Statement: This meeting is being held in conformance with the Sunshine Law. Notice has been furnished to The Record and The Ridgewood News stating the time and place of this meeting. Notice has also been posted on the bulletin board of the Administration Building. A regular meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Waldwick was called to order by Mayor Litchult at 7:30 p.m. in the Council chambers of the Administration Building. Present on Roll Call: Mayor Litchult Councilwoman Bozzo Councilman Brennecke Councilman Farricker Councilman Giordano Councilman Palladino Councilman Sciolaro Also Present: Gary Kratz, Administrator Paula M. Jaegge, Municipal Clerk Craig Bossong, Attorney Jordan Battisti, Grants Administrator The Clerk led the Council in the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence was held to honor Lillian Van Dae, a long time employee in the Borough Clerk s office, who passed away last week. Greetings of the Public and Invitation for Discussion No one wished to be heard. Financial & Administrative Committee Mrs. Bozzo advised that at this time the Council would be finalizing deliberations on our operating budget. She stated that Mr. Kratz does not know what the status is with the State, as far as State aid or caps, and therefore, we are going to hold off for awhile. Public Safety Committee Mr. Sciolaro reported that he was out of town last week and missed the library board s meeting. Recreation & Health Committee Mr. Farricker reported that he attended the Board of Education meeting last night, and advised that their budget meeting would be held on March 31 st.
2 Regarding the construction of the new building at Traphagen, Mr. Farricker stated that the architect was at the meeting and the work would be from July to July. He noted that traffic and parking are very tight in that area, and did know where the construction vehicles could be parked. Mr. Kratz stated that an arrangement would have to be worked out if construction would be ongoing during the school year. Mrs. Jaegge added that since election polling places are located at Traphagen, she would have to contact the Board of Education as well. Mr. Farricker reported that he attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting last Wednesday. The 5K Run/1 Mile Walk would be held on Sunday, April 25 th. They are looking for volunteers to help out. They are expecting over 500 participants this year, and hopefully the weather would cooperate. Anyone wishing to volunteer should call Jim Zumbano or Christine Figliuolo. Mr. Farricker announced that the Sports Award Dinner would be held on March 5 th at 6:30 p.m. at the high school. Buildings & Grounds Committee Mr. Palladino had no report. Public Works Committee Mr. Brennecke reported that the DPW was up to task during the latest snow events. There were many concerned residents reporting that the snow plow drivers were speeding down the streets causing the snow to be thrown up on the sidewalks and lawns. After a discussion with the DPW Superintendent, hopefully it will no longer occur. He noted that the DPW is prepared for a storm due on Thursday. Environmental Services Committee Mr. Giordano reported that he attended the last meeting of the Northwest Bergen County Sewer Authority. He stated that when he attempted to speak he was shut down. He stated that he was advised that the engineer had been ill and that the report on the odor problems was incomplete. He did not want any hard feelings between the Council and the Authority, as they have been very cooperative. He further stated that he would attend other meetings, and would speak at that time. The Authority realizes that there is a problem, and wants to do the best for the community.
3 Mayor Litchult asked Mr. Giordano to elaborate on the subject that was being discussed at the meeting. Mr. Giordano advised that the topic was how the Authority was determining the origin of the odors. They are claiming to know where the odors are coming from and wanted to install barriers to block it, but did not think that would be the right thing to do. They have brought the engineer back and are looking for an alternate solution. The Authority has advised that there is funding to perform whatever needs to be done to control the odor. At the present time, they are still doing research and no definitive plan is in place. They are hoping to have their research completed in March, and he would attend that meeting as the Council representative. Mayor s Report Mayor Litchult had no report. Consent Resolution and Resolutions of the Governing Body The Clerk read the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the following resolutions herewith listed by consent having been considered by the governing body of the Borough of Waldwick are hereby passed and approved: (A) Approval of Minutes December 1, 2009 Executive December 8 & 22, 2009 Regular & Sine Die December 22, 2009 Recessed January 1, 2010 - Reorganization (B) Policy Votes i. Lions Club requests the assistance of the DPW to bring equipment to the carnival site and return it at the end. ii. Knights of Columbus requests permission to solicit funds at the train station on April 23 rd between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. iii. NJ Environmental Federation requests permission to solicit door-to-door in the Borough (C) Payment of Vouchers Finance (D) Tax Overpayment Finance (E) Approve Raffle License #4-10 Public Safety (F) Authorize Contract with Valley Health System for Various Firefighter Exams Public Safety
4 (G) Appoint Alternate Prosecutors Public Safety (H) Authorize Contract with Parker Landscaping & Construction, Inc. Buildings & Grounds (I) Authorize Application for Loan from NJEIT Program for Clean Water - Environmental Services (J) Authorize Application for a Loan from the NJ Environmental Infrastructure Financings Program for Drinking Water Environmental Services Resolution moved by Mrs. Bozzo, seconded by Mr. Sciolaro On the Question: Mrs. Bozzo questioned the Lions Club request for DPW assistance as she did not remember doing this before. Mr. Kratz advised that it may not have been under a policy vote, however, the DPW has provided assistance to them in the past. Mr. Sciolaro referred to the December 1 st meeting where a vote was taken regarding moving the Reorganization meeting from January 1 st to the executive meeting. He felt that the vote was incorrect. Mrs. Jaegge explained that it was very unclear on the tape as the person who moved the vote, voted no. This could not be done and since it was unclear on the recording, the wording was changed to reflect the correct vote. Mr. Sciolaro referred to item F for the firefighter exams. He noted that this was a very important step as firefighters are required to have health clearance to use the oxygen tanks, masks and other equipment necessary to wear under extreme conditions. Mr. Kratz referred to items I and J and noted that they are re-applications of the projects submitted last year, but were unsuccessful in funding. The clean water project is for the inflow and infiltration improvements in the amount of approximately $214,000. The application for the drinking water is for the construction of the concrete tank and the demolition of the two steel tanks with an estimated loan amount of $1,255,000. These are the same applications that were previously submitted, however, the State requires us to reapply. Mr. Palladino asked about another grant that was previously discussed regarding the water tank project. He asked if that application was submitted.
5 Mr. Kratz stated that this was a request for proposals from the two New Jersey senators. There were no grant applications, but a request for projects in case there was a second round of stimulus funding. He was not too hopeful, however, if we should receive a grant, then you would step down the loan amount. Roll Call: Mrs. Bozzo, yes; Mr. Brennecke, yes; Mr. Farricker, abstain on B-ii, yes; Mr. Giordano, yes; Mr. Palladino, yes; Mr. Sciolaro, yes. Reports of Department Heads Referred to Committee The Clerk noted that all correspondence listed on the agenda had been referred to its proper committee and any further action would emanate from that committee. (A) Ordinances & Resolutions of Other Towns Borough of New Milford re: Oppose County Tax Assessment & Valuation Duties Township of Wayne re: Oppose Taxpayers Funding Pension Benefits for Non- Government Employees Village of Ridgewood re: Land Use & Development Amendment Township of Washington re: Oppose County Tax Assessment & Valuation Duties (B) Meeting Notices & Minutes Planning Board Minutes of January 6 th NWBCUA Minutes of January 5 th William Paterson University Building Sustainable Local Communities April 20 th EPA Environmental Compliance Training Workshop March 22-23 (C) Newsletters & Reports (D) Correspondence of Elected Officials
6 (E) State of New Jersey Correspondence Council on Affordable Housing re: Stimulus Payment DEP re: 57 Bergen Avenue Underground Storage Tank League of Municipalities re: COAH Module I Classes Start Soon; You re Invited- Health Policy Event on Adherence, Feb. 22 nd, S458 Collection, Assessment, Health & Animal Control Bill, Important League On-line Survey; EECBG Program Information; Administrator or Manager Recruitment and Selection Advisory Service; Seminars: Wage & Labor, March 2 nd ; Foreclosures: What They Are and How They Work-April 8 th ; Reducing Staff to Meet Statutory Obligation-How to Negotiate Furloughs, Layoffs and Contracts-May 6 th ; Performance Measurement in the Public Sector-May 11 th ; Health Benefits Negotiations Insurance Primer, March 9 th ; Changes to the DLG Website; League Applauds Governor s Executive Order; Interest Arbitration Reform; Proposed Pension Reform Bills; Federal Update for Period Ending Feb. 5 th, Governor Christie Signs Executive Order on COAH; Governor Declares Fiscal Emergency; Governor s Intergovernmental Affairs Team; Important Case on OPRA Fees; Social Media for Public Officials-March 30 th ; Review of New Local Financial & General Government Laws; League Staff Membership in PERS; Affordable Housing, COAH and Executive Order; S2, 4 and SCR-1 on Pension Reform (F) County of Bergen Correspondence Community Development re: Regional Committee Meeting, March 3 rd ; Minutes of January 28 th (G) Miscellaneous Garden State Pharmacy Owners Provider Services re: Status of Enrollment West Bergen Mental Healthcare re: Community Service Report 2009 Michael Clancy, WHS Athletic Director re: Readiness of Tennis Courts Beattie Padovano re: Pascack Community Bank Ramirez Family re: Ground Feeding of Animals Violation Copies of Communications
7 Advertised Business The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ordinance No. 4-10 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 89 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK HEREBY AMENDING FEES FOR MOTOR VEHICLE TOWING AND STORAGE REGULATIONS Mayor Litchult asked if any Council member wished to comment on the ordinance just read. Mr. Kratz stated that there is a requirement by the insurance industry that the fee towing companies charge comport with the ordinances passed by the individual municipalities. The Borough had to amend our ordinance to include all the various types of charges so that the insurance companies could reimburse the towing companies for their services. There being no further Council comments, Mayor Litchult opened the public hearing. No one wished to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Moved by Mr. Giordano, seconded by Mr. Palladino to pass the ordinance on second reading and authorize the Clerk to advertise in the local, legal newspaper as required by law. Roll Call: Mrs. Bozzo, yes; Mr. Brennecke, yes; Mr. Farricker, yes; Mr. Giordano, yes; Mr. Palladino, yes; Mr. Sciolaro, yes. The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ordinance No. 5-10 BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY, NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT, NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT AND A NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE, INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $810,750 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO APPROPRIATE FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS
8 Mayor Litchult asked if any Council member wished to comment on the ordinance just read. Mrs. Bozzo reiterated her previous comments, and stated that this is the lowest capital budget that the Borough has had in many years. She noted that the municipal costs are approximately $600,000 with grants that offset the $810,000, and the water utility is $80,000. The Council was very conservative this year. Mr. Kratz added that the streets slated to be repaved this year included a grant to do Industrial Way and Demarest Place, which would be done sometime this year. Through the Municipal Resurfacing Program, Monroe Street, a portion of Summit Avenue, and both sides of East Prospect from Sheridan Avenue to West Saddle River Road. There being no further Council comments, Mayor Litchult opened the public hearing. Mr. McKenna questioned the streets to be repaved. Mr. Kratz explained that the Transportation Trust fund projects have to be bid separately. Moved by Mrs. Bozzo, seconded by Mr. Brennecke to pass the ordinance on second reading and authorize the Clerk to advertise in the local, legal newspaper as required by law. Roll Call: Mrs. Bozzo, yes; Mr. Brennecke, yes; Mr. Farricker, yes; Mr. Giordano, yes; Mr. Palladino, yes; Mr. Sciolaro, yes. The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ordinance No. 6-10 BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE UNDERTAKING OF VARIOUS WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS IN, BY AND FOR THE WATER UTILITY OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK, IN THE COUNTY OF BERGEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $80,000 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH BONDS Mayor Litchult asked if any Council member wished to comment on the ordinance just read.
9 Mr. Kratz stated that this ordinance will allow the Borough to do some upgrades to some of the water equipment such as pipes and valves. In particular, rehabilitation work would be done to the bridge over the railroad tracks for the water services that run along both sides. There being no further Council comments, Mayor Litchult opened the public hearing. No one wished to be heard and the public hearing was closed. Moved by Mrs. Bozzo, seconded by Mr. Palladino to pass the ordinance on second reading and authorize the Clerk to advertise in the local, legal newspaper as required by law. Roll Call: Mrs. Bozzo, yes; Mr. Brennecke, yes; Mr. Farricker, yes; Mr. Giordano, yes; Mr. Palladino, yes; Mr. Sciolaro, yes. Introduction of Ordinances Unfinished Business Mr. Kratz stated that some discussion was brought up during the capital budget meetings regarding the Fire Chief s vehicle and the type of vehicle he was looking to purchase. The original specifications called for a GMC Yukon. We have been able to find a vehicle under State contract for a Chevy Tahoe, which is about $15,000 less than what was anticipated. He noted that the Tahoe and the Yukon are the same vehicle. He noted that if we act between now and March 15 th we can put a purchase order out on that vehicle and secure it at $26,000+. No objection. New Business Invitation for Discussion Carol Shepard, 40 Rustic Drive stated that H1N1 vaccines are still being given out, and would continue to do so. Chuck Wanamaker, Waldwick Community Alliance advised that the Wine Tasting fundraiser was a very successful event. He advised that the car show is scheduled for June 6 th.
10 Mr. Farricker announced that Christina Hernandez, our cover reporter from the Suburban News would be leaving, and no one else would be taking her place. Mrs. Jaegge stated that Christina advised her that she would have a replacement. Adjournment There being no further business before the Mayor and Council, meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. No objections, so ordered. /mc Paula M. Jaegge, RMC/CMC Municipal Clerk