Town Hall is closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27^th.  The annual parade will commence at 10:30am with a ceremony to follow at Memory Park.

Our next Town Council meeting is Wednesday, May 29^th at 7:00pm. 

A reminder that Summer Hours begin that week as well…with late night Thursdays (concluding at 6:30pm) and Fridays allowing for early dismissal (at 1:30pm).

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake was 1 inch over the top of the spillway on 5.13.13.

The DPW crew will be doing a modified Spring Brush Pickup.  Pickup will follow the Recycling pickup schedule: Zone 3 the week of May 20^th and Zones 2 and 4 the week of May 28^th.

The Lower Spring Street Beautification Project is progressing.  The anticipated completion of the sidewalk work and rain garden should be by the middle of June.

The Town of Newton was on the New Jersey State Planning Commission meeting agenda on Wednesday.  Newton has received Plan Endorsement!  Congratulations to the Town and to Debi and Jessica for all of their efforts.  Jessica will prepare a report for Council.

Interviews have concluded and we have hired a new clerical support team member for the Municipal Clerk’s office.  She will start Tuesday, May 28^th.

The Senior Bus is in for transmission repair.  Our thanks to the Board of Education for working with the Town on a school bus replacement while the transmission is repaired.

My meeting with SCCC President Dr. Paul Mazur went very well this week.  I appreciate his time and look forward to our collaborative relationship going forward.

We met at the Fire Museum this week to finalize the bid specs for our project.  Tom Kosten and Cory will pull everything together for release in June.

The RPM concept hearing before the Planning Board went well this week.  The special meeting to hear this application will occur on Thursday, June 6^th at 7:00pm.

The mayor and I provided a tour of our operations today for a local cub scout group.  I believe the students found the tour exciting and informative!

A reminder that the filing deadline for your Financial Disclosure Form is May 31^st.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!  Go Rangers! 

TSRJR

Happy Mother’s Day!

Thank you to all staff and volunteers who participated in the 3^rd Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors event last weekend!  The event was a great success!

Our next Town Council meeting is Monday, May 13^th at 7:00pm.  In addition to the regular meeting we will have a discussion in Executive Session.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lorraine's office has prepared the minutes from the April 22^nd Regular and Executive meetings for consideration and approval.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan on staying for the whole meeting.  There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 5 minutes.  This allows ample time for all whom wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward.  The public can speak on any matter.

PRESENTATION

Deputy Mayor Ricciardo will present a proclamation to Police Chief Richards recognizing May 12-18, 2013 as National Police Week.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

ORDINANCES

There are two ordinances for 2^nd Reading and Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2013-12 is a special emergency appropriation for the preparation and implementation of a reassessment of all real estate for use of the Newton Tax Assessor.

Ordinance 2013-13 is a fully funded water sewer capital improvement ordinance for the Howard Street watermain upgrades.

There are three ordinances for Introduction:

Ordinances 2013-14 will establish guidelines for landlords and their responsibility when it comes to the behavior of their tenants.

Ordinance 2013-15 will revise Section 283-17.8 of the Code Book regarding the registration of limousines.

Ordinance 2013-16 will establish a policy in accordance with State statute that if a customer’s check is returned for insufficient funds, all future payments must be made by cash, certified or cashier’s check.

OLD BUSINESS

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #70-2013* provide an emergency appropriation in the 2013 budget for the preparation and implementation of a reassessment of all real estate.  This resolution is done in conjunction with Ordinance 2013-12 above.

Resolution #71-2013* will certify the annual audit.  Lorraine will have the Group Affidavit for all the Council members to sign on Monday night.

Resolution #72-2013* will authorize a lease agreement with First Hope Bank for the acquisition of two police vehicles.

Resolution #73-2013* will authorize the insertion of monies to be received for the Clean Communities grant into the 2013 budget. 

Resolution #74-2013* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.

Resolution #75-2013* will appoint Melissa Logan as regular member of the Planning Board.  She currently serves as Alternate #1.

Application* there is one application for your consideration from William J. Demarest for membership into the Newton Fire Department.

INTERMISSION

DISCUSSION

1. Property Maintenance Code Penalty Ordinance – a draft of the ordinance has been shared on the Google drive. 
2. Commercial Vehicle Ordinance – a draft of the ordinance has been shared on the Google drive.
3. Zoning Tax Map Ordinance – a draft of the ordinance has been shared on the Google drive.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Resolution #76-2013 will authorize going into closed session.  I have one topic to discuss with you:  (1) Contract Negotiations.  Legal Counsel will be present to discuss the terms and a PDF with pertinent information has been shared on the Google drive.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake was 1 inch below the top of the spillway on 5.6.13.

The DPW crew will be doing a modified Spring Brush Pickup.  Pickup will follow the Recycling pickup schedule.  Zone 1 will be picked up the week of May 13^th, Zone 3 the week of May 20^th, and Zones 2 and 4 the week of May 28^th.

The Lower Spring Street Beautification Project is progressing.  They will be completed with the laundromat side of the sidewalk today.  Work will begin by the Moose Lodge on Monday. 

A reminder that the filing deadline for your Financial Disclosure Form is May 31^st.

Stay safe and have a great weekend!  Go Rangers!

TSRJR

I will be attending the NJ Planning Officials conference dinner this evening in Woodbridge with several Council members and staff to accept our award for the Achievement in Planning for our form-based code!  Another great recognition for the exceptional quality of work that is being conducted in Newton on a daily basis!

A reminder that the 3^rd Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors event will be tomorrow, Saturday, May 4^th.  We will meet here at Town Hall at 8:30am.  The volunteer effort runs from 9:00am – Noon and pizza will be served at Memory Park following same.

Our next Town Council meeting is Monday, May 13^th at 7:00pm.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake was even with the top of the spillway on 4.29.13.

Interviews for the part-time clerical position in the Clerk’s office continued this week.

The Parking Authority gave its approval to the modified Newton Town Centre Senior Housing Project.  Next step is for the Planning Board to conduct a concept hearing on May 15^th with the Council to discuss the PILOT program the same week.

I met with my fellow managers and administrators from Sussex County this past week at a luncheon held at Hardyston’s municipal building.  The challenges we all face are very similar and all communities are working hard on practical solutions to same.  It is always good to have conversations with colleagues to benchmark our endeavors and I am pleased to report that Newton stacks up well against any of the other towns in Sussex County!

Work is continuing on the lower Spring Street project as scheduled.

On Wednesday morning a hydrant on High Street broke.  The repair took some time since the bottom of the hydrant blew out and a new valve was required.  Repairs were completed and water restored by 5 pm. 

Melissa Estock of WMBC was gracious enough to interview me for a promotional piece on the Neighbors Helping Neighbors event – thanks Melissa!

Terri and I will be working on the next advancement for our newly renovated and rebooted website – videos!  We have a vendor we will be working with who will produce some online promotional videos that will help us market our community!  Awesome!  Stay tuned!

Stay safe and have a great weekend!  Go Rangers!

TSRJR