Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, May 22, 2023,beginning at 7:00pm. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from May 8, 2023 - Regular Meeting.

PRESENTATION

There is an Oath of Office for the promotion of Ptl. Donald Meisinger to Sergeant.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan to stay for the whole meeting. There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone. This allows ample time for all who wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward. The public can speak on any matter. Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded. Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

There are two (2) Proclamations: Tick-Borne Disease Month and Patrick McNulty Eagle Scout Achievement.

ORDINANCE(S)

There are three (3) ordinances for Second Reading/Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2023-12 is an ordinance providing funding for an Electrical Power Distribution System Study of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities for the Town of Newton and appropriating $70,000 for such purpose.

Ordinance 2023-13 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $195,000 for the milling and paving of New Hampshire Street, including a guide rail and ADA ramps for Diller Avenue, in and by the Town of Newton, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $185,250 bonds or notes of the Town for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-14 is an ordinance providing funding for water and sewer main improvements for New Hampshire Street for the Town of Newton and appropriating $400,000 for such purposes.

There is one (1) ordinance for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-15 is an ordinance to amend, revise, and supplement the Town Code, Chapter 307, adding Section 307-17.3 entitled “Disabled or Inoperable Motor Vehicles”.

CONSENT AGENDA

If none of you have any items that you wish to pull from the Consent Agenda, the Mayor shall call for one roll call vote for all the Consent Agenda items. 

Resolution #153-2023* provides clarity regarding retiree medical benefits to full-time, non-union employees who were employed by the Town of Newton on or before December 31, 2010.

Resolution #154-2023* authorizes the award of a required disclosure contract for pool improvements.

Resolution #155-2023* accepts the Certified List of Qualifying 2022 Newton First Aid Squad LOSAP participants.

Resolution #156-2023* approves entering into a Shared Services Agreement for a School Resource Officer for the Town of Newton Board of Education. 

Resolution #157-2023* inserts Special Items of Revenue in the 2023 Town of Newton Budget pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-87 (C. 159, PL 1948).

Resolution #158-2023* accepts the Permanent Water Main Relocation Portion of the Sussex County Bridge Q-06 Project as final and complete.

Resolution #159-2023* approves fireworks display at Memory Park for Newton Day 2023.

Resolution #160-2023* authorizes a refund of redemption monies to outside lien holder for Block 4.05, Lot 9, also known as 32 Hillside Avenue.

Resolution #161-2023* reappoints Ronald Biederman and John Craddock to the Advisory Shade Tree Commission.

Resolution #162-2023* directs the Town Planning Board to review a proposed Redevelopment Plan for Block 10.01, Lots 5 and 6 (formerly known as Block 801, Lots 49.01 and 49.02), commonly known as 125 Water Street and 5 South Park Drive, respectively, pursuant to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.

Resolution #163-2023* authorizes Police Equipment and Accessories Contract pursuant to New Jersey State Contract – Division of Purchase and Property Number 17-FLEET 00760.

Resolution #164-2023* authorizes the submission of the DMHAS Youth Leadership Grant.

Resolution #165-2023* authorizes participation in the County of Sussex Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF), Assistance Listing #21.027.

Resolution #166-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is one inch over the top of the spillway.

We had our first meeting to discuss next steps on the 3-Year Firehouse No. 1 Renovation Project.

Planning Board approved the third cannabis retailer on Wednesday evening.

Tom Talk Live was blessed to have Chef Martin Kester from the SCCC Culinary Institute this week – next up, Mike Monaco! We Like Mike!

We had an on-site meeting on Spring Street to discuss next steps for our very exciting Mural Project!

The response for the Miners game was so overwhelming that we ordered another 15 tickets! Outstanding! Please join us for some family fun and an entertaining evening of hot dogs, hamburgers, and baseball!

The Summer 2023 group of interns start on Monday! We are looking forward to their participation in our operations and local government.

Interviews have been conducted for the DPW Summer help.

Please utilize the Plastic Bag Collection Drop Box in the lobby of Town Hall.

We are looking for donations of boxes of pasta and pasta sauce jars (not glass) for the Weekend Bag Program. Please bring your donations to our 2^nd floor break room in Town Hall.

Please sign up for some volunteer hours on Newton Day at the Town of Newton Table! We always enjoy the interaction with the general public and appreciate the time and effort.

How about those Florida Panthers?? 4 OT! Madone!

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, May 8, 2023,beginning at 7:00pm. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from April 24, 2023 - Regular Meeting.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan to stay for the whole meeting. There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone. This allows ample time for all who wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward. The public can speak on any matter. Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded. Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

ORDINANCE(S)

There are three (3) ordinances for Second Reading/Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2023-9 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $160,000 for the installation and reconstruction of sidewalks and all associated costs along Mill Street in and by the Town of Newton, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey and Authorizing the Issuance of $152,350 bonds or notes of the Town for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-10 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of accessible playground equipment for Pine Street Park in and by the Town of Newton, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $25,000 bonds or notes of the Town for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-11 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $3,465,000 for various sewer improvements in and by the Town of Newton, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $3,465,000 bonds or notes of the Town for financing part of the appropriation.

There are three (3) ordinances for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-12 is an ordinance providing funding for an Electrical Power Distribution System Study of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Facilities for the Town of Newton and appropriating $70,000 for such purpose.

Ordinance 2023-13 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $195,000 for the milling and paving of New Hampshire Street, including a guide rail and ADA ramps for Diller Avenue, in and by the Town of Newton, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey and authorizing the issuance of $185,250 bonds or notes of the Town for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-14 is an ordinance providing funding for water and sewer main improvements for New Hampshire Street for the Town of Newton and appropriating $400,000 for such purposes.

CONSENT AGENDA

If none of you have any items that you wish to pull from the Consent Agenda, the Mayor shall call for one roll call vote for all the Consent Agenda items. 

Resolution #144-2023* authorizes the issuance of estimated 3rd quarter tax bills.

Resolution #145-2023* authorizes the purchase of four (4) Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles through New Jersey State Contract Purchasing and Property 21-FLEET-01485.

Resolution #146-2023* authorizes the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract for Convergint Technologies Inc.

Resolution #147-2023* approves the application for a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs NPP-ARP Grant to be used towards the restoration of the Newton Fire Museum. 

Resolution #148-2023* refunds of redemption monies to outside lien holder for Block 5.05, Lot 12, also known as 18 Clinton Street.

Resolution #149-2023* is a Statement of Intent for the Town of Newton to pursue Plan Endorsement Renewal and authorization to submit Renewal Statement to the Office of Planning Advocacy.

Resolution #150-2023* revises a refund of redemption monies to outside lien holder for Block 7.12, Lot 34, also known as 3 Foster Street.

Resolution #151-2023* concurs with the Town Manager’s appointment of Christine Lemke as School Crossing Guard for the 2022-2023 School Year.

Resolution #152-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is one inch over the top of the spillway.

Great response from the public on the unveiling of our new mural for Spring Street! Details forthcoming on how you can be a part of painting this historic display.

Thank you to all who participated in Neighbors Helping Neighbors/Clean Communities today! If you are part of a recognized volunteer group, there will be $300 grants available for the October 7^th version.

Another great Tom Talk Live on Facebook this week – check out Tom Alfsen and learn more about Water Street Lofts!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, April 24, 2023, beginning at 7:00pm. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from April 10, 2023 - Regular Meeting.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan to stay for the whole meeting. There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone. This allows ample time for all who wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward. The public can speak on any matter. Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded. Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

Each Councilmember can give an update on various items or Board/Commission actions that have taken place recently. 

ORDINANCE(S)

There are two (2) ordinances for Second Reading/Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2023-7 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $2,529,330 for various capital improvements in and by the Town of Newton and authorizing the issuance of $1,894,300 bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-8 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $1,110,000 for various water/sewer improvements in and by the Town of Newton and authorizing the issuance of $1,110,000 bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriation.

There are three (3) ordinances for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-9 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $160,000 for the installation and reconstruction of sidewalks and all associated costs along Mill Street and authorizing the issuance of $152,350 bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-10 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $100,000 for the acquisition and installation of accessible playground equipment for Pine Street Park and authorizing the issuance of $25,000 bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriation.

Ordinance 2023-11 is a bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $3,465,000 for various sewer improvements and authorizing the issuance of $3,465,000 bonds or notes for financing part of the appropriation.

CONSENT AGENDA

If none of you have any items that you wish to pull from the Consent Agenda, the Mayor shall call for one roll call vote for all the Consent Agenda items. 

Resolution #132-2023* accepts the certified list of qualifying 2022 Newton Fire Department LOSAP participants.

Resolution #133-2023* cancels a capital appropriation balance in the General Capital Fund.

Resolution #134-2023* authorizes credits due to water and sewer utility accounts.

Resolution #135-2023* approves a renewal application for a Junk Dealers License for Newton Auto Exchange. 

Resolution #136-2023* approves a renewal application for a Junk Dealers License for George’s Salvage Company.

Resolution #137-2023* appoints the new Emergency Management Coordinator.

Resolution #138-2023* approves vacation and sick leave time payout for Kenneth Teets.

Resolution #139-2023* awards a contract for fencing services to Challenger Fence Company through the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.

Resolution #140-2023* reappoints Wendy VanderMaas to the Newton Housing Authority.

Resolution #141-2023* amends the Capital Budget.

Resolution #142-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

Resolution #143-2023* authorizes the award of a required Disclosure Contract to the Olmsted Mural Group LLC, for a Greetings From Newton, NJ Mural as part of the Neighborhood Preservation Program of the State of New Jersey.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is spilling over the top of the spillway! Our cup runneth over!

I met with the Executive Director of Market Street Mission this week to talk about the success of their local program here in Town and ways to improve the same.

TRC deemed our third cannabis retailer as complete and they will go before the Land Use Board in May.

Land Use Board approved our second cannabis retailer at their hearing on Wednesday.

Tom Talk was another smashing success as we interviewed the great Dan Hayek of Hayek’s Market!

Work continues on the HVAC repairs at Town Hall as of this writing. New cameras and panic buttons are being installed next week.

Let’s Go Rangers!

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR