Borough of Raritan Council Agenda Meeting January 12, 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 2009 Road Program We have completed base mapping, for the 2009 Road Program and will be finalizing plans within the next few weeks. It is intended to bid this project, over the winter months, with a construction start and completion in early spring 2010. The timing of the bids should generate considerable interest Energy Audits We are in receipt of a draft Energy Audit Report, as prepared by Dome-Tech, Inc, the consultant hired by the County. Recommendations are minor in cost and could be budgeted, this year, along with applications for applicable grants. I will review these items at the meeting. Sanitary Sewer Mapping The Borough is in receipt of a County Planning grant to enable mapping of the Borough’s sanitary sewer system. Existing maps are antiquated and unreliable. Initial mapping will be based on recent inspection documents associated with TV inspections and repairs. This is predominately within the CBDG area. 2010 Contract for Engineering Services We have forwarded our proposed contract for EOR services to Dan Jaxel. It is noted that all aspects of the contract are the same as the previous year, including the Schedule Hourly Rates and the yearly retainer. Stan stated that the pre-applications were due for CDBG and he recommended that the Borough apply for traffic calming and drainage improvements for Bell Avenue. Schedule Change for Fire Prevention Council agreed with Frank D’Amore’s request to work Fridays instead of Thursdays. Hazardous Busing Agreement Tabled due to incorrect information from the Board of Ed. Next agenda. Borough Web site Councilwoman Gara stated that she had received a proposal from Bruce Doorley and was looking for several others. Councilwoman Wilson stated that she would like to go out for an RFP for this position. Stan Schrek noted that we are required by statute to maintain a link to the DEP. Next agenda. Appointments to CDBG Committee Mayor Liptak, with Council approval recommended that Dan Jaxel and John Orrechio be reappointed. Appointment to Economic Development Committee Mayor and Council agreed to reappoint Dan Jaxel to the Economic Development Committee. Tower/Wrecker Approval Pamela Huefner stated that applications were submitted with proper documentation, fees and were inspected by Police. Council agreed to renew all applications. Mayor Liptak noted that there needs to be a way to narrow down the applicants, due to the number of applicants the rotation list is very lengthy. Police PO – yearly contract for MDT license Council agreed to motion in regular session. Police PO – computer server Council agreed to motion in regular session Fire PO’s (3) – for various needed items Council agreed to motion in regular session Sanitizing Council Chambers Mayor stated she received a proposal from TSS, LLC. for sanitization of the Council chambers to kill any mold, virus etc… Councilman Laggini stated that this is in his field of expertise and would like to see the efficacy data information and will review. Stan Schrek noted that he would like to assist Councilman Laggini in this matter. Next agenda. Caller ID Mayor Liptak stated that she feels it is time for the Borough to have caller ID in the building. She feels that it is important to know who is on the other end of the line. Councilwoman Wilson asked why? May Liptak stated that she feels it is for protection , crank calls, messages left with no phone number, etc… Councilwoman Wilson noted that some people wish to remain anonymous and this could be seen as screening calls. Councilman Laggini would like to know the cost and notes that he tells people that they can make anonymous calls and letters. Council President Carra asked if we could get an anonymous tip line. Councilman Lobell also wants cost and cost of anonymous tip line. Dan Jaxel stated that there is a general extension for various complaints and that it is important for us to do our jobs to know who is contacting us, we may need additional information in order to address a complaint. Councilwoman Gara felt the Borough should have caller ID and noted the caller can block their number themselves if they do not want to be identified. Dan was instructed to get costs. Next agenda. COAH Mediation Next agenda Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary Mayor was approached by a person who informed her that February 8th the Boys Scouts of America will be celebrating 100 years of scouting and would like their troop to hold a small ceremony at the flag post inform of the municipal building from 7:00 to 7:30 pm. Council agreed to allow ceremony. Set Date for Department Head Budget Meetings Council agreed on January 28th at 6:00 pm. Clerk was instructed to advertise. Preliminary 2010 Administration Salaries Dan Jaxel requested a number to plug in to begin the budget process. Council instructed him to use 2%. Environmental Commission Council President Carra stated that Jane Feddicaro wants to donate a tree to be placed on Somerset street and needs a location. In front of the library was suggested as was the gas station. Stan Schrek will look into the areas. Planning Board Expenses Dan Jaxel requested input from Council on payment of Planning Board Attorney bills. Majority of Council agreed to pay the two bills for Somerville Circle title and redevelopment work now. Motion to be made in regular session. Busky Lane Councilwoman Gara stated “April 27, 1983 – The Planning Board Resolution, Preliminary Site Plan Approval (Specifically, Items 7 & 8 on page 12) state “That the property be isolated from Granetz Pl. & Glaser Ave. with appropriate gates thereby blocking ingress and egressed to and from the premises in question. That no access be provided onto Busky Lane from the northerly adjoining properties in question.” July 5, 1989 – Letter from Attorney Robert Bornstein – “Prior to the completion of the Mill St. (Orlando Dr.) extension, Busky Lane, at the request of the Borough of Raritan, was dedicated and accepted by the Borough of Raritan.” July 11, 1989 – Relief Hose, Company No. 2 – “A serious consideration is that the area along Busky Lane, across from the mall, is an industrial or warehouse area, one which would usually require the response of mutual aid companies from neighboring towns. I hesitate to imagine the chaos and trouble that would occur for the fire departments, trying to help us, if they encounter a dead end at such a critical location. Please communicate our opinion that Busky Lane should remain open.” July 21, 1989 – Department of Police “recommendation that Busky Lane be kept open for emergency reasons as well as a convenience to the residents of Raritan.” July 26, 1989 – The Planning Board Amended Resolution Amending Final Site Plan Approval (Specifically, Item 2 and Resolved) “Busky Lane will remain open until such time as the Mill St. extension is completed. At which time the road will be blocked off with a barrier and a berm with provisions made for pedestrian crossing only. Whereas, the Planning Board thereafter referred the matter to both the Fire Chief and Police Chief of the Borough of Raritan for their input concerning the final closure of Busky Lane from a health and safety standpoint, and; the owner of the Raritan Mall has applied for an amendment to the site plan approval requesting that Busky Lane remain open. The Board carefully considered the reports of the Chief of Police Sferra and Fire Chief Linder, both reports express numerous reasons for retaining Busky Lane as an open thoroughfare and no members of the public appeared in opposition to the application, notwithstanding public notice to all adjoining owners. Board members expressed various reasons why they thought it appropriate that the road remain open, which reasons include the concern for senior citizens, concerns for emergency fire and health access, concerns for the general convenience of citizens, concerns of for the minimization of traffic to and from the mall in questions. Be it Resolved by the Planning Board that the original Resolution granted final site approval be amended to provide that Busky Lane remain open. The Mayor and Council have, in fact, accepted Busky Lane as a public road maintained by said Borough.” “Mr. D. Moore, Planning Board Attorney, stated that the Board did not, at that time in 1983, set the time to contact the police chief and fire chief because they didn’t anticipate what would happen over in that area, at the time the Resolution was passed in 1983. The Board really felt that the Mill Street extension would be enough, but since that time we’ve been advised that the more accesses you have the better it is for safety concerns, the better it is for senior citizens, the better it is for emergencies and all that was not taken into full consideration in 1983”. January 6, 2010 – Chief of Department, Somerville Rescue Squad, Steve Weinman – “To date there have been no calls for EMS along Busky Lane or at the intersections of Busky Lane and Orlando or Glaser. While there are no residences along Busky Lane, this road does provide access to the rear of the shopping center and to the west side of the apartment complex and this access could be critical in case of a fire or other incident at either of these locations. The Somerville Squad has no opinion regarding the closure of the Busky Lane from an EMS point of view.” January 6, 2010 – Carl Memoli, Fire Chief – After a review of street maps, a visit to the site, a review of the fire hydrant locations, and consideration of a wide variety of potential incidents and conditions, we came to the conclusion that closing the northern end of Busky Lane would have minimal impact of the Fire Departments operation. Although, the FD is never fond of dead ends and gated roads in general. It would constitute an inconvenience.” January 8, 2010 – Department of Police, Chief Hess – It is the recommendation of the Police Department that Busky Lane remains open. · From 2000 – 2009 – a total of 20 accidents occurred. 18 at the intersection of Busky & Orlando · 2 on Glaser, one on the street and one at the intersection of Busky Lane. · The Police Department responds to aprox. 32 calls a year in the Raritan Mall. In 2009 the police responded to 34 calls. · A car count study from 1/1/10 – 1/7/10 found in a 24 hour period aprox. 40 cars used Busky Ln. daily. The car count recorder was set for both North and South. From this count, the data could not show if these cars were pulling out from the rear of the mall or traveling the entire length of Busky Lane. · The average speed was 23 mph · Patrol Officers opinion is that closing the roadway will cause delays in their response times for calls on Orlando Dr., Route 206 North from Orlando Dr. to Somerset St. and the same if they were in the Orlando Dr., Raritan Mall area, trying to respond back to Somerset St. I believe my research answers a lot of questions that up to this point have been left up in the air. - Busky Lane was and is a dedicated road, - Capital improvements have been spent on this Road. – This road does not appear to be overused, nor is excessive speeding a problem, although a serious accident did occur on Busky Lane and Glaser Avenue, I have to agree with the professionals past and present recommendations to leave Busky Lane open. Thank you.” Councilman Laggini wants to hear more residents concerns. Next Agenda. Motion was made by Councilman Laggini and seconded by Councilman Lobell to move into Executive Session. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk