BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009
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 and The Star Ledger on January
6, 2009 and posted in the municipal building.
Mayor
Shaw called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
2.
ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All
Council members were in attendance.
Also
in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Joe Tempesta,
and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker
3. EXECUTIVE
SESSION
Resolution 90-09
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:
·
Shared
Services/Denville
·
Personnel
Matters
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 Councilwoman
Wilson, second by Councilman Happer to enter into Executive Session with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilman Happer,
second by Deputy Mayor Gormally, to close the Executive Session and return to
the public portion of the meeting, with all members in favor signifying by
“Aye.”
4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Shaw reminded the
public that the annual fireworks display was scheduled for July 4 with a rain
date of July 5.
The Mountain Lakes Club will
hold Family Fun Day on July 4 between 10 a.m. and noon.
Mayor Shaw announced the
resignation of Borough Manager Joseph Tempesta. His last official day will be
July 8, 2009.
Mayor Shaw presented Mr.
Tempesta with a pewter bowl in recognition of his service to the community.
Mr. Tempesta said he had
enjoyed his time in Mountain Lakes and found it to be a unique community. He
complimented the employees who he said work well together, are willing to work
late and often come in weekends. He
said he had formed lasting friendships and promised to keep in contact.
Councilwoman Wilson thanked
Mr. Tempesta for doing a wonderful job while he was with the Borough.
Councilman Jackson said Mr.
Tempesta was a unique find and brought with him a great deal of government and
industry experience.
Councilman Happer said
working with Mr. Tempesta had been enjoyable and he appreciated what he had done
for the community during the 18 months he was with the Borough.
Councilman McWilliams
thanked him for being supportive of the volunteer fire department.
Councilwoman Emr noted that
when Mr. Tempesta was hired the Borough was dealing with some difficult issues
but he had done a remarkable job under the circumstances.
Deputy Mayor Gormally said
he was pleased with the work Mr. Tempesta had done for the Borough.
5. PUBLIC
COMMENT
Mayor Shaw
explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5)
minutes and no
yielding of time to another person.
Mayor Shaw opened the public
comment portion of the meeting with the consent
of the Council.
With
no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Shaw closed the public comment portion of the
meeting.
Mayor
Shaw moved the Council Report on the Shared Services Task Force up on the
agenda to accommodate Chair Peter Holmberg who was present at the meeting. He
provided the Council with a draft of the web site presentation and a time line
on the Task Force’s mission.
The
Council discussed the presentation to be placed on the web site and the type of
questions that should be included in the public survey.
Councilwoman
Emr said the Council might wish to provide the committee with some direction.
She also felt that presenting dollar amounts for an extension of the Borough
Hall or possible savings through shared services should be eliminated from the
presentation because the numbers were subject to change.
Deputy
Mayor Gormally said the things being discussed tonight were part of the
committee’s responsibility to address.
Councilman
McWilliams said it was important to explore shared services independent of a
building renovation.
Councilman
Jackson said the introduction to the presentation should not relate just to
capital costs but should also explain the Borough is exploring shared services
as a way of lowering operating costs.
Councilman
Happer said the introduction was long and appeared to guide the reader to a
conclusion. There was a great deal of emphasis on renovations to the building.
Mayor
Shaw said the survey question should be constructed in a way that there is no
bias apparent.
Deputy
Mayor Gormally disagreed with some members of Council and said that an increase
in shared services could impact the size and physical plan of Borough Hall.
Mr.
Holmberg will provide the Council with more details at the next Council
meeting, July 27.
6.
ORDINANCE
09-09
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES AND ESTABLISHING
SOLID WASTE RECYCLING REGULATIONS
Following introduction, the above ordinance will be
published in accordance with the law
and a public hearing will be held on July 27, 2009.
Following discussion,
motion made by Councilman Happer, second by Councilman
McWilliams, to amend the ordinance to add “electronic waste” on p. 7
section E and p. 8,
with
all members in favor signifying by “Aye,” by Roll Call vote.
|
Council
Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
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|
Emr |
|
|
X |
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|
Jackson |
X |
|
X |
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Gormally |
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|
X |
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Happer |
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X |
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Wilson |
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X |
X |
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Shaw |
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X |
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Vote
as amended
10-09
ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
111 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES AND
INCREASING THE PERMIT FEES UNDER THE UNIFORM FIRE SAFETY CODE AND ESTABLISHING
A FEE FOR ZONING OFFICER REVIEW
Following
introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law
and a public hearing will be held on July 27, 2009.
|
Council
Member |
By: |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
By |
2nd |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
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X |
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Emr |
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X |
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Jackson |
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X |
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Gormally |
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X |
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Happer |
X |
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X |
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Wilson |
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X |
X |
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Shaw |
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X |
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7. *RESOLUTIONS
R84-09 - NJ Firemen’s Association Application
R85-09 - Liquor License Renewal/South City Grill
R86-09 - NJ Sustainable Energy Joint Meeting
R87-09 - Payment of Bills
R88-09 – Release of Executive Minutes
8. *MINUTES
May 14, 2009 - Special Meeting (with minor
amendments)
June 8, 2009 - Regular
June 8, 2009 - Executive Session
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
X |
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|
Emr |
|
|
X |
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|
Jackson |
|
X |
X |
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Gormally |
|
|
X |
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Happer |
X |
|
X |
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|
Wilson |
|
|
x |
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|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
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9. ATTORNEY’S REPORT - None
10. MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Tempesta updated the
Council on the spillways at Mountain and Wildwood Lakes. He noted that the lakes were full due to all
the rain over the last several weeks. While he was hesitant to lower the lakes,
it was necessary to remove a board at Mountain Lake and cut a three inch notch
in the board at Wildwood.
Mr. Prusina explained that removing an entire board at
Wildwood would have left an 8 inch gap. The DPW is conducting inspections of
the spillways every 12 hours.
Mr. Prusina said that the stop log system is outdated and a
more modern one should be Installed.
Mr. Tempesta and Mr. Prusina will be meeting with a contractor to
discuss cost estimates to update the system.
Mr. Prusina reported that sand had been added to the beach area at
Birchwood Lake.
Additional work is being completed for
the beach’s opening.
Mr. Prusina updated the Council on the status of the
street signs. The first group of signs to be installed should be ready by late
August. Roads with a 25 mph limits will have sign lettering 4 inches high,
those 35 mph or over will need to be 6 inches in order to comply with the State
law.
Due to all the recent rain it has been impractical
for the DEP to inspect well # 3. Trenton had
several questions regarding the well, including why
it was located in Denville. Borough
Engineer Bill Ryden will respond to Trenton.
Mr. Tempesta told the Council that the recent
chapter 7 filing by AmeriPay would not
affect the Borough since the Borough had already
switched to a new payroll company.
Mr. Tempesta reported that the cost of health
benefits was expected to increase by 15-20%.
11. COUNCIL REPORTS
Appointments
Centennial Committee/Kelly Thompson
Motion by Mayor Shaw, second by Councilman
McWilliams, to appoint Kelly Thompson to the Centennial Committee, with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Planning Board – Council members should submit any
recommendations to the Mayor.
MAC- There is a real need for new members.
Councilwoman Emr said that Environmental Commission
member Corey Nachshen met with the Web Site Committee to discuss the Environmental
Resource Inventory and how to make it interactive on the web site.
The Health Commission did not meet early in June due
to a lack of quorum. Councilwoman Emr expressed concern particularly because of
the recent swine flu cases reported in the State.
Councilman Jackson said the HPC met and discussed
the repairs of bridges by Morris County and that bridges are not always
historically retored. Mr. Tempesta explained that all bridges fall under the
jurisdiction of the County.
The ads for a new Borough Manager have been
submitted to the appropriate sites.
Councilman Happer said the Woodlands Committee is
continuing its work on pocket parks.
COAH/ Highlands
Mayor Shaw said that Mr. Ryden or Susan Kimball have
been attending the meetings for the Borough. Reimbursements for these services are suppose to come out of grant
money.
Councilwoman Wilson said Bill Ryden recommended the
Council make a decision on how to proceed. However, Mrs. Kimball said there is
not enough information to make a decision and the Borough needs to continue
with the process.
The Centennial Committee is now meeting twice a
month.
The report on Shared Services Task Force was moved
up on agenda.
Motion by Councilman McWilliams, second by
Councilwoman Wilson, to close the public portion of the meeting and reenter
Executive Session with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.
Motion by Councilman Happer, second by Councilman
McWilliams to close the Executive Session and return to the public portion of
the meeting with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
89-09 – Appointing Chief Tovo as
Interim Borough Manager
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
X |
|
X |
|
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|
Emr |
|
X |
X |
|
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|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
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|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
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|
Happer |
|
|
X |
|
|
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|
Wilson |
|
|
X |
|
|
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|
Shaw |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
12. ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilman
Jackson, second by Mayor Shaw, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 p.m. with all
members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
*Consent Agenda
Attest:
___________________________ _____________________
Christina Whitaker,
Clerk Stephen H. Shaw, Mayor