Borough of Raritan Council Agenda Meeting March 9, 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 Daniel Laverde, Public Works Superintendent Robert Fulminante, Public Works Foreman Meeting with DPW Superintendent and Foreman Council asked Danny and Bobby’s opinions on bulk trash pick up, they both agreed that bulk trash should be picked up every month from March to October and November through February there should be no bulk pick up. Dan Laverde suggested the Council consider a sticker system for bulk pick up. Mayor Liptak asked Dan’s opinion of recycle cans on Main street, and Danny did not think it would be a good idea as they would get filled with garbage and not recycling. Councilwoman Wilson noted that she would only consider the cans with the small opening for cans and bottles. Dan suggested that grass clippings be dropped off at DPW by the residents instead of DPW doing pick up. He noted that yard waste could be brought to a recycling center in Finderne, which turns it into compost, for approximately $18 per yard compared to $79 per yard the Borough has to pay at the landfill. Council discussed the need to educate residents on mulching mower blades. Dan Jaxel noted that an employee would have to be paid over time on Saturdays to be at the garage to receive yard clippings but that tonnage could be reduced, which would be a cost savings to the Borough. Councilwoman Wilson suggested that the Environmental Commission could help to educate residents. Stan Schrek noted that DEP would have to approve yard waste being dropped off at DPW as the garage is in a flood plain. Bob Fulminante stated that it is illegal to throw grass clippings in the landfill. Council agreed to raise the fine for illegal dumping by non-residents to $2,500 per incident. Engineer’s Report 2009 Sewer Billings All water data has been reviewed and reduced. We are awaiting the $/MGD to be able to finalize the billing. 2010 TAX MAP REVISIONS The Borough Tax Assessor has provided our office with revisions to be included with the yearly tax map updates. We are meeting this Friday, with Glen, to review the maps. CDBG Applications Applications were submitted, this Wednesday, for Improvements to Third Street, as the priority application and Traffic Calming on Bell Avenue as the secondary project. 2010 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation The Borough has a standing grant, from CBDG, for sanitary sewer rehabilitation on Orlando Drive. We applied for this grant in anticipation of receiving funding for road improvements Orland Drive. Pending any future developments in the regard, we have petitioned the County to allow the sewer work to be performed on tributary sections of the sewer system leading to Orlando Drive. Bids will be received, for this project, on 3/23 with the anticipation of awarding the project at the Council meeting that evening. Gaston Brook Stream Cleaning Manual stream cleaning is scheduled for Saturday, 3/13. Twenty “guests” from the County jail will be joining Councilman Lamaestra, DPW and myself from 9:00am until 2:00pm. Councilman Laggini asked if a top layer of macadam could be run over Orlando Drive to improve the road, Stan Schrek stated that the base is unstable and it would be throwing money away until the sublayer is stabilized. Councilman Laggini then inquired if it would be feasible to temporarily patch some of the holes; Stan stated that it is up to DPW to perform that work. . Councilman Laggini asked what a load of patch would cost and was told approximately $2000 by Mr. Schrek. Dan Jaxel noted the budget for DPW was $33,000 for the entire year, and that includes everything. Councilman Laggini expressed his displeasure about the County putting millions of dollars into football fields and our roads are falling apart. Stan Schrek stated that he is meeting with the gentleman who did the HVAC report and will address the recommendations in his next Engineers Report.Councilman Lobell stated that a resident complained the new “green” street lights PSE&G installed are not as bright as the old lights and asked if it was possible to get a double light. Dan Jaxel asked Mr. Lobell to get him a pole number and he would call PSE&G. Energy Audit Meeting Dan Jaxel stated that there needs to be meeting set up for this during the day, which would take approximately half an hour. 2010 Municipal Budget Council agreed to schedule this budget workshop for Saturday, March 27th at 9:00 AM Economic Development Mayor Liptak was taking recommendations for volunteers to be on the Economic Development Committee. Councilman Lobell, Dave Papera, Bob Geiger, Jennifer Capici, John Murphy and Ray Tropiano were mentioned. Mayor Liptak would like a resolution for the next meeting making appointments. Illegal Dumping Penalty Council was all in agreement to amend ordinance to increase fines. Mayor Liptak mention a meeting that took place with Mr. Anderson, Councilwoman Carra, Dan Jaxel and herself regarding the re-codification of the code book. Councilwoman Wilson stated that the Council should have been advised of this and given a chance to attend, she also advised Mr. Anderson that in the future all meetings should be discussed before the governing body, for them to decide if they want to attend. Housing Ordinance Council agreed to meet March 30th at 6:00 PM to discuss the Borough housing ordinance. Train Parking Collection Machine Dan Jaxel asked Council if they wish to appropriate monies for a collection machine at the train station parking lot. NJ Transit will not consider paying for it. Councilwoman Garra noted that currently there is no way for the police to know who is paying for what and likes the idea. Council agreed to mark this issue as an item for budget workshop. HVAC Evaluation Will be addressed in next Engineers Report. Hotel Tax Mayor Liptak stated that the Borough is entitled to charge a 3% tax on hotel rooms however, renters/occupants that are there 90 days or more are considered a permanent resident and we could not collect tax on, also any rooms rented by the County or State for indigent peoples are also excluded. Councilwoman Wilson inquired if we have a percentage of residents paid for by the County/State at the local hotel. Councilwoman Gara offered to look into getting the relevant information. Municipal Calendar Bills Councilman Laggini stated the costs for the Municipal calendar are $6,761 for the printing of the actual calendar; $875.22 for postage and $125 for pictures. To be motioned in regular session. Councilman Laggini noted that the Borough calendar was fully paid for by sponsorships and did not come out of tax payer dollars. Junior Firefighter, Daniel Memoli To be motioned in regular session. Busky Lane Councilwoman Gara stated that a meeting was held on March 5th to discuss Busky Lane and it was decided to place two “No Right Turn” signs at the exits from the shopping center for 6 months and then re-examine to see if there has been any improvement. Councilwoman Wilson stated that there will also be a revaluation of all 12 signs on Busky Lane, as some are redundant. The Council is also looking into have DPW paint “25 MPH” or “SLOW” as you go up the hill. Councilman Lamaestra stated that Peter Starrs sent a letter to him to set up a meeting and asked Council if they would like Mr. Starrs to appear before them. Council agreed to have Mr. Starrs attend a Council meeting, Councilman Lamaestra will check with Mr. Starrs on dates and let everyone know. Motion was made by Councilman Laggini and seconded by Councilwoman Gara to move into Executive Session. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk