City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held April 18th, 2024, at 7:31 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 Art Bruhn Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: Councilmembers Cortese and Goddard Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Beautification committee members, Nancy Critchley, 25 Old Wood Road and Chris Graziano, 27 Parker Drive discussed goat grazing for invasive species, weeds, at Community Park from the Rotary Pavilion to the pool. There will be approximately 20 goats and they would like to have them there in June and again after Labor Day. The fee would be $1,650.00 each time. Cross discussion. Councilmember Verga discussed the revised Code of Conduct that was distributed with the Mayors comments and once reviewed and approved by council Ms. Verga would like to move forward and distribute to all departments. Cross discussion. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Verga at 7:49 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2024-76 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:31 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:31 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. ______________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held April 18, 2024 at 8:37 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 None. Mayor Karr extended a thank you to the Morris County Telecommunicators who dispatch the police, fire and EMS daily. Mark Belles a 35-year employee is here tonight and we all thank you for your service. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Verga moved: REPORTS Police Department, March 2024 Municipal Court, March 2024 Sanitarian, March 2024 Animal Control, March 2024 Building Inspector, March 2024 Borough Clerk, March 2024 Animal Licensing, March 2024 Treasurer, March 2024 Tax Collector, March 2024 Building Inspector, March 2024 Resolution 2024-77 entitled, “Refund of Overpayment.” Resolution 2024-78 entitled, “REDEMPTION RESOLUTION BLOCK NO. 82 LOT NO. 30 REDEEM 3RD PARTY TAX LIEN.” The Ladies Auxiliary of the Morris Plains Fire Association be granted permission to hold their annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale on the Fire House ramp, Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Memorial Day Parade Committee be granted permission to hold its 38th Annual Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 25th 2024. Borough Council authorize the Borough Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Stiles Ave improvement project, Contract 2025.01. The resignation of Derek Schneyer, Laborer DPW be accepted, effective April 26, 2024. Gary Windt, 9 Maple Avenue, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at family reunion picnic to be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Community Park Pavilion. The Mayor be authorized to sign a letter, on behalf of Morris Plains, requesting that the County of Morris be the Negotiating entity for the Borough in conjunction with the cross-acceptance process in the updating of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. Seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Cortese and Goddard Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION John Beck, 1 Signorelli Lane, question obligation of the town at the American once the bond is released? Engineer Bill Ryden discussed the requirements of the town and the HOA at The American. Mr. Beck stated there is a list of items that need to be addressed and also wanted to know who is responsible for plowing. Mayor Karr stated once the bond is released, only roads will be plowed by the Borough not parking areas or sidewalks. Leaves, garbage and recycling will be the Borough’s responsibility. Albert Stark, 16 Higbie Way, stated there are issues regarding interior construction in the condos. Mr. Ryden stated residents must speak with the builder regarding any indoor issues. Bill Greco, 9 Higbie Way, thanked the Mayor and Council for the installation of the lighting on the pathway and inquired as to when the Borough takes over at the development. Mayor Karr stated once the Engineer approves and bond is released. Mr. Greco inquired about hydrant fees and who flushes the hydrants. Mr. Ryden stated we do not have hydrant fees and Mayor Karr stated the SMCMUA flushes the hydrants. Mayor Karr stated Lennar installed another light at the end of the path, but the bulb is too bright and discussed the traffic light on American Road and Hanover Avenue and that trigger cameras are being ordered. Risa Wasserman, 5 Whitney Avenue, and Marie Palumbo, 4 Whitney, discussed the added light on the pathway. JCP&L installed bright lights that shine in your eyes and only work for 10 feet which makes the pathway is very dark and unsafe. Mayor Karr discussed the placement of the lights with the transmission lines and that this issue is still being worked on. Ms. Palumbo stated the needs of the path have changed and the path is used on a regular basis and would like the path reevaluated as a walking trail and mulch runs into the path when it rains and requested benches to be installed. Mayor Karr stated they know the path is heavily used and is still being worked on, but there is no timeline. Sherri Ali, 311 Mountain Ridge Way, Budd Lake, addressed the Council regarding the letter she received regarding here position in the Teen Center and personnel issues. Cross discussion with Attorney Horan. Dave Silverstein, 818 Belmont Drive, Hackettstown, stated Ms. Ali deserves a response regarding employment. Cross discussion with Attorney Horan. Sydney Demezzo, 123 Mountain Way, gave an update on the feral cat problem and discussed the Board of Health meeting she attended. Ms. Demezzo asked Mayor Karr if she can still TNR feral cats. Mayor Karr replied Ms. Demezzo has to continue until she is asked to stop. Ms. Demezzo inquired about the speed tables on Mountain Way and wanted to know why they stopped? Mayor Karr stated there are certain requirements for speed tables. AJ Capuzzi, 101 Glenbrook Road, discussed the Glenbrook Road, Bangiola Court and Keenan Place SMCMUA project and the concern of lead and galvanized pipes. Mr. Capuzzi is concerned about lead being pushed into homes and wants the water company to replace the lines to the homes if they find lead. Mayor Karr stated the statements regarding lead are incorrect and the responsibility of residents is from the curb to house. This project has been in the works for years and the water company is testing water and supplying test kits and filters to residents. Cross discussion between Mr. Capuzzi and Mayor Karr. Jane Geiger, 33 Sylvan Way, suggested the Mayors from surrounding towns should meet to exchange ideas. Mayor Karr stated the Mayors do get together often. Samantha Kelly, 8 Glenbrook Road, stated residents should be able to use the water company contractors to replace the pipes in homes while they are replacing lines outside. Cross discussion. Ernie Marconi, 309 Mountain Way, thanked the Mayor, Council, Police Department and DPW for supporting the Teen Center all of these years. Mr. Marconi stated Council needs to have the right person for the coordinator position and board members are still needed. Mayor Karr agreed with Mr. Marconi and stressed the importance of the Teen Center program in the Borough. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Wagner reported the Clerk’s Office is currently working on Farmers Market permits, OPRA’s, road opening permits and annual financial disclosure statements, parking permits and the annual budget will be adopted at the May 2nd meeting. Public Safety In the absence of Councilmember Cortes, no report was given. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported 11 additional baseball coaches have received CPR training totaling 16 coaches. Drug take back at Stop and Shop is April 27th and there will be a walk/bike to school event on April 26th. Public Works Councilmember Bruhn reported DPW serviced vehicles, picked up garbage in all the parks, removed old furniture at the Teen Center house, trimmed trees at Jim Fear property and painted benches for the Pickle ball courts. Engineer Bill Ryden reported on the capital road projects. Public Buildings & Grounds In Councilmember Goddard’s absence, Councilmember Verga reported the Roberts Garden Commission toured the property and 2 native trees were donated and will be planted by the DPW. There is still a need for a volunteer with landscape architect background to map the trees. A Magical Gnome and Fairy Trail Whispering Woods Project Morris Plains is in process to be at Thonus Pond Trail. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Verga reported on Earth Day events at the Community Garden where a pollinator garden was installed, volunteer cleanup, Clean Communities cleanups and a walk to school event. There will be a composting event at the Community Garden on April 27th. Ms. Verga reported on the Board of Health meeting and updated on the feral cat problem. The Board of Health President discussed welfare checks and identifying the scope of the problem. To date, 37 cats have been trapped. Ms. Verga reported on upcoming Municipal Alliance and Teen Center programs, teen Center step up night, 2 new teen center board members and that more board members are still needed. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Kelly reported Downtown Morris Plains members are in attendance this evening and reported on a workshop at the Morris Museum. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Kelly read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. _3-2024 AN ORDINANCE REVISING THE STORMWATER CONTROL ORDINANCE, SECTION 13-4.16 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on March 21, 2024. The Mayor announced that the meeting was open for a public hearing on the ordinance. Seeing no one else, Mayor Karr closed the public hearing. Councilmember Kelly stated that the above ordinance as read by title on Second Reading at this meeting be adopted and finally passed. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmembers Cortese and Goddard Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. RESOLUTIONS Resolution 2024-79 entitled, “TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT” moved by Councilmember Verga, seconded by Councilmember Wagner Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Cortese and Goddard Abstain: Councilmember Kelly Resolution 2024-80 entitled, “TEEN CENTER APPOINTMENT” moved by Councilmember Verga, seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Cortese and Goddard Abstain: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Karr discussed the new affordable housing legislation and creation of an Affordable Housing Committee. VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for April 18, 2024 in the amount of $2,879,276.17, seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Bruhn, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Cortese and Goddard Abstain: None ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Wagner moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 10:05 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk