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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2002/12/10 DECEMBER lO~ 2002 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of COUNCIL NEETING Carteret was called to order by Council President Janet Santoro approximately 7:30 P.M., on Tuesday, December 10, 2002, Municipal Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. Upon individual roll call vote, the following were noted present: ROLL CALL Councilmember Frank Parisi .... Daniel Reiman .... Janet Santoro " Buddy Sohayda " Brian Sosnowski Also noted present was Borough Attorney Robert J. Bergen, Esq. Noted absent were Mayor James A. Failace and Councilmember Ronald Rios. The meeting was opened with a moment of Silent Prayer and The PRAYER ~ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Pledge of Allegiance led by Council President Santoro. Councilmember Reiman asked everyone to remember the New Jersey State Trooper who passed away in the accident on the Turnpike this week at Interchange 12. The Clerk stated that on December 6, 2002, in full compliance with the STATEMENT OF Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent to MEETING NOTICE the Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and APPROVAL unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, OF MINUTES the minutes for November 18, 2002 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk. Borough Clerk Kathleen Barney administered the oath of office to the OATH OF OFFICE: POLICE CAPTAIN new Carteret Police Captain, Daniel Tarrant. COMMENTS Councilmember Santoro said at the last meeting Danny Tarrant was promoted to the position of the Captain. She felt he was an excellent candidate for Captain after his years of service. She said everyone was very proud of him. ZCEMBER 10, 2002 ~.NN¥ TARRANT Captain Tarrant thanked the Mayor and Council for having faith in him and promoting him. He thanked his family and everyone who was there for their support. RESENTATION Councilmember Reiman said he had a picture of the Carteret High O HISTORICAL School Class of 1928 on behalf of the Viator Family. He ~aid John 0MMITTEE Viator was in attendance tonight to make the presentation to the Mayor and Council for the donation of the photo to the Carteret Historical Committee. OMMENDATIONS Councilmember Reiman spoke about the Carteret Sportsmen Pee Wee ARTERET Football team and how they won their championship and read the PORTSMEN names of the coaches and players. EE I~/EE OACHES & PLAYERS Councilmember Reiman presented commendations to the Carteret OMMENTS Sportsmen Pee Wee coaches and players. Councilmember Reiman congratulated the players and thanked the coaches for their time and dedication they give to the children of the Borough. Councilmember Santoro said all of the players make the Mayor and Council proud and felt she would see some of them as either the. Mayor or Councilmembers since they show great signs of dedication and sportsmanship and they have made Carteret proud. ECESS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was in recess at approximately 7:45 P.M. iEETING RECONVENED At approximately 7:50 P.M. the meeting was reconvened. Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. 'OTED PRESENT At approximately 7:50 P.M. Mayor James A. Failace was noted present. ,RDINANCE ~02-26 ORDINANCE #02-26 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk author/zed and directed to advertise same ,hr Public Hearing to be held on December 19, 2002, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Par/si, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. DECEMBER 10, 2002 ORDINANCE #02-26 ORDINANCE 5[02-26 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS SEWER APPROPRIATING ~0,O00.~0 IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, RE: VARIOOS SBld[li COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING ~ $250,000.00 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND- RESERVE FOR SEWER IMPROVEMENTS OF THE BOROUGH FOR THE COST THEREFOR" FIRST RE~ING ORDINANCE #02-27 was introduced and adopted on First Reading ORDINANCE #02-21 and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public AMM~ING SAI~RY ORDINAN~ Heating to be held on December 19, 2002, upon MMS&C, by #71-9, RE-' SUPBRIOR OFFICI~ ' S ASSOCIATI~ Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski. Upon individual roll call vote, Cotmcilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ORDINANCE #02-27 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 FIRST RF2~ING ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AN FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" Councilmember Reiman asked if this was the last contract that was COMMENTS offered. Councilmember Santoro said yes, this was what they discussed. ORDINANCE #02-28 was introduced and adopted on First Reading ORD~ ~02-28 and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public fiE. fl~ING S412%RY ORDIlqANCE #71-9, RE: POI,ICg Hearing to be held on December 19, 2002, upon MMS&C, by DEPAR'IBMqT Councilmembers Santoro and Parisi. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ORDINANCE #02-28 "~dq ORDiNANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 FIRST READING ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" Councilmember Parisi asked what the difference was between this COMMENTS Ordinance and #02-24. gCEMBER 10, 2002 9MMENTS Councilmember Santoro said under Patrol Officers it says first six months, second six months it was listed incorrectly the first time. Borough Attorney Bergen said when Patrick drew the Ordinance up it was listed first and second year. He said they were actually splitting the year and could argue that is a technical change in the Ordinance but he felt more comfortable introducing a new Ordinance. Councilmember Parisi asked why they had to have a Public Hearing on #02-24. Borough Attorney Bergen said because it was already advertised. RDINANCE #02-24 The Clerk stated Ordinance #02-24 was introduced and passed upon .~Xl)I31G S,~a. RY First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on RD~ $[71-9, November 18, 2002. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune g-' POI~ DI~ARII. fll~ on November 22, 2002 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on December 10, 2002 at approximately 7:30 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and LIBLIC ~ unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open: ~ CI. DSEI) There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Parisi and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present. Referring to Ordinance #02-24 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" 0 MOTION, There being no motion to the Ordinance, Borough Clerk Barney and DTION DIIZ$; Mayor Failace simultaneously said "The Motion Dies." 4 DI~C~I~ 10~ 2002 The Clerk, stated Ordinance #02-25 was introduced and passed upon ORD~ #02-25 First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council held on November 18, 2002. It was duly published in the Home News Tribune #71-9 on November 22, 2002 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on December 10, 2002 at approximately 7:30 P.M. The Ordinance was posted on the bulletin board and copies were made available to the general public and according to law, she read the Ordinance by title. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and POBLIC ~ unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open: There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor ~ clnSl~ declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro ORDINANCE #02-25 ' ;~q ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDiNANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXiNG THE MANNER OF PAYMENTS OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers /~Ot'll~ Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. Approved and Adopted: December 10, 2002 Introduced: November 18, 2002 Advertisr ' as adopted on First Reading with notice of Public Heating: November 22, 2002 Heating held: December 10, 2002 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as Finally Adopted: December 20, 2002 · ~'~I~ ~0~ 2002 ~ OPEI~D A copy of each Resolution was placed on the table for public review JBLIC INIlJT prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon ALL RESOI. UI'IONS MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sosnowski and Reiman and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened for public input on all Resolutions. Stan Gutowski asked why we were paying an engineer for engineering 3MMENTS services for the Turnpike Exit 12 plans. Borough Attorney Bergen said there were various engineering items that there was not enough money in the Engineering Budget to cover. He said the engineer had to attend several extensive meeting~ in regard to the Turnpike Interchange 12 and a number of other projects he explained. He said the bills could not be paid without the authorization. EETING CLOSED There being no further comments or objections to the Resolutions, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Sosnowski and Parisi and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present. The Borough Clerk asked if any Councilmembers wanted any Resolutions to be taken off the Block Agenda and asked for a motion. 3NSENT AGENDA Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, Resolutions #02-394 to #02-405 were approved. Councilmember Reiman voted no on Resolution #02-396 and affirmative to all other Resolutions. 6 DECEMBER 10, 2002 RESOLUq'ION #02-394 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #02-394 - the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski RESOLUTION #02-394 "AUTHORIZING REFUND OF TAX AND/OR SEWER FEES OVERPAYMENT" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. RESOLUTION #02-395 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #02-395 the Council for action. 311ANS~'~ OF SORPIJJS FONDS Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski RESOLUTION #02-395 "PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF SURPLUS FUNDS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, anto o, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. RESOLUTION #02-396 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOIIfflON ~R)2-396 the Council for action. PROFESSIOI~IAL JOSEltt SPAGNOLI~ ESQ.~ RE: OFFICI~ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-396 "APPROVING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT- JOSEPH SPAGNOLI, ESQ." was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Reiman voted no. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ECEMBER 10, 2002 ESOLIJTION #02-391 RESOLUTION #02-397 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ROFESSIONAL SI~VlCa*Si the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-397 ~ "AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT- MASER CONSULTING, P.A./PERMITTING SERVICES FOR WATERFRONT PARK, PHASE I" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Pafisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the a~firmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ESOLUTION #02-398 RESOLUTION #02-398 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ?PO~ TO the Council for action. DBER~ SISKO Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-398 "APPOINTING ROBERT SISKO AS A MEMBER OF THE CARTERET HISTORICAL SOCIETY" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, DOPTED Rciman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in thc affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ~.SOLUTION #02-399 RESOLUTION #02-399 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to IDFESSIONAL SfRVlCES- the Council for action. LRIOtlS SEI~ PROJ~ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-399 "AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH T&M ASSOCIATES/VARIOUS ENGINEERING PROJECTS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, 3OPTED Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. DECEMBER lO, 2002 RESOLUTION #02-400 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #02-400 PROFESSI~ SI!llVlrUZSi- the Council for action. ROBI!I~T J. BI!RGI!Iq, ESQ. RE: ~ S]~RVICk~; & LITIGATION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "R~SOLUTION #02-400 "AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT- ROBERT J. BERGEN, ESQ." was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Padsi, ADOPTED R¢iman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. RESOLUTION #02-401 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION t~02-401 the Council for action. C4NclUlATION OF Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-401 "CANCELLATION OF OUTSTANDING CHECKS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Pafisi, td)OPl.'t;O Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. RESOLUTION #02-402 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to RESOLUTION #02-402 the Council for action. PROFESSI(IqAL SERVlC~q- {DRP. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-402 "AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH APPRAISAL CONSULTANTS CORP." was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, ADOPTED Reiman. qantoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ECEMBER 10, 2002 ESOLDTION #02-403 RESOLUTION #02-403 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ROFESSIOflAL Sl~ItVltU~- the Council for action. ~IOGR DI~M~,IA~ RE: Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski "RESOLUTION #02-403 "AUTHORIZiNG A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT- SCHOOR DEPALMA ENGINEERING" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. ESOLUTION ~02-404 RESOLUTION #02-404 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to JIIt0RIZING ~ the Council for action. MAKE ~ON, Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski ~.: W~I.'~ DEVI~O~ "RESOLUTION #02-404 "AUTHORIZING THE CARTERET PLANNING BOARD TO CONDUCT A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AND MAKE ~ A RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER A PROPOSED WATERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS AN AREA iN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSiNG LAW, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1, ET SEQ." was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. .3SOLUTION ~02--405 RESOLUTION #02-405 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to Illt0RIZING BIOS & the Council for action. .~llVIC'Y.q {213N'IllAC'r FOR IRCHASE OF ~ Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Sosnowski ~ k~rlSION CAMERA & ~ IKlU~ "RESOLUTION #02-405 "AUTHORIZING PREPARATION AND ADVERTISEMENT OF BiDS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF A SEWER TELEVISION CAMERA AND RELATED EQUIPMENT" )OPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. 10 DECEMBER 10, 2002 The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the COMMUNICATIONS: Township of Woodbridge-Resolution supporting S-1373, A-2069 & WOODBRIDGE A-2110 regarding the Clean Communities Program. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the WOODBRIDGE Township of Woodbridge-Notice of Public Hearing on Land Use & Development Ordinance, December 3, 2002. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from MIDDIF-qEX 030lgrf DIVISION OF SOLID WASTE Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management-Public MANAGEMENT Heating on Plan Amendment to the County's Solid Waste Management Plan, December 12, 2002, 6:00 P.M., New Brunswick, NJ. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from the NJ DEPARTMENT OF New Jersey Department of Transportation-Notification that Carteret TRANSPORTATION has been selected to receive Municipal Aid for Marion Street & Poplar Street in the amount of $194,000.00. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a Communication from PSE&G PSE&G-Notice of Public Hearings on Electric Rate Changes, Decembe: 10, 11 & 16, 2002, Mount Holly, New Brunswick & Hackensack, NJ. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, all Communications were ordered to be received and placed on file. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Santoro all bills PAYMENT OF BILLS appearing on the prepared list properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmati~ ~. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. Mayor Failace asked for a motion to go into Closed Session for personnel. 11 I~l~l~l~ 10, 2002 ESOLUTION #02-406 RESOLUTION #02-406 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to ESOLUTION TO GO the Council for action. NTO CLOSED SESSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Santoro and Reiman RESOLUTION #02-406 "RESOLUTION TO GO iNTO CLOSED SESSION" DOPTED was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Parisi, Reiman, Santoro, Sohayda and Sosnowski voted in the affirmative. Councilmember Rios was noted absent. LOSED SESSION At approximately 8:00 P.M. a Closed Session was held. gETING OPEN At approximately 8:30 P.M., upon MMS&C, by Councilmcmbers 2) PUBLLIC Parisi and Santoro and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened to the public. *.PORTS The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: *.PARTMENT 1. Board of Health-September 2002. 2. Clerk's Office-November 2002. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Parisi and Santoro and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembe, s present, all reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. rANDING BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairperson Sosnowski said )MMITTEES there was a lot of mulch behind the Library and they would be placing it around all the Borough Buildings. He said they installed new carpeting in the Building Department and installed trophy cases and ceiling tiles at Police Headquarters. He said the fire system was serviced at the Library, tile and plumbing work was done in the Health Department. He reported progress. 12 DECEMBER 10~ 2002 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Reiman STAflDIblG COMMITTEES said Building Fees are up this year, they collected $465,000.00. He said tomorrow would be the first meeting of the Budget Task Force. He said the Borough received a letter from Garden State Paper, a subsidiary of Enron. He said they would be shutting down and laying off eighteen full time employees. He said the Borough would be facing a significant budget deficit next year and asked the Council to be mindful of that with their spending at the end of the year. F1RE: Committee Chairperson Sohayda said four Borough Firemen were injured and taken to the hospital. He warned residents to use caution with candles and holiday lighting on trees and homes. He read a letter from Chief Pine commending everyone who helped in a car fire accident on November 5th and requested commendations for the next meeting. He said Drew Packard has twenty-five years of service to the Borough and he commended him. He reported progress. PARKS f, RECREATION: Councilmember Parisi in the absence of Committee Chairperson Rios said the house lighting contest would be on December 17th and he gave the details. He thanked the Parks Department for their work during the snowstorm. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Santoro congratulated Danny Tarrant again for becoming Captain. She said the three new police cars would be coming in tomorrow. She said one car came from drag money that was given to Carteret from the County. She said both police contracts have tentative settlements. She said last night was graduation for the five new police recruits and gave the details. She said Jerome Mitchell won an award at the academy that was voted on by his fe~:ow students. She reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Parisi thanked the Public Works Department for their job during the snowstorm last Thursday. He said some of the Councilmembers and himself went out in the trucks with the Supervisors and spoke about the snow plows and residents having to shovel out their driveways as he had to do himself when he got home. He said they use approximately forty tons of sand and salt on the streets. He said on Friday he was not totally pleased 13 }ECEMBER 10, 2002 ;TANDING that the roads were not clear down to the pavement and felt it was 30MMITTEES because of the sand and salt and felt the Council should look into that. He said he felt everyone was well organized, they got the job done and he thanked the men. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Par/si said the Board of Education Liaison Committee forgot they had a meeting the first Wednesday of every month because when he went to Borough Hall no one showed up but him and he hoped they would continue the meetings in January. He said the monthly meeting of the Board of Education would be next Wednesday. 'UBLIC DISCUSSION Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Reiman and Sosnowski and unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was opened to the public for public discussion. ,ONNENTS John Sudia, Cypress Street spoke in favor of the police raises. He said he was disturbed about Jessie moving from the Park and asked who was responsible for the decision. Mayor Failace said the Council made the decision. Councilmember Santoro said this came up last year with the new Community Center. She said there was new carpeting, air conditioning, heat in the new offices and it was not done out of malice. She said Jessie's job falls under Senior Citizens and it made sense to keep everything under one roof. She said there is a budget concern and there will be a lot of changes and a lot of "pink slips" will go out to certain employees with a lot of consolidation of departments. She said there is a new boss in the Office on Aging. Mr. Sudia asked how this would save money by moving Jessie. Councilmember Santoro said all moves would not save money some would be for more efficiency under the person who is in charge of the department. Mr. Sudia felt it should be done by the incoming Council and not by Councilmember Santoro who is a "lame duck". Councilmember Santoro said incoming Cotmcilmembers could overturn anything that happens at this point. She said every December 14 DECEMBER 10, 2002 there are decisions that are made. She said the entire Council made PUBLIC DISCUSSION this decision. Councilmember Reiman said the entire Council made this decision. He said they are making roughly eight changes. He said they are moving this position to the new Community Center, they moved Hadiyah Muhammad to the full time position of Executive Director of the Office on Aging because they eliminated Social Services. He said he felt the department would be run more efficiently under one roof. He said they have laid off seven temporary employees. He said they are looking to make additional consolidations, fill a budget deficit and they would be moving other departmental personnel in various positions in the Borough to cut costs and make the Borough more efficient. Mr. Sudia said he felt after knowing some of the details, this was a political move and he asked the Council to reconsider moving Jessie from the park. Jessie Bagala said she was working for the Borough thirty years and she does not take sick days and she would now take them instead of loosing them. She said she worked longer than Councilmember Santoro and this was done because she did not vote for her. She said she worked with blankets on her legs and a coat on her back before the stove was put in. She said they are not saving three million dollars and she felt it was political. She said she knows politics and this is political and she explained. She explained her job and said the only reason she did not want to go to the Community Center was because she could not walk there, she does not drive. She said the only thing Mrs. Muhammad would do is the payroll and she could do the job at the park and send Mrs. Muhammad the book once a week to do the payroll. She asked why she could not stay where she was since she said she might live a week, a month, a year, no one knows. Councilmember Santoro said she has worked for thirty years and she thought Mrs. Bagala did vote for her. Mrs. Bagala explained her job again and said she does not go home for lunch or coffee break and she did not do that much that she needs to be in the other building. She said she does not drive, her grandchildren go to school and her daughter works so she can not get there. Stan Gutowski, New Jersey Avenue said he could understand consolid ' )n to save money and asked what this move would save the Borough. Councilmember Santoro said some changes are for efficiency and some for saving money. Mr. Gutowski asked who the bus drivers report to when they report to work, they go to the park now. Councilmember Santoro said she did not know. She said every Senior Citizen activity should go through the Senior Center. Councilmember Reiman said they would still be reporting to Jessie but they will be going to the Senior Center instead of the park. 15 ,ECEMBER 10, 2002 'UBLIC DISCUSSION Mr. Gutowski said he did not know the other moves or consolidations. He said he understood they were moving Mr. Riggio and he wanted to know where he was going. Councilmember Reiman said that was discussed. Councilmember Santoro said Mr. Riggio is moving to the Annex and the Welfare Building is being closed. She said the personnel in that building would be moving out since that building is a disgrace and there is no money to fix it up. She said Welfare has been taken over by the County and they are looking to move Recycling to a Recycling area. Mr. Gutowski asked how much money the Borough would be saving. Councilmember Reiman said he could not put a dollar amount on one specific move. He said they can not get into this but they can save two hundred fifty thousand dollars potentially next year if everything that is set forth is adopted. Mr. Gutowski said or it could save nothing. Councilmember Reiman agreed and said the elimination of Social Services saves about a hundred thousand dollars. ~DJOKJRNED There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by Conncilmember Reiman and Parisi and unanimous affirmative vote of the (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Municipal Clerk KMB/cp 16