Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Verona Township Council on Monday, February 16, 2016 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 Jay Sniatkowski; Councilman Bob Manley and Councilman Alex Roman. Township Manager Matthew Cavallo, Township Attorney Brian Aloia and Jennifer Kiernan, Municipal Clerk. Mayor Ryan leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor s Report: Mayor Ryan invites Essex County Liaison Julius Coltre to the lectern. Mr. Coltre reminds the Council that Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo has invited the Mayor and Council to his State of the County address on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Essex County Hospital Center. Mayor Ryan reports that he attended the Rescue Squad s Annual Pancake Breakfast. The Verona PBA will host Cops and Rockers at Verona High School on March 19 at 7:00 p.m. The event is cosponsored by the PBA and Verona Music Parents Association. Proceeds will go towards the Ron Thorwood Fund and the Verona Music Parents Program. Manager s Report: Matthew Cavallo reports to Council that the draft budget was emailed to them over the weekend and a hard copy was placed in front of them this evening. He explains that there will be scheduled budget workshop hearings scheduled before Introduction on March 21. The adoption will be scheduled for May 2, 2016, which will be on time for State filing deadlines. He reports that he met with PSE&G regarding the upcoming tree trimming process. The Board of Public Utilities deems which trees are necessary for trimming. PSE&G then notifies the homeowner by placing a tag on their door to explain where questions can be addressed. Councilmembers Reports: Deputy Mayor Nochimson questions the Manager on the status of issued cell phones in the Township. He states that if phones are not operational, they should be shut off in an effort to curb wasteful spending. Mr. Cavallo explains that data cards are also linked to that account, distorting actual cell phone amounts, but assures the Deputy Mayor he is aware of the issue. The Deputy Mayor reports he has received complaints from residents about reaching the Tax Assessor. He questions whether our Tax Assessor is working part time as the website lists the Tax Assessor s hours as 1 night per week. He says he understands the Tax Assessor works for other towns but we are not getting our value from him. The Township Attorney cautions the Deputy Mayor that this is a personnel issue, the employee the Deputy Mayor is speaking of is identifiable by title and has not been Riced before this public session. The Deputy Mayor concludes his report. Councilman Sniatkowski attended the Verona Boosters Beefsteak Dinner. He states the event was sold out and about $9,000 has been raised. All proceeds go back to support Verona sports programs and the Senior Scholarship program. Councilman Manley has no report but apologizes for not attending the Rescue Squad Pancake Breakfast. Councilman Roman raises the issue of PSE&G s double poles. When a utility pole is failing all utilities must move their lines to new adjacent poles. The last utility to move must also remove the pole. The Town Manager will contact our PSE&G representative about the issue.
Page 2 of 8 Councilman Roman reports he attended a meeting regarding the radio system. Although the Township is close to where we need to be the Councilman states there is one more revision to be made before finalizing the order. He is hopeful in getting Council support on funding. Regarding the budget, the Councilman is looking for creative new ideas from Department Heads. He want to get rid of writing checks for no good reason. He expects Department Heads to answer questions during the meeting, when asked. ORDINANCE NO.1-16 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER A175-7 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF VERONA The Municipal Clerk reads the Ordinance by title as same had been posted for the prescribed time. Councilman Sniatkowski motions to open Council discussion on Ordinance #1-16; seconded by Councilman Roman. There is none. Motion to open public participation on Ordinance #1-16 is made by Councilman Sniatkowski; seconded by Councilman Roman. There is none. Motion to close Public Participation and adopt Ordinance #1-16 is moved by Councilman Roman; seconded by Councilman Manley. ROLL CALL: AYES: Manley, Roman, Sniatkowski, Nochimson, Ryan NAYS: Ordinance #1-16 is approved 5-0 and will be published according to law. ORDINANCE NO.2-16 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER A175-5 ENTITLED RECREATION DEPARTMENTAND COMMUNITY CENTER FEES OF THE CODE OF THE The Municipal Clerk reads the Ordinance by title as same had been posted for the prescribed time. Councilman Sniatkowski motions to open Council discussion on Ordinance #2-16; seconded by Deputy Mayor Nochimson. There is none. Motion to open public participation on Ordinance #2-16 is made by Councilman Sniatkowski; seconded by Deputy Mayor Nochimson. There is none. Motion to close Public Participation and adopt Ordinance #2-16 is moved by Councilman Roman; seconded by Councilman Manley. ROLL CALL: AYES: Manley, Roman, Sniatkowski, Nochimson, Ryan NAYS Ordinance #2-16 is adopted 5-0 and will be published according to law.
Page 3 of 8 Consent Agenda: RESOLUTION NO. 2016-43 AUTHORIZING ENGINEERING ESCROW RELEASE WHEREAS, Chapter 30-36(B) of the Code of the Township of Verona requires applicants for development to establish an escrow account with the Township to cover fees and costs payable to the Township for municipal engineering inspections of such improvements; and WHEREAS, escrow fees in the amount of $6,500 were received from A Speedy Sewer & Drain Service Inc., 25 Orange Street, Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003 for work to be completed at 41 Summit Road, Verona, New Jersey (Block 18 Lots 21); and WHEREAS, the Township Engineer has certified that all improvements have been completed and accepted and subsequently requests release the balance of the escrow funds after disbursements are made for municipal engineering inspections as follows: Township Engineer Inspection Fee: $ 75.00 Supervisor of Public Works Fee: $156.66 TOTAL: $231.66 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, in the County of Essex, New Jersey the municipal inspection fees in the amount of $231.66 shall be paid to the Township of Verona Current Account from the posted escrow; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Financial Officer and the Tax Collector are hereby authorized to refund the balance of the escrow fees received from A Speedy Sewer & Drain Service Inc., 25 Orange Street, Bloomfield, New Jersey 07003 in the amount of $6,268.34 after all appropriate disbursements are made.. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-44 AMENDING THE MEETING DATES FOR THE SCHEDULED COUNCIL MEETINGS IN APRIL 2016 WHEREAS, Resolution #66 established the schedule of Regular Meeting dates and times the meeting dates and times of the Mayor and Council through June 2016, and; WHEREAS, pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-18, notice of the scheduled meetings was transmitted on June 17, 2015 in the Verona-Cedar Grove Times and Newark Star Ledger; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona have decided to amend the original start times of the scheduled meetings; and
Page 4 of 8 NOW THEREFOREBE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, County of Essex, New Jersey, that regularly scheduled meetings through June 2016 start at 7:00 p.m.; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Municipal Clerk is hereby directed to transmit the amended schedule of meetings in the Township s Officially Designated in the Township s Officially Designated newspaper, the Verona-Cedar Grove Times and the Newark Star Ledger. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-45 that the following resolution be adopted: AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE VERONA MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE GRANT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016-17 WHEREAS, the Governor s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse established the Municipal Alliances for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse in 1989 to educate and engage residents, local government and law enforcement officials, schools, nonprofit organizations, the faith community, parents, youth and other allies in efforts to prevent alcoholism and drug abuse in communities throughout New Jersey; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, County of Essex, State of New Jersey recognizes that the abuse of alcohol and drugs is a serious problem in our society amongst persons of all ages; and therefore has an established Municipal Alliance Committee; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council further recognize that it is incumbent upon not only public officials but upon the entire community to take action to prevent such abuses in our community; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council has applied for funding to the Governor s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse through the County of Essex. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Verona, County of Essex, State of New Jersey does hereby recognize the following: 1. The Mayor and Council does hereby authorize submission of a strategic plan for the Verona Municipal Alliance grant for fiscal year 2016-17 in the amount of: DEDR $39,000.00 Cash Match $ 9,750.00 In-Kind $29,250.00 2. The Mayor and Council acknowledges the terms and conditions for administering the Municipal Alliance grant, including the administrative compliance and audit requirements. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-46 WHEREAS, the Construction Code Official determined that the owner of the Block 35, Lot 12, commonly known as 102 Pompton Avenue, Verona, New Jersey failed to comply with the Township
Page 5 of 8 behalf of the Township on December 12, 2015 in the amount of $75.00; and to take all appropriate actions to impose on the property commonly known as 102 Pompton Avenue, Verona, New Jersey (Block 35, Lot 12) a municipal lien in the amount of the tax lien certificate ($75.00), where upon the Tax Collector shall, within ten (10) days of encumbering of the property, send official notice of said encumbrance via certified mail, return receipt requested and regular mail to any and all other lien holders or creditors with a secured interest in the property. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-47 WHEREAS, the Construction Code Official determined that the owner of the Block 35, Lot 50, commonly known as 47 Martin Road, Verona, New Jersey failed to comply with the Township behalf of the Township on December 12, 2015 in the amount of $75.00; and to take all appropriate actions to impose on the property commonly known as 47 Martin Road, Verona, New Jersey (Block 35, Lot 50) a municipal lien in the amount of the tax lien certificate ($75.00), where upon the Tax Collector shall, within ten (10) days of encumbering of the property, send official notice of said encumbrance via certified mail, return receipt requested and regular mail to any and all other lien holders or creditors with a secured interest in the property. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-48 WHEREAS, the Construction Code Official determined that the owner of the Block 45, Lot 16, commonly known as 216 Pompton Avenue, Verona, New Jersey failed to comply with the Township behalf of the Township on December 12, 2015 in the amount of $75.00; and
Page 6 of 8 to take all appropriate actions to impose on the property commonly known as 216 Pompton Avenue, Verona, New Jersey (Block 45, Lot 16) a municipal lien in the amount of the tax lien certificate ($75.00), where upon the Tax Collector shall, within ten (10) days of encumbering of the property, send official notice of said encumbrance via certified mail, return receipt requested and regular mail to any and all other lien holders or creditors with a secured interest in the property. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-49 WHEREAS, the Construction Code Official determined that the owner of the Block 69, Lot 5, commonly known as 38 Valley View Road, Verona, New Jersey failed to comply with the Township behalf of the Township on December 12, 2015 in the amount of $250.00; and to take all appropriate actions to impose on the property commonly known as 38 Valley View Road, Verona, New Jersey (Block 69, Lot 5) a municipal lien in the amount of the tax lien certificate ($250.00), where upon the Tax Collector shall, within ten (10) days of encumbering of the property, send official notice of said encumbrance via certified mail, return receipt requested and regular mail to any and all other lien holders or creditors with a secured interest in the property. RESOLUTION NO. 2016-50 WHEREAS, the Construction Code Official determined that the owner of the Block 98, Lot 1, commonly known as 6 Morningside Road, Verona, New Jersey failed to comply with the Township behalf of the Township on December 12, 2015 in the amount of $75.00; and
Page 7 of 8 to take all appropriate actions to impose on the property commonly known as 6 Morningside Road, Verona, New Jersey (Block 98, Lot 1) a municipal lien in the amount of the tax lien certificate ($75.00), where upon the Tax Collector shall, within ten (10) days of encumbering of the property, send official notice of said encumbrance via certified mail, return receipt requested and regular mail to any and all other lien holders or creditors with a secured interest in the property. RESOLUTION No. 2016-51 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. Personnel Matters and Contract Negotiations 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. ROLL CALL: AYES: Manley, Roman, Sniatkowski, Nochimson, Ryan NAYS: Consent Agenda is approved 5-0. Public Participation: Motion to open public participation is moved by Councilman Sniatkowski; seconded by Councilman Roman. Vote: 5 ayes Gerry Shimonaski 33 Kenwood Avenue, Verona, New Jersey Richard Aloia 37 Malvern Place, Verona, New Jersey Al DeOld, 15 Howard Street, Verona, New Jersey Motion to close public participation is moved by Deputy Mayor Nochimson; seconded by Councilman Sniatkowski. Vote: 5 ayes. Council goes into Closed Session at 7:52 p.m. Motion to adjourn Closed Session and go into Public Session at 8:44 p.m. is moved by Councilman Roman; seconded by Councilman Manley. Vote: 5 ayes.
Page 8 of 8 The public meeting is adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The next regular scheduled meeting is Monday, March 7, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Kiernan Jennifer Kiernan, Municipal Clerk Kevin Ryan Kevin Ryan, Mayor