Borough of Raritan Council Regular Meeting February 23, 2010 The following notice was read: NOTICE of this meeting has been made by advising the Courier News and the Raritan Borough website of the time, date and place of this Council 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 of this meeting. Mayor Liptak called the meeting to order at 8:10 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 A. Huefner, Municipal Clerk Council President Carra presented the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Jim Sibilia, 10 Loomis Street, stated Public Works did a tremendous job last snow storm but would like to se the removal of cars ordinance so they could do an even better job. He noted they were struggling with snow removal due to the parked vehicles. Vera DeLosh, 716 Foothill Road, Bridgewater, stated she owns multiple properties on Quick Avenue and Farand Street, there are parking issues due to Char and the Doctor’s office. She also stated that there are tractor trailers making deliveries, patrons with out adequate parking and the doctor’s office employees parking on both sides of the street turning into a one lane street, then Char patrons block driveways and the residents need relief. Mayor Liptak stated she spoke with Dr. Scalia and he has made arrangements for his employees to park in Char lot to help alleviate the issue. Council will consider options to deal with this including making it a one way, no left turn out of Char, do a study and determine truck traffic, or possibly making it one side of the street parking. Stan Schreck will meet with the Chief to discuss. Councilman Lobell stated that on the above mentioned is a client of his and will recuse himself from this and further discussions on this matter to avoid any conflict. Approval of Minutes February 16, 2010 Agenda and Regular Session Minutes were presented for approval. TABLED RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTION URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND THE OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT TO ADDRESS VARIOUS TECHNICAL AND PRACTICAL ISSUES Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Council President Cara, seconded by Councilman Lobell. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye The above listed resolution was approved. railroAd monthly parking refund Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Laggini, seconded by Councilman Lobell. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye The above listed resolution was approved. 2010 special temporary appropriations Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Lobell, seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye The above listed resolution was approved. Committee Reports: Council President Carra stated she will be meeting with the Auditors on March 2nd to discuss the budget. Council President Carra noted that plans were approved for Ortho to install solar panels and J&J info tech will be installing solar panels on their carport. Wednesday, Maarch 3rd is the next Environmental Commission meting. Councilman Laggini stated that the rescue squad was awarded $102,000 from a FEMA grant for radios and trunking. He also thanked the fire department for their dedication and work at a recent structure fire at 403 Route 202. Councilman Laggini made motion to approve the release of $2,155.20 to Somerset County Vehicle Maintenance for tires for engine 52-102, motion seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Laggini noted that the Borough Calendar is in honor of all veterans, past and present. Councilwoman Wilson stated at the Board of Health February 17th meeting they voted to approve the Somerset County Health Services Contract. She also stated the office of Vital Statistics brought in $1,429 for the month. Councilwoman Wilson stated the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is continuing to investigate a mumps out break. Councilman Lamaestra informed the public that on March 18th the Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on the school budget at 8:00 pm. Councilman Lamaestra made motion to approve the release of $5,500 to Russell Reid, Keasbey, NJ for pump station cleaning, motion seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara informed the public that tomorrow night at 7:30 is a Planning Board meeting where Willow Walk will be presenting an application to change the original plans and encouraged residents to attend. Councilman Lobell reported that recreation is concerned about the decrease in the number of children enrolling in the summer activities, so far only 64 children have enrolled for baseball/softball. Anyone who wishes to speak with recreation on any programs should call 725-9411. Councilman Lobell noted: Public Works has looked at the First Avenue tennis courts ; The Pacific premieres this weekend, Saturday at 4:00 pm at RVCC theater; the library is installing 2 or 3 cameras on the out side of the building for security reasons; Mary Ann McCann will be retiring from the library after 25 years of service; “Hoot Hoot” all about owls program will held Saturday the 27th at 11:00 am in the library and Victorian Valentine night is Thursday, at 6:30 pm. Mayor Liptak wished Ed Minetti a happy 90th birthday, and reported Read Across America is this coming Friday. Mayor Liptak stated the application going before the Planning Board is an important one as it proposes to build 422 apartments at the old Federal Steel sight, she also noted that she and Dan Jaxel attended a Solar Energy meeting and there is a good chance that solar panels could go in the parking lot here at the municipal building. Unfinished Business a. Busky Lane: next agenda b. General Code: draft with attorney for final review, reworking some chapters c. Sanitizing Council Chambers: next agenda, old business d. Quick Avenue – Stan Schrek, Chief Hess and Lou Gara to discuss NEW BUSINESS Council President Carra wants to pursue discussion on bulk trash pick and have Danny Laverde and Robert Fulminante at next meeting for discussion. Dan Jaxel stated there are four applications presented for the Community Development Block Grant; ADTI for handicap accessibility renovations; Learning Gate for siding replacement; Borough of Raritan for Belle Avenue traffic calming and 3rd Street repairs. At this time the meeting was opened for public comment on these applications. There were no public comments. Public Comment: Anthony DeCicco, Anderson Street, stated that Bruce Doorly did an excellent job putting out a John Basilone calendar. He then asked if anyone was adamant about closing Busky Lane, adding that access was important for first responders. Approval of Bills Motion was made by Council President Carra to approve bills, motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye Motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Lamaestra made motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Wilson. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:54 pm. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk /pah