We have an
interview with Beatriz Bueno for a volunteer position scheduled for Monday, August
10, 2020 at 6:45pm via ZOOM followed by our regular Town Council meeting at
7:00pm. You have each been emailed the webinar ID and
password. The same has been posted on
our website.
Join
from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81862760705?pwd=RUVLaEFCZTJIb0JlZWZ5RkdrNXVNQT09
Webinar
ID: 818 6276 0705 Password: 390009
Or
members of the public can call in at:
1
312 626 6799 or 1 929 205 6099
1
301 715 8592 or 1 346 248 7799
1
669 900 6833 or 1 253 215 8782
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Lorraine’s
office has prepared the minutes from the July
13th Interview and Regular meeting and the July 27th Special meeting for your 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 3 minutes and limited to one turn at
the microphone. This allows ample time
for all whom 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.
COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS
Each Councilmember can give an update on various items or
Board/Commission actions that have taken place recently.
ORDINANCES
There are four
(4) ordinances for 2nd Reading and Public Hearing:
Ordinance 2020-15 will reappropriate
funds for the Fire Alarm upgrades and improvement for the Water Utility.
Ordinance 2020-16 will reappropriate
funds for the wastewater treatment plant’s major repairs and replacement of
pumps and other equipment.
Ordinance 2020-17 will reappropriate
funds for the crack repairs at the pool.
Ordinance 2020-18 will appropriate
$20,000 from the Water Sewer Capital Fund Balance to replace a sewer main
section on lower Spring Street.
There are three
(3) ordinances being Introduced:
Ordinance 2020-19 will amend Chapter
320 of the Code Book in relation to “Definitions” and “Parking and Driveway
Standards”.
Ordinance 2020-20 will amend Chapter
231 of the Code Book in relation to property maintenance.
Ordinance 2020-21 will amend the Merriam-Gateway
Redevelopment Plan. A copy of the memo
from the Planning Board has been shared with you on the Google Drive.
CONSENT AGENDA
Resolution #181-2020* will affirm the
issuance of a $2,490,000 Bond Anticipation Note (BAN).
Resolution #182-2020* will appoint Alan
Abramson to the Recreation Advisory Commission.
Resolution #183-2020* authorize the
insertion of revenue from the Municipal Alliance grant into the 2020 Budget.
Resolution #184-2020* will concur with
the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board for the Water and Sewer
Connection fees for the Gas-N-Go at Weis Markets on Water Street.
Resolution
#185-2020* will authorize
a credit due a water and sewer utility account.
Resolution
#186-2020* will renew
our three-year membership in the Statewide Insurance Fund.
Resolution
#187-2020* will approve
the submission of an application of a Small Cities Grant for Public Facilities
Fund Project to install sidewalks along Route 206.
Resolution
#188-2020* will approve
a Grant Management Plan for the Small Cities Grant for Public Facilities Fund
Project, done in conjunction with Resolution #187-2020.
Resolution
#189-2020* approve a
Small Cities Citizen Participation Plan, again this in being done in
conjunction with Resolution #187-2020 above.
Resolution
#190-2020* will approve
the Town’s Fair Housing Statement of Actions, done in conjunction with
Resolution #187-2020 above.
Resolution
#191-2020* will approve
the renewal of the Plenary Retail Distribution Liquor Licenses for Seplow’s and
Spring Liquors.
Resolution
#192-2020* will
authorize a Required Disclosure Contract with Suburban Engineering Consultants
for the Drainage Improvements &
Environmental Permitting for the Memory Park – Babe Ruth League Baseball Field
Project.
Resolution
#193-2020* will
authorize payment of bills and vouchers.
DISCUSSION
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)
COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Resolution #194-2020 will authorize
going into closed session contract negotiations with regards to Bridge Q-06.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
Morris Lake is ten inches below the top
of the spillway as of August 3, 2020.
Modified building hours are
still in operation without any significant delays or issues to report.
All meetings
in August and September will be held
via ZOOM until further notice.
Preparations
are finalized for the unveiling of our HEROES
WAY signage at the entrances to Newton Medical Center. The ceremony will be on Thursday at 11am.
I spoke with
Sheriff Strada about assisting with
greater law enforcement staffing levels at the Newton Green for future public
events and he was very amenable to the same.
I appreciate his support.
We will be
scaling back our OEM briefings and sit
reports and continue them when/if conditions warrant the same.
Town Hall will close on Tuesday, August 11th
at 1:30pm for staff to assist with pool staff training.
Much
appreciation to Sherri, Gigi, DPW, Suburban,
All State, and all who supported the pool project…let’s hope for a great
re-opening (and good weather, too!).
Milling and
paving of Halsted Street and Madison
Street is to begin on Tuesday.
Be
safe and well.
Yours
in Service,
TSRJR