BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
MORRIS COUNTY
MARCH 8, 2010
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 5, 2010 and posted in the municipal building.
Mayor Bravo called the meeting to order at 7: 30 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council members were present except for Deputy Mayor Gormally, Councilman Jackson and Happer.
Also in attendance were Borough Attorney James Brice, Borough Manager Barry Lewis and Borough Clerk
Christina Whitaker.
Deputy Mayor Gormally arrived at 7:32 p.m., Councilman Jackson arrived at 7:33 p.m. and Councilman
Happer at 7:34 p.m.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution 60
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:
· Report on Tax Appeals
· Personnel
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 Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman McWilliams, to enter into Executive Session, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilman McWilliams, second by councilman Shaw, to return to the public portion of the meeting, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilman Shaw announced that the Mountain Lakes Girls Swimming Team won State Championship for the 2nd time in three years.
Mayor Bravo informed the Council that police officer Jason Dimick and his daughter were doing well since their kidney transplant operations.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Bravo explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person.
Mayor Bravo opened the public comment portion of the meeting with the consent of the Council.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Bravo closed the public portion of the meeting.
6. CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE UPDATE
Pat Rusak – HPC and Centennial Committee Member
Ms Rusak presented a proposal for a fund raiser to the Council from the Centennial Committee.
The Committee would like to sell banners to be placed on light poles along the Boulevard announcing the Centennial.
The banners would be approximately two feet by 6 feet and cost $136 each. They would then be resold for approximately $250. The Centennial Committee is aware that it would need permission from the electric company to place the banners on light poles.
It was the consensus of the Council that the Committee could precede with its plans. However, the Council would like the Committee to come back with a conceptional design.
7. 2010 CAPITAL BUDGET PRESENTATION-BOROUGH MANAGER
(Manager’s recommendations hereto attached)
Mr. Lewis explained specific department requests.
The Police Department has requested funding to replace the current 4WD vehicle. The amount requested is $35,000. The requested sum would cover all lettering, radios, and equipping of the vehicle. The department currently has a 2002 pick-up truck with crew cab that serves this purpose.
The DPW requested two vehicle replacements, the replacement of a large V-Box Salt spreader, additional funding for the salt dome roof due to higher than expected estimates, and the replacement of a large riding mower. Mr. Lewis said he recommended the replacement of one truck this year, deferring the other at least until next year, deferring the replacement of the salt spreader, and funding the roof and mower replacement.
An inventory of all roads, curbs and sidewalks in the Borough has recently been completed. This inventory, in conjunction with ongoing discussions with the DPW Superintendent and Borough Engineer will be used to formulate a long term plan and schedule for road maintenance and repaving, curbing repair, replacement or installation, and sidewalk repair, replacement or installation.
In addition, Mr. Lewis said he would be applying for a NJDOT Local Aid grant for an identified road project this June, and each year thereafter as long as the program is in place. This year he recommends that $175,000 be budgeted in this area, which will provide funding for necessary road repairs and maintenance, some targeted paving, curb repairs and sidewalks repairs and maintenance.
In the areas of buildings and grounds he recommended $25,000 for the upgrading of Wilson Park basketball court and surrounding area and fencing. In addition, he set aside $50,000 towards a potential project to be associated with the upcoming Centennial.
The Council discussed a proposal to build an 18 inch wall at the Cove. However, Councilman Jackson said that Lakes Management does not support walls in the lakes
He proposed the budgeting of $25,000 in this category, specifically for dam repairs to the Wildwood dam and any other necessary dam repairs.
The Council said it would like a schedule of dam repairs.
In the past, treatment for the lakes was placed in the Capital Improvement Fund. He anticipated revising the proposed Current Fund budget to reduce the proposed appropriation to the Capital Improvement Fund (currently proposed at $60,000) by approximately $20,000 and adding a corresponding new current fund appropriation for Lake cleaning of $20,000.
As proposed, the Capital Budget would require $40,075 for the 5% down payment on the projects proposed, so this reduction in the CIF appropriation will still provide sufficient funding.
Water Capital projects
Last year the Council discussed the replacement of water meters in the Borough over a three year period.
Mr. Lewis explained how newer technology would allow for the remote or radio signal reading of meters
from a drive by. This method would result in labor savings, as well as the elimination of human error.
However, Mr. Lewis said he would not recommend the three stage process. The Borough would see a
greater saving, in a shorter amount of time, if the project was all done in one year.
Following Council discussion, Mr. Lewis agreed to wait until next year to fund the entire meter replacement and will revise the Capital Budget to include different Water Capital projects.
The Council discussed the amount of use of the Wilson Park basketball court. Councilman Jackson said he did not want to see money spent on something that was not being used. However, Councilman Shaw said that the park already exists and should not be allowed to deteriorate.
Following the discussion members of Council gave their opinions on where additional cuts should be made. Councilman Shaw said he was comfortable with Mr. Lewis’s recommendations.
Introduction of the budget is planned for March 22, 2010, subject to State Aid amounts in the State Budget to be announced March 16th.
8. *RESOLUTIONS
R 57-10 Tax Refund
R 58-10 Payment of Bills
R 59-10 Award Lake Treatment Contract
9. *MINUTES
February 22, 2010 (Regular and Executive)
10. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Construction Official
B. Health Officer
C. DPW
D. Police
E. Fire
F. Annual Tax Collector’s Report
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
11. ATTORNEY’S REPORT-None
12. MANAGER’S REPORT
COAH
Mr. Lewis noted that there has been discussion on the State level whether the Council on Affordable
Housing (COAH) should be eliminated. However, he noted the Borough is current with all submissions to
the Council.
Councilman Jackson reminded the Council that it still had an option to draft its own Affordable
Housing Plan. The Council agreed it was an option to consider.
Private Wells
Councilwoman Emr said her research resulted in a list of properties that had private wells built in 1910.
Mayor Bravo said this was an issue that needed to be placed on a future agenda as a regular
discussion item.
Mr. Lewis updated the Council on the energy audit.
The Manager explained that the lake mapping would start in April.
Deputy Mayor Gormally asked Mr. Lewis to check the condition of the recycling areas and surrounding
area. He advised that DPW workers should be cleaning it on a regular schedule.
13. COUNCIL REPORTS
Appointments
Board of Adjustment-2nd alternate Tim Wilke
Motion made by Councilwoman Emr, second by Councilman Shaw, to appoint Tim Wilke to the Zoning
Board of Adjustment as 2nd Alternate, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Shade Tree-Consuelo Murtagh
Motion made by Councilwoman Emr, second by Councilman Shaw, to appoint Consuelo Murtagh to the
Shade Tree Commission, to fulfill the term of Laura Connors. Laura was reappointed as Alternate, with
all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
14. ADJOURNMENT at 10 15 p.m.
Motion to adjourn by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman Happer, with all members in
favor signifying by “Aye.”
.
*Consent Agenda
Attest:___________________________ ________________________
Christina Whitaker, Clerk Blair Bravo, Mayor