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HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-21-20 councilMAY 21, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret COUNCIL MEETING was called to order by Mayor Daniel J. Reiman at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020, remotely, via telephone call -in. Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present: ROLL CALL Mayor Daniel J. Reiman Councilmember Vincent Bellino " Jorge Diaz " Dennis DiMascio " Ajmar Johal " Randy Krum " Susan Naples Also noted present were Carmela Pogorzelski, Acting Municipal Clerk, Robert J. Bergen, Esq., Law Director and the AT &T operator. SILENT PRAYER The meeting was opened with a moment of silent prayer and the PLEDGE OF Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Randy Krum. ALLEGIANCE The 2020 Annual Notice was mailed to The Home News Tribune, The STATEMENT OF Star Ledger and posted on the. bulletin board on December 31, 2019. MEETING NOTICE Notice was published in The Horne News Tribune and the Star Ledger on January 7, 2020. Notice of tonight's meeting was sent to The Home News Tribune, posted on the Borough's website, bulletin board and the doors of the Memorial Municipal Building on April 3, 2020. Notice was published in The Home News Tribune on April 7, 2020. All items being voted on tonight were posted on the Borough's website, www.carteret.net prior to tonight's meeting. Upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Diaz and Krum and unanimous APPROVAL OF affirmative vote of the Rill membership present, the minutes of May 7, MINUTES 2020 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk. 1 MAY 21, 2020 (continued) ORDINANCE #20 -12 ORDINANCE #20 -12 was introduced and adopted on First Reading AMENDING and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public CHAPTER 254 Hearing, upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Diaz and Bellino. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Bellino Diaz, DiMascio, Johal, Krum and Naples voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #20 -12 "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 254, ENTITLED, `VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC' OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" Mayor Reiman explained the call -in process and the rules with regard to participation in the public portion of the meeting. PUBLIC PORTION A copy of each Resolution was posted on the Borough's website for RESOLUTIONS/ public review prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of AGENDA ITMS Council and upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Bellino and Krum & NEW BUSINESS and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was opened for public input on all Resolutions /Agenda items and new business. *Clerk's Note: The Cleric recognized the unidentified man as Unidentified man said he wanted to put his name on the list to speak Christo from previous for public comments. meetings and will be listing his name going forward in these Michael T. Merez, 1612 Raspberry Court, Edison, NJ asked how ininutes. Mayor Reiman's brothers got on the police force. Robert Bergen, Law Director said the Borough is a Civil Service municipality and police officers are hired off the Civil Service list. Mr. Merez asked if they took the Civil Service test and if there was an MICHAEL MERE7., ad in the newspaper to hire for the Carteret Police Department when the mayor's brothers got hired. Mayor Reiman said no one is obligated to answer any questions. 2 MAY 21, 2020 (continued) Robert Bergen said it is all handled through the Civil Service Commission. at the state level. Mr. Merez asked how much money the mayor makes a year. Robert Bergen said Mr. Merez's question has been recorded. Mr. Merez asked the mayor if he believed the police department was being run correctly and then asked if the mayor knew he called the police department approximately twenty -two (22) times and got hung up on and lied to. He asked the mayor if it were true that Captain Danrrnann was spitting on people and if it were true that the Borough hired a drug dealer as a cop because that person supported him politically. Mayor Reiman said he was not aware of any cops who are drug dealers and suggested Mr. Merez provide that information if he has it. Christo asked if the mayor and Fire Chief Mark Hruska were CHRISTO friends. Mayor Reiman said anyone is welcome to ask questions or make comments, they will be recorded and the mayor and council may or may not answer. Christo said this week police arrested a Carteret resident and former volunteer firefighter, Edward Cross and asked if the mayor had any comments. Mayor Reiman said he didn't know the person and he supports the police department and the county prosecutor who will be prosecuting to the fidlest extent of the law. Christo said it seems to be a pattern in Carteret. Mayor Reiman said he didn't believe so, but suggested Christo enlighten everyone. Christo said a vice principal was arrested with child pornography on his computer and now it happened again. Mayor Reiman said the individual Mr. Christo mentioned happens to live in Carteret, he is not and employee of the Borough or affiliated with the Borough, he is an employee of the county. N IVIAY 21, 2020 (Continued) Christo said he is a former volunteer firefighter with the Carteret Volunteer Fire Department. Mayor Reiman said that is a private organization and they are not city employees or city officials. Christo asked if he had contact with Carteret. Mayor Reiman said not in the last twenty years that we are aware of. PUBLIC PORTION There being no comments or objections to the Resolutions /Agenda CLOSED items or new business, upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Naples and Bellino and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was closed. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS: 1. 420 -85 Adoption of the 2020 Local Municipal Budget. 2. #20 -86 Authorizing Execution of the CARES Act Reimbursement Agreement with Middlesex County. 3. #20 -87 Authorizing Tax Collector to Prepare & Mail Estimated Tax Bills. 4. 420 -88 COVID Requisition Resolution. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Reiman asked for a motion on the Consent Agenda. Resolutions #20 -85 through 920 -88 were introduced by Mayor Reiman and referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Diaz and Bellino RESOLUTION #20 -85 RESOLUTION #20 -85 ADOPTION OF 2020 BUDGET "ADOPTION OF THE 2020 MUNICIPAL BUDGET" 21 MAY 21, 2020 (continued) RESOLUTION 920 -86 "AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND /OR APPROPRIATE BOROUGH OFFICIALS TO EXECUTE THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT COUNTY /MUNICIPAL REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX" RESOLUTION #20 -87 "AUTHORIZING THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET TAX COLLECTOR TO PREPARE AND MAIL ESTIMATED TAX BILLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH P.L. 1994, c72" RESOLUTION #20 -88 "CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT ( "CARES ACT ") BOROUGH OF CARTERET COVID RESPONSE & EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION" were Adopted. Upon individual Roll Call Vote, Councilmembers Bellino, Diaz, DiMascio, Johal, Krum and Naples voted in the affirmative. Upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Diaz and Bellino, all bills appearing on the prepared list, properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual Roll Call Vote, Councilmembers Bellino, Diaz, DiMascio, Johal, Krum and Naples voted in the affirmative. Mayor Reiman reminded everyone about the Memorial Day wreath throwing ceremony which will be held Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. at Waterfront Park. He said anyone attending must wear masks and follow social distancing rules; lie said it will be a streamline service. He said we will also be having a small memorial prayer service at RESOLUTION #20 -86 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CARES ACT RESOLUTION #20 -87 AUTHORIZING ESTIMATED TAX BILLS RESOLUTION #20 -88 COVID RESPONSE & EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION ADOPTED PAYMENT OF BILLS MAYOR REIMAN A MAY 21, 2020 (continued) 12:00 p.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Park; social distancing will be in effect and anyone attending is required to wear a mask at public events. He said other services for the day, the parade, town barbeque, etc. have been cancelled because of the COVID Pandemic. ADJOURNED There being no further comments or discussion, upon MMS &C, by Councilmembers Bellino and Krum and unanimous affirmative vote of the full membership present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:11 p.m. Respectfully Acting Municipal Clerk 11