TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
WARREN COUNTY
LAND USE BOARD 

MUNICIPAL OFFICES                                                                                                     350 Route 57 West
(908) 689-7209                                                                                                              Washington, NJ 07882 

MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2004

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Formal action may be taken at this meeting.

Chairman Artigliere called the meeting  to order at 7:30 p.m.

ADEQUATE NOTICE was given as follows: Notice was sent to the “Star Gazette” and “Express Times” December 30, 2003. Notice was posted on the municipal bulletin board in the Township Administration Building in Washington Township, New Jersey, and notice was filed with the Township Clerk on December 30, 2003.

ROLL CALL:

Members Present: Mr. Horensky, Mr. Klingel, Mr. Rossi, Mr. Parillo, Mr. Sodtalbers, Mr. Artigliere, Mr. Iwaniszyn, Mr. Strunk, Ms. Pflugh (7:37)

Also Present: Attorney S. Gruenberg

The Chairman at this time announced  that only a Class IV member can hold the position of Vice Chairman and therefore Mr. Iwaniszyn who was previously selected as Vice Chairman would have to be replaced. The Chairman called for the nomination of the Land Use Board Vice Chairman. A motion was made by Ms. Pflugh to nominate Mr. Klingel as Vice Chairman, seconded by Mr. Rossi. A motion was made by Mr. Strunk to nominate Mr. Sodtalbers as Vice Chairman, seconded by Mr. Iwaniszyn. The nominations were closed at this time. Vote for Klingel: Pflugh, Rossi, Horensky, Klingel, Parillo, Artigliere,- Aye, Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Strunk - Nay, 0 - abstain. The motion was approved.

COMMUNICATIONS: List was provided at the meeting.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

1. Mr. John Cilo Jr. & Associates Inc., 198 West High St., Somerville, NJ 08876

Mr. Cilo introduced himself and listed his credentials and education.

Mr. Cilo stated his firm consists of Professional Engineers & Planners & Survey.

Mr. Cilo stated he is the Borough Engineer and Planning Board Engineer for Bound Brook and the Borough Engineer for  Stanhope, his firm also is the Board of Adjustment Engineer for Andover Township and Mine Hill Township. Mr. Cilo stated that his firm specializes in Municipal Engineering. Mr. Cilo stated he was the Engineer for Bedminister Township for eighteen years.

Mr. Cilo gave a brief view of his projects in Bedminister Township and Pluckemin.

Mr. Cilo briefly discussed some of his Historical projects in Bound Brook.

Chairman Artigliere asked if any Board members  had questions for Mr. Cilo.

Mr. Cilo reviewed his hourly rate for the Board. Mr. Iwaniszyn asked Mr. Cilo if our secretary has any questions will their be a charge. Mr. Cilo stated yes there would be

a charge. There would not be a charge for the Mayor or Chairman. Ms. Pflugh asked Mr. Cilo if he was prepared to guide us through the process of compliance for the new DEP rules.

Mr. Cilo stated their would be two model ordinances that the town would have to pass.

Mr. Cilo stated that you can’t make it less restrictive only more restrictive, hopefully this new law will help stabilize. Mr. Strunk asked who would cover for him in his absence. Another full time staff engineer. Mr. Strunk asked why he thinks Bedminister made a change in engineers. Mr. Cilo stated that there was a change in town personnel. Mr. Strunk asked if Mr. Cilo had a meeting with a contractor on site, how would you bill for that. Mr. Cilo stated that he would bill for the actual time and the preparation for the meeting. Mr. Cilo stated that the do not charge travel time for their surveying crew, no travel charge for inspectors. Mr. Strunk asked how they break down their calls, he does not charge if he makes the call, there is no charge for speaking with the Board Attorney.  Mr. Strunk asked Mr. Cilo if he has any experience with limestone issues. Mr. Cilo stated that limestone is something that has to be dealt with. The ordinances should help you guide you but it’s the soils engineer really tell you what you can do. Mr. Cilo stated that is a skill reserved for the Geotechnical people.  Mayor Horensky asked Mr. Cilo if he receives a call from developers, does he respond at his convenience or right away. Mr. Cilo stated he would meet with a developer on a normal basis unless its urgent. Mayor Horensky asked Mr. Cilo how quickly he would respond with comments to the developer, Mr. Cilo stated that he would leave it up to the Board to set the procedure. Mr. Cilo concluded his introduction at this time.

2. John Roulek of Hatch, Mott &  Macdonald.

Mr. Roulek has been with the firm 25 years when it was Killam & Associates.

Mr. Roulek has been planning board engineer for the city of Bayonne. Mr. Roulek stated that he is also a resident of Washington Township. Mr. Sodtalbers asked Mr. Roulek if he represented any other land use boards or municipalities other than the city of Bayonne. Mr. Roulek stated most of his work has been environmental and sewerage authority work, however he has been with Clinton township sewerage authority about ten years. Mr. Roulek stated that his firm has five other engineers that do planning board and other municipal work Mr. Roulek stated that he would be the main engineer and his back up lives in and represents Bethlehem Township. Mr. Roulek listed other replacements and their qualifications for the board. Mr. Strunk asked Mr. Roulek what degrees he holds. Mr. Roulek briefly listed his credentials and education. Mr. Strunk asked Mr. Roulek if he billed for phone calls from the Secretary or Board members, Mr. Roulek stated he did not bill if the call was under fifteen minutes. Mr. Roulek stated that if someone was coming from their office in Millburn approximately fifty miles away,  then there would be travel charge. Mr. Roulek stated that the company is a national company with approximately three hundred employees. Mr. Roulek reviewed his firms limestone and geology experience. Mr. Strunk asked Mr. Roulek if he had any litigation experience to represent a municipality, Mr. Roulek said no, he has been involved in cases that have been settled prior to going to court. Mayor Horensky asked Mr. Roulek how he would classify his firm. Mr. Roulek stated his firm tries to keep abreast of everything that is going on, and have in house seminars once a month.                                                                                                                          2

Mr. Roulek said he is very involved in getting grants for various projects in many municipalities. Mr. Roulek said they are always looking for ways of saving the client money.  Mr. Roulek concluded his introduction at this time.

3. Mr. R. Miller of Studer & McEldowney, PA., Clinton, NJ

Mr. Miller stated he has been doing Municipal Engineering for thirty years and has been with Studer & McEldowney for thirty years. Mr. Miller stated he has held numerous appointments in various townships and was first appointed to Washington Township in 1989. Mr. Miller stated he concentrated on Municipal Engineering. Mr. Miller stated he has become very familiar with the Municipal Land Use Law and ordinances in the area, especially Washington Townships.

Mr. Sodtalbers asked Mr. Miller what other Boards he represents, Mr. Miller stated  Flemington Borough, Washington Borough, Hampton Borough and Washington Township. Mr. Iwaniszyn asked what the current rate schedule was, $130.00 per hour. Mr. Iwaniszyn asked Mr. Miller if there is a charge for informational phone calls from the secretary or board members. Mr. Miller stated that typically there is not a charge for phone calls unless it is extensive concerning an application. Mr. Strunk asked for Mr. Miller’s degrees, Mr. Miller briefly reviewed his credentials and education. Mr. Miller stated that Studer & McEldowney currently has seven licensed engineers in the firm and he tries to send the same people so they become familiar with the towns.

Mr. Strunk asked if Mr. Miller billed for travel time, Mr. Miller stated no, never have.  Mr. Miller gave a brief view of Studer & McEldowney’s  staff. Mr. Strunk asked Mr. Miller ever had to go to court and give testimony, Mr. Miller stated yes, many times ( 10 or 15). Mr. Miller concluded his introduction at this time.

The Chairman had a brief discussion with Attorney about executive session.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mr. Richard Cotton of Asbury Farms and Hawk Pointe.

Mr. Cotton gave a brief discussion on his relationship with the professionals.

Mr. Cotton invited the Board to come down and visit the project and see what has been done.

There was no further public comment at this time.

Mr. Strunk gave a review of  recommendations from other towns and their representatives.

Mr. Klingel made a motion to approve J. Cilo & Associates as the 2004 Engineer at $90.00 per hour, seconded by Mr. Rossi, Vote: Horensky, Klingel, Rossi, Parillo, Artigliere, Pflugh- Ayes

Sodtalbers, Iwaniszyn, Strunk - Naye, 0 - Abstain.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: 9:03 - 9:15

A motion to go into executive session was made by Mr. Rossi, seconded by Mr. Klingel

all ayes motion carried. A motion was made by Mr. Iwaniszyn to come out of executive session seconded by Mr. Rossi, all ayes motion carried.

Attorney Gruenberg presented a resolution for J. Justo a Use Variance/Minor Subdivision application WTPB#2003-9. A motion to grant approval for Minor Subdivision was made by Ms. Pflugh, seconded by Mr. Rossi, Vote: Pflugh, Rossi, Iwaniszyn, Klingel, Artigliere - Ayes, 0 - Naye, 0 – Abstain

Attorney Gruenberg presented a letter concerning a withdraw request which the applicant would like to extend until January 28, 2004, the request was granted.

The Board had a brief discussion of a possible evaluation and job description for the Land Use Secretary.

The Board had a brief discussion about the resignation of a new member of the Land Use Board and a possible replacement.

ADJOURNMENT: 9:48

With no further business to discuss, and no further public comment offered, a motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Sodtalbers, seconded by Ms. Pflugh, all ayes motion carried, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,
Margaret Housman, Secretary
Washington Township Land Use Board