Borough of Raritan Council Agenda Meeting April 13, 2010 The following notice was read: NOTICE of this meeting has been made by advising the Somerset Messenger Gazette and The Courier News of the time, date and place of this meeting, . posting a notice on the official bulletin board, filing a copy in the Borough Clerk’s office and including this statement in the minutes. Mayor Liptak called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Upon call of the roll: Mayor Liptak Councilman Laggini Councilwoman Wilson Councilman Lamaestra Councilwoman Gara Councilman Lobell Council President Carra Also present was: Daniel Jaxel, Borough Administrator Mark Anderson, Borough Attorney Stan Schrek, Borough Engineer Pamela Huefner, Borough Clerk Engineer’s Report Orlando Drive Property Dispute The Borough has been challenged as to the ownership of a certain portion of the open space on the south side of Orlando Drive. The westerly boundary had been established and noted per found monumentation and deed book reference as depicted on a survey prepared by Ferriero Engineering and submitted to the Borough with the property transfer. The owner of the adjacent Lot 7 is claiming about 25 feet of this property based on his own survey. I have requested that the former Borough attorney forward the documentation he has relative to the Borough accepting the property from Raritan Towne Center. I have also requested, from Ferriero Engineering, the backup deed reference used to establish said westerly boundary, noting that his line is in dispute. The information requested should resolve the issue, if additional intervention by a licensed land surveyor is required, I will advise the Mayor and Council of cost accordingly. Cardinal Woods Basketball Facility The Recreation Department has requested that plans and specifications be prepared for the construction of a basketball court and related appurtenances at Cardinal Woods Park. I have completed field measurements and determined that the topography is a constant gradient which will allow the proposed basketball court to be placed anywhere close to the existing picnic pavilion. I will show the Mayor and Council various alternatives for location and request concurrence prior to advancing the bid documents. Mayor Liptak noted that many residents in the area are concerned about what has been going on back there, vandalism, trespassing etc.. It was noted that several members of the Recreation Commission want suggest that the courts be placed at Frelinghuysen Park. Councilman Lobell will go back to Recreation and re-evaluate where these courts should be placed. Stan Schrek noted that Public Works will have to do a better job of maintaining the swale in the park. 2010 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation At the last meeting of the Mayor and Council, a contract was awarded to National Water Main Cleaning in the amount of $46,559.85, for video inspection and grouting of sewer main tributary to Orland Drive. A preconstruction meeting was subsequently held. The project will begin approximately on May 15 and will take, roughly, three weeks to complete. The actual start is delayed due to excessive flow in the pipes which is a result of heavy ground water infiltration associated with the significantly wet spring. This is the whole purpose of these projects, to seal the system from infiltration and inflow. The ground water, in the system, will be metered and thus charged to the Borough. Handicapped Parking Spaces Survey descriptions have been prepared for three handicapped parking spaces, one on Second Street and two on Sherman Avenue. The space on Second Street was requested by the homeowner at #52. The two spaces on Sherman Avenue are adjacent to the drop curb and ramp accessing Frelinghuysen Park. The Borough can move forward with the Ordinance formally establishing these spaces. Councilwoman Gara asked what happens to the designated handicapped spaces when someone dies or moves away? Mayor Liptak stated that long time residents the Borough will know of and remove the spot. Councilwoman Wilson noted that anyone can request a handicap spot, even if they have only lived in town for one year. Road Crack Sealing As earlier discussed, many times, the Borough roads are in need of routine preventive maintenance. Specifically, I am referring to crack sealing. DPW has investigated cost effective alternatives to gain access to necessary equipment. A truckbed/trailer mounted melter is available for $1500. This will provide 30 gallon capacity complete with hose and regulator. This unit, used in conjunction with the existing air compressor, can be the start of an effective program. The crack sealing program can begin during the summer months when park/recreation work slows. The program should begin with the most recently overlayed roads and work backwards. I can guide the crew on a program for this yearly maintenance. Councilwoman Wilson stated that this item should be looked at during the budget meeting on Saturday, to explore if the Borough can afford this right now. Councilman Lobell noted that in the long run this purchase would save a lot of money. 2010 County/Municipal Open Space Partnership Grant Freeholder Jack Ciattarelli sent notification to the Borough concerning the availability of applications for open space grants. Individual awards average between $100,000 and $250,000. These grants are for acquisition of open space only. If the Mayor and Council have any properties to consider adding to the Borough’s ROSI, the deadline for grant submission is May 10, 2010. Busky Lane Park Discussion required as to funding further subsurface investigation, coordination and permitting with NJDEP and environmental cleanup and final stabilization.
Stan Schrek noted that the violation notice is posted and the fence up now needs to be a more permanent one until the park is cleaned up or disposed of. Mayor Liptak stated she had a meeting with Mr. Berger who is willing to clean up the play ground area if the Borough could negotiate a land sale to him of the property from Busky Lane to the Exerwise Woman gym. Council woman Wilson requested documents showing maps and exact dimensions. Councilman Lamaestra noted that property could be a good spot to put up solar panels. Councilwoman Wilson stated that she would like to recuse herself from this issue because she occasionally s ubstitutes at the day care. Councilman Lobell also wants to recuse him self from this issue as Mr. Berger is one of his clients for his computer business.
Council President Carra asked Stan if there was anything the Borough could do to get the Barberi property behind the post office cleaned up as it is an eyesore. Stan volunteered to reach out to the owner to discuss.
Susan Rubright was present to discuss wireless communication towers within the Borough, as she has had inquires for antennas to be installed on a tower or building. She stated that an Ordinance should be put in place to make it a use variance application, and to limit the number of towers in the vicinity. Mr. Rubright noted that this could feasibly be a win win situation as towers on Municipal properties bring in rent She also stated that she will craft an ordinance specific to Raritan to guide the Planning and Zoning Boards, while being sensitive to the visual impacts. Stan Schrek noted an ordinance could limit the towers to very large lots, it could also cover set backs, concerns about falling over, and reasonable distance in the Borough. Councilwoman Wilson asked if there was anywhere in mind for approved areas, Susan Rubright responded that an ordinance in place would give the Borough more control of where they could possibly be allowed or not. If we have an ordinance in place we have much better ground to stand on for regulating. Councilman Lamaestra stated that a lot of people in Raritan do not want this. Council President Carra noted the Environmental Commission has concerns of health and safety around the antennas. Susan stated the radiation concerns have been removed from local jurisdiction and most will bring in professionals to testify, there is a limitation on what is within the municipalities jurisdiction. Ms. Rubright stated there would be a workshop session with the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Environmental Commission and Board of Health. Councilwoman Wilson asked who decided if the Borough Attorney or Planning Board Attorney was going to write this ordinance. Councilwoman Gara stated the Planning Board Attorney has much more experience in wireless issues. Raritan Social Club, Park Volunteering Councilman Lobell stated that at the small park on First Avenue, the Raritan Social Club has volunteered to clean up and he would like to see it be turned into a dog park. He has submitted a list of members to be submitted to our liability insurance carrier. The first phase of this venture is to just get the park cleaned up. Councilman Lamaestra raised the issue of this being an issue with the Public Works Department and their Union, as it is their job. Councilman Laggini agreed with Councilman Lamaestra and thanked anyone who wants to volunteer in the community. Councilwoman Wilson noted the next step to contact other municipalities for sample rules and regulations for a dog park. Council agreed to give approval for initial clean up pending DPW Union agreement. Health Benefits Councilman Lobell stated that he believes elected official should not getting health benefits. Mark Anderson stated the Borough is in State Health Benefits Program and by regulation, elected officials must be offered SHBP in exactly the same manner as full time employees. The law has been recently changed and newly elected officials it will not be required to be offered to. Councilwoman Gara noted effective May 21st, all employees, including Council, are required to contribute 1.5% to cost of benefits. Bulk Garbage Council President Carra stated that Dan Laverde would like to see the bulk picked up March through October and November through February eliminated. Councilman Lobell thinks it should be picked up every other month. The majority of Council agreed to leave bulk pick up schedule as it currently is. Road Job Rate Change Councilwoman Gara discussed three options for increases in the Police road job rate. (A. 2% increase; B. 3% increase and C. 4% increase) the majority of Council agreed to give a 2% increase. Hotel Tax Table to next meeting PO – Busky Lane Park Fence Council agreed to table for time to explore the cost effectiveness of a temporary construction fence vs. a possible costly permanent fence. Façade Improvement Dan Jaxel asked Council if they would commit remaining funds to Ray Tropiano, due him from an application submitted in 2007. Council agreed to appropriate owed funds to Raymond Tropiano. SASSA Table to future meeting Grass Councilman Lamaestra stated that we can no longer dispose of grass through garbage. Council agreed to a phase in period for residents, with a drop off of 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Borough garage. St. Ann’s Church Easement Dan Jaxel noted the submitted sketch was preliminary and has heard that they may need to encroach even more. Table to future meeting for more information. Powers Of Mayor and Council Councilwoman Wilson stated this was an applicable topic to go over as we have new members on Council. Jolanta distributed a packet of statutes and information for Council to review. Mark Anderson informed Council that if they have any specific questions on the information given they are free to call him. Personnel Reviews Councilwoman Gara stated she would like to see personnel reviews done every June and December to track productivity. Herself, as personnel liaison, and Dan Jaxel will further discuss. School Board Budget Councilman Lamaestra stated the current school budget is asking for a 4.95% tax levy increase, and encouraged everyone to get out and vote. Councilman Lamaestra and Council President Cara will work with Bridgewater Township and the B-R Board of Ed. on decreasing the proposed budget. Spare Garbage Truck Mayor Liptak stated that she had received a call from Tom DeSantis advising her that Mayor Bloomburg ordered the NY Sanitation Department to get rid of as many garbage trucks as they could and one in pristine condition was going out for bid in NYC. Mayor Liptak noted that it was a 2 man cab, has steps on back, 10,000 hours on the engine and had 73,000 miles on it. She added that if we bid 10 to 15 thousand dollars on the vehicle we could have it towed back to the Borough. Motion was made by Councilwoman Gara and seconded by Councilman Lobell to move into Executive Session. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk