** AGENDA **
October 28, 2009
7:30 P.M.
Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, 15 Main Street, Englishtown, New Jersey 07726.
1. Meeting Called to Order and Roll Call
2. Statement of Compliance with Sunshine Law
3. Moment of Silence and Salute to the Flag
4. Approval of Minutes - August 12, 2009
5. Committee Reports
6. Correspondence
7. Borough Administrator/CFO Report
8. Open Public Portion/Limited to Agenda Items Only
Limited to Five (5) Minutes per citizen to be determined at Borough Council’s discretion. Any and all situations regarding Borough Personnel, when names are implied or mentioned, are to be brought to the full attention of the Council through an appointment and subsequent disclosure through the Personnel Committee.
9. New Business
A. Resolution No. 2009-194
Canceling Federal COPS Grant Receivable and Reserve Balances
Canceling Old Outstanding Checks
C. Resolution No. 2009-196
Designation of Salary – Municipal Housing Liaison
D. Resolution No. 2009-197
Designation of Salaries
E. Resolution No. 2009-198
Authorizing Accelerated Tax Sale
F. Resolution No. 2009-199
Authorizing Refund of Vendor Fees to Street Party Vendors
G. Resolution No. 2009-200
Authorizing Redemption of Tax Sale Certificate and Refund of Premium Paid at Tax Sale
H. Resolution No. 2009-201
Authorizing Approval of Department Requisitions
I. Resolution No. 2009-202
Authorizing Payment of Borough Bills
10. Tax Collector’s Report – September 2009
11. Public Portion
Limited to Five (5) Minutes per citizen to be determined at Borough Council’s discretion. Any and all situations regarding Borough Personnel, when names are implies or mentioned, are to be brought to the full attention of the Council through an appointment and subsequent disclosure through the Personnel Committee.
12. Executive Session
13. Adjournment
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Reynolds at 7:30 P.M.
Roll Call: Present: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Absent: None
Also present were Peter Gorbatuk, Municipal Clerk, Laurie Finger, Borough Administrator and Joseph Youssouf, Borough Attorney.
Mayor Reynolds stated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10 4-6 notification of this meeting has been (1) Published in the Asbury Park Press and the News Transcript the Official Newspapers of the Borough, (2) Posted to the Public at Borough Hall, (3) Copy has been filed with the Municipal Clerk, (4) Copy of this agenda and the Sunshine Statement has been filed with the Mayor and Council. Thus this meeting tonight is deemed in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
There was a moment of silence and salute to the flag.
There being no corrections, deletions or additions, a motion to approve the Minutes of August 12, 2009 was offered by C/Rucker and seconded by C/Carr. Passed on the following roll call:
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nayes: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
Councilwoman Leonardis reports:
· Questions regarding the recycling grant.
Laurie Finger states she will address this during her report.
Councilwoman Cooke reports:
· Halloween party scheduled for Oct. 30 at the Firehouse from 6-8 p.m.
Administration, Finance & Personnel
Councilwoman Robilotti reports:
· Police Activity report from 10/12-10/25 - 245 total calls including motor vehicle stops
· Thank you card received from Pauline Carr thanking Mayor and Council for the birthday card and flowers in acknowledgement of her 100th birthday.
· Letter received from a resident dated 10/21 apologizing to the Police Dept for the accidental dialing of 911 and thanking the police officers for their quick response of the call. Asking Mayor and Council to never consider reducing the police force.
· Report received from the Police Dept re: radar report of Hamilton Street that was performed. 40 cars were clocked – the top speed clocked was 32mph and that person was a resident of Hamilton Street.
Councilwoman Carr reports:
· Happy to report that tree grant money was received in the amount of $3,000.00. After the training we are now eligible to apply for additional grants.
Laurie Finger states on October 20th Rick Guffanti, Peter Gorbatuk and myself met with our Forester Consultant Mr. Brash and we started that process.
C/Carr continues:
· The Monmouth County Scenic Byway Committee would like to meet with Manalapan and Englishtown to discuss this section. They have given us four dates - 11/12, 11/17, 11/18 or 11/19. They would also like to know if we would like to host the meeting. Consensus is 11/12 in the morning and we can host the meeting.
Councilman Rucker has nothing to report this evening.
· Public Officials Training is being offered by JIF during the League conferences on November 18th at 2:45 p.m.
· In contact with Bob Friedman of Monmouth County Traffic Safety re: no passing zone on Wood Avenue. Mr. Friedman requested to me that he needs the last three years of traffic/accident reports for Wood Ave. I passed this along to Chief Niziolek and he wanted this request from the County to be put in writing. I contacted Mr. Friedman of the Chief’s request, which is where we now stand. Also been in contact with Bob Friedman re: the crosswalk across Main Street by the entrance to Sanford Park. Mr. Friedman is working on this and he said he would be out there in a week or so to mark out the crosswalk.
Laurie Finger states:
· Received letter from COAH stating they received our repetition and we are now in the process of the next step, which is them receiving any opposing briefs for the minor revisions. Those need to be filed by November 10th and we would then have 10 days to respond to any opposing briefs received.
· Regarding the recycling grant, we received information from Monmouth County that they have some money to disperse to the municipalities regarding a recycling improvement program. I met with Rick Guffanti and he suggested new recycling cans. We applied for a grant in the amount of $14,313.00 to purchase 800 cans. I sent a letter of our intent. We received a letter back stating that we were approved and we are now in the next step of formalizing the application. There is no match on our side needed.
Mayor Reynolds opens the floor to the public for discussion limited to agenda items only.
There being no questions or comments, a motion to close the public portion was offered by C/Robilotti and seconded by C/Carr. Passed unanimously.
RECEIVABLE AND RESERVE BALANCES
WHEREAS, a receivable balance of $28,236.86 entitled Federal COPS Grant Program which remains on the Grant Fund balance sheet and has expired on January 4, 2006; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to formally cancel the receivable balance and it’s offsetting appropriation reserve balance from the balance sheet;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, that the following unexpended and dedicated balances be canceled:
GRANT TITLE AMOUNT CANCELLED
Receivable – Federal COPS Grant Program $28,236.86
Community Development Block Grant
Reserve – Federal COPS Grant Program $ 5,194.84
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Borough Chief Financial Officer and Borough Auditor.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Leonardis
C/Carr requested this be tracked of why this money was not collected or spent. Laurie Finger will reach out to the Chief regarding this.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
BOROUGH OF ENGLISHTOWN
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-195
RESOLUTION CANCELING OLD OUTSTANDING CHECKS
WHEREAS, there remains within the current fund checking account old outstanding checks;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the old outstanding checks dated be canceled and returned to Surplus:
8434 $ 114.56 6/11/08 State of NJ-PWT
8605 $ 35.00 9/10/08 Eileen Flynn
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a true certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to Borough Chief Financial Officer and Borough Auditor.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Carr
Laurie Finger states these are two checks that were never cashed and need to be cancelled.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
BOROUGH OF ENGLISHTOWN
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-196
WHEREAS, an Ordinance creating the position of Municipal Housing Liaison for the purpose of administering the Borough of Englishtown’s affordable housing program pursuant to the Fair Housing Act was adopted on June 11, 2008; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:94-7 and N.J.A.C. 5:80-26.1 et. seq.; the Borough of Englishtown is required to appoint a Municipal Housing Liaison to enforce the affordable housing program requirements; and
WHEREAS, on September 10, 2008, Resolution No. 2008-169 was passed appointing Celia Hecht to the position of Municipal Housing Liaison for the year 2008 without monetary compensation, and to be revisited for the 2009 appointment; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown adopted an Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance Establishing Limits for Salaries of the Employees on the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey”; and
WHEREAS, said salaries provide certain ranges for the positions set forth; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that it is the determination of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown that the 2009 annual salary for the position of Municipal Housing Liaison held by Celia Hecht shall be as follows:
Municipal Housing annually $500.00
Liaison *Effective and Retroactive to January 1, 2009
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolution shall be distributed to Celia Hecht and the Borough Chief Financial Officer.
Offered By: C/Rucker
Seconded By: C/Robilotti
C/Leonardis asked if the salary could be lowered to $100.00 given our budgetary problems. Laurie Finger states we did discuss this during the budget process and settled on $500.00.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti
Abstain: None
Absent: None
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-198
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN ACCELERATED TAX SALE TO BE HELD IN ACCORDANCE TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 54:5-19
WHEREAS, according to the amended regulations set forth in N.J.S.A. 54:5-19 et seq., all taxes and municipal water and sewer, and other lienable charges payable through the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the current fiscal year shall be subject to tax sale and offered for sale of lien to the lowest bidder or highest premium bidder at a tax sale to be held on December 21, 2009 at the Borough of Englishtown municipal building at 15 main street Englishtown, New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, there are delinquencies appearing in the records of the Borough of Englishtown for monies levied on the owners of record as they appear in the official tax list filed in the office of the Collector of Taxes of the Borough of Englishtown, as well as listings from the Borough of Englishtown Municipal Water and Sewer Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth State of New Jersey that the Tax Collector of the municipality be and is hereby authorized, to hold a Tax Sale for taxes, water and sewer arrears for properties located in our municipality on December 21, 2009, with official notices of sale being advertised and notice the owners of record according to the requirement of N.J.S.A. 54:5-19 et seq.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Carr
Laurie Finger states residents will be well notified and will be given ample time to pay prior to it going to tax sale.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-199
ENGLISHTOWN STREET PARTY VENDORS
WHEREAS, the Englishtown Street Party scheduled for October 17, 2009, rain date October 18, 2009 unfortunately had to be cancelled due to inclement weather; and
WHEREAS, the Englishtown Street Party has been postponed until May 15, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the following vendors have previously paid a vendor fee to participate in the 2009 Street Party and unfortunately are not available on May 15, 2010 and due to the cancellation are now due a refund:
Karen Block – Kaylas Kreatins, Roosevelt, N.J.- 1space $25.00
Joan Schimmenti – Modern Images, Old Bridge, N.J. – 3 spaces $75.00
Alan Becofsky – Daestar Distributions, Parlin, N.J. – 1 space $25.00
Myra Perez – Domestics, Inc., Freehold, N.J. – 1 space $25.00
Kathy Dropko – KDS Sales, Manalapan, N.J. – 2 spaces $50.00
Bonnie Brown, Manalapan, N.J. – 1 space $25.00
Chanin Robilotti, Englishtown, N.J. $15.00
Bernard Canonigo – Bernies Shishkabob, Jersey City, N.J. $75.00
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, and State of New Jersey that the above refunds are hereby approved.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Carr
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
BOROUGH OF ENGLISHTOWN
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-200
WHEREAS, the Borough of Englishtown Tax Collector has reported that the following Tax Sale Certificate has been sold to Crusader Lien Services, 179 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Tax Sale Certificate Number 08-00003
Block 25, Lot 5
21 Water Street
in the amount of $13,889.78
WHEREAS, Crusader Lien Services also paid $9,500.00 as a premium to obtain Tax Sale Certificate #08-00003; and
WHEREAS, the above-mentioned certificate has been paid and the holder is also entitled to a refund of the premium paid to obtain said certificate for a total redemption amount of $23,389.78.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey that it hereby authorizes payment in the amount of $23,389.78 to Crusader Lien Services, 179 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified true copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Borough's Tax Collector and Chief Financial Officer.
Offered By: C/Rucker
Seconded By: C/Robilotti
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-201
COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, STATE OF NEW JERSEY
AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF DEPARTMENT REQUISITIONS
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have carefully examined all requisitions presented to the Borough for the processing into purchase orders; and
WHEREAS, after due consideration of the said requisitions, the Mayor and Council have approved processing of same.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, as follows:
1. The said approved requisitions amounting to the sum of $1,435.31
are hereby authorized to be processed into purchase orders on October 28, 2009.
2. The Borough Clerk is hereby directed to list on the page in the
Minutes Book following the minutes of this meeting all of the said requisitions hereby authorized to be processed into purchase orders.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Carr
Questions and discussion take place re: desk calendars.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
RESOLUTION NO. 2009-202
COUNTY OF MONMOUTH, STATE OF NEW JERSEY
AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF BOROUGH BILLS
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have carefully examined all vouchers presented to the Borough for the payment of claims; and
WHEREAS, after due consideration of the said vouchers, the Mayor and Council have approved payment of same.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, as follows:
1. The said approved vouchers amounting to the sum of $460,892.27
are hereby authorized to be paid on October 28, 2009.
2. The Borough Clerk is hereby directed to list on the page in the Minutes Book following the minutes of this meeting all of the said vouchers hereby authorized to be paid.
Offered By: C/Rucker
Seconded By: C/Carr
Questions and discussion take place re: telephone bill and unemployment costs.
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Tax Collector’s Report
2009 Taxes $18,428.43
2008 Taxes 1,667.13
Interest 757.34
Net Receipts $20,852.90
Public Portion
Mayor Reynolds opens the floor to the public for discussion on anything they wish to bring to the attention to the governing body.
Mr. Desai – Heritage Drive, resident who sent correspondence re: Police. Expresses to Mayor and Council that even though times are tough he feels the Police Dept. is one area that should see no cuts.
C/Leonardis states that she receives phone calls from residents on average once a week saying that there taxes are too high and they want us to do something about lowering the tax rate.
There being no further questions or comments, a motion to close the public portion was offered by C/Carr and seconded by C/Robilotti. Passed unanimously.
Executive Session
Mayor Reynolds stated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10 4-12B be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey as follows whereas N.J.S.A. 10 4-12B of the Open Public Meetings Act of the State of New Jersey permits exclusion of the public from those portions of the meetings in which matters authorized to be discussed in Executive Session under the cited statute will be reviewed and discussed; and
Whereas, the Governing Body concludes that the public must be excluded from the discussion of the following matters of personnel, contract negotiation, litigation; and
Therefore, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Englishtown, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, as follows, 1) Hereby authorizes Executive Session for the purpose of discussing above matters with N.J.S.A. 10 4-12B, 2) Anticipated at this time that the matters to be discussed in Executive Session will be discussed in Public not earlier than the next regular meeting of the Governing Body, 3) It is anticipated that the Executive Session last not longer than one-half hour, 4) There exists the possibility that action may be taken upon conclusion of the Executive Session when the meeting returns to open.
Offered By: C/Robilotti
Seconded By: C/Carr
Roll Call: Ayes: C/Carr, C/Cooke, C/Leonardis, C/Robilotti, C/Rucker, C/Wojyn
Nays: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The time being 8:07 P.M.
There being no further business in Executive Session, a motion to return to open session was offered by C/Carr, seconded by C/Robilotti. Passed unanimously.
The time being 8:46 P.M.
Adjournment
There being no further business a motion to adjourn was offered by C/Carr, seconded by C/Robilotti. Passed unanimously.
The time being 8:47 P.M.
___January 27, 2010_______ ________________________
Approved by Governing Body Municipal Clerk