Borough of Raritan Council Regular Meeting January 12, 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 Councilman Lamaestra presented the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments Tom Granahan, 434 Raritan Avenue, stated last year he asked for a Dead End sign, it was up and then gone. Mr. Granahan wanted to know if 2 signs could be posted; 202 West with an arrow and one at Farrand and Quick pointing to First Avenue, he recommended it be put across from parking lot. He also stated that the snow plows never get beyond the intersection of Goellner Drive. Mike Patente, 30 Glaser Avenue, expressed his frustration and disappointment that the Busky Lane issue has been going on for two years and has come full circle. He stated that when Mall was first built it was agreed that traffic would not go up Busky Lane, then a gate came down and never went back up. Mr. Patente noted that the apartment complex is now built and still road is not closed. He got a petition from residents for a quality of life issue and safety issue. Mr. Patente pointed out that with a mountable curb police cars and fire trucks could go over in cases of emergency. Anthony DeCicco, 10 Anderson Street, congratulated new attorney; noted Councilwoman Gara did an extensive study on Busky Lane; Congratulated Councilman Laggini for asking for study prior to voting. Mr. DeCicco stated that keeping the road open makes for a quicker response for emergency services and a better chance for saving a life. Councilwoman Wilson stated that she liked the idea of a mountable curb, was leaning towards closing. also stated that she spoke with the owners of River Park; the tally of cars were 40 in a 24 hour period, some of those could have been drop offs for the day care. Jerry Cicero, 5 Woodmere Street, stated that he had to detour down Busky Lane this week due to construction elsewhere, and wants to know why the Council would consider closing it. He asked what the reasoning was and if the residents just want a private road? Don Tozzi, 38 Glaser Avenue, stated he has been living there 9 years and his main concern was tractor trailers going over curbs and breaking sidewalks. He suggested we get rid of the trees and sidewalks to give the trailers an easier way to get in and out. Eric Patente, 47 East Somerset Street, stated that when he, as a child, moved to Glaser Avenue, there was a safety issue when the Mall was built. He stated that people blow through the stop sign and there is much more traffic now, including commercial traffic. Mr. Patente stated that since he was in kindergarten that has been an issue there. Approval of Minutes December 15, 2009 Agenda, Regular and Executive Session Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by Council President Carra, seconded Councilwoman Wilson. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Abstain Councilman Lobell Abstain Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Abstain RESOLUTIONS THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY Department of State Division of Archives and Records Management PARIS Grants Program 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. 2010 RESOLUTION AUDITOR 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. Councilwoman Wilson commented that this resolution was not done at re-organization and asked why it is being addressed now and was not an agenda item. Mayor Liptak stated that she had rethought the concept made the decision without consultation. Councilwoman Wilson stated that she had agreed on January 3rd that Suplee, Clooney and Company should have been appointed as auditors. 2010 RESOLUTION ALTERNATE MUNICIPAL PROSECUTOR Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Laggini, seconded by Councilwoman Wilson. 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 RESOLUTION RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING SERVICES – 2010 Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilwoman Gara, 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 RESOLUTION APPOINTING LISA SIMONETTI TAX COLLECTOR/ TAX SEARCH OFFICER Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Laggini, seconded by Councilwoman Gara . 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 RESOLUTION TRANSPORTATION OF CERTAIN PUPILS TO REGIONAL SCHOOLS The above listed resolution was tabled to a future meeting. RESOLUTION RAILROAD MONTHLY PARKING REFUND Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Laggini, seconded by Council President Carra 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 RESOLUTION THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (OJJDP) ENFORCING THE UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS STATE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM, RESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICIPATION WITH THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL PROGRAM 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 RESOLUTION RE-APPOINT MUNICIPAL JUDGE Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Councilman Laggini, 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 thanked all Department Heads for submitting their budgets on time and reported that current tax collection rate is 99.11%. Council President Carra made motion to approve the release of $5,324 and $512 to Susan Rubright, Planning Board attorney for Somerville Circle title and redevelopment work, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Council President Carra stated that the Environmental Commission elected its 2010 officers, Brian Kaufman is the Chair and the Commission welcomed Jim Foohey. She also stated that they are going to continue with “Random Acts of Greenness”; want to place trees with plaques “in memory of”; are planning to do something special for Earth Day this year as it is the 40th anniversary. Council President Carra stated that she is looking forward to working with the Environmental Commission this year and their meetings are the first Wednesday of each month. Councilman Laggini thanked everyone for the Santa escort and all who worked at the recent structure fires in town, under difficult conditions. He also noted that the aerial scope is back and was fixed at no charge. Councilman Laggini stated the Fire Department budget was submitted to Council with no increase. Councilman Laggini made motion to approve the release of $1,515.40 to Firefighter One of Sparta, NJ for various tools and supplies, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Laggini made motion to approve the release of $2,288.80 to Absolute Fire Protection of South Plainfield, NJ for various tools and parts, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Laggini made motion to approve the release of $8,446.10 to Continental Fire & Safety Inc. of Trenton, NJ for various tools and equipment, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Laggini noted that Chief Memoli supplied multiple quotes. Councilman Laggini stated the Borough Calendar is coming along and will be an 18 month calendar starting March 1, 2010. He advised for anyone to see Dan who would like information to be added. Councilwoman Wilson stated the Rabies Clinic will be held 10:00 am to 1:00 pm this Saturday, and tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm is the next Board of Health Meeting. Councilwoman Wilson reported that there will be an H1N1 clinic on January 30th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the North Plainfield Middle School. Councilwoman Wilson noted that the report has been received from Dome Tech, County sponsored energy efficiency report, and is being reviewed. Councilwoman Wilson stated that she had the pleasure of speaking to Girl scout Troop 1269 on municipal government. Councilman Lamaestra congratulated Councilwoman Gara and Councilman Lobell and welcomed them to the Council. Councilman Lamaestra reported that Public Works, in addition to their regular duties, has been chipping brush, patching potholes, repaired plows, picking up Christmas trees, replaced plywood on the Pellichio house and moved the Santa House. Councilwoman Gara read the statistics of the Police Activity Report and informed the public that it is available for public inspection at Police Headquarters. Councilwoman Gara made motion to approve the release of $1,837.50 to GTBM of East Rutherford, NJ for 2010 yearly contract for MDT License, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara made motion to approve the release of $5,480.00 to Onooama Consulting of Bridgewater, NJ for a new police server and optiplex mini tower, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara made motion to approve the submitted Tower/Wrecker list for 2010, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara reported the Chamber of Commerce will award the house decorating winners at the next meeting on January 19th at 7:00 pm. Councilman Lobell stated that the winter recreation programs are in full swing and that baseball and softball registrations are open, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Recreation office and January 23rd, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the community room. Councilman Lobell reported noted that the Recreation Commission is upset they were rejected for the $1,000,000. grant they applied for and Recreation needs summer life guards. Councilman Lobell reported Library programs are going on and 66,718 people used the library last year, with 5,000 hours of computer time logged. Mayor Liptak welcomed Councilman Lamaestra back and noted that there was a gift card collection going on for the one family that was burned out of their home. She also thanked Jessica Marzacca, the bag piper at re-org., for a wonderful job. Mayor Liptak reported: the Manville VFW will be hosting a tribute to Vietnam Vets on January 23rd at 10:00 am; there will be a Community Energy Outreach meeting in Hunterdon this Friday at 11:00 am and DOT will be present to discuss 202 and First Avenue. Unfinished Business a. Busky Lane: place on next agenda b. General Code: received draft, under final edit NEW BUSINESS Councilman Laggini welcomed back Councilman Lamaestra and thanked Billy Salerno and Patty Fox for their dedication to Raritan Borough. Public Comment: Anthony DeCicco, 10 Anderson Street, stated that he had heard about closing Busky Lane with a barrier, and Council discussed a mountable curb, he also noted people complained about trucks but noted we need enforcement of our c urrents laws and proper signage. Don Tozzi, 38 Glaser Avenue, noted that all businesses in Westfield, on Sundays, give a discount to get people in and Raritan should consider doing the same. Councilwoman Wilson made motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously passed. Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk /pah