BOROUGH OF RARITAN
REGULAR MEETING
Oct 26, 2010
The Regular Meeting of the Borough of Raritan Council was held on October 26, 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
Councilwoman Maureen Wilson presented the invocation and flag salute.
SWEARING IN OF OFFICERS
2010 RESOLUTION
NEW POLICE SERGEANT – JOHNSON
Councilwoman Stefanie Gara moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by
Council President Denise Carra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, there is a vacant Police Sergeant position in the Raritan Borough Police Department; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Raritan that Dale Johnson,
be promoted to Police Sergeant at an annual base salary of $90,756, effective October 27, 2010.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
Mayor Liptak administered the Oath of Office to Officer Johnson.
2010 RESOLUTION
NEW POLICE SERGEANT- FISHER
Councilwoman Stefanie Gara moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Council President
Denise Carra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, there is a vacant Police Sergeant position in the Raritan Borough Police Department; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Raritan that Thomas Fisher,
Police Patrolman, be promoted to Police Sergeant at an annual base salary of $90,756, effective October 27, 2010.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
Mayor Liptak administered the Oath of Office to Officer Fisher.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October 12, 2010 Special Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by
Council President Carra to approve, seconded by Councilman Lobell. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
X Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
October 12, 2010 Agenda Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by
Councilwoman Gara to approve, seconded by Councilman Lobell. 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
October 12, 2010 Executive Session Minutes were presented for approval and Councilman
Victor Laggini added his correction for the record. Motion was made by Councilwoman Wilson to approve,
seconded by Councilman Lamaestra. Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
October 12, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Motion was made by
Councilwoman Gara to approve, seconded by Councilman Lobell. 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
PUBLIC COMMENTS
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 printed
copy and e-mail an electronic copy to the Borough Clerk’s Office after making your comments.
Jeremy Friedman, 811 Elizabeth Avenue: He inquired about the local assessment to the adjacent property
owners relating to the Elizabeth Avenue extension project and the effect if on home values.
Mayor Liptak and Mark Anderson responded to his questions.
Marie Vale, 1087 1st Avenue: She questioned what could be done about the panhandlers in front of
the Quick Check.
Mayor Liptak and Lt. Robert Ludwig responded.
Anthony De Cicco, 10 Anderson Street: He commented that if the lots on Elizabeth Avenue in the area of
the extension project are being built by developers, then the taxpayers should not be held responsible
for the costs. Mr. De Cicco volunteered to serve on the Assessment Committee if then when it was formed.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION –
RAILROAD MONTHLY PARKING REFUND
Councilman Laggini moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilman Lobell.
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:
Michael Reeder, 12 Seminde Road, Skillman, NJ 08558 Oct. to Dec. 2010 = $120.00
Gao Xun Wu, 12 Colmart Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Oct. to Dec. 2010 = $120.00
Helen Gucwa, 741 Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 Oct. to Dec. 2010 = $120.00
Robert Colonna, 588 Cabot Hill Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Oct. to Dec. 2010 =$120.00
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
X Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF BINGO LICENSE
Councilman Laggini moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilwoman Gara.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, the following organizations have made application to the Borough of Raritan, Somerset County,
for a Bingo License; and
WHEREAS, said applications have been presented to the Governing Body and the Police Department for
Findings and Determinations; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk has reported that the proper fees have been paid;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk be instructed to issue a Bingo licenses to the following:
NUMBER ORGANIZATION DATE OF RAFFLE
BA-510 St. Ann’s Catholic Church Sundays; January 2- June 12, 2011at 7:00 pm
BA-511 HAS St. Ann’s School Tuesdays; January 4- June 28, 2011 at 7:30 pm
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
X Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF RAFFLE LICENSE
Councilwoman Gara moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilman Laggini.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, the following have made application to the Borough of Raritan, Somerset County, for a
Raffle License; and
WHEREAS, said applications have been presented to the Governing Body and the Police Department for
Findings and Determinations; and
WHEREAS, the Clerk has reported that the proper fees have been paid;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Clerk be instructed to issue a Raffle license to the following:
NUMBER NAME OF ORGANIZATION DATE OF RAFFLE
RA-512 PTO – John F. Kennedy Primary School Inc 03/04/2011 Tricky Tray
RA-513 PTO – John F. Kennedy Primary School Inc 03/04/2011 On-site Raffle
RA-514 PTO – John F. Kennedy Primary School Inc 03/04/2011 Off-site Raffle
RA-515 PTO – John F. Kennedy Primary School Inc 03/04/2011 On-site 50/50
RA-516 PTO – John F. Kennedy Primary School Inc 03/04/2011 Off-site 50/50
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
X Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
CHAPTER 159 -2010 Regional Center Partnership Challenge Grant Award
Council President Carra 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 items of revenue in the budget of any county
or municipality when such items shall have been made available by law and the amounts were not determined
at the time of the adoption of the budget; and
WHEREAS, the Director may also approve the insertion of any items 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 $20,000.00, which is now available from the
Somerset County, Regional Center Partnership, Environmental Sustainability Master Plan Element.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the like sum of $20,000.00 is hereby appropriated under the caption
Regional Center Partnership Challenge Grant Award.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
X Lobell X
X Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
RESOLUTION - SEWER EXTENSION
Councilwoman Gara moved to approve the following resolution and was seconded by Councilman Lobell.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote.
WHEREAS, ATA Developers, Inc. has filed a Sewer Extension Permit Application in conjunction with the
Willow Walk age restriction conversion approved by the Planning Board on September 22, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Sewer Permit Extension will extend the Borough’s sanitary sewer system into Willow Walk as
per the age restriction conversion concept plan approved by the Planning Board; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Raritan that the Borough Engineer
is authorized to consent, on behalf of the Borough, to a Treatment Works Approval Permit Application and
a Statement of Consent to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the aforesaid
Willow Walk project.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson 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.
Councilwoman Wilson requested an explanation of the item from Woolson Sutphen Anderson on the bill list.
Mark Anderson and Daniel Jaxel offered an explanation of the bill, noting the Gannet Case and
ordinance preparation.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
Lamaestra X
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council President Carra reported for the Environmental Commission. She congratulated Officer Dale Johnson and
Officer Thomas Fisher on their promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
Councilman Laggini thanked the Fire Department for the Annual Inspection Dinner and congratulated Officer
Dale Johnson and Officer Thomas Fisher on their promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
Councilman Laggini made a motion to approve the purchase order request Absolute Fire Protection Co. in the
amount of $2,464.00. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Motion carried.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
X Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
X Wilson X
Lamaestra X
Councilwoman Wilson reported for the Board of Health, noting the 11/13/10 Drive Thru Flu Clinic.
She thanked the Fire Department for the Annual Inspection Dinner and congratulated Officer Dale Johnson and
Officer Thomas Fisher on their promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
Councilman John Lamaestra made a motion to approve the purchase order request Pumping Services.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Laggini. Motion carried.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
Lobell X
Carra X
X Laggini X
Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
Councilman John Lamaestra made a motion to approve the Agreement for Leaf Disposal in the amount of $4,000.00.
The motion was seconded by Councilman Lobell. Motion carried.
MOTION SECOND NAME YEAS NAYS ABSTAIN ABSENT
Gara X
X Lobell X
Carra X
Laggini X
Wilson X
X Lamaestra X
Councilman Lamaestra offered the Department of Public Works report. He thanked the Fire Department for the
Annual Inspection Dinner and congratulated Officer Dale Johnson and Officer Thomas Fisher on their promotion
to the rank of Sergeant.
Councilwoman Gara:
POLICE
Mandatory Training and Policy Implementation for the response to an active shooter was instituted by the
New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office in 2007 for all law enforcement to follow. In April of 2010
Raritan Borough Police Lt Kenneth McCormick attended training in the Response to An Active Shooter
(train the trainer) at the Somerset County Police Academy. Training consisted of 40 hrs of classroom and
tactical maneuvers. On Saturday October 16th 2010 eight (8) members of the Raritan Borough Police Department
participated in an 8 hr training session with Lt McCormick at a Somerset County Facility in Hillsborough NJ.
As of October 16, 2010 all Offices of the Raritan Borough Police Department from the rank of Chief of Police
down to Junior Patrol Officer have received the mandatory training in the Response to An Active Shooter.
I would like to congratulate Officer Dale Johnson and Officer Thomas Fisher on the promotion to Sergeant.
Officer Dale Johnson started his Law Enforcement Career with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department and
was later hired as a patrol officer with the Raritan Borough Police Department June 26, 1998. Officer
Thomas Fisher also started his career with the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department and was hired as a
patrol officer with the Raritan Borough Police Department on September 28, 2001. Both officers have spent
their careers in the Patrol Division and Investigative Division. Both officers compliment the department
with their vast knowledge and experience. We wish them well in their new endeavor.
On November 13th 2010 between the hours of 10am and 2pm the Raritan Borough Police Department will be
participating in a national public health initiative, featuring a day of collection of unwanted, unused,
and expired medicine called American Medicine Chest Challenge. This event gives residents an opportunity
to clean out their medicine cabinets of old and unwanted medicine. The location of the medicine drop off
will be the Raritan Borough Police Department located at 20 First Street Raritan NJ. If anyone has any
questions please do not hesitate to call headquarters and speak with Lt Robert Ludwig.
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board will be meeting on Wednesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Councilman Lobell reported for Recreation and the Library Board of Trustees. He thanked the Fire Department
for the Annual Inspection Dinner and congratulated Officer Dale Johnson and Officer Thomas Fisher on their
promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
Mayor Liptak reported on various items of correspondence. She thanked the Fire Department for the Annual
Inspection Dinner and congratulated Officer Dale Johnson and Officer Thomas Fisher on their promotion to
the rank of Sergeant. Mayor Liptak encouraged all parents to attend the Bully Awareness Workshop on
October 28, 2010 in the Borough Hall Community Room. She appointed the members to the Raritan Youth on Main.
Mayor Liptak announced that she will act as the OEM Coordinator through 12/31/10.
OLD BUSINESS
Councilwoman Wilson questioned if the Railroad citizen Alliance group met.
Mayor Liptak stated that the meeting was cancelled, yet to be rescheduled.
NEW BUSINESS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ed Machala, 9 Barbieri Court: He questioned grass clippings being accepted by DPW on a more flexible schedule
with expanded hours.
Councilmen John Lamaestra and Greg Lobell and Daniel Jaxel responded to his question.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilwoman Gara moved to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Council President Carra. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rayna E. Harris, RMC
Borough Clerk