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HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-06-13JANUARY 6, 2013 The Re- Organization Meeting of Borough of Carteret was called Reiman on Sunday, January 6, Chambers, Memorial Municipal Carteret, New Jersey. the Governing Body of the to order by Mayor Daniel J. 2013, 11:30 P.M., Council Building, 61 Cooke Avenue, REORGANIZATION MEETING ROLL CALL 2012 BOROUGH COUNCIL Upon individual roll call vote the following were noted present: Councilmember Vincent Bellino Jorge Diaz Dennis DiMascio Randy Krum Susan Naples " Joseph W. Sitarz Also noted present was Municipal Clerk, Kathleen M. Barney and Borough Attorney, Robert Bergen. 2012 COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE Mayor Reiman asked for a motion to adjourn the 2012 Borough Council Sine Die. There being no further business, the Borough Council of 2012 Adjourned, Sine Die upon MMS &C by Counciimembers Sitarz and Diaz and unanimous affirmative vote of the full council present. Certification of Election - Kathleen M. Barney, MMC The Borough Clerk read the following statement. State of New Jersey, County of Middlesex, a statement of Determination of the January 6, 2013 ROLL CALL 2012 BOROUGH COUNCIf 2012 COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE Certification of Election Dennis DiMascio 1 JANUARY 6, 2013 Certification of Board of County Canvassers relative to an election held in the Election Cont: County of Middlesex on the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twelve for the election of Borough Council. The said Board did determine that at the said election Dennis DiMascio was duly elected a Member of the Borough Council for the Borough of Carteret, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey. I do hereby certify that the foregoing is true, full and correct statement of the determination of the Board of County Canvassers as filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Middlesex. OATH OF OFFICE: OATH OF OFFICE Mayor Daniel J. Reiman then administered the Oath of Office to Dennis DiMascio Counciimember -elect DiMascio. At this time Councilmember DiMascio took his seat on the dias. Certification of Certification of Election - Kathleen M. Barney, MMC Election The Borough Clerk read the following statement. State of New Josepi Skippy Jersey, County of Middlesex, a statement of Determination of the Sitarz Board of County Canvassers relative to an election held in the County of Middlesex on the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord, two thousand and twelve for the election of Borough Council. The said Board did determine that at the said election Joseph "Skippy" Sitarz was duly elected a Member of the Borough Council for the Borough of Carteret, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey. I do hereby certify that the foregoing is true, full and correct statement of the determination of the Board of County Canvassers as filed in the Office of the County Clerk of Middlesex. 2 JANUARY 6, 2013 OATH OF OFFICE: Mayor Daniel J. Reiman then administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember -elect Joseph "Skippy" Sitarz. At this time Councilmember Sitarz took his seat on the digs. ROLL CALL 2013 BOROUGH COUNCIL Upon individual roll call vote the following were noted present: Councilmember Vincent Bellino Jorge Diaz Dennis DiMascio Randy Krun Susan Naples Joseph W. Sitarz STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE The Clerk stated that notice of this meeting was mailed to the Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the Bulletin Board on December 28, 2012. Notice was also published In both newspapers on December 31, 2012. INVOCATION Mayor Reiman then asked all present to welcome the Very Reverend Taras Chubenko of Saint Demetrius Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, to lead us in prayer for the Invocation . He noted that Father Chubenko has served us in many capacities over the years as a Community Leader and as a Chaplin for our Police and Fire Departments. Reverend Chubenko then led the meeting in prayer. OATH OF OFFICE Joseph Skippy Sitarz ROLL CALL 2013 BOROUGH COUNCIL STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE INVOCATION 3 JANUARY 6, 2013 PLEDGE OF PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was then led by Mayor Daniel J. Reiman. NOMINATION AND NOMINATION AND ELECTION — 2013 Borough Council President ELECTION Mayor Reiman then asked for a nomination for the 2013 Borough 2013 Council Council President. President Councilmember Diaz then nominated Councilmember Joseph W. Sitarz for Council President and the nomination was second by Councilmember Bellino. Mayor Reiman asked if there were any other nominations. There were no other nominations. Hearing None, the nomination was closed by Mayor Daniel J. Reiman. Upon MMS &c by Councilmembers Diaz and Bellino and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, Councilmembes Sitaz was elected Council President. ADOPTION OF ADOPTION OF 2013 RULES OF BOROUGH COUNCIL 2013 RULES OF BOROUGH COUNCIL Upon MMS &C by Councilmembers Sitarz and Bellino the 2013 Rules of Council were Adopted. Upon Individual Roll Call Vote Councilmembers Bellino, Diaz, DiMascio, Krum, Naples and Sitarz voted in the Affirmative. 14 JANUARY 6, 2013 RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS #13 -1 Designating Official to Issue Certificates as to Liability for Assessments for Municipal Improvements. #13 -2 Designating Official to Issue Tax Searches for the Borough of Carteret #13 -3 Designating Official Newspapers of the Borough of Carteret. #13 -4 Designating Official Depositories of the Borough of Carteret. #13 -5 Fixing Rate of Interest to be Charged on Delinquent Taxes and Assessments. #13 -6 Establishing a Petty -Cash Fund for the Borough of Carteret Pursuant to N.J.S.A.40A:5 -21. #13 -7 Providing for a Temporary Budget for the Year 2013 Pursuant to N.J.S.A.40A:4 -19. #13 -8 Directing the Issuance of Various Raffle Licenses. #13 -9 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute any and all Grants Agreements, Donations /Endowments on Behalf of the Borough. Mayor Reiman asked if there were any questions or comments Mayor Reiman from the Councilmembers. Hearing none, Mayor Reiman then asked for a motion on the Consent Agenda. Resolutions #13 -1 thru #13 -9 were introduced by the Mayor and CONSENT AGENDA referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS &C by Councilmembers Bellino and Krum RESOLUTION #13 -1 RESOLUTION #13 -1 "DESIGNATING OFFICIAL TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES AS TO LIABILITY "Certificates as FOR ASSESSMENTS FOR MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS" to Liability for Assessments for Municipal Improvements" 5 JANUARY 6 2013 RESOLUTION #13 -2 "Tax Searches for the RESOLUTION #13 -2 Borough of Carteret "DESIGNATING OFFICAL TO ISSUE TAX SEARCHES FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" RESOLUTION #13 -3 "Official Newspapers RESOLUTION #13 -3 of the Borough of "DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS OF THE BOROUGH OF Carteret" CARTERET" RESOLUTION #13 -4 "Official Depositories RESOLUTION 413 -4 of the Borough of "DESIGNATING OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES OF THE BOROUGH OF Carteret" CARTERET" RESOLUTION #13 -5 "Rate of Interest to be Charged on RESOLUTION #13 -5 Delinquent Taxes and "FIXING RATE OF INTEREST TO BE CHARGED ON DELINQUENT Assessments" TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS" RESOLUTION 413 -6 "Petty Cash Fund for RESOLUTION #13 -6 the Borough of "ESTABLISHING A PETTY -CASH FUND FOR THE BOROUGH OF Carteret" CARTERET PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A.40A:5 -21" RESOLUTION #13 -7 "Temporary Budget RESOLUTION #13 -7 for the Year 2013" "PROVIDING FOR A TEMPORARY BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2013 PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A.40A:4 -19" RESOLUTION x`13 -3 "Issuance of Various RESOLUTION #13 -8 Raff Licenses" "DIRECTING THE ISSUANCE OF VARIOUS RAFFLE LICENSES" RESOLUTION #13 -9 Authorizing Mayor to RESOLUTION #13 -9 Execute Any and All "AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL GRANTS Grants, Agreements, AGREEMENTS, DONATIONS /ENDOWMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE Donations /Endowments BOROUGH" ADOPTED were Adopted. Upon Individual Roll Call Vote Councilmembers Bellino, Diaz, DiMascio, Krum, Naples and Sitarz voted in the Affirmative. Q complaints. He wished everyone a safe and healthy new year and wished Randy Krum a happy birthday. Council President Skippy Sitarz, Police & Pubic Safety: He thanked everyone for coming and wished them a Happy New Year and said this is again a big thing in his life after many years. He thanked the Police Department and OEM for all the work they did with Hurricane Sandy. He reported in 2012 under the Police Department they had responded to twenty thousand (20,000) calls and generated over seven thousand (7,000) police reports and there were over eleven hundred (1100) arrests made and five thousand (5,000) motor vehicle summons were issued. He said there was approximately fifteen hundred (1500) hours of police training and said members of the Carteret Police Department continue to be part of the MCPO law enforcement marine vessel, which are responsible for patrolling the waters for Carteret, Woodbridge and Perth Amboy. He said for the tenth year in a row Carteret was selected as a National Night Out award winner in the 29 annual National Night Out Campaign. He said the Juvenile Bureau of the Carteret Police Department participated in the NCPO Clean Slate Program which is a station house adjustment program utilized in lieu of signing a criminal complaint against a juvenile offender. He reported at the present time we have four (4) SLEO Officers and two (2) officers going to Ocean County Police Academy and upon their graduation there will be SLEO Officer. He stated that our present manpower is down to fifty -three (53) and we are looking to update our full time Police Department. He said the Carteret Police Department received an additional Automatic License Plate Reader from Homeland Security, with the help of Assistant Freeholder Rios and distributed by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Officer and this device has the capability to read license plates and check them against numerous data bases to identify individuals who may be wanted by law enforcement agencies and vehicles which have not been used in criminal activities. He said in 2012 the Police 91 JANUARY 6, 2013 NAMING OF 2013 STANDING COMMITTEE Mayor Reiman said he is keeping the Committees the same as in 2012 and he read them into the record: BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: FIRE & DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS: PARKS & RECREATION/ PUBLIC PROPERTY: POLICE & PUBLIC SAFETY: PUBLIC WORKS: BOARD OF EDUCATION LIAISON: NAPLES, Krum, Diaz DIAZ, DiMascio, Bellino KRUM, Diaz, Bellino BELLING, DiMascio, Sitarz SITARZ, Naples, Diaz DIMASCIO,Krum,Sitarz NAPLES, Bellino, Diaz REMARKS: New Councilmembers Councilmember DiMascio, Public Works: He thanked everyone for coming today and wished them a Healthy and Safe New Year. He said he hoped there would be no more tragedies like Hurricane Sandy which brought such devastation and said he was grateful, like so many others, that he just lost power and thanked all the Borough workers and volunteers for their many days of work and said how helpful the Mayor was in keeping residents up to date on Facebook and phone calls. He reported that the Streets and Roads Department added several new vehicles and all maintenance was performed by our garage. He said the NJDEP commended the Borough for its efficient and clean recycling yard in 2012 and thanked John Riley for always doing a great job. He said they had added Borough speed bumps on the streets by the schools and many other streets and said this year they will be adding two (2) speed bumps on the ends of Monroe Street. He then thanked John DuPont for always acting quickly for any NAMING OF 2013 STANDING COMMITTEE REPIARKS CouncilmemUer DiMascio 7 JANUARY 6, 2013 Department purchased three (3) new hybrids for a grand total of nine (9), which was a great savings on petroleum and are also in the process of purchasing a CAD System and hopes to have it in use by 2013, which will enable the police officer to do his paperwork in the police car which will go right to headquarters. He said lastly the Police Department participated in the Click It Or Ticket Program. Councilmember Susan Naples, Buildings & Grounds and Board of Education Liaison: She said, as her colleges have stated, Hurricane Sandy was the most trying event of 2012 for our Buildings Department. She reported the Library carpeting is currently being replaced and the electric in the Department of Public Works has been replaced and the walls have been replaced in the Sports Center and the Department of Public Works. She reported there is still much work to be done and they are waiting for final quotes from vendors for both the Department of Public Works and the Sports Center. Her and her colleges all commend the employees in Buildings and Grounds led by Mr. Tony Neibert, working together with Mr. John DuPont, commenting that we are short staffed but want to bring the best services to our Borough. She also thanked the Mayor and Mr. Neiibert for bringing on Nidia full time, who has been an employee for many years, working very hard and the appointment was very well deserved. Councilmember Naples, in reference to the Board of Education, reported highlights, such as a United Way Grant that will serve students in the lower grades and will provide supplies, reading intervention services to the students in Columbus School and the grant for the Boys and Girls Club in Carteret High School which has been up and running with after school clubs and activities, prep classes and Play it Smart Classes for athletes who need to keep their grades to participate in extra curricular activities, a theater program, a school choir and additional activities such as a photography program. She explained there has been some discussion and movement in bringing the CASA after school Councilmember DiMascio Cont: Councilmember Naple: Pi JANUARY o, 2013 Councilmember program back to the Middle School but we were slightly out - Naples Cont: scored in a grant loosing funds for this year. She said she knows the Board of Education is working to continue with school safety procedures and that was started prior to the Connecticut incident and they have put into place different exit and entrance procedures and they are going to have key cards to get into the class rooms and the buildings so they can keep track of who is entering or leaving the buildings. She reported that the Uniform Pilot Program in Nathan Hale School has been highly successful and said she and some of her colleges have been approached to make it district wide and are looking to the Board of Education to possibly consider that. She said there has been many Ivy League acceptances, with one (1) student receiving a full scholarship to Princeton University. She commended the Carteret High School Football Team who won the State Championship and the coaching staff and student body and then thanked the Mayor for the transportation he provided along with the admission tickets and the wonderful hero's welcome on their arrival back to Exit 12. She said all the student athletes, cheerleaders and band members represented our community very well and in speaking to an Operations Manager at the Meadowlands he was very impressed by the size of our Group II School and that the crowd was unprecedented that came out to support our team this year. She thanked the community and gave a big thanks to the schools for working with the Borough and the emergency services to provide shelter for our residents displaced by Hurricane Sandy and by the power outages and thanked many residents for their help in delivering meals to residents who were shut in and did not leave their homes during the hurricane. She then acknowledged from the audience Dennis Cherepski, former School Board President and member and Marty Murray former School Board member and Jasbir Judge, a newly elected School Board member. Mayor Reiman Mayor Reiman said before he continued with the Council Reports he wanted to recognize some elected officials and dignitaries present. He introduced, from Washington DC, Congressman 10 JANUARY 6, 2013 Frank Pallone, Deputy Director Freeholder, Ron Rios, Sheriff Millie Mayor Reiman Cont: Scott, Freeholder Blanquita Valenti, County Surrogate Kevin Hoagland and County Clerk Elaine Flynn, Municipal Court Magistrate Allen Comba, newly elected Councilmember from South Amboy Zuzette Dato, former Councilmember from Carteret, William Feingold and Father Taras Chubenko and our past Commander and Chief for the Veterans of Foreign War, George Lisicki. Councilmember Jorge Diaz, Finance and Administration: He Councilmember Diaz reported in 2012 they continued with our aggressive pursuit of grants and public funding for improvements to our Borough infrastructure, upgrades to our Parks and Recreation, revitalization and smart growth of our retail and commercial corridors, while stimulating local economic development. He said in the last ten (10) years, during the tenure of this administration, the total amount awarded to the Borough has surpassed eighty - seven (87) million dollars in grants and public funding and said over forty (40) million dollars alone have been invested in the upgrades to our parks and recreation, increasing the quality of life and expanding recreational opportunities to our residents and under Economic Development we continue to provide dynamic programming, guidance and resources to support our local resources and economy, such as job fares, trainings and programs that make low interest funding available for small businesses and have been able to improve our commercial corridors while fostering continued economic growth and said these programs, along with working closely with the Carteret Business Partnership, represents the forward thinking that has created jobs and restored our commercial backbone. He said within the next year we will witness the construction of Investor's Bank and the new Medical Arts Building on Washington Avenue ushering the creation of jobs and expanding our Economic Development opportunities and said we have demonstrated strong fiscal responsibilities, cutting operation costs, consolidating 11 JANUARY 6, 2013 Councilmember Diaz departments and have fostered shared service agreements with Cont: our Board of Education and neighboring towns. He reported we have effectively reduced our total debt and general obligations by over twenty -seven percent over the last ten (10) years and our pro - development policies have paved the way for the revaluation of properties whose assessed values rose from one (1) billion to over two (2) billion before the revaluation and explained the revaluation of all properties have been completed this past year and as a result residents realized an average tax cut of $400.00. He spoke about the $100.00 Sewer Rebate Program which has continued for Seniors, Veterans and Disabled residents and is the only program of its kind in the State of New Jersey, of which over nine hundred (900) taxpayers applied and were provided the rebate. He said as we look forward to 2013 he wanted to congratulate Councilmembers Sitarz and Dlmascio on their re- election wishing them much success in their new term and he looked forward to our team working together to ensure that Carteret continues to be a place to live, work and raise a family. He then thanked the professional staff and department heads and said the success of this administration is due in large part to the guidance and their expertise and dedication and their work ethic continues to be first of all and second to none. He then wished the guests and the good residents of Carteret a very healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Councilmember Krum Councilmember Krum, Fire and Domestic Preparedness: He reported in 2012 the Fire Department responded to 27,278 calls for assistance, explaining this was the busiest year in the history of the department and said the calls ranked from medical emergencies to house fires, industrial fires, water rescues and vehicle (inaudible). He went on to report in 2012 the Fire Department added a new ambulance to its fleet and received a new foam tanker from Middlesex County, which was funded by Homeland Security, of which carries four thousand gallons of fire fighting foam which will be of great asset to the Borough in the event of this type of emergency and will respond throughout the 12 JANUARY 6, 2013 count when requested. He said training is also a big Councilmember Krum Y q g ' g part of our Cont: duties and responsibilities and said this year the career and volunteer fire fighters continue their training classes at the Middlesex Fire Academy and we also continued our co- operative training with Kinder Morgan Company and its merchant response team conducting drills at the Kinder Morgan Facility and also at the Fire Academy. He said fire prevention has its busiest year conducting over twelve hundred code enforcement actions and the total included annual inspections, complaints, permit inspections and also investigations and our inspection staff is to be congratulated for their outstanding effort in completing all required life hazard use inspections this year. He said the Fire Department continued its public servant efforts and it highly successful and appreciated morning checkup program, where senior citizens living alone are contacted by a fire fighter or an emt each morning to check on their well being and our child seat program, which has our specialty trained car seat technicians help residents install new car seats in their vehicles has proven to be a great benefit to our residents in helping to ensure the proper child seat is used and Installed properly. He went on to explain that another well appreciated service the Borough provides to residents is the vehicle lock -up program and the department distributed hundreds of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors through a special grant provided by the Borough and continues to participate in events such as Disability Awareness Day , the Middlesex Community County Special Olympics, our poster contest, where the children win a ride to school in a fire truck and an Open House, which he understood is one of the best in the State of New Jersey. He went on to say the past year provided several challenges to the fire fighters with several house fires throughout the year and they performed their first water rescue in the Arthur Kill when a wave run was partially submerged in the river with a father and daughter clinging to it in very cold water and the fire fighters, using our new boat, pulled victims out of the water and brought the wave runner to shore and during Hurricane Sandy our fire fighters were fighting multiple house 13 JANUARY G, 2013 Councilmember Krum fires in chest deep water and rescuing people and responded to Cont: many calls. He asked for the career and volunteer fire fighters to be recognized for their outstanding efforts during a difficult and dangerous time and he went on to thank Emergency Management for the great job during the storm and for helping out the fire fighters. He then congratulated Councilmembers Sitarz and DiMascio for their election victory and the Mayor and his Council mates, the Borough workers and the residents of Carteret and wished them a safe and happy New Year. Councilmember Bellino Councilmember Bellino, Parks & Recreation /Public Property: He wished all a Happy New Year. He then spoke about the various functions they had during the year and mentioned the Memorial Day Parade, Concerts at the Bay, the Kelly Miller Circus, Waterfront Festival, Battle of the Bands, the Coffee House, the open microphone at the Community Center, Miniature Golf from June to October, Ethnic Day, the car show, 911 Memorial, Latino Festival led by Councilmembr Diaz, Joe Medwick Park re- opening, the Halloween Parade, Washington Avenue Street Festival, the Carteret Veterans Day Service, the Christmas Holiday Festival, baseball, basketball and softball clinics, park improvements, the pier extension and soon the spray park. He said they had two (2) candle light vigils, which were heartbreaking. He then sent a special thanks to the community, our volunteers, our Police and Fire Departments, Emergency Management and all the people who volunteered their time with Hurricane Sandy and he spoke of its devastation and how the town came back strong with the help and support of our volunteer organizations, our police and our fire, of which some had hardships of their own and still no one said no. He thanked them all from his heart. Mayor Reiman Mayor Reiman said for his one (1) hour State of the Borough Address they will have to wait until February. He then congratulated Councilmembers DiMascio and Sitarz and said they 14 JANUARY 6, 2013 worked together for the last ten (10) years in this administration Mayor Reiman Cont: and made tremendous improvements in Carteret and said there is much more to do, much more initiatives on the drawing board and are expected to be in the ground this year. He thanked the Borough Council for their support and the employees of the Borough, members of OEM, Fire and Police Departments and all of the staff that ensure each and every day the utmost professionalism on behalf of the residents of our community. Mayor Reiman then asked the Very Reverend Taras Chubenko to join them for the Benediction. Father Chubenko then delivered the Benediction. BENEDICTION Mayor Reiman then invited everyone present for light refreshments in the hall way . After no further disicussion, upon MMS &C by Councilmembers ADJOURNED DiMascio and Bellino and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was Adjourned at approximately 12:05 P.M. Respectfully,submitted, KATHLEEN M. BARNEY, MMC Municipal Clerk KMB /Ir 1s 16