Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, October 25, 2021 beginning at 7:00pm.   

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for your consideration and approval the minutes from October 13, 2021 – Regular Meeting.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan on staying for the whole meeting.  There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone.  This allows ample time for all whom wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward.   The public can speak on any matter.  Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded.  Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

Each Councilmember can give an update on various items or Board/Commission actions that have taken place recently. 

PROCLAMATION – October 2021 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

ORDINANCES

There is one (1) ordinance for 2^nd Reading and Public Hearing:

Ordinance 2021-19 will amend, revise, and supplement Chapter 30 entitled “Police Department”, most notably Section 30-5 “Qualification and Appointment of Members of Department” of the Town Code.

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #204-2021 will authorize the Town of Newton to enter into an agreement with the Canning Group, LLC for the provision of Qualified Purchasing Agent Services for calendar year 2022.

Resolution #205-2021 will approve the execution of a Shared Services Agreement with Montague Township to provide Certified Tax Collection Services for December 20, 2021 through December 31, 2023.

Resolution #206-2021 concurs with the Utility Plan for Sussex County Community College: Block 8.08 Lots 8, 9, and 10; Building E, Block 3301 Lots 2, 2.01, & 2.02 (Hampton Twp.); Building R, Horton Mansion Block 3.01, Lot 19.

Resolution #207-2021 will authorize Emergency Parts and Repairs Regarding SCADA at High Street Pump Station.

Resolution #208-2021 will approve vacation & sick leave and accumulated compensatory time payout for Michael Monaco.

Resolution #209-2021 will approve bills and vouchers for payment.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is even with the top of the spillway as of October 22, 2021.

Work continues at the Staff level on the 2022 municipal budget.

The Planning Board approved two (2) applications related to Atlantic Health: new signage for Urgent Care and carport solar panels at the hospital.

The Livestream with Dr. Jon Connolly from SCCC went very well this week!

Preparation continues for the Halloween Parade, Flags of Honor, and the Holiday Parade.

The pre-construction meeting for the G&H redevelopment project will occur on Monday.

Enjoy your weekend!  Let’s Go Rangers!

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Wednesday, October 13, 2021 beginning at 7:00pm.   

PRESENTATIONS

          a. Justin Sibblies – Police Officer – Oath of Office

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for consideration and approval the minutes from: 

September 27, 2021 – Regular Meeting.

September 27, 2021 – Special Interviews

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan on staying for the whole meeting.  There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone.  This allows ample time for all whom wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward.   The public can speak on any matter.  Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded.  Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

Each Councilmember can give an update on various items or Board/Commission actions that have taken place recently. 

ORDINANCES

There is one (1) ordinance for Introduction:

Ordinance 2021-19 will amend, revise, and supplement Chapter 30 entitled “Police Department”, most notably Section 30-5 “Qualification and Appointment of Members of Department” of the Town Code

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Resolution #195-2021*                    Authorize Amendment to the Town of Newton Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and Employee Handbook with Addition of Nepotism Policy 
2. Resolution #196-2021*                    Appoint Mary Ann Carlson to the Newton Housing Authority
3. Resolution #197-2021*                    Appoint Lisa Qarmout to the Advisory Recreation Commission     
4. Resolution #198-2021*                    Appoint Monica McGee to the Economic Development Advisory Committee
5. Resolution #199-2021*                    Amend Resolution #279-2020 Award of a Proprietary Contract to Pall Water Inc.                                                                                                                                                                                      
6. Resolution #200-2021*                    Appoint Fund Commissioner for the Statewide Insurance Fund for Calendar Year 2022
7. Resolution #201-2021*                    Appoint Keith Mitchell as Risk Management Consultant for the Town of Newton for Calendar Year 2022
8. Resolution #202-2021*                    Appoint George Edwards as School Crossing Guard for 2021-2022 School Year
9. Resolution #203-2021*                    Approve Bills and Vouchers for Payment

DISCUSSION

a.     2022 Proposed Fee Changes 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 1 inch above the top of the spillway as of October 8, 2021.

Interviews commenced for the Water Operator position.

We received another grant award this week for $30,000 from Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Trust.  This follows on the heels of the recent $125,000 grant award from the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP).  Boom!   He shoots, he scores!

Dave Simmons and I worked with the College on their W/S connection fees for various projects throughout the town.

Budget plans for 2022 are still being coordinated with information due back to me by the end of October.

Plans are being finalized for the Babe Ruth field project so we can go out to bid.

Weather looks favorable for Sunday’s activities; hope to see you at the Rail Trail dedication at 10:00am followed by another awesome Fall Fest 11:00am-4:00pm.  See you there!

Yours in Service,

TSRJR

Our next regular Town Council meeting (in person and via Zoom – Hybrid Regular Meeting) is Monday, September 27, 2021 beginning at 7:00pm.   There are two (2) volunteer interviews starting at 6:30pm.

PRESENTATIONS

          a. Thomas Muller – Lieutenant – Oath of Office

          b. Kenneth Teets – Sergeant – Oath of Office

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The Clerk’s office has prepared for your consideration and approval the minutes from: September 15, 2021 – Regular Meeting.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This is for those that wish to address the Town Council but do not plan on staying for the whole meeting.  There is a note to the public on the agenda to please keep their comments to a maximum of 3 minutes and limited to one turn at the microphone.  This allows ample time for all whom wish to speak and keeps the meeting moving forward. The public can speak on any matter.  Council may choose to comment after the entire public portion has concluded.  Comments from the public will be both in-person and via Zoom.

COUNCIL & MANAGER REPORTS

Each Councilmember can give an update on various items or Board/Commission actions that have taken place recently. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Resolution #192-2021* amending the Award of a Required Disclosure Contract for Frederick J. Margron, P.E., REM, CEA, of the firm Professional Consulting, Inc., as Sewer Engineer for the Town of Newton for Calendar Year 2021.

Resolution #193-2021* authorizing Credits Due Water and Sewer Utility Accounts.

Resolution #194-2021* to Approve Bills and Vouchers for Payment.

Applications*

An Application for Membership into the  Newton Fire Department from Kevin Rojas, 39 Kory Road, Newton, NJ.

An Application for Membership into the Newton Fire Department from William J. Craig-Conrad, 37 Clinton Street, Newton, NJ.

An Application for Membership into the Newton Fire Department from Luis Arrazola, 43 Clinton Street, Newton, NJ.

An application for a Special Permit for Social Affair from the Sussex County Community College Foundation to be held on October 16, 2021 from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at One College Hill Rd., Newton, NJ.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Morris Lake is 2 inches above the top of the spillway as of September 24, 2021.

We have three (3) new staff members to welcome aboard our team.  Our fall intern is Alia Hubey who is a senior at Seton Hall University (Go Pirates!).   She will be here once a week (Mondays) through December.  Danielle Finkle is our new permanent part-time clerical floater who will be available for multiple departments.  Aubury Durnell is our new part-time administrative assistant in Planning/Zoning.   We are pleased to have Alia, Danielle, and Aubury join our Newton family and wish them well in all of their professional endeavors.

Routine business discussed at the monthly Statewide Insurance Fund meeting.

Routine business discussed at the monthly Health Insurance Fund meeting.

Check out the amazing ad we did for Edible NJ!  Page 79…yummy!

https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=719207&ver=html5

Be safe and well.  Thank God for Hockey Season – Go Rangers!  (since the Giants are already giving up on the season, so are we…)

Yours in Service,

TSRJR