City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held February 20th 2025, at 7:30 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 2025; WHICH RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON JANUARY 7th 2025, 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: Salvatore Cortese, Council President Art Bruhn Bill Houston Tyler Pontier Nancy Verga Absent: Michael Ivey Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney GIRL SCOUT PRESENTATION Valentina Mazur, Kaitlyn Shenloogian and Caroline Higgins present their Girl Scout Silver Award project. They would like to build a new bike rack at the Morris Plains Teen Center. Cross discussion with Mayor and Councilmembers. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Cortese at 7:40 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2025-43 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 8:29 P.M. Councilmember Houston moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Pontier. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Verga moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:29 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 February 20, 2025 at 8:30 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 Cortese moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of January 30, 2025 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Verga Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA REPORTS Sanitarian, January 2025 Municipal Court January 2025 Animal Control, January 2025 Building Inspector, January 2025 Police Department, January 2025 Borough Clerk, January 2025 Animal Licensing, January 2025 Fire Prevention, January 2025 Resolution 2025-44 entitled, “RESOLUTION ADOPTING A TEMPORARY CAPITAL BUDGET FOR 2025.” Resolution 2025-45 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS CO-OPERATIVE PLAY SCHOOL RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 348-25.” Resolution 2025-46 entitled, “BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE 2025 AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE GRANT PROGRAM FOR $25,000.00 TO OBTAIN AND INSTALL LIGHTING ON THE WALKING PATH FROM AMERICAN ROAD TO THE MORRIS PLAINS TRAIN STATION.” Resolution 2025-47 entitled, “RESOLUTION APPOINTING JAKE ZELENCICH TO THE MORRIS PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT” The Recreation Program Instructor attached be hired at the rate and date stated for the 2025 Spring Recreation Programs. The resignation of Elissa Gagliardi, Recreation Coordinator, be accepted effective February 28, 2025. Permission be granted for the Morris Plains Farmers Market to be conducted Saturdays, June 7th 2025 through October 11th 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a Holiday Market scheduled for November 29, 2025 in the Merchant Block and that the Department of Public Works will supply the necessary barricades. The Borough Clerk be authorized to advertise for the position of Recreation Coordinator. Submission deadline for the position of Recreation Director/Recreation Secretary be extended through February 28, 2025. Seconded by Councilmember Houston Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None 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 Verga reported the Farmers Market advisory committee has 5 confirmed members. She also reported interviews will be conducted for the position in the Clerk’s office and that the Clerk’s office is working on animal licensing, parking permits, community garden fees and OPRA’s. The certain street parking permits will change to abbreviations for street names. Ms. Verga reported the library has free tutoring spaces, 4 computers, Wi-Fi hot spots and the MAIN system is being upgraded. Ms. Verga reported there will be a Combined Property Tax Relief application available soon for the Senior Freeze program, Anchor Benefit program and NJ Stay programs. Ms. Verga reported on the increase in health care thru State Health Benefits and is researching brokers to get less expensive insurance. Ms. Verga would like to enhance communications with residents about the budget process which starts in March. She also reported the Borough has to include catastrophic losses from storms in the budget to cover catastrophic losses from storms due to all the cuts the federal government has enacted. In the past we received money from FEMA. Lastly, Ms. Verga reported on Black History Month and the local exhibits available. Mayor Karr stated minutes approved tonight were correct, but Ms. Verga stated in the minutes that we paid down $187,000 in debt, we paid $1.175 million of debt in 2024 and since 2019 we paid 36.3% of our outstanding debt. Our debt has gone from $16 million to $10 million since 2018. Mayor Karr stated there will be an article in the next weekly email for Black History Month showcasing resident Joseph Frances who was a music composer. His music can be heard in the Morris Plains Museum where many other artifacts from Mr. Frances are on display including a pre Colombian figurine. Public Safety Councilmember Pontier reported the new hours for the Fire Prevention Chief are working out well and 82 inspections were completed in January. He also reported he met with department heads regarding their budgets, the ladder truck was returned and Fire Department shared services. Mr. Pontier reported he will be meeting with Judge Carlucci, and there will be an upcoming conceptual plans meeting, as well as a meeting with Traffic Committee to work with NJDOT on upcoming projects. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski gave an updated reported on the deer cull and thanked the Mayor and Council for hiring a second police officer. Fire Department’s Report Chief Rongo reported the ladder truck is back and fully operational. He also reported the Fire Department responded to numerous calls for natural gas odors on Stiles Avenue where PSE&G was working on a problem. Chief Rongo reported on a drill at Greystone Park Hospital with Mt. Tabor Fire Department and gave an update on the number of calls for the year. Public Works Councilmember Bruhn reported the DPW repaired vehicles, picked up garbage in the parks, salted roads, cleaned up a fallen tree at the Johnson Road pumping station, did repairs at the Community Center and cleaned storm drains. He also reported the DPW cleaned up fallen sticks, branches and cleaned storm sewers after the heavy wind storm. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Cortese reported trees fell after a wind storm at one of the baseball fields and also at Watnong Park. He also reported Karleen Leahey, Recreation Director, retired after 17 years and Lysa Gagliardi, Recreation Coordinator, also retired. Applications have been received and interviews will be conducted. Mr. Cortese reported the Easter Bunny breakfast is being planned. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers In Councilmember Ivey’s absence, Councilmember Pontier reported the Teen Centers event was a success and work is being done to clean up the Teen Center house. He also reported the Board of Health meeting was canceled due to inclement weather; their next meeting is March 12th and that the MCMUA recycling contract is being reviewed. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Houston reported the ordinance committee met to review outdated ordinances including: 14-2023, 1-2016, 12-2019 and 9-2003 which will be reviewed with the council in March. He also gave an update on building permits, inspections, an employee taking a TACO course, budget planning and digitizing permits and plans to comply with NJ Department of Treasury. Mr. Houston reported on the Minor Site Plan Committee, Master Plan Committee and various applications that are being reviewed and deemed complete. He also reported that a meeting was held to update the checklist which has not been updated since 2019. Mr. Houston reported on the SMCMUA Stiles Avenue project and that he attended a seminar for elected officials. Mayor Karr reported the cutoff date for the 100th anniversary logo contest is on March 1st and the artwork will be worn by the Police and Fire Departments and displayed throughout town. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES Councilmember Houston introduced the following ordinance and read the same by title and moved that it be passed on First Reading. ORDINANCE NO. 2- 2025 BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF VARIOUS ROADS IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF MORRIS PLAINS, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $953,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $905,350 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH FOR FINANCING SUCH APPROPRIATION. Councilmember Cortese seconded the motion. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Houston offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 20, 2025 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on March 6, 2025 at 8:30 P.M. prevailing time in the Municipal Building in the said Borough, this Council will further consider for Second Reading and final passage of said ordinance. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of this Borough be and she is hereby directed to publish and mail the proper notice therefor, including the ordinance, post the ordinance on the Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building and make copies available to members of the general public. Councilmember Verga seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. Councilmember Houston introduced the following ordinance and read the same by title and moved that it be passed on First Reading. ORDINANCE NO. 3- 2025 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $405,000.00 FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STILES AVENUE AND PROVIDING THAT THE SUM OF $208,504.00 IS EXPECTED TO BE RECEIVED FROM NEW JERSEY DOT GRANT AND THE SUM OF $88,735.00 IS EXPECTED TO BE RECEIVED FROM THE SOUTHEAST MORRIS COUNTY MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY WITH $107,761.00 APPROPRIATED FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND BALANCE Seconded by Councilmember Pontier. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None Thereupon, Councilmember Houston offered the following resolution: WHEREAS, the above ordinance was introduced and read by title at this meeting on February 20, 2025 and passed on First Reading. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that at a meeting to be held on March 6, 2025 at 8:30 P.M. prevailing time in the Municipal Building in the said Borough, this Council will further consider for Second Reading and final passage of said ordinance. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of this Borough be and she is hereby directed to publish and mail the proper notice therefor, including the ordinance, post the ordinance on the Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building and make copies available to members of the general public. Councilmember Bruhn seconded the resolution. Voice vote. All in favor. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING Councilmember Houston read by title the ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 1-2025 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 10-2024 CREATING A CUSTODIAL/BUILDING MAINTENANCE POSITION which ordinance was introduced and passed on First Reading at a meeting held on January 30, 2025. 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 Houston 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 Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None Mayor Karr declared the ordinance adopted and finally passed. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chief Koroski gave a presentation on the Police Department budget. Chief Rongo gave a presentation on the Fire Department budget. Michael Lombardi, Shade Tree Chair, gave a presentation on the Shade Tree budget. Cross discussion with Mr. Lombardi, Mayor and Councilmembers regarding the high Shade Tree budget and ways it can be reduced. NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Verga moved the vouchers for February 20, 2025 in the amount of $2,558,254.70, seconded by Councilmember Pontier. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: Councilmember Ivey Abstain: None EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Cortese at 10:09 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2025-48 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 10:30 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Houston. Voice Vote. All in favor. REGULAR MEETING RE-OPENED All Councilmembers agreed on salary and candidate for full time cleaning employee for all Municipal buildings. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Pontier moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 10:32 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk