PUBLIC MEETING – Wednesday, January 10, 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, January 10, 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 adoption of all resolutions, receive and file letters, correspondence, reports and approval of applications and minutes.

Resolutions:

1. Resolution with BC re: 2007 Bloodborne Pathogen Program
Resolution No. 30-07
Offered by Council Member McCullough
Seconded by Council Member Knapp
______________________________________________________________________________

WHEREAS, there exist a need for the Borough of Glen Rock Health Department to provide state mandated health services of a technical and professional nature for the Blood Borne pathogens Compliance Program; and

WHEREAS, the Bergen County Department of Health Services can assure compliance in accordance with P.E.O.S.H.A. as follows:

Annual Training Record Keeping Exposure Control
Procurement of the Vaccine Administration

WHEREAS, the Bergen County Department of Health Services has agreed to provide public health services through a contract agreement with the Borough of Glen Rock - Department of Health for the calendar year 2007; and

WHEREAS, the fee is to be in an amount not to exceed $3,200 for training and purchase of the vaccine under State Contract based on $42.00 per vaccination and funds will be available for this purpose; and

WHEREAS, it has been certified that this meets the statues and regulations concerning the award of said contract;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock as follows:

1. That Lenora Benjamin, Borough Administrator, is hereby authorized and directed to execute an agreement with the Bergen County Department of Health Services to perform public health services of a professional nature for the Blood Borne Pathogens Program for the period of January 2007, through December 31, 2007, at a cost not to exceed $3,200 for training and purchase of the vaccine under State Contract based on $42.00 per vaccination; and

2. This contract is awarded without competitive bidding in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5(2); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Financial Officer will certify, that funds will be available upon adoption of the 2007 Current Fund Budget in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:30 14.5

________________________
Lenora Benjamin, CFO

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 for First Responder Identification Card

Resolution No. 38-07
Offered by Council Member: McCullough
Seconded by Council Member: Knapp
______________________________________________________________________________
Resolution for First Responder Identification Card

WHEREAS, The County of Bergen was a designated recipient of United States Homeland Security Funding in Federal Fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and

WHEREAS, The Federal funding is administered through the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General to the Bergen County Office of Emergency Management, and

WHEREAS, The Bergen County Terrorism Task Force under the direction of the County Executive formulates and approves a spending plan for the Homeland Security Funds directed to the County of Bergen that is consistent with the rules and parameters of the specific grant and submits the spending plan to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General for approval, and

WHEREAS, The Bergen County Terrorism Task Force recognized that there is no current standardized identification card for first responders within the County of Bergen, and

WHEREAS, The Borough of Glen Rock wishes to participate in this program for a secure, easily recognizable identification card for first responders, and

WHEREAS, The Bergen County First Responder Identification Card will display the Glen Rock emergency services symbol and the emergency services name and

WHEREAS, Participation in this program is at no cost to the Borough of Glen Rock, and

WHEREAS, this body supports a secure, easy-to-read identification card for our emergency services to employ,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock, County of Bergen, New Jersey that the Borough of Glen Rock be and is hereby authorized to participate in this program;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Police Sgt. Jon Miller and OEM Coordinator Joanne Perry be and are hereby authorized and directed to undertake the necessary municipal requirements and provide the necessary data and information to the County of Bergen to insure participation in this program.






ROLL CALL:
Council Member Knapp – yes                Council Member O’Hagan - yes
Council Member McCullough - yes          Council Member Pazan – yes
Council Member Arnao - yes                 Council Member Orseck - yes

3. Resolution Appointing Police Officer Michael Trover – Read Separately

4. Resolution for Tax Appeal Hudson City Savings 2004-2006

Resolution No. 40-07
Offered by Council Member McCullough
Seconded by Council Member Knapp

WHEREAS, there is pending before the Tax Court of New Jersey, the matter of Hudson City Savings Bank 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, 2005 and 2006 assessment; and

WHEREAS, as a result of discussions between the Tax Assessor, who relied on the advice of one of the Borough’s appraiser’s Robert McNerney, 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

HUDSON CITY
SAVINGS BANK                  254/15               2004          $1,436,000             $1,345,000

HUDSON CITY
SAVINGS BANK                  254/15               2005          $1,436,000             $1,345,000

HUDSON CITY
SAVINGS BANK                  254/15               2006          $1,436,000             $1,345,000

2. The Freeze Act shall not apply due to the implementation of a Borough-wide
reassessment program for 2007.

ROLL CALL:
Council Member Knapp – yes                     Council Member O’Hagan – yes
Council Member McCullough - yes               Council Member Pazan – yes
Council Member Arnao - yes                      Council Member Orseck - yes

Motion to accept consent agenda by Council Member McCullough
Seconded by Council Member Knapp
ROLL CALL:
Council Member Knapp – yes                    Council Member O’Hagan – yes
Council Member McCullough - yes             Council Member Pazan – yes
Council Member Arnao - yes                    Council Member Orseck - yes

5. MOTIONS – November and December Departmental Reports will be presented at the January 24, 2007 meeting.
(November) Departmental Reports
Motion to accept reports as filed:
Motion by Council Member
Seconded by Council Member
Roll Call: Knapp, O’Hagan, McCullough, Pazan, Arnao, Orseck

6. ORDINANCES

Ordinance Procedure # 1543 (Accessory Buildings – Garage Storage)
Date of Introduction: January 10, 2007

Council Resolution# 41-07
Introduced by Council Member Knapp
Seconded by Council Member Pazan

Be It Resolved by the Borough Council of the Borough of Glen Rock that AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 230 OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE BOROUGH OF GLEN ROCK, 1971 ENTITLED “ZONING”; BEING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A UNIFORM SET OF ZONING REQUIREMENTS; TO MODIFY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS

Heretofore introduced and does now pass on first reading, and that the said Ordinance be further considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on January 24, 2007 at 8:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter can be reached, at the Municipal Building in the Borough of Glen Rock, and that at such time and place all persons interested be given an opportunity to be heard concerning said ordinance, and that the Borough Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish said ordinance in the Bergen Record according to law with a notice of its introduction and passage on first reading and of the time and place when and where said ordinance will be further considered for final passage.

ROLL CALL:
Council Member Knapp – yes                 Council Member O’Hagan – yes
Council Member McCullough - yes           Council Member Pazan – yes
Council Member Arnao - yes                  Council Member Orseck – yes



BOROUGH OF GLEN ROCK
ORDINANCE NO. #1543

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 230 OF THE
REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE
BOROUGH OF GLEN ROCK, 1971 ENTITLED “ZONING”;
BEING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A UNIFORM
SET OF ZONING REQUIREMENTS; TO MODIFY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESSORY BUILDINGS

BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council, the Borough of Glen Rock, County of Bergen, State of New Jersey, as follows:

Section I - Chapter 230 of the Revised General Ordinances of the Borough of Glen Rock 1971, as amended, being an Ordinance entitled "Zoning" is hereby amended as to the following section(s):

1. Section 230-14 entitled “Accessory Buildings” is hereby amended by deleting Subsection A (1) in its entirety to be replaced with the following:

“A(1) The maximum height at any point shall be 18 feet from grade at the lowest point to the peak ridge of the roof; provided, however, that in no case shall it exceed the height of the principal building. The pitch of the roof must be no less than 5" on 12". Accessory structures may have a storage area located directly over the first floor ceiling provided that this area will remain unfinished. No residences or offices may be located in the accessory structure. If a stairway is proposed to the storage area, it must be located within the confines of the structure.”

2. Section 230-14 entitled “Accessory Buildings” is hereby amended by deleting Subsection A(3) in its entirety to be replaced with the following:

“A(3) They shall be at least six (6) feet from a side or rear yard property line in the A-2 zone and at least ten (10) feet from a side or rear property line in the A-1 zone. No accessory structure or building is permitted in the required front yard, nor in the front side yard in the case of a corner property. This includes, but not limited to, patios, sheds, arbors, swing sets and any other accessory structure as determined by the Zoning Official”.

Section II. VALIDITY-SEVERABILITY If the provisions of any section, subsection, paragraph, subdivision, or clause of this Ordinance shall be held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of this Ordinance but such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the section, paragraph, subdivision or clause directly involved in the controversy in which said judgment shall have been rendered.

Section III All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed.

Section IV This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage as required by law.

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At this time Council member O’Hagan read the following resolution appointing Police Officer Michael Trover.

Resolution No. 39-07
Offered by Council Member O’Hagan
Seconded by Council Member Knapp

RESOLUTION OF APPOINTMENT FOR POLICE OFFICER

Michael Trover

WHEREAS, the Borough of Glen Rock has a vacancy in its Police Department, and;

WHEREAS, the Borough of Glen Rock is interested in appointing Michael Trover, to fill that position as a new police officer at a salary of $31,842.00; and

WHEREAS, the Glen Rock Police Department is required to complete a series of tests and administrative processing steps, and Mr. Trover does not need to attend the Bergen County Police Academy having already been trained, and has successfully passed his required tests; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of Glen Rock, that Michael Trover is hereby appointed as probationary police officer effective December 18, 2006 with his public swearing in to be performed by the Mayor on January 10, 2007.
ROLL CALL:
Council Member Knapp – yes                  Council Member O’Hagan - yes
Council Member McCullough - yes           Council Member Pazan – yes
Council Member Arnao - yes                   Council Member Orseck – yes

Mayor van Keuren swore in Officer Trover as a member of the Glen Rock Police Department.

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

Neil Finn – Doremus Avenue – Congratulations to the new Council members. Mr. Finn referenced several newspaper articles concerning property taxes. Mr. Finn commented that the last election sent a message and unfortunately the Council takes the heat for the Board of Education. Mr. Finn asked if the Mayor will still be pursuing a committee to be liaison with the Board of Education to discuss mutual issues. Mayor van Keuren stated that is being pursued and a tentative date has been set. Mr. Finn encouraged this committee to discuss the Board’s budget. Mr. Finn commented that one of the duties of the Council is to protect the common good, which includes protecting the public from those who spend frivolously.

Mayor van Keuren read an excerpt from an article from the League of Municipalities concerning the Governor’s State-of-the-State address. “Missing in the address was support for the tools for local governments necessary in reigning in health insurance, personnel and pension costs. Local governments must be granted the same flexibility as the State to negotiate in good faith with its employees on health benefits issues, including employee sharing of premium costs, incentives to waive duplicate/multiple coverage and variations in levels of coverage”. The State continues to recognize the most difficult areas for municipalities in preparing their budgets; however they are not given proper tools to help.

Council member O’Hagan commented about the Property Tax Rebate program that is available to senior citizens who are eligible.

Council member Knapp commented that at a recent Senior Citizen Advisory Committee meeting it was suggested that the Borough give seniors a 30-40% tax reduction. Council member Knapp clarified that the Borough cannot grant this and is only granted through State mandates. There are many services that are offered to senior citizens to help with living expenses.

Jim Seaton – Ferndale Avenue – Mr. Seaton commented recently a friend of his tried to obtain the number of students at the MS/HS and was told that information is not given out. Mr. Seaton asked how that information can be obtained. Mayor van Keuren commented the Council does not try and interfere with BOE decisions but added he would be willing to get that information. Mr. Seaton then proceeded to question the education the students are really getting.

Mary Henninger – Thornbury Avenue – Mrs. Henninger agreed with Mr. Finn and encouraged the Council to encourage the BOE to keep the budget as low as possible. Mrs. Henninger stated that at every BOE meeting the number of students and staff is given out. Mrs. Henninger asked if Glen Rock would be one of the forty towns that Verizon would be servicing. Council member McCullough commented that he believes he has spoken to just about everyone at Verizon and he too wonders if we will receive that service.

Harold Sylvester – 36 Mortlock Place – Mr. Sylvester also questioned the education the students are receiving. Mr. Sylvester questioned why the Assessor has stated that the “McMansions” have not been fully assessed. Mayor van Keuren stated he would be speaking with the Assessor and will find out an answer. Mr. Sylvester believes that the reassessment was unnecessary and done poorly. Mayor van Keuren stated the Assessor is attempting to reflect what the current market value is.

Ralph Henninger – Thornbury Avenue – Mr. Henninger commented that the financial situation of this country did not start at the local level but rather in Washington.

8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council member McCullough
Seconded by Council member Knapp
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

________________________________________
Paula A. Fleming, Deputy Borough Clerk