TO:
Mayor
and
Council

FROM:
Ralph E. Blakeslee, Administrator

DATE:
June 18, 2004

SUBJECT:
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Item #1 ­ Phoenix House Renovations:
David Abramson visited the Phoenix House on Sunday, June 13th, with Larry Plevy (the
General Contractor) to view the column and beam conditions which have been
uncovered. David has spoken at length with Jim Huffman (the structural engineer who
assisted with the bid specifications) who is now developing sketches for remedial column
and beam work. Although the dead loads are small, David recommended closing access
to the second floor porch and using the garden door entry until Jim concludes his review.
David is hoping for comments from Jim shortly. Schtiller & Plevy has provided
emergency shoring. Once a strategy for replacement of deteriorated columns and beams
is determined we will request pricing from Schtiller & Plevy.

Item #2 ­ Green Acres: On Monday night's agenda is a resolution authorizing
agreement with Green Acres for funding the Borough's Open Space Program. Green
Acres will provide the Borough with a $400,000 matching grant which can be used to
secure property with the Borough's open space plan. Currently the Borough has
$489,459.37 in the trust which is the balance before this year's payment.

Item #3 ­ Fire Prevention Ordinance Amendment (again):
Despite the best efforts of Paula DeBona and Craig Bellamy the Division of Fire Safety
was not satisfied with recent amendments to Chapter 106 of the Borough's code.
Another amendment is on Monday night's agenda.

Item #4 ­ India Brook Park:
Bridle Path. The issue of bridle paths is listed under discussion topics for Monday night.
During my review of this subject I have determined the following:
· The "new" bridle path is in fact an old walking path that was widened to
accommodate equestrians.
· The intent of widening the path was to provide a safer way for horse back riders
with access to India Brook Park and Patriot's Path. Doug Wright witnessed
several near misses between large vehicles making deliveries and pickup trucks
making deliveries and horseback riders.
· The tape and trail markings were most likely placed along the trail by someone
from Mr. Backer's barn. The Backer's have offered to investigate and help
remove them if so directed.
· It is Doug's recommendation that the use of the path be continued due to the
aforementioned safety concerns.

Regarding the bridle path trail ordinance Section 143-19, which is attached, prohibits
horseback riding on any public land other then those bridle paths identified on a map in
the Borough administrative offices. As I had reported, no such map exists. As such the
Borough Council has two options: repeal that section or have a map created. Repealing
the section without addressing where horseback riding can take place will lead to
problems. Therefore, I have had the Engineer's office use the GIS program to prepare a
draft map which you can review Monday night.

Item #5 ­ Sewer Plant Field Haying:
The second issue for discussion is the haying of the field adjacent to the Water
Reclamation Treatment Facility. Many years ago the Borough entered into a
"handshake" agreement with the Backer family to mow this field. In return the Backers
were allowed to keep any hay. As you will recall from the last meeting this practice was
called into question. The field in question is approximately ¾ of an acre and is adjacent to
the plant's closest residential neighbor. The Backers perform two cuttings a year and
take a total of between 140 and 160 bales of hay. Hay is being sold for $3.00 to $3.50
per bale. This would place a value on the hay of between $420 to $560. Even if the price
or the amount were doubled the value would be well below the threshold for obtaining
informal quotes. Doug has reported that the only reason to hay the field is aesthetics and
noted that area will be impacted in the coming months by the new construction at the
plant. Part of the field will be used as staging and parking for contractors and plant staff.

Item #5 ­ Soil Erosion Ordinance.
Paul and Paula have completed their work on the soil erosion ordinance. Paul has
forwarded it to the Morris County Soil Conservation District for review and approval.
Once approval is received I will have it placed on the agenda for introduction.

Item #6 ­ Catch Basin Repairs at Mendham Commons:
The easement documents have been completed, and I have sent them on to Mr. Ackerman
for review by their attorney and execution. When they are returned I will schedule a
resolution authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign them on behalf of the Borough, after
which they will be filed. Paul's office is working on bid specifications for the repair
project.

Item #7 ­ Brookside Fourth of July Parade:
The annual invitation has been received by the Brookside Fourth of July Parade
Committee. The parade will begin at 9:00 AM on July 3rd. Lineup is on Dogwood Drive
as in the past. Please let me know if you will attend so I can RSVP the committee.



Item #8 ­ Wastewater Management:
Permit Required Plant Upgrades. On Wednesday, June 16th, bids were open for the
project. Six bids were received with prices ranging from $2,939,000 to $4,822,000. The
staff at Metcalf & Eddy is reviewing the bid packages.

I&I Repairs. As was requested at the last Borough Council meeting I spoke with Jim
Wancho of PS&S regarding methods of addressing inflow and infiltration. At my
request, Jim was already working on a sewer system evaluation and rehabilitation
technical memorandum. He will add information on methods of correcting I&I to this
memo.

Item #9 ­ Library of the Mendhams:
Mayor's Committee Meeting. After speaking with Steve Mountain the tentative meeting
date of June 28th at 7:30 AM is being rescheduled for 7:30 AM on July 13th.

Lease Review Meeting. A meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 1st
at 7:00 PM in the Phoenix House.

Item #10 ­ Cross Acceptance:
County Information Meetings. The State Planning Commission is hosting joint public
meetings with each of the 21 counties between June 14 and July 15. Morris County's
meeting will be held on June 30th in the Freeholder Meeting Room at the County
Administration Building from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. I have forwarded a copy of the notice to
the Borough's Cross Acceptance committee.

Item #11 ­ Insurance:
Hold Harmless Agreements. I attended the PAIC Fund Safety and Education Committee
meeting on Tuesday, June 15th. The firework and carnival operators will now be required
to execute hold harmless agreements in order to operate on Borough property. I will be
working with the Pastime Club to see that these agreements are executed and the other
insurance requirements are met.

No Tolerance Video. PAIC has also provided the Borough with a ten minute long video
entitled "No Tolerance" which reviews employee and employer responsibilities regarding
harassment, hostile workplace environments and other inappropriate behavior. The video
was viewed at the senior staff meeting this week. I will be making arrangements for the
rest of the Borough employees to view the video as is required by the insurance fund.

Item #12 ­ Sidewalk Repairs:
The Borough will be opening bids on Tuesday, July 13th. A copy of the engineer's
estimate is attached. The base bid this year is for Orchard Street. Alternates include the
upper part of Maple Avenue, parts of Lake Drive, Garabrant, Prospect and New Streets.



Item #13- Street Light Request:
I have received a request from Chris Regan of Wilson Street to have a street light
installed. The Regan's have had instances of vandalism and their vehicle was damaged
while parked on the street at night by a hit and run driver. They feel a light will help
prevent these types of activities in the future
.
Item #14 ­ Police Vehicle Leasing:
The preliminary application to Ford Motor Credit has been approved and the final paper
work will be delivered on Monday. The patrol vehicles are being readied and titles have
been received. I anticipate the vehicles being registered on Monday.

Item #15 ­ League Conference:
Another reminder that the New Jersey League of Municipalities annual conference will
be held on November 16th through 19th in Atlantic City. Please let me know as soon as
possible if you intend to attend.

Item #16 ­ Land Use Committee Meeting:
A tentative committee meeting has been scheduled for 7:30 PM on June 24rd in the
Phoenix House. On the agenda is a zoning amendment for public building, an
amendment for accessory uses, steep slope ordinance and existing ordinance on bridle
paths.

Item #17 ­ Wireless Phone Antenna ­ Police Building:
On Monday Geoff Price and I will be meeting with representatives from AT&T Wireless
who would like to perform a design visit at the Mendham Police Department. The
purpose of this visit is for the creation of the conceptual design.

Item #18 ­ Personnel:
Maureen Massey will be starting Tuesday, June 22nd. Still no word on Roger Bashall's
retirement date.

Item #19 ­ Vacation Schedule:
Please be advised that I will taking vacation days on Friday, June 25th, Thursday, July 8th,
Friday, July 9th and Monday, July 12th. Also, please remember that the offices will be
closed on Monday July 5th and the next Borough Council meeting will be Tuesday, July
6th.

REB/jp

Cc: Phoenix
House
Bowers
Building

Department of Public Works

Water Reclamation Facility
Police
Department
Fire
Department

John Jansen, Esq.

Paul W. Ferriero, Borough Engineer

Geoffrey B. Price, Zoning Officer

Document Outline