PUBLIC MEETING – Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

There will be a Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock on Wednesday, March 14, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building.

Agenda:          (May be subject to change)

1.         CALL TO ORDER /ROLL CALL

            Council Member Knapp – present                Council Member O’Hagan – present

            Council Member McCullough – present       Council Member Pazan – present

            Council Member Arnao – present                 Council Member Orseck - present

            J. van Keuren, Mayor - present                    L. Benjamin, Borough Admin. - present

            P. Fleming, Deputy Clerk - present               R. Garibaldi, Borough Attorney – present

2.         FLAG SALUTE/ANNOUNCEMENTS

This meeting is called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Law.  This Meeting was included in a list of meeting notices sent to the Bergen Record and advertised in said newspaper in January, posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building, and has remained continuously posted as the required notices under the Statue.  In addition, a copy of this notice is and has been available to the public and is on file in the office of the Municipal Clerk.

In accordance with the New Jersey State Fire & Safety Code I call your attention to the lighted exit signs. In the event the alarm sounds, move in an orderly manner toward the exit nearest you and leave the building.  Do not use the lift.

Council member Orseck led the Council in the flag salute.

3.        CONSENT AGENDA

All items listed are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Borough Council and will be approved by one motion.  There will be no separate discussion on these items unless a Council member(s) so request it, in which case the item(s) will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.  The one motion signifies and adoption of all resolutions, receive and file letters, correspondence, reports and approval of applications and minutes.

           Resolutions:

           1.         Resolution for Approval of Minutes – February 28, 2007

Resolution No. 69-07  

Offered by Council Member Arnao

Seconded by Council Member Knapp

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Minutes of:

Meetings of February 28, 2007

Be accepted as submitted.

ROLL CALL:

Council Member Knapp – yes                                   Council Member O’Hagan – yes

Council Member Mc Cullough – yes                         Council Member Pazan – yes

Council Member Arnao – yes                                    Council Member Orseck - yes

           2.         Resolution Amending Resolution 47-07 Authorizing Bergen County Housing Authority as Borough’s COAH Administrative Agent           

Resolution No. 70-07

Offered by Council Member Arnao 

Seconded by Council Member Knapp

RESOLUTION

AUTHORIZING AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 47-07

AUTHORIZING BERGEN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY AS

THE BOROUGH’S COAH ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

            WHEREAS, the Governing Body adopted Resolution No. 47-07 on January 24, 2007, authorizing Bergen County Housing Authority as the Borough’s COAH Administrative Agent;

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body that said Resolution is hereby amended to provide that the term of the Agreement shall be for one (1) year commencing April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008; provided, however, that the Agreement may be automatically renewed for four (4) successive terms not to exceed twelve (12) consecutive months each;

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Municipal Clerk are hereby authorized to enter into such Agreement following legal review;

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution is contingent upon and subject to authorization and execution of the Agreement by representatives of the Housing Authority of Bergen County.

3.                  Resolution for New Fire Department Volunteer – READ SEPARATELY       

           4.         Resolution for Tax Appeal – Block 95, Lot 4

Resolution No. 72-07

Offered by Council Member Arnao

Seconded by Council Member Knapp

______________________________________________________________________________

WHEREAS, there is pending before the Tax Court of New Jersey, the matter of Connie R. Dooner vs. Borough of Glen Rock; and

            WHEREAS, the Borough’s Tax Assessor, Steven Rubenstein, has reviewed the property record card, comparable sales and has made a physical inspection of the property; and

            WHEREAS, the Tax Assessor, has recommended a modification to the 2004 and 2005 assessment; and

            WHEREAS, as a result of discussions between the Tax Assessor and the plaintiff’s attorney, it is recommended to the Mayor and Council that settlement of this matter be ratified and approved.

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council as follows: 

            1.         The Mayor and Council having reviewed the recommendation for reduction in the assessment of the following Tax Court of New Jersey appeal do hereby ratify the following settlement:

      PROPERTY                 BLOCK/         YEAR             ORIGINAL           SETTLEMENT

        OWNER                           LOT                                 ASS'MENT                      

     CONNIE DOONER          95/4                 2004            $342,200                               $342,200

     CONNIE DOONER          95/4                   2005          $342,200                               $342,200

            2.         The 2006 total assessment shall be reduced from $342,200 to $332,100.  Either party shall have the right to file a tax appeal for the 2006 tax year to obtain a judgment to implement, enforce and/or confirm the $332,100 assessment agreed upon herein.

            3.         The Freeze Act shall not apply due to the implementation of a Borough-wide

reassessment program for 2007.

Motion to accept consent agenda by Council Member Arnao

Seconded by Council Member Knapp

*****Read Separately

Resolution for New Fire Department Volunteer           

Resolution No. 71-07 

Offered by Council Member O’Hagan   

Seconded by Council Member Knapp

WHEREAS, the Fire Department wishes to have the Council pass a resolution approving the following member; and

WHEREAS, the Fire Department has recommended that this applicant:

Kevin Sellitti

is a qualified candidate and thereby recommend to the governing body for ratification of this appointment,

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that in accordance with the bylaws of the Glen Rock Fire Department the Borough Council of the Borough of Glen Rock does hereby accept the recommendation of the Fire Department and accepts the application for membership of:

Kevin Sellitti

ROLL CALL:

            Council Member Knapp - yes                                    Council Member O’Hagan - yes

            Council Member McCullough - yes                          Council Member Pazan - yes

            Council Arnao – yes                                       Council Member Orseck - yes

4.         MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: (Before speaking at the meeting, each person must state their name and address.  5 minute limit)

Borough Attorney Garibaldi commented that a number of mailings have been sent to property owners whose properties lie adjacent to or contiguous to the railroad.  Those properties have been named in a class-action litigation to obtain compensation for the placement of telecommunication lines along the railroad easement.  The settlement that is being proposed calls for a payment of $1.90/linear foot of property.  Affected residents are asked to file a copy of their deed showing they are the rightful owner of the property.  If any property owner does not want to participate an exclusion form must be submitted by March 17^th. 

Sally Killeen – Doremus Avenue – Ms. Killeen asked what action the Borough would be taking and does the borough recommend residents submit the claim.  Borough Attorney Garibaldi stated his recommendation to the Borough is to accept and become part of the class settlement.

Jim Seaton – Ferndale Avenue – Mr. Seaton distributed photographs that were taken under the Route 208 tressel and recommend that the area is cleaned up. 

Mary Henninger – Thornbury Avenue – Mrs. Henninger commented Ordinances 1454, 1455, 1456 were incorrectly published.  Deputy Clerk Fleming noted that the ordinances were correctly re-published.    Mrs. Henninger stated that Verizon FIOS is not giving the Borough a public access channel and asked Council member Arnao if he will be attempting to get a public access channel from them.  Council member Arnao commented based upon the agreement he reviewed the borough would be getting two public access channels.  Borough Administrator commented that it hasn’t been established yet.  Council member McCullough added that through the State franchise Verizon is required to provide a local access channel.

Sally Killeen – Doremus Avenue – Ms. Killeen commented that there is an abundance of plastic bags flying through the air which are coming from the Recycling Center.

Jim Seaton – Ferndale Avenue – Mr. Seaton commented that on March 28^th at 8:00 p.m. he will be at the Library discussing his display of handmade tools, ships and boats.

5.         ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council member Knapp

Seconded by Council member McCullough

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

________________________________________

Paula A. Fleming, Deputy Borough Clerk