City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING August 13, 2024, 6:00PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Mayor Hanson presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor 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. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Councilman Drumm, Councilwoman Mercado-Miller and Councilman Robenolt. Council President Beach was absent with prior notice. Councilman Cerrito arrived at 6:03 and Councilman Ludwig arrived at 6:05. Mayor Hanson, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon, and Solicitor Timothy Higgins were also on the dais. PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Hanson presented the following proclamation: Congratulating the Barrington Little League Boys 8U District 14 Coach Pitch Team for Winning the District 14 Championship. The team and their coaches were all present. Coach Pat Knox described how dedicated and hardworking the boys, their parents and the coaches have been, and he thanked them all and also thanked the governing body for their support. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Hanson reported that Council was provided with the minutes of the July 2, 2024, caucus, and the July 9, 2024, council meetings and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller the minutes were approved with all in favor except for Ludwig and Cerrito who abstained on the council minutes and Robenolt who abstained on the caucus minutes. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Hanson advised that the monthly departmental reports were distributed to the governing body, are posted outside of council chambers, and posted on the borough website. If there are no questions on the reports, I will entertain a motion to accept monthly reports. On a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito, the monthly departmental reports were approved with the following poll vote: Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Ludwig-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes, Robenolt-yes ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING: Ord. 1190 Amending Article XII, Schedules, in Chapter 339, Vehicles and Traffic, in the Code of the Borough of Barrington (no stopping or standing on Bell Ave) Ord. 1191 Bond Ordinance Authorizing THE Completion OF Various Capital Improvements AND THE Acquisition OF Various Capital Equipment In AND For THE Borough OF  Barrington, County OF Camden, New Jersey; Appropriating THE Sum OF $1,511,500 Therefor; Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds Or Bond Anticipation Notes Of The Borough Of Barrington, County Of Camden, New Jersey, In The Aggregate Principal Amount Of Up To $1,435,925, Making Certain Determinations And Covenants; And Authorizing Certain Related Actions In Connection With The Foregoing Ord. 1192 Bond Ordinance Authorizing The Completion Of Various Sewer Utility Improvements And The Acquisition Of Various Sewer Utility Equipment In And For The Borough Of Barrington, County Of Camden, New Jersey; Appropriating The Sum Of $336,500 Therefor; Authorizing The Issuance Of General Obligation Bonds Or Bond Anticipation Notes Of The Borough Of Barrington, County Of Camden, New Jersey, In The Aggregate Principal Amount Of Up To $336,500, Making Certain Determinations And Covenants; And Authorizing Certain Related Actions In Connection With The Foregoing On a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, the first reading of the ordinances was approved with the following poll vote: Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Ludwig-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes, Robenolt-yes These ordinances will be considered for adoption after proper notice and a public hearing to be held during the September 10 council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 8-2024-80 Change Order No. 3—Austin Avenue Project 8-2024-81 Certification of the 2023 Annual Report of Audit 8-2024-82 Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Expense for Grant Received 8-2024-83 Authorizing Cancellation of Grant Balances 8-2024-84 Adding a 2024 Tax Exemption 8-2024-85 Approving the August Bill List in the Total Amount of: $2,632,228.80 On a motion by Drumm, second by Ludwig, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Ludwig-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes, Robenolt-yes PUBLIC PORTION Mayor 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. On a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Maryann Perrino asked for an update on the landscaping work being done at the borough hall by the Tot Lot. Mayor Hanson asked Councilman Cerrito to explain about the Green Team Rain Garden. The Councilman advised that the Green Team is promoting rain gardens to support rain runoff and divert it to the rain garden, which will help with surface water flooding. Selected proper plants will be landscaped in the garden. The area will be cleaned up and look nice. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN LUDWIG – apologized for coming in late. Enjoy the rest of the summer. Kids are going back to school soon so watch for the kids walking to school. COUNCILMAN CERRITO – apologized for coming in late. Congratulations to the team on their submitted application to become certified at the “bronze level.” The team and Terry worked very hard on it. Not a lot of towns are certified, and this says a lot about us. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT–congratulations to the Little League team on their accomplishments. Our teams have been doing extremely well the last few years with a good group of coaches and leadership there, it is good to see. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – wished all a happy and safe rest of the summer. COUNCILWOMAN MERCADO-MILLER – echoed Councilman Robenolt’s comments on the boys’ team, great to hear such good news. We encourage all of you to share both the good and bad that goes on in town. The Board of Health reviewed applications and confirmed a few new members, they will receive notices within the week. WE will also be scheduling a subcommittee meeting on the Mayors Wellness Campaign, is the borough website for more information. Senior activities included a bus trip to Atlantic City today, which was very successful, and the Holiday Party will be held at Auletto’s Caterin on December 6. Contact Eileen or Meg for more information. With summer months ending, enjoy your vacations, be safe and try to visit some local businesses. MAYOR HANSON – thanked the Green Team, specifically Alex and Brittany Beyer, who did all the work to have the borough certified as Sustainable New Jersey. Thanks to Denise and the department heads for their work on the capital ordinances. National Night Out was postponed and information on rescheduling will be shared on social media and our app. Summer Nights will be held on Thursday, August 29 at Wish Park at 6pm, a free event sponsored by the Civic Association; ice cream, school supply giveaways and lots of fun. Brews, Beats and Eats is Saturday September7, behind St. Francis de Sales; this event is also sponsored by the Civic Association. Thanks to our summer recreation director, Donny Lange, who did a phenomenal job with the kids the last six weeks. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Ludwig, second by Drumm, the meeting was adjourned at 6:19 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk