MAYOR AND COUNCIL
WORK SESSION AND
AGENDA MEETING
September 12, 2017
6:00 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.
Furthermore, notice of the meeting time change was forwarded to the New Jersey Herald and Daily Record on August 30, 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 – absent
Councilwoman Thistleton – present
Councilwoman Kuncken – present
Councilman Thornton – present
Councilman Romano – present
Councilwoman Zdichocki – present
Mayor Maio – present
ENGINEER’S REPORT
TAP Grant: Sparta Road Project – Mr. Keller, Borough Engineer, stated he provided Administrator McNeilly with an electronic copy of his report. Mr. Keller will print hard copies for the Governing Body. The lighting will be placed approximately 100 feet apart and will be alternated back and forth across the street. The lights will be 68 watt LED’s, which is equivalent to 175 watt metal halon. They will have full cutoff which is easier to control with LED’s. The light will go forward and will stretch across the road and to the sidewalk. On the sidewalk there will be pools of light. The fixture will be similar to the lights on Main Street. Mayor Maio asked if the poles will be equipped with hooks for banners and light fixtures. Mr. Keller stated the outlets and banner arms will all be built into the unit and specified in the order. Administrator McNeilly asked if a sample of the light can be provided. When the replacement lights were ordered the representative provided a sample bulb prior to placing the order. Mr. Keller showed an aerial view for the placement of the lights beginning at Brooklyn Road and alternating to the far side of the Lenape Valley High School driveway at the north end of Lenape Drive. The layout was determined by checking the layout starting on the gas station side of the road and then starting on the residential side. The layout beginning with the residential side does not layout as well. Beginning on the gas station side of the road there is a placement issue with the first light and the eighth light. Mr. Keller described the issues and available options. The Governing Body agreed to have the mini “c” shaped wall option.
Mr. Keller and Jared Moran, Omland Engineering, presented different options for the Welcome to Stanhope sign. Much discussion took place regarding the various options. Mayor Maio stated she is concerned about the blank space on the back of the sign. It was suggested to have plants placed behind the sign to cover the back of the sign. Administrator McNeilly suggested the cost for the options be made available for review.
Mr. Keller stated he and Administrator McNeilly discussed the bike lane issues three weeks ago. This project is federally funded by the NJTPA through the NJDOT. The applicable standards have to be in total compliance. Bike lanes have to be placed on both sides of the road. They strongly discourage two way bike lanes in the roadway. The plan is to have a bike lane on each side of the road. There will be a bike lane of the south bound side, going toward Brooklyn Road and the bike lane on the north bound side next to the sidewalk would be a shared lane for bicycles and parking of cars. Administrator McNeilly recapped the plan which will have a 5 foot sidewalk, 4 foot area of grass, 12 feet of bike lane/parking, 2 lanes on a 20 foot wide road, and then the 4 foot lane and 4 feet of grass. Administrator McNeilly asked Mr. Keller if the entire length of road from Brooklyn Road to the bridge is wide enough to support the plan. Mr. Moran replied the road was measured at several points and the width is 36 feet wide. The plan shows 4 foot bike lanes but 5 foot is the minimum. Mr. Moran stated they have discussed making the bike lanes 4 ½ feet wide. Mr. Keller stated the road is not going to be widened. A design waiver may have to be requested as part of the NJDOT review process. The shoulder lines with the bicycle symbols will cause drivers to slow down. Additional applications will be used to slow traffic down near the school. Mr. Keller stated a determination has to be made whether or not to include bike lanes. Using a colored surface treatment may be a cost issue. Mr. Keller stated all vehicles by law cannot exceed 8 feet in width. Any vehicle over 8 feet wide must have a special permit. Discussion took place regarding the curve in the road close to Brooklyn Road. Mr. Keller stated parking in that area could be restricted. Mayor Maio asked Mr. Keller to measure the entire width of the road for the length of the project area to make sure it is 36 feet wide from start to finish. Once that determination is made a decision will be made as to the width of the bike lanes on both sides of the road and what type of waiver may be needed. Mr. Moran stated the shared bike/parking lane could have an additional line painted to separate the two lanes visually. Mr. Keller stated the extra stripe would visually let people know the 12 foot wide lane is not a traffic lane for driving in.
Mr. Keller stated the speed sign to be installed will have a flashing light showing the speed the vehicle is traveling and a strobe light will flash for speeds of 5mph over the limit. Most of the units are solar powered and the LED lights do not require much power. Discussion took place over the colors of the signs, the wording and the functions. One speed sign will be installed after the welcome to Stanhope sign before the high school. Another sign will be installed on the other end of the road past the bend in the road but with enough separation from the rapidly flashing beacon at the crosswalk at the Little League Field.
Mr. Keller stated the curb returns for both Lenape Drives are on the order of 45 feet. The crossing distance today is approximately 116 feet to get from one sidewalk to the other. Mr. Keller proposes reducing this by 40 feet, which is 11 seconds of exposure time based on walking 3 ½ feet per second. This change would reduce the time a pedestrian is in the roadway and in harm’s way. This will eliminate wide pavement areas which the Borough has to maintain. Mr. Keller is proposing a 25 foot radii, which is consistent with a residential street. Administrator McNeilly stated this speed calming will not only be assisting Sparta Road but also Lenape Drive. Mayor Maio stated the Belgian block curbing would have to be redone. Mr. Keller stated the crosswalks would not have any special treatments except for a colored crosswalk or a ladder style crosswalk at the Little League Field. The crosswalk will be shifted toward Brooklyn Road which will lead to the middle of what will be a defined island area between the two curb lines. Mr. Keller outlined the plan for the curbing and the conceptual plantings. Mayor Maio asked the Governing Body if there were any objections to installing the ladder style crosswalks, as opposed to the colored pavement, throughout the project. There were no objections. Mayor Maio stated the plan needs to be presented to the Little League. Administrator McNeilly stated notices and information will be sent out as the project progresses. Mayor Maio stated the other visual needed is for the gate at Delaware Avenue for the path. Mayor Maio asked when the costs for the project will be available. Mr. Keller stated he will prepare the costs for the meeting on October 10th. Mayor Maio asked the Clerk to add Mr. Keller to the agenda and to advertise a 6:00pm start for the meeting. Administer McNeilly asked for similar lighting to be done for the path. There will be a preliminary meeting held with the school to discuss the logistics.
Mayor Maio thanked Mr. Keller and Mr. Moran for their presentation. Mr. Moran left the meeting at this time.
Sanitary Sewer Inspections – Mr. Keller stated he has been in contact with a vendor regarding the installation of the flow meters. They will be installed next week. Mr. Keller provided the Governing Body with copies of the sewer map of the borough and an aerial view. Mr. Keller asked Administrator McNeilly for assistance from the DPW to open some of the manhole covers. Administrator McNeilly will have the DPW assist Mr. Keller. The flow meters will be installed in four locations. One will be installed on Plane Street to check the meter which is in place that goes to the MSA. Location two is located in the easement where part of the system of Grove Road, Elm Street and Roberts Place, flows into Port Morris Station. Location three is on the other side picking up the flow that is coming in from the point. Location four will pick up the Lenape Woods area. This should define where the biggest issues exist. The flow meters will then be moved to other locations. Mayor Maio asked about the Musconetcong Avenue area and the issue of sump pumps. Mr. Keller stated the Musconetcong Avenue line was relined 8-9 years ago. Some of this will be picked up from location one and then take out what comes from locations two, three and four. Administrator McNeilly stated the Musconetcong Pump Station has the ability to measure. Port Morris, which is an older station, does not have that capability. Mr. Keller stated the meters will be installed for six weeks in order to capture readings during potential storm events. The meters can be left in longer if there are no storms during that time. The readings will be compared to the MSA reports. Mayor Maio stated her concern is the ground water in the Musconetcong area and she is of the opinion this is where the biggest problem exists. Administrator McNeilly suggested adding another meter at the mouth of the Musconetcong Pump Station. Mayor Maio stated that would be her preference. Mr. Keller stated he will add the extra meter. The Governing Body agreed with the plan.
Route 206/183 Sidewalk Project – Mayor Maio asked for an update on the sidewalk project. Mr. Keller stated the work has moved to Route 183. Mr. Keller stated he is waiting for a finalized wall plan. The wall has been discussed and they have walked the site. The wall block has been delivered. The scope of the wall has been reduced by shifting where the sidewalk is. The NJDOT inspector was in agreement with moving it closer to Route 206 between where the right of way overhead electric transmission starts on the north end to Stonegate. This will eliminate the wall in some places and lower it in others. Some of the wall sections will remain as originally planned. A water main was found right outside the inlet at Stonegate. The inlet has been adjusted and moved around. Mr. Keller stated he was informed by Administrator McNeilly that a complaint was received from the owner of the Black Forest Restaurant this afternoon. Mr. Keller has contacted the contractor and requested the area be cleaned up and the orange construction fence removed. The contractor has been put on notice that he needs to get the project done. Administrator McNeilly stated the Labor Day holiday took four days away and there were some weather issues. The contractor is working in a manner that is cost effective for him but Hamilton’s driveway has been left high and dry for two weeks. Mr. Keller stated he has informed the contractor the driveway needs to be fixed and the job needs to be completed.
Mayor Maio thanked Mr. Keller for attending this evening’s meeting. Mr. Keller thanked the Governing Body and excused himself from the remainder of the meeting.
PRESENTATION
Foveonics Document Solutions – Mayor Maio invited Vincent DeTommasco and Rich, representatives from Foveonics, to begin their presentation with regard to scanning the Borough’s files. Mr. DeTommasco stated tonight’s demonstration is based on work the company has been doing for Randolph Township over the past eight years. Foveonics is currently working with approximately 35 municipalities throughout the state and they just won the largest cooperative for document management solutions with the Middlesex Educational Cooperative. Mayor Maio stated Stanhope Borough is a member of this co-op. Rich demonstrated how to access the scanned files and what they look like. Files are saved as PDF’s. Administrator McNeilly stated the key feature for the Borough would be having all of the building department permits in the system which could be accessed to provide information for the many OPRA requests received. Mr. DeTommasco stated the scans are done at 300dpi; 200dpi is standard for a copy machine. The 300dpi resolution allows the system to be able to perform a search for any word on a document with OCR. Mayor Maio asked if special software is required. Mr. DeTommasco stated the documents are stored online on the servers at Foveonics. The State requires a migration path in order to destroy documents after they have been scanned. Foveonics does have a migration path. The images are standard TIFF files. If the Borough decided after a period of time to no longer work with Foveonics the files would be transferred to the Borough in any format required and they would be readable.
Mr. DeTommasco stated Foveonics has a service fee which is billed monthly. This helps to maintain better customer service as opposed to billing annually. Scanning costs are separate and are charged per image. The estimate is based on the number of boxes by cubic inch and the size of the documents. Administrator McNeilly stated Mr. DeTommasco has seen the Borough’s documents in the storage area and in the office. The quote which was submitted will be redone with the co-op pricing. The quote will be lower. Councilwoman Kuncken asked Mr. DeTommasco if there are ways to spread the payments out over a period time. Mr. DeTommasco stated the Borough has several payment options. All the images could be scanned and then billed over 48 months.
Rich stated the system is set up in a way that if one server goes down another becomes available. The main servers are in Hackettstown and there is a second location for the backup servers. The servers have the highest level of security. Their servers contain very sensitive information for hospitals and police records. The Borough would not need any special equipment to access the files. Access codes and logins would be provided to the individuals who need access and they will be able to access from any computer. Once the initial scanning is complete, new files can be scanned once a week, once a month or once a quarter. The Borough can decide how often to add the new files. Administrator McNeilly stated the minute books can all be added into the scanned system and with the OCR feature, conducting a search could be done easily. To do a search now it requires someone to sit and read through the minute books. If the actual paper copy is needed, the scanned image will contain information indicating exactly what box the document is in. Mayor Maio thanked the gentlemen from Foveonics for attending tonight’s meeting.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Musconetcong Sewerage Authority (MSA) – Administrator McNeilly stated the MSA has a surplus 1994 dump truck. The MSA is looking to surplus it out to whatever community may need it. The truck is older than any truck the Borough currently owns and we do not have a need for it. A memo will be sent to the MSA stating the Borough is not interested.
Halloween Parade – Administrator McNeilly stated the Recreation Commission is once again requesting approval from the Governing Body to close Main Street from Church Street to the Fire House for the Halloween Parade on October 28th. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11:00am. The Governing Body granted approval for the road closure.
Musconetcong Watershed Association – Administrator McNeilly stated he has confirmed the annual Stormwater Education Program to be presented at the October 24th Mayor and Council meeting.
2017 Best Practices Checklist – Administrator McNeilly stated he and the CFO will be working on the checklist this week. Copies will be distributed on Monday, September 18th. The Governing Body will need to discuss the checklist and the recommendations at the September 26th meeting.
Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board (LMRPB) – Administrator McNeilly stated Bob Hathaway from the LMRPB has submitted a request for assistance from the Borough with regard to the lake restoration hydroraking program. A dumpster and the conveyor would be placed at the water’s edge at Musconetcong Park. The DPW’s assistance would be required approximately three to five times per week with the backhoe to move the debris within the dumpster. Administrator McNeilly stated clearing the cove is in the Borough’s best interest. The backhoe can be stored across the street in a secure location. Mayor Maio stated the LMRPB has discussed this matter at great length. Byram Township’s contribution will be responsible for picking up the dumpsters. When the work moves from Musconetcong Park to Arbolino Park in Netcong, Netcong Borough will assist in the same way Stanhope has. This benefits the Borough in many areas. The park will look much better, the fishermen will benefit and the location will be able to be accessed by the Fire Department for drafting. Mayor Maio stated the LMRPB worked diligently to obtain the equipment and she is of the opinion this will benefit the lake immensely. Councilwoman Kuncken stated Mr. Hathaway’s letter does state that he understands there may be times when work within the Borough will have to take precedence. Councilwoman Kuncken stated this is an incredible piece of machinery. Administrator McNeilly stated the hydrorake will be stored at Wells 3&4 for the winter, which is a secure location. Administrator McNeilly stated seeing no objections; he will add this to the work plan and will coordinate with Mr. Hathaway. The Governing Body had no objections.
Main Street Banners – Administrator McNeilly stated once the Community Development Committee has decided on the banner design, the order will be placed. The lead time for the order will be approximately four weeks. Next year additional banners will have to be ordered for the new light posts.
Recycling – Mayor Maio stated her concern regarding the recycling schedule being altered due to the Monday holiday. Administrator McNeilly stated he has spoken with Ursula Leo, Borough Attorney, who has sent a letter to Waste Management’s legal department. This is a breach of contract. The date can only be changed, as per the contract, with the Borough’s agreement and then Waste Management would incur the costs of advertising the change. An exception would be permitted if bad weather such as three feet of snow was an issue. A holiday is not an acceptable reason. Administrator McNeilly stated the issue will continue to be monitored.
Email – Councilwoman Zdichocki asked Administrator McNeilly for a status update on the Governing Body email addresses. Administrator McNeilly stated the email issue is on his list of tasks. Mayor Maio asked the Clerk to add the topic of emails for Council Discussion at the next scheduled meeting.
WORK SESSION
Sussex County League of Municipalities (SCLOM) – Mayor Maio stated the next meeting of the SCLOM will be held on September 21st. The Governing Body members who can attend for free this month are Mayor Maio, Councilman Depew and Councilwoman Kuncken. Mayor Maio stated the Clerk has indicated that changing the schedule every month based on who attends for free has gotten very difficult. Mayor Maio asked the Governing Body for approval to only have the people scheduled for that month to attend for free. No one else can take the place of another. Anyone who wishes to attend a meeting when it is not their free turn will be required to pay on their own. There was much discussion regarding this matter. Mayor Maio conducted a straw poll vote asking if the Governing Body is in favor of not making substitutions. If it is your turn to attend for free you may do so. If it is not your turn you must pay to attend on your own. The results are as follows: Councilman Romano – yes; Councilwoman Thistleton – yes; Councilwoman Kuncken – yes; Councilman Thornton – yes; Councilwoman Zdichocki – no The Governing Body agreed, by majority vote, that no substitutions can be made to the schedule.
TAP Grant: Sparta Road Project – Mayor Maio stated no further discussion is required at this time.
Resolution Supporting a Sussex County Consolidated School System – Mayor Maio stated a letter and a sample copy of the resolution supporting a Sussex County consolidated school system have been distributed to the Governing Body. Mayor Maio is of the opinion this consolidation may or may not happen but starting the discussion is necessary. Sixty percent (60%) of the Borough’s property taxes are going to the schools. The Borough is bound by the 2% cap and the Borough stays below it. The schools are bound by the 2% cap but they have many more exclusions, all of which they take and never come in under the 2%. The likely hood of the Governing Body being able to curtail property taxes in the future is dependent on the expense of the schools. Mayor Maio stated she is not certain this is the right way to do this, but it does start the discussion. This is the reason Mayor Maio is in favor of accepting the resolution and supporting it. Mayor Maio asked for the Governing Body’s opinion.
Councilman Thornton stated he is not in favor of this. It takes the overhead and kicks it up to the County level. To say this is administrative or administrators and their secretaries is short sighted. There is no supporting documentation for any of this. Figures are needed to determine the potential savings as opposed to supporting something which down the road we may not support. Councilman Thornton is of the opinion the Borough should wait and see where this goes. Councilwoman Zdichocki stated she has been involved, on a personal basis, with other school systems. The curriculum in every school is different. Having oversite of the schools with the same curriculum for all the schools would ensure all the students in Sussex County are learning the same information. Councilwoman Zdichocki stated in her opinion this would be more of a connection and it would save money. Sussex County is made up of small towns. Combining all of the schools in the County would create a system similar in size to Newark. Mayor Maio stated one of the things that triggered this with her was the amount of money the Borough is collecting and sending to the Stanhope School District. The school is receiving $4.4 million over the course of 12 months. In addition to that, the school receives one and a half million dollars in state aid. The enrollment for the school is approximately 320 students. The Borough’s total municipal budget is $4.4 million. Mayor Maio is of the opinion there is something wrong when it costs four and a half million dollars to educate 320 children and we can run the Borough on the same amount. Councilman Romano is in favor of a discussion but disagrees with the resolution. Councilman Romano is of the opinion a consolidated system will not be any cheaper or less bureaucratic than where we are right now. There are things the County does that we are not in favor of right now. Mayor Maio stated the County already has a County Superintendent of Schools. Councilwoman Zdichocki stated the number of students has been decreasing but the costs continue to increase. Councilman Thornton stated he is of the opinion no one on the Governing Body disagrees with the declining enrollment and that the budget should be decreasing. Councilman Thornton suggested the Finance Committee request a meeting with the school to get a better understanding as opposed to pointing the finger at someone’s salary and their secretary’s. Councilman Thornton stated he has two children in the school. One of his children was in the school during the “revolving door of the rotating superintendents.” The strives they have made in the past three to four years, with the same two people in charge, is remarkable. Councilman Thornton is reluctant to see this go up to the County, considering that the Borough is also exploring other options with regard to opting out of the County Health Department due to dissatisfaction with communications. Councilman Thornton stated he has zero faith in sending this up to the County. Councilwoman Thistleton asked if the Borough would be bound to anything by adopting the resolution. Mayor Maio stated the Borough will not be bound by anything. The resolution would state the Borough is in agreement with exploring the option. If the Governing Body does not like the wording in the sample resolution, a new resolution can be drafted. Councilwoman Thistleton stated she is in favor of exploring the option. Councilwoman Kuncken stated she is of the opinion there is not a person in this room, this town or this County who wouldn’t like to see their taxes reduced. Councilwoman Kuncken stated she is open to dialog but the primary thing that strikes her is that there is no meat or mechanics. This is an idea but there is no blueprint as to how this would progress down the line. It seems to be a rather simplistic approach. In her experience this is a more complex issue that needs to be looked into and various facets of the cost of education need to be examined. Councilwoman Kuncken stated based on the information she has seen, she cannot say yes or no. Councilwoman Kuncken is of the opinion not enough information has been provided in order to make an intelligent decision. Councilwoman Kuncken stated she is not sure if this in the purview of a municipal government. We elect people to serve on Boards of Education. Councilwoman Kuncken stated she does not know that the Governing Body should be involved in this decision making.
Mayor Maio asked the Governing Body if they wanted to move forward with the resolution. Councilman Thornton – no, Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes, Councilman Romano – no to this resolution but he may be open to a different approach, Councilwoman Thistleton agrees with Councilman Romano’s answer, Councilwoman Kuncken – abstain. Mayor Maio stated this is a dead issue at this time. The Governing Body agreed.
Sanitary Sewer Inspections – Mayor Maio stated no further discussion is required at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Maio offered the following resolutions which were read by title:
Resolution 146-17 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT CONTRACT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE MUSCONETCONG AVENUE/WALTON PLACE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
WHEREAS, the Borough of Stanhope wishes to apply for and obtain funding through the New Jersey Department of Transportation – Municipal Aid grant program for the completion of the Musconetcong Avenue/Walton Place Improvement Project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope, in the County of Sussex, State of New Jersey formally approves the grant application for the above stated project;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to submit an electronic grant application identified as “MA-2018-Musconetcong Avenue/Walton Place Imp-00062” to the New Jersey Department of Transportation on behalf of the Borough of Stanhope.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the grant agreement on behalf of the Borough of Stanhope and that their signature constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of the grant agreement and approves the execution of the grant agreement.
On motion by Councilman Romano, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken and carried by the following roll call vote the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – absent
Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
Councilman Romano – yes
Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
Resolution 147-17 AUTHORIZING DISCHARGE OF BOROUGH OF STANHOPE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM MORTGAGE
WHEREAS, Thomas and Joanne Davies, the owners of 10 Elizabeth Avenue, Stanhope, New Jersey (“Borrowers”), obtained from the Borough of Stanhope a loan through the Stanhope Affordable Housing Program for the completion of code deficiency repairs on or about November 13, 1996. The Mortgage was recorded in the Sussex County Clerk’s Office in Mortgage Book 3401, Page 241 on January 27, 1999 (the “Mortgage”); and
WHEREAS, the Borrowers have paid off the loan and have requested that the Mortgage be discharged; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council agree to discharge the mortgage; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope as follows:
1. The Mortgage given to the Borough of Stanhope by the Borrowers is hereby discharged and the Mayor and Borough Clerk are authorized to sign the Mortgage Discharge document, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution as Exhibit A.
2. A copy of this Resolution shall be placed on file with the Clerk of the Borough.
3. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase in this resolution is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this resolution.
On motion by Councilwoman Kuncken, seconded by Councilman Romano and carried by the following roll call vote the foregoing resolution was duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – absent
Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
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 148-17 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CANCELLATION OF MUNICIPAL CERTIFICATE OF SALE
WHEREAS, Certificate of Sale #2016-005 was issued to Stanhope Borough, 77 Main Street, Stanhope, New Jersey 07874 for delinquent 2015 taxes and/or utility charges on Block 11006, Lot 7, 58 Brooklyn Road, assessed to Robert B Lanning, at a tax sale held on October 4, 2016; and,
WHEREAS, the certificate was redeemed on September 12, 2017 by paying the full amount of the delinquency.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Municipal Clerk of the Borough of Stanhope are hereby authorized to endorse Certificate of Sale #2016-005 for cancellation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Borough Chief Financial Officer/Tax Collector.
Resolution 149-17 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATION FROM PATRICIA ZDICHOCKI
WHEREAS, an AED is a small, lightweight device that is designed to assess a person’s heart rhythm and then administer an electric shock to restore normal rhythm in victims of cardiac arrest, use of an AED increases the victim’s chances of survival.
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope recognize the importance of having an AED available in the Municipal Building; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Zdichocki has offered to donate an AED to the Borough of Stanhope to be kept in the Municipal Building; and
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:5-29 authorizes the Borough to accept gifts such as the donation being made by Patricia Zdichocki.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Stanhope that the donation of a Defibteck Automated Emergency Defibrillator Model DDU-2300 Series, valued at $1,800, from Patricia Zdichocki is hereby accepted.
On motion by Councilwoman Thistleton, seconded by Councilwoman Kuncken and carried by a majority of the following roll call vote the foregoing resolutions were duly adopted.
Roll Call:
Councilman Depew – absent
Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
Councilman Romano – yes
Councilwoman Zdichocki – abstain
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Resolution 150-17 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 September 12, 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 – absent
Councilwoman Thistleton – yes
Councilwoman Kuncken – yes
Councilman Thornton – yes
Councilman Romano – yes
Councilwoman Zdichocki – yes
AGENDA ITEMS
All items listed on the Agenda for September 26, 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 – Litigation
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 Thornton, and unanimously carried by voice vote, the foregoing resolution was adopted.
The Mayor and Council went into Closed Session at 8:15 P.M.
RETURN TO OPEN SESSION
At the conclusion of the Closed Session, the Mayor and Council reconvened the public meeting at 8:20 P.M. with all present.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilman Thornton, seconded by Councilwoman Zdichocki, and unanimously carried by voice vote the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 P.M.
Approved: Linda Chirip
Deputy Clerk for
Ellen Horak, RMC
Borough Clerk