City Council

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held December 26, 2024 at 7:00 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 Salvatore Cortese Joan Goddard Cathie Kelly Dennis Wagner Absent: Art Bruhn Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney 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 CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Verga moved: Resolution 2024-182 entitled, “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWNSHIP OF DENVILLE FOR SERVICES FOR CDL TRAINING FOR ALL BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS EMPLOYEES IN NEED OF SUCH SERVICES.” Resolution 2024-183 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED FIRST LIMO CAR SERVICE, LLC LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE NO. LO1-9383-2025.” Resolution 2024-184 entitled, “RESOLUTION ENTITLED FIRST LIMO CAR SERVICE, LLC LIMOUSINE OWNER LICENSE NO. LO2-9383-2025.” Resolution 2024-185 entitles, “SALARIES FOR REGULAR FULL TIME AND PART TIME EMPLOYEES.” Resolution 2024-186 entitled, “POLICE DEPARTMENT SALARIES.” Resolution 2024-187 entitled, “DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS SALARIES.” Resolution 2024-188 entitled, “CANCELLATION OF BALANCES AND OVERPAYMENTS LESS THAN $10.00.” Resolution 2024-189 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATION TO FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION TO OBTAIN A LUCAS 3 AUTOMATED COMPRESSION DEVICE COSTING APPROXIMATELY $20,364.00.” The following employees be granted permission to carry vacation time from 2024 to 2025, which shall be used by March 31st 2025: Tracy Rooney, Finance Office, 14 hours Yeas: Councilmembers Verga, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Michael Lombardi, Shade Tree Commission, read a statement after hearing there was a discussion at the December 19th council meeting regarding Shade Tree’s request for additional funds. Mr. Lombardi felt the Commission should have been approached prior to the December 19th meeting and he plans on attending a future meeting to go over the goals of the Commission for 2025. Joe Bellomo, 34 Canfield Place, asked if anyone reached out to WJSV to record future meetings. Councilmember Verga stated she proposed recording meetings in the past and was not supported. The public can continue to record themselves. Mr. Bellomo asked about new committee members for 2025 Planning Board. Mayor Karr explained the process. Mr. Bellomo inquired about the broken fence and overflowing garbage blocking the driveway at Friendly’s. Cross discussion. Councilmember Goddard asked what role the Zoning Officer has for new construction. Mayor Karr stated it depends on the developer’s agreement, application and resolution. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Kelly read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO: 9- 2024 AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PARTIAL AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENTATION, AND REVISION OF “CHAPTER 13, TO BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE” TO AMEND THE ZONE FOR 300 TABOR ROAD, BLOCK 101.01, LOT 2.01 FROM THE R-2 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONE TO THE C-1 HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on December 5, 2024. Attorney Horan stated the original ordinance included the adjacent lot, but this lot is already in the C1 zone, therefore, it was removed from the ordinance. 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, Cortese, Goddard, Kelly, Wagner Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Karr updated on the property at Jim Fear Drive and demolition will be starting in the next few weeks. Mayor Karr stated Councilmember Verga and our Engineer attended a meeting regarding an update on flood maps and more information will be shared when available. VOUCHERS Councilmember Wagner moved the vouchers for December 26, 2024 in the amount of $336,623.51, seconded by Councilmember Kelly. Yeas: Councilmembers Wagner, Cortese, Kelly, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Bruhn Abstain: Councilmember Goddard ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Kelly moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 7:18 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk