City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING November 13, 2023, 6:00PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING 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 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. She then led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Councilman Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, Council President Hanson, and Councilman Robenolt. Councilman Ludwig was absent with prior notice. Mayor Harris, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon, and Solicitor Timothy Higgins were also on the dais. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Chief Minardi made a special presentation to Patrolmen Conor Beckas and Tyler Selby for outstanding service in apprehending an armed suspect who was fleeing from another town. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Mayor reported that council was provided with the minutes of the October 3, 2023, caucus the October 10, 2023, council and the October 17, special meeting minutes and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito the minutes were approved with the following abstentions: Councilman Drumm for caucus and the special meeting. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the October 2023 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all council members present. ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING Ord. 1177 Ordinance Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Capital Improvements and Reappropriating Such Funded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the ordinance was approved on first reading with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. This ordinance will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to be held during the December 12, 2023, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 11-2023-113 Implementing a Fair and Open Process for Selection of Professionals for 2024 11-2023-114 Resolution of the Borough of Barrington Supporting and Approving an Application for the Submission of a NJDOT Safe Routes to School Program Application, FY2024, for Pedestrian Safety Related Improvements at Various Locations 11-2023-115 Authorizing Liens Against Certain Properties for Property Maintenance Costs Incurred 11-2023-116 Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Expense for Grants Received 11-2023-117 Resolution to Cancel Unexpended Contract Balances 11-2023-118 Authorizing 2023 Budget Transfers 11-2023-119 Authorizing Refund of Escrow Posted for Street Openings 11-2023-120 Adding a 2023 Tax Exemption for an Exempt Veteran 11-2023-121 Approval to Submit an Award Extension Request for LA-2022 MA Roadway Improvements to Austin Avenue Phase 2 04, to NJDOT 11-2023-122 Amending the Personnel Policy Handbook 11-2023-123 Cancelling an Unexpended General Capital Authorization 11-2023-124 Approving the November Bill List in the Total Amount of: $5,117,143.34 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, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Cerrito, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris 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. Kristen Lampe – spoke about speeding on Clements Bridge Road at the Turnpike bridge saying it is extremely dangerous and crossing is a big problem. Mayor Harris advised that it is a county road. The road is supposed to be 35mph and we got the county to agree to 25mph. We did get the blinking lights and striping; we can ask the Chief to have police out there again. Mike Ciocco, DPW Superintendent, and Mayor Harris said there is a button to push when crossing so the lights flash to let drivers know someone is at the crosswalk. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Beach, second by Drumm, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN CERRITO – thanks to family, friends, and residents for re-electing me for another three years of service. Looking forward to working with Kyle and Melanie. Congratulations to Officers Beckas and Selby on their excellent work. Great leadership by the Chief. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – congratulations to officers Beckas and Tyler--it shows that our Police Department is proactive. Congratulations to Kyle and Vince on their re-election. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HANSON – congratulations to Vince on his re-election. Thanks to the Boy Scouts for their food drive last weekend. The collection will help for the upcoming thanksgiving and holiday seasons. If anyone needs food, please contact the Council President directly. Congratulations to Patrolman Beckas and Selby on their awards this evening. Thanks to our veterans in town and those veterans who work for the borough including Mulhearn and Ferguson from the Police Department, Sean Ferguson, the Asst. Fire Chief and Mike Ciocco, Superintendent of Public Works. The Civic Association has their Giving Tree project up and running. There are tags on the tree in the borough hall and at the Rite Aid drugstore for local family’s needs and wants for the holiday season. Please get a tag if you can donate. Our tree lighting will be Friday, November 24th at 6:45pm immediately followed by the Fire Parade. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – congratulations to Kyle Hanson, Vince Cerrito, and Melanie on their victory. Thanks to our veterans, we appreciate all you do and have done. Congratulations to Patrolman Beckas and Selby, it is not an easy job and being proactive as the Chief mentioned is an example of his leadership, we have great officers and that comes from great leadership. Wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your family and friends and be safe. COUNCILMAN BEACH – thank you and congratulations to Officers Beckas and Selby. Chief, it is proof of your leadership. We give thanks for things like this stop, which is a major incident, but we appreciate what you all do every day. Thanks to all veterans for their contribution to our country, thanks to all borough employees. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Hanson and Councilman Cerrito, and to Melanie, it will be nice to have another female here with us. The senior Christmas luncheon is December 1 at Auletto’s Catering. Reach out to Eileen or Meg for more information, dues paying senior members are invited. Be aware of people crossing the road. It is said every month, and the entire town is 25mph speed limit with crosswalks all over so please, be aware. MAYOR HARRIS – congratulations to Mayor-elect Hanson and to Councilpersons Cerrito and Melanie, I will miss you all. Mike and Dave thank you for your leadership, what a great department you have. Mike Ciocco, thank you for your service to our country and thanks to all our veterans. Don’t forget the tree lighting; if you bring the kids our Public Works Department made a big switch, and they can help to flick the switch. The Mayor read a letter of thanks to the Barrington employees who helped the resident. Thank you to all our employees, we receive great comments about you. Thanks to all staff, in all departments, and happy thanksgiving. I will miss you all very much. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Cerrito, second by Beach, the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk