Township of Mahwah s19

TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH BUDGET WORK SESSION MEETING MINUTES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015

The meeting was called to order at 9:05AM by Council President Roth who read the Open Public Meetings Act Statement as prescribed by law. Notice was advertised in The Record on February 16, 2015 stating that this meeting would be held in the Municipal Offices, 475 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, New Jersey at 9:00AM.

Notice of this meeting is posted on the Municipal Bulletin Board. The minutes of this meeting shall be available in the Municipal Clerk’s Office.

Salute to the Flag.

MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR VETERANS AND THOSE SERVING IN THE MILITARY Moment of Silence was observed for those serving in the Armed Forces and who served. It is through their bravery and dedication that we can meet in freedom today.

Present: Councilmembers Amoroso, Ariemma, DiGiulio, Hermansen, Roth, Sbarra, and Wong

Also present were Mayor William Laforet, Business Administrator Brian Campion, and Municipal Clerk Kathrine G. Coviello.

PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Sbarra, seconded by Amoroso, the meeting was opened to the public at 9:08AM. All in favor. Motion carried.

On a motion by Hermansen, seconded by DiGiulio, the meeting was closed to the public at 9:09AM. All in favor. Motion carried.

Police Chief Batelli, Captain Jaffee and were present.

The have an incease in their budget of 2.8%. The staff has been low for two decades.

Ariemma questioned if all of the other departments are under the 2% cap. The Business Administrator stated they should

Ariemma feels a department budget should be closer to the 2% cap. Chief Batelli said 2.8% is the Operating Budget. He added that the operating costs for the department has stayed flat for five years and the department is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Councilmembers asked various questions which were answered.

Account #5-01-F05-105 – Hermansen said this was reduced from $60,000 to $52,000.

Hermansen asked officers staffing

Chief April 2nd - 1 mid-year 1 Account #5-01-F04-105: Dispatcher overtime: Hermansen asked about the Dispatcher overtime. The Chief said there were issues with several dispatchers. It was necessary to use per diem dispatchers. Currently, he said two were hired and two more are to be hired.

Chief Batelli said the practice now is to use dispatchers as per diem and possibly hire a per diem full time Dispatcher.

Hermansen asked for an analysis of overtime in the Police Department.

CAPITAL BUDGET – POLICE Last Capital request in 2007.

They are asking for a $160,000 item which is a CSI CAD/RMS System ambulance, fire and police which brings all into a c system. The system can work off PC’s, tablets and laptops. The maintenance agreement for the first year is free. Thereafter, $19,000 per year and for the remainder of years the Township has the software.

CSI Records and dispatch system…..verify emergency services in

Hermansen – Wong put promotion of Police Detective – Promotion in Temporary Budget.

OEM Present were Director Ray Roe, Deputy Directors Chris Howard and Stuart Blank

Since 2010 recovered $700,000. For large events. Have two grants pending also.

Deputy Director of Emergency Services Chris Howard

Amoroso asked equipment was bought last year for $73,000. and Deputy Director Stuart Blank said that the radios were upgraded over three years and purchased generators and traffic lights for the Township.

Account #5-01-G01-203 – OEM Repairs and Maintenance: was reduced from $4,000. to $3,000.

Account #5-01-G01-214 – Rental/Maintenance Agreement; Increase by $4,000, from $18,500. to $22,500.

OEM CAPITAL Takes current analog radios into digital. The estimate is $1,900,000.

Sbarra asked if the digital system could be phased in. Deputy Director Blank stated we should not do it. The department is looking for the Township to have all of the same equipment at the same time.

2 FIRE DEPARTMENT Maintenance and Hose Budget both went up Changes are in Capital Budget

Account #5-01-G02-204 – Professional Services: Sbarra questioned an amount being requested and the amount has not been used in the past five years.

FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPITAL The Mayor stated Administration is also recommending Engine 117 for $700,000 be included in the Capital Budget until Fire Department

Hermansen asked Administration where the $35,000 down payment for Engine 117 would come from. Administration said to increase the Sewer Utility from $235,000 to $265,000.

On a motion by Hermansen, seconded by Amoroso, the meeting was adjourned at 2:25PM. All in favor. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathrine G. Coviello, RMC/CMC/MMC Municipal Clerk