Ramsey Borough Council Meeting Report

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING – JULY 9, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 8:40 p.m. Councilwoman O’Brien was absent.

1. Minutes of May 28 meeting were passed 5-0.

2. Communications were passed 5-0.

3. Appointments: Michael Tippner and Kelly Blayer appointed to the Ramsey Rescue Squad.

4. Consent Resolutions:
Resolution: Payment of Vouchers

Resolution: Release of Shade Tree Bond in the amount of $7,000.00 to Sprint, 48 S. Franklin Tpk., Ramsey, Block 5001, Lot 70

Resolution: Tax Refund for overpayment of 2nd quarter 2003 tax in the amount of $1,532.79 to Michael & Juliet Barr, 74 Spruce St., Block 4803, Lot 42

Resolution: Appointing Michael R. Tippner to Ramsey Rescue Squad

Resolution: Appointing Kelly A. Blayer to Ramsey Rescue Squad

Resolution: Appointing Harry Smith and Douglas Rennie to the Community Development Committee

Resolution: Bid for rotary mower to the McDonagh Co. $46,653

Resolution: Beyer Bros., Fairview, NJ - $157,568 for dump truck

Resolution: Mayor & Council supports the rights of all citizens anywhere in the world to live free.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED 5-0

5. Special Presentations: Alfred J. Bianchetti – Proclamation from Mayor and Citation of Appreciation from Mayor and Council for 43 years of coaching youth baseball in Ramsey.

6. Mayor Richard Muti commended Police Chief Brian Gurney for reducing police overtime in the first 6 months of the year by 30.6 percent.

7. The Mayor and all council members present expressed their sorrow at the passing of Sebastian Recetti, a member of the Planning Board, who passed away last week. Mr. Recetti will be missed and the borough of Ramsey is poorer for his passing.

8. Advertised Public Hearing for Final Consideration of Ordinances: Ordinance No. 18-2003 – Amending Sections 8.3.2 entitled “on-street parking areas” and section 8/4 entitled “issuance of resident sticker” within Chapter VIII entitled “municipal parking lots and on-street parking areas” of the revised General Ordinances of the borough of Ramsey to delete the references made therein to “parking area 2”.
PASSED 5-0

9. Introduction of Ordinances: Ordinance No. 19-2003 – Amending Subsection 3-8.2(a)8 entitled “Construction or Repair” within Section 3-8 entitled “Noise Prevention” within Chapter 3 entitled “Police Regulations” of the revised General Ordinances of the borough of Ramsey changing the hours of operation for certain types of tools, machinery and equipment.
PASSED 5-0.

Ordinance No. 20-2003 – To amend and supplement Ordinance No. 16-2002 which is entitled: “An ordinance to authorize the repair and refurbishment of drains in the borough’s West Side Garage and to appropriate the sum of $130,000.00 to pay the cost thereof;” to read in its entirety “An ordinance to authorize the repair and refurbishment of drains in the borough’s West Side Garage and to appropriate the sum of $250,000.00 to pay the cost thereof.”

MEETING ADJOURNED 9:25 P.M.
(Submitted by Jim Keeney)

Mayor & Council Meeting - June 25, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 8:30 pm by Acting Mayor Jeffrey Heller.  Mayor Muti, Council President Bisaillon and Administrator Nick Saros were attending a County Freeholder Meeting and arrived at 8:43 pm.

The Minutes of the May 14, 2003 council meeting were approved, 4-0 with 1 abstention, Julie O'Brien.

Communications were approved 4-0.

There were no appointments.

Consent Resolutions: 
1. Payment of vouchers
2. Tax refund for overpayment of 2nd quarter 2003 taxes in the amount of $1,291.15 to Eric Gillenwater, 849 Alexandria Ct., Block 4002, Lot 12 C0849
3. Refund of tax lien and premium paid in the amount of $1,439.31 to R. Rothman for 17 Cherry Lane, Block 2304 Lot 7
4. Refund of tax lien and premium paid in the amount of $17,930.11 to Michael Mastellone for 232 Myrtle Avenue Block 1201 Lot 3
5. Authorizing Capital Alternatives Corporation to prepare, assemble and submit necessary documentation on behalf of the Borough to he Commissioner of Transportation for aid under the New Jersey Trust fund Authority Act
6. Authorizing the Borough Administrator to execute the application for Treatment Works Approval for Permit (WQM-003) for Lancaster Developers, LLC, 638 East Crescent Ave., Upper Saddle River, NJ as recommended by Crew Engineers
7. Professional Services of a fireworks exhibitor to be retained by the Borough of Ramsey to conduct a fireworks display scheduled for July 5, 2003
8. Authorizing the Borough Engineer to execute Access Street Intersection Permit No. S-17-N-0001-2003 from NJDOT for the Williams Drive Extension Street Intersection
9. Authorizing the Borough Administrator to execute the application for Treatment Works Approval (TWA) Application for Permit (WQM-003) for Jack Daniels Motors, Inc., State Highway Route 17 So., USR as recommended by Crew Engineers, Inc.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED 5-0

Committee and Liaison Reports
Finance and Administration - Christopher Botta reported that Cablevision negotiations are not going well. They are holding out on giving a senior discount to Ramsey residents. They will be meeting with them in the future for further negotiations.

The Ramsey Pool is Open - the membership and revenues are up.  Everything going well.

Introduction of Ordinances
Ordinance No. 18-2003 - Amending Sections 8-3.2 entitled "on-street parking areas" and section 8-4 entitled "issuance of resident sticker" within Chapter VIII entitled "municipal parking lots and on-street parking areas" of the revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Ramsey to delete the references made therein to "parking area 2".

Special Presentations
The Rev. Richard G. Creadick on the 50th Anniversary of his ordination.

Darryl Secor, Secor Farms

Bruce Rohsler, Rohsler's Nursery

G&F Greenhouses

Dora Gerber, Swissette Herb Farm for contributions in plant materials to the Ramsey Herb Garden.

Anthony Iannarelli for his quick response and help to the Ramsey Rescue Squad on May 28, 2003.

--Submitted by Jim Keeney

MAYOR & COUNCIL MEETING - JUNE 11, 2003
 
1. Minutes of April 23, 2003 were approved 4-0.  O'Brien was absent, H. Cantor abstained.
2. Appointments - Appointing Peter A. Scandariato, Esq. as Alternate Municipal Public Defender.
3. Consent Resolutions:

• Payment of vouchers
• Requesting Tax Refund for overpayment of 2nd quarter 2003 taxes in the amount of $1,310.29 to Jill Winson, 71 Carol Street, Block 4803 Lot 28
• Renewal of Liquor Licenses for 2003-2003
• Requesting release of escrow in the amount of $3,718.00 to Commerce Bank North, Block 4401, Lot 9
• Refund for an overpayment of 2nd quarter taxes in the amount of $1,461.81 to James A. and Geraldine Boyle, 150 Elbert Street, Block 1902, Lot 19
• $68,805.47 Tilcon Construction for work on Prospect Street
• Pick-up truck for DPW - $38,000.00

RESOLUTIONS PASSED 6-0.
 
4.    Advertised Public Hearing for Final Consideration of Ordinances:
 
Ord. No. 17-2003- An Ordinance to authorize the design, acquisition and installation of landscaping at the Ramsey Public Library and to appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 to pay the cost thereof.
 
PASSED 6-0
 
NEXT MEETING JUNE 25, 2003.

Mayor and Council Meeting - May 24, 2003
 
1. Minutes of the March 26, 2003 meeting were approved, 6-0.
2. Communications were all passed, 6-0
3. Consent Resolutions:

a) Payment of vouchers
b) Release of landscaping bonds for Extended Stay America, Rte. 17 No., Ramsey, in the amount of $43,200.
c) Authorizing borough to apply for $184,000 grant to fund the Garrison Pond Park addition.
d) Authorizing Mayor and Borough Clerk to execute authorization agreement granting Ground Water and Environmental Services, Inc. permission to install one monitoring well in the Ramsey right-of-way adjacent to the Exxon Gas Station at Nottingham Road. Subject to engineer's approval.
e) Pastor Richard Creadic has retired as Recycling Coordinator.

Resolutions passed 6-0.

4.  Committee Reports and Liaison Reports:

a) Finance and Administration - Cablevision Committee to present its list of requirements to Cablevision.  Date to be announced.
b) Public Safety - No report
c) Building and Zoning - June 3rd, Board of Adjustment to consider Board of Education construction issue.
d) Utilities Buildings and Grounds - No report
e) Public and Governmental Relations - Councilman Jeffrey C. Heller stated the Mayor should recuse himself from any Board of Education discussions.
f) Health and Social Services - No report
g) Mayor Richard Muti - Mayor Muti stated there is no legal basis for his recusal on the Board of Education issue. There are many questions that must be asked prior to passing a bond issue funding the BOE's projects.
h) Borough Attorney - no report
i)  Borough Administrator - no report
j)  Borough Clerk - no report

5.  Special Presentations:

Police Dept. Awards "Exceptional Duty"

Patrolman Timothy Flannagan
Patrolman Marc Shingelo

Police Dept. "Civilian Citation"

Georgina Lanza

6.  Advertised Public Hearing for Final Consideration of Ordinances:

Ord. No. 11-2003 - Bond Ordinance to authorize the purchase of a fire apparatus for the Fire Dept. - $750,000 (PASSED 4-2, HELLER AND CANTOR VOTED NO)

Ord. No. 12-2003 - Bond Ordinance to authorize various improvements to the water system in the amount of $750,000 (PASSED 5-1, HELLER VOTED NO)

Ord. No. 13-2003 - Acquisition, repair and supply of equipment for various Borough departments - $597,000 (PASSED 6-0)

Ord. No. 14-2003 - Amendment to Traffic Ordinance regarding a stop sign at northern corner of Nottingham Road at the intersection of Abbey Court and Balfour Lane facing westbound traffic on Nottingham Road.  (PASSED 6-0)

Ord. No. 15-2003 - Authorizing various repairs to and the refurbishment of the Borough's 1988 Mack Fire Truck and to appropriate the sum of $14,000.  (PASSED 5-1, HELLER VOTED NO)

Ord. No. 16-2003 - Amend Section 34-27 entitled "B-1A Business District" within Chapter 34 entitled "Zoning of the Revised General Ordinances Borough of Ramsey," changing the type of permitted uses within the B-A1 business district.  (PASSED 6-0)

7.  Introduction of New Ordinances:
 
Ord. No. 17-2003 - Bisaillon introduced, second Joe Ratto.
To allot $15,000 for landscaping upgrades at the library.  Final hearing June 11, 2003.  (PASSED 6-0)

The Mayor and Council adjourned to Special Executive Session to consider personnel matters.  (PASSED 6-0)

Borough Council Meeting Report - April 23, 2003
 
The meeting was called to order 8:30 sharp by Mayor Muti.  Councilman Howard Cantor was absent.  The following appointments were made and confirmed:
 
Ptl. John McIntyre to Sergeant, RPD.
Chief Bryan Gurney, Det. Robert Novakowski and Ptlm. Brian Lyman to the Ramsey OEM staff and the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
 
James Clarijo to the Ramsey Rescue Squad.
 
John Sebastian to fill the unexpired term of Carl Dietze on the Recreation Commission until Dec. 31, 2003.
 
All passed unanimously.
 
Main topic of business was the new municipal budget.  There was only 1 resident who commented during the public comment section.  The budget includes an approximate $50 increase per household.  The budget was voted on and passed by 4-1.  Councilman Jeffrey Heller voted no.
 
Under Health and Social Services, the Freeholders passed a prescription bill.  More information can be obtained by going to the county website:  www.co.bergen.nj.us. 
 
On May 7, the Freeholders will hold their meeting at the Town Hall.  Work session starts at 5:00 p.m., with the public session beginning at 8:00 p.m.  Please try to attend if you can.

Borough Council Meeting - 3/26/2003
 
At the council meeting, the new budget was introduced and it provides for an increase of approximately $50.00 per household.  After vigorous debate, the council decided to review the budget and see if any other cuts could be made to avoid an increase.  The budget hearing will be on April 23.  Please try to attend.
 
The Ramsey Police Dept. Ord. No. 8-2003 concerning 3 lieutenants rather than 4 was passed 4-2. 
 
Waiver of Fees for Senior Citizens, Ord. No. 9-2003 was passed 6-0.
 
Michael C. Reilly and Robert S. Forbes were appointed to the Ramsey Volunteer Fire Dept.
 
Gina Ratto was appointed to the volunteer position of Human Services Coordinator and will be sworn in at the next council meeting.