Our next Town Council meeting is Monday, December 10, 2012 at 7:00pm. Just a reminder that prior to the meeting the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Municipal Building will be held at 6:00pm. Santa will be once again visiting his favorite Sussex County community!
A reminder that on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 6:00pm we will have the annual joint meeting with the School Board to discuss shared services. Laura Stalter from Millennium Communications Group will be there to give a brief presentation on the potential fiber optics project. The meeting will be in the Board offices down the street from Town Hall.
I want to wish our friends of the Jewish faith a very Happy Hanukkah. Hanukkah begins this Saturday at sundown.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Lorraine's office has prepared the minutes from the November 26th Regular meeting for consideration and approval.
PRESENTATION
The NJAL youth soccer team will be present so the Town Council may acknowledge and congratulate them on their undefeated season.
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.
COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS
ORDINANCES
There is one ordinance for public hearing and adoption:
Ordinance 2012-27 will establish salary and wage minimums and maximums for 2013.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSENT AGENDA
Resolution #243-2012* will appoint members to the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Resolution #244-2012* will concur with the Town Manager’s appointment of Special Law Enforcement Officers for 2013.
Resolution #245-2012* will cancel small balances of property tax refunds or delinquencies in the amounts less than $10.00.
Resolution #246-2012* will designate Linda A. Roth as our Tax Search Officer for 2013.
Resolution #247-2012* will establish the rate of interest to be charged for delinquent taxes.
Resolution #248-2012* will transfer school monies for the period 1/1/13 – 6/30/13.
Resolution #249-2012* will authorize entering into an agreement with Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners for disposal of municipal waste.
Resolution #250-2012* will appoint Jessica C. Caldwell as Town Planner for 2013.
Resolution #251-2012* will appoint David B. Simmons as Water Engineer for 2013.
Resolution #252-2012* will appoint Hatch Mott MacDonald as Sewer Engineer for 2013.
Resolution #253-2012* will designate the Town Manager as the National Organization on Disability Representative for the Town for 2013.
Resolution #254-2012* will authorize a one-time performance award for 2012 and a 2% base salary increase for 2013 for certain non-union full-time or part-time employees.
Resolution #255-2012* will designate Debra Millikin as the Public Agency Compliance Officer for 2013.
Ordinance #256-2012* will designate the Town Manager, Treasurer and CFO to sign checks in 2013.
Resolution #257-2012* will designate the NJ Herald and NJ Sunday Herald to receive notices in compliance with the NJ Open Public Meetings Act for 2013. This is for posting of meetings.
Resolution #258-2012* will designate the NJ Herald and NJ Sunday Herald as legal newspaper for the Town for 2013. This is for legal advertisements.
Resolution #259-2012* will appoint Paul Baldwin as the Town’s representative to the Sussex County Water Quality Policy Advisory Committee.
Resolution #260-2012* will appoint Kenny Jaekel as the Town’s representative to the Sussex County Solid Waste Advisory Committee for 2013.
Resolution #261-2012* will authorize the Tax Assessor, Town Attorney and Town Manager to act on the Town’s behalf with regard to tax appeals for 2013.
Resolution #262-2012* will appoint the Town Manager as Hearing Officer in any matters of dispute for the Town in 2013.
Resolution #263-2012* will establish the Town Council meeting dates for 2013.
Resolution #264-2012* will appoint Marge Caffrey as the Senior Citizen Coordinator for the Town for 2013. This appointment is given to the President of the Prime Time Seniors; Marge is running unopposed for 2013.
Resolution #265-2012* will designate the CFO/Finance Director as the individual authorized to sell Bond Anticipation Notes.
Resolution #266-2012* will designate the banks we use as depositories for 2013.
Resolution #267-2012* will appoint the prosecutor and public defender for 2013.
Resolution #268-2012* will appoint Keith Mitchell as the Insurance Agent for the Town of Newton for 2013.
Resolution #269-2012* will authorize the release of Executive Session minutes for public viewing.
Resolution #270-2012* will reappoint Keith Mitchell to the Newton Parking Authority.
Resolution #271-2012* will reappoint Kevin Prendergast to the Economic Development Advisory Commission.
Resolution #272-2012* will reappoint Neil Flaherty, Melissa Logan and David Steinberg to the Planning Board.
Resolution #273-2012* will reappoint Thomas Lawler to the Utility Advisory Board.
Resolution #274-2012* will reappoint William Hagaman to the Advisory Board of Health.
Resolution #275-2012* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.
Resolution #276-2012* will appoint Richard Stein, Esq. of the firm Laddey, Clark and Ryan, LLP as Alternate Municipal Prosecutor for 2013.
Resolution #277-2012* will authorize executing an agreement with Daniel Colfax, Esq., to serve as Deputy Municipal Public Defender.
Resolution #278-2012* will reimburse certain Town of Newton employees/volunteers for the use of their personal vehicles for 2013.
Resolution #279-2012* will authorize the purchase of road salt through Sussex County’s vendor, Cargill Deicing Technology.
Resolution #280-20112* will authorize a refund of redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 8.06, Lot 6 (formerly Block 713, Lot 6).
Resolution #281-2012* will authorize a refund of redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 4.03, Lot 10 (formerly Block 402, Lot 10).
Resolution #282-2012* will authorize a refund of redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 19.06, Lot 11 (formerly Block 1303, Lot 12).
Resolution #283-2012* will accept the purchase of watermain pipes and fittings for the Maple Avenue Watermain Project portion as complete.
Resolution #284-2012* will authorize executing an agreement with Holzhauer & Holenstein, LLC for the services in defense of State level tax appeals in 2013.
Resolution #285-2012* will appoint the Newton’s fund commissioner and alternate fund commissioner for the Statewide Insurance Fund.
Resolution #286-2012* will appoint Keith Mitchell as Newton’s Risk Management Consultant for 2013.
Resolution #287-2012* will approve appropriation transfers.
Resolution #288-2012* will authorize the utilization of Trust Funds from the Snow Removal account for Hurricane Sandy expenditures. This is allowable by Governor Christie’s Executive Order No. 111 issued on November 5th.
INTERMISSION
DISCUSSION
- Spring Street Merchants Meeting update
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution #289-2012 will authorize going into closed session. I have one topic to discuss: (1) Personnel – Town Manager’s Annual Performance Evaluation.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Morris Lake was 23 inches below the top of the spillway on 12.3.12.
Congratulations to the 2012 Boys Soccer State Champions from Newton! Go Braves! We look to coordinate a more formal recognition with the School Board in January.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to make the annual Senior Holiday Luncheon successful! A great time was had by all.
Performance evaluations are ongoing with staff members.
We wish Deb Millikin the best of health and success as she leaves to go on maternity leave. We look forward to seeing many pictures and look forward to her return. Thank you to all those who participated in the wonderful luncheon on Wednesday.
All budget hearings with department heads have been completed. Thank you to everyone for their hard work and participation in same.
On Wednesday, the mayor and I along with Chief Richards and Det. Sgt. Muller and Det. Tosti met with residents from the Swartswood Road area to discuss some crime issues that have been occurring in their area. The police are diligently working on same and gave the residents some tips on how to better secure their homes and vehicles. I will keep you posted on the investigation when it is reasonable to do so.
On Thursday we met with representatives from Econo-Pak to discuss opportunities for their business consolidation in Newton. I will keep you posted as conditions warrant.
I attended the monthly Spring Street Merchants Group meeting this week and a good suggestion from Don Meng relating to the Council was discussed. I will bring up same at our meeting on Monday.
Today we met with representatives from The DavidHenry Agency to discuss marketing opportunities for Newton in 2013. I will keep you posted.
I attended an open house at Family Support Organization today on Spring Street. I wish them continued success with their various programs and thank them for their service.
Have a great weekend!
TSRJR