John-Paul Couce - Newton Town Councilman

10/01/2023

The Town of Newton Dog Park will officially open at 2:30pm on January 13th!

26/09/2022

The Newton Town Council meets tonight at 7pm in person and via ZOOM (see the link at the end).
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The agenda contains the following items:

1) 2nd reading / public hearing of an ordinance appropriating $500,178 for upgrades and replacements of the Town of Newton Water Filtration System.

2) The introduction of a bond ordinance amending bond ordinance 2020-10.

3) The introduction of a $266,000 bond ordinance providing an appropriation of $280,000 for the acquisition and installation of an electric vehicle charging station in the Town of Newton.

4) A resolution granting authority for approval of certain purchases in excess of the bid threshold through the New Jersey State Contracts and/or Purchasing Cooperative for 2022

5) A resolution amending the 2022 capital budget

6) A resolution awarding a fire apparatus repair bid to Firefighter One

7) A resolution concurring with the Town Manager's appointment of school crossing guards for the 2022-23 school year

8.) A resolution approving the payout of unused vacation and sick leave time for retired Road Foreman Richard Straway

9) A resolution approving the payment of routine monthly bills and vouchers.

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The meeting will be held in the council chambers at 39 Trinity Street at 7:00pm in person and via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83897818208?pwd=b112VDYvL0VleVRlemRVVnRrT3ZBZz09&fbclid=IwAR0P5kDjXcoZyOZIqHwMe58XYYH_FeL1UAA4FyZS8KbkE55Qq-NHDGfYnW4 - - (use passcode: 594036).

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

14/08/2022

The Newton Town Council meets tomorrow night at 7pm both in person and via ZOOM (see the link at the end).

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The agenda contains the following items:

1) The introduction of an ordinance to revise the "Alcoholic Beverages" and "Sidewalk Cafes" section of the Town Code

2) The introduction of an ordinance to appropriate $894,909 for a new fire truck ($474,909 will be via bond issuance and the remainder is from American Rescue Plan funding).

3) The introduction of an ordinance providing $25,000 to renovate the Newton Fire Museum.

4) A resolution to certify the annual Town of Newton audit

5) A resolution to affirm the issuance of a $2,750,510 bond anticipation note.

6) A resolution authorizing an emergency repair of the fire panel at the Newton Filtration Plant at $31,834.

7) A resolution authorizing a contract to purchase fire personal protective and daily operational use equipment (i.e.: the new fire truck).

8) A resolution to award a bid for the purchase of a new senior shuttle bus for $121,967.

9) A resolution to approve a contract for roofing and building envelope services for the Water Treatment Plant for $146,913.85.

10) A resolution to authorize the refund of a tax overpayment of $1,715.94 for 22 Hamilton Street.

11) A resolution to refund the redemption of a $43974.44 tax lien on 91 Mount View Street.

12) Resolutions approving vacation and sick time payouts for retired Newton Police Lieutenant Scott King ($36,445.57) and Sgt. Thomas Tosti ($19,057.99) pursuant to contractual terms.

13) A resolution to award a $15,840.64 bid for ADA ramps and signage across Ryerson Avenue for Newton High School.

14) A resolution to award a $19,262.21 bid for improvements (i.e.: paving) to Lawnwood Avenue, Nelson Street, and East Clinton Street.

15) A resolution to cancel $7,776.11 of unused capital improvement balances and to return those funds to the general capital fund or fund balance.

16) A resolution to award a $43,914.95 contract to Planet Networks for the installation of a public speaker system on Spring Street.

17) A resolution to award a $32,256.00 contract for fencing services.

18) A resolution to authorize $1,500 of credits due for the Water / Sewer account at 86 West End Avenue due to a stuck meter.

19) A resolution to authorize the disposal (i.e.: auction) of surplus (i.e.: retired) public works vehicles.

20) A resolution to execute a Shared Services Agreement to provide Animal Control Services for Frankford Township until December 31, 2023 for $13,750.

21) A resolution authorizing the conditional designation of Caruso Redevelopment Group as Redeveloper of the Hicks Avenue and Paterson Avenue Redevelopment areas.

22) A resolution awarding an $8,418.00 contract to resurface Dunn Place.

23) A resolution approving monthly, routine bills and vouchers for payment.

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The meeting will be held in the council chambers at 39 Trinity Street at 7:00pm in person and via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83897818208?pwd=b112VDYvL0VleVRlemRVVnRrT3ZBZz09 - (use passcode: 594036).

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

24/11/2021

The Town of Newton was awarded a 5-year NPP (Neighborhood Preservation Program) designation which includes an initial $125,000 grant to generate visible, tangible change in the "Newton Town Center District" driven by local residents and business owners. An image is attached to this defining the boundaries of the District.

Please take the time to fill out the Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) Community Engagement Survey (https://forms.gle/uA5jxST3etNEwxcq5).

Your participation is greatly appreciated.

More information on the Neighborhood Preservation Program can be found at https://www.newtontownhall.com/NPP.

08/11/2021

The Newton Town Council meets tonight at 7pm at the Municipal Building and via ZOOM.

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The agenda includes the following items:

1) Introduction of an ordinance approving the minimum and maximum salaries for 2022 municipal employees

2) Introduction of an ordinance to appropriate $39,000 for municipal building improvements.

3) Resolutions canceling a trust developer's escrow balance (from the 2015 Taco Bell application) and canceling a check in a trust fund reserve due to non-action of the creditors

4) A resolution awarding a bid to Tony's Concrete Construction for municipal building repairs.

5) Two resolutions authorizing the refund of redemption monies for tax liens.

6) A resolution re-authorizing a required disclosure contract (for a greater amount) with Fire & Safety Services Ltd for fire apparatus repairs due to unanticipated costs

7) Approval of 2021 appropriation transfers.

8.) Approval of routine bills and vouchers

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..The Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control presentation has been postponed to the springtime.
..The Town Council will also be entering into an Executive Session for the purposes of the Town Manager's Annual Review.

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To attend the meeting, either come to the Municipal Building at 7pm or attend via Zoom using these instructions:

Via web link: https://bit.ly/3H5giBm

Via phone: 301-715-8592
Use Webinar ID 812-5321-6269
PIN: 637267

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

13/10/2021

The Newton Town Council meets tonight at 7pm - in person AND via ZOOM.

The agenda includes:

- Swearing in of new police officer Justin Sibblies

- Introduction of an ordinance adjusting the qualification and appointment of police officers

- A resolution authorizing a nepotism policy to be added to the Town of Newton Employee Handbook/Personnel Policies

- Appointing new, additional members to the Economic Development Advisory Commission, Recreation Commission, and Newton Housing Authority

- Appointing a new crossing guard

- Appointing Keith Mitchell as the 2022 Risk Management Consultant for the Town of Newton

- Amending a contract awarded to Pall Water Inc for the installation/maintenance of filtration software at the Morris Lake Water Treatment Facility

- Approving the payment of routine bills and vouchers

- Discussion concerning changes in municipal fees 2022

To attend the meeting, you can come to the Municipal Building at 7pm or log in via ZOOM using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81253216269?pwd=ZEFlZkxVLythdmRZU0dRaVBxa2RhZz09

You can also call in via phone:
301-715-8592
Webinar ID: 812-5321-6269
Passcode: 637267

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

15/07/2021

The former Gateway property has held a negative stigma in our community for many years, consistently carried significant overdue water/sewer fees, and fostered a disproportionate burden upon our public safety agencies. As a frequent visitor to the building, I eagerly await the proposed million-dollar renovation.

Here's to a renewed future for the residents of this complex and the surrounding neighborhood as Newton, NJ continues to attract new growth and investment!

Merriam Gateway Apartments, adjacent to the growing Thorlabs campus of office/manufacturing buildings, has been sold and renamed The Cobblers Loft.

24/05/2021

The Newton Town Council is meeting tonight at 7pm via ZOOM and will be discussing the following items:

1) Public hearing and vote to approve a $637,000 bond for capital improvement projects

2) Public hearing and vote to amend the Newton Town Code to grant setback exemptions for wheelchair ramps in all zones of Newton

3) Public hearing and vote to increase the Newton bulk pickup permit fee from $30 to $50

4) Introduction of an ordinance to establish min/max wages for municipal employees for 2021

5) Approval of a resolution to award a bid for a tow-behind shredder for one of the Town's street sweepers

6) Approval of a taxi cab driver's license for Willie Little III

7) Appointment of Jeff Stabile (Hardyston Zoning Officer) as the temporary Town of Newton Zoning Officer

8.) Appointment of Dale Mabee as a new crossing guard

9) Appointment of new police officer Jordan Harvey (this fills a vacant position, no additional the size of the department has not increased)

10) Refunding of redemption monies for a tax lien holder

11) The regulation of cultivating, processing, sales, and distribution of legal cannabis within the Town of Newton

To attend the meeting via ZOOM, click here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87037455455...

To attend the meeting via phone, call: 301-715-8592
Webinar: 870-3745-5455
Passcode: 952002

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

10/05/2021

The Newton Town Council meets at 7pm tonight via ZOOM. The following items are on the agenda:

A) Introduction of an ordinance providing for bond issuance to cover $437,000 out of $637,000 2021 capital expenditure budget [grant funding and municipal down payments comprise the other $200,000).

B.) Introduction of an ordinance to create setback exemptions for wheelchair ramps in all Town of Newton zones

C) Introduction of an ordinance to increase the bulk waste collection permit fee from $30 to $50

D) A resolution to support the submission of a Local Recreation Improvement Grant to cover $30,000 of the cost involved with creating a Splash Pad at the Newton Pool.

E) Resolutions to award contracts to 1) upgrade the inoperable brine system at the Newton DPW; 2) purchase a replacement dump truck for Newton DPW; 3) lease a new police car; and 4) perform a traffic study as a part of the redevelopment project at 121 Water Street ("G&H")

F) Approval of monthly bills and vouchers

To attend the meeting via ZOOM, use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81152627923...

To attend via phone, call: 301-715-8592
Webinar: 811-5262-7923
Passcode: 389566

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...