City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held February 2nd 2023, at 7:32 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 2023; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 5th 2023, AND PUBLISHED IN THE MORRIS NEWS BEE AND THE DAILY RECORD; AND BY 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: Dennis Wagner, Council President Art Bruhn Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Nancy Verga Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Councilmember Bruhn reported on the Community Center calendar and that the Blood Drives has been given priority over town events; a few groups were denied use for their monthly or annual events. Cross discussion. Councilmember Bruhn discussed the Power Changes Lives trailer that has been parked at Watnong Park and suggested that it should be moved to a different location. Cross discussion. It was agreed to ask them to have the trailer removed. Mayor Karr was disappointed with this decision. Mayor Karr reported that during the power outages that occurred on two sides of town the Police Department incurred 18 hours of overtime. Mayor Karr spoke with Senator Bucco about a generator hook up on five corners which should be installed in the next 6 months to a year. Mayor Karr reported that there were noises complaints at Honeywell which were coming from broken belts on roof top units. The units were repaired and the noise has stopped. Mayor Karr discussed a Whippany River Flood Mitigation Task Force meeting he had with the mayors of Parsippany, Hanover, East Hanover and Florham Park in regards to flooding effects in those towns. A grant for 1,800,000.00 was applied for the dredge to de-snag the Whippany River and help prevent future flooding. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Wagner at 7:47 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2023-36 titled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 7:56 P.M. Councilmember Kelly moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. Councilmember Verga reported there is a new AARP grant opportunity and asked the Council to come up with ideas that would apply. Councilmember Bruhn reported the Morris Plains Co-Op asked for a pool membership and a camp registration that they would use in one of their upcoming raffles. Cross discussion and unanimous decision was made to not give those items for raffles. Councilmember Goddard reported at Christmas time the tree on Sylvan Drive and Mountain Way is decorated by the residents with many ornaments commemorating the Sandy Hook shooting. The ornaments were collected by DPW this year instead of the residents and were accidentally destroyed. These ornaments were handmade and Ms. Goddard asked for $100.00 from the town for supplies so they can be replaced. Cross discussion. Councilmember Cortese shared that an anonymous donor will provide the $100.00 to the residents. Councilmember Wagner discussed a tree in front of Abby’s Consulting that is overgrown and would need to be removed and replaced with a new tree. Cross discussion and referred to the Shade Tree Commission. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:20 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held February 2, 2023 at 8:31 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wagner moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of January 19, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice vote. All in favor. So Ordered APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Wagner moved: REPORTS Tax Collector, December 2022 Tax Collector, Year End 2022 Treasurer, December 2022 Building Inspector, December 2022 Grant Writer, January 2023 Police Department, January 2023 Resolution 2023-37 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 333-23.” Resolution 2023-38 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 334-23.” Resolution 2023-39 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 336-23.” Resolution 2023-40 entitled, “MUNICIPAL RECYCLING TONNAGE GRANT APPLICATION BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS.” The Borough Council amend the Borough Engineers plans and specifications for the Greenwood Road, Briarcliff Road, Stony Brook Road, Simons Drive, Homer Avenue, Crestview Court East, Brook Drive South, Cutler Road & Concrete sidewalk & stairs at Freight Station improvement project to also include the sidewalk/crosswalk at the intersection of Mountain Way and Franklin Place. The Morris Plains Rotary be granted permission to hold “Uncle Frank’s Fishing Contest” on Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 7:00am to 10:30am at the Community Park Pond. Having received quotes for 2023 water treatment to Community Park Pond and Watnong Pond from the following: Lake Management Services Community Park Pond $1,994.00 includes NJDEP permit Watnong Park Pond $1,704.00 includes NJDEP permit Princeton Hydro Community Park Pond $4,890.00 includes NJDEP permit Watnong Park Pond $3,970.00 includes NJDEP permit A purchase order be issued to Lake Management Services, P.O. Box 2395, Branchville, New Jersey in the amount of $3,698.00. The Mayor and Borough Council consent to the substitution of Special Counsel in affordable housing issues from The Buzak Law Group, LLC. to Surenian, Edwards, Buzak & Nolan, LLC. Chief Kevin Rongo be granted permission to apply for the FEMA Assistance to Firefighter Grant. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None POLICE DEPARTMENT – M.A.D.D. PRESENTATION Chief Koroski presented Mothers Against Drunk Driving certificates for their enforcement of drunk driving laws to Officer Ann Marie Ferris, Detective Joseph Heinz and Officer Mclean Lipshutz. These awards were from 2021 and Officer Lipshutz’s award was from Princeton Police Department. PUBLIC 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. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Cortese reported the year-end tax collection rate was 99.29% for 2021 and 99.47% for 2022. Mr. Cortese reported that the annual financial statement is being submitted tomorrow and that the Anchor program deadline was extended. Mr. Cortese thanked Ms. Mary Chao for her presentation for Lunar New Year at the library. Public Safety Councilmember Verga reported on the community energy plan grant meeting regarding energy efficiency of municipal buildings; 14 months of gas and electric bills need to be emailed to be reviewed. She reported on a meeting at Red Oak School regarding sustainable cities presented by the students. Ms. Verga reported the first in person court session took place this week, the annual audit from the vicinage and that the court administrator attended active shooter training. Ms. Verga reported on a FEMA grant the Fire Department is applying for which would replace old air cylinders and update air pumps. She also reported on fire prevention inspections. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on January calls and end of year reporting. He also reported after a burglary at Loews on Route 10 officers spoke with employees about securing the building overnight; 2 employees secured the building with materials from the store and will be receiving civilian awards. Chief Koroski also reported on deer culling which will end mid-February. Public Works Councilmember Goddard reported on the open positions at DPW; deadline for applications is tomorrow and a meeting will be held on Monday to review the applications. Ms. Goddard reported the DPW salted two times and have not had to use their plows yet this season. DPW has been patching pot holes, working on the Little League concession stand, repairing benches, straightening signs and refurbishing old garbage cans to be placed at new locations around town. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Bruhn reported on the Recreation Commission meeting, pickle ball is going well and the tennis courts have been striped for pickle ball courts. He also reported on the Easter Bunny egg hunt and Bingo. Mr. Bruhn reported the next Shade Tree meeting is Monday, and that the Memorial Day Parade Committee will be having their second meeting. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Kelly reported on Clean Communities and that more education should be available for children; for example, anti-liter campaigns and Earth Week. She also reported on the Teen Center and Municipal Alliance activities. Mayor Karr asked Ms. Kelly to come up with an idea for Earth Day. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Wagner reported on the Board of Adjustment meeting. He also reported on a meeting with Everton Scott, PSE&G, and the gas supply charge being lowered by 23%, saving residents $100.00 to $150.00 a year. Mr. Wagner reported on ordinances being discussed regarding short term rental practices and private contractor equipment on Borough roadways. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Cortese moved the vouchers for February 2nd, 2023 in the amount of $1,393,752.88 seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Bruhn, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:03 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk