Just a reminder, there will be a ribbon-cutting at Firehouse #2 this Sunday, October 11th, at 10:30am, followed by the annual Fall Festival/Classic Car Show on Spring Street from 11am-4pm. 

You have each been emailed the webinar ID and password for our next Town Council meeting on Wednesday, October 14^th at 7pm.  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/88404756006?pwd=SFRMTW56cEJpaTVUbDFkSnNKd29ldz09

Passcode: 530836   

Or join by phone: Dial:

1 929 205 6099 or 1 301 715 8592 or

1 312 626 6799 or 1 669 900 6833 or

1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 884 0475 6006 Passcode: 530836

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for your consideration and approval the minutes from:

·        August 10, 2020 Special, Regular, and Executive meetings;

·        September 16, 2020 Special and Regular meetings;

·        September 28, 2020 Regular meetings

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

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #219-2020* will approve the expansion of premise for the liquor license for Newton Sports Bar & Grill located at 173 Spring Street.

Resolution #220-2020* will authorize a tax refund for taxes already paid and grant 100% disabled veteran status going forward for Block 5.01, Lot 27.

Resolution #221-2020* will authorize a refund of lien redemption monies to an outside lien holder for Block 8.08, Lot 24 (144 Spring Street).

Resolution #222-2020* will establish standard protocols for remote meetings during a Governor-Declared Emergency.  These were just issued by the State of NJ.

Resolution #223-2020* will reappoint Kent Hardmeyer to the Advisory Shade Tree Commission.

Resolution #224-2020* will reappoint Maria Fiedorczyk to the Newton Housing Authority.

Resolution #225-2020* will support the submission of an application to the NJ DOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program for the Sparta Avenue Streetscape project.

Resolution #226-2020* will authorize an agreement with NW Financial Group to perform a financial impact analysis relative to the redevelopment of the G&H property.

Resolution #227-2020* will authorize payment of bills and vouchers.

DISCUSSION

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 16 inches below the top of the spillway as of October 9, 2020.  

Special thanks to our friends at SCCC for their generous voluntary community services contribution of $28,000 which was received this week.  We are still working on the renewal of the Atlantic Health agreement.

Modified building hours are still in operation without any significant delays or issues to report.

Remote meetings will remain in effect for October and November.  December is TBD.

Be safe and well.

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

Our next Town Council meeting is via ZOOM on Monday, September 28, 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/j/89496270658?pwd=bTlPeUw4a1BTUHorUTVZNmxHZlk3dz09 Passcode: 412773 Webinar ID: 894 9627 0658

Or join by phone: Dial:

1 929 205 6099 or 1 301 715 8592 or

1 312 626 6799 or 1 669 900 6833 or

1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 894 9627 0658  Passcode: 412773

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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.

Councilman Dickson will read into the record the Proclamation – Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

Councilwoman Le Frois will read into the record the Proclamation – Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

OLD BUSINESS

ORDINANCES

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #210-2020* will approve the renewal of the Club Liquor License for the 2020-2021 licensing year.

Resolution #211-2020* approve the renewal of the Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License, for 144 Spring Street for the 2020-2021 licensing year.

Resolution #212-2020* will authorize and consent to the assignment by Radiant Property Management, LLC to APEX Brookside NJ, LP for the Tax Abatement Agreement for 33 Mill Street.

Resolution #213-2020* will authorize the submission of NJDEP TWA and WPA permit applications for the Sparta Avenue Pump Station.

Resolution #214-2020* will authorize Change Order No. 1 for the Traffic Striping portion of the Proposed Improvements to Halsted Street and Madison Street project.

Resolution #215-2020* will authorize Change Order No. 1 for the Guide Rail Project on Overlook Road.

Resolution #216-2020* will appoint Maureen Cuff to an unexpired term on the Recreation Advisory Commission.

Resolution #217-2020* will authorize the execution of deed of easement with Planet Networks to construct utility poles at Memory Park.

Resolution #218-2020* will authorize payment of bills and vouchers.

Application(s): there are two applications for membership into the Newton Fire Department:

1.     Craig Muzzillo, 327 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ

2.     Tyler Muzzillo, 327 Swartswood Rd, Newton, NJ

DISCUSSION

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 15 inches below the top of the spillway as of September 21, 2020.  

Modified building hours are still in operation without any significant delays or issues to report.

All meetings in October will be held either via ZOOM or teleconference.

Plans are still moving forward with the annual Fall Festival and Car Show, scheduled for Sunday, October 11^th from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Halloween events are still going forth as planned, including trick or treating, parade, and costume contest.  We have also added a house decorating contest and Jack-o-Lantern decorating contest to our endeavors!

Be safe and well.

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

We have an interview with Maureen Cuff for a volunteer position scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 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/85633118248?pwd=K3lPS2JHOHJpeHA4N005eUYrbVV1UT09
Passcode: 573837 Webinar ID: 856 3311 8248
Or join by phone: Dial: 
1 929 205 6099 or 1 301 715 8592 or
1 312 626 6799 or 1 669 900 6833 or
1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 856 3311 8248 Passcode: 573837

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

PRESENTATION

Nathan Brottman will provide a brief update on his Eagle Scout Project in the Town of Newton.

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

There are three (3) ordinances for 2^nd Reading and Public Hearing:

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 the property maintenance code.

Ordinance 2020-21 will amend the Merriam-Gateway Redevelopment Plan. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #195-2020* will affirm the issuance of a $88,500 Bond Anticipation Note (BAN).
Resolution #196-2020* will eliminate pool fees for Newton residents for the 2021 pool season.
Resolution #197-2020* will authorize purchasing rock salt/grit through the Sussex County Co-op.
Resolution #198-2020* will accept the Corrective Action Plan for the 2019 Audit.

DISCUSSION

Our auditor Tom Ferry will be in attendance to briefly discuss our 2019 audit.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (3 mins each)

COUNCIL & MANAGER COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 10 inches below the top of the spillway as of September 8, 2020.  

Modified building hours are still in operation without any significant delays or issues to report.

Our gratitude to the Sussex County PBA, Newton Police Department, Newton Fire Department, and Newton First Aid Squad for their coordination and participation in the annual 9/11 ceremony at SCCC today.  We pray for the families impacted by the terrorist attacks on our nation that fateful day.

The GNCC is having its meet and greet at the Newton Pool on Monday evening from 5pm-7pm…hope to see you there!

Congratulations to Garrett Armstrong whom I have hired as a new Police Officer for the Town of Newton.  He will join the force on Monday, October 5^th.  We are in the process of planning a daytime formal swearing-in ceremony to be held outdoors at Town Hall.

Be safe and well.  Go Giants!
Yours in Service,
TSRJR