City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, June 10, 2021, 6:00PM, VIRTUAL MEETING HELD VIA ZOOM A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held 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. 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: Council President Beach, Councilman Cerrito, 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. Councilman Drumm was absent with prior notice. RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL Res. 6-2021-66 Appointing Conor Beckas as a Patrolman to the Barrington Police Dept. On a motion by Robenolt, second by Hanson, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes; Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. Mayor Harris administered the Oath of Office to Officer Beckas. Council members, along with Chief Uron and Deputy Chief Minardi, congratulated Conor and welcomed him to the Barrington Police Department. PROCLAMATIONS: Mayor Harris read a proclamation declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Barrington. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the May 4, 2021 caucus meeting and the May 11, 2021 council meeting and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Ludwig, second by Cerrito, the minutes were approved by all members of Council present. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the May 2021 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Construction, Trash and Recycling, Tax & Sewer Collector and the Court Administrator report for April. On a motion by Ludwig, second by Robenolt, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all members of Council present. MOTION TO TABLE ORDINANCE: Motion to table Ord. 1140 On a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, and with all members of council present in favor, Ordinance 1140, which amended parking on Chesterfield Road, was tabled until it can be further investigated by the Governing Body and the borough engineer and discussed with local residents. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION: Clerk read the following by title. Ord. 1141 Amending Chapter 59, Fire Prevention (amends fee structure) Ord. 1142 Bond Ordinance Authorizing the Completion of Various Capital Improvements and the Acquisition of Various Capital Equipment for the Borough of Barrington; Appropriating the Sum of $2,921,350 Therefor; Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds or Bond Anticipation Notes of the Borough of Barrington in the Aggregate Principal Amount of up to $2,775,283, Making Certain Determinations and Covenants; and Authorizing Certain Related Actions in Connection with the Foregoing Ord. 1143 Refunding Bond Ordinance Providing for the Refunding of up to All of the Borough’s Outstanding Callable: (i) General Obligation Bonds, Series 2010, Dated June 7, 2010; and (ii) Taxable General obligation Bonds, Series 2014, Dated July 22, 2014, Authorizing the Issuance of up to $5,600,000 of General Obligation Refunding Bonds of the Borough of Barrington, in One or More Series on a Tax-exempt or Taxable Basis, to Finance the Costs Thereof; Making Certain Determinations and Covenants in Connection Therewith; and Authorizing Certain Related Actions in Connection with the Foregoing On a motion by Ludwig, second by Robenolt, the ordinances were approved with the following poll vote: Beach - yes; Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. On a motion by Beach, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was opened. Mayor Harris announced that questions or comments will be heard and comments shall be limited to five minutes in the aggregate. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Robenolt, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Ludwig, second by Cerrito, Ordinances 1141, 1142 and 1143 were adopted with the following poll vote: Beach - yes; Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING: Ord. 1144 Amending Chapter 64, Recycling, in the Borough Code Ord. 1145 Ordinance Permitting the Operation of Class 5 Cannabis Businesses and Prohibiting the Operation of All Other Classes of Cannabis Businesses within the Borough of Barrington Ord. 1146 Ordinance Amending Chapter 128, Zoning, in the Code of the Borough of Barrington On a motion by Ludwig, second by Hanson, the first reading of these ordinances was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes; Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. Mayor Harris announced that these ordinances will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to held during the July 13, 2021, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 6-2021-67 Change Order No. 2 for the 2020 Road Improvement Program 6-2021-68 Authorizing a Contract with Pyrotecnico for the 2021 Fireworks Show 6-2021-69 Authorizing Sale of a Jet-Vac to the Borough of Merchantville 6-2021-70 Authorizing Refund of an Inspection Escrow 6-2021-71 Resolution Authorizing the Preparation and Distribution of Offering Documents in Connection with the Sale of the Borough’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2021, in One or More Series; Authorizing the Issuance, Sale and Award of Said Bonds; Making Certain Determinations and Covenants in Connection Therewith; and Authorizing Certain Actions Related Thereto 6-2021-72 Authorizing Submission of an Application for NJDOT Municipal Aid for Austin Ave, Phase 2 6-2021-73 Authorizing Submission of an Application for NJDOT Municipal Aid for Haines Ave 6-2021-74 Appointing a Hearing Officer to Handle Disciplinary Matters 6-2021-75 Authorizing Renewal of Plenary Retail Consumption and Distribution Licenses for the 2021-2022 License Term 6-2021-76 Referring Certain Matters to the Barrington Planning Board for Review and Recommendations Pursuant to NJSA 40:55D-26 6-2021-77 Appointing a New Member to the Barrington Fire Department 6-2021-78 Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Expense for Grants Received 6-2021-79 Approving the June Bill List in the Total Amount of: $1,487,247.93 On a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes; Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt-yes. PUBLIC PORTION: On a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, 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 state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes in the aggregate per person. Diane Schreyer, 212 Nassau Dr, welcome Patrolman Bekas. Thanks everyone for making the zoom meeting possible, special kudos to Terry Shannon for hosting and handling the Zoom meetings, she did an excellent job. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Robenolt, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN HANSON – congratulations to Conor and again, welcome to the Barrington family. The Civic Association, along with the borough, is hosting a free movie night on June 19 behind Woodland School. The Movie is “The Sandlot”. It starts at dusk and free popcorn will be given out. On July 2 is our Independence Day parade which will begin at 6 pm and go along the normal parade route. We invite any groups or organizations to enter a float, we are having bikes, strollers, and wagons in the contest; fireworks to follow a dusk. There is no viewing area at Woodland School so please go to the Home Depot and PetSmart parking lots. Civic Association will host Brews, Beats and Eats will be held on July 10 beginning at 3 pm in the St. Francis Rosebud Academy parking lot. School is ending soon and kids will be out so watch where you are driving. Mayor Harris added that anyone who would like to volunteer to help with Brews, Beats and Eats should contact Councilman Hanson. COUNCILMAN LUDWIG – school is ending so be care of the kids being out more often. The Construction Office is handling the bamboo issue that Councilman Robenolt mentioned last week. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – thanks for coming out. The Fire Company roof is coming along at a good pace. We have a new fully trained member and we welcome Joe Zoble to the department. COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH – congratulations to Ptl. Beckas, thank you for coming over and welcome to our family. Thanks Dept. of Public Works for getting the recycling the last two weeks, we are working diligently with DPW, Mayor and Council on the issue of collection. The Councilman advised Mrs. Pawling that the pothole on Moore Ave that she asked about during our last meeting is being taken care of by PSE&G Co, they should have already marked it out for repair. With reference to Ordinance 1140 which was tabled, it may be a month or two before it is completed because the Governing Body wants to meet with residents as well as members of the Police, Ambulance and Fire Company and the borough engineers KEI so we can get the best solution. Seniors are not set to open back up at this time. We are following the lead of state and county officials who are not having seniors meet yet as they are very vulnerable; we do hope to open as soon as possible. COUNCILMAN CERRITO - congratulations to Trending by the Tracks on their grand opening. The 911 committee met and saw the plans for the monument which was designed by resident Joe Sikora. The committee members gave positive feedback. The plans will be on display at our next in person meeting for everyone to see. If you are purchasing a brick it is $100 and due on June 14th. The Councilman also thanked Terry Shannon on a job well done with all the Zoom meetings; the councilman is looking forward to in person meetings. He is also pleased with the Cannabis ordinance and proud of what we have done. MAYOR HARRIS – welcomed Conor Bekas. Congratulations to the Barrington PreK class of 2021 and especially Amelia Milligan, I’m sorry I could not attend her graduation and I appreciate her invitation. Welcome Trending by the Tracks and South Jersey Tax Services, sorry I could not make the ribbon cutting but the Mayor had a sectional cross country meet with her son and it’s a long day. The kids are getting out of school so pay attention when driving, the speed limit throughout town is 25 mph. Stay cool. We appreciate Public Works having to collect the recycling. Just so everyone is aware, this is not a Barrington issue, it is a New Jersey issue. Right now there are no employees to work the trash and recycle companies; we are not the only town experiencing these issues. We are proactive and on top of it, we expect to get this situation rectified shortly. With no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Robenolt, second by Hanson, the meeting was adjourned at 6:34 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Municipal Clerk