BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2007

7:30 p.m.

M I N U T E S

 

 

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER; OPENING STATEMENT:  This meeting is being held in compliance with  Public Law 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 and 13, as notice of this meeting and the agenda thereof had been reported to The Citizen and the Morris County Daily Record on January 3, 2007 and posted in the municipal building.

 

      Mayor George Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

           

2.       ATTENDANCE AND FLAG SALUTE

All Council members were in attendance except for Councilwoman Ellen

Emr.

Also in attendance were Borough Attorney Robert Oostdyk, Borough Manager Gary Webb and Borough Clerk Christina Whitaker.  

 

3.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

                        Resolution 114-07

WHEREAS, the Borough Council of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, County of Morris, State of New Jersey finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to:

 

·         Police Contract Negotiations

·         Release of Executive Minutes

 

WHEREAS, the Borough Council believes it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss such matters in closed session.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, that it shall enter Executive Session to discuss only those matters mentioned above; the results of which will be disclosed when the matters are resolved and upon vote of the Governing Body to release the minutes.

 

Motion by Councilman Shaw, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, to enter into Executive Session with all   Council Members in favor signifying by “Aye”.

 

Motion by Councilman Gormally, second by Deputy Mayor Davis, to close the Executive Session and return to the open portion of the meeting at 7:57 p.m., with all Council Members in favor signifying by

“Aye”.

 

 4. COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

 There will be a formal presentation of the new turf field to the Board of Education at the football game on September 29, 2007.

 

  The Police golf outing is on October 1, 2007. Anyone interested should contact the Police Department.

 

 5.  PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Jackson explained the Council’s policy of limiting each speaker to 5 minutes and no yielding of time to another person.

 

       Mayor Jackson read the following statement before opening the public comment portion of the meeting:

 

    

      “Mr. Kanter has served a written notice of his intent to make a tort claim against the Borough of Mountain Lakes claiming that the Borough, its employees, and elected officials are engaged in conduct that he alleges is harassing.  On the advice of counsel any questions directed to us at this meeting by Mr. Kanter will be reviewed by our legal counsel; and if appropriate, will be responded to in writing. It is our considered judgment this procedure will minimize disruption

and protect the interest of the public.”

 

      Richard Mancuso – Woodland Ave.

      Mr. Mancuso complained to the Council about the maintenance of certain

      areas in the Borough. He provided photos of locations where he feels the

      weeds are overgrown.

 

     Peter Sentowski – Woodland Ave.

     Mr. Sentowski also noted areas in the Borough that he felt needed weeds cut

     or grass mowed. In addition he expressed his concern about the new

     sidewalks along Briarcliff Road which have no curb cuts, making it

     dangerous for children walking or riding bikes.

 

 Fred Kanter – Hanover Road

 Mr. Kanter complained to the Council about actions taken by the Council, Borough Attorney, and Police

 Department.   He told the Council that the Borough was not in compliance with State regulations

 regarding street signs.

 

     Steve Castellucci – Laurelwood Drive

 Mr. Castellucci asked the status on his prior suggestion that the Council hire an objective investigating agency to conduct an operational audit before moving ahead on an addition to Borough Hall. 

 

      Mr. Webb told the Council that a meeting with the Recreation Commission and DPW Director Mark Prusina was planned to tour the recreation areas to assess maintenance needs. Mr. Webb suggested that Mr. Mancuso and Sentowski may wish to tour the areas also. 

   

      Mr. Webb said that the contractor who did the sidewalk work would be returning to place handicap access in the appropriate places. Curb cuts should also be done on Howell Road and at Ball Road.

 

      Mr. Webb said the Borough plans to replace signs in the town. The State has given municipalities until 2012 to comply with the new MUTCD regulations.

 

      Councilman Urankar said the maintenance of green areas should take priority over any special project.

      He noted that the County Sheriff’s Department makes its SLAP program available to municipalities and suggested the Borough take advantage of the offer.

 

      Councilman Gormally said he agreed with Mr. Castellucci regarding an operating audit suggesting that the Borough needed a more objective view when assessing the need to expand Borough Hall.

 

 6. ORDINANCES

 

16-07

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 173 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES AND ESTABLISHING A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR “SPECIAL USE” FACILITIES

  If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage

  as provided by law.

       Public Hearing   

 

       Mayor Jackson opened the Public Hearing for Ordinance 16-07.

 

    

     Fred Kanter – Hanover Rd.

Mr. Kanter said the adoption of the ordinance was not necessary because the problems that occurred this summer were dealt with through proper enforcement by the police.

 

     With no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Jackson closed the Public

      Hearing.

     The Council determined that the ordinance had already been discussed

     sufficiently and had no further comments.

 

 Introduced:     September 10, 2007                                            Adopted: September 24, 2007

Council Member

By:

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

By

2nd

Yes

No

Abstain

Absent

Gormally

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Emr

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Shaw

 

X

X

 

 

 

X

 

X

 

 

 

Davis

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Wilson

X

 

X

 

 

 

 

X

X

 

 

 

Urankar

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

Jackson

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

                                               

   

17-07

AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 06-07 - THE SALARY, WAGE AND COMPENSATION OF THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY. (Substitute Court Administrator)

If adopted this ordinance shall take effect after publication and passage    

as provided by law.

     Public Hearing