Mayor & Council Meeting

BOROUGH COUNCIL AGENDA REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13, 2025 7:30 P.M. Reading Of Sunshine Notice Flag Salute Roll Call Agenda Session Presentation - Metuchen Downtown Alliance 2025 Budget Public Comment Borough Council Meeting Minutes Approval of Borough Council Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2024 Communications Consent Agenda – Items A-E A. Receive and Accept Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes of July 14, 2024 and October 14, 2024 B. Receive and Accept Human Relations Commission Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2024 and October 1, 2024 C. Receive and Accept Library Board Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2024 D. Receive and Accept Parking Authority Meeting Minutes of August 20, 2024 and November 18, 2024 E. Receive and Accept Planning Board Meeting Minutes of September 5, 2024, November 7, 2024, and December 5, 2024 Ordinance – Public Hearing Ord. 2025-01 ORDINANCE TO SET THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAGE RANGES FOR CERTAIN BOROUGH EMPLOYEES, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2024-24 Ordinance – Introduction Ord. 2025-02 ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARTS COUNCIL Regular Meeting 01.13.2025 Reports of Council Members Report of the Mayor New Business Consent Agenda – Resolutions 2025-66 to 2025-67 R2025-66 RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO DCA’S FOURTH ROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESENT NEED AND PROSPECTIVE NEED NUMBERS R2025-67 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE CENTRAL JERSEY MUNICIPAL JOINT INSURANCE FUND’S 2025 SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM Appointment Matthew Westreich to Planning Board as Alternate Mayor’s Designee for term expiring 12/31/2025 Adjournment The Borough of Metuchen does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. Those individuals requiring auxiliary aids and services were necessary must notify the ADA Coordinator of the Borough of Metuchen at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting or scheduled activity.  ORDINANCE 2025-01 Borough of Metuchen County of Middlesex State of New Jersey ORDINANCE TO SET THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM WAGE RANGES FOR CERTAIN BOROUGH EMPLOYEES, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2024-24 BE IT ORDAINED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Metuchen, that Ordinance 2024-24 be repealed and replaced with this ordinance to set the salary authorizations for the calendar year 2025, effective January 1, 2025. A. The following official employment designations are hereby confirmed and the range of compensation of each officer and employee of the Borough of Metuchen shall be: POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Mayor $10,000.00 $20,000.00 year Councilmember $ 5 000.00 $10,000.00 year Borough Administrator $ 100,000.00 $ 200,000.00 year Director of Special Projects $70,000.00 $ 100,000.00 year Director of Economic Development $85,000.00 $120,000.00 year Project Manager $50,000.00 $100,000.00 year Borough Clerk $75,000.00 $ 110,000.00 year Chief Financial Officer/ Tax Collector/QPA $100,000.00 $ 190,000.00 year Tax Assessor $75,000.00 $ 110,000.00 year Public Works Director $85,000.00 $ 190,000.00 year Public Works Superintendent $80,000.00 $130,000.00 year Public Works Supervisor $75,000.00 $ 120,000.00 year Chief of Police $ 170,000.00 $250,000.00 year Police Captain $ 160,000.00 $220,000.00 year Police Lieutenant $ 150,000.00 $205 000.00 year Court Administrator $75,000.00 $ 110,000.00 year Director of Recreation $50,000.00 $100,000.00 year Senior Citizen Director $45,000.00 $100,000.00 year Director of Recreation/Senior Services $ 70 000.00 $ 110,000.00 year Program Coordinator of Recreation/Senior Services $45,000.00 $85,000.00 year Administrative Assistant $42,000.00 $75,000.00 year Zoning Officer $65,000.00 $90,000.00 year TACO Administrative Officer $50,000.00 $95,000.00 year Administrative Manager $50,000.00 $90,000.00 year Deputy Court Administrator $42,000.00 $65,000.00 year Violations Clerk $40,000.00 $60,000.00 year QPA $6,000.00 $15,000.00 year Finance Clerk $40,000.00 $65,000.00 year Senior Finance Specialist $50,000.00 $ 100,000.00 year Finance Specialist $45,000.00 $90 000.00 year Multi-Media & Communication Director $65,000.00 $ 110,000.00 year Janitor $35,000.00 $50 000.00 year Enforcement Official $40,000.00 $60,000.00 year Land Use Administrator $50,000.00 $90,000.00 year Ord. 2025-01 Mileage/Car Use Stipend - at Borough Administrator year discretion $2,000.00 Field Inspector $50,000.00 $80,000.00 year Assistant Tax Assessor $60,000.00 $100,000.00 year POSITION-PART TIME MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Broadcast Technician $25,000.00 $35,000.00 year Public Works Administrator $110,000.00 $120,000.00 year Bus Drivers $20.00 $30.00 hour Part-Time Clerk Office Assistant $15.13 $30.00 hour Part-Time Violations Clerk $19.00 $33.00 hour Janitor, Firehouse $15.13 $30.00 hour Fire Official (Fire Prevention) $6,000.00 $40,000.00 year Fire Inspectors (Fire Prevention) $5,000.00 $20,000.00 year Office of Emergency Management Director $6,000.00 $65,000.00 vear Office of Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator $1,000.00 $1,500.00 stipend Registrar $5.000.00 $17,000.00 year Deputy Registrar $3,000.00 $11,000.00 vear School Crossing Guards $19.00 $30.00 hour Municipal Cares Coordinator $6,000.00 $10,000.00 year C-3 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Operator $6,000.00 $10,000.00 year Per Diem Clerical $15.13 $30.00 hour Public Works Summer Help $15.13 $30.00 hour Parking Enforcement Officer $19.00 $30.00 hour Police Auxiliarv Officer $500.00 $1,500.00 stipend Police Aide $30.00 $40.00 hour CONSTRUCTION INSPECTORS/OFFICIALS POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Construction Official $40.00 $70.00 hour Plumbing Subcode Official $25.00 $50.00 hour Plumbing Inspector $45.00 $70.00 hour Electrical Subcode Official $25.00 $50.00 hour Electrical Inspector $45.00 $70.00 hour Fire Subcode Official $25.00 $50.00 hour Fire Inspector $45.00 $70.00 hour Building Subcode Official $25.00 $50.00 hour Building Inspector $45.00 $70.00 hour Alternate Subcode Officials $25.00 $50.00 hour Alternate Inspectors $40.00 $70.00 hour Special Inspections $20.00 $20.00 hour COURT ADMINISTRATION POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Municipal Court Judge $25,000.00 $50,000.00 vear Municipal Public Defender $15,000.00 $30,000.00 year  Ord. 2025-01 RECREATION PT POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Lacrosse Director $30.00 $40.00 hour Field Hockey Director $30.00 $40.00 hour Field Hockey Coach $20.00 $30.00 hour Field Hockey Referee $15.13 $15.13 hour RECREATION SEASONAL POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Tennis Instructor $13.73 $16.00 hour Tennis Director $75.00 $85.00 hour Art Director $50.00 $75.00 hour Cooking Director $40.00 $50.00 hour Cam D Director $35.00 $45.00 hour Assistant Cam p Director $25.00 $30.00 hour Camp Counselors $13.73 $16.00 hour Recreation Assistant $13.73 $16.00 hour Soccer Camp Director $35.00 $50.00 hour Soccer Counselor $13.73 $16.00 hour Soccer Trainer $20.00 $30.00 hour Track Camp Director $30.00 $40.00 hour Track Advisor $25.00 $30.00 hour Track Specialist $20.00 $30.00 hour Basketball Director $30.00 $50.00 hour Basketball Referee $25.00 $30.00 hour Junior Referee $13.73 $16.00 hour Umpire $30.00 $30.00 hour POOL SEASONAL POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER Pool Manager $6,000.00 $15,000.00 season Assistant Managers $3,500.00 $10,000.00 season Aquatics Director $3,000.00 $10,000.00 season Head Swim Team Coach * $2,000.00 $6,000.00 season Assistant Swim Team Coach $1,000.00 $5,000.00 season Swim Team Assistant $750.00 $2,000.00 season Head Diving Coach $1,500.00 $3,000.00 season Assistant Diving Coach $1,100.00 $3,000.00 season Activities Director $3,000.00 $6,000.00 season Pre-Season Rate $13.73 $13.73 hour Swim Instructor $13.73 $13.73 hour Head Lifeguard $15.43 $15.43 hour Lifeguard $13.88 $13.88 hour Head Gate Attendant $13.88 $13.88 Hour Gate Attendant $13.73 $13.73 Hour Head Maintenance $14.43 $14.43 Hour Ord. 2025-01 Maintenance $13.73 $13.73 hour *Position not filled when Aquatics Director position is filled and acts as Head Coach.  Ord. 2025-01 LIBRARY PERSONNEL SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND INCREASE PER LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM PER FT Library Director $85,000.00 $ 130,000.00 year FT Principal Librarian $72 000.00 $85,000.00 year FT Senior Librarian (Youth/User Services) $62,000.00 $75,000.00 year FT Senior Librarian (Adult/User Services) $62,000.00 $75,000.00 year FT Librarian $55,000.00 $ 68,000.00 year FT Librarian (Adult/Youth Services) $55,000.00 $68,000.00 year FT Librarian (Adult/User Services) $55,000.00 $68,000.00 year FT Librarian (Youth Services) $55,000.00 $ 68,000.00 year FT Principal Library Assistant $42,000.00 $55,000.00 year FT Senior Library Assistant $ 36.000.00 $ 45,000.00 year FT Library Assistant $31,000.00 $ 36,000.00 year PT Senior Librarian $ 35.00 $ 45.00 hour PT Senior Librarian (Youth Services ) $ 35.00 $ 45.00 hour PT Librarian $30.00 $ 36.00 hour PT Librarian (Youth Services) $30.00 $ 36.00 hour PT Library Bookkeeper $26.00 $32.00 hour PT Library Techno lo gy Assistant $23.50 $28.00 hour PT Senior Library Assistant $ 20.00 $28.00 hour PT Library Children's Service Specialist $ 20.00 $28.00 hour PT Library Technical Services Assistant $ 18.00 $25.00 hour PT Library Assistant $ 17.37 $25.00 hour PT Library Page $ 15.13 $18.00 hour B. The hourly range of compensation for the public works positions hereinafter named shall be as follows, all payable in bi-weekly installments except as otherwise provided for: POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM Parking Maintenance $36.09 $40.05 Pump Operator $36.64 $ 40.65 Maintenance Repair Person $ 36.37 $ 40.36 Assistant Maintenance Repair Person $ 34.90 $ 38.75 Master Mechanic $36.09 $ 40.05 Heavy Equipment Operator $36.09 $ 40.05 Head Forestry $36.09 $ 40.05 Assistant Equipment Operator $ 34.90 $ 38.75 Forestry $34.90 $ 38.75 Assistant Mechanic $34.90 $ 38.75 Assistant Pump Operator $ 34.90 $ 38.75 Parks Worker $36.09 $ 40.05 Assistant Park Worker $ 34.90 $ 38.75 Drivers $33.93 $ 37.69 Laborer $ 32.88 $ 36.54 Ord. 2025-01 Additional compensation by way of longevity, overtime, sick days, personal days, insurance benefits and other matters related thereto are fully set forth in the collective bargaining agreement and are hereby incorporated in this ordinance. C. The salary range of compensation of all officers of the police department hereinafter named shall be as follows, all payable in equal bi-weekly installments except as otherwise provided for: POSITION MINIMUM MAXIMUM Sergeant $137,266.00 $155,998.00 Detective $129,823.00 $147,539.00 Patrol Officer $49,002.00 $143,139.00 Academy $31,470.40 $31,470.40 Additional compensation by way of Corporal assignment, longevity, overtime, sick days, personal days, insurance benefits and other matters related are fully set forth in the collective bargaining agreement and are hereby incorporated in this ordinance. I. Additional compensation by way of overtime, sick days, personal days, insurance benefits for full time employees not covered in collective bargaining agreements are fully set forth in the Personnel Handbook and amendments thereto previously adopted by the Borough Council and are hereby incorporated in this Ordinance. 2. No officer or employee shall be paid at a base rate which is above the maximum rate for any salary range in any of the aforementioned groups. Unless otherwise provided for all new employees or newly promoted employees shall be paid at the minimum rate of the salary range for the position to which they are hired. However, the Borough Administrator may hire a prospective employee who possesses qualifications that are greater than the minimum qualifications for the position at a rate above the minimum rate, but in no case shall a new employee be hired at a rate which is greater than that of a current employee in the same group. 3. This Ordinance shall supersede and replace all prior Salary Ordinances and Amendments thereto. Upon the effective date of this Ordinance, any and all prior Salary Ordinances and Amendments thereto and all salaries and compensation authorized therein shall have no further effect. The within Ordinance represents the salaries and compensation to be received by all current, exiting employees and offices or those anticipated to be filled in the near future. In the event that an existing office or position is currently vacant, and a salary or compensation is not set forth in this Ordinance, this Salary Ordinance shall be amended to create a salary and/or salary range for such position or office prior to said position or office being filled. 4. If any portion of this ordinance is in conflict with any portion of a collective bargaining agreement, then the collective bargaining agreement shall take precedence. Ord. 2025-01 5. All ordinances and parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed. 6. This ordinance shall take effect after its publication according to law and the amendments contained herein shall be retroactive to January 1, 2025.  ORDINANCE 2025-02 Borough of Metuchen County of Middlesex State of New Jersey ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF METUCHEN AND THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARTS COUNCIL WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Metuchen have determined that it is in the best interest of the Borough to amend the composition of the Arts Council of the Borough of Metuchen decreasing the overall membership from eighteen (18) members to sixteen (16) members. NOW THEREFOR BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Borough of Metuchen that it hereby amends § 10-22 and § 10-23 of Chapter 10, Article 5 of the Code of the Borough of Metuchen to state as follows: Article 5. Arts Council § 10-22. Establishment; composition. There is hereby established an Arts Council which shall be composed of 16 18 citizens of the Borough who shall serve without compensation, plus that member of the Borough Council serving as liaison from year to year. All 16 18 citizen members shall serve, on a staggered basis, for a term of three years. Each of the 13 citizens currently serving as full members of the Arts Council shall continue, without need for reappointment, until the expiration of their respective current terms. With respect to the five citizen members added by this article, two shall be appointed for one year, two shall be appointed for two years and one shall be appointed for a three-year term, all terms to expire at the organizational meeting of the Mayor and Council in January for each respective term. § 10-23. Appointment; selection of Chairperson; vacancies. All 16 18 citizen members shall be nominated by the Mayor and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. The Borough Council liaison shall be designated every year at the annual reorganization meeting of the Borough by the members of the Borough Council. All members shall serve until their successors are duly appointed and qualified. The members of the Arts Council shall designate one of its citizen members as Chairperson and that individual shall serve until the first day of January next following that election and until his or her successor shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring other than by the expiration of the term shall be filled in the manner prescribed therein, but only for the balance of the unexpired term. Ord. 2025-02 BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council that all prior ordinances, or sections of ordinances, inconsistent with the within ordinance are hereby repealed. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council that all remaining sections of Chapter 10, Sections 1 through 21 and Sections 24 through 46 not amended herein shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended by further Ordinance. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council that if any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall be declared invalid for any reason whatsoever, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this Ordinance, which shall continue in full force and effect, and to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable; and BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council that this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon final passage and publication as provided by law.  RESOLUTION 2025-66 Borough of Metuchen County of Middlesex State of New Jersey RESOLUTION COMMITTING TO DCA’S FOURTH ROUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESENT NEED AND PROSPECTIVE NEED NUMBERS WHEREAS, on March 20, 2024, Governor Murphy signed into law an Amendment to the Fair Housing Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq.) (hereinafter “Amended FHA”); and WHEREAS, the Amended FHA requires the Department of Community Affairs (“DCA”) to produce non-binding estimates of fair share obligations on or before October 20, 2024; and WHEREAS, the DCA issued a report on October 18, 2024 (“DCA Report”) wherein it reported its estimate of the obligation for all municipalities based upon its interpretation of the standards in the Amended FHA; and WHEREAS, the DCA Report calculates the Borough of Metuchen’s Round 4 (2025-2035) obligations as follows: a Present Need or Rehabilitation Obligation of 5 and a Prospective Need or New Construction Obligation of 120; and WHEREAS, the Amended FHA provides that the DCA Report is non-binding, thereby inviting municipalities to demonstrate that the Amended FHA would support lower calculations of Round 4 affordable housing obligations; and WHEREAS, the Amended FHA further provides that “[a]ll parties shall be entitled to rely upon regulations on municipal credits, adjustments, and compliance mechanisms adopted by COAH unless those regulations are contradicted by statute, including P.L. 2024, c.2, or binding court decisions” (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-311(m)); and WHEREAS, COAH regulations authorize vacant land adjustments as well as durational adjustments; and WHEREAS, based on the foregoing, the Borough of Metuchen accepts the DCA calculations of Metuchen’s fair share obligations and commits to its fair share of 5 units present need and 120 units prospective need subject to any vacant land and/or durational adjustments it may seek as part of the Housing Plan element and Fair Share Plan element it subsequently submits in accordance with the Amended FHA; and WHEREAS, the Borough of Metuchen reserves the right to comply with any additional amendments to the FHA that the Legislature may enact; and R2025-66 WHEREAS, the Borough of Metuchen also reserves the right to adjust its position in the event of any rulings in the Montvale case (MER-L-1778-24) or any other such action that alters the deadlines and/or requirements of the Amended FHA; and WHEREAS, in the event that a third party challenges the calculations provided for in this Resolution, the Borough of Metuchen reserves the right to take such position as it deems appropriate in response thereto, including that its Round 4 Present or Prospective Need Obligations should be lower than described herein; and WHEREAS, in light of the above, the Borough Council of the Borough of Metuchen finds that it is in the best interest of the Borough of Metuchen to declare its commitment to the obligations reported by the DCA on October 18, 2024 subject to the reservations set forth herein; and WHEREAS, in addition to the above, the Acting Administrative Director issued Directive #14-24, dated December 13, 2024, and made the directive available later in the week that followed; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Directive #14-24, a municipality seeking a certification of compliance with the FHA shall file an action in the form of a declaratory judgment complaint in the county in which the municipality is located within 48 hours after adoption of the municipal resolution of fair share obligations, or by February 3, 2025, whichever is sooner”; and WHEREAS, the Borough of Metuchen seeks a certification of compliance with the FHA and, therefore, directs its Affordable Housing Counsel, Renaud Colicchio LLC, to file a declaratory relief action within 48 hours of the adoption of this resolution in Middlesex County. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED on this 13th day of January 2025 by the Borough Council of the Borough of Metuchen as follows: 1. All of the above Whereas Clauses are incorporated into the operative clauses of this resolution. 2. The Borough of Metuchen hereby commits to the DCA Round 4 Present Need Obligation of 5 units and the Round 4 Prospective Need Obligation of 120 units described in this resolution, subject to all reservations of rights set forth above. 3. The Borough of Metuchen hereby directs its Affordable Housing Counsel, Renaud Colicchio LLC, to file a declaratory judgment complaint in Middlesex County within 48 hours after adoption this resolution, attaching this resolution. 4. The Borough of Metuchen authorizes its Affordable Housing Counsel to attach this resolution as an exhibit to the declaratory judgment action that is filed and to submit and/or file this resolution with the Program or any other such entity as may be determined to be appropriate. 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately, according to law. 2  RESOLUTION 2025-67 Borough of Metuchen County of Middlesex State of New Jersey RESOLUTION ACCEPTING AND ADOPTING THE CENTRAL JERSEY MUNICIPAL JOINT INSURANCE FUND’S 2025 SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Borough of Metuchen is a member of the Central Jersey Municipal Joint Insurance Fund (CENTRAL JIF); and WHEREAS, it is the policy of the CENTRAL JIF to achieve the best and most practical degree of freedom from accidents and / or injuries; and WHEREAS, the CENTRAL JIF endeavors to ensure that all of their members’ employees, volunteers and public are provided with a safe and healthy environment, free from any recognized hazards; and WHEREAS, the CENTRAL JIF endeavors to ensure that all of their members are in compliance with applicable safety and health requirements; and WHEREAS, the CENTRAL JIF’s Safety Committee is made up of representatives of the Fund’s Municipalities, along with the professionals employed by the Fund; and WHEREAS, the new Program will assist all the Central JIF members in becoming or maintaining compliance with all Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) Requirements; and WHEREAS, CENTRAL JIF has adopted the new 2025 SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM which should succeed in providing a safe, healthful and pleasant environment. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Council of the Borough of Metuchen, in the County of Middlesex State of New Jersey that the Central Jersey Municipal Joint Insurance Fund SAFETY INCENTIVE PROGRAM be adopted by the Borough of Metuchen.