SOUTH BOUND BROOK BOROUGH COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Borough Council held on 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 Tamas Ormosi, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a request by Acting Borough Clerk for a moment of silence to remember John Amoroso a former firefighter who passed away recently. Roll Call: Mayor Tamas Ormosi Council President Dennis Quinlan Councilperson Caryl Shoffner Councilperson Bruce Blumenthal Councilperson August Carlton Councilperson Anthony Timpano Councilperson Kathryn Kelly (Absent) Attending: Approval of the Minutes: Borough Attorney: Frank Taddeo Borough Engineer: Thomas Herits (Arrived 8:35 PM) Officer In Charge: Lt. Jeffrey Titus Copuncilperson Elect: James Murphy - Motion by Councilperson Carlton to approve the November 10, 2015 Meeting Minutes, seconded by Councilperson Kelly, discussion. All in favor, all ayes. Mayor Report: - At this, his last meeting as Mayor, thanked Jo-Ann Schubert, Dennis Quinlan, Donald Kazar and all those who have worked with him all these years. Thank you to all those who have served on Council and Committees. Many things have been accomplished while serving as a Council Member and Mayor. He is proud of the accomplishments but there is still more to do. Thank you again for all you have done. Page 1
Council Reports: Finance/Historical Committee (Councilperson Quinlan): - Thanked Mayor Ormosi for all he has done for the Borough of South Bound Brook. During his time on Council and as Mayor, South Bound Brook has had many successes and received many awards from the County. We have also held many successful events, including this past weekend s events, at the Staat s House. Thank you to all those who helped with the Holiday Tree Lighting Event. Special thank you to OEM for traffic/ parking control, Public Works for decorating, the Rescue Squad, the Friends of the Abraham Staat s House and the Recreation (Sports) Committee for organizing the Event. - Claims Voucher Resolution Payment of the Bills Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of Claims Voucher Resolution in the amount of $275,653.61, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. - Bond Anticipation Notes Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of Bond Anticipation Notes Resolution in the amount of $627,500.00, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. - Chapter 159, P.L.1948 - Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of insertion of an item of revenue in the budget of the year 2015 in the amount of $1,883.11, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, discussion. No discussion, all in favor, all ayes. - Budget Transfer Resolution Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to approve Budget Transfer Resolution in the amount of $10,000.00, seconded by Councilperson Shoffner, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Public Safety Police Department/Rescue Squad (Timpano): - In Councilperson Timpano s absence, Councilperson Quinlan gave the Police Department Monthly Report for November. The Report is as follows: Total Dockets, 449; Total Arrests, 38; 1 St Aid Squad Calls, 17; Fire Dept. calls, 6; Assisting Other Police Depts., 2; Traffic Accidents Investigated, 5; Total Sick Days, 3; Total Vacation Days, 24. Overtime for November 2015, $8, 999.06 (137 hrs.). Court Overtime for November 2015, $1,428.59 (23.5 hrs.). Total Overtime 2015, $88,807.65 and Total Court Overtime, $16,982.19. Public Works (Councilperson Blumenthal): - Thanked Mayor Ormosi for helping him as he started his political career and for appointing him to the Planning Board. Page 2
Public Works (cont d) - Public Works Report for the month of November: Sewer Status Barber Blvd. Pump Station had its annual inspection and there were no discrepancies. Streets and Roads Using recently acquired vacuum and trailer to maintain streets, curbs and sidewalks. Currently testing snow plowing equipment, Salt storage shed is one-half full. Public Buildings Memorial Park rest rooms have been winterized. Built book case for the Court Office and painted. Installing donated tabletops and shelving unites in Police Dept. Vehicle Status Awaiting approval to purchase F-450 Ford Dump Truck. Await finance approval from the County s Lease-To-Own Program. F-250 cab repaired. Delivery of F-350 should be in January 2016. Recreation (Sports and Social): - Thanked Mayor for getting her involved and giving her the opportunity to grow and learn as a Council Member. - Holiday Tree Lighting glowing remarks about the event which was attended by 200 people. - Christmas Program was held tonight at Robert Morris School. - Resignation letter from Elizabeth Konkle effective December 31, 2015 (date will be verified). Motion by Councilperson Kelly to accept the resignation of Elizabeth Konkle from the Recreation Committee, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. A letter recommending a replacement will be sent to the Clerk to be voted on at the Re-organization Meeting. - Revision to the By-laws. Public Safety Fire Department: - Thanked Mayor for his leadership and guidance and wished him good luck in the future. - Fire Department Monthly Report for November: Total number of alarms, 17; Total man-hrs. answering alarms, 143.92; Total man-hrs. on maintenance of trucks and equipment, 22; Total man-hrs. on Department Training, 96.0; Total man-hrs. at Board of Engineers Meeting, 14.0; Captain s man-hrs. for administrative duties, 25.5. Total of 301.42 man-hrs. for November, 2015. - Another driver has been certified and the membership is increasing. Officer In Charge Report: - Asked for permission to allow Police Officers to park their personal vehicles in front of the former Cliff s Auto Repair. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to permit Police Officers to park there personal vehicles in the parking lot next door, seconded by Councilperson Shoffner, all in favor, all ayes. Page 3
Officer In Charge Report (cont d.) - Police Department Facebook page or Nixel. OEM has Nixel. Will talk to Michael Allenovitch. - Update on renovations at Headquarters. Repairing walls and DPW installing table top desk donated by Johnson and Johnson. - Promotions need to be made. At least three promotions need to be done to get structure back to where is should be in the Department. - Two Police Officers need to be hired bringing the number to 13 Officers. This will cut down on the overtime. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to authorize the Officer In Charge to start the hiring process for 1 officer, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. No further discussion, roll vote taken, all ayes. Borough Administrator Report: - Thanked Mayor for all the years served on Council and as Mayor. Thanked him for all the work he did while serving on Council dating back to the GAF days and the many meetings attended. Hopes to see him for coffee at Quick Chek. Mostly thankful for his friendship. - Acting Borough Clerk is doing a great job. Learning very quickly. - Payroll Clerk training to start tomorrow. - DPW is working on the Building. - Public Works is working with PSE&G getting the decorations ready to be put up. Hopefully this will be done by the end of the week. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. No public response. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Agenda: Events at the Staat s House: Councilperson Quinlan thanked the Franklin H.S. Madrigal Singers, the Somerville H.S. Jazz Band, the Hope Baptist Church Members for singing, the Boy Scouts, the Cub Scouts, Musician Tom Harabin, Reformed Church of Bound Brook, Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, The Friends of the Abraham Staat s House and the Historical Commission. Appologized if he left anyone out. They made the events at the House most enjoyable. Mayor Ormosi commented that many visitors came for the first time and were surprise at what they saw. Page 4
Holiday Decorations: Holiday Decorations for the lamp posts have been purchased and will be put up soon. Also, the Holiday Banners will also be put on the lamp posts. Councilperson Quinlan would like to purchase additional decorations for the lamp posts for next year. After the Holiday these decorations will be offered at a very good price. Councilperson Kelly commented at how nice it looks when Main St. and Borough Hall are decorated for the Holidays. Advertising for Police Department Administrative Assistant: Some resumes have already been received. Advertisement will be put in the paper tomorrow using the same ad as before with job description. Personnel Committee will meet on December 22 nd at 6:00 PM for interviews. Redevelopment on Elizabeth St. and Edgewood Terrace: PBA Trailer: Letter from owner of Black Belt at Elizabeth St. and Edgewood Terrace asking for an update on Redevelopment. Unclear what he is looking for. Letter received on last Friday. Borough Attorney will look into this and update at next meeting. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to open the meeting for discussion about a trailer for the Police Department, seconded by Councilperson Shoffner, all in favor, all ayes. Officer Frederick Fittin President PBA Local 148 - Officer Fittin spoke about the need for a locker toom with a bathroom and shower and break room for the Police Officers. Space in very limited at Police Headquarters and the solution would be to acquire a trailer. The PBA is asking the Council for assistance to fund this project. The PBA can handle some of the cost of such a project but will need help from the Council. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to authorize the Borough Engineer to work with the PBA on the locker room trailer project, seconded by Councilperson Shoffner, all in favor, all ayes. Mayor thanked the PBA for purchasing the tree for the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Staat s House. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to close this discussion of a locker room trailer, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. Page 5
Fire Department Recommendations: Councilperson Shoffner recommended the following as Fire Department Officers: Andrew Carlton Chief Matthew Tomaro Assistant Chief, Michael Tomaro Captain Jamie Farkas 1 st Leiutenant Michael Kelly Chief Engineer Paul Kaminsky Engineer Risk Management Consultant Agreement: Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of Risk Management Consultant Agreement entered into the 8 th day of December 2015, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, discussion. Borough Administrator explained this Agreement and there were no questions. Roll call vote taken, all ayes. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. Lt. Jeff Titus - Spoke about installing a security system at Police Headquarters. He suggested a camera at the back door and front door. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. At this time Councilperson Shoffner spoke about messages she is getting about a dance studio at Canal Crossing. Code Enforcement Officer Bill Boyle has checked into this and found out there is no dance studio operating at that location. Councilperson Shoffner asked about RWJ servicing South Bound Brook. The EMS rig is stationed here in town and the EMTs and their rig are using Borough Hall and the parking lot when not on a call. They service South Bound Brook during daytime hours and when the SBB Rescue Squad can not answer calls. Adjournment: Having completed the peoples business a Motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Quinlan, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM. Respectfully submitted, Christina Fischer, Acting Borough Clerk Page 6