BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING/ WORK SESSION

BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES

MORRIS COUNTY

June 14, 2010

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 5, 2010 and posted in the municipal building.

Mayor Bravo called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

All Council members were present. Deputy Mayor Gormally arrived at 7:33 p.m.

Also in attendance were Attorney Jim Bryce, sitting in for Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Barry Lewis,

and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Resolution 88

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:

· Litigation/Williams Stationery

· Possible Litigation/Crestview Road property

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 Councilman McWilliams, to enter into Executive Session, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

Motion by Councilman McWilliams, 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 Bravo commented on how wonderful the Memorial Day Ceremony was and thanked all those who made the day special including the Memorial Day Committee, Police, Fire and Public Works Departments, and the Mountain Lakes Day Committee.

Firework donations are now being taken. The Mayor said mailers have already been sent to all residents. The firework display will take place the night of July 4^th. Rain date is July 5^th.

Councilman Shaw informed the Council that they were invited by the developer to attend the opening of Park Place on Friday, June 18, between 4-7 p.m. The actual Grand Opening will take place on Saturday.

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Bravo explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes and no yielding of time to another person.

Mayor Bravo opened the public comment portion of the meeting with the consent of the Council.

Lisa Ippolito - 73 Cobb Road

Ms. Ippolito told the Council how much she and her family love living in Mountain Lakes.

She said the residents of Mountain Lakes are what make living in the town so special. She asked the Council to help make it possible for her family to build a permanent home at 15 Crestview by vacating the paper road next to the property.

Tobias Ippolito - 73 Cobb Road

Mr. Ippolito said the house plans currently comply with the setback stipulations. However, that would mean the house would have to face the woods rather than the street. Residents in the area have expressed their preference to having the house face Crestview Road and he and his wife would prefer that also. Another option would be to improve the paper road along side the property and subdivide the property. He said he did not favor this option. He also noted that a walking path already exists, a portion of which is on his property and would have to be moved anyway. He also asked the Council to consider vacating the paper road.

Margaret Gossett - 24 Glen Road

Ms. Gossett read a statement listing the concerns of Wildwood Lake residents regarding the water level of the lake and dam improvements. (Hereto attached)

With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Bravo closed the public comment of the meeting.

Mayor Bravo told the Ippolitos that new information had just come to the Council’s attention and that once it was reviewed the Council would readdress the issue.

Mr. Lewis said he was happy to report that the wooden boards at the Wildwood dam had been replaced. He explained that the control valve on the lower level of the spillway still needed to be replaced. When the permanent repairs are made the boards will be replaced with composite boards.

Councilman Jackson noted that concrete ramp on Mountain Lakes is completely out of the lake and covered in mud. He said that when it was first constructed it went out into the lake about a yard. While the water level at Wildwood might make residents happy, it could be very different for the residents around Mountain Lake.

Councilman Shaw noted that annually lowering water levels of the lakes for repair work was considered by former manager Gary Webb.

Mayor Bravo said that the Lakes Management Committee is reviewing the issue of lowering the lakes in the fall so residents can make repairs.

6. CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE PRESENTATION (hereto attached)

Stephanie Halpin - Chair

Ms. Halpin said the schools have shown enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration and have offered some suggestions.

Proposed capital projects were discussed with the Council who earlier in the year authorized $50,000 to be designated for a “Centennial Celebration” capital project.

Ms. Halpin said the kickoff event celebrating the centennial will be held January 9, 2011 at the Community Church. Several more events are planned throughout the year ending with a luncheon in January 2012.

The Centennial Committee has divided the Borough into 22 sections and assigned liaisons to individual neighborhoods for the purpose of communicating centennial events. Residents will also be invited to participate in the upcoming year’s events.

The Committee hired Laura Wilder to design a new logo for the Borough in honor of the Centennial.

The Centennial Committee hopes to coordinate with the Borough when sending out e-mail blasts.

The Committee is still working on its budget and merchandising.

Jane Hayward (Hereto attached)

Ms. Hayward said the revised project cost to support centennial events in 2010 and 2011 is $30,000.

Several types of projects were considered but the cost was prohibitive. As an alternate, the Committee recommends placing approximately four natural stone boulders along the Boulevard walking path with each having bronze plaques attached. The first stone would contain the names of the founding families. Current and past residents would then be invited to inscribe their family name and year they settled in Mountain Lakes at a cost of $100 per family.

Council members each provided their view of the proposal with some expressing concerns. The Council would like additional feedback from the Historic Preservation Committee before the Centennial Committee moves forward.

7. ORDINANCE

05-10

ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 71-3 OF THE BOROUGH CODE REGULATING ALCOHOLIC

BEVERAGE LICENSES

If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage as provided by law.

Public Hearing

Mayor Bravo opened the public hearing.

With no one wishing to be heard, the Mayor closed the public hearing.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Shaw

Bravo

06-10

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 40 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE

BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES TO ELIMINATE APPEALS OF ZONING BOARD OF

ADJUSTMENT DECISIONS TO THE BOROUGH COUNCIL.

If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage as provided by law.

Public Hearing

Mayor Bravo opened the public hearing.

With no one wishing to be heard, the Mayor closed the public hearing.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Shaw

Bravo

07-10

BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW

JERSEY, APPROPRIATING THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $ $575,500.

THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $546,725. BONDS OR NOTES OF

THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF.

Following introduction, the above ordinance will be published in accordance with the law and

a public hearing will be held on June 28, 2010.

Council Member

By:

2^nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

2nd

Yes

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

Emr

Jackson

Gormally

Happer

Shaw

Bravo

8.RESOLUTIONS

R 82 Liquor Licenses

R 83 Salaries - pulled from the consent agenda by Deputy Mayor Gormally

R 84 Overpayment Lakhiani

R 85 Overpayment Sudol

R 86 Chapter 159 FEMA Pagers

R 87 Payment of Bills

9. *MINUTES

May 24, 2010

10. *DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A. Construction Official

B. Health Officer

C. DPW

D. Fire

Consent Agenda

Council Member	By:	2^nd:	Yes	No	Abstain	Absent
McWilliams			X
Emr			X
Jackson			X
Gormally		X	X
Happer			X
Shaw	X		X
Bravo			X

R 83 - Salaries

Council Member	By:	2^nd:	Yes	No	Abstain	Absent
McWilliams	X		X
Emr			X
Jackson			X
Gormally				X
Happer		X	X
Shaw			X		Planning and Zoning Admin.
Bravo			X

11. ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Bryce had nothing to report.

12. MANAGER’S REPORT

Tree Management Application and Enforcement

Mr. Lewis explained that there is confusion relating to setback trees on an owner’s property.

After reviewing the ordinance he did not believe the intent of the ordinance was to require a tree

management plan for every building permit issued. Requiring fencing to the drip line of trees, when work

is only being done in the inside of the house, makes little sense. It was the consensus of the Council that

this was not the intent.

Wireless Tower Proposal

Mr. Lewis said he had been approached by a wireless consulting service looking for a potential location to

erect a tower on Borough property. The company is interested in a location near the Midvale section of the town. He noted that this would bring in additional revenues to the Borough. The consensus of the Council was for Mr. Lewis to continue collecting information on the matter.

Corporate Park 2

Mr. Lewis said he is in contact with a company representative regarding the planting plan.

Mr. Lewis said he attended a meeting of the Morris County Historic Preservation Commission along with Sueanne Sylvester, Joan Nix, and her business partner, to discuss a grant application for a Historic Preservation Plan and roof repair plans to the Lake Drive School.

Councilman McWilliams suggested the Borough allow a dumpster at the recycling center to be used for metal. The dumpster would be picked up by a company that removes the contents and pays a share of the proceeds to the municipality. He noted there would be a need for someone to oversee proper use of the dumpster at the DPW yard.

Councilman McWilliams and Councilwoman Emr said there has been a lack of zoning enforcement

in the Borough.

Councilman McWilliams said he would still like to see the matter of creating a Borough cemetery move forward. There appeared to be little support from other Council members on the subject but Mayor Bravo suggested Councilman McWilliams might want to present a formal discussion item for a future meeting.

Councilwoman Emr said the Environmental Commission should be receiving copies of the geese management reports from the USDA.

Councilwoman Emr noted that a float had been installed at the Mountain Lakes Club and sand fill had been brought in to make a beach for children. Parts of the lake have also been roped off for swimming.

Mr. Lewis said he would look into the matter.

13. COUNCIL REPORTS

Mayor Bravo said she thought the Municipal Alliance Committee needed to be officially disbanded.

Councilman Shaw said the Shared Services Committee would be meeting on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

Councilman Happer said the quarterly meeting of the Public Safety Committee was held and generated an

open discussion with a representative of the Boonton Kiwanis Rescue Squad. Equipment is funded by the

Kiwanis and fuel for the vehicles is shared between Boonton, Boonton Township and Mountain Lakes. The

squad has 32 active members and two paid EMT that work three days a week. The squad answers

approximately 1500 calls a year, of which 200-250 are for Mountain Lakes.

Councilman Happer noted that the State is no longer paying for mandated EMT courses and municipalities are financially strapped to help in the cost.

Deputy Mayor Gormally said he has seen the GSI mapping link and it is user-friendly.

The Borough was a pilot program for the County and now the Environmental Commission is working with them to help generate interest from other communities.

Motion by Councilman McWilliams, second by Councilman Shaw to appoint Jessica Nasta and Roberta Matalon George to the Historic Preservation Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye”.

Motion by Councilman Jackson, second by Councilman McWilliams, to appoint Carisa Mahnken to the Centennial Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

14. ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Gormally, to adjourn the meeting at 10:40

p.m. with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

*Consent Agenda

Attest:___________________________ ________________________

Christina Whitaker, Clerk Blair Bravo, Mayor