Borough of Raritan Council Agenda Meeting April 27, 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 Mayor Liptak asked Council to hold Executive session at 6:30 prior to Agenda Session. The majority of Council agreed to stick to the original schedule and keep Agenda Session first. Engineer’s Report Orlando Drive Property Dispute Three generations of surveys, all referencing monumentation still existing were sent to the attorney representing the owner of Lot 7. No communication has been received to date of this report. Vehicles remain parked on Borough property. Council should discuss next step. Cardinal Woods Basketball Facility Plans and specifications are on hold pending Council direction as to where the basketball court will be placed. Councilman Lobell stated that Recreation is going to survey the neighbors in that area to see what they would like to have at 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. 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. Owner of mall is interested in acquiring this property, Stan recommended a meeting with the mall owner. Council asked Stan to set a meeting up for 6:00pm prior to a Council meeting. Stan met with Councilwoman Gara and Lt. Kirk met to decide on placement of right turn only signs on Busky Lane. He will have ordinance prepared for sign placements. MAKO Proposal I have reviewed the Mako evaluation of the HVAC system. To balance comfort level, as the PD is controlling the thermostat, the suggestions for upgrading the system, as originally designed in the ‘70s are appropriate. These items include: Troubleshoot and repair the rooftop economizer. Approx $950.00 Enlarge return air opening. “ $600.00 Replace existing core thermostat and replace with 4 zone sensors. “ $2100.00 Separate system for the dispatch area. “ $6,500.00 A recommendation was also proposed for replacement of the existing VAV boxes with new diffusers and ductwork. The cost associated with this recommendation is $2200.00. It appears that the VAV boxes are not operating and may have been disabled in an earlier attempt to “balance the system”. Repair of the existing VAV boxes should be examined prior to proceeding with this proposed item. I do, however, agree with the remaining suggested improvements. The Council should understand that addressing individual comfort levels is always a challenge, in an office setting, as individual comfort levels are always subjective. New building HVAC systems are designed with many more individual/zone controls which, although initial costly, prove to save in maintenance, operating and energy costs during the life of the system. The proposed improvements reach to that goal. Councilman Laggini asked Stan to follow up with Lou Gara on the odor near the elevator. Dan noted that a dye test has been done and is awaiting quotes on mold remediation. EOR Contract Prior to the last meeting of the Mayor and Council, I forwarded to the Borough a VCEA contract replacing the CMX contract. Rate schedule and retainer are exactly the same. I am pleased to note that Dave Maski, PP, AICP has started work with VCEA, accordingly continuity in planning work will be maintained. Councilwoman Wilson asked that this topic be listed for the next Executive session. Municipal Budget – set meeting date Mayor Liptak stated she is look at the first week in May to meet for the budget. Majority of Council agreed to 4:30 on the 4th, prior to the School Board Meeting. Council also asked Dan to see if the Auditor would be available on the 8th, if unavailable for the 4th. Outdoor Dining Mayor Liptak noted that a restaurant in town is serving outdoors on the sidewalk and it needs to be regulated. Councilwoman Gara noted the Chamber wants outdoor dining to promote businesses. Councilman Laggini stated that he will support the Chamber. Several other municipalities ordinances were submitted for Council review and opinion. List for next Agenda session. Clothing Bins Mayor Liptak asked Mark Anderson protocol on clothing bins and he stated they are not lawful without an Ordinance to regulate them. Council noted the bins were moved at one time and then moved back to original location. State statute is clear that they can only be placed by permit. Road Job Rate Change Councilwoman Gara stated that fees were agreed upon at last meeting but felt the wording was not clear on the resolution and wanted it clarified to reflect correct wording. Council had no problems with wording clarification. Solar Panels on Vacant Public Property Councilman Lamaestra stated that he spoke to Freeholder Ciaterelli, who spoke with Dan, the solar panels could go on Johnson and Gaston Avenue., Block 79, Lot 2. Dan will check with the deed restrictions from NJ Transit, since they gave us the property. Councilman Lamaestra also suggested we investigate the old tennis court. Mayor Liptak suggested putting a car port in the municipal lot and placing the panels on top of that. Councilwoman Wilson suggested Glenn Stives be contacted to get a listing of Borough owned property to look at. Mayor Liptak noted the roof of the library is also being looked at. Hotel Tax Councilwoman Gara spoke to the owner of the Super 8, and according to him there are 6 people living at the hotel, County/State subsidized. The average number of rooms rented out per day is 29 giving a total of 35 per day. Council agreed to proceed with introduction of hotel tax ordinance. Grass Recycling Councilman Lamaestra stated we will save monies by instituting the grass recycling. We currently pay $81 per ton for garbage; we will be paying $54 per ton for grass recycling with a savings of $27 per ton. On Woodmere Street alone Public Works picked up 5.725 tons of grass which was $463.73 at the garbage tonnage rate, and would have been $309.15 at the grass recycling rate, with a savings of $154.58 just on one street. The highest paid P.W. employee’s salary for working Saturday drop off hours would be $177.20 for the total hours of operation. Councilwoman Wilson asked if grass could be dropped off any work day during working hours. Councilman Lamaestra will check into that. She also inquired what will be done for the seniors. Councilman Lamaestra stated he told the seniors to make a call to Public Works. Councilwoman Wilson also asked what will be done to prevent people from dropping grass off outside of drop off hours. Councilman Lobell stated there is nothing they can do to prevent that; seniors were advised to use smaller bags and to have ask who ever cuts their grass have them bring it to PW; Woodmere alone pays for the labor and he could see this being up to a $500 per week savings to the Borough. Councilwoman Gara wants paper bags provided for the citizens to use specifically for grass pick up. Council agreed to begin grass recycling on May 10th, with resident drop off at Public Works from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. SASSA Dan stated reports were distributed to Council and is on file at Borough Hall. School Budget Defeat Council President Carra stated they had met with the Bridgewater Council and School Bd., and they asked for the teachers to accept a wage freeze to save school programs. They are awaiting a response. Recreation PO - for umpires PO for !560 for umpires will be voted on in Regular session. Littering Ordinance Council President Carra stated the Environmental Committee asked that the littering ordinance be looked at to help combat the littering problem. Penalties could be increased for littering she stated. Mayor Liptak stated she would like to see more trash cans on Main Street. Councilwoman Wilson stated a few years ago property maintenance distributed a flyer to the business owners about outdoor clean up. Mark Anderson stated the minimum fine could be $100 with the maximum of up to $1,500, which would give the Judge more leeway. Councilwoman Gara suggested DPW empty the Borough garbage cans more frequently. Council agreed this issue should also be addressed through the Chamber. Councilwoman Gara stated this issue has been being addressed at the Chamber meeting and they are putting together a beautification committee. Councilwoman Wilson stated the Board of Health and Property Maintenance have to work together on this issue. Mayor Liptak stated she would like to get rid of the E&M awning as it sticks out like a sore thumb. Paving Right of Way Council President Carra stated people are pulling up grass between curb and side walk and paving the area. Trailers Councilman Laggini would like this tabled to a future meeting. Motion was made by Councilman Lamaestra and seconded by Councilman Lobell to move into Executive Session. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk