Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, September 25, 2023, beginning at 5:30pm. The Taste of Newton will follow at 6:00pm in Central Plaza.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from September 13, 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 is one (1) ordinance for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-25 is an ordinance to amend Section 307-48.A of the Code of the Town of Newton to prohibit parking on certain portions of Moran Street. This is to allow for safe selfies at our new Mural.

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 #221-2023* authorizes the Tax Collector to hold an electronic tax sale for the year 2023.

Resolution #222-2023* authorizes a credit due a water and sewer utility account.

Resolution #223-2023* rejects bid submittals for Proposed Hockey Rink Rehabilitation Project.

Resolution #224-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 3 inches below the top of the spillway.

My thanks to everyone involved in the Town Mural Project – Jessica, Kimberly, Kat, DPW, PD, and scores of individuals who took time to paint. The mural is a beautiful pictorial representation of the many wonderful locations in the Town. Please enjoy for many years to come and take lots of pictures.

The Taste of Newton will be held this Monday at 6:00pm in Central Plaza, hence the time change for our Council meeting. Hopefully the weather will perform better than the Giants offense.

The Fall Newsletter is done! Please check it out online. Thanks to Kat for coordinating and our team of editors.

http://www.newtontownhall.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2613

Tom Talk Live was once again a great success as we interviewed the long-time president of the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, Tammie Horsfield. Next up: Ron Tappan, County Administrator!

We are working on extending our agreement for Tax Collection Services with Montague Township for another three-years.

Since it is almost October, it is that time of year for the budget memorandum to go out. Stay tuned and sharpen your pencils.

Speaking of winter, (wut?), the annual Town Holiday Staff Party will be held at the new Culinary Institute of SCCC at the McGuire’s Technical Center on December 15th from 12:30pm-3:30pm, mark your calendars!

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Wednesday, September 13, 2023, beginning at 7:00pm. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from August 21, 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

Town Manager – Proclamations – Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

ORDINANCE(S)

There is (1) ordinance for Second Reading/Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2023-23 is an ordinance to re-establish minimum and maximum salaries and wages for Officers and Employees of the Town of Newton for Calendar Year 2023. We are adding the two (2) ACO titles with no other changes.

There is one (1) ordinance for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-24 is an ordinance to amend, revise, and supplement Chapter 25 of the Town of Newton Code, entitled “Personnel” by repealing the existing Chapter 25 and replacing same with a new Chapter 25, entitled “Personnel”.

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 #216-2023* concurs with the Town Manager’s appointment of School Crossing Guards for 2023-2024 school year.

Resolution #217-2023* authorizes entry into a Commodity Resale Agreement for Gasoline and Diesel Fuel with the Hopatcong Board of Education and authorizing the Town Manager and Municipal Clerk to execute same on behalf of the Town of Newton.

Resolution #218-2023* authorizes renewing membership in the Statewide Insurance Fund for calendar years 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Resolution #219-2023* authorizes a refund of redemption monies to outside lien holder for block 7.05, lot 1, also known as 72 High Street. 

Resolution #220-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is just above the top of the spillway.

Tom Talk was once again exciting and legendary as we welcomed Tamrin Serpico, Executive Director of the GNCC. Next up: Tammie Horsfield.

The Town is out to bid for the Roller Hockey Rink improvements as well as the New Hampshire StreetProject.

The bid for the Firehouse No. 1 renovations is almost ready for prime time.

We did not obtain the Fire Museum Grant that we applied for but we are going to see if we can afford the opportunity to work with Millennium on other strategies.

Keep an eye out for the Mural Installation which will be occurring in the next week or so.

Taste of Newton is Monday night at 6:00pm! Tickets are still available, hope to see you there!

Go Giants! And Jets!

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, August 21, 2023, beginning at 7:00pm. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from July 17, 2023 - Regular Meeting and July 31, 2023 – Special 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

Town Manager – Code Enforcement

ORDINANCE(S)

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

Ordinance 2023-20 is an ordinance adopting a Redevelopment Plan for Block 10.01, Lots 5 & 6, commonly known as 125 Water Street and 5 South Park Drive, respectively.

Ordinance 2023-21 is an ordinance to amend, revise, and supplement the Town Code of the Town of Newton, creating Chapter 330, entitled “Curfew”.

Ordinance 2023-22 is an ordinance to provide funding from the County of Sussex for the associated costs in the Mill Street Project in the amount of $589,268.45.

There is one (1) ordinance for Introduction:

Ordinance 2023-23 is an ordinance to re-establish minimum and maximum salaries and wages for Officers and Employees of the Town of Newton for Calendar Year 2023. We are adding the two (2) ACO titles with no other changes.

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 #203-2023* amends Resolution #199-2023.

Resolution #204-2023* authorizes the Certification of the Town of Newton Annual Audit.

Resolution #205-2023* accepts and approves a Corrective Action Plan for the 2022 Audit.

Resolution #206-2023* accepts as final and complete the Retaining Wall Repair Project. 

Resolution #207-2023* authorizes an agreement with CGP&H, LLC for Administrative Agent Services related to Affordable Housing Requirements for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.

Resolution #208-2023* authorizes the award of a Required Disclosure Contract for HQW Architects LLC.

Resolution #209-2023* authorizes the purchase of Natural Gas Supply Services for public use on an online auction website.

Resolution #210-2023* authorizes the purchase of Electricity Supply Services for public use on an online auction website.

Resolution #211-2023* refunds redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 7.10, Lot 12.

Resolution #212-2023* authorizes the award of a bid for Proposed ADA Ramps and Signage for W. Nelson and Division Streets to ADS Contractors LLC.

Resolution #213-2023* authorizes the Town of Newton to enter into a Shared Services Agreement with the County of Sussex for Traffic Signal Maintenance.

Resolution #214-2023* concurs with the recommendation of the Utility Advisory Board in allocating water and sewer connection fees for Block 7.09, Lot 3.

Resolution #215-2023* approves Bills and Vouchers for payment.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is just above the top of the spillway.

I want to thank all of you for the privilege of serving as the Town Manager. Today begins my 16^th year of service in this important role and I am truly blessed and grateful.

We are almost done finalizing the plans for the Firehouse No. 1 renovation project.

The next Tom Talk Live guest will be our favorite new school superintendent Dr. Joseph Piccirillo!

I want to thank all of our interns who worked with us this summer and wish the best of academic and professional success in the future.

We had our initial meeting to discuss the parameters of the approved Efficiency Study contract.

Monica and I are working on the new terms for the 5-year contract renewal with our friends in Hardyston Township for construction services.

Be safe and well.

Yours In Service, 

TSRJR