FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Stanhope, NJ - May 27, 2010
MAYOR AND COUNCIL
SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING
April 21, 2010
5:00 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 Special Budget Meeting was sent to the New Jersey Herald and the Daily Record on April 14, 2010 and placed on the Official Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building.
Furthermore, notice of the New Business listed on the Agenda was forwarded to the New Jersey Herald and Daily Record on April 16, 2010 and was 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:
Councilman Murphy - absent Councilman Graham – present
Councilwoman Santucci – present Councilman Vance - present
Councilwoman Maio – present Councilman Benson – present
Mayor Kuncken – present
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 Personnel Matter
1 Potential Litigation Matter
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 Councilman Benson, seconded by Councilwoman Maio, and carried by unanimous voice vote, the foregoing resolution was adopted.
Mayor and Council went into Closed Session at 5:01 P.M.
At the conclusion of the Closed Session, Mayor and Council reconvened the public meeting at 5:26 P.M. with all present.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Kuncken offered the following resolution which was read by title:
Resolution 091-10 RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSE RA-564
WHEREAS the following Raffle Application with required fees has been submitted for Mayor and Council approval;
Raffle # Applicant Date Type of Game
RA-564 Musconetcong American Legion Post 278 05/13/10-5/12/11 Instant Raffle
and;
WHEREAS said Raffle Application has been provided to the Mayor, Council and Police Department for their review;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, the following:
1. The appropriate officials are hereby authorized to execute the findings and determination for the above application and shall forward same to the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) for review.
2. That the above license shall be issued pending LGCCC approval, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13.1 et seq.
On motion by Councilwoman Maio, seconded by Councilman Graham and carried by unanimous voice vote the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
COUNCIL BUSINESS
2010 Budget Municipal Budget
Mayor Kuncken invited CFO Dana Mooney to come forward. Mayor Kuncken informed the CFO that the $25,000 the Governing Body discussed including in the Budget for legal fees should be taken from surplus. Mayor Kuncken explained to the public that flow control has been initiated by SCMUA and all Sussex County municipalities must take their garbage to SCMUA. The tipping fee is higher at SCMUA. This is tied to a Bond Ordinance of SCMUA which was co-signed by the County. The State previously provided funding; however this year they said they may not fund any money, or may fund only some money. The tipping fees may increase as high as $122 per ton. The Governing Body included the “worst case scenario” when preparing the Budget and included the amount of $85,000 to cover tipping fees. The $25,000 budgeted is in case the Borough decides to challenge this and take legal action. If unused, the funds will be returned to surplus.
Mayor Kuncken also informed the CFO that $3,500 should be added to the Budget for the water license of the DPW Superintendent. The CFO will take this amount from the surplus in water.
The CFO noted a concern of the Borough Attorney regarding the $3,000 Clean Communities Grant and the fact that if the grant is not funded, the Borough will be responsible for the $3,000. The Mayor and Council previously directed that this amount be included in the Budget. The CFO recommended not including the amount in the Budget. If the Borough does not receive the grant funds, the funds can be taken out of surplus. Mayor Kuncken stated the Governing Body has agreed that they will fund the $3,000 if the State does not fund the grant. Councilman Benson stated they are acknowledging a liability if they do not receive the grant funds. The CFO stated the language in the grant agreement is contained in most grants and are not normally budgeted for by municipalities. The CFO will speak to the Borough’s Auditor, Raymond Sarinelli, and ask his advice on where in the Budget this item should be included. If it is taken from surplus, it will not change the tax levy. The CFO will ask Mr. Sarinelli if the Borough should anticipate the funds.
The CFO stated the surplus balance, after taking the $25,000, will be $670,122.23 at the end of 2010. The average increase will be $25.49 which is a 1.5% increase.
Councilwoman Maio commented, if they did not need to expend the $85,000 on the County issue, the Borough would have a flat budget.
Councilwoman Maio asked the Administrator to submit an OPRA request to the County for a copy of the Bond.
Councilman Vance asked how many points the Budget increased. The CFO responded 2.5 points. Councilman Vance questioned why the levy is 2.99, but the Municipal Budget increase is 2.91. The CFO responded that the Budget is a total amount to cover every cost. The levy is the amount we must collect from the residents to cover the Budget and the other is revenue The Borough takes in that is not taxes.
Councilwoman Maio asked the percentage the taxes are increasing over last year. The CFO responded 1.25%.
The CFO spoke about the Capital Budget. She needs more guidance on the issue of the new water tower. Councilman Vance stated there is a water tower committee meeting scheduled for Monday at 5:00 p.m. The CFO stated she needs to speak to the Borough Engineer, Eric Keller, about the sanitary sewers/manhole covers on Musconetcong Avenue. It is not presently in the Capital Budget, but she needs to include the figures.
Mayor Kuncken stated there may be another capital project to address regarding a water main break on Sparta Road.
The CFO stated she spoke to Bond Council about the water tower project and he advised that there are many different funding opportunities other than NJEIT. He also advised that, with funding through NJEIT, you cannot go forth on any project until the DEP gives all approvals.
The CFO advised that the Budget can be introduced at the April 27, 2010 meeting.
Councilman Benson noted a request from the DPW Superintendent for a crack sealing machine that would be included in capital. The equipment is not readily available for a shared service. The use of the machine would prolong some of the Borough’s roads and would provide a significant savings in the long run. Councilman Benson recommended that the equipment be considered for capital.
Councilwoman Maio noted the Governing Body asked for justification on the purchase of the machine, which was to include back-up information; however to date they have not received it. The Administrator stated he requested the information from Mr. Storms, but has not received it. Councilman Graham stated the Governing Body asked for specific information including information on shared service opportunities with the County, yet they have not received that information. The Administrator responded that Keith Armstrong’s contract with the County is not being renewed. Councilman Vance asked if another town has the equipment. The Administrator responded that Sparta recently purchased a crack sealing machine. Mayor Kuncken questioned if Sparta would be willing to have a shared service. The Administrator will contact Sparta and ask about a possible shared service. The Administrator assured the Governing Body that he will get the requested back-up information.
Councilman Vance stated, until he sees written justification, he is not in favor of spending money on the equipment. Mayor Kuncken agreed.
Councilwoman Maio noted discussion last year about replacing equipment for the Fire Department and the desire to go back to a five year schedule for the MSA cylinder replacements. The Fire Department is now requesting nine. The Public Safety Committee will meet with the Fire Chief to confirm what is needed and to determine a manageable schedule for replacement equipment. The CFO stated the Fire Chief informed her that they will need 11 in 2011. Councilman Vance commented that this has been an issue in every Budget cycle and a manageable schedule must be put in place.
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.
Jeffrey Jozowski, 117 Main Street asked for clarification on the actual dollar amount of the 2.5 point tax increase. Councilman Vance responded there is a 1.5% increase which is $25.41 based on a home valued at $231,000. The CFO stated the average household will have a $25.41 increase for the year. Mr. Jozowski spoke about the crack filling machine discussed by Council. He stated the town he works for (Wayne) had a crack filler, but got rid of it because of safety issues. The machine uses propane to melt blocks and the gas builds. There is a minimum of three employees needed to work with the machine; however, they usually had four employees working on it and it is an all day job. Councilman Graham questioned the possibility of contracting to have this work done on new roads in the Borough (i.e. Main Street). Councilman Vance suggested adding this to a five year cycle infrastructure program. Mayor Kuncken asked the Administrator to get information on the cost of contracting for crack sealing roads when necessary. Mayor Kuncken noted the need for more research and back up information. The Administrator stated he will get the requested information at a Co-op meeting he will be attending this Thursday.
Seeing no one further from the public wishing to speak, Mayor Kuncken closed the public portion of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilwoman Maio, and unanimously carried by voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 P.M.
Approved:
Ellen Horak, RMC
Borough Clerk