BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE MAYOR &COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING October 28, 2004
CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the Borough of High Bridge came to order with Mayor Alfred W. Schweikert, III presiding, at 7:00 p.m. on the above date. Notice of this meeting was given by public announcement on January 1, 2004, published in the Hunterdon Democrat issue of January 8, 2004 and posted on the bulletin board in Borough Hall. The meeting was held in Borough Hall, 71 Main Street, High Bridge, and N.J. Action may be taken. Mayor Schweikert led those present in the salute to the Flag. Members Present: Councilman Tuck Batch Councilman Richard Carr Councilwoman Colleen Hann Councilwoman Lynn Hughes Councilman William Pritchett (arrived at 7:15)
Councilman Walker was excused. Borough Attorney Substitute Michelle Gibson, Administrator/Clerk, William Barnum Wahl, Ella MaleckiRuta. Councilwoman Hann motioned to go into Executive Session to discuss on going litigation. Councilman Carr seconded. Roll Call: 4 ayes. Motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Resolution #117-2004 7:00 PM – 7:52 PM Councilwoman Hann motioned to return to Open Session. Councilman Batch seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Motion carried. No action was taken on matters discussed in Executive Session. 11 members of the public and media attended the regular meeting. MINUTES Councilman Carr motioned to dispense with the reading of the minutes of October 8, 2004 and October 8, 2004 Executive Session Minutes as copies were distributed to each Council Member; Councilman Carr seconded the motion. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Councilman Batch motioned to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 8, 2004 and Executive Session Minutes of October 8, 2004. Councilman Carr seconded the motion. Roll Call: 5 ayes. VISITORS - no visitors PUBLIC COMMENTS Sharon Apperson, 88 Mine Rd. announced that on November 7 th from 2-4 p.m. American Legion is having it’s 3rd Annual World War II oral history with speakers, some of them are residents of our town. Valerie Jordan, 53 Beaver St. asked if Finance Committee has started to discuss Budget for 2005. Mr. Pritchett responded that the Budget is in the works. Sally Ward of Solitude Village spoke about the recent lunar eclipse as a symbol of going from darkness to light and how the youth from all over the world wished on that symbolic day for no more wars, no more arguments, but peace and harmony for everybody. PUBLIC HEARINGS Mayor Schweikert declared the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-27 open and asked for questions and/or comments from members of the general public and news media: ORDINANCE #2004-27 BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT FOR THE GOLF UTILITY IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE, IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $50,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $47,500 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF Albert Maiorino of 51 East Main Street asked various questions about equipment we have right now and why is it necessary to buy more. Explanation was given by Mr.Wahl that buying instead of leasing makes better sense. Richard Montaperto, 39 West Main was concerned with the issue who is really paying for the equipment, golf or taxpayers. Mr. Wahl assured him that golf is one of our utilities and it’s coming out of their revenues. Valerie Jordan , 53 Beaver St. inquired how much has Golf Course expenditures been as of the end of September and expressed her concerns if that utility is self sufficient.
MINUTES OF MEETING October 28, 2004
Sally Ward of Solitude Village gave commendatory praise to a town government for doing a great job with Golf Course Utility. Councilman Batch motioned to close Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-27; Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Councilman Batch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2004-27 on second and final reading and publish same by title only in the Hunterdon County Democrat issue of October 21, 2004: Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, nay; Hughes, aye; Hann, nay; Pritchett, aye. Motion not carried. 3 ayes 2 nays Councilman Carr after giving it more thought decided to change his vote. He put a motion to reconsider his vote and Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, aye; Hughes, aye; Hann, nay; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 4 ayes 1 nay Councilman Batch motion to adopt Ordinance #2004-27 on second and final reading and publish same by title only in the Hunterdon County Democrat issue of October 21, 2004. Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, aye; Hughes, aye; Hann, nay; Pritchett, aye. Motion to adopt carried. 4 ayes 1 nay Mayor declared the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-28 open and asked for questions and/or comments from members of the general public and news media: ORDINANCE #2004-28 BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF EMERGENCY GENERATORS FOR THE POLICE AND RESCUE SQUAD IN AND BY THE BOROUGH OF HIGH BRIDGE, IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $60,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $57,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE BOROUGH TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF Councilman Batch explains that this purchase was included in this year’s budget. Norma Harbourt, 10 King Hill Road asked if this purchase is a part of emergency preparedness and if there were any monies available from any State or Federal Government Agency. Mayor Schweikert replied with answer that we have put applications for grants, but with no answers as of yet. As there were no more questions or comments, Councilman Batch motion to close Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-28; Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes Councilman Batch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2004-28 on a second and final reading and publish same by synopsis in the Hunterdon County Democrat issue of October 21, 2004; Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, aye; Hughes, aye; Hann, aye; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 5 ayes Mayor declared the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-30 open and asked for questions and/or comments from members of the general public and news media: ORDINANCE 2004-30 RECREATION COMMITTEE ORDINANCE General discussion between Council and public about differences, advantages and disadvantages for having Recreation as a Committee versus a Commission. After most everybody expressed their opinion on all possible topics for or against this change Councilman Batch motioned to close the Public Hearing on Ordinance #2004-30 and Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes Councilman Batch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2004-30 on a second and final reading and publish same in full in Hunterdon County Democrat issue of October 21, 2004, Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, nay; Hughes, aye; Hann, nay; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 3 ayes 2 nays REVIEW OF LEGAL ISSUES – nothing to report at this time. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS There has been an extra day added this year for hazardous waste pick-up by the County, making a third one on November 13, 2004 from 9 AM to 1 PM. OLD BUSINESS – no old business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS 1. Mayor appointed Steve Dhein as Planning Board Alternate for a term of 2 years expiring December 31, 2005. Councilman Batch motioned to approve the appointment of Steve Dhein. Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Motion carried. Mayor appointed Ed Bielick to the Cultural and Heritage Commission to the unexpired term to December 31, 2006. Councilwoman Hughes motioned to approve the appointment of Ed Bielick. Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Motion carried. Page 2
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MINUTES OF MEETING October 28, 2004
3. Mayor appointed Rebecka McDougall to the Cultural and Heritage Commission to the unexpired term to December 31, 2004. Councilwoman Hughes motioned to approve the appointment of Rebecka McDougall. Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes RESOLUTION #116-2004: CAPITAL BUDGET AMENDMENT: Councilman Batch motioned to adopt a Resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto and made part of these minutes. Councilwoman Hann seconded. Roll Call: Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, aye; Hughes, aye; Hann, aye; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 5 ayes. RESOLUTION #118-2004: Councilman Batch motion to adopt a Resolution to Dissolve the Recreation Commission and at the same time establish the Recreation Committee and appoint all Commission members as members of a Committee. They are: Kevin Ritz, Heather Treppicione, Robert Buckley, Gary Mills, Rick Williams, Steve Gage, Colleen Hann. Copy of this Resolution is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes. Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, nay; Hughes, aye; Hann, nay; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 3 ayes 2 nays RESOLUTION #119-2004: Councilman Batch motioned to adopt a Resolution, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes with amendments to Wastewater Management Plan to allow Voorhees Group Home to discharge their waste water to our sewer system, a copy Councilman Pritchett seconded. Roll Call: 5 ayes. Motion carried. Monthly Finance/Tax Report – Council Members acknowledged receipt of all monthly reports.
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NEW ORDINANCES Councilman Batch motioned to introduce Ordinance #2004-31on first reading, publish same in its’ entirety in the Easton Express issue of October 30, 2004 and to schedule a Public Hearing with final reading during the meeting of November 10, 2004. ORDINANCE #2004-31 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXPENDITURE OF ADDITIONAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS OF THE WATER UTILITY FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO WATER TANK OVERFLOW A copy of the foregoing Ordinance is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes Councilwoman Hann seconded the motion. Roll Call: Batch, aye; Carr, aye; Hughes, aye; Hann, aye; Pritchett, aye. Motion carried. 5 ayes. ORDINANCE #2004-32 - Komline Sanderson Purchase– Removed from agenda due to lack of sufficient information at this time.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilman Pritchett - Finance, Personnel &Legal 1. Office of Counter Terrorism suggested Police presence at polling places this coming election and our Police will be there. 2. Expanded Police presence on mischief night before Halloween. Safety green glow stickers were given out by Police to students for Halloween. 3. New Police schedule is working very nice and so far everybody likes it. 4. Two Patrolmen went to Voorhees High School on two, 90 minute speaking engagements about violence awareness and gang participation. They were very well received and praised by the County Prosecutor Patrick Barnes for their involvement with our schools. Councilman Walker - Planning and Engineering, Buildings & Grounds 1. Administrator Barney Wahl reported that talks are on going on a contract to pave West Main Street. 2. Mayor Schweikert reported that last week Center Street was paved and residents are very pleased. Councilman Batch - Emergency Services, Information & Economic Development 1. Ceremony on new town clock dedication was set for November 20, 2004. 2. Farmers Market this summer was very successful. 3. The Fall/Winter issue of Newsletter is coming out next week. 4. Two new businesses are coming to town. Café One is going to be a Casa Maya-mexican eatery and the old Pet Shop is going to become a Flooring Company. There are no vacant stores in our town. 5. Exact Tool and Level is cleaned and going through testing right now. Councilman Carr - Public Works Administration & Utilities 1. Rich Heycock a former Fire Chief accepted his job as a new Water Meter Reader. Page 3
MINUTES OF MEETING October 28, 2004
Councilwoman Hann - Education & Recreational Services 1. Thanks again to Fire Department, Rescue Squad, Recreation Commission and High Bridge PTO for Halloween bags. Councilwoman Hughes - Environmental, Public Health & Assistance 1. Thanks to Hunterdon County Democrat for wonderful coverage on Halloween activities in High Bridge. 2. On Saturday night for the first time there is going to be a carved pumpkin display, everybody is welcome. 3. Cultural & Heritage Commission and Economic Development are meeting together to plan festivities for Street Clock Dedication Ceremony and Christmas decoration. 4. Thanks to Vinnie Schweikert for his hard work on putting a Street Clock Project together. 5. Lynn Hughes purchased a New Flag that flew over the US Capital for the front of Borough Hall with help from Congressman Michael Ferguson. Administrator’s Report – Mr. Barney Wahl 1. Copies of Bid Specification for Cell Tower were distributed to Council. Vote on Bid Specs should be held at November 10th meeting. 2. Road Committee is working on a plan together with town engineer for improvements to all Borough roads. The work will be spread over many years depending upon total cost. 3. Barney Wahl and Mark Banks went to a seminar on Stormwater Management. We need all officials now to put stormwater ordinance together for the town of High Bridge. 4. E-mail alert from Emergency Management. Do not open e-mail from unknown sources. Mayor’s Report - Dr. Alfred W. Schweikert, III 1. Mayor went to Senate last Monday to give a testimony on Dams. Bill goes to the Senate allowing DEP the right to seize property that have dams on it, fix it and sell it back to the owner. 2. Mayor took a walk around Komline Sanderson property. On October 20 th we have sent out a request for a Phase II water testing and soil samples that was ordered by the County. We will be required to pay for half of the cost for those test. Our share will be about $12.000 all coming from grants. 3. Acknowledgement for Vinnie Schweikert’s, Harry Appleby’s and Rich Koppe’s great job on the Street Clock and bricks. CD Electric donated their services to wire and make the clock tick. 4. With money made from Farmers Market Vinnie wants to update Christmas decorations. 5. COAH certification has been appealed – Barry Goodman submitted all necessary documents. 6. Catanzareti Litigation – we lost the case and have 45 days to appeal. 7. Work is continuing on Land Use Ordinance and is going to be discussed at the November 10 th meeting. BILL LIST Councilman Hann motioned to approve and direct payment of all vouchers as they appear on the Bill List in the total amount of $1,266,445.36, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof these minutes. Councilman Pritchett seconded the motion. Roll Call: 5 ayes PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Montaperto commented on e-mails and how to get them out of the computer system. Deborah Gaddy was waiting for Resolution Commemorating 10 th Anniversary being in business as Gaddy’s Karate. Vote on that resolution is scheduled for November 10 th council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT Being no other business to come before the Council, the Meeting was adjourned at 10:15PM on motion by Councilman Batch, second by Councilwoman Hann and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________________ Ella Malecki-Ruta Assistant Deputy Clerk
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