BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 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 present except for Councilman Gormally.
Also in attendance were Borough Manager Gary Webb, Borough Attorney Marty
Murphy and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION - (Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231)
Resolution 147-07
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:
· PBA Contract Negotiations
· Shared Services Negotiations
· Personnel/New Borough Manager
· Personnel Matter
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 Councilwoman Wilson, to enter into Executive
Session with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
Motion by Councilman Urankar, second by Deputy Mayor Davis to return to the public
portion of the meeting at 8:05 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting have taken place.
Mayor Jackson announced that Gary Webb received the "Citizen of the Year" award and
Jim Gannon the "Citizens Achievement Award" at the Police Christmas Party.
He noted this would be Mr. Webb’s last official meeting before he retired from the
Borough.
5.PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Jackson explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to 5 minutes and no
yielding of time to another person.
Fred Kanter - Hanover Road
Mr. Kanter questioned portions of the Borough Hall Facilities Committee’s report on space needed for departments and storage.
Mimi Kaplan - Lake Drive
Ms. Kaplan asked the Council if it would be hiring a planner to determine the actual space needed by the Borough.
Terri McInerney – Littlewood Court
Ms. McInerney said she was not opposed to the proposed expansion of Borough Facilities but questioned why the Board of Education could not move, freeing up valuable space.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Borough Hall - Facility Committee Report (hereto attached)
Councilman Urankar introduced the members of the Committee. He explained the purpose
of the Committee and its recommendations.
In response to one of the question in the public comment portion of the meeting, Mr. Webb
said that hiring a professional would be needed to evaluate the report and provide
recommendations.
Councilwoman Emr noted that it was a three step process: first, the analysis of space needed, second the design, and third, the administration of construction. A smaller
committee will help to determine the needed space and design and will include Joan Nix, Pat Rusak and Councilman Shaw. She also explained that the Board of Education had financially invested in the present Borough Hall when it was built.
Councilman Urankar pointed out that if a new space was not built, repairs to the present building would still have to be done. This would include a new roof and upgrade of the heating and air conditioning system. He also told the public he was in favor of shared
services when it was cost effective to do so.
Councilwoman Emr said the Council would continue to study shared services but noted that the Borough already had 22 contracts for shared services.
Mayor Jackson read a statement from Councilman Gormally before opening the meeting for
public comment on the Borough facilities report. (hereto attached)
Speakers were limited to 3 minutes.
Doug McWilliams – Boulevard
Mr. McWilliams said the Fire Department was already a shared service with back up from
other municipalities. He added that even if the Fire Department merged with another municipality, the Mountain Lakes Fire Department would still be a substation in need of
additional space.
Joseph Hehir - Hanover Road
Mr. Hehir suggested moving the Fire Department to a more central location.
Steve Butera – Hanover Road
Mr. Butera said the present location was centrally located.
Mimi Kaplan – Lake Drive
Ms. Kaplan said she was more comfortable knowing that the Fire Department was located in
Mountain Lakes.
Fred Kanter – Hanover Road
Mr. Kanter suggested that the Borough’s Police Department be moved to Boonton Township.
Police Chief Tovo noted that the Township Police Department may not meet State
specifications either.
Terri McInerney – Littlewood Court
Ms. McInerney suggested a survey be sent to residents asking what improvements they
would like to see done in the town.
Mr. Webb explained that he requested less administrative space because he was concerned
with the needs of the Police and Fire Departments. However, he said that it may not have
been a fair assessment for all the other employees. A professional would be needed to help
with the final calculated needs.
Michael Feigelis – Boulevard
Mr. Feigelis asked if a referendum would be required to budget money for a new facility.
Mayor Jackson said a public vote was not legally necessary.
Councilman Urankar noted that the public would have plenty of opportunity for input.
Rich Pierce – Pollard Road
Mr. Pierce said that it has been known for years that additional space was needed, adding nothing had changed. He said it was time to move ahead.
Mayor Jackson closed the public comment portion on the presentation at 9:30 p.m.
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman Urankar, to move forward with
the recommendations of the Facility Committee, with all members in favor signifying by
“Aye” with no one opposed.
7. *RESOLUTIONS
R132- 07 - Tax Appeal/Heller
R133- 07 - Change Order # 2/Pave King Inc. - Pulled by Councilman Urankar
R134- 07 - 2007 Speed Grant
R135- 07 - Tax Overpayment/Dyt
R136- 07 - Tax Overpayment /Ragland
R137- 07 - Interlocal Service Agreement with Morris County for Dispatching
R138- 07 – Housing Partnership
R139- 07 - Award of Bid to Allied Biological of NJ Inc. - Pulled by Councilman Urankar
R140-07 - Tax Overpayment/ Barkauskas
R141-07 - Contract Agreement with Montville for Animal Control
R142-07 - Contract Agreement with Montville for Health Services
R143-07 - Emergency Appropriation - Pulled by Councilman Urankar
R144-07 - Payment of Bills
R145-07 – New Borough Manager- Pulled for Discussion in Executive Session
R146-07 – Transfer of Funds
8.* MINUTES
November 13, 2007-Regular
November 13, 2007 - Executive
November 26, 2007 – Regular
November 26, 2007 - Executive
9. * DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Animal
B. Health Officer
C. Public Health Nurse
D. Construction Official
E. Fire Department
Consent Agenda Vote
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R133 - 07
Mr. Webb explained why the change order was necessary.
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R139 - 07
Mr. Webb explained that two extra treatments were needed for Wildwood Lake.
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
X |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R143 - 07
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
10. ATTORNEY’S REPORT
11. MANAGER’S REPORT
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant
Lease Agreement for Station asking for 6 more years beyond remaining 4 years.
12. COUNCIL REPORTS
Energy Audit
Master Plan Committee
Councilman Urankar said the Trails Committee does not want to meet monthly and
suggested the committee become part of the Environmental Commission.
Councilwoman Emr said Duke Smith would be resigning as chair of the 55 Plus Committee.
Deputy Mayor Davis said the Master Plan Committee has appointed Barbara Palmer as
Chair and asked that $2000 be placed in the 2008 budget.
The Traffic and Safety Committee would like to be disbanded. The Council disagreed.
Councilman Shaw updated the Council on the Highlands Master Plan.
Motion by Councilman Urankar, second by Councilman Wilson, to go back into Executive
Session at 10: 20 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilman Urankar, second by Councilman Shaw to close the Executive
Session and return to the public portion of the meeting at 11:15 p.m., with all members in
favor signifying by “Aye”
Vote to hire new Borough Manager
R145 - 07
|
Council Member |
By:
|
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Davis |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Wilson |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Urankar |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Urankar, second by Councilman Shaw to adjourn the meeting at
11:20 p.m. with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
*Consent Agenda
Attest:___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk George B. Jackson, Mayor