City Council

Minutes of the Meeting of the Borough Council held December 29th 2022 at 7:05 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. “I HEREBY ANNOUNCE AND STATE THAT ADEQUATE NOTICE OF THIS MEETING WAS PROVIDED BY VIRTUE OF A RESOLUTION SCHEDULING THE TIME, DATE AND PLACE OF MEETINGS OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS FOR THE YEAR 2021; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 7th 2021, AND PUBLISHED IN THE MORRIS NEWS BEE AND THE DAILY RECORD; AND BY THE FORWARDING OF SUCH RESOLUTION TO ALL PERSONS ON THE REQUEST LIST; BY THE POSTING OF SUCH RESOLUTION ON THE BULLETIN BOARD IN THE BOROUGH HALL; ALL OF THE ABOVE ACTIONS BEING IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.” Present on Roll Call: Mayor Jason C. Karr Councilmembers: Joan Goddard, Council President Sal Cortese Cathie Kelly (via phone) Nancy Verga Dennis Wagner Absent: Art Bruhn (arrived late 7:20 PM) Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER Mayor Karr welcomed all members of the public attending this meeting and provided informational guidance relating to the meeting, including how to participate during all public portions of the meeting. APPOINTMENTS OF THE MAYOR Community Development Representative Robert Martin One Year Community Development Alternate Michael Bozza One Year APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Goddard moved: That the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of December 15, 2022 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: Kelly APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Goddard moved: REPORTS Tax Collector, November 2022 Treasurer, November 2022 Resolution 2022-145 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED FIRST LIMO CAR SERVICE, LLC LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE NO. L01-9383-2023.” Resolution 2022-146 entitled, “K OF C#3495 BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN COUNCIL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 331-23.” Resolution 2022-147 entitled, “GIFT OF LIFE INC. OF NJ RAFFLE LICENSE NO 332-23.” Resolution 2022-148 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPOINTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVENUE SHARING COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE.” Resolution 2022-149 entitled, “POLICE DEPARTMENT SALARIES.” Resolution 2022-150 entitled, “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SALARIES.” Resolution 2022-151 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS LOCAL RECREATION IMPROVEMENT GRANT APPLICATION.” The following employees be granted permission to carry vacation time from 2022 to 2023, which shall be used by March 31st 2023.  Tracy Ferullo, Tax Office, 7 hours. Sigal Rice, Police Department, 14 hours. Ana Thomas, Finance Office, 35 hours. Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk 35 hours. Deann Carroll, Police Records, 7 hours. Kelvin Preciado, Police Officer, Police Department, to receive donated sick time from the following: Ryan McKay, PD 12 Hours The resignation of Frank J. Druetzler, Board of Adjustment, be accepted, effective December 31, 2022. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None GREETINGS OF PUBLIC AND INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak and seeing no one, he closed this public portion of the meeting. Tina Genest, 11 Forest Avenue, on behalf of the Democratic Committee she thanked the Mayor and Council for all of their service this year. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese spoke about the cold front and loss of power in town. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on upcoming ordinances for parking exemptions and safety inspections on residential change of occupancy. Ms. Verga also thanked all involved with the storm. Public Works No Report Public Buildings & Grounds No Report Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on the recycling center and thanked Michael Laudati for all of his work at the center. Ms. Kelly reported on the rabies clinic and upcoming blood drive. Ordinance & Public Utilities No Report PRESENTATION OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, ETC. Councilmember Wagner reported on the upcoming Morris Plains film; air mapping and ground view has been filmed and interviews will be scheduled in January and February. Cross discussion INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Wagner read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 20 - 2022 AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION AND REPEAL OF CERTAIN FEES SET FORTH IN THE FEE SCHEDULE OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2-46, IN THE "REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, NEW JERSEY, 1972”. which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on December 15, 2022. The Mayor announced that the meeting was open for a public hearing on the ordinance. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the public hearing. Councilmember Wagner stated that the above ordinance as read by title on Second Reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Cortese, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: Kelly Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS None. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Goddard at 7:17 P.M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2022-152 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. So ordered. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 9:55 P.M. Councilmember Goddard moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. RESOLUTIONS Attorney Horan moved: A & E Salary Resolution No. 2022-153 entitled “SALARIES FOR REGULAR FULL TIME AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Goddard, Bruhn, Cortese, Kelly, Verga, Wagner Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 10:04 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk