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 4, 2011 and posted in the municipal building.

 

Mayor Gormally called the meeting to order at 8 p.m.

 

2.  ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

All members of Council were present. Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Marty Murphy, Borough Manager Barry Lewis and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.

 

3. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Council commented on the spectacular fireworks display this year on the 4th of July. Mayor Gormally said that since the fireworks were set off from a barge, residents were allowed to sit at Island Beach offering a grand view from the beach. He thanked all those responsible for helping to make this a magnificent event.

Councilwoman Bravo said that those sitting at the Midvale docks were not able to see the fireworks from that position. Mr. Lewis said the crew would work to correct that for next year.

 

Due to the expected rain this evening, the concert scheduled for tonight was cancelled and will be held next Monday, August 1.

 

5. PUBLIC COMMENT

Fred Kanter – Hanover Road

Mr. Kanter thanked the Council for adopting a balanced budget with a no tax increase.

Mr. Kanter said the minutes of June 13, 2011 were incorrect and chastised the Council for approving the minutes absent of some of the items he mentioned during the public comment session. According to Mr. Kanter the minutes did not include his complaint regarding overgrown vegetation at Hanover Road and Glen Road and the incorrect height of a Stop sign at Cobb Road and the Boulevard. He recommended a committee be created that would oversee signs in the Borough, making note of beached out signs and signs that were put up incorrectly.

 

       Brian Marshall – Morris Avenue

Mr. Marshall read a statement to the Council which stated that JCP&L has gone too far in clearing lines. (hereto attached)

He said that JCP&L, and its contractors, have not been following federal and state regulations when trimming branches and vegetation around transmission lines. Instead he said they have cut down trees and destroyed wetland plants and should be held accountable.

 

6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION---DPW Director Mark Prusina Manager Barry Lewis

Mr. Prusina told the Council that Mr. Lewis he have had several discussions regarding departmental organization. The major area of focus is on modernizing the DPW’s computer technology. New computer programming would include tracking work requests and assignments to employees. Mr. Prusina said the modernization would improve the departments efficiency while prioritizing work orders. Mr. Prusina explained that at present he uses a calendar with weekly duties listed.

 

Mr. Lewis explained the present method of handling work requests.  He said a program that would allow residents to forward requests through the web site is being considered. Programs that could also be integrated with the school have also been reviewed.

 

Councilman Shaw said former Manager Gary Webb had a tracking system on his computer for resident’s complaints. He asked if there was a system in place to respond to residents’ complaints. Mr. Lewis said the one on the computer was not sufficient. 

 

The Council discussed the necessity of keeping pace with routine work.

 

Mayor Gormally said he did not have a clear understanding of how shared services with the Board of Education worked, such as plumbing and electrical problems as well as the mowing of fields, and shared equipment.

 

Mr. Prusina explained the shared use of employees and equipment. He said that whenever the opportunity permits, he utilizes the shared services.  He asked the Council to consider forming a facility committee to work with him similar to the one under the Board of Education.

 

The Council agreed that a formula needed to be developed that included reoccurring tasks, the time it takes to perform those tasks, and who was responsible to perform those tasks.

 

Mr. Lewis said he would have a recommendation at the next meeting.

 

7. ORDINANCES

04-11 

       ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY FROM     

       GEORGE JACKSON AND MARGARET JACKSON TO THE BOROUGH OF

       MOUNTAIN LAKES (PORTION OF BLOCK 53, LOT 39) 

       Public Hearing

       Mr. Murphy explained that circumstances had changed regarding the property on       

       the above property. He recommended going forward with the public hearing but for

       the Council to vote “NO” on its adoption. The ordinance could be reintroduced at a

       later date if the situation changed.

 

       Mayor Gormally opened the public hearing for ordinance 04-11. With no one wishing

       to be heard, Mayor Gormally closed the public hearing.

 

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Holmberg

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

X

 

 

X

 

 

Happer

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

 

 

 

 

05-11

         ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 111 OF THE REVISED GENERAL  

         ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES ENTITLED "FEES"

         (Water Meters)

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

         law.   Public Hearing

 

         Mayor Gormally opened the public hearing for ordinance 05-11. With no one wishing to be  

         heard, Mayor Gormally closed the public hearing.

 

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Holmberg

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

X

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

06-11

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 $872,500 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $559,375 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 August 25, 2011.

 

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holmberg

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shaw

 

X

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. DISCUSSION

A. Replacement of Street Signs---Manager Barry Lewis (memo hereto attached)

Mr. Lewis explained that all regulatory, warning or post mounted guide (except street name) signs, must meet retroreflectivity requirements by January 2015.  All street name signs must meet that requirement by January 2018. However, since some street signs may  need to be replace before the deadline, it is practical to replace them with regulatory compliant signs that are consistent with the Borough’s overall plan of replacement.

The color of signs authorized by Council some time ago is no longer permitted under State regulations. Therefore, It is necessary for the Council to decide on another color for the new signs. Mr. Lewis said that under the regulation the Council had four choices.  The background color choices are green, blue, brown or white. All have white lettering except for the white background which has black lettering.

 

Following a discussion by Council the consensus of the majority of members was to go with the white sign with black lettering.

 

Councilman Shaw asked the record show that the Borough’s professional engineer approved the former signs as being in compliance.

 

B. Audit Report and Corrective Plan—CFO Barry Lewis

The Council discussed the recommendations of the auditor and how the issues were being addressed.

Deputy Mayor Happer noted that bank reconciliation should be reviewed every month by the CFO and Treasurer. All deposits should be made within 48 hours of a transaction according to State Statute.

The Council requested the auditor attend the next Council meeting.

 

9. *RESOLUTON

     R 88 - Liquor License Renewal/Ocean Blue Restaurant Group

     R 89 - Extension of Tax Bill Grace Period

     R 90 - Payment of Bills

     R 91 - Audit Report Acceptance pulled

 

10. *MINUTES

June 27, 2011 Executive

June 27, 2011 Regular

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Holmberg

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

X

 

X

 

 

 

Bravo

 

X

X

 

 

 

Shaw

 

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

 

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

        91-11 Audit Report Acceptance

 

Council Member

By:

2nd:

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

McWilliams

 

 

X

 

 

 

Holmberg

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

Bravo

 

 

X

 

 

 

Shaw

X

 

X

 

 

 

Happer

 

X

X

 

 

 

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.  DEPARTMENT REPORTS

A.     Construction Official

B.     Health

C.    DPW

D.    Police

E.     Fire

 

    12. ATTORNEY REPORT

    It was noted by a Council member that William’s Stationary had reopened.

    Mr. Murphy said he would check into the matter.

 

   13. MANAGER REPORT (hereto attached)

   Councilman Jackson expressed concern over well issues at the Rockaway Golf Club  

   Mr. Lewis said that all retrofits were done on well # 3.

 

   Mr. Lewis provided an update on the Cove Project.

   Some members of Council expressed concern regarding the curbing area at the Cove.

        

   14. COUNCIL REPORTS

   2011 Council Goals Review

   Mayor Gormally will review the list and make comments on the status of line items.                      

 

  15. PUBLIC COMMENT

  Mr. Kanter repeated his complaint about the minutes of June 13. He said he has been  

  attending Council meetings for years and has made numerous suggestions and comments, but

  none have been taken seriously by the Council.

 

  16. ADJOURNMENT 

  Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilman Holmberg, to adjourn the meeting at

 10:37  p.m. with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”

 

 

*Consent Agenda

Attest: July 25, 2011

 

________________________________       _______________________________ 

Christina Whitaker, Clerk                                  Charles Gormally,   Mayor