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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999/05/20 The Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Carteret was called to order by Mayor James A. Failace on Thursday, May 20, 1999 at approximately 7:32 P.M., at the Municipal Building/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New Jersey. Upon individual roll call, the following were noted present: Councilmembers Patrick Crilley " Jack Fazekas " Stanley Gutowski " James Mancuso " James O'Brien " Remy Quinones Also noted present was Borough Attorney Craig J. Coughlin, Esq. The meeting was opened with a minute of silent prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor James A. Failace. Mayor Failace asked everyone to remember, in their prayers, Municipal Clerk KatWeen Barney's father, John Barney and also Robert Wood, a Borough Employee who passed away this week. The Clerk stated that on May 13, 1999, in full compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, a notice of tonight's meeting was sent to The Home News Tribune, the Star Ledger and posted on the bulletin board. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the minutes of April 15, 1999 were approved as transcribed and engrossed by the Clerk This was the night advertised to receive bids for shelving for the new library and the Mayor called for all bids. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Quinones and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Assistant Clerk was directed to open and read aloud all bids received which were as follows: 1 BlQ I. Creative Library Concepts 525 Boulevard Kenilworth, NJ 07033 10% B.B. BID PRICE $ 60,850.00 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien and unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) Councilmembers present, the bids were held for study. MAY 20, 1999 COUNCIL MEETING ROLL CALL PRAYER & PLEJX;E OF ALLEGIANCE STATEMENT OF MEETING NOTICE APPROVAL OF MINUTES BIDS Library Shelving Held for Study MAY 20, 1999 ORDINANCE #99-17 Amending Land Development Ordinance Re: Section 160-181.1 First Reading ORDINANCE #99-18 Repealing Chapter 140 & Creating New Chapter 140 "Graffiti" First Reading ORDINAt,CE #99-19 Salary Ordinance Re: Seasonal Grasscutter First Reading ORDINANCE #99-15 Capital Improvement Fund - Purchase of Computer Equipment Public Hearing ORDINANCE #99-17 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held June 3, 1999 ,upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #99-17 "ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 160-1811 OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE" ORDINANCE #99-18 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held June 3, 1999 upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas. Upon individual roll call vote Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #99-18 "AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE EXISTING CHAPTER 140 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET AND CREATING A NEW CHAPTER 140 ENTITLED "GRAFFITI" ORDINANCE #99-19 was introduced and adopted on First Reading and the Clerk authorized and directed to advertise same for Public Hearing to be held June 3, 1999 upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. ORDINANCE #99-19 "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #71-9 ESTABLISHING SALARY SCHEDULES AND FIXING THE MANNER OF PAYMENT OF SALARIES FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" The Clerk stated that Ordinance #99-15 was introduced and passed upon First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council of the Borough of Carteret held on May 6, 1999. It was duly published in The Home News Tribune on May 11, 1999 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on June 3, 1999 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 Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open. 2 There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and O'Brien ORDINANCE #99-15 "AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR PURCHASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET, COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $25,000 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND OF THE BOROUGH FOR THE COST THEREFOR" was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Approved and Adopted; Mav 20. 1999 Introduced: May 6. 1999 Advertised as Adopted on First Reading with Notice of Public Hearing May I L 1999 Hearing Held: Mav 20. 1999 Approved by: Mavor James A. Failace Advertised as finally adopted: May 25. 1999 The Clerk stated that Ordinance #99-16 was introduced and passed upon First Reading at a Regular Meeting of the Borough Council of the Borough of Carteret held on May 6, 1999. It was duly published in The Home News Tribune on May 11, 1999 with notice that it will be considered for final passage after Public Hearing to be held on May 20, 1999 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 Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be open. 3 There being no comments or objections to the Ordinance, the Mayor declared the Public Hearing to be closed upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present. MAY 20, 1999 Hearing Closed Adopted ORDINANCE #99-16 Amending Chapter 160 of the Code of the Borough of Carteret Public Hearing Hearing Closed t1AY 20, 1999 ORDINANCE #99-16 Continued Adopted tlEETING OPENED Public Input on Resolutions MEETING CLOSED RESOLUTION #99-169 Authorizing tlayor to Execute 1999 Office on Aging Grant Adopted Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Mancuso ORDINANCE #99-16 "ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 160 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was finally adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative Approved and Adopted: May 20. 1999 Introduced: May 6. 1999 Advertised as Adopted on First Reading with Notice of Public Hearing: May I L 1999 Hearing Held: Mav 20. 1999 Approved by: Mayor James A. Failace Advertised as finally adopted: May 25, 1999 A copy of each Resolution was placed upon the table for review prior to the meeting in accordance with the Rules of Council and upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was opened for public input on all resolutions. There being no comments or objections, upon MMS&C, by Council members Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the public portion on resolutions was closed. RESOLUTION #99-169 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-169 "AUTHORlZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE 1999 BOROUGH OF CARTERET OFFICE ON AGING GRANT AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY OFFICE ON AGING" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative 4 RESOLUTION #99-170 was introduced by the Mayor and referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-170 "AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT TO THE SAFE HOME INSPECTION CONTRACT - OFFICE ON AGING" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-171 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-171 "CERTIFYING SUSAN GADECKl TO THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT VIOLATIONS CLERK IN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative RESOLUTION #99-172 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-172 "AWARD OF BID - SALE OF ENGINEERING PLOTTER" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. 5 MAY 20, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-170 Amendment -Safe Home Inspection Contract - Office on Aging Adopted RESOLUTION #99-171 Certifying Assistant Violations Clerk - Susan Gadecki Adopted RESOLUTION #99-172 A"ard of Bid - Sale of Engineering Plotter Adopted MAY 20, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-173 Seasonal La"n Maintenance ,¡orkers H.Connors and tl. Orlando Adopted RESOLUTION #99-174 Professional Services - Carl Palmisano, Esq. Re: Volk vs. Borough of Carteret Adopted RESOLUTION iÞG9-175 Professional Services - Killam Associates Re: Streetscape Project Tabled llESOLUTION #99-176 Railroad Pavement, tlarkings & Signage at Port c'~rteret Drive Adopted RESOLUTION #99-173 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-173 "APPOINTING TEMPORARY SEASONAL LAWN MAINTENANCE WORKERS IN THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-174 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-174 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR LEGAL SERVICES" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. RESOLUTION #99-175 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #97-175 "PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICE" was tabled. Upon individual roll call vote, Council members Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. . RESOLUTION #99-176 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-175 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RAILROAD PAVEMENT, MARKINGS AND SIGN AGE AT THE PROPOSED RAILROAD GRADE CROSSING AT PORT CARTERET DRIVE" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. 6 RESOLUTION #99-177 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-177 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR TEA-21 GRANT IN CONNECTION WITH THE CARTERET PARK AND ADA SIDEWALK PROGRAM" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Mayor Failace said this is grant money that is out there to do Carteret Avenue and possibly all the way down to Chrome. RESOLUTION #99-178 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-178 "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A ROOSEVEL T AVENUE BEAUTIFICATION PLAN AND THE EXECUTION OF A TEA-21 GRANT APPLICATION" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Mayor Failace said we have plans for lower Roosevelt Avenue that we plan to use UEZ funds. This grant may allow us to get money where we won't have to use UEZ funds. Then we could use the UEZ money for something else RESOLUTION #99-179 was introduced by the Mayor and was referred to the Council for action. Councilmember O'Brien asked that they amend this resolution before they adopt it. He would like the last paragraph, which names the people to the committee, removed at this time He still has to contact four people. 7 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmember Gutowski and Fazekas Resolution #99-179 was amended to omit the last paragraph. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. MAY 20, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-177 Application for TEA-21 Grant Re: Carteret Park and ADA Sidewalk Program Adopted Comments RESOLUTION #99-178 Authorizing Roosevelt Avenue Beautification Plan and TEA-21 Grant Adopted Comments RESOLUTION #99-179 Establishing Complete Count Committee for 2000 Census Amended MY 20, 1999 RESOLUTION #99-179 Continued t.dopted PAytlENT OF BILLS APPLICATIONS: St. Joseph Bingo Amendment Sheenail i , Inc. ABC Amendment COtftIUNICATIONS: tliddlesex Cty Dept. of Human Services Niddlesex Cty Board of Chosen Freeholders Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas RESOLUTION #99-179 "RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE 2000 CENSUS" was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas, all bills appearing on the prepared list, properly audited and signed were ordered to be paid. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers Crilley, Fazekas, Gutowski, Mancuso, O'Brien and Quinones voted in the affirmative. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an application fÌ'om St. Joseph's Church regarding amendment to BL #1515.Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and processed. . The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of an application for an AB.C. License Corporate Change from Sheenaili, Inc. t/a The Liquor Shop Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and turned over to the Police. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a public hearing notice from the Middlesex County Department of Human Services to be held May 27, 1999 in New Brunswick, New Jersey regarding NJ Transit Senior Citizen and Disabled Resident Transportation Assistance Program 2000 Grant Application Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and placed on file. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a resolution and a Notice of Public Hearing fÌ'om the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, to be held May 20, 1999 in New Brunswick, New Jersey regarding amendments to Land Subdivision and Site Plan Review Resolutions. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, it was ordered to be received and placed on file. 8 The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of a communication from Middlesex Water Company regarding a rate increase approval. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, , it was ordered to be received and placed on file. The Clerk stated that she was in receipt of the following reports: 1. Air pollution - February, 1999 2. Board of Health - March 1999 3. Inspection of Buildings - April 1999 4. Sewage Collection - April 1999 5. Treasurer - April 1999 6. Welfare - March & April 1999 Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the reports were ordered to be received and placed on file. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Committee Chairman O'Brien the electrical work on the Police building is underway. At the Fire building, Jason Abello went over to the Senior Center and is trying to do some work with the lights over there. Basic maintenance is being done at the annexes. Jason did some work at the Recreation Facility on the toilets. At the last meeting the work on the roof at Borough Hall was ordered and it should be done within the next week or so. Last Friday, Eric Betz, the assistant engineer, took a couple of contractors through the building to show them the remediation work that is needed regarding the air quality. We have received two quotes for that work and it should begin shortly. Today, he, Eric, AI Beninato, John Tiffany of Tiffany -Bader looked over the work that is going to be done regarding the air quality and met with the employees to answer some of the health questions they had Ray Tobias is recovering very nicely. With that the buildings are still standing. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION: Committee Chairperson Quinones said a meeting was held to take action on the proposed School Budget and the Council voted in favor of a $1,100,000 deduction which essentially eliminated the proposed school tax increase. As they stated at that meeting, they did that after an extensive review of that budget with our auditor. We feel that we were able to save the taxpayers some money and at the same time we did not eliminate any educational programs or any teacher positions. 9 With regards to the Municipal Budget, everything is moving along She spoke to Patrick DeBlasio last week and the (inaudible) numbers are pretty consistent with the budget numbers. She reported progress. MAY 20, 1999 COMMUNICATIONS: Middlesex Water Company REPORTS Departments Standing Committees MAY 20, 1999 Standing Committees Continued FIRE: Committee Chairperson Fazekas said there would be a Wet Down on July 10th for our new fire truck Information will be passed out on June 19th at the ShopRite Shopping Center to let the people know when the Wet Down will be. There was a fire drill with the Ashland Chemical Company. There was an arson investigative class that was held last month. Both members of the volunteer and paid companies attended that. Members of the Fire Department did attend a burn training at the Union Fire Academy. With that rolling along. PARKS & RECREATION: Committee Chairperson Crilley said the Recreation Committee held its Dog Show this past Sunday. There were 14 or 15 dogs that showed up. It was nice. The Mayor was one of the judges, along with Parks Employees and Mr. Gutowski's daughter For the first time out it went very well The Recreation Department is sponsoring a Yankee Baseball trip for July 24, 1999 It's $30.00 and includes bus, ticket, T-shirt and sandwiches and soda on the bus. It's a 4:30 PM. game against Cleveland The bus will be leaving the Recreation Center around 1:30 P.M.. If anybody is interested, call him or Beverly Hedesh. Mayor Failace said regardless how the Yankees were playing, it should still be a good game. Committee Chairperson Crilley said they are starting to organize the Summer Work Program for Recreation Counselors as well as Park Workers. We are hiring a few older kids, eighteen and nineteen years of age, to cut the grass. This will free up our regular park workers and continue the work we have going on in the parks. Any body, a student, between the ages of 14 to 18 that wants to work can pick up an application at the Clerk's Office and return it back to the Clerk's Office. They can also pick them up at the High School Nurse's Office. The GATX sponsored volley ball tournament for High School students was held three weeks ago. He named the winning team. They received T-shirts and something else from GATX. The Mayor has thanked GATX for their efforts and what they have done and he does too. They are a great neighbor and have participated in more than one youth activity in town. They not only support with money, but they also supply staff. They bring a lot of people to these events. It's a good showing, the kids see it and it is great. Councilmember Crilley said he wanted to read two letters he received: Dear Sirs It's with great pleasure that we as a league would like to commend Ted Surick, Robert Kately and the Borough Parks and Recreation Employees for a job well done. The ballfields have not been in such excellent shape (inaudible). It is a pleasure to work with them and we deeply appreciate your efforts on behalf of the girls in my league. I hope that this will generate a letter of commendation for each and every one of these employees. Once again, our thanks. 10 Randy Krum Committee Chairperson Crilley said he thinks what is happening here, the men in the Parks Department, particularly, have a new found pride in the work that they do because they are allowed to do things properly. People are coming back and saying the fields are in great shape. This year we started the league April 17th and we only lost four games to rain since then because ofthe condition of the field. It's a great compliment to the workers, Mr. Kately and Mr. Surick. He said they would put a copy of this letter in all the employee files. He said he had another letter addressed to Beverly Hedesh of the Recreation Commission: "I would like to thank you and all the members of the Commission for sponsoring the Basket Ball Tournament that netted proceeds that you decided to donate to the Carteret Food Bank. On behalf of the League, I thank the Commissioners for being (inaudible) to the needs of the less fortunate in our community. The donation of $196.17 will be used to purchase food from the Community Food Bank in Hillside, New Jersey for our Food Bank. By purchasing the food from them we get double the value of the donation. I particularly appreciate your efforts and commend the youth for their participation in this event. Hadiyah Muhammad, Municipal Welfare Director" These are just a couple of things happening in the Borough. We appreciate the work of the people putting these things together. POLICE: Committee Chairperson Gutowski said Police Director Elg is settling in nicely. He is going to be making some changes in the next couple of weeks that will be good for the department. Tomorrow at 6:45 PM., he and the Mayor will attend the graduation ceremony for the five Cadets that are in the Police Academy They will be coming on duty sometime in the next few weeks. If anyone else would like to attend, it is being held at the Union County Art Center in Rahway at 6:45 P.M In addition, they have received notice that there is seasonal help needed on the New Jersey Turnpike. If anyone knows anyone that is looking for a job, they can contact him or the Mayor. It's for toll collectors and general maintenance and starts at $6.75 an hour for 40 hours a week He reported progress. PUBLIC WORKS: Committee Chairperson Mancuso said everything seems to be flowing pretty good. He would like to thank Teddy and his men also. There is not too much said about the work that these guys do. It's not very fashionable They do a lot in this town to try and keep it in shape and clean. He thanked them and reported progress. 11 BOARD OF EDUCATION: Committee Chairperson Crilley said they reviewed the budget and the overall cut in the taxes is $114,000 from last year, so taxes will actually go down a little bit. A lot of effort, time and work went into this. We left programs that the School Board had desired intact and we did not cut anything on their wish list. They looked at it and said there was a little room here and there and as a result they got it down to where it is manageable. Overall there spending has gone up about 10%, but that was offset by increases in State Aid. He reported progress. MAY 20, 1999 Standing Committees Continued t1AY 20, 1999 t1AYOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION School Board Budget Mayor Failace said he didn't know if anyone in the audience was at White Rose today for the Students Against Drunk Drivers rrom the High School's program down there that was phenomenal. They had a computerized car that you drive and they put in the computer how drunk you want to be. They put your weight in and it's a wonderful program for the kids and would probably be a great program for adults to. He drove it and thought it was great. It was unbelievable. He did "kill" two or three people and drove over a few curbs. It was very well done. That program costs $2,900. They run it every other year. He gave them a commitment that he would find money for them rrom somewhere to run this every year, because he feels it's that important for young people. Mayor Failace said they did not cut any programs rrom the School Budget or any salaries. He is very proud of the work the Council did on the budget and he feels very comfortable with what they have done. He said this is an "Education Council". We do believe in education and we would never do anything to hurt the young people in this town. He said in the paper the Board President said the Council cut $440,000 out of salary and that is an absolute lie He is going to the Board of Education meeting next week and he will find out where that came rrom. We did not cut any salary at all. We gave them every program they asked for. Since he became Mayor of the town, five months ago, sometimes it's very ftustrating to see how much money we do need to correct the problems. For the first time, he feels like things are coming together. Weare in the process of getting grant money and we are going to get $5,000,000 from Congressman Menendez to do our sewers. We will get these TEA grants that we are going out for. There is a lot of money that has been lost in Carteret in the past years. We will not lose anymore. We will get everything we deserve. He looks over at the library and the community center and it is starting to take shape. The windows are in. They are working on the roof and they will start working inside. It was a battle to get that done, but regardless where he is four years from now, that's the crowning achievement of this whole Council. Mayor Failace said he hopes he could get the other industries in town to work with them like GATX does. They have been great neighbors. Upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Fazekas and unanimous affirmative vote of the full Council present, the meeting was opened for public discussion JOHN SUDIA said he wanted to congratulate them. He said the members of the Board of Education for the last few years have had a free hand and they never had the opportunity to deal with people that are knowledgeable in finance. They never had the opportunity to have to deal with people that are concerned about the people in town. As a taxpayer, he commended them on the reduction of the budget. He said he is sure if they looked a little further, they could probably cut another $500,000 out of it. They haven't hurt programs or salaries. They haven't hurt anything except the fat in the budget and he thinks that commendable. 12 Mr. Sudia asked the Mayor to look into the COPS Program. Many communities are receiving grants from the government with regards to this program. It puts on additional police officers. Mr. Sudia also said with the arrogance of the School Board, his feeling is they should start looking into appointing the School Board rather than electing them. SADD RADWAN spoke about the school board. He said the Mayor and Council said they cut $1,100,000 from the school budget. They have not hurt the children. If this budget was passed in April, where would the money go? Mayor Failace said he would have to ask the Board of Education. Mr. Radwan said he is asking the Council. He understands they have to appeal to the State. He said as far as he understands there was room to cut the budget and not hurt anyone. That means in the previous years the budget was too much money. He thinks there should be an investigation. Mayor Failace said they feel very comfortable that if it goes to the State that our cuts are very valid and we can back up every one of them. Mr. Radwan said the School Board is doing something wrong. They have to investigate it. The state will do it. He continued speaking about the budget. He said the books they have are 15 years old. They don't buy books, so what are they buying. That's what we need to know. He said the Mayor and Council have proven they can do it, now we need to move forward. Councilmember Crilley said he has to temper the enthusiasm a little bit. The public needs to understand that he has been on both sides of this fence. Carteret is an Urban District. We are designated by the State as an Urban District. We are classified as a "B" District. Schools classified as such get 889% funding. The problem is that when they classified us as a "B" in November or December of 1992, earlier that year they passed the law, we were classified as a "c" District based on the 1980 Census. When the 1990 Census came out in 1992, they changed us to a "B" but didn't give us the money. We sued and they wouldn't give us the money. They said we had to go to the legislation to get the money. Carteret is sorely under funded even though we get a little more each year. In three years the Carteret School Budget has gone up, less this cut, 28% in spending. That is paid for by increased funding from the State. Keep in mind we can always use money He said if that $1,100,000 didn't affect the taxpayers, he would have argued to leave it in. There has to be a balance between spending and what the kids need and what the taxpayers can afford. They are here to protect everyone. 13 VINCENT BELLINO, a member of the Carteret Baseball League, said he came tonight because they just lost a long time member oftheir Baseball League, Phil Reibis. They are aware that the Grant Avenue Park doesn't have a name. Most parks are being named for different people that have passed on, to their credit for what they did for the leagues. Mr. Reibis was a 35 year member of the baseball league. He was past President, Vice-President, Treasurer, etc.,. He gave his life to the kids of our town. They would like to request to have the Grant Avenue Park renamed in his honor. They are asking the Mayor and Council's permission to do this It will be funded by parents and children, so it won't cost the town a dime. MAY 20, 1999 PUBLIC DISCUSSION Con't. COPS Program School Board School Board Budget Renaming Grant Avenue Park Re: Phil Reibis t1AY 20, 1999 Renaning Grant Avenue Park Re: P. Reibis Con't. Mayor Failace said they have an Agenda Meeting this week and they will discuss it. Mr. Bellino said he appreciated their time. Mayor Failace asked ifthey would put something in writing and drop it off at the Clerk's Office. Borough Attorney Coughlin said it might be a good idea to outline his accomplishments so we can memorialize a resolution. Mr. Bellino said that was easy enough. Handicapped Parking Space JOSEPH KISS said he has had a problem obtaining a handicapped parking space He explained his handicap. Councilmember Quinones asked him if he was asking for a handicapped parking space? Mr. Kiss replied he was. Mayor Failace said he lives on Roosevelt Avenue which is a county road and that is the problem. The county has to give us the approval. We will go to them for approval. Borough Attorney Coughlin said he will be in touch with the County. Mayor Failace said we have this on file and our Borough Attorney will contact the county and then we will contact him. They will do whatever they can to help him. Mr. Kiss said it is very difficult for him to walk. Mayor Failace said it was approved in 1997, but the county disapproved it. Borough Attorney Coughlin said he would look into it. Mayor F ail ace asked if there was on the street parking in front of his house. Mr. Kiss said yes. He said when he parked in rront of his neighbors, he had two flat tires in the morning. Mayor Failace said they will talk to the county. "Buy a Brick" Library Fund Raiser Mayor Failace said Mr. Pino, of the Library Board, is in the audience and he wants to make mention that they are looking at a "Buy a Brick" program to raise funds. They are going to do a walkway or a wall. 14 Mr. Pino said they spoke with the architect and instead of putting the bricks on the inside of the building, they are going to do the whole outside landscape in pavers. He was sent a sample and they will pick one. This can keep going forever. The forms will be made out and it will be a form to request a brick. They hope to fill up the rront with people's names. It will look nice Mayor Failace said when he received the literature in the mail, he thought it was a great idea. There being no further business or discussion, upon MMS&C, by Councilmembers Gutowski and Quinones and unanimous affirmative vote of the fuJl Council present, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:18 P.M RespectfuJly submitted, ~lM ~k~OJ~ SUSAN E JAC IN, Assistant Municipal Clerk 15 MAY 20, 1999 "Buy A Brick" Program Cont' . ADJOURNED MAY 20, 1999 COUNCIL MEETING 16