HomeMy Public PortalAbout1997/03/13
The Agenda Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the
Borough of Carteret preceding the Regular Meeting March
20, 1997, was held on March 13, 1997, 7:00 P.M., Municipal
Court/Police Facility, 230 Roosevelt Avenue, Carteret, New
Jersey.
The following were noted present:
Mayor Peter J. Sica
Council member Bialowarczuk
" Feingold
" Failace
" Gutowski
Noted absent were Councilmembers DuPont and Fazekas.
Also noted present was Borough Attorney Craig Coughlin.
Mailed to the Home News & Tribune, The Star Ledger and
posted on the bulletin board on March 7, 1997.
a) Gary Higgins - He said he was requested to discuss the
Sewer User Charge. He said the way he is understanding
it after talking to a couple members of the Governing
Body it's basically to be a review of all the prior year cost
allocations made against the Sewer User Fees., looking
at whether the allocations were proper and to see if they
are all inclusive. He said they already cited at a couple of
the Budget Meetings a couple of things they would like to
look into with respect to insurance charges allocated right
now for Liability and Vehicle Insurance on the vehicles
used by the Sewer Department and also Utility Charges
for any of the Buildings regarding employees handling
sewer type related activities and then look at the
allocations that they have done in the past. Once you
1
MARŒ 13, 1997
AGaIDA HEEITNG
Mm:ch 13, 1997
PRESENI'
STATIMENf OF
HEEITNG OOITCE
ro AJ)I)RE)S 00ffi00N(
BOOY
Gary Higgins
HARŒ 13, 1997
Gary Higgins
Cant:
Counci1member
Fazekas noted
present
establish the revenue in the 1997 Budget being brought
in from the Capital Fund and then to establish the
reduction that was made in the amount coming over from
1996 because we used a lower amount in the Capital
section of the budget then actually was calculated based
on what the costs were not allocated into the charges last
year.
Mayor Sica asked if they could take credits back.
Gary said if it is a correction of money that was put over to
the Capital Fund that shouldn't have been. It is an audit
adjustment and he thinks it is applicable.
Mayor Sica said they took $190,000.00 this year as a
revenue.
Gary said we can't support that just based on 1996, if it goes
back five (5) or six (6) years he don't see problem including
the money because it doesn't belong over in the Capital
Fund.
Mayor Sica said the problem now is where do we get that
$190,000.00 next year.
Gary said that could be a one (I) shot revenue.
Mayor Sica said that is smoke screen accounting.
Gary said this is an adjustment of the prior year just not
providing for sufficent allocations to the Sewer User Charge,
so if that is the case there is too much money in the General
Capital Fund, $190,000,00 and we are basically looking to
move it back.
At approximately 7:05 p.m., Council member Fazekas was
noted present.
Mayor Sica asked why couldn't we just take that
$190,000.00 as a one time item and reduce the outstanding
Bond balance on that sewer project with sewer money. Why
take that money and put it into the budget to pay cop's
salaries.
Gary said it may not belong in General Capital Fund, it
should have been put as Surplus.
Mayor Sica said it is irrelevant, it is still money that is
generated through the Sewer User Fee.
Gary said it should have been off set by possibly Utility and
Insurance costs, but we don't know, that is what we are
trying to establish.
Mayor Sica asked for $6000.00. He commented if the
Council wanted to throw that away on Smoke Screen
Bookkeeping to go ahead.
Council member Failace asked Gary what our benefit is this
year.
Gary said the benefit is $190,000.00 of revenue this year
because it should have gone in surplus, but the allocations
weren't made. It should be in General Surplus.
Mayor Sica said it is still money that is generated by the
Sewer User Fee, and he thinks if we could go back ten (10)
years that money should have been used to reduce the
outstanding balances on the bonds other then taking it and
putting it into the General Fund to pay salaries.
Gary said taxpayers have paid insurance premiums that
were relating the Sewer User Charge and they shouldn't
have. So this is recouping the premium that was allocated
through the taxpayers to have (inaudible) taxation, that they
shouldn't have paid. The Sewer User should have picked it
up.
Mayor Sica told them they are automatically starting out last
year with $190,000.00 deficit.
Gary said he is talking about two (2) more tax points this
year and it may be rightfully the taxpayers money to reduce
taxation.
The Council decided to put a Professional Service
Resolution on for Gary Higgins for $6000.00.
3
MARŒ 13, 1997
Gary Higgins Cant:
MARQI 13, 1997
Borough Engineer
Jose¡it P. Schiappa,
Esq.
MINUl'ES FOR
APPROV AI..
PUBliC HEARING
PROCLAMATI(JIT
BIDS
ORDINANŒ5
~(JITS
b) Borough Engineer - Parmar gave a report on sewer lines
and separations. He said an official proposal has been
received to remove the oil tank from the Recreation
Center. He is signing it and sending it back. He said they
can select the tiles, floors and countertops and the Mayor
said he would stop in and look at the selections. He said
one thousand four hundred dollars was not in the scope
of this contract for the floor. He said the drawings were
approved.
c) Joseph P. Schiappa Esq. - He was not present.
January 16 & 30, 1997.
1997 Local Municipal Budget.
Carteret Disabled Awareness Day.
Improvements to Leffert Street.
First Reading:
#97-8 Capital Improvement Ordinance Appropriating
$40,000.00 for Repair to the Cherry Picker & Building
Repairs, 20 Cooke Avenue.
Public Hearing;
#97-7 Amending Code, Chapter 207 - Re: Sewers.
RESOLUTIONS:
Amendment to Temporary Budget.
Authorizing RCA Agreement, Re: East Amwell Twp. - Mayor
Sica said they have anywhere from five (5) to twenty (20)
units that they are willing to give us for $20,000.00 each.
4
This is the first step. The Mayor and Council member Failace
discussed low and moderate income housing.
Council member Gutowski asked the Mayor what sort of
direction or clarification was Pat Holden looking for in this
letter from the State, when she is saying that some of these
projects appear to be overfunded.
Mayor Sica asked if they were talking about 59 Roosevelt
Avenue.
Councilmember Failace said he thought it was.
Mayor Sica said that is the State's problem, if the State is
giving them any money. We are not giving them any money.
Councilmember Gutowski said she is saying if we fund them
the $220,000.00 for one (I) project, then it appears we are
overfunded so she is asking them for some sort of
clarification.
Mayor Sica said he did not know where Pat Holden was
getting the numbers from. He said the best thing to do is to
call her in and ask her. He then asked the Council if they
wanted to look at this RCA Agreement with Amwell provided
we can work out the terms and conditions. He feels it is like
looking a gift horse in the mouth.
Attorney Coughlin said he had a conversation with the
Council for Mr. Raia, and ours was in the nature of the
assignment of our funds to him, but not a loan.
Directing the Issuance of Various Raffle Licenses.
Directing the Issuance of Various Amusement Game
Distributor's Licenses.
ABC Transfer from Maureen Bruss to Enrique Giordano.
(B&B Lounge) - Attorney Coughlin said to check this one
because on the application the Source of Funds is blank.
5
MARQl13, 1997
RÐ>OLUT!(JITS Cant:
HARŒ 13, 1997
R&<;OllJl'I(JITS Cant:
APPLlCATI(JITS
aHtUNICATI(JITS
REl'ORl'S
MA'ITffiS FOR
DIsaJSSI(JIT
G. Lavan
NJOOP
John Spoganetz, Esq.
Carteret Library
Board
Joseph Schiappa
Approving Renewal of ABC License for 1996/1997, Re:
Francis Melnizek (Sail Inn)
Approving ABC Transfer from Francis Melnizek to Enrique
Giordano.
ABC Transfer from Enrique Giordano to Nikk Inc.
Twp. Of Manchester - Urging legislation supporting state
reimbursement for totally disabled veteran property tax
exemption.
Board of Health - February 1997.
Inspection of Buildings - February 1997.
Treasurer - February 1997.
MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION:
G. Lavan - Requesting a hearing, Re: Grievances. Mayor
Sica said to set it up with AFSCME.
NJDOP - Asking if Borough requires a CDL License for
Mechanics position. Mayor Sica said of course.
John Spoganetz, Esq. - Road condition at Columbus School
corner. Mayor Sica said they will have Parmar look at it.
CARTERET LIBRARY BOARD - Resignation of Michele
Haloz, term to expire 12/31/98.
Joseph Schiappa ~ Requesting Professional Service
Resolution, not to exceed $3500.00 for 1997 Tax Appeals.
Council member Failace said he would like to put another
lawyer's name in there. He mentioned Catherine Aldrich for
the same amount.
6
Councilman Gutowski-
a) Recreation Building - Mayor Sica said to call in the three
(3) different groups that will be using it for a meeting for
maintaining the building.
b) Jitney Bus - Council member Gutowski suggested buying
some kind of a town bus for transportation.
Mayor Sica said the cost would be about $100,000.00. He
said they will look into it. He will get a cost breakdown in
insurance. He said they also have to pay the driver twelve
(12) or thirteen (13) dollars an hour.
c) Council member Gutowski said he has one Personnel
Matter for Closed Session.
Ron Simon - OEM Coordinator term expires 3/24/97. Need
resolution to re-appoint. Mayor Sica said he wanted to re-
appoint Mr. Simon.
NJ League of Municipalities - Requesting resolutions from
municipalities to participate with them as a named party in
litigation challenging the validity of Site Improvement
Standards. Attorney Coughlin said he would take a look at
it.
Judge Kaplan - Requesting clarification of accrued time.
This will be discussed in a Closed Session.
Construction Official - a) Requesting ordinance to permit
exemption of certain Organizations from application &
Inspection fees to an amount established by Construction
Official. Mayor Sica said this was for the Churches. This
was put on for the meeting.
b) Requesting Change Order for Sport's Recreation Facility.
d) Tank Removal we did.
e) Requesting Part time Electrical Subcode Official. Mayor
Sica said Ralph wants to move Karen Fadem up there for
three (3) hours. Councilmember Failace said he had a
couple of questions on this so they would discuss it in
Closed Session.
7
MARQl13, 1997
Councilman Gutowski
Recreation Building
Jitney Bus
Personnel Matter
Ron SiIoon
NJ League of
tbnicipalities
Judge Kaplan
Construction
Official
HARm 13, 1997
Construction
Official Cont:
Carteret Health
Department
Cœmmity
Deve10pnent
Carteret Vohmteer
Fire Department
Borough of
Sayreville
BUSINESS ro BE
ADDED
Cœmmity Center
f) Requesting Part-time Electrical Subcode Official. Mayor
Sica he is asking him for this man he has on part time for
$350.00 a week would take the place of Fire Subcode
Official and Electrical Official and he feels he could save
money doing it this way. He said this should also be
discussed in Closed Session.
Carteret Health Department - a)Salary Ordinance - The
Clerk said they never approved this. Mayor Sica said
they still have to look at it so to hold it.
b) VNA Account - Need $770.00 additional in 1997 Budget.
This was okayed.
c) Requesting Mayor execute 1997 VNA Agreement. This
was okayed.
Community Development - Requesting partial waiver of fees
for furnace installation in mobile homes. Mayor Sica said we
cannot cut the fee because we are giving them the money.
Carteret Volunteer Fire Department - Asking for unused old
copy machine in Borough Hall. Mayor Sica said that we are
just signing it over to them, they cannot keep it.
Borough of Sayreville - Asking for support to stop proposed
dumping of dredge spoils in Sayreville and County of
Middlesex. Mayor Sica said he doesn't see why we should
get involved in that.
BUSINESS TO BE ADDED:
Councilmember Gutowski asked what the policy is on the
rental of the Community Center.
Mayor Sica said we don't charge anyone to rent it. They just
have to clean it up.
Council member Gutowski asked if it could be used for
anything, like weddings, etc.
Mayor Sica said yes.
8
Councilmember Gutowski asked if they had to post any kind
of money in case of cleanup or damages.
Mayor Sica said if they don't clean up they won't get it again.
Council member Gutowski said the Little League handed him
a list of equipment they are requesting and he is not familiar
with how it is handled. He asked what the policy is on
purchasing equipment.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., Council member Feingold was
noted absent.
Mayor Sica said the Borough has to purchase the
equipment.
Attorney Coughlin said we have to be under State Contract.
Councilmember Fazekas said they had a meeting today to
go over networking the Borough. He said we might be
purchasing some servers and commented that Patrick De
Blasio has some software to look at and a Financial
Package. Probably next month they will be getting all the
Department Heads together and we have to go over the
whole network and explain it to them.
Council member Failace asked who dug up Jackson Avenue
because they did a horrible job, it is all caved in.
Mayor Sica said the Gas Company did it. He told Teddy that
when they do a street and it sinks in he has to send them a
letter until they come in and fix it, or we will fix it and charge
them for it. They have to restore it to the position it was.
Councilmember Failace asked the Mayor if he saw the letter
from the County on how much it is going to cost the Borough
to fix the turn on Washington Avenue.
9
MARQl13, 1997
Cœmmity Center
Cont:
Little League
Counci1member
Feingold noted absen1
Borough Networking
Jackson Avenue
Washington Avenue
MARQI 13, 1997
Washington Ave.
Cont:
~(JIT #97-101
Resolution to go
Into Closed Session
Adopted
CLŒID SESSI(JIT
HEEITNG 0PmID
Mayor Sica questioned what was wrong with the turn.
Council member Failace said he agreed on seeing nothing
wrong with it.
Mayor Sica said to forget about it because we don't want it
and Councilmember Failace agreed.
Attorney Coughlin said he would send the County the letter
telling them they don't want it done.
RESOLUTION #97-101 was introduced by the Mayor and
referred to the Council for action.
Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Failace and Fazekas
RESOLUTION #97-101
"RESOLUTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION"
was adopted. Upon individual roll call vote, Councilmembers
Bialowarczuk, Fail ace , Fazekas and Gutowski voted in the
affirmative. Councilmembers DuPont and Feingold were
noted absent.
At approximately 7:55 p.m., a Closed Session was held.
Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Failace and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) Councilmembers
present this meeting was opened at approximately 8:50 p.m.
10
Upon MMS&C by Councilmembers Failace and Fazekas and
unanimous affirmative vote of the four (4) Council members
present, after no further discussion, this meeting was
adjourned at approximately 8:51 p.m.
'¿ý
V
KMB/lr
II
MARQl13, 1997
ADJOORNID
-------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------
-------------
--------------------------
---------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
,