Borough of Raritan Council Regular Meeting March 9, 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 8:17 p.m. Upon call of the roll: Mayor Liptak Councilman Laggini Councilwoman Wilson Councilman Lamaestra – Left to Attend Board of Ed. Meeting Councilwoman Gara Councilman Lobell – Left to Attend Board of Ed. Meeting 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 Jim Foohey, 710 Rhine Blvd., Suggested that agendas also be posted on the Borough web site and expressed pleasure for the budget meeting being held on a Saturday, where more of the public could attend and comment. Jim Fiddicaro, Lynwod Street, stated that there is a group of residents who are interested in preserving the history and culture of Raritan, which goes back to the 1600’s. He also noted that there are many more stories other than the heroism of John Basilone that need to told and preserved before they are lost forever. Mr. Fiddicaro asked the Council to consider forming a seven member Cultural and Heritage Commission. Michael Bessaparis, Somerset Hills Towing, offered assistance in updating the towing ordinance. He stated that Raritan’s ordinance is overdue to be updated for rates and new state statutes. Mike Patente, Glaser Avenue, asked for a clarification of the No Right Turn signs to be posted on Busky Lane. Stan Schrek explained that there will be two No Right Turn signs at the exits of the shopping center property and SLOW or STOP AHEAD painted on the road, with review in six months. RESOLUTIONS RAILROAD MONTHLY PARKING REFUND Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Council President Cara, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Absent Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Absent The above listed resolution was approved. 2009 BUDGET TRANSFER Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Council President Cara, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Absent Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Absent The above listed resolution was approved. 2010 SPECIAL TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS PAYMENT OF NOTE INTEREST Motion was made to approve the above listed resolution by Council President Cara, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Roll call vote was as follows: Councilwoman Gara Aye Councilman Lobell Absent Council President Carra Aye Councilman Laggini Aye Councilwoman Wilson Aye Councilman Lamaestra Absent The above listed resolution was approved. Committee Reports: Council President Carra reported that there budget workshop on March 27th at 9:00 AM Council President Carra reported that the Municipal Court brought in $27,370 for the month of February, reminded residents that the canal clean up was scheduled for April 24th rain or shine. Councilman Laggini made motion to accept Daniel Memoli as a Junior Firefighter, seconded by Council President Carra. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Councilman Laggini stated that he had received a letter from Mrs. Santos informing him that she has launched a website, johnchritable.org, to help bring attention to suicidal depression and a second ribbon ceremony will held on May 1st, with Council permission. Council unanimously approved the ribbon ceremony request. Councilman Laggini stated the Rescue Squad has requested a donation from the Borough of Raritan in the amount of $12,000 for the 2010 calendar year. Raritan represents 19% of call volume. Will be further discussed at budget workshop. Councilman Laggini made motion to approve paying all bills for the Borough Calendar, $6,761 to Kinko’s for printing; $875.22 for postage and $125 to Wilde Photography for pictures, motion seconded by Councilwoman Wilson. Upon call of the roll motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Wilson advised the public that there will be a Board of Health meeting on March 10th at 6:30 PM. She also noted that the Board of Health vote to increase the fees of certified documents from the Registrars from $10 to $20. Councilwoman Wilson read statement from the Board of Health encouraging all resident to still get their H1N1 vaccinations, as the flu is present and there is no longer a shortage of the vaccinations, they are available to everyone. Councilwoman Wilson stated that as an Elected Official, Registered Nurse and liaison to Board of Health she is adamantly opposed the selling of tobacco products on County owned golf courses and parks. Councilwoman Gara reported that the Planning Board voted down the proposed Willow Walk development at their last meeting. The Chamber of Commerce is meeting Tuesday, March 2nd. Councilwoman Gara congratulated Officer Holt, Detective Fisher and Detective Aquaviva for a job well done and offered condolences to the family and friends of the young man who was killed in an automobile accident on Orlando Drive. Councilwoman Gara made motion to accept the resignation of Police Dispatcher Deirdre Boyle, motion seconded by Councilman Laggini. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Councilwoman Gara advised the public that March 5th is Read Across America, and on March 11th she and the Mayor will be speaking to the third grade at Kennedy school about local government. Mayor Liptak offered her full support to Councilwoman Wilson with her disapproval at the selling of tobacco products on County golf courses and parks. She also reminded the public to change their clocks this weekend for daylight savings time. Council President Carra made motion to approve the purchase of spring banners for Somerset Street at the cost of $2,000, motion seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Mayor Liptak stated that April is National Volunteer Month and on April 26th will be the Borough awards ceremony for Volunteer of the Year. She also noted that nomination forms are available in Borough Hall. Mayor Liptak asked the Council for approval of the Borough Newsletter, Councilwoman Wilson noted that she would like to see more input from Property Maintenance, Board of Health, Environmental Commission, and Fire Official. She also noted that it could be used for educational input to the residents. Councilman Laggini would like to see information about the Borough website included in the newsletter. Mayor Liptak stated that she would like to form an ad hoc committee for the sole purpose of researching and writing grants for the Borough. She asked anyone interested to contact her. Mayor Liptak congratulated Robert Fulminante on his upcoming Recycling Coordinator Certification. Unfinished Business a. Busky Lane: was on Agenda b. General Code: draft with attorney for final review c. Sanitizing Council Chambers: Councilman Laggini noted there is a residual up to 20 days and recommends only having this done in the event of an outbreak. NEW BUSINESS Councilwoman Carra noted the Environmental Commission is concerned that the cleaning people of the Municipal Building may not be recycling, Dan will speak to them. Council President Carra asked Mark Anderson to look at who is responsible for maintaining trees in a public right of way. Public Comment: Don Tozzi, noted that the Borough calendar is great but the Busky Lane issue is a let down on how it was handled and how long it took to come to a conclusion. He stated that the Council should be reaching to more people overall and not just certain areas. Bill Cunningham, 31 Glaser Avenue, Stated that discussion on whether or not to clean the Council chambers is not business related to the audience; noted that we are talking about forming an ad hoc committee and asked about filling the dispatcher position. Mayor Liptak commented that the use of the County dispatch system is not something that we have discarded, for them to do a thorough on site exam would take about six months and we have had a serious problem with the dispatch signals and lag time from the County. Anthony Soriano, 215 Frelinghuysen Avenue, suggested that we update the old Borough website to include the 2010 meeting dates, as 2009 is still listed. Mike Patente, suggested that the Borough tries the County dispatch system during daylight hours to monitor the usefulness. He also noted that the upcoming discussion on the Housing Ordinance should include something to make sure that what happened to the old Hannon Funeral Home turning into a boarding home does not happen again. Jim Foohey, asked if the Council was considering making changes to the bulk pick up schedule. Mayor Liptak responded that they are considering doing pick ups only in the summer months and using a sticker system for the winter months. Mr. Foohey commented that the pictures in the new Borough calendar are the best he has ever seen. Councilwoman Wilson made motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Upon call of the roll, motion was unanimously approved. Meeting was adjourned at 9:16 pm. Respectfully submitted, Pamela A. Huefner, RMC, CMR Borough Clerk /pah