City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING February 8, 2022, 6:00PM, Virtual meeting held via Zoom A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held virtually via Zoom at 6:00pm with Mayor Harris presiding. Mayor Harris was also physically in the council room along with all of the police officers who were being promoted and appointed along with their families. Everyone else was on the Zoom meeting. CALL TO ORDER This meeting is being held virtually pursuant to Executive Order No. 103, issued by Governor Murphy, and reaffirmed by Executive Order No. 280, which declared a public health emergency in New Jersey, and N.J.A.C. 5:39-1.1 which permits public bodies to hold meetings via electronic means during a public health emergency. Pursuant to the Sunshine Law, notice of this virtual meeting was sent to the legal newspapers of the borough, is posted on the borough website and on the bulletin board in borough hall. During the business portion of this meeting, the public will be muted. When the public portion of the meeting has been opened, the public will be unmuted. To make a public comment, you can raise your “virtual” hand or wave at the camera, and you will be recognized. If participating telephonically, simply state your name and you will be recognized. Comments are limited to five minutes in the aggregate. Public comments can also be submitted via the Chat feature in this Zoom meeting or can be submitted to the Clerk via email and will be read into the official record. Abusive, profane, or derogatory comments will not be tolerated and anyone making such comments will be removed from the meeting. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Council President Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, and Councilman Hanson. Councilman Robenolt will be late; he is on a fire call. Mayor Harris, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon and Timothy Higgins, Solicitor, were also on the Zoom meeting. Councilman Ludwig notified that he would not be available to attend the meeting tonight. PROCLAMATIONS OF THE MAYOR: Black History Month as read by Councilman Cerrito; American Heart Month as read by Councilman Drumm. RECOGNITION OF RETIRING CHIEF DAVID URON and Lt. Dan Bowman: Chief Uron as presented by Councilman Hanson and Acting Chief Minardi. The Councilman said Chief Uron not only grew up in Barrington but raised his family here. He began working on January 1, 1995, and retiring as Police Chief 2/1/2022. We wish Dave the best on his retirement and thank him for his twenty-seven years of distinguished service to the Barrington Police Department and the residents of the borough. Congratulations and a well-deserved retirement! The Councilman gave a Resolution from Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez, Assemblymen Spearman and Moen to Chief Uron. Acting Police Chief Mike Minardi said on behalf of the Police Department the entire department congratulates him on his retirement after proudly serving Barrington after twenty-seven years. Chief Uron joined the department in 1995 following his grandfather Walt, father Walt and brother Bob. The Chief has served a patrolman, Sargeant, Lieutenant and promoted to chief in 2016. He was born and raised in Barrington and still has family here so he will not be a stranger. The Acting Chief thanked Chief Uron for giving him the opportunity to be his second in command. We all wish you the best on your retirement. Thank you for you service. Councilman Hanson recognized Lt. Dan Bowman and read a resolution from the State Assembly and Senate. Acting Chief Minardi recognized Dan at the January Council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 2-2022-32 Appointing Acting Chief Minardi to Chief of Police 2-2022-33 Promoting Sergeant David Pawling to the Position of Lieutenant 2-2022-34 Promoting Corporal Mulhern to the Position of Sergeant 2-2022-35 Promoting Officer Hovern to the Position of Sergeant 2-2022-36 Appointing Matthew Charlton as a Patrolman 2-2022-37 Appointing Zachary Ferguson as a Patrolman On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm–yes and Hanson-yes. With their family members present, Mayor Harris swore in all the officers to their positions as listed above. Lt. Pawling thanked Mayor & Council for the promotion and their support over the years and looks forward to the future. Sgt. Hovern thanked Mayor & Council, the Chief and Lieutenant, saying it is a great honor and he will make all proud. Ptl. Ferguson thanked Mayor & Council. Ptl. Ferguson said he grew up in town and it is really an honor to have the opportunity to serve the town and he looks forward to many years in the Barrington Police Department. Thank you. Ptl. Charlton thanked Mayor & Council, the Chief and Lieutenant, for allowing him to continue his Law Enforcement career in Barrington, a place close to him and he is looking forward to making this his home. Sgt. Mulhern thanked Mayor & Council, the Chief and Lieutenant for all their support and said he will keep doing all proud. Chief Minardi congratulated all the officers who were promoted and all the new hires saying he was proud of all of them. This is the best department he could ever wish for! Councilman Hanson congratulated all who were promoted and all the new hires. Councilman Drumm congratulated Chief Uron and Lt. Bowman their careers and on their retirement. Congratulated Sgt. Mulhern and Sgt, Hovern on their promotions saying he is sure they will continue to do a great job. To Ptl. Ferguson and Ptl, Charlton, welcome to the Barrington Police Department, great interviews, good luck, and congratulations. Congratulations to Lt. Pawling, the promotion is well deserved, he has been a great officer since his start here. Chief Minardi, congratulations on becoming Chief, you have earned this position through hard work, determination and understanding what it takes to be a great leader. Councilman Drumm worked side by side with the Chief for many years and watched him grow. Best of luck, well deserved. Councilman Cerrito echoed the comments of Councilman Drumm. Congratulations to Chief Uron and Lt. Bowman on their retirement, thank you for your dedication and service over the years. Congratulations to Chief Minardi. So glad to thank and congratulate each of our officers who have been promoted tonight for your continued service to our community, its a respectable career and I appreciate what you do every day and the sacrifices you make for your family. Councilman Robenolt congratulated Dave Uron on his retirement and Dan Bowman the same, a pleasure working with both of you, you have done a great job for the town and I wish you both the best. Chief Minardi and Lt. Pawling congratulations, I’m sure you will continue to move the department forward and do an excellent job. Congratulations to our new Sergeants and Patrolman and welcome to the additional guys. Look forward to working with you in the future. Council President Beach thank you and congratulations to Chief Uron and Lt. Bowman, thank you for your years of service and on your retirement. Congratulations to Chief Minardi, Lieutenant Pawling, Sergeant Mulhern, Sergeant Hovern, Patrolman Charlton and Patrolman Ferguson. We look forward to working with you and we thank you and your families for all the sacrifices all have made. Mayor Harris thanked Chief Uron and Lt. Bowman for their dedication and service to the town, you have been such and asset and we will miss you. Chief Minardi, Lt. Pawling, Sgt. Mulhern, Sgt. Hovern, Ptl Ferguson and Ptl. Charlton, this department is one of the best there is and you can only make it better. I am proud to represent this town and know that you work for us and that we are a family. There is no better service you can do than to be a family to the town, to us. We appreciate and value you chief Minardi knows that I thank you from the bottom of my heart and we couldn’t be in better hands. Chief Minardi I look forward to working with you, it has been great and I know it will only get better. Lt. Pawling, it is such an honor to have you as our new Lieutenant. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the January 4, 2022, caucus meeting and the January 11, 2022, council meeting and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the minutes were approved by all members of Council present. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the January 2022 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator report for December, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Robenolt, second by Hanson, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all members of Council present. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING: Clerk Shannon read the following ordinances by title: Ord. 1149 Amending Chapter 120, Vehicles and Traffic, in the Borough Code (stop sign at Moore and Albertson and adding Richards as snow emergency route) Ord. 1150 Adding Certain Sections to Chapter 128, Zoning, in the Borough Code Pursuant to an Overlay Zone in the Clements Bridge Road Redevelopment Plan, Phase III Ord. 1151 Amending Chapter 101, Sewers, in the Borough Code (sewer rates) Ord. 1152 Amending Chapter 95, Property Maintenance, in the Borough Code (vacant property registration) On a motion by Cerrito, second by Drumm, the ordinances were approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes; Cerrito-yes, Drumm - yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. These ordinances will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to held during the March 8, 2022, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 2-2022-38 Authorizing 2021 Outside Cap Budget Transfers (Bond interest to BAN interest) 2-2022-39 Refund of a Tax Payment to a Mortgage Company (exempt veteran) 2-2022-40 Authorizing Refund of Escrows Posted for Street Openings 2-2022-41 Authorizing Execution of an Agreement with Joseph Gallo for Reimbursement of Certain Educational Benefits 2-2022-42 Authorizing Application for Program Year 2022 CDBG Funding (senior programs) 2-2022-43 Authorizing Application for Program Year 2022 CDBG Funding (VFW Senior Center improvements) 2-2022-44 Authorizing Execution of an Employment Contract with the Chief of Police 2-2022-45 Approving the February Bill List in the Total Amount of $4,698,668.88 On a motion by Beach, second by Hanson, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm–yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Drumm, second by Robenolt, 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 S. Nassau Dr. – congratulated the four policeman who were promoted and welcome to the new patrolmen. Seeing no more comments from the public, on a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN CERRITO – as director of Green Team we are seeking members to focus on achieving our bronze medal certification for the Sustainable New Jersey Program. Would like to put something online to obtain members. The Councilman thanked Public Works for all they do including day to day and inclement weather. This year the black streetlights along Clements Bridge Road will be repainted, so thanks Public Works for taking care of that. As director of Community Development, this year the goal is to focus on continuing to improve on our budding downtown and business area and put all I can into it along with Council. Thank you. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – thanked Mike Ciocco and the guys and for helping with the heating issues; heater was repaired but they provided temporary heat which has been removed and returned. In the last week and a half, we have been to three homes that had no smoke detectors. We have them available both at the Fire House and the Regional Fire Alliance Office. If you do not have them, please reach out to one of the offices and we will come out and install them for you. Please reach out to get them COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH – thanked Mike Ciocco, Ken Broome, and the entire Public Works Department for a great job, not only day to day but the last couple of weeks with all the snow, the Senior Center and the Fire House, there was a lot going on and they handled it all, professionally and quickly. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – said Jim Arpino and his staff at the Regional Fie Alliance ae working hard and getting all taken care of, they continue to work hard, and we appreciate that. As liaison to the School Board starting March 7 the Governor will lift the mask mandate. That is a good sign but careful. As mentioned last week, in early January we were still getting over 30,000 positive Covid tests a day in the state. Today was 1400, a large reduction, but be careful and stay safe. COUNCILMAN HANSON – with the Police retirements, promotions and new hires already mentioned, we have nothing else to report for them. Event wise, there is nothing planned for the rest of this month or March. MAYOR HARRIS – this is the most Police swearing in’s that we have had in the last 10 years, this is good. It’s nice to see new young blood, it’s nice for those who can retire since they have dedicated 25 years to our town. She said she is happy to see young kids that still want to be police and she is proud of our department. As well as our Fire Department who are looking for volunteers. Over-all in town the roads were good after the snowfall, the town is a buzz with Tonewood opening, and we understand that the businesses along Clements Bridge are doing well. Have a safe February and Happy Valentines Day to those who celebrate. Check your heart. On a motion by Drumm, second by Robenolt, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Municipal Clerk