MAYOR AND COUNCIL
WORK SESSION AND AGENDA MEETING
April 11, 2017
7:00 P.M.
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CALL TO ORDER
SALUTE TO COLORS
Mayor Maio invited all those present to stand in a salute to the colors.
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 New Jersey Herald and the Daily Record on January 4, 2017 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 date, time 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 Depew – present
Councilwoman Thistleton – present
Councilwoman Kuncken – present
Councilman Thornton – absent
Councilman Romano – present
Councilwoman Zdichocki – present
Mayor Maio – present
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Main Street Lights – Administrator McNeilly stated he has asked Eric Keller, Borough Engineer, to contact the contractor responsible for installing the Main Street lights to begin the restoration of the lawns which were affected by the construction. Administrator McNeilly stated he will monitor the progress. No complaints have been received from the residents. Administrator McNeilly stated he has asked JCP&L to turn off the overhead lights in the expanded streetscape lighting area.
Hydrant Flushing – Administrator McNeilly stated the second week of hydrant flushing is proceeding according to plan. Superintendent Bill Storms is training the newest members of the DPW Department on the process. Hydrant flushing should be completed early next week.
Fresh Start Opportunities – Administrator McNeilly stated Richard Stein, former Borough Attorney, began the in –rem process back in December 2016 for the 18 acres located off of Elm Street owned by Fresh Start Opportunities. The owner was not able to develop the property due to wetlands. The Final Judgement from the court was issued on March 22, 2017. The judgement is being recorded at the Clerk’s Office. The property now belongs to the Borough of Stanhope as vacant property.
Schuffenhauer Property – Administrator McNeilly stated now that winter is over, there has been minimal progress at the Schuffenhauer property but not enough. Tom Pershouse, Construction Official is contacting Mr. Schuffenhauer to reaffirm the partial or full demolition deadlines. Administrator McNeilly stated he will continue to monitor the progress.
Ridge Road, Delaware Avenue & Kelly Place – Mayor Maio stated the Townsend property located on Ridge Road has a collapsed roof and is in terrible disrepair. There are several homes on Ridge Road in poor condition including the house located on the corner of Overhill Road and Ridge Road. Mayor Maio stated Arlene Fisher, Code Enforcement Official and Tom Pershouse, Construction Official need to follow-up on these properties. Councilwoman Kuncken stated the properties on Delaware Avenue are beginning to look better. Administrator McNeilly stated the registration process is going well. Several homes are turning over and there are only two homes in Pennington which remain vacant. One is actively being listed. Mayor Maio asked Administrator McNeilly to include these properties on his report moving forward. Administrator McNeilly stated he will follow-up on these properties along with the home on Kelly Place.
Clean-Up and Document Shred Day – Administrator McNeilly provided a sample packet of information to the Governing Body which will be distributed to the non-profit organizations regarding Clean-Up Day. Electronics for recycling will also be collected on Sunday, April 23rd, by a company called Green Vision located in Randolph. Green Vision will charge $50.00 per truckload. Clean-Up Day was scheduled on a Sunday this year when the recycling center attendant is not scheduled. Staff will be working on Sunday at the recycling center. The costs will be covered by the Clean Communities Grant. Green Vision has provided a list of acceptable items to be recycled. They will not accept any CRT Tube Televisions or Tube Monitors. The Nixle message and all advertisements regarding the electronics recycling will stress these types of items will not be accepted. The Clean Communities Grant pays the highest return for electronics recycling. The Borough will receive credits for this electronics recycling tonnage. Administrator McNeilly asked the Governing Body if there were any objections to sponsoring the one time electronics recycling in conjunction with the Clean-Up Day. There were no objections.
Budget Timeline – Administrator McNeilly gave an overview of the timeline for the budget and provided the Governing Body with a spreadsheet detailing the Capital Budget. Mayor Maio stated the budget contains more self-funding and less bonding than ever before. Administrator McNeilly stated the Capital Improvement fund is typically $35,000. This year it is increasing to almost $64,000, which is good. In the past, the Borough has borrowed $285,000 – $340,000. This year the Borough is borrowing $161,500, half as much as in the past. The Borough is borrowing less, paying back quicker and putting more into the capital improvement fund. The water and sewer capital are going to be self-funded. The Fire Department budget is being partially self-funded. The paving project for Hill Road, McKinley Street (Brooklyn Road to Linden Avenue) and Linden Avenue (Route 183 to Sagamore Road) and the new banners will be bonded.
Administrator McNeilly stated he will contact Eric Keller, Borough Engineer, as soon as the funds are available at the end of May in order to schedule the paving work. The paving needs to be done after school gets out for the summer but prior to starting again in September.
WORK SESSION
E-Recycling – Mayor Maio stated Stanhope Borough is one of many towns without a vendor for electronics recycling. Administrator McNeilly stated several years ago the Governor of NJ passed a law which requires Electronic Waste to be eliminated from the garbage stream. The law had a flaw in the wording with regard to weight requirements. The money available to the recycling vendors decreased very quickly. The vendors are not interested is servicing smaller towns which are not located close to their recycling facility. They are more interested in areas with a high volume of recycling. In January, the Governor signed new legislation to correct the problem. The law will require manufacturers who sell electronics in New Jersey to contribute funds equal to the weight which is collected by recycling companies. There is an eight to twelve month timeframe before the vendors will be ready to collect. At this time, SCMUA is the only location available for electronics drop off and the residents will be charged by the weight of the items. SCMUA is providing four free electronic recycling days this year.
Administrator McNeilly stated the program which the Borough had in place for the past two years provided curbside pick-up for the residents for a set fee regardless of the size of the televisions. The Borough at this time has three options. The first would be to do nothing. The second would be to offer electronics recycling twice a year in conjunction with the clean-up days. The third option, proposed by the recycling coordinator at the County, would require becoming a regional drop off center which would allow the Borough to generate the collection of more material. The Borough would be listed on the DEP website as a regional center. There are negatives associated with becoming a regional collection center. The recycling center employee’s work detail would increase. The DPW would have to bundle all the items collected. Additional space would be required for storage. The positive aspects would be the service to the community, electronics receive the highest return per dollar with regard to the grant which would increase the Borough’s tonnage and there would be an increase in grant money received. Mayor Maio stated she is concerned the DEP may have additional requirements if the Borough was to become a regional center. Mayor Maio asked Administrator McNeilly to consult with the Borough Attorney regarding this issue. The Recycling Center has a great deal of traffic in and out. Administrator McNeilly stated the Borough would also run the risk of having electronics dumped off outside the gate.
Councilwoman Kuncken asked if being a regional site would be more than the recycling center could handle. Administrator McNeilly replied regional would be a statewide designation. Administrator McNeilly stated perhaps Stanhope, Byram and Netcong could join together to provide some type of program. Mayor Maio stated more information is required.
Councilman Romano asked if residents are driving to SCMUA to recycle electronics and how much recycling is being collected. Administrator McNeilly stated of the 24 towns in Sussex County, only 6 have garbage collection. The residents from the towns without garbage collection travel to SCMUA regularly. The service center at SCMUA is excellent. Administrator McNeilly stated he has asked SCMUA if the Borough could collect electronics from the residents and then bring them to SCMUA but that is not permitted. The residents have to bring the recycling to SCMUA individually.
JCP&L – Mayor Maio invited Mike Obremski, JCP&L Representative present in the audience to come forward. Mr. Obremski stated he has received Administrator McNeilly’s request regarding the COBRA lights. The simple fix was originally made to turn the lights off, however they have been turned back on again. The expansion of the streetscape lights makes it possible to remove the COBRA lights completely. The Borough is not being billed for the lights. A layout technician will review the layout and determine the lights to be removed. The lights will be removed when the schedule permits.
Mr. Obremski stated Dana Mooney, CFO, sent an email to JCP&L regarding the traffic light located on Route 183 which the Borough has taken over from NJDOT. The account has been closed and new account has been opened. The late fee of $1.13 has been eliminated. Administrator McNeilly stated the issue at the well has been taken care of. Mr. Obremski stated moving the lines out of the woods was beneficial to all. Administrator McNeilly stated there was a power outage the other day and fortunately we are no longer on the Dynapac line. The Governing Body thanked Mr. Obremski for attending tonight’s meeting.
Arbor Day – Mayor Maio stated Stanhope School has extended an invitation to the Governing Body to attend the Arbor Day Celebration on April 27th at 1:15PM. All the Governing Body members will be attending with the exception of Councilwoman Thistleton who has a prior commitment. Mayor Maio asked the Deputy Clerk to RSVP to the school on behalf of the Governing Body.
Miss Stanhope Contest – Mayor Maio stated she has asked Councilwoman Thistleton to head the Miss Stanhope Contest. Councilwoman Thistleton stated she has received information from Lois Kinney at the County regarding the requirements. The applicants must be between the ages of 17 to 21. Mayor Maio stated last year a young woman from Stanhope pursued becoming Miss Stanhope and she was third runner up at the Sussex County Fair Pageant. Mayor Maio stated she would like to have the Miss Stanhope tradition continue. Councilwoman Thistleton stated she has asked the Recreation Commission to take on this project. The Recreation budget however does not include the funds needed for the advertising, crown, sash, scholarship etc.. The scholarship amount from years past was $250. The Sussex County Fair will be held on August 5th this year. The owner of the Whistling Swan has been contacted and she has agreed to hold the event which can be held inside or outside. A date for the Miss Stanhope Contest is still to be determined. Councilwoman Thistleton asked for approval to proceed with the contest and for the necessary funds. Mayor Maio suggested the Chamber of Commerce be contacted next year to ask if they would like to be involved in the program. Administrator McNeilly suggested the businesses be contacted to request donations. Mayor Maio stated the Governing Body budget has a line item for events with a budget of $1,000. The Governing Body approved the use of no more than $1,000 for the Miss Stanhope Contest and gave Councilwoman Thistleton approval to move forward with the project. Administrator McNeilly asked Councilwoman Thistleton to provide the requirements and date as soon as possible in order to advertise the event. Councilwoman Thistleton stated she will also contact last year’s Miss Stanhope, Shelby Loftis, to see if she would like to be involved.
Crosswalks – Councilman Depew stated the crosswalks are continuing to deteriorate and asked for an update on the status of the project. Mayor Maio stated Councilman Depew was absent from the last meeting when the crosswalks were discussed. Mayor Maio stated Eric Keller, Borough Engineer, is still trying to find a paving contractor. The funds have been committed for the project.
NEW BUSINESS
ORDINANCES
Mayor Maio offered the following ordinance for Introduction and First Reading which was read by title:
Ordinance for Introduction and First Reading [Public Hearing on April 25, 2017]
Ordinance 2017-02
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY FIXING THE SALARY AND WAGES FOR BOROUGH EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, New Jersey as follows:
SECTION 1. That the Annual salary, wage and compensation to be paid to Borough employees and officials in 2017 be as follows:
Mayor $ 3,013.00
Borough Council Member 2,739.00
Administrator 107,855.00
Borough Clerk 60,181.00
Deputy Borough Clerk 35,777.00
Registrar 3,646.00
Deputy Registrar 1,758.00
Website Content Manager 3,624.00
Chief Financial Officer/
Tax Collector 98,927.00
Utility Collector/
Asst to Tax Collector 37,529.00
Accounts Payable 22,777.00
Tax Assessor 19,671.00
Custodian 7,744.00
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief of Police As per contract
Sergeant As per contract
Sergeant’s Stipend As per contract
Detective’s Stipend As per contract
Patrolman As per contract
Clerk Typist – Police Dept. 34,132.00
Police Matron $22.04 per hour
Police Matron – Call-out $50.00 per call-out
Special Officer $21.35 per hour
Crossing Guard $14.95 per hour
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Superintendent $ 84,979.00
Water Operator 6,513.00
Sewer Operator 6,513.00
Water T-1 License Stipend 3,500.00
Supervisor of Public Works $ 51,765.00
Public Works Repairer As per contract
Laborer As per contract
Part-time Laborer $12.00 to $12.83 per hour
Seasonal Help $14.00 per hour
CONSTRUCTION DEPARTMENT
Construction Official 22,942.00
Fire Subcode Official 3,174.00
Plumbing Subcode Official 3,649.00
Zoning Officer 10,809.00
Code Enforcement Officer 11,251.00
Municipal Housing Stipend 2,016.00
Clerical –Construction 8,282.00
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:
Land Use Secretary $ 9,346.00
Board of Health Secretary 4,414.00
Secretary to:
Shade Tree $25.00 per month*
Environmental Commission $25.00 per month*
Recreation Commission $25.00 per month*
*submission of monthly minutes required.
SECTION 2. Salaries and wages for all Borough employees and officials shall be paid in bi-weekly installments as nearly equal as possible.
SECTION 3. Unless otherwise provided herein, remuneration for all employees shall be retroactive to January 1st of each year.
SECTION 4. The salaries and wages herein established shall be in lieu of any and all fees to which the respective incumbents of said offices might otherwise be entitled by statute or ordinance; which fees shall immediately upon collection thereof be paid over to the Treasurer for use of the Borough except as otherwise provided herein.
SECTION 5. The Borough shall pay medical insurance premiums in accordance with State law, collective bargaining agreements and the Borough’s elected participation in any State health benefit program for all eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
SECTION 6. The terms and conditions of all collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the Borough and any bargaining unit representing Borough employees are hereby incorporated into this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. All Ordinances and Resolutions, or parts thereof, inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon final adoption and publication as required by law
On motion by Councilwoman Kuncken, seconded by Councilman Depew, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, the foregoing ordinance was introduced.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – yes / Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes / Councilman Thornton – absent
Councilman Romano – yes / Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilman Depew, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the Mayor and Council instructed the Deputy Clerk to post the ordinance and authorized publication of same.
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Maio offered the following resolutions which were read by title:
Resolution 078-17
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BOROUGH ADMINISTRATOR TO EXECUTE SITE ACCESS AGREEMENT WITH METSO MINERALS INDUSTRIES, INC.
WHEREAS, the Borough of Stanhope is the owner of a property located in the Township of Mount Olive, County of Morris and designated as Block No. 106, Lot No. 2.01, also known as 26 Continental Drive on the Tax Maps of Mount Olive Township (the “Property”); and
WHEREAS, Metso Minerals Industries, Inc. (“Metso”) has undertaken certain investigative and remedial activities at 26 Continental Drive, Mount Olive, Morris County, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, based on continuing delineation efforts by Metso, the discovery of additional contamination during 2016 resulted in NJDEP Incident/Communication Center Number 16-03-08-1731-50; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the NJDEP Technical Requirements for Site Remediation, N.J.A.C. 7:26E-1.1 et seq. and the direction of Metso’s LSRP access is needed to the Property to conduct further delineation sampling; and
WHEREAS, Stanhope Borough has agreed to grant Metso access to the Property pursuant a Site Access Agreement approved by the Borough Attorney and Borough Engineer.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, that the Administrator be and the same is hereby authorized to execute a Site Access Agreement with Metso to conduct testing and further delineation sampling at the Property.
On motion by Councilwoman Thistleton, seconded by Councilman Romano, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
Mayor Maio stated monitoring is being conducted at the property located next to Wells #3 and #4. Administrator McNeilly stated this resolution will grant access to the property at Stanhope Borough’s Wells #3 and #4 located in Mt. Olive. The work has been vetted by Stanhope’s Borough Engineer Eric Keller and Attorney Ursula Leo. The area is close to the fence and not near the wells. The work to be done will not affect the Borough’s water. A sample of the Borough’s water was taken two weeks ago which can be used for a comparison.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – yes / Councilwoman Thistleton –yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes / Councilman Thornton – absent
Councilman Romano – yes / Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
CONSENT AGENDA (All items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine by the Borough Council and were enacted by one motion of the Borough Council with no separate discussion.)
Resolution 079-17
RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF STANHOPE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSE RA-627
WHEREAS the following Raffle Application, with required fees, has been submitted for Mayor and Council approval;
Raffle # Applicant Date Type of Game
RA-627 Lakeland Little League June 10, 2017 Off-Premise 50/50 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:
- 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.
- That the above license shall be issued pending LGCCC approval, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13.1 et seq.
Resolution 080-17 MAYOR’S DECLARATION OF SHADE TREE COMMISSION VACANCY WITH COUNCIL CONCURRENCE
WHEREAS, Vanessa Butkus was heretofore appointed to Seat #35 of the Shade Tree Commission of the Borough of Stanhope; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has been advised by the Shade Tree Commission that Vanessa Butkus has not attended any Shade Tree Commission meeting during the year 2016 or 2017 and she is no longer a resident of the Borough of Stanhope; and
WHEREAS, Vanessa Butkus has not submitted a written resignation to the Shade Tree Commission or to the Mayor; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has declared the Shade Tree Commission seat of Vanessa Butkus vacant since she no longer resides in the Borough of Stanhope;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Governing Body does hereby concur in the Mayor’s Declaration of Vacancy of the seat of Vanessa Butkus on the Stanhope Borough Shade Tree Commission.
Resolution 081-17
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A REFUND OF OVERPAYMENT OF TAXES
WHEREAS, the 2014 Homestead Rebate for the prior homeowner was applied to her tax account in March 2017 as a credit toward the May 2017 tax liability, and the title agency for the new owner subsequently made full payment of the 2nd quarter 2017 taxes, creating an overpayment of taxes; and
WHEREAS, the Homestead Rebate was based on the prior homeowner’s income in 2014, and she was a qualified resident and owner of the home in 2014 and until March 31, 2017, and therefore the rebate should be applied to the former owner.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Stanhope, that a warrant be drawn to the former homeowner in the designated amount representing an overpayment of taxes, as follows:
Block Lot Qual Name & Address Tax Year Amount
11501 2 C0325 Joanne M Thweatt 2017 $295.82
17325 Aspen Court
Stanhope, New Jersey 07874
Resolution 082-17
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REFUND OF REDEMPTION MONIES TO OUTSIDE LIEN HOLDER
WHEREAS, the Tax Collector has received payment for the redemption of Tax Title Lien No. 2016-022, representing 2015 property taxes and/or utility charges on Block 11501, Lot 2, C0248, known as 14248 Dell Place, currently assessed to Barbara Jennings, and;
WHEREAS, the Tax Collector certifies that reimbursement is now required to be made to the following lien holder for the required redemption amounts as shown below:
To Lienholder: US Bank Cust for Actlien Holding Inc.
50 South 16th Street, Suite 2050
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Redemption Amount: Tax Title Lien #2016-022 and
Interest to Date of Meeting $ 1,378.91
Premium Paid by Lienholder 1,300.00
Total From Current Fund: $ 1,378.91
Total From Tax Premium Account 1,300.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Stanhope, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that the Borough Treasurer be authorized to prepare the necessary check as stated above and to forward same to the lien holder.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Borough Chief Financial Officer/Tax Collector.
On motion by Councilwoman Kuncken, seconded by Councilwoman Zdichocki and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote the foregoing resolutions were duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – yes / Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes / Councilman Thornton – absent
Councilman Romano – yes / Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Resolution 083-17
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 April 11, 2017 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 Romano, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – yes / Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes / Councilman Thornton – absent
Councilman Romano – yes / Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
AGENDA ITEMS
All items listed on the Agenda for April 25, 2017 were approved.
CITIZEN’S TO BE HEARD
Mayor Maio opened the meeting to the public after advising attendees that there is a five (5) minute time limit for each speaker.
Seeing no one from the public wishing to speak, Mayor Maio 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 (PBA Negotiations)
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 Romano, seconded by Councilman Depew, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the foregoing resolution was adopted.
The Mayor and Council went into Closed Session at 7:51P.M.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
At the conclusion of the Closed Session, the Mayor and Council reconvened the public meeting at 8:01 P.M. with all present.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Councilman Depew, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken, and unanimously carried by voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 P.M.
Approved: Linda Chirip,
Deputy Clerk