BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007
M I N U T E S
7:30 P.M.
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 on January 3, 2007
and posted in the municipal building.
Mayor George Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council members were in attendance except for Councilman Gormally and Councilwoman Wilson who arrived at 7:45 p.m.
Also in attendance were Borough Manager Gary Webb, Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.
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:
· Fairfield Industrial Center appeal.
· King of Kings tax appeal
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 Deputy Mayor Davis, to enter into Executive Session with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman Shaw, to close the Executive Session and return to the public portion of the meeting
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Fire Department gave a safety program at Wildwood School.
The Medical Needs Foundation had a good turnout for its race.
UN Weekend will celebrate its 45th year on Saturday.
Morris County Habitat for Humanities will receive a recycling award.
The homes in the safe zone can expect plenty of trick-or-treaters this year. In the past it is estimated that at least 500 children stop at the houses in this area.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Traffic & Safety Committee
Jim Bailey, chair of the Traffic and Safety Committee, gave an update on safety concerns addressed by the Committee. (hereto attached)
HPC/Borough Centennial Celebration
Andy Bulfer and Pat Rusak from the Historic Preservation Committee gave the Council a brief description
of its plan for the upcoming Centennial celebration in 2011.
Mrs. Rusak told the Council about several past celebrations that took place in the community starting in
March 1911. (hereto attached)
Mr. Bulfer suggested that planning for the 2011 celebration begin now. He said a planning committee
would be needed. The committee should start out small and increase in membership as time progresses.
The HPC recommended the Council consider having a book on Mountain Lakes commissioned that could
be sold as part of the Centennial celebration along with other merchandise. The Council agreed that a
book was a good idea.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Jackson explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to 5 minutes and no yielding of time
to another person.
Mayor Jackson read the following statement before opening the public comment portion of
the meeting:
“Mr. Kanter has served a written notice of his intent to make a tort claim against the Borough of
Mountain Lakes claiming that the Borough, its employees, and elected officials are engaged in
conduct that he alleges is harassing. On the advice of counsel any questions directed to us at
this meeting by Mr. Kanter will be reviewed by our legal counsel; and if appropriate, will be
responded to in writing. It is our considered judgment this procedure will minimize disruption
and protect the interest of the public.”
Fred Kanter - Hanover Road
Mr. Kanter asked for additional time to speak. Mr. Kanter responded to the Traffic & Safety Committee’s report on traffic calming methods. He suggested a designated walking route be established for school children walking on the Boulevard, Hanover, and Kenilworth. He did not support speed humps stating the faster a vehicle travels over the hump the less impact on the vehicle. He suggested more police activity in the Powerville area during the times that children are walking to and from school.
Barbara Palmer - Morris Ave.
Mrs. Palmer said she supported traffic calming methods, particularly in the Powerville area.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
7. *RESOLUTIONS
R 119-07 Cancel Receivable Balances
R 120-07 Payment of Bills
8. *MINUTES
October 9, 2007- Regular
October 9, 2007- Executive
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
9. ATTORNEY’S REPORT - None
10. MANAGER’S REPORT
Donation of Property / Block 9 Lot 13
The Borough received a letter from Hollis Bianchi a representative of Civic Development Corporation,
that has been dissolved, offering to donate a piece of property in the Borough. Following discussion the
attorney was authorized to do a title search on the property before accepting the donation.
Mr. Murphy also recommended the Borough do a phase one environmental study. However, the Council
decided a title search was sufficient at this time.
This year’s lakes management program for Wildwood Lake is near completion.
Mr. Webb explained the recent FCC order regarding cell antenna backup power supplies at most sites.
The order requires cell phone and landline phone companies to install backup power supplies and have
portable power supplies available for sites without permanent backup power. The matter was of some
concern because the Borough leases property for a cell tower located behind the municipal building.
Mr. Webb said the new order should not pose a problem to the Borough.
The Council discussed the County’s letter regarding deer hunting at the Tourne. Mayor Jackson said he
would like to see shotgun hunting permitted in Wilcox Park adjacent to the Tourne for culling purposes.
However, Mr. Webb said Police Chief Tovo preferred that the culling in the Borough remain the same as
in the past.
11. COUNCIL REPORTS
Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman Urankar, with all members in favor signifying by
“Aye”, to appoint Khizar Sheikh to the Environmental Commission.
No one from the Environmental Commission was appointed to the Planning Board.
The Council said the Recreation Commission needs to review the use of tags and the fee structure among
other issues before next summer.
Several of the Municipal Alliance Committee members’ terms have expired and new appointments need to
be made.
Councilman Shaw said the Shade Tree Commission will be planting trees in accordance with the approved plan.
The Finance Committee is reviewing all the bond sales and forecast models.
The Web Committee is waiting for protocol from the administration before putting push e-mail on line.
Councilwoman Emr said the 55 Plus Committee continues to function, but a full-time chair has yet to be
found.
The search for new Borough Manager continues.
Councilman Urankar said the Woodlands Committee has been hard at work.
Councilman Urankar provided an updated analysis report on the Borough Hall. (hereto attached)
The Council would like to hold a public meeting on November 13th at the High School to discuss the
needs analysis completed on the Borough Hall. It was suggested that one hour should be set aside
for the presentation plus a time for questions and answers. The Board of Education will also participate.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Councilman Urankar, second by Councilman Shaw, to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 p.m. with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
*Consent Agenda
Attest:___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk George B. Jackson, Mayor