BOT Meeting re-cap 4-9-12

The following is a brief unofficial recap of many items that occurred or were discussed at the April 9, 2012 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 

Presentations

Seton Hall - Adam Loehner shared updates from Seton Hall for the month of April

Public Comments

• Clarence Jones - raised a concern about branches that have been piled on Irving Ave since November
• Nancy Gagnier - requested funding for the CCR
• Suki Shikiar - requested funding for the CCR
• Meredith Sue Willis - requested funding for the CCR
• Patricia Canning - requested funding for the CCR
• Perry Fine - requested funding for the CCR
• Alyssa Aronson - requested funding for the CCR
• Diane Malloy - requested funding for Youthnet
• Catherine Hester -  requested funding for Youthnet
• Jeff Dubowy - urged the Board to cease funding to the CCR

Ordinances for First Reading

Ordinance 2012-06 Vacant Storefront Ordinance, which provides options to utilize more attractive materials  for vacant storefronts as a stop-gap measure, until the newly formed SID can address in greater detail, passed 6-0

Ordinance 2012-07 Satellite Antenna Ordinance, which brings the regulation into compliance with law, passed  6-0 

Introduction of Budget

The Municipal Budget was initially predicted as a 13.3% increase.  The largest drivers of the budget challenges were: a reduction in surplus, a reduction in court fines, reduced revenue last year from sale of property and reduction in CDBG funding.  This was balanced by an increase in sewer fees, construction fees and a PILOT payment.  

This brought the net result as a 1.79% municipal tax increase for 2012.  After a lengthy discussion about the inclusion of funding for non-profit organizations, the introduced budget passed 5-1.  A Public Hearing on the "adoption" of the budget is scheduled for May 14. 

Editorial Comment: I commend Administrator Lewis for his tremendous work in bringing together a reasonable budget that initially looked quite grim.  In addition, he had a steep learning curve to un-wind and understand the way things have been done in the past, all in a compressed timeframe since he joined the Village.  However, I voted against the budget on principal that we had reached a conclusion on non-profit funding last Summer and was disappointed to see the funding re-introduced into the budget now.  That decision last Summer was based largely on the financial realities we all face and the acknowledgement that there are MANY organizations within the Village that provide a service, but are not funded by the Village. (CCR was given notice last July that as of January 1, 2012, the Village would only be providing in-kind office space, plus telephone and utilities, with no monetary funding.  Such communication was never provided to Youthnet, but last night they shared they have a path to self-sufficiency starting as early as next year ) 

Consent Agenda

5 Resolutions on Consent Agenda, including the requirement for using toters with the new single-stream recycling program that starts in July, passed 6-0 

Committee Reports 

Finance

• Awaiting Finance reports and cash management plan comments from the CFO 

Public Works

• May 6 is River Day (11am-4pm) 

Discussion

Harac Report - Board consensus was that the report on SOPAC prepared by Harac Consulting was a disgrace.  A sub-committee consisting of Howard, Mark and Administrator, Lewis will meet with the SOPAC Board to discuss next steps to determine an appropriate business and funding plan for SOPAC.

Redflex Automated Cameras - BOT agreed to  proceed with having Redflex perform a study and submitting it to the DOT to see if South Orange is approved to have cameras installed.  A resolution will be voted on at the next meeting to proceed.

Examining improvements to Chyzowych Field - This issue will be reviewed by the Recreation Committee.

EOWC update - Village Counsel requested a conference with the judge to discuss the appointment of Special Master;   Village continues to do independent testing of water;  test results hover around 1ppb for tetrachlorethylene, but below the threshhold of 1.5ppb.  Administrator Lewis will work to have the results posted to the Village website.

Charter Revisions -  Only outstanding issue was to determine if there was a desire to submit thefor a referendum, upon approval by the State Legislature.  Consensus of the BOT was that the majority of changes were "housekeeping" issues pertaining to bringing the Charter into compliance with State Law and making the language gender-neutral, so no referendum was needed.