MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE
BOROUGH OF SADDLE RIVER
June 19, 2017
PRESENT: Mayor Kurpis, Council President Jensen, Council Members: Acaster, Gray, Salazer
Schulstad, Yates, Borough Administrator Giaimis, Planning Board Secretary Burgio,
Borough Attorney Huntington
ABSENT: Borough Clerk Convertini
PRESIDING: Mayor Kurpis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.; Planning Board Secretary Burgio read the following statement:
PUBLIC NOTICE: "Notice of this meeting in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231 of the laws of 1975, has been given by posting a notice of the scheduled dates of all regular meetings of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Saddle River on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building and in the office of the Borough Clerk and by emailing notice thereof to the Herald News and The Record on December 21, 2016." Also on the official Borough website and E-notify.
NOTIFICATION OF FIRE EXITS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AWARDS AND CEREMONIES: There were none.
AGENDA
MAYOR KURPIS:
Municipal Audit: Mayor Kurpis stated that the 2016 Audit is available for review at the Borough Hall. He further stated that the Borough is fiscally sound, with expenditures being reduced from 2015. He commended the Council for making sound fiscal decisions.
ADMINISTRATOR
Borough Website Administrator: Administrator Giaimis stated that he has completed the necessary training to be the Administrator for the new Borough website.
Saddle River Fire Department Radios: Administrator Giaimis stated that the Fire Department will be purchasing radios and discussed this in detail.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: No one wished to be heard.
ENGINEERING REPORT: Administrator Giaimis stated that he would address this matter later in the meeting.
BOROUGH ATTORNEY:
MUNICIPAL CLERK:
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE(S): There are none.
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE(S): There are none.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
Resolution #144-17 Offered by Council Member Salazer
Seconded by Council President Jensen
Roll Call Vote: AYES, Unanimous
RESOLUTIONS
All matters listed hereunder are considered routine in nature and will be enacted in one motion. Any Council Member may request that an item be removed for separate consideration. Considering approval of minutes, a yes vote will indicate a vote in favor of approval of the minutes of each meeting at which the Council Member was present and an abstention with respect to the minutes of meetings at which such Council Member was not present.
Resolution Offered by Council President Jensen
Seconded by Council Member Gray
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: No one wished to be heard.
A. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting: May 15, 2017
Executive Session: May 15, 2017
Special Meeting: May 22, 2017
Executive Session May 22, 2017
B. Resolutions:
R# 145-17 Soil Movement 14 Bayberry Drive Blk. 1402 Lot 46.01
R# 146-17 Soil Movement 12 River Farm Lane Blk. 1801 Lot 7.Q
R# 147-17 Auth. participation in the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund 2017
R# 148-17 Designating Acting Municipal Court Administrator with Midland Park, NJ
R# 149-17 Annual Report of Audit
R# 150-17 Marrone Soil Movement Authorization
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Marilyn Goldfischer, 124 West Saddle River Road asked about the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant. Borough Engineer Martin Spence explained that this grant would provide funds to improve
areas in Rindlaub Park. The extension of a trail along the east side of the Saddle River and additional drainage and a culvert are items to be included in the application. Ms. Goldfischer asked about some fallen trees in the subject area and this was discussed in detail at this time.
Council Member Schulstad asked that the resolution Supporting the Renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) be removed for separate consideration. Additionally, he asked for clarification on the letter regarding the Marrone Soil Movement Authorization; Council President Jensen addressed this in detail at this time. He explained that this resolution acts as the memorializing resolution as the Planning Board will not meet in July, when this action would typically take place. Mayor Kurpis reiterated that this action will enable the resident to commence work during the summer.
Resolution Supporting the Renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Resolution #151-17 Offered by Council President Jensen
Seconded by Council Member Gray
Council Member Schulstad stated that he feels that the Federal government should not have entered into such a program but he will support the resolution. Mayor Kurpis stated that there has been significant flooding in Saddle River and he is in support of this program.
Roll Call Vote: AYES, Unanimous
COMMITTEE & COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Board of Health: Council Member Salazer gave the report for June 2017.
Landmarks Committee: Council Member Salazer gave the report for May 2017.
Bishop House Committee: Council Member Salazer gave the report for June 2017.
Equestrian Committee: There was no report at this time.
Finance Committee: Council Member Salazer gave the report for June 2017.
Special Events Committee: Council Member Salazer gave the report for May & June 2017.
Public Relations Committee: There was no report at this time.
COAH: Council President Jensen gave the report for May and June 2017.
Planning Board: Council President Jensen gave the report for June 2017.
Fire Department: Council President Jensen gave the report for May and June 2017.
Saddle River Museum Committee: Council Member Acaster gave the report for May 2017.
Const. & Zoning Enforcement: Council Member Acaster gave the report for May 2017.
Public Works: Council Member Acaster gave the report for May 2017.
Police Department: Council Member Acaster gave the report for May 2017.
Zoning Board: Council Member Gray gave the report for May 2017.
Board of Education: Council Member Gray gave the report for May 2017.
Beautification Committee: Council Member Gray gave the report for May 2017.
EMS: Council Member Gray gave the report for May 2017.
Environmental Commission: Council Member Yates gave the report for May 2017.
Recycling & Green Team Committee: Council Member Yates stated that this committee has been combined with the Environmental Committee and gave the report for May 2017.
Wildlife Management Committee: Council Member Yates stated that this committee has been disbanded.
Ordinance Review Committee: Council Member Schulstad gave the report for June 2017.
Parks and Recreation: There was no report at this time.
Information Transparency Committee: Council Member Schulstad gave the report for May 2017.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Marilyn Goldfischer, 224 West Saddle River Road asked about the seasonal worker for the DPW and Administrator Giaimis addressed this. Additionally, she asked about cameras in Rindlaub Park as well as the “No Littering” signs.
Dr. Dean Cerf, Lookout Drive, Chairman of the Non-Lethal Deer Management Program, addressed the proposed plan and asked about both lethal and non-lethal recommendations. Council Member Yates discussed this matter in detail. Dr. Cerf reiterated that the non-lethal program will only be viable if there is no corresponding lethal program, as funds will be pulled from private investors. The State requires an endorsement from the Mayor and Council in order to make an application for a non-lethal plan. Mayor Kurpis asked if an endorsement could be presented in order to move the process forward and this was discussed in detail. It was determined that Borough Attorney Huntington would draft a resolution providing the endorsement of the Mayor and Council to approve the plan submitted by the Non-Lethal Deer Population Control Committee.
Council Member Schulstad asked about the report and asked about specific components included. He also inquired about adopting an ordinance granting permission to deer management personnel access to private property. Dr. Cerf stated that 50% of the residents must grant permission to access their property for both a lethal or non-lethal program. He further stated that he did not feel that this would be an issue in Saddle River, as many residents feel that this is an important matter. Council Member Schulstad stated that he feels that the non-lethal process seems extremely complicated and questioned the viability of implementing a sterilization program that will impact 95% of the deer population. Mayor Kurpis reiterated that, in light of the referendum, the Council is obligated to make a decision and take action.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION FOR CLOSED SESSION
At this time, a resolution was read to go into Closed Session.
Resolution #152-17 Offered by Council President Jensen
Second by Council Member Schulstad
Roll Call Vote: AYES: Unanimous
At this time, the Mayor and Council returned to the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council.
ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn was made and seconded.
Respectfully submitted,
Joy C. Convertini
Municipal Clerk
5
MINUTES: MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 19, 2017