City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 8, 2023, 6:00PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Council President Hanson presiding. CALL TO ORDER Council President Hanson called the meeting to order with the following statement: "This meeting is held in compliance with Chapter 231 of the open public meetings act of 1975 and appropriate notice has been given. Notice of the meeting was filed with the Retrospect and Courier Post and is also posted in the main office of the Borough Clerk where notices are primarily kept. He then led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Council President Hanson advised that Mayor Harris was absent tonight to attend the viewing for Adam Furlong along with her children. He then asked for a moment of silence followed for both Adam Furlong and New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Councilman Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, Council President Hanson, Councilman Ludwig, and Councilman Robenolt. Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon and Solicitor Timothy Higgins were also on the dais. Mayor Harris was absent with prior notice. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Council President Hanson reported that council was provided with the minutes of the July 5, 2023, caucus and the July 11, 2023, council meetings and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Robenolt the minutes were approved with the following abstentions: Councilman Ludwig for the caucus and council minutes and Councilman Drumm for council for the council minutes. PROCLAMATION: Council President Hanson presented a proclamation for International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the July 2023 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator for June, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Drumm second by Beach, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all council members present. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION – NONE ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ord. 1174 Ordinance Adding Article VI, Tree Removal and Replacement, to Chapter 95, Property Maintenance, in the Borough Code On a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, the ordinance was approved on first reading with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Ludwig-yes, Robenolt- yes. This ordinance was originally introduced on first reading on June 13, 2023. This is a model ordinance mandated by NJDEP, and they have substantially revised the ordinance language so it is being re-introduced and will be considered for adoption after proper notice and a public hearing to be held September 12, 2023. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 8-2023-84 Change Order No. 1—Lost World Park Playground Equipment 8-2023-85 Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Expense for Grants Received 8-2023-86 Resolution Accepting the Design Specifications and Installation Direction of Certain Playground Equipment without Modification, as Set Forth by the Manufacturer 8-2023-87 Resolution Appointing Dan Bowman as a Class III School Resource Officer 8-2023-88 Appointing William Stopper as Municipal Court Judge for a Three-year Term 8-2023-89 Resolution Adding 2023 Tax Exemptions 8-2023-90 Authorizing Refund of Escrow Posted for Street Opening 8-2023-91 Amending the Contract with PSE&G or the Energy Saver Program 8-2023-92 Authorizing Liens Against Certain Properties for Costs Incurred in Accordance with the Property Maintenance Code 8-2023-93 Amending the Accounts Payable Policy and Procedures to Include Wire Payments for Payments of $15,000 or Greater 8-2023-94 Approving the August Bill List in the Total Amount of: $5,774.111.42 On a motion by Ludwig, 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 Ludwig, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Council President Hanson advised that if you have comments or questions, please come forward and state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes per person. Terry Shannon – thanked Kate Bowen and the Ambulance staff for their service when her husband needed help. She also thanked the Police, and Fire as they were at her home to help too. Terry said they saved her husband’s life, and we are very fortunate to have such fantastic emergency services in our town. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN LUDWIG – school will be back in session soon, please watch out for the kids. Football season is here so prepare for the Eagles! COUNCILMAN CERRITO – Barrington Bounty Garden vegetables were bought here tonight if you would like some. Thanks to our gardeners and all who have donated. Vegetables have been given to the Barrington Seniors, Barrington Mews, and churches in the area. Condolences to the family of Adam Furlong. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – congratulations to Chief Minardi and Lieutenant Pawling for a great National Night Out-- it was excellent. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – thanks for National Night Out, it was excellent, the public and all attendees had a good time. As mentioned, school will be back soon so please aware of the kids and your surroundings. Happy Labor Day to all. COUNCILMAN BEACH – condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Furlong family and friends. The seniors are happy that the senior bus is running again. Events at the senior center have been well attended. Please contact Eileen or Meg for more information about senior events and bus schedule. Thanks to all our First Responders., they all do a great job all day, every day COUNCIL PRESIDENT HANSON – thanked Chief Minardi, Lieutenant Pawling and the entire police department for a great National Night Out. Also, all first responders and sponsors for the event--it was great. Our Summer Rec Program was back this year, and it was a success, thanks to Donny Lang for a great job. The Civic Association is hosting a basketball camp next week, information is on the Civic and borough Facebook pages. He thanked DPW and first responders, we had a great amount of rain last night in short amount of time. We were not informed of any major flooding issues, kudos to DPW on keeping the drains and sewers clear. August 31 is the Civic Associations free Summer Nights Program at Wish Upon a Star Park from 6-8pm and Brews, Beats and Eats is September 9 from 3-10 pm at the St. Francis de Sales parking lot. We need non-perishable food and gift cards for our Food Pantry, please contact Kyle or Eileen for more information. Chief Mike Minardi said that Lieutenant Pawling deserves all the credit for the success of National Night Out. Thanks to all who sponsored, took part in, and attended this event. That includes the Barrington Police Department officers who attended. This was on a volunteer basis and nearly all the officers attended and took part in the festivities. He also thanked Council President Hanson for his time and help with this event. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Beach, the meeting was adjourned at 6:17 PM APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk