BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, April 14, 2008
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 on January 3, 2008 and posted in the municipal
building.
Deputy Mayor Davis called the meeting to order to 8 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All members were present except for Councilman Gormally and Shaw and Mayor Jackson.
Also in attendance were Borough Manager Joe Tempesta, Borough Attorney Marty Murphy and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.
Mayor Jackson arrived.
3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Jackson said the Trout Derby on Saturday had been terrific with the winning fish was caught by Luke Hayward, measuring in at 16 ¼ inches.
4. 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 opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of Council.
Councilman Shaw arrived.
Joseph Hehir – Hanover Road
Mr. Hehir asked the Council to consider locating a fire truck in the Midvale section of the town. He said a pumper truck located closer to a fire increases response time, resulting in less property damage.
He said the cost to house the vehicle should be minimal and free up one of the bays for Fire Department functions.
Mayor Jackson said the request would be passed on to the Facility Committee.
Kira Rickert – Dartmouth Road
The seventh grader asked the Council to reconsider the Recreation Commission’s policy prohibiting DJ music or live music at Island Beach. She said a birthday party was planned with a beach theme and those planning the party wanted a DJ.
The Commission stopped allowing the music a couple years ago when lake residents complained the music was too loud and played too late.
Sylvia Rickert, Kara’s mother, asked how to go about having the policy changed. She said imposing a time limit on the music might correct problems and alleviate the Recreation Commissions concerns.
Mayor Jackson said the Borough’s code prohibits “excessive noise.” He advised her to take her request to the Recreation Commission for reconsideration of the policy.
Joe Joyce- North Glen Road
Mr. Joyce asked the Council to pass a special resolution honoring John Cali for being recognized as Coach of the Year by the Star Ledger. Mr. Cali is the head coach for the boys’ soccer team at Newark Academy and a resident of Mountain Lakes. Mr. Cali was an assistant for the Mountain Lakes girls’ soccer team until 2005 when he took the position at Newark Academy.
Joseph Hehir – Hanover Road
Mr. Howard supported the request by Ms. Rickert.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
Councilman Urankar said Mr. Hehir’s request and comments regarding moving a fire truck to the Midvale section had been passed on to the Facility Committee and the Fire Department was still reviewing the suggestion.
5. REPORT ON COUNTY DISPATCH/ Police Chief Tovo
Police Chief Tovo told the Council that the County took over dispatching for the Borough on April 1st at 9 a.m. He said the clarity and quality of dispatch is better than when the Borough’s old equipment was in use. A phone has been installed in the entrance of the Police Department which connects directly to County dispatch for anyone who walks in to the Police Station when it is unmanned. Someone will be at the police desk Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Councilman Urankar said residents should be informed of the changes made in the Police Department. It was suggested an announcement be placed in the Home and School Bulletin. However, Chief Tovo recommended doing a mass mailing because it would also reach those residents who do not read the Home and School Bulletin.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION/William Ryden and Mark Prusina
· Well # 3 Renovation
Mr. Prusina showed the Council pictures of each of the well houses and the upgrades
needed in well # 3 and # 4.
Mr. Ryden said reactivation of well # 3 would increase the Borough’s firm capacity to 1,063,000 gallons per day from 775,000 gallons per day (MGD).
· Firm Capacity
Defined (hereto attached)
Firm capacity became an issue in the State due to drought years. Mountain Lakes has a
deficit of 0.266 MGD. Adding well #3 will eliminate the deficit.
· Water Allocation
This is the volume of water that may be legally withdrawn from ground water aquifer or
surface supply in accordance with limits set by the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Allocation.
In August 2005 and August 2006 Mountain Lakes exceeded its 30 MGM monthly limit creating a
deficit of 2.264 MGM. This has resulted in the State imposing no new connections to
the Borough system until August of 2011, unless additional allocation is obtained.
Councilman Urankar suggested the new well house might cost less if a prefab building was used.
Mr. Ryden said the projected cost of the new building contained no frills but would be of a quality that would last and be more secure.
Mr. Ryden will provide all the figures associated with the renovations to well # 3,
including the electrical, to the Mr. Tempesta. The Manager will then provide the Council
with the final project costs.
· Private Wells
Mr. Tempesta told the Council that there were several requests to have private wells
drilled while the moratorium on connections is in affect.
Mr. Ryden told the Council that he believed the DEP may allow private wells to be
drilled. When the moratorium has been lifted, the homeowners would be required to
connect to the Borough’s water system.
7. ORDINANCE
03-08
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 173 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES ENTITLED “PARKS AND RECREATION” SECTION 173-1.
Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the
law and a public hearing will be held on April 28, 2008.
Following a discussion, motion made by Councilwoman Emr, second by Councilwoman Wilson to amend the ordinance, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye” by Roll Call Vote.
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Council Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
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Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Shaw |
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X |
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Davis |
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X |
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Wilson |
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X |
X |
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Urankar |
X |
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X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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Ordinance introduced as amended.
04-08
THE SALARY, WAGE AND COMPENSATION OF THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, RESPECTIVE SALARY, WAGE AND COMPENSATION RANGE.
Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law
and a public hearing will be held on April 28, 2008.
The Ordinance was tabled until the next meeting and the Manager was asked to review
the figures and provide the ranges that were changed and the new salaries of all
employees.
8. DISUSSION
A. Memorial Policy/Shade Tree Commission Recommendation
Councilman Urankar explained the Shade Tree Commission’s request for an amendment
to the policy on memorial trees. Shade Tree Commissioner Joan Best provided the
language the Commission had requested.
Motion made by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, to amend as
recommended, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye” (Policy with changes hereto
attached)
B. Riparian Buffer Ordinance
The Environmental Commission provided the Council with a model ordinance. However, Mayor Jackson said he was more interested in a tailored ordinance that would address the needs of Mountain Lakes specifically.
Rather than discuss it further, Councilwoman Ellen Emr and Councilman Richard Urankar will meet with the Environmental Commissioner Kevin Edwards to discuss the issue before coming back to the Council with recommendations.
9.*RESOLUTIONS
R 62-08 Award Contract to Diamond Construction/Sidewalks – Pulled by Councilman
Shaw
R 63-08 Authorization to Go Out for Bids/The Station- Pulled by Councilman Shaw
R 64-08 Contract Emergency Tree Removal
R 65-08 Payment of Bills
R 66-08 Special Officer/Class II/Michael Peoples
SR-02 Arbor Day
10. *MINUTES
March 24, 2008 - Regular
11.*DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Health Officer
B. Animal Control Officer
C. Public Health Nurse
D. Construction Official
E. Police Department
F. Fire Department
G. DPW
H. Annual Tax Collector’s Report
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Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
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Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Shaw |
X |
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X |
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Davis |
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X |
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
R62-08
Councilman Shaw said he did not support the sidewalks being done and expected
homeowners in the area would not be happy with the of the project. He felt it was more
important to improve the existing sidewalks before adding new sidewalks. He also
questioned if the State Office of Historic Preservation needed to be consulted.
The Council discussed how the installation of the sidewalk might be intrusive to
some residents.
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Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
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Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Shaw |
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X |
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Davis |
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X |
X |
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Wilson |
X |
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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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R63-08 –pulled from agenda
The Council asked Mr. Murphy to make some changes in the resolution. It will be placed on the next agenda.
12. ATTORNEY’S REPORT - None
13. MANAGER’S REPORT
Family and Friends for Freedom Fund 5K Run- Sept. 13th (Sat.), 9 a.m.
The Council agreed to allow the run as long as there was no cost to the Borough.
2008 Budget (hereto attached with final revisions)
14. COUNCIL REPORTS
Appointments
Council members on the Planning Board will handle the search for two individuals to fill expected vacancies on the Planning Board.
Mountain Lakes Day
Mayor Jackson said Chris Palazzi and Allison Fenton have agreed to handle Mountain Lakes Day this year but would like the Council to begin looking for others to help this year.
Model Noise Ordinance
Motion by Councilwoman Emr, second by Councilman Urankar to prohibit the use of leaf blowers before 10 a.m. on Sundays with three Council members voting “Yes” and three voting “No” by Roll Call vote. Motion Failed
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Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
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Gormally |
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X |
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Emr |
X |
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X |
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Shaw |
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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 |
X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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The majority of the Council supported the use of live or DJ music on the beach if the hours
of use could be restricted.
15. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Deputy Mayor Davis, second by Councilman Shaw, to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 p.m., with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”
*Consent Agenda
Attest:
___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker, Borough Clerk George B. Jackson, Mayor