Borough Council

BOROUGH OF WESTWOOD WORK MEETING OF THE MAYOR & COUNCIL APRIL 5, 2022 MINUTES MUNICIPAL COMPLEX 101 Washington Avenue 7:30 Closed Session/8:00 pm Public Session 1. Opening of the Meeting: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arroyo at 7:30 pm. Mayor Arroyo then read the Open Public Meetings Law Statement: “This meeting which conforms with the Open Public Meetings law, Chapter 231, Public Laws of 1975, is a regular Borough Council meeting. Notices have been filed with our local official newspapers and posted on the municipal bulletin board.” 2. Roll Call: Committee Assignments: Mayor Arroyo – Present Councilmember Bicocchi – Present Public Properties & Recreation Councilmember Collins – Present Police & Emergency Management Councilmember– Greco - Present Fire & Ambulance Councilmember Hodges – Present Health & Hospital Councilmember Montana – Absent Land Use Council President Dell - Present Finance, Administration & Capital Projects; Shared Services Borough Attorney Huntington Borough Attorney Kool - Present Borough Administrator Ayer – Present Borough Clerk Hughes – Present 3. Resolution #22-93: Executive Closed Session Motion to Approve Resolution #22-93: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Council President Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Councilmember Hodges - Yes Councilmember Montana – Absent Council President Dell – Yes 4. Reopen the Meeting: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Council President Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 8:13 pm. 5. Roll Call II: Mayor Arroyo – Present / Councilmember Bicocchi – Present / Councilmember Collins – Present / Councilmember Greco - Present / Councilmember Hodges – Present / Councilmember Montana - Absent / Council President Dell - Present / Borough Administrator Ayer - Present / Borough Attorney Kool – Present / Borough Engineer Senkevich – Present / Borough Clerk Hughes – Present 6. Flag Salute Mayor Arroyo led those present in the salute to the flag. 7. Presentation: World Trade Center Steel for the 9-11 Memorial Resident Dan Olivier presented a request to place a piece of 9-11 steel on a boulder at the monument in Veterans Park and gave the history of the steel, which is being donated by someone who worked at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attack. Discussion included the design, cost, placement, attaching the steel to the boulder, time frame, plaque, and landscaping. Since a cross has been cut out of the steel, Council President Dell asked Mr. Kool if that would be an issue. Mr. Kool advised that it is not a religious symbol in this instance. Mr. Olivier said former Mayor Skip Kelley has spoken with the Agenda Page 2 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council April 5, 2022 monument families and all are in agreement. Mr. Olivier was directed to create a mock-up, and Councilmember Bicocchi was appointed as liaison to view the mock up and report back to the Governing Body. 8. Eagle Scout Presentation Eagle Scout Candidate AJ Greco of Troop 350 reviewed his proposed project to purchase and install banners honoring the Borough’s Veterans. The consensus was to approve the project. 9. Reports by Borough Professionals: A. Engineer’s Biweekly Report Mr. Senkevich reviewed the biweekly report, a copy of which is attached. Mrs. Ayer asked the next step for the raised sidewalk. Mr. Senkevich said the coring will be sent out for analysis, and he will endeavor to get copied on the results when they are provided to the contractor. Results take about a month, and he will review with the Borough Attorney once they are received. He noted that the Borough can request an independent review of the sample if the results aren’t satisfactory. B. Desilt De-Snag Discussion Frank Rossi of Boswell Engineering discussed the changes over the years to the desilting and desnagging processes. Regulations have become so stringent that he believes obtaining a desilting permit is a waste of money. He recommends a stream stabilization program instead, which would allow for removing shoals and sandbars in the waterway to use as part of the bank stabilization. He advised that the process is expensive due to the many DEP requirements, but there are several potential grant sources. Mr. Rossi said stream stabilization will aid with flood mitigation somewhat during nuisance storms but it will not stop flooding during major events. 10. Resolution #22- 94: Introduction of 2022 Municipal Budget Council President Dell reviewed the highlights of the proposed 2022 municipal budget. Motion to Approve Resolution #22-94: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Council President Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Councilmember Hodges - Yes Councilmember Montana – Absent Council President Dell – Yes 11. Items for Discussion: a) Various Resolutions - RA Mayor Arroyo commented on three of the resolutions on the consent agenda: pausing the the gas tax to bring relief during this time of high gas prices; opposing preemption of local zoning ordinances to allow shopping centers and office parks to redevelop, and urging a carve out for flood-prone locations should the legislation be adopted; and opposing the sale of the Coach bus depot on Old Hook Road to NJ Transit. He asked Mrs. Hughes to read a letter into the record from the hospital, which is attached. b) Electronic Vehicle Chargers – CH Councilmember Hodges reviewed the proposed locations in each of the downtown municipal lots for the electric vehicle chargers. She hopes to have the financial agreement at the next meeting. Agenda Page 3 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council April 5, 2022 c) Signs at Veterans Park / Train Station Fence – BD Council President Dell asked if banners should still be allowed on the trains station fence now that the electronic sign is operational. All agreed to continue with the banners. d) SLEO Draft Ordinance – EC Councilmember Collins explained the need to include Special Law Enforcement Officer III in the codebook in order to provide security for the schools. The ordinance will be introduced at the next meeting. e) WRMS Traffic Change – EC Councilmember Collins reviewed the proposed removal of the ‘no left turn’ sign at the middle school, and also the removal of parking on Mill Street in order to facilitate school traffic. The ordinance will be introduced at the next meeting. 12. Agenda/Public Forum: Motion to open Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Collins Second: Council President Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the Affirmative. No one wished to be heard. Motion to close Agenda/Public Forum: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Council President Dell Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. 13. Ordinances for Introduction/Adoption Ordinance For Introduction 22-10 Calendar Year 2022 Ordinance To Exceed The Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits And To Establish A CAP Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #22-10 entitled “Calendar Year 2022 Ordinance To Exceed The Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits And To Establish A CAP Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14)” is hereby introduced by title; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Borough Clerk is hereby directed to advertise said ordinance with a May 3rd, 2022 hearing date in the official newspaper according to law. Motion to pass the ordinance on First Reading: Councilmember Bicocchi Council President Dell Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Hodges – Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Montana – Absent Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes _____ Ordinances For Adoption 22-9 Bond Ordinance To Authorize The Acquisition Of A New Pumper Fire Engine, Including Original Apparatus And Equipment, In, By And For The Borough Of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, State Of New Jersey, To Appropriate The Sum of $620,000 To Pay The Cost Thereof, To Make A Down Payment, To Authorize The Issuance Of Bonds To Finance Such Appropriation And To Provide For The Issuance Of Bond Anticipation Notes In Agenda Page 4 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council April 5, 2022 Anticipation Of The Issuance Of Such Bonds BE IT RESOLVED that Ordinance #22-9 entitled “Bond Ordinance To Authorize The Acquisition Of A New Pumper Fire Engine, Including Original Apparatus And Equipment, In, By And For The Borough Of Westwood, In The County Of Bergen, State Of New Jersey, To Appropriate The Sum of $620,000 To Pay The Cost Thereof, To Make A Down Payment, To Authorize The Issuance Of Bonds To Finance Such Appropriation And To Provide For The Issuance Of Bond Anticipation Notes In Anticipation Of The Issuance Of Such Bonds” having hereby been read by title, shall have a hearing held on this date. Motion to open the public hearing: Councilmember Greco Second: Councilmember Bicocchi Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. Public Comments: No comments. Motion to close the public hearing: Councilmember Bicocchi Second: Councilmember Hodges Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance known as #22-9 be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Adoption of said Ordinance be published in the official newspaper according to law. Motion for final adoption: Councilmember Greco Second: Councilmember Bicocchi Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi - Yes Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Councilmember Hodges - Yes Councilmember Montana – Absent Council President Dell – Yes _____ 14. Presentation of Bills, Financial Reports and Resolutions: Council President Dell asked if there were any resolutions to add to the Consent Agenda. She stated that any Councilmembers who wished to remove any Resolution(s) to be voted upon separately could do so at this time, otherwise the Consent Agenda would be enacted in one motion. Resolutions as Consent Agenda: a) Resolution #22 - 95:Bills List b) Resolution #22 - 96:Appointment of Grant Writer – Fred Rella c) Resolution #22 - 97: Resolution Authorizing Redemption of Tax Sale Certificate #21- 00002 d) Resolution #22 - 98:Authorizing Redemption of Tax Sale Certificate #19-00007 e) Resolution #22 - 99:Authorizing Westwood Volunteer Fire Department – Matters of Personnel f) Resolution #22 - 100: Resolution in Support of Reforms to The New Jersey Attorney General’s Use Of Force Policy, Addendum B, Vehicular Pursuit Policy g) Resolution #22 - 101: Resolution in Support of Bail Reform Measures Under Consideration By The New Jersey Legislature And In Support Of Additional Reforms h) Resolution #22 - 102: Opposing A1294/S2103 And Its Impact On Flood-Prone Properties i) Resolution #22 - 103: Supporting A3669 With Revision j) Resolution #22 – 104: Resolution Objecting to Potential Purchase of Defunct Bus Terminal By New Jersey Transit as Continuation of Use Contrary to Borough’s Master Plan and Detrimental to the Health and Welfare of the Residents of the Borough of Westwood. k) Resolution #22 - 105: Supporting S790 Flood Control Measures l) Resolution #22 - 106: Authorizing Preparation of Plans and Specifications, Bidding, and Agenda Page 5 Work Meeting of the Mayor and Council April 5, 2022 Construction Inspection for the 2022 Road Resurfacing Program m) Resolution #22 - 107:Resolution Authorizing Refund of Taxes Due to Tax Court Judgment, Block 1501 Lot 2 Motion to Approve Resolutions #22-95 through #22- 107: Council President Dell Second: Councilmember Collins Roll Call: Councilmember Bicocchi – Yes with abstention on Resolution ‘b’ Councilmember Hodges – Yes with recusal on bill list PO # 22-0322 Councilmember Collins – Yes Councilmember Montana – Yes Councilmember Greco – Yes Council President Dell – Yes 15. Adjournment: Motion to Adjourn: Councilmember Collins Second: Councilmember Hodges Voice Vote: Voice Vote: A voice vote was taken with all present voting in the affirmative. The time was 10:13 pm. Attest: Karen Hughes, RMC, Borough Clerk Proofed by: Jean-Marie Vadovic, Deputy Borough Clerk