HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999/05/10
An Informal Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of
Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace at
approximately 7:04 P.M. in the auditorium of the Middle School, 299
Carteret Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey.
Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present:
Councilmember Patrick Crilley
" Jack Fazekas
" James Mancuso
" James O'Brien
" Remy Quinones
Noted absent was Council President Stanley Gutowski.
Also noted present was Borough Attorney Craig J. Coughlin.
Mailed to The Home News Tribune, The Star Ledger and posted on
the bulletin board on May 6, 1999.
To discuss school budget and local municipal budget.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present,
the meeting was recessed so the governing body could attend the wake
of Officer Gary Guiliano's father.
Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers O'Brien and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present,
the meeting was called to order at approximately 7:20 P.M.
Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present:
Counci1member Patrick Crilley
" Jack Fazekas
" James Mancuso
" James O'Brien
" Remy Quinones
Noted absent was Council President Stanley Gutowski.
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Also noted present were the following: Superintendent Dr. Gary Vitta,
Assistant Superintendent Robert Eckert, Board Secretary Ken
Weinheimer, School Board Members S. Bonaventure, F. Grigni, M.
Amistad, D. Cherepski, Y. Delgado, F. Parisi, L. Mangieri, L.
Aleksandrich and L. Marchica.
MAY 10, 1999
INFORMAL MEEITNG
PRESFNI
srATEMFNf OF
MEEITNG N<JITCE
PURPOSE
REX:ESS
MEETING RESUMED
ROIL CAIL
MAY 10, 1999
DISCUSSION
Dr. Vita said they were here today to go over the 1999 - 2000 school
budget. It is a budget he and the Board feels is a good budget and they
worked very hard on it. He spoke of the increasing enrollment and
that the population of Carteret is growing. The projected enrollment is
3,290 students, which is a huge increase over the previous years. They
are trying to keep the classroom sizes down. He continued to speak
about the projected school year, the facilities and the staff. They can't
remain stagnant. They have to advance technologically. They owe it
to the children of the borough. They need to emphasize academics.
Mandated by the state is elementary world language in Minue and
Columbus Schools. He went on to explain the curriculum. Over 100
educators in the district attended workshops to make them better
teachers. They are introducing a locally mandated summer reading
program this summer. They need to lower the enrollment in the
remedial courses. They need more honor and advance placement
courses. They need an after school SAT program. The state has
mandated that a pre-school program for four year olds be implemented
and developed. It's a costly item and probably something good for the
children of Carteret. They have to provide their teachers with the
mechanism to learn the latest techniques. He presented a slide show
explaining what was needed and the cost of each program. He said a
budget cannot remain stagnant ifthey are going to move ahead.
Mayor Failace introduced Gary Higgins and Annette Giordano from
Lerch, Vinci and Higgins, the Borough Auditors.
Borough Auditor Gary Higgins went over the budget item by item. He
had a question on miscellaneous revenues. He asked why the budget
revenue was only for $50,000 when it was $109,000 the previous
year?
Mr. Weinheimer said it was put in to protect the Board from any
fluctuations that might be relevant to interest rates, but also that it has
to do with banking services. They have gone out for proposals for
banking services.
Borough Auditor asked about appropriations on TAB II. He asked if
there was any background on reclassification?
Mr. Weinheimer said the Board office has evolved and they are
looking at classification to follow the proper gap to better show costs.
Mr. Weinheimer answered all of the Borough Auditor's questions.
Councilmember Crilley asked if it was safe to assure a 3 % increase for
negotiations? He said 3% is a fair number.
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They discussed teacher, staff and administration salaries and a number
of slots.
Mr. Weinheimer said the number of staff is added into the account.
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Borough Auditor Higgins said the rationale supports three.
Mr. Weinheimer said there are four. Contingency staff plus three.
Councilmember Crilley said that was not how it was in the rationale.
He asked why it wasn't on there?
Mr. Weinheimer said new staffing didn't list contingency.
Councilmember Crilley asked what the justification of the contingency
was?
Mr. Weinheimer said program needs and financial capability. There
were some staff additions this year. They hired aides. The numbers
were not known when the budget was sent to the Borough Hall
Councilmember Crilley talked about the staffing.
Mr. Weinheimer said creating a budget for 1999-2000 because of new
orientation and new staff. There is a reclassification of salaries and
they built in responsible increases.
Mr. Weinheimer and Councilmember Crilley discussed at length,
monies for staffing.
Borough Auditor Higgins went through the budget line item by line
item. Any questions he had were answered by Mr. Weinheimer.
They discussed general supplies and how the budget suffered in the
past in that area. They wanted to improve supplies available to the
teachers.
Borough Auditor Higgins asked about Class Room Aides?
Ms. Eckert said since the budget was done they have added two library
aides, one kindergarten aide and special education associates for
Carteret High School.
They continued discussing each line item and the numbers.
Special Education services were discussed, as were the maintenance of
buildings.
Mr. Weinheimer said they had a more skilled staff and were doing in-
house improvements to the buildings. They were trying to do as much
internally as they could.
Transportation was the next issue brought up. Borough Auditor
Higgins asked if the contracts were encumbered?
Mr. Weinheimer said some costs were not yet encumbered
Borough Auditor Higgins said there was an increase of $370,000.
Mr. Weinheimer said there was a $100,000 differential.
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Borough Auditor Higgins asked what the rational was for the increase
of28%?
Mr. Weinheimer said there were four additional routes to respond to
additional students.
MAY 10, 1999
DlSCUSSIœ
Continued
MAY 10, 1999
DlSCUSSIœ
Continued
Borough Auditor Higgins questioned the Health Benefits.
Mr. Weinheimer said it is Blue Cross Blue Shield Horizon and there is
a 12% increase.
Borough Auditor Higgins asked about the food plan and asked if they
were using the full $10,000 this year? In prior budgets it was not
expended.
Mr. Weinheimer said in 1999-2000 it was variable. There will be one
full lunch period at each elementary school. He assumes there will be
a deficit.
Borough Auditor Higgins asked why there were rationales for some
lines and not others?
Mr. Weinheimer said he will have to provide that data.
Borough Auditor Higgins asked what the justification was for the final
line, which was improvements to the learning center for early
childhood?
Mr. Weinheimer said the Board looked into up front savings. They are
committed to use savings for down payment for a primary learning
facility.
Borough Auditor Higgins asked what the amount for the new facility?
Mr. Weinheimer said they don't know. They are trying to find out
what the obligation is. They have to have something in place by
January 2000.
Mr. Weinheimer said the work schedule is tight. The County Board of
Taxation has to receive the budget by May 19, 1999. The Board of
Education has a meeting scheduled for May 18, 1999 and needs to take
action at that time. He told the Council he will answer whatever
questions they have and will get them the data that they need.
AWOURNED
There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by
Councilmembers Mancuso and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative
vote of the five (5) Councilmembers present, the meeting was
adjourned at approximately 9:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
~OA< £~.
SUSAN E. JAC
Assistant Municipa rk
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