Borough of Raritan Council Regular Meeting January 26, 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 8:13 p.m. Upon call of the roll: Mayor Liptak Councilman Laggini - Absent 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 Councilwoman Gara presented the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Public Comments None – public comment portion was closed Approval of Minutes December 15, 2009 Regular Session Minutes were present for approval. Motion was made by Councilwoman Wilson, seconded Council President Carra. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Abstain Councilman Lobell Abstain Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Absent Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Abstain January 12, 2010 Agenda Session minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by Councilwoman Gara, seconded by Council President Carra. Roll call was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Absent Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye RESOLUTIONS 2010 Budget Transfer 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 Absent Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Aye The above listed resolution was approved. Transportation Of Certain Pupils To Regional Schools The above listed resolution was tabled to next meeting. Committee Reports: Council President Carra reported that there is Department Head Budget Meetings on January 28th at 6:00 pm, which are open to the public. She also noted tax bills are due on February 1st, 2010 and have a ten day grace period. Council President Carra made motion to approve the release of $2,425 to Fiotakis Construction for final payment, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Wilson stated that the Board of Health wants a meeting with the Council to discuss the possible shared health services with Somerset County. The Council is exploring February 9th at 6:00 pm. Councilwoman Wilson also stated that John Horensky was present for the last Board of Health meeting and was very informative. Councilwoman Wilson reported that after the last heavy rains, there were some leaks in the Municipal Building that need to be looked into. Councilwoman Wilson made motion to approve the PSE&G Direct Install Program, seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Upon roll call vote, motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Wilson noted that DOT is installing cameras to monitor the traffic pattern at Route 28 and First Avenue. Councilwoman Gara read the police incidents report and noted a copy is available for the public in the police station. Councilwoman Gara reported that the Chamber of Commerce had their meeting on the 19th and Guy Gaetano was elected president and Angela Perrone was elected vice president, they meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. Councilman Lobell stated that the winter recreation programs are underway and welcomed the two new board members. He also noted that summer employment is available for lifeguards and activities. Councilman Lobell reported that Alex Salerno was appointed as the Library Board of Trustees President and they are taking estimates for external cameras for safety reasons. Mayor Liptak stated that anyone can sign up for a free “e newsletter” from the Somerset County Board of Freeholders web site. She also noted there was a new book out on John Basilone written by James Brady. Mayor Liptak congratulated all of the women who won awards from the Somerset County Status on Women. She also noted that Frank Forte resigned from the Board of Health after 33 years of service to Raritan Borough. Unfinished Business a. Busky Lane: was on Agenda b. General Code: draft with attorney for final review – meeting February 2nd. NEW BUSINESS Councilwoman Wilson made motion to approve Kathleen Faccone to the Board of Health, motion was seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Upon call of roll, motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Lobell made motion to approve caller ID for the Municipal Building, motion was seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Aye Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Absent Councilman Wilson Nay Councilman Lamaestra Nay Councilwoman Wilson commented that she feels Caller Id could be used for screening of calls. Councilman Lamaestra noted that he feels it is an invasion of privacy. Public Comment: Jim Foohey, 710 Rhine Blvd. inquired about raising the court fees for Somerville, Mayor Liptak replied that it is coming back up for discussion. Angela Perrone, Bound Brook Avenue, stated the following: she is President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department and Chief Memoli showed up unannounced and disrupted her meeting and ridiculed her to tears, asked the women to impeach her and she takes this reason being that she received 2 phone calls last month, as there was 3 incidents in the last 5 week where the auxiliary was not dispatched, nor called. She met with Chief Hess for 30 minutes and it is not possible for the police to dispatch her, she stated that they have a few radios and they monitor the calls and if they think they are going to be there long they show up. She then stated that Mr. Memoli got wind of this and was belligerent. She stated that before she goes to litigation, the Council should demand his full resignation immediately. Mayor Liptak confirmed with Ms. Perrone that Mr. Lane and Mr. Kratchun were with Mr. Memoli, and they did not come in until the end of the meeting and they explained why the Ladies Auxiliary was not called anymore. Mayor Liptak noted the Mr. Lane did not ask her to leave the building until after she threatened to sue him and he took umbrage with her comment. Mayor Liptak then advised her that the Council has no control over the Fire Department. Council President Carra made motion to approve the bills, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara made motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Wilson. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously passed. Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 pm. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk /pah