Please watch Facebook live on Monday at 11:00am for the Memorial Day ceremony from the Newton VFW.

Our next regular Town Council meeting will be held via ZOOM on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.  You have each been emailed the webinar ID and password.  The same has been posted on our website.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87218861241?pwd=anU2SzRiNVdZeFBaQjh3MlRucVlmQT09 Password: 804038 Or join by phone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: 1 301 715 8592 or 1 312 626 6799 or 1 929 205 6099 or 1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799 or 1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 872 1886 1241 Password: 804038 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbJXbwus8  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lorraine’s office has prepared the minutes from the May 11^th Regular meeting 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 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. There is one proclamation to be recorded into the minutes for 2^nd Lt. Andrew Cooney. 

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCES

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #126-2020* will authorize the issuance of Tax Anticipation Notes for 2020 in an amount not to exceed $8,500,000.   

Resolution #127-2020* will cancel Trust escrow balances.

Resolution #128-2020* will authorize the submission and execution of a grant application for the Elm Street, Hampton Street, and Upper Union Place project through the NJ Department of Transportation.  

Resolution #129-2020* will authorize the submission of monies received from the State Body Armor Grant in the 2020 budget in the amount of $2,576.00.

Resolution #130-2020* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.

DISCUSSION

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)        

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 1 inch above the top of the spillway as of May 18, 2020.  

Daily Newton OEM briefings continue with updates sent to the Council every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Building and office modifications continue at Town Hall in preparation of our eventual reopening for full staffing and the general public.  We are also ordering masks for staff and extras for customers.

Work continues on the municipal pool project.

Routine business discussed this month at the Statewide Insurance Fund meeting.

SCCC has canceled all non-college events at the college through December 2020.  Therefore we are canceling the Town/Thorlabs concert series but considering moving the same to Memory Park.  I will keep you posted.

Be safe and well.  Enjoy the Memorial Day Holiday.           

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting will be held via ZOOM on Monday, May 11, 2020 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/s/89825280885?pwd=NEkyWEVNcEN3REowVlNycXVjOFA0UT09
Password: 909170

Or join by phone:

Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 
US: 1 301 715 8592 or 1 312 626 6799 or 1 929 205 6099 or 1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799 or 1 669 900 6833 
Webinar ID: 898 2528 0885
Password: 909170
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc7A2l4mqE  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lorraine’s office has prepared the minutes from the April 27^th Regular 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.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCES

RESOLUTION

Resolution 118-2020 will accept the certified list of eligibles from the NFAS to receive LOSAP benefits for 2019.  Mayor Diglio will have to recuse herself for this. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #119-2020* will amend the Local Emergency Planning Committee for calendar year 2020.  

Resolution #120-2020* will waive the fee for parking permits for the month of May.

Resolution #121-2020* will authorize Change Order No. 2 for the Improvements to Plainfield Avenue Project so the final paperwork to close the project can be processed.  

Resolution #122-2020* will accept the certified list of eligibles from the Fire Department to receive LOSAP benefits for 2019.

Resolution #123-2020* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.

DISCUSSION

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Daily OEM Briefings continued this week with key Emergency Planning Committee members in virtual attendance via ZOOM.  Same will continue for the duration of the pandemic.

Thursday was the National Day of Prayer.  I pray for the health, safety, and well-being of all of our families, friends, Newton residents, and businesses during this difficult time.

We did a Facebook Live session this week to announce that although the Memorial Day Parade is canceled for 2020, we will live stream a brief ceremony to remember our fallen heroes at 11:00am that day.  Also, rather than cancel Miss Newton we have made the Miss Newton/Little Mr. and Miss Newton Contests virtual via ZOOM and Facebook Live at 6:00pm on Friday, June 12^th.  More details on both to follow!

We are reviewing offices and common areas to see what kind of additional barriers/modifications we should construct and implement prior to re-opening for the general public.  I will keep you posted.

Everyone be safe and well.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

Our next meeting will be held via ZOOM on Monday, April 27, 2020.  You have each been emailed the meeting ID and password.  The same has been posted on our website and published in the NJ Herald.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Lorraine’s office has prepared the minutes from the April 13^th Regular 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.  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.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCES

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

Ordinance 2020-6 will appropriate $35,500 for the Replacement of the Battery Back-up System at the Morris Lake Facility.

Ordinance 2020-7 will authorize $1,300,000 for digester conversion, rehabilitation or replacement, and primary sludge pump replacement at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #108-2020* will authorize participation in the New Jersey Surplus Property Program.  

Resolution #109-2020* will authorize issuing estimated tax bills for the 3^rd quarter due to the late adoption of our Budget due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resolution #110-2020* will accept the Firehouse No. 2 project as final and complete.  

Resolution #111-2020* will concur with the Utility Advisory Board’s recommendation for 23 Union Place (Samaritan Inn) to upgrade their water service.   

Resolution #112-2020* will authorize credits due water and sewer utility accounts.

Resolution #113-2020* will concur with the Utility Advisory Board’s recommendation for 120 Woodside Avenue to connect to the Town’s sewer system.  

Resolution #114-2020* will authorize the award of a required disclosure contract with Convergint Technologies Inc.

Resolution #115-2020* is a replacement of Resolution 88-2020.  It is a Water and Sewer Capital Budget Amendment done in conjunction with Ordinance 2020-6 above for the alarm system for Morris Lake.

Resolution #116-2020* will approve bills and vouchers for payment.

DISCUSSION

HEARING ON THE 2020 BUDGET AMENDMENT

The Mayor will open the meeting to the public on the budget amendment.

Resolution #107-2020 will amend the introduced 2020 Budget.

RESOLUTION ON THE 2020 BUDGET AS AMENDED

Resolution #117-2020 will adopt the 2020 Municipal and Water & Sewer Budget.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 2 inches above the top of the spillway as of April 20, 2020.  

Routine business discussed on my Statewide Insurance Fund conference call this week.

Routine business discussed during my NJMEBF Zoom call this week.

My thanks to all Council members, employees, professionals, and volunteers for their continued hard work and diligence during this pandemic.

Please be safe and well.  And please support local Newton businesses that are open, too.

Yours in Service,

TSRJR