MAYOR & COUNCIL MEETING    BARNEGAT LIGHT     APRIL 13, 2007

 

THE SPECIAL MEETING of the Mayor and Council was called to order by  Mayor Larson, at 8:30am at the Borough Hall, on West 10th Street. The  Clerk stated that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act by transmitting notice of same to the Beach Haven Times and the Asbury Park Press on April 10, 2007 and by posting a copy of the notice of this meeting on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall on April 10, 2007. Said newspapers were designated by Mayor and Council on January 2, 2007, to receive such notice, and by filing a copy of the notice with the Borough Clerk on April 10, 2007.

 

ROLL CALL: SPARK, MORRISON,  REYNOLDS,  WARR

           ABSENT:  MIKULETZKY AND HOWARD

           ALSO PRESENT: MAYOR LARSON GAIL WETMORE                                             

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

THE CLERK stated that the minutes of this meeting are being officially recorded and such tape will be on file in the office of the Borough Clerk and be made a part of these written minutes.

 

THE MAYOR explained that he called this meeting to see if we can get a resolution passed to support the Southern Regional School Budget. Howard Entered the meeting at 8:40am.  He had a sheet that showed the amount of personal that were laid off.  At a meeting with Lynn Shugars and Craig Henry, both of them felt it wasn’t fair to lay off teachers and then hire more security.  Councilwoman Reynolds asked how does that go with the percentage of people laid off and the percent of people who were let go.  Michael Spark said they let teachers go last year as well.  Our resolution will say we are in favor of passing the budget, but not Question 2.  Dottie asked if question 2 is voted down, will we still have security.  If the budget fails, the Mayor said, we can probably figure out how to do it (the security) within the budget.  He also said that the Southern budget is right at its 4% CAP.  Dottie said it is still the highest cost per pupil in Ocean and Monmouth County.  The Mayor said he thinks the attitude on the Island is not to dissolve the School District but quit spending our money like water.  Dottie said the new guy who is running this year put out an excellent brochure. Mike Spark asked how it was explained that Mike Gross did the work when we contracted with someone else.  The Mayor said he didn’t know and felt that he was pretty good.  Dottie said she does not like to tell people who to vote.  Harry Howard said you can’t be serious – you don’t like to tell people how to vote?  Everyone laughed!   The Mayor said he feels there was nothing they could do with the school budget.  Jim Morrison said the pork is already built into the budget.  The Mayor said somebody is working on the budget over there – the kids are all coming home saying coaches are being fired, the band is in trouble.  George Warr said his question is if we pass this resolution how are we going to notify our voters?  The Mayor said he is against question two – he is not trying to tell people how to vote.   

 

PUBLIC SESSION:  On a motion by Reynolds, seconded by Howard, the public portion was opened.  Dave Bossi said Southern is trying to circumvent the rules with question 2.  There was some discussion on administration salaries vs actual money in their contract.  Southern said they will not do that anymore.  Being no further comments, Morrison moved to close, seconded by Spark and carried by all.  Jim Morrison wondered how we are going to get this info to the public.  We had thought that the papers might send a reported.  The Mayor said we all see people each day – tell them and they in turn will tell someone else.

 

RESOLUTION 07-066

 

        RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH OF BARNEGAT LIGHT,

            COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY,

REGARDING THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET

 

 

WHEREAS, in February, the six island communities collectively hired a Forensic Certified Public Accountant to perform a review of the Southern Regional School District budget; and

 

WHEREAS,  the review has been completed and the island Mayors have met and discussed the report provided by the C.P.A.; and 

 

WHEREAS,  upon careful review of the general budget, it has been found to be satisfactory and this Governing Body supports the proposed Southern Regional School District general budget; and

 

WHEREAS,  it has been recently brought to our attention that there will be a second question dealing with the funding for security officers and surveillance equipment for the school; and

 

WHEREAS,  the Governing Body is in strong support of the security of our children and has been briefed that security positions have already been provided for in the current budget and security measures are provided for at the school; and

 

WHEREAS,  if approved, over $200,000 will become a permanent tax levy.  While this may not seem to be a great deal of money now, there is the likelihood of escalation in future budgets, keeping in mind, that this additional question will require Barnegat Light and the island communities to pay 80 percent of the cost while sending a small percentage of students;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governing Body of the Borough of Barnegat Light, upon careful review of the information available, urges the Barnegat Light voter to not support Southern Regional School District Public Question #2.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we believe rather than the proposed permanent tax levy, perhaps a better and more equitable method of funding cam be brought about possibly through a joint Interlocal agreement between the municipalities or some other method of funding in a more equitable manner through a meeting with the Southern Regional School Board of Education and their Administration.  It is because of the late revelation of this Public Question #2, we believe more time should be spent in the discussion and research of this issue rather than be locked into an 80/20 funding indefinitely.

DATED: APRIL 13, 2007

MOTION: SPARK

SECOND: MORRISON

VOTE:         AYES:     SPARK, MORRISON, HOWARD, WARR       

          NAYS: NONE

          ABSENT: MIKULETZKY           ABSTAIN: REYNOLDS

 

OTHER BUSINESS:  Michael Spark brought up the fact that Frank Mikuletzky wanted to know the Mayor and Council’s thoughts on the two Robbies renting kayaks.  Gail Wetmore said they were both invited to come to this meeting.  Perhaps they will come to the meeting of the 18th.  We need to know a bit more about it.  Along with renting them, they want to be able to deliver same to the bay beach. Everyone was asked to think about it.  Dottie Reynolds mentioned possible parking problems at 20th Street.  She mentioned the pedestrian traffic on Bayview.  The Mayor said he was surprised that two businesses were on such a small property – but the Planning Board approved the application. George Warr asked if anyone was having problems with their TV reception.  All agreed that they were.       

 

    

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL, ON A MOTION BY MR. MORRISON THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED.

 

 

APPROVED:                                                                                            

               MAYOR                 GAIL J. WETMORE, RMC            

                                     MUNICIPAL CLERK