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 on January 4, 2012 and posted in the municipal building.
Mayor Charles Gormally called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE
All council members were present except for Councilmen Doug McWilliams and Peter Holmberg. Also in attendance were Attorney James Bryce, Deputy Manager Robert Tovo and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.
3. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Resolution 38
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:
· Tax Appeal Settlements
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 Bravo, second by Deputy Mayor Happer, to close the public portion of the meeting and enter into Executive Session, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilwoman Bravo, second by Deputy Mayor Happer, 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
There were no announcements.
5. CENTENNIAL REPORT (Hereto attached) – Stephanie Halpin
Ms, Halpin highlighted some of the events that took place since the kick-off event on January 9, 2011 and the more than 20 events that followed.
She thanked Mark Prusina and the members of the Department of Public Works for their support at every event and for the help received from Council liaisons Stephen Shaw, Doug McWilliams and Blair Bravo.
The Borough was divided into 22 neighborhoods, which then participated in 16 Neighborhood Challenges. She congratulated the Hill section for winning the overall Challenge.
Ms. Halpin said that after all expenses are paid, there should be surplus funds which the Centennial Committee would like to donate to the Historic Preservation Committee.
The Council was presented with the framed corner stone greeting.
The Council thanked the Centennial Committee for all the work done to make the Centennial celebration so memorable to the community.
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Gormally opened the public comment portion of the meeting with consent of the
Council.
Mayor Gormally explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to five (5) minutes
and no yielding of time to another person.
Fred Kanter – Hanover Road
Mr. Kanter congratulated the Centennial Committee for the job it did in organizing events over the year.
He accused the Council of violating a court order regarding minutes as well as other laws and asked for Council members to resign.
With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Gormally closed the public comment portion of the meeting.
7. *RESOLUTONS
R 33 Renewal Membership in Morris County Co-op
R 34 Tax Lien Redemption
R 35 Ban Resolution – Pulled from Consent Agenda
R 36 Deferred Charges/Over Commitments – Pulled from consent Agenda
R 37 Payment of Bills
8. *MINUTES
November 28, 2011 (Executive)
December 12, 2011 (Executive)
January 3, 2012 (Reorganization)
Before Consent Agenda by Roll Call vote, Resolutions 35 and 36 were pulled.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
|
|
X minutes |
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
R35 Ban Resolution
Mr. Eckstein explained this was authorizing him to combine the amounts listed in
Ordinances 05-08 and 06-09.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
|
|
X |
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R 36 Deferred Charges/Over Commitments
Councilman Jackson asked for clarification on why it was necessary to adopt this
resolution. Norman Eckstein, CFO, explained why it was being recommended.
|
Council Member |
By: |
2nd: |
Yes |
No |
Abstain |
Absent |
|
McWilliams |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Holmberg |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Jackson |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Bravo |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Shaw |
|
X |
X |
|
|
|
|
Happer |
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Gormally |
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|
X |
|
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9. ATTORNEY REPORT
Mr. Bryce had nothing to report.
10. MANAGER REPORT (hereto attached)
Deputy Manager Robert Tovo updated the Council on a proposal to replace the old bulletin
board in front of Borough Hall with a new electronic board to aid in the Council’s goal of
improving the Borough’s ability to communicate with the residents of Mountain Lakes. He
said he had reviewed several options and recommended one of the 4 designs presented.
The message board would measure 6’x8’ with a message section covering an area of 3’x6’,
at an estimated cost of $19,100.
Councilwoman Bravo expressed concern about the response of residents who are
accustomed to seeing messages on the present, more modest, bulletin board. Mayor
Gormally agreed, stating that the need to keep residents informed did not mean a new board
was necessary.
Councilman Jackson said he supported the new electronic board as long as it was not large
and did not appear intrusive for the location. Councilman Shaw said residents looked to the
sign for messages, which had been manned by volunteers in the past. However, the lack of
volunteers have prevented messages from being posted. Deputy Mayor Happer said the new
sign could be a bit alarming to some residents and the Council should take more time to
decide on what is best for the community. Mayor Gormally said he was concerned that the
Borough office would be inundated with requests for messages to be placed on the board.
DPW Director Mark Prusina suggested the council might be able to see a model and
demonstration of one of the signs. Mr. Tovo will look further into the matter.
Web Site Design
The Council discussed a proposal sent to Mr. Tovo for a new website design that would be
more users friendly. Mr. Tovo said the Borough has received many requests to update the
Borough’s existing website and would substantially improve the look and functionality of the
website. He encourage the Council to read the proposal and utilize the link provided to see a
preview of the new concept.
Councilman Jackson said the proposal should be given to the Website Committee for review.
He would also like to see the website integrated with the school’s system. Mr. Tovo said the
school launched a new website over the weekend.
Deputy Mayor Happer and Councilwoman Bravo suggested that Mr. Tovo talk with other
Municipalities to obtain references.
Councilman Shaw said the Website Committee had done a wonderful job but has not been
able to keep up with the fast moving technology. However, he said control of the Borough
website should be with the administration.
Borough Phone System
The new four digit dialing phone system will be a joint venture with the Board of Education.
The venture drew the support of the Council. Mr. Tovo explained the cost savings to the
Borough and the increase in phone lines to handle more calls.
The Borough’s administrative office will share a postage machine with the Board of Education
this will be a cost savings to the Borough.
Deputy Manager Tovo also informed the Council of the details of a contract he signed for
periodic on-line property auctions.
There has been some confusion with the LOSAP funding based on the calculation of tenured
vesting. Mr. Tovo said it should be resolved shortly.
2012 Budget
A draft copy of the budget was presented to Council. Discussion will take place at a future
meeting.
Councilwoman Bravo asked Mr. Tovo to have a street sign replaced on Grove Place. She also
noted that several street lights are out throughout the Borough. Mr. Tovo asked her to forward
the location of the street lights to him and he would forward them to the parties responsible at JCP&L.
The Council discussed the pros and cons of putting up a temporary snow fence to protect the new plants at Cove Park.
11. COUNCIL REPORTS
Appointment of Liaisons
Appointment of Committee/Commission/Board members
Motion by Councilwoman Bravo, second by Councilman Jackson, to appoint John Horan as Environmental Commission representative to the Planning Board, Nick DeVenezia to the position vacated by Paul Selver and Tom Dagger to 1st Alternate, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Happer, to reappoint Angelo George, Bronie Parkins, and Nancy Colman to the Fifty-Five Plus Committee and appoint Art Muti as Chair, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Councilwoman Bravo, second by Councilman Shaw, to appoint Scot Kuehm and reappoint Jim Bailey and Rainer Mimberg to the Lakes Management Advisory Committee, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Motion by Deputy Mayor Happer, second, by Councilwoman Bravo to reappoint, Alison Stone and Jesse Silverman, to the Health Commission and Barbara Girz and Rick Stillman as Co- chairs, with all members in favor signifying by “Aye.”
Council Goals for 2012 – Moved to future meeting
Planning Board Annual Report – Accepted by Council
12. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mayor Gormally opened the second public comment portion of the meeting.
Fred Kanter- Hanover Road
Mr. Kanter said he had a list of concerns. He said he was concerned with the money expended on the cove project and the agreement made with former Borough Manager, Barry Lewis.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Councilwoman Bravo, to adjourn the meeting
at 10:55 p.m., with all members in favor by signifying “Aye.”
*Consent agenda
Attest:
________________________________ _______________________________
Christina Whitaker, Clerk Charles X. Gormally, Mayor