentioned above; the results of which will be disclosed when the matters are resolved and upon vote of the Governing Body to release the minutes.

Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman McWilliams, to enter into

Executive Session, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

Motion by Councilman Happer, second by Councilman Jackson, to close the Executive

Session and return to the public portion of the meeting at 8:07 p.m., with all members in

favor signifying by “Aye.”

4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mayor Shaw informed the public that Arbor Day would be celebrated on May 1 at Wildwood School at 1:45 p.m.

He informed the public that the Board of Education had provided all the material that the Council would need to review the defeated school budget. The Council must submit its recommendations to the County by May 19. A special meeting will be scheduled before that date. A public hearing will be held on May 14 at the High School.

The public hearing for the municipal budget will be held on May 11.

The annual trout derby was held on April 18. The Mayor thanked the Recreation Commission, DPW, Police Department, and residents of Lake Arrowhead who helped make it a success.

Deputy Mayor Gormally attended the Little League opening day and threw out the first ball.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Shaw explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person.

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

Council.

Michael Feigeles – Boulevard

Mr. Feigeles urged the Council to review the school budget line by line. He said he believed

the school budget failed due to two major reasons. The first, outrage by voters as to the

Superintendent’s salary and the extension of his contract. Second, the budget did not

reflect the difficult times the country was going through. He made several suggestions

including combining the administrations of Wildwood and Briarcliff schools and eliminating

the guidance counselor at Wildwood School. He also questioned the cost of summer

school.

Steve Castellucci – Laurelwood Drive

Mr. Castellucci noted that this was a unique opportunity for the School Board and Borough Council to work together for the future of the municipality.

Mimi Kaplan –Lake Drive

Ms. Kaplan asked the Council to reevaluate the roofing bids to make sure the warranties would allow solar panels in the future.

Ken Flynn-Ball Road

Mr. Flynn said there appeared to be “a disconnect in the public sector with the real world,” adding that people are cutting back in all areas. He said he believed the Council should come up with a rational way to cut expenses while saving jobs and programs.

Jim Newfrock-Ball Road

Mr. Newfrock told the Council that the economy is very different today and that conservative measures needed to be applied to the school budget.

Mark Cohen – Condit Road

Mr. Cohen, a former member of the Board of Education, asked the Council and public to review items in the school budget carefully because it was a fiscally responsible budget. He urged the Council not to begin from scratch by throwing out the entire budget.

Peter Holmberg – Hanover Road

Mr. Holmberg said his taxes had increased 30% over the last 5 years. He said he would like to see the school roof repairs moved from the operating budget to capital spending.

With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Shaw closed the public comment portion of the meeting.

6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

A. Five Year Capital Spending Plan

Due to time constraints only the Capital Spending Plan for 2009 was reviewed. (hereto attached)

The Council discussed specific projects related to the DPW.

Mr. Prusina reported that the water reduction issue appears to be related to the water

meters since leaks have been repaired.

The Manager said he would speak to Bill Ryden regarding a meeting with the Council on

the issue.

Mr. Prusina showed an sample of reflective signage that will be installed in the Borough.

B. School Budget Power Point Presentation and Discussion prepared by Deputy Mayor Gormally Regarding Procedure for Handling Rejected School Budget (This item will be taken up when School Board member Ken Stokes arrives)

Mr. Stokes reviewed the information presented to the public at a Board of Education meeting on March 30, 2009. (hereto attached) He explained that the figures presented in local newspapers were not true representation of the Mountain Lakes School programs because the Lake Drive School figures were integrated into those figures.

School Business Administer Dan Borgo explained health care benefits, hiring practices and how reduction in work force must be handled.

Board of Education member Bill Munday also attended the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Gormally explained what the County expects the Council to do since the school budget was defeated. It was the consensus of the Council to appoint a sub-committee of Council members to review the school budget.

Motion by Councilman Happer, second by Councilwoman Wilson to appoint Councilmen Jackson and Happer and Mayor Shaw to the subcommittee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

The subcommittee will meet on April 29. Members of the public are invited to the work session.

7. ORDINANCES

04-09

ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS

AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14

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:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Wilson

Shaw

05-09

CAPITAL ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $20,300 FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS OR PURPOSES AUTHORIZED TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN

LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY

Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law

and a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2009.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Wilson

Shaw

06-09

BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $812,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $771,400 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF,

Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law

and a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2009.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Wilson

Shaw

07-09

ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SALARY, WAGE AND COMPENSATION OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY

Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law

and a public hearing will be held on May 11, 2009.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Wilson

Shaw

8. *RESOLUTIONS

R 66-09 Joint Defense Agreement

R 67-09 County Road Opening agreement

R 68-09 Payment of Bills

SR 01-09 Arbor Day

9. *MINUTES

April 13, 2009 – Regular

April 13, 2009 – Executive

*Consent Agenda Vote

Council Member	By:	2^nd:	Yes	No	Abstain	Absent
McWilliams	X		X
Emr			X
Jackson			X
Gormally			X
Happer			X
Wilson		X	X
Shaw			X

10. ATTORNEY’S REPORT - None

11. MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Tempesta updated the Council on work being done on sidewalks.

He informed the Council that he met with JCP&L to discuss the street lights at the Station.

He reported that there was a good turnout for Trash Day.

12. COUNCIL REPORTS

Centennial Committee

Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman Happer to form a Centennial Committee and appoint members to the committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.” (list of members and mission statement, hereto attached)

Councilman Jackson asked Council members to review the letterhead recommended by the HPC and get back to him with their comments.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman Happer, to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 p.m. with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

*Consent Agenda

Attest:

___________________________ _____________________

Christina Whitaker, Clerk Stephen H. Shaw, Mayor