PUBLIC MEETING – Monday, November 20, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. There will be a Public Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock on Monday, November 20, 2006, 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 Jordan – present Council Member Moore – present               Council Member O’Hagan - present Council Member McCullough – present        Council Member Pazan – 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. Members from Girl Scout Troop 261 led the audience and Council in the flag salute.  At this time Len Fiorenza and Marilyn Bernstein (GR resident), Bergen County Health Department gave a presentation on flu awareness – avian, seasonal and pandemic. Mr. Fiorenza and Mrs. Bernstein were able to answer a variety of questions from the audience and gave invaluable information to those present. The Borough thanks them both.  3. PROCLAMATION FOR GLEN ROCK JEWISH CENTER’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY At this time Mayor van Keuren read the following proclamation honoring the 50th anniversary of the Glen Rock Jewish Center. PROCLAMATION Whereas the Glen Rock Jewish Center first held services at Coleman School, the Municipal Annex and the Ambulance Corps Building. With a borrowed Torah scroll and portable Ark, the congregation traveled from one makeshift temple to another and in 1957, land was purchased at the current synagogue site at 682 Harristown Road, and Whereas the Glen Rock Jewish Center has flourished since then, and Whereas while the Borough has grown, the Glen Rock Jewish Center has similarly grown and has held services and provided the spiritual center for Jews living in Glen Rock, and Whereas the Glen Rock Jewish Center has served the Jewish community for 50 years and continues in a vital role in the future of Glen Rock, and continues to be a welcoming home for worshipers as consistent voice that calls for the reverence towards one supreme being and support for freedom and dignity for all individuals. Now therefore I, Mayor John van Keuren and the Borough Council extend congratulations and appreciation to the Glen Rock Jewish Center on its 50th anniversary and best wishes to Rabbi Tow and congregants of the Glen Rock Jewish Center on the occasion of the jubilee 50th year serving as the focal point of Jewish life in Glen Rock. We thank you for being a continuing rock of faith in the community for 50 years. Council member Knapp also acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the Glen Rock High School. 4. 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 11/08/06 Resolution No. 208-06 Offered by Council Member Jordan Seconded by Council Member Moore BE IT RESOLVED, that the Minutes of: Meetings of November 8, 2006 Be accepted as submitted. ROLL CALL: Council Member Knapp – yes                Council Member Jordan – yes Council Member Moore – yes                Council Member O’Hagan – yes Council Member Mc Cullough – yes        Council Member Pazan – yes 2. Resolution for Payment of Bills  Resolution No. 209-06 Offered by Council Member Jordan  Seconded by Council Member Moore BE IT RESOLVED, that the following bills of the Borough of Glen Rock be paid in the amount of $8,856,936.08. Investments             $ 5,900,000.00 GRBOE                       1,349,215.00 Payroll                          275,775.96  NJSHBF                         121,680.18 McNerney                       13,400.00 County of Bergen         1,088,852.00 Info-Highway                   11,767.11 Allied Oil                          11,666.15 Miscellaneous                   84,579.68 ___________ TOTAL                        8,856,936.08  ROLL CALL: Council Member Knapp - yes               Council Member Jordan - yes Council Member Moore – yes               Council Member O’Hagan - yes Council Member Mc Cullough - yes        Council Member Pazan - yes Motion to accept consent agenda by Council Member McCullough Seconded by Council Member O’Hagan ROLL CALL: Council Member Knapp - yes                Council Member Jordan - yes Council Member Moore – yes                Council Member O’Hagan - yes Council Member Mc Cullough - yes        Council Member Pazan - yes 5. MOTIONS Departmental Reports (On the 4th Wednesday of the month) Council Member O’Hagan (Safety) – Patrolman Art Faber’s last day of active duty was today. This officer will be greatly missed and was thanked for his years of dedication and commitment to the Borough. Council member Pazan (Recreation) – No report. Council member Jordan (Finance) – One of the recommendations in the Annual Audit exam was to conduct a fixed asset census and update the ledger for these physical assets. It was determined that this will be done in conjunction with the relocation of this building. Non-resident commuter parking revenue is being looked at for the 2007 budget, as well as analysis of the commuter portion of the shuttle bus and the Borough’s internal policy on vehicles. The Borough Administrator will also be attending a program for grants geared for School Safety for possible ideas for revenue. Council Member Knapp (Building and Community Affairs) – There were 33 less permits issued for this period as compared to last year. The real estate market trend nationwide seems to also be reflected within Glen Rock. December 10th the Library will be holding an open-house for the artists whose work is on display at the Library. Residents can begin to drop off books at the Library in January for their annual book sale in March. The Senior Citizen Advisory Board recently had a representative from Senior Life Transitions come to the November meeting to discuss downsizing and organizational methods. The Handicapped Advisory Board recently published a comprehensive member article and stated their goals with the community.  Council Member Moore (Public Works) – The October Recycling revenue totaled $6,453.55. We have had one Saturday leaf pick-up and another is scheduled for December 2nd. The 2006 paving has been completed. The Doremus Avenue drainage project has been completed. The High School tennis court project has started with completion scheduled for the spring.  Council member McCullough (Licenses and Franchises) – No report. Motion to accept reports as filed: Motion by Council Member Jordan Seconded by Council Member Moore ROLL CALL: Council Member Knapp - yes                Council Member Jordan - yes Council Member Moore – yes                Council Member O’Hagan - yes Council Member Mc Cullough - yes         Council Member Pazan - yes *************** Mayor van Keuren announced that the Thanksgiving Eve service will be held at the Community Church at 8:00 p.m.  Earlier this evening the Council met with Ridgewood Water wherein it was explained that Ridgewood Water is considering entering into an arrangement with United Water. This would allow Ridgewood Water to purchase 4 million gallons of water a year for use in an area served by Ridgewood Water. The water would primarily go to the high-need areas, which does not include Glen Rock or Ridgewood, but rather Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff. 6. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: (Before speaking at the meeting, each person must state their name and address. 5 minute limit) Doris Ciaramella – 15 Austin Place – Mrs. Ciaramella commented that resident Peggy Cronin came to the last Senior Citizen Advisory meeting and stated she is furious that senior citizens have to pay for a pool badge. Ms. Cronin does not use the pool; however feels this should be included in the budget. Mayor van Keuren reminded residents that the philosophy the Council has followed concerning this subject is that the senior citizens are receiving a significant discount from the normal fee and is a reduced charge for a service that is being used.  Jim Seaton – Ferndale Avenue – Mr. Seaton commended Chief Cherry on his recent article on underage drinking. Mr. Seaton volunteered to go over the specs for the municipal building. Irene Brown – 675 Lincoln Avenue – Mrs. Brown reported that the four committees appointed by the governor have submitted numerous suggestions on reducing property taxes. Mrs. Brown asked if the Council had any opinions to any of these proposals and how they may impact Glen Rock. Mayor van Keuren stated he does not know how the proposals would specifically affect Glen Rock and stated it is a little premature to speculate. Council member Jordan commented that the obvious has not been stated. Over the past ten years state aid to the borough has increased 1.3% while State mandates, i.e. storm water, Mt. Laurel, police retirement have increased by much more. Don’t let the obvious go unnoticed. Mary Henninger – Thornbury Avenue – Mrs. Henninger asked if there was an update as to when the reassessment letters will be sent out. Lenora Benjamin commented she has not received any update from the Assessor. Mrs. Henninger asked if there was any ordinance that limits whether a retired resident could have someone live with them to share in the expense. Council member Knapp stated that there is an ordinance that states no more than four unrelated borders are permissible.  Sue Schmidberger – 147 Glen Avenue – Ms. Schmidberger read a statement (which is on file in the Borough Clerk’s office) expressing her concerns with the proposed design of the light at Glen and Maple.  Bill Brown – 675 Lincoln Avenue – Mr. Brown commented that the property tax dilemma could be addressed by shifting the principle funding for property taxes back to a dedicated surtax on state income taxes, which is the chief characteristic of the SMART bill. Mr. Brown commented that Glen Rock only receives 6% of their total from the State for education and municipal expenses, with the remaining to be raised by residents.  Alan Bronner – 522 Doremus Avenue – Mr. Bronner thanked the Council for the installation of the second speed hump on Doremus Avenue. Mr. Bronner commented that the average speed has dropped three miles per hour to 41 mph. Mr. Bronner commented that taxpayers today want more services, but don’t want to pay for it. Mr. Bronner suggested a user-based tax system be initiated; if you use it, pay for it. Richard Forzani – 777 Maple Avenue – Mr. Forzani read the text of an article that will appear in the Gazette November 24, 2006. Mr. Forzani expressed numerous concerns as a resident that will be greatly affected by the installation of a traffic light at Glen and Maple. Mr. Forzani asked of the borough two things; 1) Provide a “Do Not Block Driveway” and 2) That the residents are consulted concerning the placement of the signal poles. Mr. Forzani noted he volunteered his property when the solar school signal was installed in return for consideration when the traffic light was installed. Mr. Forzani stated the light is extremely over-designed with the installation of a left turn lane. Mr. Forzani questioned why the entire intersection must be redesigned and eminent domain is applied to 1800 square feet of private property. Mr. Forzani stated the borough has been extremely remiss in their obligation to communicate with the involved residents.  7. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council member Moore Seconded by Council member Knapp Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. ________________________________________ Paula A. Fleming, Deputy Borough Clerk