BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
BOROUGH HALL, 400 BOULEVARD, MOUNTAIN LAKES
973-334-3131
JANUARY 2, 2013
7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
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, 2012 and posted in the municipal building.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Michele Reilly, Deputy Borough Clerk.
2. ROLL CALL
All current Council members were present; Councilwoman Bravo, Councilman Happer, Councilman Holmberg. Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Robert Tovo, Deputy Borough Clerk Michele Reilly, Department of Public Works Director Mark Prusina, and Acting Chief Financial Officer D. Timothy Roberts, as well as former Councilmen Charles Gormally, George Jackson, and Stephen Shaw, and Councilmen Elect Frank Borin, Jason Bradlee, John Lester and G. Douglas McWilliams.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Reverend Tom Mangieri.
5. INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES
Former Mayor Charles Gormally introduced Assemblyman Anthony Bucco, Jr., and thanked him for his support and representation of the Borough during Hurricane Sandy. He asked Assemblyman Bucco to convey a message of thanks to his father, Senator Anthony Bucco, Sr.
6. MEMORIAL STATEMENT
The 2012 Mountain Lakes Memorial List (attached) was read by the Council members.
7. MAYOR’S REMARKS - 2012
Former Mayor Charles Gormally summarized his year as Mayor, as well as his eight (8) years as a Borough Council member. He spoke about the importance of volunteering and hoped that other members of the community would be inspired to volunteer. He thanked the other Council members and his family for their support during his tenure.
8. RETIRING COUNCIL MEMBER REMARKS
Councilmen George Jackson and Stephen Shaw offered comments about their twelve (12) years, respectively, as Borough Council members. In addition, both Councilmen served as Mayor during their terms on the Borough Council. Both men spoke about the rewards of volunteering and the importance of being good stewards for the Borough of Mountain Lakes. Additionally, they thanked the Borough employees and all volunteers for their dedication and service to the community (Councilman Shaw’s comments attached).
9. STATEMENT OF DETERMINATION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY CANVASSERS
The following Statement of Determination (attached) was read by Ms. Reilly:
A Statement of Determination of the Board of Canvassers, relative to an Election held in the Borough of Mountain Lakes, County of Morris and State of New Jersey, for the election of certain Municipal Officers for the Municipality of the 6th day of November, 2012. The said Board does determine that at the said election, G. Douglas McWilliams, Jason Bradlee, Frank J. Borin, and John Lester were all elected to the Office of Borough Council for a term of four (4) years.
BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
JANUARY 2, 2013
PAGE TWO
10. OATH OF OFFICE – BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Oath of Office was administered to Frank Borin by John Pendelton, with his wife Morgan holding the Bible.
The Oath of Office was administered to Jason Bradlee by Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, with his wife Christy holding the Bible.
The Oath of Office was administered to John Lester by Assemblyman Bucco, with his wife Dee holding the Bible.
The Oath of Office was administered to G. Douglas McWilliams by Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, with his wife Marion holding the Bible.
11. ELECTION OF MAYOR
Ms. Reilly called for nominations for Mayor. Motion by Councilwoman Bravo, second by Councilman McWilliams, nominating Dan Happer as Mayor. With no other nominations, Ms. Reilly closed the nominations. The Council unanimously elected Councilman Happer to the office of Mayor for 2013 by roll call vote.
The Oath of Office was administered to Mayor Happer by Assemblyman Bucco. Mayor Happer’s daughter Kaitlin held the Bible.
12. ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR
Mayor Happer called for nominations for Deputy Mayor. Motion by Councilman Holmberg, second by Mayor Happer, nominating Doug McWilliams as Deputy Mayor. With no other nominations, Mayor Happer closed the nominations. The Council unanimously elected Councilman McWilliams to the office of Deputy Mayor for 2013 by roll call vote.
The Oath of Office was administered to Deputy Mayor McWilliams by Borough Attorney Marty Murphy. Deputy Mayor McWilliams’ wife Marion held the Bible.
13. RECOGNITION OF FORMER COUNCIL MEMBERS AND COMMITTEE/COMMISSION CHAIRS
Assemblyman Bucco presented the three outgoing Council members with citations on behalf of himself, Assemblyman Carroll, and Senator Bucco.
Mayor Happer then presented silver bowls to:
Charles Gormally – Borough Council Member
George Jackson – Borough Council Member
Stephen Shaw – Borough Council Member
James Bailey – Traffic & Safety Chairperson
Joan Best – Shade Tree Commission Chairperson
Susan Marshall – Shade Tree Commission Chairperson
Mayor Happer also presented former Mayor Gormally with a gavel in recognition of his years as Mayor. Mayor Happer thanked the volunteers for their years of service and for their dedication to the Borough. Councilwoman Bravo, Councilman Holmberg and Deputy Mayor McWilliams also commended the volunteers.
14. *RESOLUTIONS 1-13 THROUGH 35-13 (list attached)
15. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES
December 17, 2012 (Executive)
16. *COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS (list attached)
17. *COUNCIL LIAISON APPOINTMENTS (list attached)
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
Borin |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Bradlee |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Bravo |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
Holmberg |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
Lester |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
JANUARY 2, 2013
PAGE THREE
18. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Happer opened the public comment portion of the meeting with the consent of the Council. Mayor Happer explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person.
George Yeh – East Shore Road
Mr. Yeh asked the Council to control the budget. He stated that the Board of Education should control their budget as well, and in addition should find more sources of revenue. He asked the Council to help lessen the burden on property owners.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Happer closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
Mayor Happer then addressed the other Council members and the audience (see attached comments). He spoke about his goals for 2013 and that he was looking forward to working with the new Borough Council. He then invited all present to join him at the Market for refreshments after the meeting.
19. ADJOURNMENT at 9:01 p.m.
Motion made by Councilman Holmberg, second by Councilwoman Bravo, to adjourn the meeting at 9:01 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
*Consent Agenda (Matters listed are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion of the Council and one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council member requests an item be removed for consideration.)
Attest: January 2, 2013
____________________________________ _______________________________
Michele Reilly, RMC, Deputy Borough Clerk Dan Happer, Mayor