BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 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 7:31 p.m.

 

2.  ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

All Council members were present except for Councilman Happer. Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Barry Lewis, Jr., and Executive Assistant Michele Reilly.

 

                                                           

3.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

                 Resolution

                 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:

 

·        Police Contract Negotiations

·        Personnel/CFO

·        Contract Negotiations – Open Space Acquisition – King of Kings

 

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

 

Motion by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman Shaw, 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

Deputy Mayor Gormally commented on the phenomenal crowd at the Borough’s annual Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting.

 

Councilman Shaw reported that he attended the Mountain Lakes High School’s Herd Football Section Championship Game at Giants Stadium, that there was a great crowd of supporters, and that the team had a lot to be proud of.

 

Mayor Bravo said there was a great book signing last Saturday at the Library by the author of the Centennial book who lives in Boonton Township and grew up in Mountain Lakes.

 

5.  SPECIAL RESOLUTION – GARDEN CLUB

 

Mayor Bravo praised President Nicole Wright and the Garden Club for their active involvement in the community. There are sixty (60) active members and the Club is still growing. They maintain ten (10) gardens throughout the Borough. Additionally, in two (2) years, the Garden Club will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. Mayor Bravo said the Garden Club makes the Borough look good, and that the Council would like to give them some recognition and say “thank you”. Councilman Shaw pointed out that the Garden Club runs the Junior Nature Club, another great program.

 

Mayor Bravo read the special resolution. On Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman Jackson, the special resolution was passed with all members present in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

6.  SPECIAL PRESENTATION – CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

 

Stephanie Hoopes Halpin, Chair of the Centennial Committee, told the Council there will be a town photo at the kickoff event on January 9th, at 2:30 p.m. She said that the schools are encouraging Centennial related projects and research, and there is a Centennial liaison in each school. Also, she reported that the Committee has raised $26,000 so far through their fund raising efforts and about half of that is profit, which puts the committee on track for their budget.

 

The Council praised the Committee for its efforts. Councilman Shaw mentioned that Mayor Hussa from Denville wanted to write a resolution congratulating Mountain Lakes on its Centennial Anniversary. There was some discussion about asking other communities and possibly the Morris County Freeholders to acknowledge the Centennial.

 

 

7.   PUBLIC COMMENT

 

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.

 

8.   DISCUSSION

A. Council 2011 Goals & Priorities

 

Mayor Bravo asked for input on the 2011 Goals and Priorities which had been circulated to the Council. Councilman Shaw suggested that the list be kept to a one page document. Councilman Jackson suggested the Council be more specific with target dates for the accomplishment of the goals. Much discussion ensued among the Council members, and the consensus of the Council was that Mayor Bravo would put together a new document.

 

Mayor Bravo also reminded the Council that there were seven (7) vacancies on various committees and commissions and to submit names so the Council could appoint new members at the Reorganization Meeting on January 3, 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

9. *RESOLUTIONS

     R 132 Appointment CDRS

     R 133 Section 125

     R 134 Chapter 159 Energy Audit

     R 135 EEBG Grant

     R 136 Donation of Vehicle to Boonton Kiwanis

     R 137 Temporary Budget

     R 138 Refund

     R 139 Budget Transfers

     R 140 Supplemental Salary – CFO

     R 141 Open Space Grant Agreement – Morris County

     R 142 Payment of Bills

  

       10. *MINUTES  November 22, 2010  

 

       11.  DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A.     Health Officer

B.     Construction Official

C.    DPW

D.  Police  

E.  Fire

 

Prior to the roll call vote, Councilman Jackson asked that Resolutions 133, 140, and 141 be pulled from the Consent Agenda. Councilwoman Emr asked that Resolution 135 be pulled from the Consent Agenda.

 

Councilman Shaw presented corrections to the minutes, as did Councilmen Jackson and McWilliams. Regarding the bills list, Resolution 142, Councilman Shaw asked Mr. Lewis if the Borough was paying for the energy audit, and Mr. Lewis said the audit is about 80% complete and the Borough is still working with the audit company.

 

Councilman Jackson requested clarification regarding Resolution 136 and the value of the truck being donated. Mr. Lewis said the truck has a relatively low value. Councilman Shaw said he is pleased to be able to help out this organization with the donation of the vehicle.

 

 

*Consent Agenda Vote

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

X

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

 

 

 

X

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

Regarding Resolution 133, Councilman Jackson asked about the parameters of the Section 125 plan. Mr. Lewis explained that this was a premium only plan for employee health care contributions deducted through payroll.

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

X

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

 

 

 

X

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION 133

 

 

 

     

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regarding Resolution 135, EEBG Grant, Councilwoman Emr asked Mr. Lewis to explain the program. Mr. Lewis said these two programs work in conjunction with each other. The Borough can use the EEGB Grant as its match. There is $50,000 available without any match from the Borough. There are two engineers coming tomorrow from Donnelly to review the audits and examine the Borough Hall and the Department of Public Works. Councilwoman Emr asked if the Borough was committed to any action if this Resolution was passed. Mr. Lewis said passing the resolution only authorized the submission of the application and does not authorize a contract. The deadline for submission of the application is December 31, 2010.

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

 

X

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

X

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

 

 

 

X

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

                          RESOLUTION 135

 

 

 

     

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

   The Borough Council decided to postpone the vote on Resolution 140, Supplemental Salary – CFO, since the matter had not yet been discussed in Executive Session.

 

 

 

The Borough Council took a separate vote on Resolution 141, Open Space Grant Agreement – Morris County.

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

X

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

 

 

 

X

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

RESOLUTION 141

 

 

 

     

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Murphy had nothing to report. Councilwoman Emr asked a question regarding the Open Waters Act. Mr. Murphy said it was Attorney Jim Bryce’s recommendation not to do anything at this point.

 

      13. MANAGER’S REPORT

Mr. Lewis reported that he has been receiving more information regarding expenses for 2011 and is beginning to develop a preliminary budget, which he feels he will be able to present to the Council at the January 24th meeting. He said that the Borough is ending 2010 in good shape, with no deficits and no emergency appropriations. The water and sewer utilities rebounded, and he feels the Borough won’t have to increase rates for at least another year. Councilman Jackson asked if the Borough received a refund from the Parsippany Sewer Authority and Mr. Lewis said yes and it had been reported to the Council.

 

Councilman Jackson asked Mr. Lewis about switching the employee health care plan from the State’s Direct 10 to Direct 15. Mr. Lewis said the target date was March 1st, depending on what information he received from the State regarding the ability of employees to switch plans.

 

Councilman Jackson asked Mr. Lewis about the status of Well #3, and Mr. Lewis will be following up with Bill Ryden, Borough Engineer. Councilman Jackson asked about the dredging of the canal. Mr. Lewis responded that there would be no dredging but merely a clean up. Removing accumulated sediment requires a DEP permit. Councilman Jackson asked about the hydroraking at Grunden’s Pond, which Mr. Lewis said will begin when the weather breaks. Councilman Jackson also asked about Sunset Dam and how the Borough was dealing with the DEP. Mr. Lewis said the application for the permit was submitted before he began his employment with the Borough, and he was working with the DEP and with Converse Consultants.

 

Deputy Mayor Gormally asked about the police accreditation grant and the impact to personnel, specifically whether this would increase police overtime. Mr. Lewis said the process largely involves a review of SOP (standard operating procedures) and he was not envisioning any out of pocket expenses for the Borough.

 

 

 

 

 

14. COUNCIL REPORTS

 

Historic Preservation Committee – Councilman McWilliams said the Committee was busy selling Centennial books.

 

Finance Committee – Councilman McWilliams said there was an upcoming meeting this Wednesday.

 

Health Commission – Councilman McWilliams reported there was a recent meeting, and discussion ensued about clarifying the meeting schedule for the public as well as the efficiency of hydroraking.

 

Zoning Board of Adjustment – Councilwoman Emr reported the meeting had been cancelled.

 

Traffic & Safety – Councilwoman Emr said she would be attending the meeting tomorrow.

 

Planning Board – Councilman Jackson reported the Planning Board is reviewing three (3) more chapters of the Master Plan, and that there is an application for a subdivision adjacent to  by St. Peter’s Church.

 

Environmental Commission – Deputy Mayor Gormally said the Environmental Commission is analyzing the NRI and that they have some concerns about the subdivision.

 

Cove Project Committee – Mayor Bravo said the Committee walked the site and met with Greentree, who should have a design available the first week of January. It is the Committee’s hope that they can present the design to the Council at the January 24th meeting. They are also considering a separate public meeting.

           

 

15.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Council reconvened Executive Session to discuss the Personnel/CFO matter.           

 

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

 

Motion by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman Shaw, to close the Executive Session and return to the public portion of the meeting, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

           

16. RESOLUTION 140 – Supplemental Salary – CFO

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

X

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

 

X

 

 

Jackson

 

 

 

X

 

 

Gormally

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

 

 

 

X

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

17. ADJOURNMENT at 10:45 p.m.

On motion by Deputy Mayor Gormally, second by Councilman Shaw, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

 

 

*Consent Agenda

 

 

                Attest:___________________________                       ________________________

                  Michele Reilly, Executive Assistant                      Blair Bravo, Mayor