|
-25 -
MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY February 19, 2008
The Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, met in the Conference Room in the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue, for a pre-meeting conference at 7:08P.M.
Present: Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang, and Tobin.
Absent: Mayor Remsen and Councilor Mattox and Schlager.
STATEMENT OF SUNSHINE NOTICE
Councilor Mattox joined the meeting.
* * *
On motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the minutes of December 18 and 31, 2007 were approved by unanimous vote.
* * *
SUPPLEMENTAL DEBT STATEMENT
Deputy Municipal Clerk Evelyn Ostella stated: “Deputy Mayor and Council, I wish to report that the Director of Finance has this day filed with me a Supplemental Debt Statement duly verified by his oath showing the percentage the net debt of the Township bears to the average assessed valuation for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 to be 1.152%.
* * *
On motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the following resolution was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier and Lang. “Nay” Councilors Mattox and Tobin.
WHEREAS, the governing body of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, State of New Jersey desires to constitute the 2008 Temporary Capital Budget of said municipality by inserting therein various capital projects;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, as follows:
Section 1. The 2008 Temporary Capital Budget of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, is hereby constituted by the adoption of a schedule to read as follows:
WHEREAS |
Since 1995, Montclair State University and its Center for Community-Based learning have collaborated with the Montclair Board of Education and various community and faith-based organizations to provide a high quality after- school educational enrichment program for elementary school children; and |
WHEREAS |
the program, entitled STARS, works to improve academic performance of students in grades 1 – 5 through math and literacy tutoring, mentoring, and homework support provided by Montclair State University Service-Learning and America Reads work study students. The Center for Community-Based learning has provided more than 1000 student tutors for literacy enrichment since the program’s inception serving two to four hours per week providing academic support to approximately 125 students per year. This partnership has provided an opportunity to lower the student-teacher ratio and provide more individual attention; and |
WHEREAS |
the Service Learning students have helped struggling readers by providing rich literacy opportunities to students enrolled in the STARS program. The Center for Community-Based Learning has provided free books to each student in the program to enrich their personal libraries through their partnership with First Book, a national non-profit that provides free and discounted books to programs that help improve literacy and increases the motivation to read. The Center for Community-Based Learning also provides tutors for the Mathematics component that was added to the STARS program in 2003 and has helped struggling students understand math concepts through math enrichment activities; and
|
WHEREAS |
this community effort which is held at each of the elementary schools as well as four neighborhood community sites - Trinity Presbyterian Church, St. Peter Claver, St. Mark’s Methodist Church and St. Paul Baptist Church - has contributed to a significant improvement in the performance of Montclair students in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics on New Jersey State tests; now therefore
|
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, commend the Montclair Board of Education and Montclair State University and its Center for Community-Based Learning on the success of the STARS Program and wish them continued success in the future. |
| |
Section 2. The Township Clerk be and is authorized and directed to file a certified copy of this resolution with the Division of Local Government Services, Department of Community Affairs, State of New Jersey, within three days after the adoption of these projects for the 2008 Temporary Capital Budget, to be included in the 2008 Permanent Capital Budget as adopted.
* * *
- 26 -
On motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the following resolution was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang and Tobin. “Nay” Councilor Mattox.
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-19, The Local Budget Law, provides that when contracts, commitments or payments are to be made prior to the final adoption of the 2008 Budget, temporary appropriations are to be made for the purposes and amounts required in the manner and time therein provided; and
WHEREAS, temporary appropriations for the 2008 Budget were previously approved on December 31, 2007, and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the following appropriation be included in the 2008 Temporary Budget:
| |
CURRENT FUND APPROPRIATIONS
Excluded from "CAPS"
Capital Improvement Fund |
$111,000.00 |
and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined that this additional appropriation does not increase the total appropriations approved in excess of the maximum calculated amount permitted.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, that the additional appropriation above be added to the 2008 Temporary Budget effective as of January 1, 2008 and that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for his records.
* * *
On motion made by Councilor Freier and duly seconded, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote:
WHEREAS |
Since 1995, Montclair State University and its Center for Community-Based learning have collaborated with the Montclair Board of Education and various community and faith-based organizations to provide a high quality after- school educational enrichment program for elementary school children; and |
WHEREAS |
the program, entitled STARS, works to improve academic performance of students in grades 1 – 5 through math and literacy tutoring, mentoring, and homework support provided by Montclair State University Service-Learning and America Reads work study students. The Center for Community-Based learning has provided more than 1000 student tutors for literacy enrichment since the program’s inception serving two to four hours per week providing academic support to approximately 125 students per year. This partnership has provided an opportunity to lower the student-teacher ratio and provide more individual attention; and |
WHEREAS |
the Service Learning students have helped struggling readers by providing rich literacy opportunities to students enrolled in the STARS program. The Center for Community-Based Learning has provided free books to each student in the program to enrich their personal libraries through their partnership with First Book, a national non-profit that provides free and discounted books to programs that help improve literacy and increases the motivation to read. The Center for Community-Based Learning also provides tutors for the Mathematics component that was added to the STARS program in 2003 and has helped struggling students understand math concepts through math enrichment activities; and
|
WHEREAS |
this community effort which is held at each of the elementary schools as well as four neighborhood community sites - Trinity Presbyterian Church, St. Peter Claver, St. Mark’s Methodist Church and St. Paul Baptist Church - has contributed to a significant improvement in the performance of Montclair students in Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics on New Jersey State tests; now therefore
|
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, commend the Montclair Board of Education and Montclair State University and its Center for Community-Based Learning on the success of the STARS Program and wish them continued success in the future. |
| |
- 27 -
Deputy Mayor Michaelson introduced the following ordinance and made a motion which was duly seconded, that it pass first reading and be further considered for final passage at a regular meeting of the Township Council to be held on March 11, 2008.
“BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR, IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $2,260,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,147,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF.” (08-10).
The motion was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang and Tobin. “Nay” Councilor Mattox.
* * *
Deputy Mayor Michaelson introduced the following ordinance and made a motion which was duly seconded, that it pass first reading and be further considered for final passage at a regular meeting of the Township Council to be held on
“BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS SEWER UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR, IN THE COUNTY OF ESSEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF $600,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $600,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF.” (08-11).
The motion was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang and Tobin. “Nay” Councilor Mattox.
* * *
Deputy Mayor Michaelson introduced the following ordinance and made a motion which was duly seconded, that it pass first reading and be further considered for final passage at a regular meeting of the Township Council to be held on March 11, 2008.
“ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ELM/NEW & MISSION AREA REDEVELOPMENT PLAN PURSUANT TO THE NEW JERSEY LOCAL REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING LAW” (08-12).
The motion was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang and Tobin. “Nay” Councilor Mattox.
* * *
Township Manager Hartnett reviewed the resolutions and ordinances to explain the projects mentioned in these resolutions and ordinances. Councilor Tobin questioned the bonding of some projects mentioned in the ordinances versus placing them in the capital budget.
* * *
Township Manager Hartnett explained that on January 15th he gave the Council his recommended budget for 2008, which was last year’s budget. He hoped to introduce the 2008 budget on March 18th and adopt at the first meeting in April.
* * *
PLEASANT WAY – GREEN ACRES DISCUSSION:
Township Attorney Alan Trembulak reported that a neighbor of Block 3904, Lot 29 on Pleasant Way had questions regarding this property and the procedure to apply for Green Acres funding. The Council instructed Mr. Trembulak to inform her that she should be contacting her own attorney for further instruction.
A general discussion ensued regarding properties not being maintained.
* * *
Councilor Mattox explained that it is his understanding that the Council is discussing various subjects during Executive Sessions when he is not present. The Council explained this practice has never been done intentionally; although, it does sometimes happen that various discussions branch out when discussing another subject.
* * *
-28-
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Cary Africk, 2 Erwin Park, asked how the newly introduced Elm/New & Mission Area Redevelopment Plan ordinance is different from the original Redevelopment Plan for that area.
Township Attorney Alan Trembulak explained the revisions.
Mr. Africk also asked that the Board of Education budget and budget timetable be posted on the website.
* * *
At 8:15 P.M., on motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote:
WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, as follows:
1. The public shall be excluded from discussion of and action upon the hereinafter specified subject matters.
2. The general nature of the subject matters to be discussed are as follows: Advice of Counsel.
3. We do not anticipate that the matters discussed will be made public.
4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
At 8:50 P.M., on motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the Executive Session
was adjourned by unanimous vote.
* * *
At 8:51 P.M., on motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded, the Conference
Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.
_____________________________________________
JOYCE R. MICHAELSONDEPUTY MAYOR
ATTEST:
______________________________________________
EVELYN A. OSTELLA DEPUTY MUNICIPAL CLERK
|
