BOROUGH OF RARITAN
AGENDA MEETING
Sept 28th, 2010
The Agenda Meeting of the Borough of Raritan Council was held on September 28, 2010 at the Municipal Building,
22 First Street, Raritan, NJ 08869 at 6:30 pm.
A. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
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 web site, and filing a copy in the Borough Clerk’s office and including this statement
in the minutes.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Victor Laggini, Maureen Wilson, John Lamaestra, Stefanie Gara, and Denise Carra
Absent: Greg Lobell
Also Present: Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak; Daniel Jaxel, Borough Administrator; Mark Anderson, Borough Attorney
and Rayna E. Harris, Borough Clerk
C. DISCUSSION
1. ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mayor Jo-Ann Liptak offered the Borough Engineer’s report.
2009 Road Program
This project has been completed. A punch-list has been prepared for noted minor deficiencies.
Cell Tower Bid
It is understood that representatives from T-Mobile visited the DPW yard to determine possible locations of
the cell tower and ancillary equipment. Their suggestions, once received, will be reviewed for possible
inclusion in the bid documents.
Elizabeth Avenue
A public hearing will be scheduled for October 12, at 6pm, preceding the Council meeting. The purpose of the
meeting will be to inform the local community of the proposed extension of Elizabeth Avenue. As a basis for
distribution of notice, a 200’ list, from the established Elizabeth Avenue ROW, was prepared.
Orlando Drive
Per the discussion at the last Council meeting our surveyors have commenced work on the verification of the
Orlando Drive ROW. Deeds have been researched and are being plotted. A field crew will be onsite throughout
the week of 9-27.
Willow Walk
The Planning Board, on 9-22-2010, approved the concept conversion plan. Site plan approval, under the conversion
law, is by the Municipal Engineer. I will keep the Council informed, through this report, as the process
moves forward.
Daniel Jaxel noted that a meeting was scheduled for September 29, 2010 to discuss the completion of the
bid documents. He received authorization from the mayor to mail notices of the Elizabeth Avenue
extension public hearing on October 12, 2010.
2. CAPITAL BUDGET
Daniel Jaxel presented the 2010 capital budget considerations dated August 24, 2010.
Fire Department:
A. Turnout gear washer-extractor - $6,000-$8,000
Recreation:
A. Security cameras for parks - $7,500 (Recreation Special Account to pay for equal $7,500 balance)
Public Works Department:
A. Replacement for two mason (smaller) dump trucks - $95,000
Other Roads/Public Works, Borough Engineer
A. Supplement to Transportation Trust Grant for reconstruction of Johnson Drive - $111,136
B. Reconstruction of Roderer Drive - $35,000
C. Rebuild Ortho Drive Pump Station pumps - $100,000
D. The undertaking of a study in connection with the acquisition of a right-of-way on Orlando Drive - $30,000
TOTAL: $386,636
Mayor Liptak polled the Council and all agreed with the proposed Capital Budget.
Mr. Jaxel stated that he will contact the Bond counsel to prepare the necessary documents.
Councilwoman Stefanie Gara questioned if Councilman Victor Laggini was able to get in contact with
Fire Chief Carl Memoli.
Councilman Laggini read a letter from the Fire Chief regarding the generator.
3. COPIER FOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
Daniel Jaxel stated that Annie Lella and Rayna E. Harris accompanied him at a demonstration of the new upgraded
model of the current copier. He noted that the copier is being purchased on state contract including all toner
and maintenance, will be able to interface with the networked office computers and the rate (price) will
remain unchanged.
4. PROPOSED DOG PARK
This item was tabled until the October 12, 2010 Agenda Meeting.
5. CELL TOWER BID SPECS
Mark Anderson noted that the discussion took place on site and the T-Mobile contractor will submit a proposal
as to the layout on site of the tower and equipment within a week. He noted that the Public Works Director,
Engineer, Borough Administrator and himself would review the proposal. The approved proposal would be
incorporated into the bid specs and presented to the Governing Body at the October 12, 2010 meeting.
6. PROPERTY MAINTENANCE SOFTWARE
Councilwoman Gara noted that the sub-committee met with Jack Flood of Spatial Data Logic, to discuss the
potential use the software product in the property maintenance department. She noted that the total cost
including the iPad would be $8,000.
Mr. Jaxel noted that funds to purchase the software is in the budget; $7,500 from the property maintenance
line and $500 from construction. He noted that he would verify if the software is under State Contract.
Councilman Gara agreed to offer the purchase order request under new business during the Regular Meeting.
7. PLANTINGS/SHRUBS AT BOROUGH HALL
Mayor Liptak spoke with Somerset County Vo Tech to have them come to Borough Hall to excavate and replant
the shrubs, flowers, foliage, etc. She suggested posting a sign crediting Vo Tech for the work.
Councilwoman Gara noted that the skunk family, living in the shrubbery area, is inhibiting the police from
getting in and out of their vehicles and action should be taken swiftly.
8. MEMO ON COUNCIL PROCEDURES
Mayor Liptak read her memorandum on Council Procedures.
Agenda Recommendations are to be submitted to the Clerk by noon on Thursday before the Council meeting.
There are four components needed for a successful agenda item. First, what is it that you specifically
wish to discuss; Second, the issue that is causing the need for discussion; Third, your recommendations to
resolve the issue; and Fourth, any supporting documentation that would prove your case or support your
position on the issue. I also suggest that it would be appropriate to include the name or initials of the
person requesting the listed item i.e. Mayor, Councilperson, Administrator, etc.
Public Complaints: In the weeks between Council meetings any issues raised by the public whether at the
supermarket, on the street, knocking on your door, via telephone or email, should be documented and relayed
to the Administrator for resolution. If these problems/concerns are items in the department for whom you
are liaison, then you should certainly want to bring this matter to that department head’s attention.
“For example, if someone has a complaint about a worker in as an example DPW, the Administrator
and Mayor should be made aware of the issue and refer this to the appropriate liaison in this case,
Mr. Lamaestra. The issue should never be raised in public by a Councilperson and should be resolved internally
by appropriate parties. Do not attempt to resolve issues yourself. The entire council becomes involved if a
corrective action necessitates creating polices or ordinances to resolve or forestall an issue.”
Addressing the Public: All questions or remarks from the public should be directed to the Mayor or, in her
absence, the Council President. If both are absent then, the most senior elected official presides.
Council people are not to engage in debate with the public, nor should they argue with the public or their peers.
Opinions may be stated on the issue listed on the agenda and not stray off topic.
Committee Reports: Stick to the topic. This time is set aside for the factual reporting on activities in your
department. It is intended to keep the Mayor and Council up to date with Borough operations, ideally, the reports
should be written by the department head. If there is nothing new to report within your department you
should state, “No report, Mayor.”
Executive/Closed Session: Only items that have to do with Contracts, Personnel, and Litigation, and communication
with the Borough Attorney are to be discussed in Executive Session and are to remain confidential until such
time as a resolution has been reached or voting is to occur, which must be done publicly.
I hope these are helpful reminders.
9. FIRE PREVENTION PURCHASE ORDER REQUEST
Councilman Laggini agreed to offer this purchase order request at the Regular Meeting.
10. CONTINENTAL FIRE & SAFETY, INC. PURCHASE ORDER REQUEST
Councilman Laggini agreed to offer this purchase order request at the Regular Meeting.
A motion was made by Council President Carra and seconded by Councilman John Lamaestra to move into
Executive Session. Motion carried.
Councilwoman Stefanie Gara motioned to adjourn the Executive Session and to return to the normal order
of business; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Maureen Wilson. Motion carried.
Council President Carra moved to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Councilwoman Gara. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rayna E. Harris, RMC
Borough Clerk