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 08880. 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 to remember all those effected by Hurricane Matthew. Roll Call: Mayor Caryl Shoffner Council President Dennis Quinlan Councilperson Bruce Blumenthal Councilperson August Carlton Councilperson Bruce Blumenthal Councilperson Kathryn Kelly Councilperson James Murphy Attending: Borough Attorney: Frank Taddaeo Borough Engineer: Tom Herits Borough Administrator: Donald Kazar Chief of Police: Jeffrey Titus Letters and Communications: - Letter from Safe + Sound Somerset announcing that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. There was a Candlelight Vigil on October 6 th to commemorate people affected by domestic abuse in Somerset County. - Letter informing us that Cablevision has filed an application for renewal of systemwide franchise. - Letter from Recreation (Social) Committee Halloween Parade will be held Monday, October 31, 2016 at 7:00 PM. Approval of the Minutes: - Motion by Councilperson Kelly for approval of the September Meetings Minutes, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Page 1
Mayor Report: - Spoke about creating a Splash Park at Memorial Park. Looking into where to install it, if well water could be used and how much the entire project would cost. Councilperson Quinlan interjected that we have a shared service with the school concerning the use of the park. He said that this project could be talked about in the beginning of 2017 as part of the Finance Committee budget discussion. - Municipal Alliance - two $5,000.00 checks for Youth Services were presented to South Bound Brook (Mayor and Councilperson Kelly) on September 22 nd. - The County Planning Board will hold a meeting on Complete Streets on Oct. 26 th. - North Plainfield informed us about a pipe repair program for use by surrounding communities. - Fire Prevention Week is now going on. Pre-K and Kindergarten children came to the Firehouse and were taught stop, drop and roll and other safety measures. They were also treated to a tour of the fire trucks. Everyone had a good time. - Spoke about painting a blue stripe in between the yellow lines on Main St. to support our law enforcement officers. The County will have to be contacted to get permission before this can be done. - Councilpersons Kelly and Murphy need to take the ICS402 course. Council Reports: Finance/Historical Committee (Councilperson Quinlan): - Grant Application for Staat s House Motion by Councilperson Quinlan for approval of State, County History Partnership Program Grant application for the Statt s House, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. All in favor, all ayes. - Journey Through The Past was held this weekend. We are part of the original land grant (350 th Anniversary). Staat s House is trying to preserve the history of the area. - Transit Villages discussion. Personnel/Ordinance Committee (Councilperson Carlton): - Items on the Agenda. Public Safety Police Department/Rescue Squad (Councilperson Timpano): - Rescue Squad Report 31 calls answered 4 answered by South Bound Brook. - Police Department Report for September: 724 Dockets, 8 Fire Calls, 13 Traffic Accidents, 27 Arrests. Sick days taken, 2; vacation days taken, 10. Overtime for September $8,856.06; total overtime for 2016, $61,901.11. Court overtime for September, $2,212.47; total Court overtime for 2016, $16,918.68 (224 hrs.). Public Safety Fire Department (Councilperson Murphy): - Fire Department Report for September: Total number of alarms, 13; Total man hrs. Page 2
Public Safety Fire Department (cont d.) answering alarms, 82.55; Total man hrs. on maintenance of trucks and equipment, 22; Total man hrs. on Department Training, 38; Total man hrs. at Board of Engineers Meeting, 12; Captain s man hrs. for administrative duties, 18.0. Total man hrs. for the month of September, 172.55. - Fire Department picked up new face masks at the Convention in Wildwood. Purchasing them at the Convention saved a lot of money. Public Works (Councilperson Blumenthal): - Public Works Monthly Report submitted. Highlighs of the reports are as follows: -Sewer machine is being repaired. -Public Works taking applications for a permanent part-time employee -Memorial Park is being readied for Community Day -All vehicles are in operational condition -Snow removal equipment will be installed and tested by the end of October -Trees on Main Street have been pruned -Met with Borough Engineer regarding renovation of basketball court at Maple Ave. Park Recreation (Social & Sports) Committee (Councilperson Kelly): - Community Day has been postponed until October 23 rd from 2:00 6:00 PM. Borough Administrator suggested that the movie be started a little earlier due to it getting dark earlier. - October 31 st Halloween Parade starting at 7:00 PM - Lighting for Memorial Park field discussed. Chief of Police Report: - Information on flashing STOP sign given to Mayor as per her request. - Active shooter training held at the Robert Morris School assisted by members of the SWAT Team. - Pedestrian Detail held on September 30 th 21 summons issued. - Community Police Meeting will be held on November 9 th at 7:00PM at the Robert Morris School. - Attended E-Ticket demonstration. Borough Administrator Report: - Discussed the Somerset County Therapeutic Recreation Program. There are 16 people on the mailing list, 4 utilize the program. Voucher sent and is being processed. The program is benefitting those who participate. - E-ticket Ordinance being worked on. - Item for Executive Session. Page 3
Borough Administrator Report (cont d.) - Mayor inquired about the blue line in honor of law enforcement. Administrator can talk to the County. The County is planning to reconstruct Main Street in 2018. We would like that moved up to 2017. Borough Engineer Report: - Handicap access for Staat s House - Basketball courts at Maple Ave. Park getting pricing. Redo courts and fencing. - Generator at Borough Hall - get new quotes. - Met with Ken Pine about the ditch at Bell Street. Estimate cost of $70,000.00. - Complete Street Policy will get sample resolutions. Having Complete Street Ploicy helps when applying for DOT Grants. Borough Attorney Report: - Pretty close to finalizing the GAF Contract. Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, all in favor, all ayes. George Stafford Wharton, NJ - Represents the NJ Highlands Coalition. Would like the Council to pass resolution supporting the Highlands Water Supply. Marianne Manley Prospect St. - Asked what will be put at the GAF 1 property? It will be a mixed use - retail, commercial, residential. - Are summons given at the bridge when the Police Department is on a Pedestrian Detail? The answer is no. - Why does the applicant for the Public Works part-time job need to be bilingual? Mayor answered that the person does not have to be bilinual but would be an asset. - Asked how and who would control the Splash Pad when in use. It would be controlled by a timer or if needed, could be manually controlled. Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Murphy, all in favor, all ayes. Agenda: Overpayment of Sewer Tax Resolution: Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to approve Overpayment of Sewer Tax in the amount of $313.92 for 127 Edgewood Terrace, seconded by Councilperson Kelly, all in favor, all ayes. Page 4
Resolution to Appoint Local and Deputy Registrars: Motion by Councilperson Carlton appointing Christina Fischer as Registrar and Arleen Lih as Deputy Registrar effective October 12, 2016 at a salary according to the 2016 Salary Ordinance, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Outside Overtime Rate for Police: Motion by Councilperson Timpano for approval of overtime rate of $90.00 per hour with additional terms of the agreement, seconded by Councilperson Carlton, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Ordinance 2016-007 E-Ticket Ordinance (First Reading): Chief Titus gave a brief explanation of what the E-Ticket System is and how it will work in South Bound Brook. Motion by Councilperson Timpano for approval of Ordinance 2016-007 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE PUCHASE OF THE E-TICKET SYSTEM FOR THE BOROUGH OF SOUTH BOUND BROOK AND FUNDED THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $20,000.00, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, discussion. Councilperson Timpano asked how much money this system will save. Borough Administrator thinks it will pay for itself in the second year because it is more efficient. Roll call vote taken, all ayes. DPW Part-Time Employee: Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal to advertise for a part-time (20-25 hrs. weekly) employee for the Public Works Department, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, all in favor, all ayes. Date Changes for November Council Meetings: Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to cancel the Novmber 1 st Agenda Meeting and the November 8 th Regular Meeting and hold both meetings on November 14 th, seconded by Councilperson Timpano, all in favor, all ayes. Borough Clerk asked for a motion to have CFO pay vouchers since there will be no meeting until November 14 th. Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal authorizing the CFO to pay any vouchers needing to be paid since there is no meeting until November 14 th, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, all in favor, all ayes. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Timpano, all in favor, all ayes. No public response. Page 5
Motion by Councilperson Blumenthal to close the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilperson Quinlan, all in favor, all ayes. At this time the Borough Administrator asked Council members and their Party leaders to refrain from speaking with the public at the polling place on November 8 th. Conversations can be held in the hall or outside of the School building. This will be a very busy Election Day and we will need cooperation on this matter from both the poll workers and the public. Executive Session Resolution: Borough Clerk Christina Fischer read the Executive Session Resolution. Two issues will be discussed, personnel - health benefits and personnel. Executive Session will be approximately 25 minutes beginning at 9:30 PM. Motion by Councilperson Quinlan to go to Executive Session, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Motion by Councilperson Carlton to hire temporary emergency help to assist in Court Administration, at a rate of $25.00 an hour (20-25 hours) duration to be determined, as discussed in Executive Session, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, discussion. No discussion, roll call vote taken, all ayes. Adjournment: Motion by Councilperson Kelly to adjourn, seconded by Councilperson Blumenthal, all in favor, all ayes. Respectfully submitted, Christina Fischer, Borough Clerk Page 6