Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, April 11, 2022, beginning at 7:00pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Clerk’s office has prepared for your consideration and approval the minutes from March 28, 2022 – 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 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. 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.
ORDINANCES
There are two (2) ordinances for Second Reading:
Ordinance 2022-6 will provide funding for the acquisition of an Animal Control Van for the Town of Newton and appropriating $50,000 for such purpose.
Ordinance 2022-7 is a restated and amended ordinance providing funding for Phase I of the Sewer Line Renovations for the Town of Newton and appropriating $485,000 for such purpose.
There are three (3) ordinances for Introduction:
Ordinance 2022-8 will amend, revise, and supplement the Town Code of the Town of Newton, Chapter 266, entitled “Streets and Sidewalks”, Article 1 “Snow and Ice Removal”, most notably Section 266-1, entitled “Duty to Remove”.
Ordinance 2022-9 will amend, revise, and supplement the Town Code of the Town of Newton, Chapter 307, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic”, Article V “Parking Meters”, most notably Section 304-26, entitled “Additional Rules and Regulations”.
Ordinance 2022-10 will authorize the conveyance of an access easement over certain real property owned by the Town of Newton to Trinity Professional Office Building, LLC.
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 #109-2022* will urge swift passage of S-330/A3804, which shall restore the Energy Tax Receipts to municipalities.
Resolution #110-2022* will support amending Title 35 of the New Jersey Revised Statutes to permit the publication of legal notices by government agencies on official government websites instead of newspapers.
Resolution #111-2022* will insert special items of revenue in the 2022 budget pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:4-87 (C. 159, PL 1948).
Resolution #112-2022* will authorize the award of a required disclosure contract to Earthplanter, LLC for floral containers for public areas in Newton.
Resolution #113-2022* will cancel a certain funded appropriation balance previously adopted by the Town of Newton for a water utility project in the amount of $4,054.70.
Resolution #114-2022* will refund redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 7.12, Lot 17, also known as 2 Williams Street.
Resolution #115-2022* will refund redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 7.05, Lot 1, also known as 72 High Street.
Resolution #116-2022* will authorize a Person-to-Person and Place-to-Place transfer of Plenary Retail Consumption License No. 1915-33-011-009.
Resolution #117-2022* will grant authority for approval of a certain purchase in excess of the bid threshold through New Jersey State Contract T2007.
Resolution #118-2022* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.
THE WEEK IN REVIEW
As of April 8, 2022, Morris Lake is 3” above the top of the spillway.
I have finished my DEI training and am grateful for this important learning experience. All department heads are required to take this training over the next several years.
We held a very productive meeting with our grant writing partner Millennium Strategies and several neighboring municipalities to discuss a joint grant application for communications/dispatch upgrades.
Our friends from the State of NJ came up this week to discuss the progress being made at the Newton Armory site. I will keep you posted on next steps.
We wish Bernie the best of luck as he leaves our organization next week and we will welcome back Lt. Michael Monaco who will become our new Code Enforcement Director on May 2nd.
Several team members met with an interested developer/equity group in Morristown to discuss redevelopment opportunities in Newton, specifically McGuire’s, Hicks, and Paterson. I will keep you posted as conditions warrant.
Enjoy your weekend! Let’s Go Rangers!
Be safe and well,
TSRJR