BOROUGH OF RARITAN
REGULAR MEETING
Nov 23rd
The Regular Meeting of the Borough of Raritan Council was held on November 23, 2010 in the Municipal Building,
22 First Street, Raritan, NJ 08869 at 8:00 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
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
Councilman Greg Lobell presented the invocation and flag salute.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 4, 2010 Special Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by Councilman Lobell
to approve, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
November 9, 2010 Special Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by Councilwoman Wilson
to approve, seconded by Council President Carra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
Lamaestra X
November 9, 2010 Agenda Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by Councilman Lobell
to approve, seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
November 9, 2010 Executive Session I & II Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by
Councilwoman Gara to approve, seconded by Council President Carra. Motion carried on the following
roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
November 9, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes were presented for approval with additions and corrections.
Motion was made by Councilwoman Wilson to approve, seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Motion carried on
the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
Lamaestra X
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Liptak read: At this point the Borough Council welcomes comments from any member of the public.
To help facilitate an orderly meeting and to permit the opportunity for anyone who wishes to be heard,
speakers are asked to limit their comments to 5 minutes. If reading from a prepared statement, please
provide a copy and email a copy to the Clerk’s Office after making your comments.
Michael De Cicco, 32 Alpine Way, Raritan: He referenced a letter he sent to the Governing Body dated
November 19, 2010 and inquired as to which law allows the imposition of Ordinance 2010-13.
Mark Anderson responded that he would only prepare a reply to the letter at the direction of the
Governing Body.
Mayor Liptak referenced the portion of Mr. De Cicco’s letter regarding the 14th amendment and asked
Mr. De Cicco for clarification.
Mr. De Cicco declined to answer.
Jim Foohey, 710 Rhine Blvd.: He questioned the Council’s decision not to move forward on the
Elizabeth Avenue project.
Mayor Liptak responded to his question stating the various reasons for postponing the project.
Councilwoman Wilson stated that she would have liked to have a meeting with the area owners to
discuss the costs.
Councilwoman Gara responded that area owners would be paying for road frontage they did not necessarily
need and several came forward to express their opposition.
Councilman Lobell noted that there was an alternative option for a driveway opening at the property
owner’s expenses.
Stanley J. Schrek explained the particulars of the timeline relating to the project.
ORDINANCES: PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ADOPTION
Ordinance 2010-15
Councilman Laggini moved and Councilwoman Wilson seconded the opening of the public hearing on
Ordinance 2010-15. Motion carried.
No one spoke.
Councilman Laggini moved and Councilman Lobell seconded the closing of the public hearing
on Ordinance 2010-15. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Gara and Councilwoman Wilson seconded the adoption of Ordinance 2010-15 on second and
final reading. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 82 OF THE RARITAN CODE, WHICH CHAPTER IS ENTITLED “VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC”,
TO PROHIBIT RIGHT TURNS FROM THE REAR OF THE RARITAN MALL ONTO BUSKY LANE
BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Raritan in the County of Somerset that the Code
of the Borough of Raritan of 1966 and heretofore amended be further amended as follows:
SECTION ONE:
Section 82-82.3 is hereby amended in its entirety as follows:
§82-82.3. Through streets, stop and yield intersections, no right turns.
A. Through streets. The following streets or parts of streets are hereby designated as
through streets. Stop signs shall be installed on the near right side of each street intersecting the
through street except where yield signs are provided for in the designation:
Name of Street Limits
Road A Entire length
Road B Entire length
Road H Entire length
Road I Entire length
B. Stop intersections. The following described intersections are hereby designated as stop intersections.
Stop signs shall be installed as provided therein:
Intersection Stop Signs On
Road B and Road C Road B
Road A and Orlando Drive Road A
Road H and Orlando Drive Road H
Road I and Orlando Drive Road I
Road J and Busky Lane Road J
Road O and Busky Lane Road O
C. No right turns onto Busky Lane. Right turns from the Raritan Mall onto Busky Lane are prohibited.
SECTION TWO:
This Ordinance shall take effect upon its final passage and publication according to law.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION - RAILROAD MONTHLY PARKING REFUND
Councilman Laggini moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilwoman Gara.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, the Administrator has informed the CFO that the purchaser of a monthly parking decal sticker
has returned the unused portion of the sticker and has requested that his/her money be refunded.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Raritan Borough Council that the CFO is hereby authorized to
refund monthly Railroad Parking Decals to the following commuters:
Hiren Shah, 80 Beach Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 0880 Dec. 2010 $40.00
Subrata Roy, 9 Lewis Drive, Bridgewater, NJ 08807. Dec. 2010 $40.00
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTION -CHAPTER 159: 2010 COPS IN SHOPS
Councilwoman Gara moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilman Lobell.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, NJS 40A:4-87 provides that the Director of the Division of Local Government Services may
approve the insertion of any special item of revenue in the budget of any county or municipality when
such item shall have been made available by law and the amount was not determined at the time of the
adoption of the budget; and
WHEREAS, the Director may also approve the insertion of an item of appropriation for an equal amount,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Borough of Raritan in the County of Somerset, New Jersey,
hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of
an item of revenue in the budget of the year 2010 in the sum of $2130.52, which is now available from
Division of Alcohol Beverage Control/Cops in Shops.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the like sum of $2130.52 is hereby appropriated under the caption
Cops in Shops;
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTION TO REFUND - SIDEWALK BOND $7,490.00
Council President Carra moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by
Councilman Lamaestra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, a Sidewalk Bond was required to provide the following guarantees with regard to a
project in Raritan Borough:
Sidewalk Bond-$7,490.00- for work at Somerset and Gaston Avenue
WHEREAS, the project has been completed and approved by the Borough Engineer, and
WHEREAS, the applicant has requested that the guarantees be released and returned to him.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Raritan in the
County of Somerset that the CFO is directed to release the funds to
Somerset Savings Bank, 802 Somerset St., Raritan, NJ 08869
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
APPROVAL OF BILLS LIST
Motion was made by Council President Carra to approve bills list, the motion was seconded by
Councilwoman Gara. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council President Carra reported that the next meeting of the Environmental Commission would be
December 1st. She congratulated the Bridgewater-Raritan High School varsity cheerleading squad and
wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilman Laggini thanked Bridgewater-Raritan school district for the opportunity to participate
in the Teach for a Day program and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Councilwoman Wilson reported for the Buildings and Grounds and, that the next Board of Health meeting
would be held on December 8, 2010 and they are looking to budget for a nurse.
Councilwoman Wilson made a motion to approve the 2010 Direct Install Program Application,
Participation Agreement and all other corresponding documents. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Lamaestra. Motion carried.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
Councilwoman Wilson offered the following remarks:
This will be my last council meeting. The schedule was recently changed for the December meeting date
and I now know that I will have a conflict. It has been 15 years that I have served Raritan Borough.
It has been both gratifying and frustrating. I have served both Democratic as well as Republican
administrations. I have been both the majority as well as the minority party. I have served as the
liaison to all departments and have served as Council President twice
I am proud of my accomplishments and have no regrets in my decision not to seek re-election.
My priorities have changed and I look forward to more travel and time with my family.
I would like to thank the people of Raritan for their support and encouragement over the last 15 years
that I have served. I have made many friendships and for that I will always be grateful.
A word about my council colleague, John Lamaestra… I feel that John is the heart and soul of
this governing body. His compassion and caring for others are qualities which will be missed.
I wish John and his family well and thank him for his 15 years of service to Raritan and
15 years of caring for our residents.
Let me conclude by wishing everyone and a Happy Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, may your
travels be safe. Thank you.
Councilman Lamaestra thanked the residents, the Governing Body, the volunteers and the staff.
He also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Raritan Borough Public Works Report for the Borough Council meeting of November 23, 2010 (as submitted).
Collected garbage, bulk pickup, removed tree stump from back of library.
Replaced sign on Wall St., repaired door and mirror on white mason dump truck.
Put up No Outlet sign on Raritan Ave., cleaned 1st Ave Park, cracked sealed on Loomis St.
Changed light bulbs at Municipal Building, vacuumed leaves, put out Flags for Veterans Day.
Councilwoman Gara thanked Maureen Wilson and John Lamaestra for their many years of service to the
community and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. She reported for the Chamber of Commerce and
the Police Department.
Councilwoman Gara made a motion to appoint Damian Morrone and Danielle Mahilo to the positions of
Dispatchers at the rate of $12 per hour in the Police Department. The motion was seconded by
Councilman Lobell. Motion carried.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
Councilman Lobell reported for the Library Board of Trustees and he thanked Maureen Wilson and
John Lamaestra for their many years of service to the community. He wished everyone a
Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Liptak reported on various items of correspondence, noting the Chicago Tribune article about
celebrity traveler Jon Seda that mentioned Raritan as one of his favorite cities. She thanked
John Lamaestra and Bill Peoples for the Veterans’ Day ceremony. She also thanked Maureen Wilson and
John Lamaestra for their many years of service to the community and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Councilman Laggini made a request to allow Frank D’Amore to use his personal vehicle until the repair
to his Borough vehicle is complete.
There was general consent from the Governing Body.
Ordinance 2010-16
Council President Carra made a motion and Councilwoman seconded the motion to adopt Ordinance 2010-16
with an effective date of January 1, 2011 on First Reading. Motion carried on the following
roll call vote.
CONSTRUCTION CODE FEES
Public Hearing will be held on December 14, 2010 at 8:00 pm.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
Councilman Lobell requested that an ad-hoc committee for the Dog Park be formed naming Don Tozzi and
himself as the initial members.
Mayor Liptak stated that she has the authority to create such a committee and was in agreement the
formation of the Dog Park committee.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No one spoke.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Gara moved to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Councilman Laggini. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rayna E. Harris, RMC
Borough Clerk