BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2008
7:30 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 on January 3, 2008 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 Urankar, Councilwoman Wilson and Councilman Gormally.
Also in attendance were Borough Manager Joe Tempesta, Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution 47-08
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:
· Personnel Matters
· PBA Negotiations – Added at the request of Borough Manager
· Property Acquisition – Added at the request of Borough Attorney
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 at 7:33 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
Councilman Gormally and Councilwoman Wilson arrived.
Motion by Councilwoman Wilson, second by Councilman Shaw, to close the Executive Session and return to the public portion of the meeting at 8 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
Dated: February 11, 2008
_____________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, R.M.C. George B. Jackson, Mayor
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilman Shaw announced that the girls’ swim team is County Champions for
the 2nd year straight. The boys’ swim team is Conference Champions.
Councilwoman Wilson said the Morris County Habitat for Humanity will be helping the Stitt
family by installing a ramp and making other improvements for use by Chris Stitt while he
recovers from his accident. Anyone interested in helping should contact the organization.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATION/ COAH-Susan Kimball
Mrs. Kimball updated the Council on the latest COAH rules for Round Three, (Jan.2004-Dec. 31, 2018). She explained the impact of the fair share obligation on the Borough and made recommendations. (Report hereto attached)
The Council formed a subcommittee to meet with Mrs. Kimball. Councilwomen Wilson and Emr and Mayor Jackson will meet with her on February 26th at 9 a.m. to discuss the Borough’s options and concerns regarding the new regulations.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Jackson opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of Council.
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 complained that the recent Borough Facility Committee meetings were not announced on the web site, speeding was not being enforced on Powerville Road, and the vegetation growing along Powerville Road was creating a visibility problem and violated a Borough ordinance. He also objected to how the Board of Adjustment meetings were conducted and that the Borough street signs had not yet been replaced.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
Councilwoman Emr said she drove along Powerville Road and Mr. Kanter was correct about the vegetation growth in the area. However, she explained that the ordinance Mr. Kanter said was being violated, applied only to the height of bushes.
7. 2008 BUDGET – Joe Tempesta-Dana Mooney-Kathy Mantell
(Budget Information hereto attached)
Kathy Mantell explained the utilization of surplus and addressed deferred charges. She said surplus was up to $1.5 million from $1.3 million. However she said that there had been
an increase in costs in several areas of the budget over the years but the budget was not increased sufficiently to keep up with the rising costs. She noted that tax appeals were up due to the recent reevaluation. She reminded the Council that Mrs. Mooney informed the Council on several occasion that there was no room for contingencies because the budgets had been kept very tight.
Joe Tempesta explained that there were unexpected costs in 2007 that would have to be covered in the 2008 budget. Some of the main items that contributed to the over expenditures were repairs to the 20-year-old street sweeper, and the Borough Hall’s HVAC system, and the increase in fuel and energy costs.
8. ORDINANCES
01-08
CALENDAR YEAR 2008 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 Jackson opened the Public Hearing.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the Public Hearing.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
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X |
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Emr |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
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|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
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|
X |
|
X |
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Davis |
|
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X |
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X |
X |
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Wilson |
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X |
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X |
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Urankar |
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X |
X |
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X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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X |
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02-08
ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION AND ACCEPTANCE OF
CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN
LAKES (CIVIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF THE
STATE OF NEW JERSEY/BLOCK 9, LOT 13)
If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage as provided by law.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Jackson opened the Public Hearing.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the Public Hearing.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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X |
X |
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Shaw |
X |
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X |
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X |
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Davis |
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X |
X |
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X |
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Wilson |
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X |
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X |
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Urankar |
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X |
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X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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X |
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The Council authorized Mr. Murphy to hold the deed until a clear title had been received.
9. DISCUSSION
A. Amendment to Noise Ordinance
Councilwoman Emr said the language in the ordinance was odd and unclear.
Mr. Murphy said he would suggest the Council revise the entire ordinance and offered to
provide a few model ordinances. The Council agreed to view the model ordinances.
10.*RESOLUTIONS
R 48-08 Recycling Tonnage Grant Application Authorization
R 49-08 Rensellaer Grads/Grant of Conservation Restriction Easement
R 50-08 Official Newspaper Addition
R 51-08 Payment of Bills
11.*MINUTES
January 28, 2008 – Regular
January 28, 2008 – Executive
12. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Health Officer
B. Public Health Nurse
C. Construction Official
D. Fire Department
E. DPW
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
Gormally |
|
X |
X |
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|
Emr |
|
|
X |
|
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|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
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Davis |
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|
X |
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Wilson |
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X |
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Urankar |
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X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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Consent Agenda Vote
12. ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Developer’s Agreement/Block 99 Lot 1: 248 Morris Avenue
Mr. Murphy explained the benefit of having a Developer’s Agreement which is based on the
Planning Boards resolutions.
13. MANAGER’S REPORT (Hereto attached)
Garden State Fireworks/July 4th
Councilwoman Wilson said she would like to have the Recreation Director secure July 4,
2009 in July of this year.
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
2008 Appointments/Vacancies
The Council decided to disband the Trails Committee at this time.
The Council appointed Katherine Menard to 55 Plus, and Christopher Hatton, Michael
Gleason and Peter McWilliams as Trustees of Memorial Park.
Motion by Councilman Shaw second by Councilwoman Wilson with all members in favor
signifying by “Aye.”
Councilwoman Emr said the Needs Assessment had been completed for the Municipal Alliance Committee. She also has an individual interested in becoming a member.
The Fire Department will be presenting its budget at the next meeting.
Councilman Shaw said the Highlands group will update the Council at the February 25th meeting. The Executive Director of the Highlands Council will be at the March 10th Council meeting to give a presentation.
Mayor Jackson suggested that the Planning Board, Environmental Commission and Master Plan Committee be invited to attend.
The Borough Hall Committee plans to comment on the bids received at the March 24th Council meeting.
The Historic Preservation Committee will give a presentation at the March 24th Council meeting.
The HPC will hold an Arts and Craft show on February 29 and March 1, from 10 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Community Church.
The HPC would also like to see the Borough letterhead changed to reflect the craftsman style and historic designation of the Borough.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, to adjourn the meeting at 11 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.
*Consent Agenda
Attest:
___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk George B. Jackson, Mayor
The Borough Council will hold a special budget meeting on February 25, 2008 beginning at 6 p.m. The regularly scheduled meeting will follow.