Board of Commissioners

BORDENTOWN, NEW JERSEY NOVEMBER 13, 2023 The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held at the Carslake Community Center on the above date at 7:00 PM and broadcast using the ZOOM Virtual Platform available to members of the public. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jennifer L. Sciortino. The meeting was opened with a prayer by Acting City Clerk Jennifer M. Smith followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Acting City Clerk read the Sunshine Notice as follows: This meeting is being held in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate public notice of this meeting has been given by the City Clerk of the City of Bordentown in the following manner: 1. Posting written notice of the time, date, and place on the official bulletin board at the Bordentown City Hall, 101 E. Park Street, Bordentown, New Jersey on January 11, 2023. 2. Electronic Submission and Mailing written notice of the time, date and place to The Times of Trenton and The Burlington County Times on January 11, 2023, and duly advertised in The Burlington County Times on January 13, 2023. 3. Notice of information and official meeting links to be published on the City’s official website for the Zoom Virtual format was included with the legal advertisement in The Burlington County Times on January 13, 2023. 4. Filing written notice with the Clerk of the City of Bordentown on January 11, 2023. The following named Commissioners answered the roll call: Mayor Jennifer L. Sciortino, Deputy Mayor Joseph D. Myers and Commissioner James E. Lynch, Jr. Commissioner Lynch moved the approval of the minutes of the Commission Meeting October 16, 2023, seconded by Mayor Sciortino. Motion carried. Mayor Sciortino announced we were going to start the meeting off with two promotions within the Police Department and handed the floor over to Commissioner Lynch Director of Public Safety and Affairs. Commissioner Lynch provided a brief bio on Patrolman Jeremy Archer followed by announcing his promotion from Patrolman to Sergeant within the Bordentown City Police Department. Following the announcement, Bordentown City Police Chief, Shaun Lafferty, Patrolman Archer, and his family approached and stood at the front of the room. Commissioner Lynch administered the Oath of Office to Sergeant Jeremy as his wife, Cassandra, and daughter Zoey, held the Bible, while family, friends and fellow officers looked on. Commissioner Lynch provided a brief bio on Detective Justin Lewandowski followed by announcing his promotion from Detective to Sergeant within the Bordentown City Police Department. Following the announcement, Bordentown City Police Chief, Shaun Lafferty, Detective Lewandowski, and his wife approached and stood at the front of the room. Commissioner Lynch administered the Oath of Office to Sergeant Lewandowski as his wife, Brie, held the Bible, while family, friends and fellow officers looked on. After the oaths of office were performed, Sgt. Archer and Sgt. Lewandowski received congratulations from Mayor Sciortino, Deputy Mayor Myers, Commissioner Lynch, and members of the Bordentown City Police Department and Bordentown Township Police Department who were in attendance as a show of support. Chief Lafferty expressed his gratitude towards the Commissioners for their support. Commissioner Lynch also thanked his fellow Commissioners for their continuous support for the City Police Department, he also thanked fellow Bordentown Township Officers as well. MAYOR SCIORTINO, DIRECTOR OF REVENUE AND FINANCE Mayor Sciortino, Director of Revenue and Finance, read the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending October 31, 2023, as follows: Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 1  Mayor Sciortino read the Tax Collector’s Report for the month ending October 31, 2023, as follows: Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 2  Mayor Sciortino presented Resolution 2023-130 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-130 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PAYMENT OF BILLS BE IT RESOLVED this 13th day of November 2023 that the following purchases, contracts or agreements for the performance of any work or the furnishing or hiring of materials or supplies, which have either been awarded after competitive bidding, or are exempt from competitive bidding, or the cost or price of which, together with any other sums expended for the performance of any work or services in connection with the same immediate program, undertaking, activity or project, or the furnishing of similar materials or supplies during the same fiscal year paid with or out of public funds which does not or will not exceed the total sum of $44,000 in the current fiscal year, or in the case of purchases that are not annually recurring, in a period of one (1) year, be and the same are hereby approved for payment by the City of Bordentown. Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 3 Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 4  Mayor Sciortino moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-130, seconded by Deputy Mayor Myers. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Mayor Sciortino presented Resolution 2023-131 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-131 A RESOLUTION REFUNDING AND CANCELLING TAXES ON PROPERTY OWNED BY A TOTALLY DISABLED VETERAN WHEREAS, the property identified as Block 1104 Lot 30, located at 43 Elizabeth Street, is owned by Mr. Scott E. Greenwood; and WHEREAS, Mr. Greenwood has been declared to be 100% permanently and totally disabled by the Veterans Administration; and WHEREAS, Mr. Greenwood has made application for property tax deduction due to his service-connected disability in accordance with N.J.S.A. 54:4-3/30; and WHEREAS, the Tax Assessor has reviewed said application and found it to be satisfactory. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Bordentown, that the following taxes are hereby cancelled for the reasons set forth above. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 4th Quarter 2023 prorated amount of $143.90 due and payable as of October 11, 2023, with refunding the balance of the 4 th Quarter 2023 to Lereta Tax Services in the amount of $1,151.09 and the 1st Quarter 2024 and the 2nd Quarter of 2024 Preliminary Tax are hereby cancelled for the aforementioned reasons: Block 1104 Lot 30 Amount $1,151.09 Prorated 4th Quarter 2023 – Refunded $1,251.74 1 Quarter 2024 Preliminary - Cancelled st $1,251.74 2nd Quarter 2024 Preliminary - Cancelled BE IT HEREBY FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be given to the Tax Collector for her records and to the City Auditor for his information. Mayor Sciortino moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-131, seconded by Commissioner Lynch. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Mayor Sciortino presented Resolution 2023-116 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-116 WHEREAS, the Bordentown Sewerage Authority is entrusted with the responsibility to acquire, construct, maintain, operate, and improve works for the collection, treatment, purification or disposal of sewage wastes within the City of Bordentown and Township of Bordentown, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:14A-1 et seq; and WHEREAS, the City of Bordentown, through its water department, provides potable water services to customers within the district served by the Authority; and WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40:14A-26(d) provides that each municipality operating a system of water distribution shall, from time to time after request therefor by the Sewerage Authority, deliver to the Sewerage Authority copies of the records made by it in the regular course of business of the amount of water supplied by it to every parcel of real property within the district and that the reasonable costs of preparation and delivering of such copies shall be paid by the Sewerage Authority; and WHEREAS, the Authority has requested that such records be made available to it in order that the Authority may compute its consumption charges for sewerage services; and WHEREAS, the terms of the Water Consumption Agreement effective as of January 1, 2024, and expiring on December 31, 2027, are satisfactory to the City of Bordentown. Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 5  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED this 13th day of November 2023 by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Bordentown that the Water Consumption Agreement by and between the City of Bordentown and the Bordentown Sewerage Authority be and the same is hereby approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Clerk be and the same are hereby authorized and directed to execute the aforesaid Agreement on behalf of the City of Bordentown. Mayor Sciortino moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-116, seconded by Deputy Mayor Myers. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Mayor Sciortino presented Resolution 2023-132 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-132 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE CITY OF BORDENTOWN EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the City of Bordentown have adopted a Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual to ensure that employees and prospective employees are treated in a manner consistent with all applicable employment laws and regulations; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners wish to provide a handbook to all employees, municipal officials, appointees, and independent contractors which handbook is intended to provide guidelines covering public service by municipal employees and is not a contract; and WHEREAS, the City of Bordentown is an Equal Opportunity Employer that to the maximum extent permitted by law, practices under the legal doctrine known as “employment at will”. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Bordentown, County of Burlington, and State of New Jersey, that the Employee Handbook attached hereto be and is hereby adopted. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk is hereby directed to distribute copies of the adopted Employee Handbook to all employees, municipal officials, appointees, and independent contractors of the City. Mayor Sciortino moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-132, seconded by Commissioner Lynch. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Mayor Sciortino presented Ordinance 2023-17 An Ordinance Amending Chapter 37 Of The Code Of The City Of Bordentown, Entitled, “Fees and Licenses” for Second Reading and Hearing. Mayor Sciortino opened the Hearing on Ordinance 2023-17 for public comment. Hearing no questions or comments from the public, Mayor Sciortino closed the Hearing for Ordinance 2023-17. Mayor Sciortino moved the adoption of Ordinance 2023-17 on Second Reading and Hearing, seconded by Commissioner Lynch. } Jennifer L. Sciortino Nays} Roll Call: Ayes } Joseph D. Myers Abstain} } James E. Lynch, Jr. Absent} Mayor Sciortino moved the approval for the following events: 1. DBA Annual Chocolate Walk December 1, 2023 2. Old City Hall Event to be held by Debbie Kelly requesting to have alcohol served to guests at a Retirement Party to be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. 3. Carriage Rides December 7th, 14th & 21st, 2023 Sponsored by Old Town Pub, Toscano’s and Laura’s Salon Seconded by Commissioner Lynch, motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. DEPUTY MAYOR MYERS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROPERTY, STREETS AND WATER Deputy Mayor Myers, Director of Public Property, Streets and Water, presented Resolution 2023-133 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-133 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the following Water Utility overpayment for the year 2023 in the Office of the Water Department, City of Bordentown, State of New Jersey be hereby refunded: NAME BLOCK/LOT AMOUNT ProCap 8 105/7 $209.47 BE IT HEREBY FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Resolution be given to the Water Utility Clerk for her records and to the City Auditor for his information. Deputy Mayor Myers moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-133, seconded by Mayor Sciortino. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Deputy Mayor Myers, read his Public Works/Water Utility Update Report for November 2023, as follows: November 13, 2023 Update Bordentown City – Public Property, Streets, and Water Joe Myers: jmyers@cityofbordentown.com and/or 609-556-7837 Highlights: (a) Contractor has substantially completed repaving Brooks Avenue; (b) Due to staffing shortages, DPW is behind leaf pickup but we will continue collecting until everything has been removed and the streets are clear; (c) Thank you to Cathy Shaw, Brooke McMinn and the student volunteers for their great work at Oliver Street Park; (d) Sidewalk repairs (just like snow removal) are the responsibility of the private property owner (except for the shade tree commission and water department/repairs); and (e) The water department has been busy this month – the start of phase two of the Crosswicks tank and continuation of meter installation. If anyone wants more information about our asset management plan, sampling, and/or priority projects, please call our water department at 609-298-0604 or look online at the city website. Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 6  1. Roadways a. Maintenance bond phase: Second, West, Oliver, and Union Streets b. Brooks Ave: Besides punch list (striping and bollards), work is mainly done. c. NJDOT Application (1 of 4): Our next priority will be Carpenter, Leyden, Myrtle, Borden, and Hopkinson project. City awarded a construction contract last month and mobilization will likely be in early 2024. d. NJDOT Application (2 of 4): City was awarded a grant for the repaving segments of Burlington and Prince Streets in 2024. In August, we hosted a great community meeting to collect input and this information has been shared with the design engineers. e. NJDOT (3 of 4): City applied and was awarded design funds to NJDOT for streetscape improvement along Park Street. Meeting with the county later this month. f. NJDOT (4 of 4): City was awarded $217,000 for repaving funds for Elizabeth Street (community outreach and design will be in 2024 and construction in 2025). 2. Projects a. Parks/Recreational Facilities: i. Oliver Street Park: City is reviewing concepts with residents and budget/grants. ii. Second Street Park: The Contractor has a supply chain issue, and equipment will not be ready for installation until spring 2024. iii. West/Borden City Lot: Design has been finalized with community feedback and developing bid specs now. iv. Ann Street: (a) Phase one focus is public notification and cleanup of adjacent residential parcels (city is reviewing the RFP); and (b) We will also pursue grant funds from the state via NJDEP’s HDSRF program. b. Pedestrian safety: DPW started its annual sidewalk and tree work last month (phase one). 3. Water Department: In the most recent water sampling plan (earlier this year), the city received excellent results (zero exceedances out of its thirty-one samples, and 22 were non-detects). This is a strong testament to the department’s leadership and guidance from the resident advisory committee. a. Crosswicks Water Tank: The second phase starts this month. b. New Water Meters (I-Bank funding to help support the project): Over 3,000 meters have been replaced. c. Lead Service Line Notifications: Over 250 letters were mailed this past summer to homeowners with known galvanized and/or lead service lines. Deputy Mayor Myers congratulated Marguerite Hellwich, Chairperson of the Bordentown Veterans Memorial, and members for hosting a wonderful Veteran’s Gala this year. COMMISSIONER LYNCH, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND AFFAIRS Commissioner Lynch, Director of Public Safety and Affairs, gave the Police Report detailing the activities of the Department from October 7 to November 6, 2023. Commissioner Lynch presented Resolution 2023-134 for adoption and approval as follows: CITY OF BORDENTOWN RESOLUTION 2023-134 BE IT RESOLVED, this 13th day of November 2023, by the Board of Commissioners of the City of Bordentown that the following final change order be and the same is hereby approved and authorized: CONTRACT Additions and Alterations City of Bordentown Police Department CHANGE ORDER NO. Change Order No. 1 CONTRACTOR Scozzari Builders, Inc. 1891 North Olden Avenue Trenton, NJ 08638 AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL CONTRACT $ 1,088,743.00 AMOUNT OF CHANGE ORDER Increase: $ 82,882.52 TOTAL AMOUNT OF CONTRACT TO DATE $ 1,171,625.52 REASON FOR CHANGE ORDER Abatement of asbestos – During demolition uncovered asbestos in floor tile and on covered walls. Commissioner Lynch moved the adoption and approval of Resolution 2023-134, seconded by Deputy Mayor Myers. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Commissioner Lynch presented Ordinance 2023-18 Amending Chapter 258 Of The Code Of The City Of Bordentown, Entitled “Vehicles And Traffic” Mayor Sciortino opened the Hearing on Ordinance 2023-18 for public comment. Hearing no questions or comments from the public, Mayor Sciortino closed the Hearing for Ordinance 2023-18. Commissioner Lynch moved the adoption of Ordinance 2023-18 on Second Reading and Hearing, seconded by Mayor Sciortino. } Jennifer L. Sciortino Nays} Roll Call: Ayes} Joseph D. Myers Abstain} } James E. Lynch, Jr. Absent} Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 7  Commissioner Lynch presented Ordinance 2023-19 An Ordinance Of The City Of Bordentown Establishing Chapter 131 Of The Code Of The City Of Bordentown Entitled “Lead-Base Paint Inspections”, And Supplementing Chapter 37, Entitled, “Fees” for First Reading. Second Reading and Hearing will be held on December 1, 2023. Commissioner Lynch moved the approval of Ordinance 2023-19 on First Reading, seconded by Mayor Sciortino. } Jennifer L. Sciortino Nays} Roll Call: Ayes} Joseph D. Myers Abstain} } James E. Lynch, Jr. Absent} Commissioner Lynch moved the approval of a Blue Light Permit Applications for: Jose Porras-Masis, Michael Rush, Patricia Bartole, and Erik Smith (Consolidated Fire Assoc.), seconded by Mayor Sciortino. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Commissioner Lynch moved the approval of Membership NJ State Firemen’s Association Applications for: William Jannell and Joseph Csillan (Consolidated Fire Assoc.), seconded by Deputy Mayor Myers. Motion carried with all Commissioners present voting in the affirmative. Commissioner Lynch advised that new members residing out of City limits receiving a Blue Light Permit should be reminded of the rules and regulations for a Blue Light Permit. He also, echoed the sentiments of the Deputy Mayor regarding the Veterans’ Gala this year as well as expressing many thanks the Bordentown Rotary Club and Bordentown Elks for donating two electric bikes that were presented at the Rotary4Recovery Remembrance Walk. Mayor Sciortino opened the meeting for public comment. Bruce Throckmorton suggested to the commissioners to replace the old clock located at Old City Hall with an electric one and the old clock be put on display. He stated that the clock has been at the same time for some time now. The Commissioners advised that there used to be a designated person who used to go wind up the clock to make it run, they like his idea, but will also see if they can find a volunteer to be designated to oversee winding the clock. Kathy Dawson addressed the Commissioners with several questions:  Why are the Planning Board Meeting Minutes not posted on the City website. Response: Mayor Sciortino stated that she would look into it.  When the inspections for the new municipal building were done why didn’t the inspector(s) look for asbestos. Response: Commissioner Lynch advised that this is something you find during a demolition or construction. Ms. Dawson further asked if this would prolong the renovations for the police department. Response: Commissioner Lynch stated this would not hold up the renovations and we are still planning to be done in the spring.  Former City Hall located at 324 Farnsworth Avenue, what is the status on the property, is there a buyer. Response: Mayor Sciortino advised that we need to get three appraisals first, we have already received one. Maxine Brimmer asked what is zoning on the property. Response: Mayor Sciortino stated residential and commercial. Commissioner Lynch with the property having the small parking lot in the back it is a desirable property for an investor.  Status on the Ocean Spray property. Response: Mayor Sciortino advised that the previous tenant that was interested in redeveloping the property into condos, backed out before the state gave the approval. There have been other interests in the property for cannabis manufacturing as well. Bruce Throckmorton asked how long the approval is good for on the property. Response: Mayor Sciortino responded five-ten years. Cathy Elliot-Shaw announced that she wanted to give credit, where credit is due, we would have not received the grant funds for Oliver Street Park if it was not for Sruti Desai, she did a lot of work for the grant. She continued to state that the Public Works Department and the student volunteers were great to work with and very helpful. She then asked if there were plans available for West and Board Street. Response: Deputy Mayor Myers commented that we can pass them along. Judy Craig addressed the Commissioners with a few concerns:  On the website there is a report about a problem or concern, who accesses that, as she had submitted concerns and has not received an email or call back. Response: Mayor Sciortino advised that the reports are reviewed by city hall, but not too long ago we were having technical difficulty issues with the website, there might be a chance you submitted them during the issues, and if you could bring your concerns to our attention now. Ms. Craig discussed two street signs on Willow Street off Burlington Street that need to be replaced and there is no street sign at the top of the hill coming from the train station, to let people know that is Prince Street. Response: The Commissioners acknowledged her concerns.  What is the status of the Gilder House getting a HVAC system. Response: Commissioner Lynch discussed Old City Hall has been trying to get a contractor to do the work and Carol Hill has been in touch with one but there are certain rules and regulations that need to be followed in order to do so. Mr. Erickson provided some clarification on the rules and regulations and Ms. Hill has been following up with the contractor that is able to do the work, however he is way too busy at this moment. Kathy Dawson asked what is the garage/shed across from Carslake Community Center. Response: Commissioner Lynch stated that is the Water Meter Shop, where they store water meters and behind the building is the Police Department evidence garage. Ms. Dawson commented that the appearance over there is an eye sore. Judy Craig stated whatever happened to the RWJ Ambulance that was sitting out on Farnsworth Avenue. Response: Commissioner Lynch replied that it is now kept at the old International Produce garage on Park Street, next to Angie’s Diner. Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 8  Jim Heupel asked if there were any updates on the Farnsworth Avenue Bridge. Response: Commissioner Lynch stated he has been in contact with the former Bridge Commissioner and Mayor Sciortino commented that she had sent out a letter in supporting to save the bridge to Congressman Andy Kim and waiting for his reply. With no further business to conduct, Mayor Sciortino moved for adjournment, seconded by Commissioner Lynch. Motion carried. ATTEST: ADJOURNED, ACTING CITY CLERK COMMISSIONERS Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 9 Commission Meeting November 13, 2023 10