BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
MORRIS COUNTY
SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
8 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 Blair Bravo called meeting to order at 8 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All Council Members were present.
Also In attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Barry Lewis and Borough
Clerk Christina Whitaker.
3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mountain Lakes Fire Department welcomed its new truck as did dignitaries and members
of the community.
Mayor Bravo noted that there was only 108 days left to the centennial kickoff.
Mayor Bravo announced that the Home & School Association Bulletin is no longer being mailed to residents. The information is now on the Borough’s web site under the link “My Bulletin Online.Org.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Bravo opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of the Council.
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.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Bravo closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
5. ORDINANCE
08-10
ORDINANCE TO VACATE CERTAIN PUBLIC RIGHTS IN AN UNIMPROVED RIGHT OF WAY SHOWN ON THE TAX MAP AS A PORTION OF NORTH GLEN ROAD
Following adoption, this Ordinance shall take effect immediately after publication and passage
as provided by law. PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Bravo opened the Public Hearing on ordinance 08-10 with consent of Council.
With no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Bravo closed the Public Hearing.
Councilwoman Emr expressed her continued concern regarding the vacation of the road and asked Mr. Murphy for clarification of the ordinance as it pertained to the trail that leads to County owned property.
Mr. Murphy explained that the ordinance removed the public interest in the road. The status of the trail would not be impacted by the adoption of the ordinance.
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Abstain |
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McWilliams |
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Emr |
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Jackson |
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Gormally |
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Happer |
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Shaw |
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Bravo |
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6. DISCUSSION
A. Centennial Project
Mayor Bravo said the Council needed to give the Borough Manager clear direction regarding its preference in projects to be considered for the centennial celebration.
The Mayor said the Centennial Committee agreed that building pillars on each side of the Boulevard would be too cost prohibitive. Instead, the Committee suggested improvements to the Cove area. The idea of placing boulders on the Boulevard, with attached plaques, was no longer being considered.
The Centennial Committee has suggested a project at the Cove on Morris Avenue.
Mr. Lewis said the Lake Management Committee and Environmental Commission had reservation regarding a wall at the cove if it extended into the lake. But both were supportive of the project.
Councilwoman Emr said the area really needed beautification.
Councilman McWilliams said stone walls could be used as benches at the cove.
Deputy Mayor Gormally said he did not favor the construction of the pillars but would rather see something that could be used by the residents at the Cove, such as benches or a wall that skaters could use when the area is being used for ice skating.
Councilman Happer said that any improvements to the Cove area needed to be more than just a maintenance project. He preferred something that would be around for years to come. He felt pillars would be around another one hundred years.
Councilman Shaw said the Cove is used by a lot of people and was an area that could use improvement.
Mayor Bravo said she would support the Cove as an area for a centennial project.
The Council authorized Mr. Lewis to meet with Borough Engineer Bill Ryden and DPW Director Mark Prusina to research designs and their costs.
Councilman Jackson said he felt additional work was needed at the top of the Esplanade. He said the area needed a wall and pavers.
Mr. Lewis said it was his understanding that the Esplanade project had not been completed.
The Council agreed to include the Esplanade as a Centennial project.
7.*RESOLUTIONS
R 104 Payments of Bills
R 105 Redemption Lien Rodrigues
R 106 Tri-Town Little League (pulled for the next meeting by Councilman Jackson)
SR 03-10 Honoring Patricia Kapral
8. *MINUTES
August 23, 2010 Regular
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Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
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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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Gormally |
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X |
X |
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Happer |
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Shaw |
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Bravo |
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Councilman Shaw and Deputy Mayor Gormally amended their motions in order to pull resolution 106-10 for discussion. There were some questions on insurance coverage and field use. Mr. Lewis will contact the representative of Tri-Town Little League for more details.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Health Officer
B. Construction Official
C. DPW
D. Fire
E. Police
10. ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Councilman Jackson asked Mr. Murphy to have an update on the William Stationery litigation at the next meeting.
11. MANAGER’S REPORT
Mr. Lewis updated the Council on the last three months of water usage. His report also included a 10 year history of water usage in the Borough.
He noted that he was still waiting for Trenton to schedule a meeting with the section chief.
He informed the Council that the 2005 appropriation by the Borough for Sunset Lake dam was only for the design. The actual work would cost approximately $400,000. However, Mr. Lewis said that there was no imminent need for repairs at this time and that he was researching possible grants.
Councilman Jackson asked Mr. Lewis to provide the Council with an update on the 2010 capital projects.
Mr. Lewis explained the process and the implications of the Governor’s tool box municipal survey on best practices.
Councilwoman Emr asked about a replacement for police secretary Patricia Kapral.
Mr. Lewis explained that a new secretary had been hired.
Councilwoman Emr reported that a Melrose home owner was parking vehicles on Borough owned property.
In addition, there is a water valve cover missing on Lake Drive.
The Council discussed the pros and cons of the Home & School Bulletin no longer being mailed to residents.
Residents can only access the information on the Borough’s web site.
Councilwoman Emr told the Council that “The Resident’s Guide to Mountain Lakes” was in need of updating.
The pamphlet was printed in 2001 and provided an overview of Borough ordinances and services.
Several members of the Council agreed it had been a useful tool before the Borough had its own web site.
However, most of the material could now be obtained on the internet.
The Borough Clerk told the Council that the pamphlet had been costly to compile, print, and mail to all Borough residents.
Councilman Jackson suggested Councilwoman Emr review the material and make suggestions on any changes.
Councilwoman Emr also noted that small pets have been disappearing in the community and pet owners need to be warned.
12. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilman Shaw said the 55 Plus Committee had to cancel its annual picnic due to rain.
The Recreation Commission will meet in September. There have been some concerns over the use of the tennis courts by non-residents.
The Shared Services Committee met and discussed the shared court arrangement and will continue to explore shared opportunities with other municipalities.
There was nothing new to report on the Board of Education office arrangement.
Councilman Happer said a new member was needed for the Web Site Committee.
He suggested that an explanation be put on the Borough’s web site explaining that the Home & School Bulletin was now being referred to as “My Bulletin Online.”
Councilman Jackson said the Lakes Management Committee discussed the dam work at Mountain Lake and Wildwood Lake. The Committee also discussed the lowering of the lakes.
Councilman Jackson reported that the Planning Board was working through the Master Plan by chapters.
Councilman Jackson said Tax Assessor Rick Del Guercio needed to review property sales versus assessed values.
Councilwoman Emr said the Traffic and Safety Committee needed a new member since Sarina Grodofsky had resigned.
Councilwoman Emr reported that the Board of Adjustment has had two air conditioner issues to review in recent months. She briefly explained the circumstances and it was decided that Mr. Murphy and Mr. Lewis will review our ordinance pertaining to replacement of air conditioners.
Councilwoman Emr said the Shade Tree Commission said there has been some confusion on procedures and changes were needed.
Mr. Lewis explained that changes were being made and hoped it would resolve the problems.
Councilman McWilliams said the Centennial Committee has a final version of the banner.
Councilman McWilliams reported that Andy and Peggy Bulfer stepped down as co-chairs of the Historic Preservation Committee. Tom Dagger and John Grossman will be co-chairs.
The Centennial book is expected to be ready by December, in time for Christmas.
Mayor Bravo informed the public that the Borough was always looking for new volunteers as committee members.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman Happer, to adjourn the meeting at 10 p.m., with
all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
*Consent Agenda
Attest:___________________________ ________________________ Christina Whitaker, Clerk Blair Bravo, Mayor