City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held January 18th 2024, 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 2024; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 4th 2024, 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: Nancy Verga, Council President Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: Art Bruhn Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney PRESENTATIONS Max Hamilton, 3 Totten Way, presented an Eagle Scout project, constructing a bridge over the spillway at Community Park Pavilion and Picnic area. This project will make it safer for people to walk around the pond. Cross discussion with Mayor and Council. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr stated Councilmember Bruhn is out of town on business. Councilmember Goddard discussed the Recreation Reorganization meeting and the acquisition of Idlewild Pool and parking lot. The pool needs to be brought up to code including ADA requirements, environmental, etc. There are no guarantees the pool can open this season. Ms. Goddard will keep everyone updated. Mayor Karr discussed a request by the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick to hold a Parade on Glenbrook Road February 17, 2024 for Jack Haren who is the Grand Marshall of the Morristown Saint Patrick’s Day Parade this year. Cross discussion. Mayor Karr gave an update on affordable housing and the new bill that passed. Cross discussion. Councilmember Verga discussed the full time Fire Prevention Official position. Ms. Verga answered the questions that were asked at the council meeting in December and gave an overview of the work completed by the official. Cross discussion with Councilmembers. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:28 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held January 18, 2024 at 8:32 P.M. in the Council Chambers, Borough Hall, 531 Speedwell Avenue, Morris Plains, New Jersey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND PRAYER Notice to members of the Governing Body and Borough Staff: Any use of electronic devices during this meeting shall be used solely for the purposes of Borough business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Verga moved: BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of December 7, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Wagner. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the Executive, Conference and Regular Meetings of December 21, 2023 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Goddard. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the annual Re-Organization Meeting, January 4, 2024 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Bruhn Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Verga moved: REPORTS Police Department, December 2023 Municipal Court December 2023 Borough Clerk, December 2023 Animal Licensing, December 2023 Sanitarian, December 2023 Animal Control, December 2023, Annual Report 2023 Building Inspector, December 2023 Tax Collector, December 2023, Annual Report 2023 Resolution 2024-31 entitled “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 339-24” Resolution 2024-32 entitled, “RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS ACKNOWLEDGING THE COOPERATION AND COMPLIANCE WITH POST OCCUPANCY TRAFFIC STUDY PARAMETERS RELATING TO DRYEN WAY AND JOHNSON ROAD.” Resolution 2024-33 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE SILVIU ROBERT APOSTU NO. LO3-4066-2024.” Resolution 2024-34 entitled, “RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS AUTHORIZING THE BUYER OF BLOCK 101.01 LOT 2.01 TO UPGRADE THE PROPERTY’S SEWAGE SYSTEM WITHIN TWO YEARS.” Borough Council authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Lealand Road, Cedar Avenue, Laurel Street, Allen Place, Hillside Court East, Wyckoff Way, Jaqui Avenue, Sun Valley Way and Freight Station Ramp.  Having received quotes for winter attachments for Trackless from the following: U.S. Municipal Supply, Inc. $16,850.00 Midstate Equipment Co. Inc. $23,250.00 Handymans Small Engine No Quote That a purchase order be issued to U.S. Municipal Supply, Inc., 464 Glennie Circle, King of Prussia, PA 19406 in the amount of $16,850.00.00. Lieutenant Commander Mark Leahey and Katarina Gariando are granted permission to have a wedding ceremony in Roberts Garden on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm with approximately 60 guests. Mark E. Belles Jr., 24 Glenbrook Road, Morris Plains, be hired for seasonal help in the Department of Public Works at an hourly rate of $15.13 retroactive January 1, 2024. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr asked if there was anyone who wanted to speak: Mark Belles, 24 Glenbrook Road, discussed the importance of having a full time Fire Official and how the town is growing, but the Fire Department is getting smaller. Bill Houston, 80 Glenbrook Road, echoed Mr. Belles comments and stated his son is a volunteer and feels the fire department needs to know what they are going into to keep everyone safe. Mr. Houston congratulated everyone. Mayor Karr stated that the residents are safe with our Police Department and Fire Department. Annmarie Neylan, 20 Greenwood Road, stated there needs to be a virtual option for meetings because it is important for tax payers to know what is going on and they have not heard about the full time Fire Prevention Official position. Terry Pagan, 148 Mountain Way, wanted to state it is important for someone to go into apartments especially with all the fires involving batteries for electric scooters. Councilmember Goddard addressed Ms. Neylan in her request for virtual option and thanked her for her input. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Wagner reported he is transitioning from his previous committees. Mr. Wagner reported on a meeting in the Clerk’s Office and with the CFO. There are two budget workshop meetings in March. Public Safety Councilmember Cortese reported he is excited to be working with Public Safety committee and has an upcoming meeting next week with Chief Koroski. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski gave a report on December calls and on end of year reports for the State and County and is working on the 2024 budget. Chief Koroski reported on all of the successes this past year. Engineer Report Mr. Bill Ryden gave a report on warehouse construction on Route 53 that will begin next week and updated on Lennar construction at American Road and Route 53. Mr. Ryden reported tax map revisions will be done by the end of February. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Goddard reported on meetings for her new committees which included Recreation and Shade Tree. At the Recreation meeting there was discussion regarding merging Morris Plains Little League with Morristown Area Little League which would make games more competitive. This will be a seamless transition and the merge will bring additional people into our downtown area. Ms. Goddard reported Volunteer of the Year applications need to be submitted by January 31st and winner will be announced in February and reported on recreation summer employment. Ms. Goddard reported on the Spotted Lantern Fly grant. She contacted her representative at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to see if there is a grant to plant trees that would replace the trees needed to be cut due to infestation. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Verga reported on the Board of Health meeting and the hope to have pediatric flu vaccines at this year’s Wellness Day. She reported on the successful rabies clinic and the upcoming Teen Center and Municipal Alliance programs. Ms. Verga reported volunteers are needed for the Teen Center parent board and reported on Clean Communities and the annual Community Clean up in April. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Kelly reported on a Planning Board orientation meeting held for her and new Planning Board members. She also reported on a public hearing at the January 15th Planning Board meeting which will be continued at a special meeting to be held January 29th. Mayor Karr reported on two new lights installed by JCP&L on the path from Lennar to the train station. Mayor Karr spoke about the resolution passed this evening regarding Dryden Way and Johnson Road and gave an overview of why this resolution is important. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENERGY GRANT PRESENTATION Councilmembers Verga and Wagner gave an overview of the Community Energy Plan and the grant process. VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for January 19th, 2023 in the amount of $4,062,749.32 seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Goddard moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 9:23 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Recorded by RoseMarie Leyhan, Deputy Clerk