Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Verona Township Council on Monday, May 15, 2017 beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the Municipal Building, 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, New Jersey. Call to Order: Municipal Clerk reads notice of Open Public Meetings law. Roll Call: Mayor Kevin Ryan; Deputy Mayor Michael Nochimson; Councilman Bob Manley and Councilman Alex Roman are present. Township Manager Matthew Cavallo, Township Attorney Brian Aloia and Jennifer Kiernan, Municipal Clerk are also present. Councilman Jay Sniatkowski is not present. Mayor Ryan leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor s Report: Mayor Ryan invites Essex County Council Liaison J. Coltre to the lectern. He reports the Essex County Computer/Electronic Recycling day will be held on May 20 th from 9am 3pm. The Hospital Center will host Mental Awareness Day on the 20 th from 10am 2pm. The Turtle Back Zoo will hold its Open House on June 3 rd from 10am 2 pm. The Mayor invites Steven Neale to the lectern. Mr. Neale announces the Verona Green Fair will be held on May 20 th in the Civic Center. To date there are 45 vendors. There will be games, food and music for all. This date coordinates with the Town Wide Garage Sale. On May 9 th the Mayor attended the Safe Streets Campaign held by NJDOT along with the County Executive and representatives from five or six towns along Bloomfield Avenue to address the problems along Bloomfield Avenue. On Friday, May 12 th the Mayor attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for OLL s 3 rd Annual TREP$ Program for 7 th and 8 th grade students. Manager s Report: Township Manager Matthew Cavallo states that this being Police Week, he wants to congratulate Sergeant Lecruex, who rode on the Police Unity Tour, a three day bicycle ride from Florham Park, NJ to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C. Pool registration is still ongoing. The pool opens May 27 th and will be open weekends until opening full time on June 17 th. The Memorial Day Parade will be held at 10am on Bloomfield Avenue. Chief Mitchell Stern will be retiring effective June 1 st. The Township Manager extends his thanks for Chief Stern s 30+ years of service. Captain Stephen DePoe will be Officer in Charge (OIC) while selection of a Chief occurs over the next several months. Councilmembers Reports: Deputy Mayor Nochimson states that it is important to recognize police, fire, rescue and the emergency services they provide, especially on this Police Officer Recognition Week. The Deputy Mayor states the need to address the difficulty of crossing Bloomfield Avenue near Verona Park. He suggests a pedestrian bridge to allow easy access to the park. 1
He comments that the garbage placed on the curb for pick-up by businesses along the avenue is displeasing. He requests an update on his suggestion of the Township providing a universal receptacle. The Township Manager is still looking into it. Councilman Manley echoes the remarks law enforcement officers across the Country. He wishes Luke Sniatkowski, the son of Councilman Jay Sniatkowski a great day on his graduation. Councilman Manley asks if a portable restroom facility can by placed at the Hilltop. Mr. Cavallo is in the process of receiving quotes and will notify the County. Councilman Roman states he visited the library which is now temporarily located in the Annex Building. He states he is impressed with the arrangement of the facility and congratulates all involved with the relocating and set-up process. Township Manager Matthew Cavallo gives a PowerPoint presentation about 56 Grove Avenue, the property the Township is proposing to purchase. ORDINANCE No. 2017-12 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF VERONA CHAPTER 140 THEREOF ENTITLED VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS The Municipal Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2017-12 by title into record. Motion to move ordinance no. 2017-12 is moved by Councilman Roman; seconded by Councilman Manley. Public Hearing: None. Council Discussion: None Ordinance No. 2017-12 is adopted 4-0 and will be published according to law. ORDINANCE NO. 2017-13 ORDINANCE REAPPROPRIATING $891,958.50 PROCEEDS OF OBLIGATIONS NOT NEEDED FOR THEIR ORIGINAL PURPOSES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR ADDITIONAL ROAD, CURB, PARKING LOT AND WALKWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN AND BY THE TOWNSHIP OF VERONA, IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW JERSEY The Municipal Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2017-13 by title into record. Township Manager Matthew Cavallo states this ordinance amends Ordinance No. 12-13, geared for other streets, which has remaining funds available. This ordinance is a broader description of municipal streets on file that are in need of repair or reconstruction. 2
Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2017-13 is moved by Deputy Mayor Nochimson; seconded by Councilman Roman. Ordinance No. 2017-13 is approved 4-0 and will be published according to law and a public hearing will be held on June 5, 2017. ORDINANCE # 2017-14 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF VERONA, CHAPTER 146 THEREOF ENTITLED WATER AND SEWERS BY AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS THEREOF The Municipal Clerk reads Ordinance No. 2017-14 by title into record. Township Engineer James Helb states the recent development of the Hilltop, old hospital center, etc. has caused the Township to consider modifying the method of calculating non-single family components based on water consumption variations causing fluctuations in anticipated revenue need from a standpoint of developments. Motion to introduce Ordinance No. 2017-14 is moved by Councilman Manley; seconded by Deputy Mayor Nochimson. Ordinance No. 2017-14 is approved 4-0 and will be published according to law and a public hearing will be held on June 5, 2017. The Consent Agenda is moved for approval by Councilman Roman; seconded by Mayor Ryan. Vote: 4 ayes. RESOLUTION No. 2017-84 A motion was made by Councilman Roman; seconded by Mayor Ryan that the following resolution be adopted: AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF WAYNE FOR ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES WHEREAS, the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1 et seq. (the Act ), authorized local units of this State to enter into agreements with any other local unit or units to provide or receive any service that each local unit participating in the agreement is empowered to provide or receive in its own jurisdiction; and WHEREAS, the Township of Verona has previously entered into a Shared Services Agreement for Animal Control services with the Township of Montclair which expired on December 31, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Township of Montclair does not desire to renew the agreement with the Township; and 3
WHEREAS, the Township of Verona and the Township of Wayne are desirous to enter into a Shared Services agreement for the furnishing of Animal Control services by Wayne for a period of ten (10) years beginning June 1, 2017 and ending May 31, 2027; and WHEREAS, either party may cancel this Agreement for any reason upon sixty (60) days written notice to the other party, and WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of both municipalities to renew this Shared Services Agreement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, in the County of Essex, New Jersey that Township Manager and Township Clerk are hereby authorized to execute a Shared Services Agreement with the Township of Wayne for the furnishing of Animal Control services by Wayne. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Health Officer of the Township of Wayne. RESOLUTION No. 2017-85 A motion was made by Councilman Roman; seconded by Mayor Ryan that the following resolution be adopted: AWARDING CONTRACT No. 17-03 VERONA PUBLIC LIBRARY PHASE II RENOVATION & ADA IMPROVEMENTS WHEREAS, on May 2, 2017 the Township of Verona received bids for Contract 17-03 Verona Public Library Phase II Renovation & ADA Improvements; and WHEREAS, twelve (12) responsive and responsible bids were received for Contract 17-03; and WHEREAS, the Township Engineer has reviewed the proposals and recommends that Contract award be made to Pharos Enterprises, LLC; and WHEREAS, this contract shall be charged to Account No. C-53-45-002-000, or any other account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee, and these funds have been certified by the Chief Financial Officer; and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, in the County of Essex, New Jersey that the bid of Pharos Enterprises, LLC, 879 Upper Min Street, South Amboy, New Jersey 08879, for Contract No. 17-03, be accepted and it be awarded the contract, in the required amount of the Base Bid of $ 2,472,000.00 and Alternates No. 1-4 in the Total Amount of $ 54,500.00. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this expenditure shall be charged to Account No. C-53-45-002-000, or any other account that may be deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer or his designee and the availability of funds has been certified by the Chief Financial Officer. 4
RESOLUTION No. 2017-86 A motion was made by Councilman Roman; seconded by Mayor Ryan that the following resolution be adopted: PERMITTING ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED IN 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 exists. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, County of Essex, State of New Jersey, as follows: 1. The public shall be excluded from discussion of an action upon the hereinafter specified subject matter. 2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows: a. Contract Negotiations pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(7) b. Pending Litigation pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(7) c. Personnel Matters pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12(8) 3. It is anticipated at this time that the above stated subject matter will be made public when said subject has been fully discussed by the Council, and the attorney rules this matter may be brought before the public without jeopardizing any pending litigation. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately. Public Participation: Tom Verniero, 75 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Carol Kirsch, 92 Cedar Street, Millburn, New Jersey Ted Giblin, 39 Howard Street, Verona, New Jersey Will Battersby, 56 East Reid Place, Verona, New Jersey Tom Bastanza, 59 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Trish Calandra, 65 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Jack McEvoy, 20 Montclair Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Nick Peloso, 209 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Jim Feurer, 213 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Paul Olsen, 25 Personette Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Sal Calandra, 65 Grove Avenue, Verona, New Jersey 5
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn the public meeting at 8:40 p.m. is moved by Councilman Manley; seconded by Councilman Roman. Vote: 4 ayes. The next regular scheduled meeting is Monday, June 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Kiernan Jennifer Kiernan, Municipal Clerk Kevin Ryan Kevin Ryan, Mayor 6