SOUTH BOUND BROOK BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Transcription

1 SOUTH BOUND BROOK BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council held at Council Chambers, 12 Main Street, South Bound Brook, NJ The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM with a reading of the Open Public Meetings Law Statement by Mayor Caryl Shoffner, the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for our servicemen and servicewomen away from home safeguarding our freedoms. Roll Call: Mayor Caryl Chris Shoffner Council President Dennis Quinlan Councilperson Bruce Blumenthal Councilperson August Carlton Councilperson Kathryn Kelly Councilperson James Murphy Councilperson Kathleen Conner (Absent) Attending: Borough Engineer: Thomas Herits Borough Attorney: Frank Taddeo Borough Administrator: Donald Kazar Chief of Police: Jeffrey Titus Letters and Communications: - Letter from YMCA inviting Mayor to the Volunteer Spirits Award Dinner April 19 th. Awards and Presentations: - Council President Quinlan was presented a plaque by the Borough Administrator for his twenty consecutive years elected and serving the. He was also presented a framed photograph of the Mayor and Borough employees at the Hall of Fame ceremony at the League of Municipalities in Trenton. Fire Marshall Tim Coyle had the picture taken and had it framed. Councilman Quinlan thanked everyone and said it s a labor of love serving the people of the Borough. Approval of the Minutes: - Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal for approval of the February Meeting Minutes, Page 1

2 Approval of the Minutes (cont d.) Mayor Report: seconded by Councilperson Murphy, all in favor, all ayes. - Girl Scouts asked for a list of things to help beautify South Bound Brook. DPW Manager came up with a list and after their fundraising is done they will pick something from the list. - Met with PSE&G along with Borough Administrator, Borough Clerk and Borough Engineer for better communication for the gas line project on Main St. - Southside Grille rebuilding update. - Fishing Derby D&R Canal Commission has sent back that town insurance is needed. - Jr. Government Day will be held April 4 th at the School. The applicants will be interviewed the next two days. Council Reports: Public Works/Board of Health (Councilperson Carlton): - DPW wanted to thank Chief Titus, Sgt. Lagrua, Sgt. Fittin and Officer Meisen for their help in getting cars off the road so that plowing could be done. The cost of the storm was $4, Replacement signs are $ Damaged signs will be replaced with the newer signs. - Borough Administrator and DPW Manager are looking at cleaning service. - Cutting grass at Rescue Squad - it is more cost efficient to have a landscaper do the mowing rather than the DPW. There is money in their budget to pay for this service. Councilperson Murphy will let the Rescue Squad know that DPW will no longer cut the grass at the Squad Building and they will have to hire a landscaper. - Pot holes will be addressed when the weather gets a little warmer. - The Ladies Auxiliary will be holding their Annual Fish Fry on March 31 st. This is the 25 th Anniversary of the event. There is an article in the Courier News explaining how it all began. - Attended Board of Health Meeting and will speak to Councilperson Conner about a change for an Ordinance. Public Safety Police Department/Rescue Squad (Councilperson Murphy): - Motion by Councilperson Murphy to remove Brandon Savitt from Probationary status to Police Officer, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. - Police Department Monthly Report submitted and reviewed. Total dosckets, 597; Squad calls, 28; SBB Fire Dept., 9; Assisting other Police Depts., 2; traffic accident investigations, 2; Arrests, 22; Drug arrests, 5. Time Off Used: 9 vacations days, 4 personal days and 3 sick days. Overtime for February 2017, $5,350.77; Court Overtime, $ Total Overtime 2017, $9,919.80; Total Court Overtime 2017, $1, (27.50 hours). Page 2

3 Public Safety Fire Department (Councilperson Blumenthal): - No Monthly Report. - Application for membership Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal for approval of Richard Reedy, Jr. as a member of the SBB Fire Department, seconded by Councilperson Conner, discussion. Mayor explained Mr. Reedy was fireman from another town. Roll call vote taken, 4 ayes, 1 abstention (Councilperson Carlton). Ordinance (Councilperson Conner): - Item on the Agenda. - Mayor suggested that the Ordinance Committee look into updating the Sign Ordinance. Finance/Historical Committee (Councilperson Quinlan): - Claims Voucher Resolution Payment of the Bills Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of Claims Voucher Resolution in the amount of $950,722.25, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. Councilperson Conner asked about two items on the Bill List. No other discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. - There is a 10:00 AM meeting at the Staats House tomorrow with Maser Consulting. - Sewer Rate for next year should be discussed soon. Borough Attorney Report: - Nothing to report. Chief of Police Report: - 14 summons were issued during snowstorm. Congrats to DPW for great job with snow removal. - E-ticket everything is tied in just waiting for transition. - Two tactical vehicles should be registered next week. - Training with rifles begins on April 6 th. Borough Administrator Report: - Rocky Hill Contract expires March 31 st would like a 2 month extension to May 31 st. - Johnson Street direction change. Ordinance needs to be amended (section 7.9). Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to amend Ordinance 7.9 One-Way Street. Name of street - Johnson Street, Direction westbound Limit - Franklin Street right side only Main to Franklin. Amending Ordiance 7.11 adding stop at the intersection of Franklin and Johnson Streets with a STOP sign on Franklin, seconded by Councilperson Conner, discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Page 3

4 Borough Engineer Report: - Will be late for the April 4 th meeting. Will get report to Administrator. - Franklin Street project will let Administrator know when we will advertise for that. - TAP Grant waiting for DOT to have their meeting. They will contact us. - Emergency access to RT 287 discussion. A committee will be formed to look into this. Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Conner, all in favor, all ayes. Donna Piazzolla 136 Cedar St. - There is a need for padding by the stage in the gym at Robert Morris School. Since Recreation activities are held in that gym it is important for safety reasons that this be addressed. Asked if the Council Liaison (Councilperson Murphy) could bring this up at the next Board of Education meeting. Motion by Councilperson Carlton to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. At this time, a representative from Verizon gave a presentation concerning the upgrading and enhancing of its network. They need consent from the municipality to locate and operate in the right-of-way. Agenda: 2017 Budget: The 2017 Municipal Budget will be introduced at the April 4, 2017 Meeting. Battle of Bound Brook: Councilperson Quinlan in the process of gathering all the necessary permits. There will be a group of re-enactors from Ohio arriving during the night. They will be staying in the Staats House. The Fire Chief, Fire Marshall and Police Chief have been informed about those staying in the Staats House. The Little League Parade, like every other year will be occurring at the same time. Ordinance Salary Ordinance (Second Reading): Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of Ordinance Salary Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal. Motion by Councilperson Conner to open the meeting for public hearing on this Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. No public response. Motion Councilperson Carlton to close the public hearing, seconded by Councilperson Conner, all in favor, all ayes. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Page 4

5 SASSA Resolution: Zoning Map: Motion by Councilperson Murphy for approval of SASSA (Somerset Ambulance Shared Service Agency) Resolution, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, discussion. Councilperson Conner asked about answering calls on off hours. Borough Administrator explained how it works. Roll call vote taken, all ayes. Copy of Zoning Map, with changes, given to Council members. There was discussion of changes. Junior Government Day: Motion by Councilperson Conner for approval of April 4 th Meeting to be an Agenda/Regular meeting, held at the Robert Morris School at 7:30 PM, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, all in favor, all ayes. Fishing Derby: Motion by Councilperson Conner for the Borough to sponsor the Fishing Derby on June 10, 2017, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, all in favor, all ayes. PTO 5K Color Run/Walk: HUD Grant: LOSAP: Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to support the PTO 5K Run/Walk to be held June 3 rd, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, discussion. Following discussion of road closures, police overtime and other issues the Motion was recinded and the item was tabled. Borough Administrator listed which grants to be applied for. The Fire Company is going to apply for a grant to do the apron at the Firehouse. The Borough would like to apply for sidewalk improvements and the splash park. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to support the Fire Company Grant Application and to approve the Borough Grant Applications, seconded by Councilperson Murphy, discussion. All in favor, all ayes. Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal for approval of the LOSAP list as presented, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, discussion. Councilperson Conner asked what the numbers were? They are the points accumulated for various meetings, drills, etc. Roll call vote taken, 4 ayes, 1 abstention (Councilperson Carlton). Page 5

6 Verizon: This item discussed previously. Committee Members: Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to appoint Borough Engineer Tom Herits and Mayor Caryl Shoffner to the Wastewater Management Committee, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Motion by Councilperson Conner to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Bill Schubert Von Steuben Lane - Asked about the right-away for emergency route to RT 287. Councilperson Quinlan explained what would be needed. Donna Piazzolla Recreation Director - Spoke about the Fishing Derby to be held on June 10, It is the one day you do not need a license to fish. A committee is working on the details. There will be 5 Spring Soccer teams this season. On another note Councilperson Quinlan asked if the people using the field for pick-up games on the weekend are wearing spikes. The field is being ripped up. Donna Piazzolla will check into this. Motion by Councilperson Conner to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Adjournment: Motion by Councilperson Conner to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. Respectfully submitted, Christina Fischer, Municipal Clerk Page 6