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 4, 2011 and posted in the municipal building.
Mayor Charles Gormally called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council members were present with the exception of Councilman Peter Holmberg, and Deputy Mayor Dan Happer, who arrived at 7:35 p.m. Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Robert Oostydk, Borough Manager Barry Lewis, and Executive Assistant Michele Reilly.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Resolution
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:
· Police Negotiations
· 2011 Tax Appeals
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 McWilliams, second by Councilwoman Bravo, to close the public portion of the meeting and enter into Executive Session, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilwoman Bravo, to close the Executive Session and return to the public portion of the meeting, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilwoman Bravo reminded the Council and the public to vote in the School Board Election on Wednesday. Voting will take place at the High School Media Center. In addition, the Links Program will be holding the annual Empty Bowls event, featuring Centennial activities and raising funds for the Red Cross.
Councilwoman Bravo also announced that Arbor Day is Friday, and the Shade Tree Commission will be hosting an event at Briarcliff School honoring the 1915 Committee on Tree Planting and Landscaping. The theme is “100 Trees for 100 Years”.
Councilman McWilliams told the Council the Junior Fire Department was holding their annual breakfast on Sunday, May 1st.
Mayor Gormally reported that the Recreation Department hosted a very successful Easter event and Easter Egg Roll, and that all children in attendance had a great time. Councilman McWilliams remarked that this was the first year the event included a parade.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Gormally opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of the Council. Mayor Gormally explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person.
Margaret Gossett – Glen Road
Ms. Gossett said that she wanted to compliment Mr. Lewis and Mr. Prusina on their actions during the recent extreme rainstorms. She said the decision to remove the boards at Wildwood Dam was appreciated, as she is not experiencing the property damage that she did last year.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Gormally closed the public comment portion of
the meeting.
6. *RESOLUTIONS
R 70 Temporary Budget
R 71 Payment of Bills
R 72 Award Cove Hardscape Contract
7.* MINUTES
March 28, 2011
April 11, 2011
Prior to the roll call vote, Councilman Jackson asked that the March 28th Regular minutes and Resolution 72-11, Award Cove Hardscape Contract, be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Councilman Happer asked that Resolution 70-11, Temporary Budget, be pulled from the Consent Agenda.
Members of the Council presented minor corrections to the March 28th Executive and April 11th Regular and Executive minutes. Councilman Shaw asked that the minutes be listed as “regular” or “executive” on the meeting agenda. **Councilman McWilliams voted on the Consent Agenda but asked to be recused from the line item regarding his LOSAP contribution.
Consent Agenda Vote
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
LOSAP |
|
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R 70-11 Temporary Budget
Councilman Happer asked Mr. Lewis about the duration of the temporary budget. Mr. Lewis said the temporary budget would cover the Borough through July. However, once the regular budget is adopted the temporary budget ceases to exist.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
R 72-11 Award Cove Hardscape Contract
There was some discussion among the Council as to which plan was to be considered final. Mr. Lewis said the original drawings given to the Council and used to solicit quotes had been modified with Plan E as the final version; however, the only substantive changes made were to the width and height of the benches and pillars and the material used for the pillar caps. The Committee decided to lower the pillar height and narrow the width of the benches which will cut the cost of the project. In addition, the pillar cap will be concrete with natural fieldstone. Mr. Lewis said a preconstruction meeting will be held and each aspect of the project will be addressed with the contractor. Mayor Gormally asked about a sign, and Councilwoman Bravo said there would be a small plaque recessed into one of the pillars.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
March 28th Regular Minutes
Minor corrections to the March 28th Regular Minutes were made by Councilman Shaw. Substantive changes were submitted by Councilman Jackson.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
8. ATTORNEY REPORT
Mr. Oostydk had nothing to report.
9. MANAGER REPORT
Budget Status
Mr. Lewis said he had been addressed the issues with the auditor relating to the 2010 final figures, and reiterated that his goal was for the budget to be introduced at the first meeting in May with no increase in the tax rate.
Mr. Lewis reported that Morris Avenue from Powerville Road to Fanny Road was paved, and striping was planned for Tuesday, weather permitting. Borough Engineer Bill Ryden will review and sign off.
The DPW recently installed four (4) catch basins in addition to addressing a chronic condition on Pollard Road by replacing collapsed terra cotta pipe.
The modifications to Well #3 have been completed as per the agreement with the DEP. The well has been flow tested and approved by the DEP as a backup to Well #5. Formal full approval of the modifications is expected soon. The contractor is on site at Well #5, and Well #4 is now operational and the issue of phantom readings has been addressed.
Allied Biological has completed hydroraking at Grunden’s pond. On Tuesday they will be hydroraking the east end of Lake End Place in order to address some resident complaints. Most of the hydroraking will be funded from 2010 monies set aside for that purpose. Lake testing has begun as well. The USDA has begun egg addling in order to prevent the growth of the Canadian Goose population.
The tree pruning and removal contract has been completed.
Mr. Lewis is looking into options for cleaning the canal. Mr. Ryden is reaching out to the Morris County Mosquito Commission to see if dredging is a possibility. DPW Director Mark Prusina is soliciting quotes from two other contractors.
In response to a query from Councilman Jackson, Mr. Lewis will check with Golam Kabir, the Borough’s dam engineer at Converse Consultants, regarding the schedule for the dam at Wildwood and the status of the permit application. Councilman Shaw inquired about the completion of the Mountain Lakes dam. Mr. Lewis said boards must be put in and then the coffer dam and piping will be removed, and he will follow up with Mr. Prusina to determine the scheduled completion date.
Councilwoman Bravo mentioned an overflowing storm drain on Briarcliff Road at the intersection of Morris Avenue and Howell Road. Mr. Lewis will refer the issue to the DPW.
Councilman McWilliams commented that the sidewalk by the new bridge near the Community Church is spalling. Mr. Lewis will notify the County as this was their project.
Mayor Gormally asked about a revised capital plan. Mr. Lewis is in the process of modifying the current five (5) year plan and will provide it to the Council.
Mayor Gormally commented that he felt that 2011 would be a good budget year overall. However, he was concerned about the postponement of the budget introduction and questioned Mr. Lewis as to whether or not the office staff might be too lean, as the Borough has cut back on staff over the years in order to control costs. Mr. Lewis said he has considered the possibility of a part time finance/clerical assistant, but he felt most of the issues were connected to the period of transition after the former CFO resigned. Mr. Lewis said he has already met with the auditor and made significant progress in resolving some of the outstanding issues, and his goal is to have the budget ready to be introduced on May 9th.
10. COUNCIL REPORTS
Recreation Committee – Councilman McWilliams reported that the Committee was planning a roundtable meeting in June to include many different athletic groups and the towns of Boonton, Boonton Township, and Mountain Lakes, in order to make up comprehensive policies and procedures for events and field usage, as well as to discuss financial and liability issues.
Centennial Committee – Councilman McWilliams reported that the Fourth of July fireworks would be launched from barges this year. The cost of providing the fireworks display would increase due to the cost of building the barges; however, visibility would be increased and more residents would be able to participate in viewing the fireworks, which hopefully would result in an increase in the amount of community donations. Mr. Lewis said that DPW Director Mark Prusina and Recreation Director Celia Flynn visited the town of New Hope to see the barges there, and they are reviewing the cost of building versus renting the barges. According to Councilman McWilliams, there will be four barges and the dimensions will be 12 feet by 12 feet. There are also plans for a band at Island Beach and bleachers for community viewing on Morris Avenue. The cost estimate is 25% more than in previous years.
Councilwoman Bravo also reported on some upcoming community events which will be highlighting the Centennial theme. Empty Bowls and the Centennial Street Fair will be held this Wednesday at the High School. The Taste of Mountain Lakes will be held on September 9th. A Memorial Day barbeque is planned at the Esplanade. In addition, the Memorial Day Parade will feature antique cars from several decades. Homecoming Weekend is October 21st, and Laker Voices will be featured. The Shade Tree Commission will be announcing which Mountain Lakes neighborhood features the biggest tree at the Arbor Day celebration on Friday.
Shade Tree Commission – Councilman Jackson reiterated that Arbor Day was this Friday. Mayor Gormally asked about the Community Forestry Plan, and Mr. Lewis said this was already being developed. Councilwoman Bravo remarked that the Shade Tree Commission was partnering with Cerbo Landscaping to sell one hundred (100) trees in honor of the Centennial. There will be 5-6 types of non-invasive trees to choose from, with the cost of $125-$195 depending on whether or not Cerbo plants the trees for the homeowner. Councilman Jackson praised Cerbo for being a very good neighbor and very generous to the Borough.
Traffic & Safety Committee – Councilman Jackson said there are speed humps and crosswalks which need to be painted, especially in the area of Midvale Road. Mr. Lewis will follow up with Jim Bailey, Chairperson.
Shared Services Committee – Councilman Shaw reported the meeting had been postponed until the following Wednesday.
Lakes Management Committee – Councilman Shaw said the next meeting would be held the following Tuesday.
Cove Centennial Committee – Councilwoman Bravo reported the Cove Committee has met twenty-one (21) times, each time for several hours, to ensure the integrity of the Centennial Cove Park Project.
Woodlands Committee – Deputy Mayor Happer said the Woodlands Committee would be planting 100 dogwood seedlings, and in addition had hopes to bring back the Chestnut tree by obtaining disease resistant chestnut seeds. He also reported beavers chewing trees around Birchwood Lake. The Committee discussed wrapping the trunks of the trees to prevent beaver damage, and if this is unsuccessful trapping and relocating may be an option.
Health Commission – Deputy Mayor Happer said the meeting had been postponed.
Fifty-Five Plus Club – Deputy Mayor Happer said the next meeting will be this Thursday.
Councilman McWilliams reminded the Council that Trash Day and Shredding Day were this weekend, and that electronics could be recycled on May 15th and 16th for free at a Mack-Cali site. Information has been posted on the Borough website.
Award Nominations
The Council debated the nominations which had been submitted for Citizen of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement - Janice Hunts Award. After spirited discussion, the Council selected Nominee “2” as the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award, and Nominee “B” as the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement – Janice Hunts Award. Mayor Gormally will personally contact the recipients as well as inform the Memorial Day Committee. Awards will be presented by the Mayor at the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Motion by Councilwoman Bravo, second by Mayor Gormally, to award Nominee “2” the Citizen of the Year Award and Nominee “B” the Lifetime Achievement – Janice Hunts Award, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
11. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Gormally opened the second public comment portion of the meeting with consent of the Council.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Gormally closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Happer, to adjourn the meeting at 9:16 p.m., with all members
in favor signifying by “Aye.”
*Consent Agenda
Attest: April 25, 2011
________________________________ _______________________________
Michele Reilly, Executive Assistant Charles Gormally, Mayor