Contact:
Borough Clerk Ellen Horak 973-347-0159 ext 16
Category: Borough Council Meeting Agenda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stanhope, NJ - December 11, 2009
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MEETING
October 6, 2009
8:00 P.M.
MAYOR'S STATEMENT AS TO COMPLIANCE WITH P.L. 1975
Adequate Notice of this Meeting has been provided according to the Open Public Meetings Act, Assembly Bill 1030. Notice of this Meeting was included in the Annual Meeting Notice sent to the NJ Herald and the Daily Record on December 31, 2008 and placed on the Official Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building.
In the event the Mayor and Council have not addressed all items on this Agenda by 11:00 PM and they are of the opinion that they cannot complete the Agenda in a reasonable time period, the Mayor and Council may exercise their option to continue this meeting at an agreed to time, date and place within ten (10) days of this meeting. Please turn off all cell phones for the duration of this Meeting.
ROLL CALL
Council Members:
Councilwoman Santucci – present Councilman Graham – present
Councilwoman Maio – present Councilman Vance - present
Councilman Depew – present Councilman Benson – present
Mayor Kuncken – present
COUNCIL BUSINESS
Lenape Municipal Alliance
Lenape Municipal Alliance has forwarded an application for funding. Stanhope would participate with Byram and the cash match of $2,855.00 and the in-kind match of $8,565.00 would be split between the two municipalities. The Clerk advised the Alliance is looking for a leader to represent Stanhope which will allow them to hold programs in Stanhope. Councilwoman Maio suggested a member of the Recreation Commission might be interested in joining the Alliance and representing the Borough. Mayor Kuncken asked the clerk to forward a copy of the contract to Borough Attorney Stein for review prior to execution.
Sussex Branch Trail
The Township of Byram is requesting a letter of support from the Borough of Stanhope and other surrounding municipalities in their quest to obtain funding from the State of New Jersey to restore the Sussex Branch Trail. After a brief discussion the governing body agreed to support the request. Mayor Kuncken asked the Clerk to forward a letter of support to the Township of Byram.
Space Farms – Deer Carcass Removal
A new yearly contract was received from Space Farms Zoo and Museum, Beemerville, New Jersey for removal of deer carcasses. The carcasses will be removed for a fee of $45.00 per deer payable monthly. The rate is valid through September 30, 2010. Borough Attorney Stein will review the contract. The governing body will award the contract at the October 20, 2009 Agenda meeting.
Councilwoman Maio stated Marion Murdock, owner of the Blue Heron Antiques, requested the garbage company pick-up the trash behind the buildings. Mrs. Murdock commented the Deli would also benefit from having the garbage picked up behind the building instead of on the street due to the nature of the business. Councilman Benson added it would address a safety issue because it would prevent the trash cans from rolling onto Main Street after they are emptied. Mayor Kuncken asked the Clerk to speak with Attorney Stein to see if it would be possible to alter the contract to include back of building pick-up for these businesses.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Kuncken offered the following resolution which was read by title:
Resolution 177-09 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF BILLS
WHEREAS, the Chief Finance Officer has certified that funds are available in the proper account; and
WHEREAS, the Chief Finance Officer has approved payment upon certification from the Borough Department Heads that the goods and/or services have been rendered to the Borough;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope that the current bills list, dated October 6, 2009 and on file and available for public inspection in the Office of the Chief Finance Officer and approved by the Chief Finance Officer for payment, be paid.
On motion by Councilman Depew, seconded by Councilman Benson, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, the above resolution was adopted.
Roll Call: Councilwoman Santucci - yes Councilman Graham – yes
Councilwoman Maio – yes Councilman Vance - yes
Councilman Depew – yes Councilman Benson – yes
MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Resolution 178-09 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT MOENTENICH, AS ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
WITH COUNCIL CONCURRENCE
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Borough of Stanhope that they do hereby concur with the Mayor’s appointment of Robert Moentenich as electrical inspector effective October 6, 2009 at the salary of $8,742.00 for the calendar year 2009; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Robert Moentenich’s work schedule shall be two hours each day for two days per week for a total of 4 hours per week.
On motion by Councilman Vance, seconded by Councilwoman Maio, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, the above resolution was adopted.
Roll Call: Councilwoman Santucci - yes Councilman Graham – yes
Councilwoman Maio – yes Councilman Vance - yes
Councilman Depew – yes Councilman Benson – yes
Resolution 179-09 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
HARRY C. KOCH, AS AN ASSOCIATE MEMBER TO THE STANHOPE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Mayor’s appointment of Harry C. Koch, as an associate member to the Stanhope Fire Department.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Borough of Stanhope, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey that they do hereby concur with the Mayor’s appointment of Harry C. Koch, as an associate member to the Stanhope Fire Department.
On motion by Councilwoman Maio, seconded by Councilman Vance, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the above resolution was adopted.
Mayor Kuncken read the following Press Release in its entirety and then opened the floor for public comment.
Press Release
The Borough of Stanhope has recently received information from an Environmental Consultant hired by the Borough that silt and sediment located in the Morris Canal along Main Street in Stanhope contains a low level of contamination that does not pose either an immediate health hazard to the public or an environmental risk. The Borough wishes to inform the public of how the Borough became aware of the contamination by this press release.
On August 15, 2007, a large underground drain pipe erupted in a municipally-owned parking lot adjacent to the Stanhope Fire House, causing a large sinkhole. The drainpipe conveyed water through the Old Morris Canal past several properties in the area of the Furnace Pond to the lower reaches of the canal. When the sinkhole originally occurred, it was believed that the drainpipe might belong to the State of New Jersey as the successor to the Morris Canal and Banking Company. However, a title search revealed that the pipe had actually been deeded to the Borough in 1966. The gate allowing water to flow from Lake Musconetcong into the canal was closed by the State Park at the request of the Borough. The sinkhole and the pipe were temporarily repaired, the canal was drained of water and has remained drained of water since that date due to concerns about the pipe’s integrity if filled with water.
The draining of the canal revealed a substantial amount of debris, both natural and manmade within the bed of the canal from Route 183 to its lower reaches. The Borough sought approval from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to clean the debris from the canal bed. In September 2007, a written request was sent by the Borough to NJDEP for a pre-application meeting concerning the cleaning of the debris from the canal.
From September through November 2007, representatives of the Borough and NJDEP corresponded with regard to permits that would be required of the Borough in order to clean out the canal. After receiving public comments on the canal, the Borough decided to explore a more ambitious project to both remediate and rehabilitate the canal. The revised project would include not only cleaning out all of the debris but also removing a substantial amount of silt that has accumulated in the bottom of the canal over many years to restore the depth of the canal to its historical level. The Borough Engineer prepared plans and specifications for such a project and submitted a joint application with the State Park to NJDEP for the necessary permit in April 2008 to allow the Borough to both clean and rehabilitate the canal. The Borough received the permit from NJDEP on August 12, 2008.
The Borough budgeted $50,000 for initial efforts in the canal restoration project in the FY 2009 budget. In February 2009, the Borough further applied to the NJDEP for a loan/grant request to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Financing Program to provide funding to repair the drainpipe which caused the initial problems. The Borough is hopeful of receiving a response in the near future from the State as to its loan/grant application as part of the effort to remove the sediment from the Morris Canal.
As part of the plan to undertake the restoration of the Canal and to remove the silt and sediment, the Borough was required to hire an Environmental Consultant to take samples of the sediment in the canal to confirm that the sediment could be disposed of as simple clean fill. Samples were taken from the canal in August 2009. The Borough’s Environmental Consultant submitted a written report to the Borough dated August 31, 2009 that a low level of contaminants was detected in several of the samples taken from the sediment in the canal bed. The contaminants detected were lead and organic compounds. Based upon the results, the Environmental Consultant’s opinion is that these contaminants were contributed from street runoff.
The contaminants are in a stable state, pose no immediate health hazard to the public nor any immediate environmental hazard either. However, the sediment containing the low level contaminants will need to be disposed of at a regulated disposal facility rather than as clean fill, which will substantially increase the cost of this portion of the canal’s rehabilitation. A final cost for the removal of the sediment will be determined upon an accurate measurement of the amount of sediment to be removed and obtaining prices from qualified disposal sites for the disposal of the sediment.
The Borough is committed to continuing to work on the rehabilitation of the canal in a fiscally responsible manner to restore the canal for the public’s use and enjoyment as soon as possible. As funding is acquired for the project, the Borough will proceed with both the repair of the drainpipe and the removal of the debris and silt from the canal to restore the canal for public recreational purposes.
Mayor Kuncken noted the Borough has spent $7,200.00 of the $50,000.00 budgeted on clean up efforts. Should the grant request to the NJDEP be funded it would make a substantial difference. The first step is to investigate what options are available and determine the best choice for the Borough. A time frame must be established and specific costs calculated. Mayor Kuncken will provide updates as available.
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Mayor Kuncken opened the meeting to the public after advising attendees that there is a five (5) minute time limit for each speaker.
Brian Murphy, 2 Plane Street, Stanhope stated calcium chloride for ice removal causes a pitting effect on new concrete and suggested the business owners and residents use less harmful products. Councilman Benson added the colored concrete has been sealed and will better withstand elements. Mayor Kuncken said the Borough will retain the sealant and the DPW will be able to maintain the protection. Once the Main Street project is completed information will be relayed to the residents about products that can be used.
Janice Hunts, 17 Reeve Avenue, Stanhope wanted to thanked everyone who worked Clean Communities Clean-Up Day. Ms. Hunts noted 27 residents were at Valley Road School (including 5 girl scouts). Ms. Hunts said the clean up at the new site, the upper canal area, was very successful. Mayor Kuncken added Helen Maurella, the Park Superintendent, was very pleased with the canal portion of the grounds clean-up.
Ms. Hunts also informed the governing body she would be attending the “kick-off” meeting in
Byram regarding the ANJEC Grant for trailways on October 7, 2009.
Ms. Hunts asked if the Press Release regarding the canal would be published in the New Jersey Herald and The Daily Record. Mayor Kuncken responded it will be published in the New Jersey Herald because it is the official newspaper for the Borough. Ms. Hunts said the Environmental Commission will be appreciative of the news and will help in anyway possible. Mayor Kuncken added, before finding out of the slight contamination of the silt, the governing body had budgeted to restore the canal to its natural state. The only difference is now the work will be done in stages. The governing body feels having Park Superintendent Helen Maurella working with them is a valuable asset.
Peggy Findley, 88 Main Street, Stanhope commented the Press Release is very informative and asked why the silt must be disposed of in a certain place. Councilwoman Maio responded that, although low levels of lead were found, the levels exceed the State’s minimum contamination level. Mayor Kuncken noted the silt when wet is very heavy. The governing body must decide whether to move it somewhere and let it dry to reduce the weight before trucking.
Chris Mailander, 5 Kelly Place, Stanhope mentioned the Japanese Knot Grass is very invasive and has choked out the Bamboo. She suggested removing the Japanese Knot Grass. Mayor Kuncken noted that Brian Murphy brought that to the attention of the governing body at the last meeting.
Seeing no one further from the public wishing to speak, Mayor Kuncken closed the public portion of the meeting.
CLOSED SESSION
WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231 P.L. 1975 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, County of Sussex, New Jersey as follows:
1.The public shall be excluded from discussion of and action upon the hereinafter-specified subject matter(s).
2.The general nature of the subject matter(s) to be discussed is as follows:
1 Contract – 911 Dispatch
2 Attorney-Client – Morris Canal
- COAH/potential contract
3.It is anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter(s) will be made public at the conclusion of each individual specified subject matter.
4.This resolution shall take effect immediately.
On motion by Councilwoman Maio, seconded by Councilman Benson, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the foregoing resolution was adopted.
Mayor and Council went into Closed Session at 8:30 P.M.
At the conclusion of the Closed Session, Mayor and Council reconvened the public meeting at 10:25 P.M. with all present.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilwoman Maio, and unanimously carried by voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 P.M.
Approved:
Lynda Knott
Deputy Borough Clerk
For Ellen Horak, RMC