City Council

Minutes of the Conference Meeting of the Borough Council held May 1, 2025, 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 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 Michael Ivey Tyler Pontier Nancy Verga Absent: None Present: John E. Horan, Esq., Borough Attorney ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION Mayor Karr stated we did not receive the local recreation improvement grant. Mayor Karr introduced Drew Saskowitz, Executive Director from SMCMUA to give an overview and update on the water authority. Mr. Saskowitz spoke about the wells that provide water to the Borough, the water main replacement project that is spread across all of the service areas form the SMCMUA totaling 380 mile and various additional items. Mr. Saskowitz answered questions from Mayor Karr and Councilmembers. Mayor Karr thanked Mr. Saskowitz for the information provided this evening and for his continued transparency regarding the water main projects in the Borough. Mayor Karr reported Davenport Village will be applying for the CDBG grant for $150,000 plus their contribution of $28,000 for a new sprinkler system at 260 Tabor Road; if awarded the money will not be available until 2026. Councilmember Pontier spoke about a resident on Franklin Place being concerned about garbage around the Arthur’s parking lot. Mayor Karr stated DPW has been in the area assessing and cleaning up the area. Councilmember Verga discussed the energy tax receipts that the State is collecting to give back to the municipalities for their local budgets which has not been received this year. The NJLOM requested all municipalities to adopt a resolution regarding this matter. Cross discussion. Councilmember Verga spoke about the retirement of Borough Clerk, Rosanne Denman and an upcoming meeting with the Finance Committee to discuss filling the position. She also discussed upcoming meetings with two different insurance brokers regarding healthcare cost for employees. Councilmember Bruhn stated the Beautification Committee would like to have goats at the Community Center again this summer for the invasive plants. He also discussed the Beautification Committee’s concern about dog waste in the parks. Cross discussion. Councilmember Houston discussed a committee for tech upgrades to the Council Chambers recording system and gave a few names of who he would like on the committee. Cross discussion. Mr. Houston discussed lead paint inspections for apartments being rented and turned over prior to being built in 1978 which require inspection. Cross discussion. Mr. Houston discussed the salary schedule for recreation camp counselors and pool employees. Cross discussion. Due to the time, Mayor Karr asked for the conference meeting to be adjourned and this matter be reconvened at the public meeting under Unfinished Business. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Pontier moved that the Conference Meeting be adjourned at 8:30 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 May 1, 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. Mayor Karr stated Ana Thomas, CFO and auditor Valerie Dolan of Nisivoccia are in attendance tonight to answer questions on the budget. Mayor Karr congratulated and thanked Rosanne Denman for all of her years working in the Borough and especially all of the help she provides to him. Mayor Karr reported today is the 20th anniversary of the Community Center grand opening and gave a brief history of the center. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Cortese moved: THAT the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of April 3, 2025 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Ivey Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Ivey, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilmember Houston THAT the minutes of the Conference and Regular Meetings of April 17, 2025 be approved. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Ivey Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilmembers Pontier and Verga APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Resolution 2025-65 entitled, “MORRIS PLAINS FIRE ASSOCIATION #1 RAFFLE LICENSE NO. 349-25.” Resolution 2025-66 entitled, “RESOLUTION FOR AGREEMENT FOR RAPID RECTANGULAR FLASHING BEACONS (RRFBS) M.P.46.53; ROUTE 202 AND ROSEDALE AVENUE.” The Memorial Day Parade Committee be granted permission to hold its 39 th Annual Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 24th 2025. The residents of Sanford Court be granted permission to hold a block party on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 2:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. with a rain date of Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 2:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. The DPW will provide the necessary barricades. The retirement of Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk be accepted, effective October 1, 2025. Morris Plains Community Band, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a band picnic to be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025 with a rain date of June 25, 2025 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Community Park Pavilion. Mark Meehan, 40 Sylvan Drive, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a family picnic to be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Community Park Pavilion. Maria E. Lopez be hired as Part-Time Custodial Building Maintenance at an hourly rate of $25.00 for cleaning of the snack stand bathrooms not to exceed 5 hours a week. Audra Tonero, 171 Mountain Way, be granted permission to serve alcoholic beverages at a family reunion to be held Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Community Park Pavilion. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Ivey, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None PUBLIC INVITATION FOR DISCUSSION Lee Connor, 2 Tower Hill Road, asked if the flashing beacons for Route 202 and Rosedale Avenue were part of the McDonald’s application? Mayor Karr stated no, that was all planned prior to the McDonalds application there will be an additional crosswalk and beacons at Route 202 and Hillview Avenue crosswalk as part of that application. Bill Greico, 9 Higbie Way, welcomed the new councilmembers and asked for an update on the lights between American Road and the train station path. Mayor Karr stated the lights are in the budget. Mr. Greico stated residents at The American are concerned about brush fires in the tree line of the pathway; the undergrowth from fallen trees and branches. Cross discussion. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND/OR DEPARTMENT HEADS Finance Councilmember Verga reported on a Green Team meeting and the 1st newsletter published in the weekly email regarding electric vehicles. The first cleanup is this Saturday in the area of Stop and Shop. Ms. Verga reported on the library shredding event and the safety meeting that is run by the Borough Clerk quarterly to receive a $250.00 safety incentive. Ms. Verga reported the Clerk’s office is working on primary election preparations, Farmers Market, food establishment licensing, financial disclosure statements and OPRA’s. The Clerk’s office has been receiving a lot of calls regarding grass and brush pick up; the information is posted on our website for these services, there is no leaf pick up in spring and summer. Ms. Verga reported the annual audit is complete and our CFO sends a report of residents who have not paid taxes to the State who in turn can withhold their tax refund. She also reported on American Rescue Plan funds and info sessions the State will be holding for seniors regarding the new application for senior and veteran deductions. Public Safety Councilmember Pontier reported on the CERT resolution which was passed at the last meeting; the Police Department will post the information on their Facebook page and will hold training for interested residents. Mr. Pontier reported the Police Department is working on preparations for the Memorial Day Parade, a possible resolution for ride along and the conceptual plans committee met and will have a formal presentation in June for a new or renovated Police Department; there will also be a public presentation when plans are finalized. Mr. Pontier reported on a traffic committee meeting complete streets policy and the need for extra lines on Glenbrook Road. Mr. Pontier reported on Little League opening day and that a large turnout is expected. He also reported on Fire Department calls, a meeting with Fire Prevention Official, the March report, the new Court Administrator and that there will be a public safety meeting in a few weeks. Police Department’s Report Chief Koroski reported on drug take back; Morris Plains was 2nd in the local region for collections. He also reported on DPW’s CPR training, recruits will be graduating in June, and Little League opening day. Chief Koroski reported he will be riding in the Unity Police Tour along with Lieutenant Guild and Sergeant Heinz starting May 9th and ending on May 11th to kick off National Police Week. Public Works Councilmember Bruhn reported he received an email from a resident regarding speeding on Rosedale Avenue in which he forwarded to Sergeant Hochman and the Traffic Committee. He also reported the DPW serviced vehicles, picked up garbage in the parks, repaired potholes, cleaned storm basins, planted trees at Roberts Garden, repaired security cameras, starting preparations at the pool and trimmed trees at Watnong Park. Public Buildings & Grounds Councilmember Cortese reported on the approved part time custodial cleaning at the Community Park bathrooms. He also reported Family Day preparations have started including background checks for all vendors, The Eagle Scout awards ceremony is on Sunday and the Downtown Morris Plains bike rack placement. Public Health, Sanitation & Sewers Councilmember Ivey reported on Teen Center events and that the basketball hoop was installed at the house. He also reported on a Clean Communities grant which will be used for sewer cleanups and that there are 15 groups that will be scheduled to do cleanups around town. He also reported the next Board of Health meeting will be May 14th. Ordinance & Public Utilities Councilmember Houston reported on a meeting to discuss the Fire Prevention ordinance which will update the inspection procedure. He also reported that no permits other than a water demo permit has been issued for 435 Speedwell Avenue and a stop work order was issued. Mr. Houston reported the warehouses on Route 53 have a CO, but no tenants and no permits have been issued for the property. He also gave an update on Planning Board and Board of Adjustment applications and that the checklist committee has completed the new application which will be reviewed and comments from the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board will be heard at their next meetings. Mayor Karr reported we are still waiting for a number from the court for our affordable housing obligation, but we will move forward on our next deadline of June 30th. At this time, a Town Hall cannot be scheduled without numbers. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES None. ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING None. RESOLUTIONS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2025 Budget Adoption Mayor Karr gave a brief overview of the 2025 Budget. The Mayor announced that the meeting was open for a public hearing on the budget. Seeing no one, Mayor Karr closed this public hearing on the budget. Councilmember Verga moved “ADOPTION OF 2024 MUNICIPAL BUDGET” in the amount of $14,067,646.11 Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Ivey, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None Ms. Ana Thomas, CFO, thanked Ms. Dolan and all of the department heads for all of their help with this year’s budget. Ms. Valerie Dolan, auditor Nisivoccia, stated every 3 years we are under review by the State and every 3rd ear we are reviewed by the auditor and state local government services. Councilmember Verga thanked Ana Thomas and Tracy Rooney for all their help preparing for the budget and all of the department heads for their input and encouraged the Council to review the budget thoroughly to become more familiar with the budget and process. Cross discussion regarding recreation camp counselor and pool employee hourly wages. Councilmember Verga moved, “RESOLUTION 2025-67 ESTABLISHING RECREATION SUMMER EMPLOYMENT RATES” Seconded by Councilmember Verga. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Ivey, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Councilmember Houston NEW BUSINESS None. VOUCHERS Councilmember Verga moved the vouchers for May 1, 2025 in the amount of $3,585,853.91 seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Yeas: Councilmembers Cortese, Bruhn, Houston, Ivey, Pontier, Verga Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Councilmember Cortese at 9:50 P. M.: BE IT RESOLVED THAT Resolution 2025-64 entitled “Executive Session” be adopted. Seconded by Councilmember Bruhn. Voice Vote. All in favor. At 10:25 P.M. Councilmember Bruhn moved that the Executive Session be adjourned. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Pontier moved that the Regular Meeting be adjourned at 10:25 P.M. Seconded by Councilmember Cortese. Voice Vote. All in favor. _____________________________ Jason C. Karr, Mayor _________________________________ Rosanne Denman, Borough Clerk