BOT Meeting re-cap 3-11-13

The following is a brief unofficial recap of many items that occurred or were discussed at the March 11, 2013 BOT Meeting.  Official minutes will be posted online at www.southorange.org when they are available or the video can be viewed on-demand at southorange.org/videoViewer.asp

Note: I was away on business for the meeting, but wrote this re-cap from watching the meeting video.  

Presentations

Beth Daugherty, Bd of Ed President, shared an update on the School Budget.  Tax increase for the School portion of our taxes is proposed at 2.93%.  A public hearing and final action on the Budget will be taken by the Board of Education on March 21.

Ordinances on Second Reading

Ordinance 2013-03 -  Amending the Village Code to allow for special assessments for costs incurred by the Joint Meeting (passed 5-0)

Ordinance 2013-04 - Authorizing a Special Assessment of $25 be added to the $260 sewer charge (passed 5-0)

Resolutions

4 resolutions on consent agenda, passed 5-0

Reports

• Shinell Smith has started as new Deputy Clerk
• Deputy Village Administrator search is underway
• The Gateway (former Beifus site) is targeting a groundbreaking for later this month.
• Capital Ordinance should be listed on next BOT Meeting agenda
• Village Hall renovation - Construction Manager will provide update on March 27; June is the target for vacating Village Hall.
• 3rd/Valley - Financial Agreement being finalized; Jonathan Rose may be filing to appear before Planning Board within next month or two, with a target to break ground in November.
• Passaic River Litigation - addressed earlier this evening with a settlement resolution
• Next G  (small antenna that company wants to put on utility poles) - Discovery is continuing
• Lauryn Hill litigation - Village has filed for default and a motion for judgement; Landlord need not respond if they take action to evict Ms. Hill; papers have been filed for eviction by Landlord.
• East Orange Water - case continues before Special Master; working on temporary engineered solution while working on a longer term engineered solution (air stripper);  On March 19 at 7:30pm - DEP will appear for town meeting to answer any questions residents have about water quality.

Finance & IT

• Met last Tuesday to discuss Capital Budget -  looking at projects to improve DPW yard, 2nd Street Parking Lot, Baird roof/entrance, Skatehouse, Duck Pond.
• Released RFP for natural gas purchase
• Looking at laptops for the Board of Trustees that could be provided by Seton Hall

Legal & Personnel

• Met on February 25
• Received 80 resumes for Deputy Administrator position and narrowed it to 5 people for interviews that will be held this week.

Planning & Zoning

• Meeting on March 20
• Met with South Orange Village Center Alliance to review Ordinances that businesses have had concerns about

Public Safety

• Met on February 19; update to be given at next meeting

Public Works

• Meeting on March 27
• Reviewed ICMA report and was surprised at the minor issues that were noted, but will revisit at next meeting

Recreation

• Meeting on March 28

For any questions or comments, please post below or email me at mgoldberg@southorange.org