City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 9, 2021, 6:00PM, VIRTUAL MEETING HELD VIA ZOOM A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held via Zoom with Mayor Harris presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harris called the meeting to order via Zoom at 6:00pm with the Sunshine Statement announcement and with the special notice pursuant to the Executive Orders and guidance issued by the State of New Jersey due to the Corona virus state of emergency. She explained that the public will be muted until the open public portion. At that time, the public can ask a question or make a comment by raising their virtual hand and they will be unmuted. Public comment will be limited to five minutes in the aggregate per person. Anyone being abusive or unprofessional will be removed from the meeting. Before the Pledge of Allegiance, the Mayor asked for a moment of silence for our neighbors in Audubon. Mayor Harris then led everyone on the Zoom meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance via Zoom: Council President Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, Councilman Hanson, Councilman Ludwig and Councilman Robenolt. Mayor Harris, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon and Timothy Higgins, Esq. were also on the zoom meeting along with Department Heads and members of the public. RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL Res. 2-2021-29 Promoting Sgt. Dan Bowman to Police Lieutenant and Authorizing Execution of an Employment Agreement On a motion by Drumm, second by Ludwig, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. Mayor Harris administered the Oath of Office to Lt. Bowman with his family present with him on Zoom. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the January 3, 2021, Reorganization meeting, the January 5, caucus meeting and the January 12, council meeting and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Ludwig second by Robenolt the minutes were approved by all members of Council present. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the January 2021 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator report for December 2020, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Robenolt the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all members of Council present. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION The Clerk read the following ordinances by title: Ord. 1131 Amending Article IX of Chapter 104, Stormwater Management, in the Borough Code Ord. 1132 Amending Chapter 95, Property Maintenance, Fees, in the Borough Code On a motion by Ludwig, second by Hanson the second reading of the ordinances was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. On a motion by Robenolt, second by Drumm, the public hearing was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, ordinances 1131 and 1132 were adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt- yes. ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ord. 1133 Authorizing Extension of Interim Zoning in Chapter 128, Zoning, Pursuant to NJSA 40:55D-90(b), to Allow for Issuance of Zoning Permits, Effective until March 31, 2021, to Permit Temporary Outdoor Restaurant Seating and Retail Outdoor Sales Display Areas at Existing Lawful Businesses, Subject to Bulk Zoning and Construction Code Requirements and Other Outside Agency Approvals On a motion by Ludwig, second by Hanson, the first reading of the ordinance was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt- yes. Mayor Harris announced that this ordinance will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to held during the March 9, 2021, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 2-2021-30 Providing Approval of Sanitary Sewer Connections 2-2021-31 Adding a 2021 Tax Exemption 2-2021-32 Authorizing Refund of an Inspection Escrow 2-2021-33 Authorizing a Shared Service Agreement with the Camden County Improvement Authority Relative to a Regional Stormwater Management Study 2-2021-34 Authorizing Liens Against Certain Properties for Costs Incurred in Accordance with the Property Maintenance Code 2-2021-35 Approving the February Bill List for a Total of: $3,624,570.35 On a motion by Beach, second by Drumm, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. PUBLIC PORTION: On a motion by Robenolt, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris advised that if you have comments or questions to raise your hand and you will be unmuted. Please and state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes in the aggregate per person. Christina Barbato, was present on Zoom and introduced herself stating she was just elected to the School Board and will be the representative from the School Board to attend our council meetings. Mayor Harris welcomed her saying we are pleased to have someone from the School Board come to our council meetings. Mayor advised that Councilman Mike Drumm is the council liaison to the School Board. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH – seniors we are working with the Camden County Health Department to get seniors vaccinated, so if you are a senior 65 or over and have an appointment for the vaccine at the College April 1 or later call Eileen at 856/547-1930. If you are a senior 65 or over and do not have an appointment send your name and phone number to Eileen in an email eholcombe@barringtonboro.com and we will get our seniors signed up or moved up. This information is also on our Borough Facebook page and webpage. DPW did great a great job keeping up with the snow last week, with half crews, and they are ready to move forward for the snow coming later this week and next week. We are looking to get everyone back to full strength at Public Works. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – congratulations Dan, we know you will do an outstanding job throughout the rest of the year. Condolences to the DePierri family and both the Audubon Police and Fire Departments as they deal with the tragedy they are faced with. We are moving forward with bids for the Fire and Ambulance roof. Prebid was this past Friday, hope to get competitive bids by the end of the month. Ambulance is looking to hire additional EMT’s so if anyone knows of anyone please reach out to Chief Bowen or myself. Many of our officers are on screen so please take care of each other and if anyone needs anything please reach out anytime. COUNCILMAN LUDWIG – congratulations to Dan on promotion and stay safe with the up- coming storm. COUNCILMAN HANSON – congratulations to Lt. Dan, as funny as that sounds! Condolences to Audubon Police and Fire. Nothing on the horizon for public events, the food pantry is open and operable so if you want to donate food or need food email the Councilman. Thanks to Grace Bible Church for taking up a collection over the holidays for gift cards for all of our First Responders. COUNCILMAN CERRITO–thanks DPW for a great job with snow removal. 9/11 Memorial Committee is on its way, we are putting it together, more to report on next month. Condolences to our neighbors in Audubon, it’s hard especially with someone in law enforcement and the military, life is so fragile, condolences to the family as they grieve. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – Dan congratulations, we worked together for many years and had a lot of fun together so congratulations to you. Condolences to Audubon Police, Fire and family for their tragic loss. We have to be aware and look out for each other. Attended a webinar with the county and as has been said there is really a big push to get seniors moved up in line for the vaccine so have them reach out. Fire Alliance is working hard, all is looking good. Thanks, Eileen, for sending out info on a webinar for opioid abuse. I will be attending as part of the Project Save. MAYOR HARRIS – congratulations Dan, I know you will do a great job whatever title you hold; you have always been an asset to the department and I’m very proud to work with you. Congratulations to your family too, I know they were excited to see this day. Condolences to Audubon, such a tragic loss for their town, Police and Fire Departments. As Mike and Mike stated all of the Mayors in Camden County are being pushed to get their seniors vaccinated. We are in a process between Eileen, a few council members and volunteers who are willing to start registering seniors to get vaccinated. We are off to a great start with lots of response from the flyer Kyle posted. If you know anyone 65 years or older who has an appointment call the phone number and if you know someone 65 years or older who does not have an appointment, they can email Eileen. This is for Barrington residents; each town is doing their own thing. We have a good process, and we are having training tomorrow night. Four community members, myself, Mike Beach and Kyle will be trained and next week we will train some staff and Eileen. Our focus is to have Eileen get the information to the County and to those of us that are being trained. Chief Uron – thanked Mayor and Council for Dan’s promotion. Dan’s 24 year history with us, his professionalism and dedication has been exemplary. He has been a huge asset with the younger ones who have come up, training as a Sergeant. This promotion is well deserved, and I am very grateful to Council for following through with this. Dan Bowman – advised that he is honored and privileged to work for Barrington for the past 24 years. It was a dream of his to become a police officer. His Grandfather on his mother’s side was a Police Officer for 28 years in Westwood, NJ in Bergen County. In his last year of service, they promoted him to Lieutenant. Dan is honored now to have the same rank as his Grandfather who retired and passed away so many years ago. Mayor Harris, Council members, Chief, Deputy Chief Minardi thank you very much. Deputy Chief Minardi said he can’t beat Dans speech but wanted to congratulate him. It is very well deserved, and he couldn’t be happier to see it happen. Thank you, Kyle, Mayor & Council, Councilman Drumm for getting that done. Congratulations to Pat and Krystal too on their upcoming promotions. Mayor Harris advised that Pat D’Ascenzo was promoted to Sergeant and Krystal Jankowski was promoted to Corporal. That will happen at a later date upon the official retirement of Sergeant Uron in March. With no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Municipal Clerk