BOROUGH OF RARITAN AGENDA MEETING Nov 23rd The Agenda Meeting of the Borough of Raritan Council was held on November 23, 2010 in the Municipal Building, 22 First Street, Raritan, NJ 08869 at 6:30 pm. Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak presided and stated: Notice of this meeting has been made by advising The Courier News and the Star Ledger of the time, date and place of this meeting, posting a notice on the official bulletin board, on the Raritan Borough website, filing a copy in the Borough Clerk’s office and including this statement in the minutes. ROLL CALL Present: Victor Laggini, Maureen Wilson, John Lamaestra, Stefanie Gara, Greg Lobell and Denise Carra (at 7:09 pm) Absent: None Also Present: Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak; Daniel Jaxel, Borough Administrator; Mark Anderson, Borough Attorney; Stanley J. Schrek, Borough Engineer and Rayna E. Harris, Borough Clerk DISCUSSION 1. ENGINEER’S REPORT Stanley J. Schrek offered the Borough Engineer’s report. Orlando Drive Field work has been completed. Data plotting is completed. Mapping is progressing. Deliverables will be ready for submission to the County in early December. The field investigation clearly ties the easterly property line of Lot 7 to the earlier mapping that we have. The owner of the auto repair shop is parking vehicles on Borough property and should be directed to remove the vehicles. With the removal the vehicles from Borough property, a post and wire fence can be installed along the property line. The fence is funded through a County grant. Energy Audit/Direct Install Program Participation The Borough is in receipt of three proposals, as submitted by RJ Donnelly (County approved contractor), for work on the Direct Install program. It is our understanding that $50,000 is available as a direct grant for participation. With a cap of $50k, we recommend that all items, as outlined in the Scope of Work for the Municipal Building, be considered. This consists mainly of lighting improvements with a cost of $38,600.81. We also recommend that all the items outlined in the Scope of Work for the DPW Building be considered. This also consists of lighting improvements with a cost of $5,231.14. We recommend that the lighting improvements, only, be considered for the Anderson Street Firehouse. These improvements total $4,787.58. The improvements to the heating system, in the firehouse, can wait for a later grant. The total grant will be $48,619.53. Discussion on the above Engineer’s report followed. Mr. Schrek distributed and reviewed the Right of Way Evaluation Plans for: Canal Street, Mill Street and Orlando Drive to the Governing Body. He stated that the next step in the process is to meet with the County Engineer in the effort to have the County take over the road way. . Mayor Liptak questioned ownership of Block 117, Lot 7. Both Daniel Jaxel and Mr. Schrek confirmed County Ownership of that location to their knowledge. Councilwoman Maureen Wilson questioned if errors on the deeds would continue to be an issue, stating that this is the second time an error was discovered in recent weeks. Mark Anderson replied that it is nearly definite that errors are present on other deeds in the Borough of Raritan. Councilman Greg Lobell recused himself at this point. Mr. Schrek stated that the property line dispute regarding Lot 7 needs to be resolved. Councilman Victor Laggini questioned if legal action is necessary. Mr. Anderson noted that there is a potential for legal action, but it is now clearer with this latest survey. He stated that a letter will be sent with a copy of this survey specifically demanding the removal of their vehicles from the property. Councilwoman Stefanie Gara questioned the appearance of available parking behind the building. Councilman Lobell inquired about the progress on the Cardinal Woods Pump House and the current functionality of the pump station. Mr. Schrek stated that a field survey to locate the manholes was performed and he will prepare a request for TV inspection of the lines to get a handle on the I&I problem. He agreed to follow up on the status of the pump station. 2. DIRECT INSTALL APPLICATION Mr. Schrek referenced the scope of work provided by RJ Donnelly and advised not to take action on the Anderson Street Fire House at the suggestion of Mr. Jaxel. He agreed with everything included in the plan for the Municipal building and the Public Works building. Mr. Jaxel requested the Council consider authorizing the submission during the Regular Meeting. Councilwoman Wilson agreed to offer the motion. 3. 2011 ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACT Mr. Jaxel noted that he received the 2011 contract from St. Hubert’s, which would cost approximately $22,700.00; he has requested quotes from other service providers and will continue to research. Councilwoman Wilson noted that this was researched previously and the conclusion was that St. Hubert’s was the best for Raritan. Councilman Lobell stated his desire to look at other service providers. Councilwoman Gara questioned if the Borough can form a coalition with other towns in a combined contract. 4. POLICE SOP Councilwoman Gara stated that Chief Ciesla notified her that the Police Department Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) have not been updated in over 15 years and he has made some revisions/modifications that he would like reviewed by the Borough Attorney, at Council’s direction. Mr. Jaxel stated that previously Chiefs discussed pooling resources and requesting Steve Glickman conduct the review and modifications. Councilwoman Gara noted that Chief Ciesla’s version is complete and ready for review. Mayor Liptak suggested waiting for review until after the County meeting on December 9, 2010. Councilman Lobell requested an estimate from Mr. Anderson on the cost to review the SOPs. Mr. Anderson agreed to provide an estimate. 5. RAFFLE & BINGO LICENSE FEES Rayna E. Harris distributed the state fee schedule for Raffles and Bingos, explaining that the Borough of Raritan has not passed an ordinance setting a fee schedule and therefore follows the state guidelines. She noted that the idea of changing the fees arose from the Moose Lodge pull tab application with a cost of $750 to both the Borough and the State of New Jersey. Councilwoman Gara noted that the Moose Lodge is very charitable to the community. Councilman Laggini and Councilman Lamaestra questioned the fees to the State and charged by other municipalities. Ms. Harris noted that the only municipality to change the fee schedule was Bridgewater which lowered the raffle license fee to $10. She also noted that in having an ordinance drafted for the fee schedule it is also permissible to appoint the Municipal Clerk as the “issuing authority”. Ms. Harris further stated that the purchase of licensing software is being explored. There was general agreement of the Governing Body to waive the pull tab raffle license fee for certain class of charitable organizations and designate the Municipal Clerk as the issuing authority. Mr. Anderson was directed to draft an ordinance for consideration in early 2011. 6. DOG & CAT LICENSES FEES Ms. Harris that the Governing Body has the authority to raise the animal licensing fees by ordinance up to $21 and explained the structure of the fee distribution. She suggested raising the fees to $10 for spayed/neutered animals and $15 non-altered animals, the same fee for both cats and dogs. Ms. Harris also suggested raising the late fees to $2 per month up to $10. The Governing Body questioned the number of animals licensed in the Borough. Ms. Harris agreed to forward that information immediately following the meeting and She suggested mailing be conducted for all residents to satisfy the dog census requirement. Councilwoman Wilson suggested a gradual increase of the fees. Mayor Liptak and Councilman Lobell suggested making the fee an even dollar amount. There was general agreement of the Governing Body to raise animal licenses fees to for $7 for spayed/neutered animals, spayed/neutered animals and $10 non-altered animals and raising the late fees to $2 per month up to $10. Mr. Anderson was directed to draft an ordinance for consideration in early 2011. 7. CONSTRUCTION CODE FEES ORDINANCE Jolanta Maziarz stated that this ordinance needed to be considered at the Regular Meeting due to there only being one scheduled meeting in December and so that if passed the ordinance would go into effect for January 2011. She also noted that the ordinance was draft in the DCA recommended format. Mr. Anderson noted that the ordinance was written with an immediate start date, but for ease of implementation the effective date can be changed to January 1st. Mayor Liptak stated that this ordinance would be considered under new business. PUBLIC COMMENTS No one spoke. A motion was made by Councilman Greg Lobell and seconded by Councilwoman Maureen Wilson to move into Executive Session. Motion carried. Councilwoman Stefanie Gara motioned to close the Executive Session and to return to the normal order of business; the motion was seconded by Council President Denise Carra. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Councilman Victor Laggini moved to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Councilman John Lamaestra. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rayna E. Harris, RMC Borough Clerk