Borough of Jamesburg

BOROUGH OF JAMESBURG

GOVERNING BODY MEETING

MINUTES

MARCH 16, 2016

7:00 PM

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CALL TO ORDER: This meeting is being held pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act of 1974 and all provisions of that Act have been met. Any contracts awarded require the contractor to comply with N.J.S.A.10:5-31 et.seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27. Also, in the event of a fire and pursuant to the N.J. Uniform Fire Code, members of the audience are requested to take notice of the exits at the front and rear of the Council Chambers as well as in the main hallway.

FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor Lowande

ROLL CALL: Mayor Lowande

Council Member Busco -

Council Member Gibbons

Council Member Ludas

Council Member Rutsky -

Council Member Spillane

Council President Sussman - Absent

Administrator Jawidzik

Borough Attorney – Raffetto - Absent

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – ANY ITEM - EXCLUDES ORDINANCES (they have their own public hearing): Members of the public wishing to address the Mayor and Borough Council must approach the podium and state their name and address for the record. There is a five (5) minute time limit for all comments and questions.

Motion Open to Public Comment:

Proposed By: Ludas

Seconded By: Rutsky

Motion to Close to Public Comment:

Proposed By: Ludas

Seconded By: Busco

INTRODUCTION OF 2016 LOCAL MUNICIPAL BUDGET:

Administrator Denise Jawidzik Read the Municiapl Budget Notice explaining that the Budget will be advertised in the Cranbury Press on March 25, 2016. The public hearing will be April 20, 2016.

COUNCIL MEMBER / MOTION TO INTRODUCE 2016 BUDGET / 2nd / AYES / NAYS / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Council Member Busco / X
Council Member Gibbons / X
Council Member Ludas / X / X
Council Member Rutsky / X
Council Member Spillane / X / X
Council President Sussman / X
Mayor Lowande

CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTIONS:

RESOLUTION #061-03-16-16**

APPROVE PAYMENT OF VOUCHERS

WHEREAS, The Chief Financial Officer has certified and submitted a consolidated bill list for the payment of claims; and

WHEREAS, all vouchers listed herewith have been encumbered and sufficient funds are available for payment; and

WHEREAS, the required signatures of the Department Head or the Committee Chair, the Finance Chairperson, the Vendor, and the Chief Financial Officer, have all been obtained on each voucher on the attached list.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Jamesburg, that the voucher list submitted is hereby approved for payment in the total amount of $660,068.53.

COUNCIL MEMBER / MOTION / 2nd / AYES / NAYS / ABSTAIN / ABSENT
Council Member Busco / X
Council Member Gibbons / X
Council Member Ludas / X / X
Council Member Rutsky / X / X
Council Member Spillane / X
Council President Sussman / X
Mayor Lowande

RESOLUTION #062-03-16-16**

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING MINUTES

BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE FOLLOWING MINUTES BE AND ARE HEREBY ACCEPTED AND FILED:

MAYOR AND COUNCIL

February 17, 2016

RESOLUTION #063-03-16-16**

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX AND THE BOROUGH OF JAMESBURG FOR THE PROVISION OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RECOVERY COST SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND BOROUGH CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT.

WHEREAS, THE INTERLOCAL SERVICES ACT, N.J.S.A. 40:8A-1 et seq. PERMITS MUNICIPALITIES OF STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH OTHER MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE JOINT PROVISION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES; AND

WHEREAS, THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF JAMESBURG HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE BOROUGH TO ENTER INTO AN INTERLOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX FOR SERVICES RELATING TO HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RECOVERY COSTS; AND

WHEREAS, THE AFOREMENTIONED SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED, AS STATED IN DETAIL IN THE AGREEMENT ATTACHED HERETO, AT NO COST.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF JAMESBURG AS FOLLOWS:

1. THE BOROUGH OF JAMESBURG DOES HEREBY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES RELATING TO HAZARDOUS MATERIAL RECOVERY COSTS.

2. THE MAYOR AND BOROUGH CLERK ARE HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT WITH MIDDLESEX COUNTY, ATTACHED HERETO.

3. THAT THE BOROUGH CLERK BE AND IS HEREBY DIRECTED TO FORWARD A DULY AUTHENTICATED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

COUNCILMATIC COMMITTEE REPORTS:

· FINANCE COMMITTEE

Council Member Rutsky

Council Member Rutsky reported that the presentation of the budget will be our financial report. The next Library meeting will be Monday, March 21st. Council Member Rutsky reported on the Spud Dobenski Memorial Scholarship Dinner. This year 4 students from GMB Middle School were honored. They were Brandon Eidlen, Grace Holmes, Christine Strych and Brian Pechko. We are also pleased to say we also had 5 High School Seniors who are also Jamesburg residents. They were: Alexius Reynolds, Ernestina Rojas, Alejandra Menendez, Abigayle Cicoria and Gregory Ludwig. We are all very proud of these young men and women. The trustees would all like to extend great thanks to those Councilmembers who were able to attend the scholarship dinner and give generously to the students of Jamesburg.

· EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Council Member Busco reported Budget discussions were held. The main operating fund is increasing and the tuition costs to Monroe are also increasing. There is a slight decrease in Special Ed. Services this year. Budget discussions to continue through March. There are going to be major building repairs within the next year for both JFK and GMB Schools. The Sisters in Crime Mystery Writers group presented a $100.00 literacy donation to the GMB students for their work in setting up the “GMB Cyber Café” library.

· POLICE COMMITTEE

Council Member Gibbons reported police activity is standard. The body cameras are in the final stages. There will be a presentation early next month. We are one of the 1st in the county to get the body cameras. New signs have come in and will be getting put up.

· PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Council Member Ludas reported we are currently interviewing to replace Kelly Taylor. Kelly will be missed and thank you for your years of service. Mayor Lowande also added that Kelly will be missed. We wish Sandy Sussman well. He has been sick.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Council President Sussman was absent.

PUBLIC EVENTS COMMITTEE

Council Member Spillane

Council Member Spillane reported Spring Clean up will be Saturday, May 21st from 10:00am-1:00pm. The Garden Club’s next meeting will be Saturday, March 19th at 2:00pm. Garden Club will be planting flowers May 22nd. Veteran’s Park, Planters, Library, Borough Hall, First Aid , and the Senior Center will all be getting flowers planted. Next garden Club meeting will be April 16th @ 2:00pm. We will be taking a field trip to Sydam Farms on May 14th. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 26th @ 11:00 am in Veteran’s Park. The Elks is inviting people back after for a light lunch and pictures with the Easter Bunny. The food trucks will be back. We are doing 1 night in July and 1 night in August.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Denise Jawidzik

Administrator Jawidzik reported we are currently interviewing. If we hire someone there will be a special meeting held either March 23rd or March 30th. She did add to what Council Member Spillane reported. She would like the front of Borough Hall cleaned up before the Memorial Day Parade. Miss Spillane should speak with the DPW about community service to help the Garden Club.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE/MAYOR’S REPORT/CONSOLIDATION COMMITTEE

Mayor Marlene Lowande

Mayor Lowande read aloud: Censure is a formal and public condemnation of an individual’s transgressions.

Mr. Gibbons, as an elected member of this council and therefore a public figure, we expect you to hold yourself to a higher standard of conduct – one that shows conscious awareness of your role as a representative of Jamesburg. This awareness should display dignity and integrity, showing you to be worthy of the elected position to which you hold. We hold all of our public figures to this statement.

Mr. Gibbons, you knowingly and admittedly in a public council meeting, violated the by-laws of the Jamesburg Public Library by holding political meetings at least twice. Whether permission was given or not to do so, were then admonished by the library itself in your improper use of the Library. The tax paying residents of Jamesburg deserve better. I would ask for a motion from this council for a formal resolution of censure on this matter.

Mr. Gibbon’s explained he had a campaign member with him who has health issues and needed to use the facilities in the Library. Therefore, he let him in then left him there while Mr. Gibbons left for a family emergency. Mr. Gibbon’s claims he had no misuse of the Library. He did not use it for his campaign headquarters. He used Dunkin Donuts for his campaign. He did admit he used the Library twice on Sunday nights after hours. Mr. Gibbons handed out to the Council Members 2 emails saying he had permission to use the Library. He then commented how Mrs. Rutsky brought this information to the Library Trustees. Mrs. Rutsky commented that she did not do that. Mr Gibbons continued by saying “If you are going to Censure me, then have the right terms.” Mayor Lowande did say the facts will be gone over and brought back to the next meeting. Council Member Ludas added that you are not allowed to leave anyone in the Library or leave it unlocked. Mr. Gibbon’s claimed he did lock the door when he left. He feels he did the right thing by allowing his friend to use the facilities. Mayor Lowande added:” Fact is you used a public building and left someone in it when there were other options.”

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Proposed By: Spillane

Seconded By: Ludas

All in favor.

TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7: 22PM

Susan Boulogne

Acting Municipal Clerk

Borough of Jamesburg

MINUTES – MARCH 16, 2016 Page 1 of 6