BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
MORRIS COUNTY
MAY 10, 2010
8:00 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 Blair Bravo called the meeting to order at 8 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council members were present except for Councilman Happer who was away on business. Councilman
McWilliams arrived at 8:04 p.m.
Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Barry Lewis, and Borough
Clerk Christina Whitaker.
3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Bravo said the Annual Firemen’s Ball was well attended.
She congratulated the three new Eagle Scouts, Chris Chan, Phil Hoffman and Zander Massey,recently installed at Court of Honor.
Arbor Day was celebrated in the Borough. Jay Eveleth was this year’s honoree.
Deputy Mayor Gormally thanked those who took part in the Eagle Scout project which involved cleaning up two pocket parks on the Boulevard and planting some trees in the area.
4. 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.
Tara Strauss -17 Crane Road/League of Women Voters President
Ms. Strauss told the Council that the League of Women Voters supported the Council sending a letter to the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) asking the State to adopt a statewide deer management program. (letter hereto attached)
Lynn Uhrig – 1 Sunset Lane
Ms. Uhrig asked the Council to join with other organizations in asking the NJDEP to take immediate action in implementing a statewide deer management program. She noted that the grazing of deer on Borough property has injured tree saplings from maturing and made room for invasive plants. She noted that individual homeowners have spent large sums of money in an effort to protect their property from the deer.
Margaret Gossett – 24 Glen Road/Environmental Commission
Ms. Gossett said the Environmental Commission agreed with the Woodlands Committee that the Council should endorse a statewide deer management program.
With no one else wishing to be heard, the Mayor closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
The Mayor, with consent of the Council, moved the Woodlands Committee report up on the Agenda for discussion.
Councilman Jackson explained that normally it is Council policy not get involved in statewide issues by endorsing duplicate resolutions sent to the Council by other municipalities. However, Councilman Jackson said deer management was an issue that the Borough has had to address on its own and achieved some success.
Councilman Shaw said he agreed with the policy of the Council. However, he felt it would be wise of the governing body to get involved in this issue SINCE THE Borough has done extension studies of its own and understands the issue.
Councilwoman Emr said she supported the Council signing the petition to the State. She noted that the County has tried to curtail the deer population in some areas but the problem needs to be addressed on a regional level.
Councilman McWilliams said he would support signing the petition as long as the Council policy was not changed.
Deputy Mayor Gormally said that the Borough has done a good job locally and he was open to statewide involvement. He noted that other communities can see for themselves that the Borough’s strategy has worked in curtailing the deer population in the Borough. However, he saw no advantage to a petition but suggested a letter with specific details of the Borough’s success.
Phil Notestine/Woodlands Committee Chair
Mr. Notestine explained how the Borough’s Deer Management Program is now being conducted.
He said only about 10 municipalities in the state are using culling techniques.
Because the Borough is in a specific zone, an unlimited number of deer can be culled.
He said the State needed to educate communities on the benefits of culling.
Motion by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilwoman Emr, to send a letter to the State regarding implementing a statewide deer management program, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Mayor Bravo suggested Mr. Notestine and Mr. Lewis meet and draft a letter.
Councilman Shaw said he wanted the State to know the Council expected a response by the NJDEP to its letter.
5. ORDINANCES
ORDINANCE 04-10
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 Bravo opened the public hearing.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Bravo closed the public hearing.
Council Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
McWilliams |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
6. * RESOLUTIONS
R 74 Appointment of Deputy Treasurer – Pulled from Consent Agenda by Councilman Jackson
R 75 Appointment of CFO - Pulled from the Consent Agenda by Councilman Jackson
R 76 Appointments of Court Personnel
R 77 Payments of Bills
7. *MINUTES
April 26, 2010 – Regular Minutes (with minor changes)
8. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Construction Official
B. Health Officer
C. DPW
D. Fire
E. Police
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
McWilliams |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
74-10
Mr. Lewis explained Lauren Baker‘s qualifications. He said she already has completed six of the
eight classes needed for her CFO certification.
Councilman Jackson said he wanted the Borough to be protected. If Ms. Baker left within two years of
completing her CFO classes, he would expect her to pay back the Borough for the two classes.
Vote on R 74-10 – Appointment of Deputy Treasurer
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Emr |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Gormally |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Shaw |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R 75-10
Councilman Jackson said he viewed Mr. Lewis’s appointment as CFO as an interim position and
he would be paid a stipend.
Councilman Emr said she did not like the combined position of CFO and Manager for legal purposes. She was concerned with one person having a dual role. She noted she was not aware of any municipality that has such a combined position. She felt it gave too much power to one person and put the Borough at risk. (statement hereto attached)
Mr. Lewis explained that it would probably be a couple years before Ms. Baker would be able to
finish her courses and take the State Exam. In the meantime, he already has his certification.
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Emr |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Gormally |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Shaw |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
9. ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Murphy had nothing to report.
10. MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Lewis reported that the municipal court had been completely moved to Denville. Tim Vrabel was
coordinating the close out audit with Joan Egan. So far he had not heard of any real issues with the
move.
The removal of the Court has freed up space. At present he plans to move the Construction and Zoning
Office downstairs into the vacated office and put Finance in the old Construction Office.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has revised its schedule for replacing street signs with
retro reflective ones. Instead of requiring them to be replaced by the end of 2011, the municipality only
needs to have a replacement plan in place by that time.
The Council informed Mr. Lewis that the now disbanded Borough Appearance Committee had
recommended black signs with white lettering.
Mr. Lewis noted that the standard color is green and white and the Borough would have to get approval
from the Federal Division of Highway Safety to put up the black and white signs. However, he did not
foresee any problem.
Mayor Bravo urged the Manager to have a written plan in place by the end of the year.
Mr. Lewis will be meeting with Converse Consultants and Bill Ryden in the near future regarding the
dams.
The Manager has sent a letter to members of the Boonton Township Council with a cost analysis
regarding combining police services.
The Mayor will send a congratulation letter to Glen Dagger when he reaches Eagle Scout status.
Councilwoman Emr asked for an update on the Wildwood dam repairs. She noted that some Wildwood Lake residents had expressed their concerns.
Mr. Lewis explained what has already been done and what is planned, including new boards and a new
valve.
Councilman Jackson said he thought the Council should discuss how to better control the lake
levels.
11. COUNCIL REPORTS
Appointment – Centennial
Motion by Councilman McWilliams, second by Councilwoman Emr to appoint Maria Accardi to the
Centennial Committee, with four members voting “yes” and two members voting “no” by voice vote.
Councilman McWilliams informed that Council that pre-sales of the Centennial commemorative book are
doing well. He provided the Council with sample stationery letterhead and a picture of the logo that will be
used on the banners and other Centennial items.
Councilman Jackson reported that the Personnel Committee met with Mr. Lewis for his first evaluation.
Councilman Shaw said the Finance Committee would like to know what its role is in the Borough.
Woodlands Committee – moved up on agenda
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Jackson, second by Deputy Mayor Gormally, to adjourn at 9:46 p.m., with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Attest:___________________________ _______________________
Christina Whitaker, Clerk Blair Bravo, Mayor