BOT Meeting recap 7-9-12

The following is a brief unofficial recap of many items that occurred or were discussed at the July 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

• Village Administrator Lewis shared an overview of the new single stream recycling program which starts this Wednesday (July 11) with pickups on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month.  The recycling yard remains open with the same hours, but is not single stream.  3 different size toters are available from DPW, but current toters can be used indefinitely.  All previous materials can still be recycled and more.  For all the details, please see the mailer that was sent out in the latest Gaslight: http://www.southorange.org/forms/dpw/SouthOrangeSingleStreamRecyclingFlyer-FINAL.pdf

Public Comments

• Marilyn Wright - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Eileen Carlton - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Lisa Fellen - requesting policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Steven Kitzinger - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Wilma Vandepol - Expressed support for Resolution 2012-169 (which opposes legislation that exempts private universities from the municipal land use law)
• Marcy - requesting policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Beth Kitzinger - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Lori Sauer - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Laura Griffin - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Laura Reichgut - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Kristin Mahoney - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Mereditz Katz - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Dan Lipow - requesting policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Lee Boswell May - suggested that any modification to the pool guest policy should be done in Maplewood, as well
• Amy Forman - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Marian Cutler - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• ? - Expressed support for Resolution 2012-169 (which opposes legislation that exempts private universities from the municipal land use law)
• Robert Sandow - Expressed support for Resolution 2012-169 (which opposes legislation that exempts private universities from the municipal land use law)
• John Tiefert - Expressed support for Resolution 2012-169 (which opposes legislation that exempts private universities from the municipal land use law)
• ? Persecetti - requested policy extension to allow South Mountain families that live in MW to attend the SO pool
• Erik Vandepol - Expressed support for Resolution 2012-169 (which opposes legislation that exempts private universities from the municipal land use law)

After some discussion, the BOT voted 4-2 to table the discussion about the pool policy until the July 23 BOT Meeting (Myself and Trustee Rosner voted no)

Ordinances on Second Reading

Ordinance 2012-10:  Bond Ordinance to appropriate $2,681,003 for capital projects, passed 6-0

Ordinances on First Reading

Ordinance 2012-11: Ordinance amending village code to provide for notice prior to a shutoff of water service for nonpayment, passed 6-0

Consent Agenda

7 Resolutions on Consent Agenda, passed 6-0

1 resolution (2012-169), which opposes bills in the NJ legislature that would exempt private universities from the municipal land use law was voted on separately and passed 6-0

Public Comments

• Wilma Vandepol - expressed appreciation for the passing of Resolution 2012-169, but wished there was more advance notice so more people could  be notified to speak out
• Bob Adler - expressed appreciation for the passing of Resolution 2012-169; inquired about the status of potential malpractice against the former village attorney for the Firehouse.  Village Counsel Rother stated that a statement would be forthcoming shortly.

Reports

The Village will receive the certified tax rate tomorrow from the County and tax bills will be sent out next week.

East Orange Water update from Village Counsel - conflict motion was denied; rescheduled conference call with Special Master for tomorrow.  Made motion to close the Holland Rd interconnection except for emergency  and for it to be controlled by the Fire Department.  Concerned that reverse flow is causing some of the water main breaks.  Want to place front and center engineered solution of the water quality issue.

Administrator Lewis expects to have a recommendation for the next meeting for additional staffing support for the Clerk's Office.

Finance & IT

• Have not received monthly financial reports from CFO
• Need to develop C3/Reverse 911 usage policy
• Discussed Asset Management system
• Discussed Contract Management system
• Have not created a service level agreement for non-profits as previously agreed in the resolution;  Administrator will address the creation of this agreement

Legal

• Discussed policy for use of Village Hall.  Copy of policy will be submitted to BOT for review and input
• Discussed ordinance regulating buying and selling of used gold jewelry
• Discussed performance reviews for Village Staff

Planning and Zoning

• Meeting on July 16

Public Safety

• Meadowbrook Place parking - Committee recommended prohibiting parking on Meadowbrook Place and portions of Meadowbrook Lane and Hillside Place from 11pm-9am.  Village Counsel will draft an ordinance and in parallel, this will be referred to the Transporation Committee for review.
• National Night Out is scheduled for August 7
• Committee expressed concern that the Police Chief was told by the Village President to stop sharing updates on crimes and police activities with the full BOT, as has always been the practice.  A discussion ensued about developing a formal policy and the BOT agreed that the Police Chief will directly report all matters to the full BOT except where it is confidential and sensitive.  A formal resolution for this policy will be brought forth at the next BOT Meeting.

Public Works

• Residents spoke about the status of the scheduled repaving of Thornden with the Village Engineer.  A follow-up meeting will be held with the residents of that street to further discuss the engineering issues.
• Committee expressed the need for the Capital Budget to be done earlier in the year so road projects can be completed in the year they are funded.
• Need to clarify public works tasks that will be transitioned to the SID

Recreation

• 2 adult nights at the pool for all SO residents are scheduled (July 15 and August 12 from 6-8pm)
• Committee discussed opening the pool starting Memorial Day weekend (and for the following weekends in June until school ends) in future summers.  Potential cost impact would be roughly $25k
• A Street Fair is planned for Sept 30 on SO Ave from Vose Ave to Village Plaza from 11am-5pm, which will close that portion of South Orange Ave.  The estimated cost for this closure is still to be provided.

Discussion

Pay to Play Ordinance - Village Administrator will be working with Village Counsel to review

Relocation of Village Hall - There was a recommendation to hire a "pre-construction manager" (and a post-construction manager) to facilitate and coordinate the relocation of all Village Hall material and staff.  Administrator Lewis will look into this and see what options exist and the associated costs.  An update on the overall Village Hall project timeline and cost will be shared at the next BOT meeting.

Solar Street Light Prototype  - Trustee Levison shared a proposal to install a solar light prototype on the overpass near Mountain Station.  However, the consensus was that the aesthetics of the picture shown were not acceptable.

Scheduling a Special Meeting of the BOT in August - A BOT meeting will be held August 13 at 7:30pm