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TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
August 15, 2006
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Minutes
August 15, 2006
The regular meeting of the Township Committee was held this date at the Municipal/Police
Building located on Little Philadelphia Road. The meeting was called to order at 7:34 p.m. by Mayor David Dempski.
SUNSHINE LAW COMPLIANCE - The Mayor noted that this meeting was being held in compliance with the Open
Public Meetings Law of 1975 in as much as a notice had been published in the Star Gazette and transmitted to the Express Times and posted at the municipal building.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, present; Kovacs, present; Mueller,
present; Strunk, present; Dempski, present.
Blake Rush was present sitting in for Township Attorney Edward J Glynn and Mary Ann O’Neil, Township Clerk, Peter de Boer, Certified Public Works Manager and Police Chief James Mc Donald were also present.
SALUTE TO FLAG
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mueller had a correction to the minutes of July 18, 2006, second paragraph, the word Deputy should be put before the word Mayor. Horensky made a motion to approve the Regular Minutes, as
amended, from the meeting of July 18, 2006, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
BID
The Mayor said the Committee had authorized him to retain the services of an
auctioneer to help sell the AJR Farm that is being preserved. The Mayor said that he went with the Fair and Open Contract, which is a formalization of an existing professional services contract.
The bid was posted on the web site for two weeks and announced in the Star Gazette as part of the ordinance. The Mayor also sent the notice to three local auctioneers. Rush opened the only bid received, which was from Max Spann. The Mayor reviewed it and found it to be a conforming bid, as well as Spann had with working with municipalities. The Mayor recommended the bid by Max Spann, Auctioneer, be accepted, and it would be a Fair and Open Contract. Spann would auction off the AJR Farm, which was preserved in July. Mueller asked what his fee would be. The Mayor said the buyers premium will 10% and there would be no commissions or marketing fees paid by the Township. Spann will also handle bidder qualification certification. The Mayor said that currently there are two appraisals going on and when the two appraisals are received, the State will strike a minimum bid. Mueller made a motion to accept the bid from Max Spann to auction the AJR property, to be done as a Fair and Open Contract, Horensky seconded. Horensky said he wanted to make sure that what the Township has done, in terms of advertising, etc., plus form and content of the proposal fits the requirements of Fair and Open Contract regarding bidding. The Mayor said he used the ordinance as a guide line for the actual solicitation proposal and it was in compliance.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Strunk, yes. Dempski, yes.
The Mayor will be working with Ed Glynn, Township Attorney, to get a Professional Service Agreement written and signed by both parties.
ORDINANCES
Horensky made a motion to open
Ordinance 06-21 - Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Property owned by the Township of Washington, to the public, Mueller seconded. All were in favor. John Rolak, 5 Merion, Lane and a member of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Trustees thanked the Township for the offer to purchase this property. They are presently looking for property and actively pursing several different offers. They hope to complete this one. They have not had a formal board meeting. Recently it came to their attention that the Township was looking to extend the potential restrictions on the property beyond the 30 years. There have been informal board meetings with some of the members and they have a problem with that, because of the fact that Habitat for Humanity believes in home ownership. One of the things they try to do is get families started on the road to the American Dream through home ownership. So, after 30 years they like the property to be able to be sold at market value and therefore the person would have some equity in that house. The other problem is, if it is restricted indefinitely their concern is that the property may go to ruin, because of the fact that people would not have the money to potentially maintain it. The other problem they have is in condition, paragraph 4. COAH allows after 30 years the property be sold at market value and they require, at that time, there be an assessment made at the time of sale in terms of what the market value of the house would be. After discussion, paragraph 4 would read - Should the dwelling be sold within 30 years at an unrestricted market sale, any profit derived from the difference between the unrestricted market sales price and the restricted affordable price controls shall be partitioned 75% to the Township of Washington and 25% to Warren County Habitat for Humanity or its successors. This shall be recorded in the deed. Horensky made a motion to close the public hearing, Mueller seconded. All were in favor. There was discussion as to whether this was a major or minor change. Rush felt it was major change and a first reading would be required again. The Mayor said, because it was major change, the ordinance would have to be reintroduced for first reading. The Mayor asked for a motion to deny this ordinance and then have a first reading on the new ordinance in September. Horensky made this motion, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
After discussion, Ordinance 06-26, Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Property owned by the Township of Washington, was introduced by
title only by Horensky, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to open Ordinance 06-22 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 123, Zoning of the Code of the
Township of Washington, Warren County, NJ, to the public, Strunk seconded.
All were in favor. Nobody from the public wished to be heard. Mueller made a motion to close the public hearing, Horensky seconded. All were in favor. Strunk made a motion to adopt Ordinance 06-22 after public hearing and second reading, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to introduce, after first reading, 06-23 Ordinance Amending, Revising & Supplementing Ordinance Number 2003-08 for the
Continuation of the Port Colden Well Monitoring Project in the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of NJ and Appropriating fully funded amount of $16,000, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be September 19th.
Horensky made a motion to approve, after first reading, Ordinance 06-24 Sign
Ordinance, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski ,yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be September 19th.
Horensky made a motion to approve, after first reading,
06-25Ordinance Granting Approval to convey a deed of easement for the AJR Preserved Farm, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be September 19th.
RESOLUTIONS
The Mayor advised that any item for discussion should be removed prior to approval.
Otherwise, one motion will cover all items on Consent Agenda. The Mayor asked that Resolution 06-128 be removed for discussion.
Kovacs made a motion to approve Resolutions 06-125 through 06-132, excluding 06-128, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
06-125 Renewal Agreement for Membership in the Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council (MCCPC)
06-126 Corrective Action Plan for 2005 Audit
06-127 Release of Washington Township Land Use Board Escrow, AJR (Block 16, Lots 9&17)
06-129 Release of Washington Township Land Use Board Escrows (M&M Investments, LP)
06-130 Refund Resolution, Block 24.01, Lot 4
06-131 Refund Resolution, Block 36, Lot 8 and Block 37, Lot 1
06-132 Refund Resolution, Block 65.01, Lot 1Q
Horensky opened 06-128 Resolution for discussion on participating in an Application for a Regional Coordination Grant,
Strunk seconded.
The Mayor said the Warren and Morris Council of Governments is in the process of applying for a grant for a NJ Share Grant to develop a study to see what possible areas surrounding municipalities, could join together in terms of shared services. The State will pay for 50% of any such grant, with the remaining being split between seven municipalities. Washington Township would be the seventh municipality. Currently there is Allamuchy, Independence, Hackettstown, Mansfield, Washington Borough, Township of Washington (Morris County), who have agreed to apply for the grant. Unfortunately, the last meeting was after the Township Meeting and they would like to get this in by the end of this month. The Township does not have available funds at this time for this. The Mayor said he would be willing to make a donation to fund this project, because it is putting his money where his mouth is. It is one of the ways this can be done to get together with other municipalities and get ahead of the eight ball, instead of behind it. Kovacs questioned whether this can be done. Strunk said he had already checked with the CFO who advised that a donation can be made, then it can be done. Horensky said he agrees with the concept of shared services, but his concern was the methodology in which the Township will have to go forward. Horensky said when governments act, they should act straight and do things by the book. Horensky said there is the ability to transfer funds in November and suggested that at the appropriate time when money can legally be moved from one account to another, that provisions be made to move over the amount required to join this Council. Horensky said he is not opposed to this, but thinks the Committee should follow procedures that have been set up by State Finance. Strunk said he also checked with the Township Auditor, who said if a donation wanted to be made, it is within the legal ramifications and if possible to do it this way. Strunk said he would pick up whatever portion that the Mayor does not pay and will put in his Township Salary as a donation to take care of this.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
Strunk said he would attend the next meeting of the Council.
Assemblywoman Marcia A Karrow
The Mayor introduced Assemblywoman Karrow.
Karrow gave a presentation on how she achieved her position, what her goals are and some of her accomplishments.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS (8:35 p.m.)
Barry Goldstein, 1227 Butler Park Road, Assistant Chief, Washington
Township Fire Company, said he was speaking on behalf of the Fire Company District 1 and passed out a sketch to the Committee of a house.
The Fire Department has been to the Township Committee and Land Use Board at least a dozen times over the yeas explaining their limitation regarding height of buildings. The largest ladder they have is 35' which will not allow them to reach of the rear of the proposed structures. They had a discussion with the developer in the past about height of structures and he said he would amend the building so they could be reached. Now, new plans have been presented, which they still cannot reach. Goldstein said they tried to get a Mutual Aid Department, Washington Borough, with a 75' ladder in to see if they could reach the structures, but with the set back of the road widths, they cannot reach either. Goldstein said the Fire Company dropped the ball and did not attend the meeting to testify against the ordinance. They are now going to ask the Committee to amend this ordinance. They believe this presents safety hazards to the volunteer fire fighters and residents of the development. Goldstein said they were asking that the Committee oppose approval of the project until this change can be discussed. Horensky asked if he was referring to Hawk Pointe and Goldstein said he was. He also said he understood that there is a new developer, Toll Brothers, going in. The Mayor said the Committee is not seeing homes as presented in a sketch by Goldstein, they are seeing Town Houses. Goldstein he was referring to the 83 homes that were approved recently. The Mayor said that the sketch, as presented, is not what the is being seen on the Land Use Board. They are seeing a standard Town Home. Goldstein said the sketch shows the back of the building, which means they would not be able to reach the gutter. Dorio said the problem is, when the ordinance came through, it didn’t say how tall the buildings was, didn’t show elevations or anything like that, it just said two story buildings with walk out basement and walk out basement does not count. Dorio said the illustration shown in the sketch isn’t necessarily the buildings that they are showing that they are going to build, it is just a building he got off the internet. It is a two story building with a walk out basement. The Mayor said the ordinance that was passed was merely to increase the size of the store, as well as removing a section of the ordinance. Dorio said when you have a walk out basement, the walk out basement is above grade in the back and it was very cleverly done. They left out all the numbers, so there was nothing to go by. Dorio asked that the ordinance be repealed. Strunk said, during the first round with Hawk Pointe, they had it in. Dorio said they proposed that if they wanted to buy the equipment, it would be alright, but they didn’t want to do that.
The Mayor said it appears that they are just going to be Town Homes and right now, the existing buildings have walk out basements right out to the golf course. He did not think they would something like in sketch. Horensky
said, this is not being offered as a design, it is a potential.
Horensky said there is a difference between a front elevation of two stories and rear elevation, plus walk out basement. Dorio said the ordinance on the books is now open for anybody to build and they could spread out all over the Township. The Mayor said it is specifically in the PVD, but he will review the ordinance. Kovacs said this should be reviewed before the next meeting. The Mayor asked if they wanted the walk out basement to be inclusive of the height restriction. Kovacs said this could be introduced tonight, by title only. The Mayor said the referenced ordinance being discussed was 2006-17. Kovacs made a motion to introduce Ordinance 2007-27, Ordinance to Amend Chapter 123, regarding PVD District, to insure that any height restrictions are inclusive of the basement area, Horensky seconded. The Mayor will discuss this with the Land Use Board at their meeting on August 30th and get their input before the second reading and public hearing. Dorio said they intend to go to this meeting to discuss the ordinance.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
OLD BUSINESS
The Mayor gave the Committee a summary of seven items as an alternative agreement dealing with the fire engine 76-64.
The points were as follows:
(1) Washington Township Fire District pays Washington Township $24,239.00 for 2006 bond principal and interest.
(2) Washington Township covers remaining bond payments.
(3) Washington Township Fire
District removes lease payments for engine 76-64 from their 2007 and subsequent year tax levies.
(4) Washington Township Fire District shall be responsible for the maintenance and fuel costs.
(5) Washington Township Fire District
shall be responsible for the insurance of engine 76-64 starting in 2007, with Washington Township listed as additional insurers.
(6) Washington Township shall convey title to engine 76-64 at the earliest legal time.
(7) Proceeds from
any sale of engine 76-64 shall be split evenly between the Washington Township Fire District and Washington Township.
Kovacs said at the last meeting he offered an alternative to the situation. The bottom line was, when they
voted on the Fire District initially the agreement was that they were going to be responsible for payment of the truck. Kovacs said that the bond was for 10 years and the Township has already made payments on it for three years, so it
would be 70/30. The Township had paid 3 years on it before there was a Fire District, so on the bond, it would be 70/30.
Horensky said his recollection was the same as Kovacs, but it got complicated when the truck was moved into a bond.
Kovacs said in fairness, the Fire Department should be paying for the truck, because that was the agreement
they had. Kovacs said by the Township taking on the payment, it would be $25,000 a year for the Fire District to play with in their budget and will they hold their budget down by $25,000?
The Mayor said a stipulation would be that their lease payments must be reduced by $25,000. Horensky said the F ire District Budget is their own, it is subject to voter approval. It is in the hands of the citizens of the Township as to what monies are collected in taxes, whether it be from the Township, School Board or Fire District. Horensky said the Township will take on the full payment of the bond and not require the Fire District to reimburse the Township. If the Fire District decides to take the money and use it for another purpose, they have a procedure. There is an open public meeting, there is open voting in February for the Fire District, for Commissioners and the budget. The Citizens have the responsibility to review all the information. Kovacs said he will vote yes to make the payment on the Fire Truck, but he also wants to make it clear that there was an agreement with the Fire District that they were going to pay for it and he wants it clear. That was the agreement originally. He will vote to lease it to them. The Mayor made a motion to approve the proposed summary, as amended, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion/Fairway Valley Community Association/Drainage Problem - The Mayor said a letter had been received from Fairway
Valley about drainage problems.
He said, basically, what has happened is the DPW cleaned out a clogged drainage culvert, which empties into the Fairway Golf Course. The Mayor visited the site and there is a stone driveway. He said some of the problem may be coming from a driveway that is directly across the street from the entrance, so water may be coming from the drainage culvert and run off from the mountain. The Mayor has asked Robert Miller, Township Engineer, to look into the situation, because if the Township does what they want done (clogging hole back up), and there is another big storm and the water floods any house down the road, there would also be a problem. The Mayor has asked Robert Miller to find out what the original site approval requirements, because Miller thinks they may have filled in either a drainage swale or detention basin when they expanded the parking lot at the golf course. de Boer was right, if this is a situation that the Township has to fix, then permission will have to be received by DPW to do it, a bond ordinance will have to be issued to pay for it. The permit system will probably take two years. It is situation that should be done very carefully, but the Mayor is working on it.
2.Resignation of Scott Backer - Strunk made a motion to accept the resignation of Scott Backer from the Recreation Commission, which was accepted with regrets, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
3. Reclassification of
Walter Godfrey - The Mayor said he has reclassified Walter Godfrey from an Alternate of the Recreation Commission to a member of Commission with a term expiring 12/31/07.
4. Open Space Advisory Committee Appointment - Horensky
made a motion to approve Linda Thompson to the Open Space Advisory Committee, Strunk seconded. All were in favor.
5. Authorization to issue bid for New Municipal Complex -The Mayor handed out updated information on the New
Municipal Complex. One of the items was the issuance of bid for construction and renovation
on Route 31.
He received correspondence from Robert Miller, Township Engineer, today regarding what the actual steps were to do this, but before this is done, in terms of getting the bid finalized there are two additional questions that needs to be answered for the back up generator. Does the Committee want diesel or natural gas? Do they want 12 hour or 72 hour capacity? Horensky recommended they go with the diesel and 72 hour capacity. Kovacs asked if this was going to be an extra or alternate to the bid, because he does not want it in the bid. Kovacs wants it listed as an extra, because with the bond that has been done, he wants to make sure there is enough money in the bond to do it so it doesn’t have to be rebid.. Kovacs said the generator could always be added later. The Mayor said it will be specified that the generator, which would be a diesel generator/72 hour capacity, would be bid as an extra to the main bid. One bid will be received with it and one bid without it in term of what the extra cost would be.
The Mayor said he had asked Robert Miller, Township Engineer, to look at the e-mails from Ed Gayne on August 7th and August 9th . This is what Miller’s schedule would be to allow for a six week time frame - Bid Notice to
Official Newspaper August 18th, Bid Notice published by Newspaper August 24th; Bid Documents ready and copied
August 24th; Six weeks for contractor to prepare Bids and have pre-bid conference; Taking and opening of Bids would be October 5th; Review of Bid and Recommendation October 12th and Award of Bid October 17th. If there would be any problems in the schedule, then the bid would be awarded November 21st. Horensky asked if a penalty clause will be in the specs on when it should be done by. The Mayor said he would advise that this clause should be in the specs. Horensky made a motion to authorize the Township Engineer, DPW Manager and Architect to take necessary actions, as per Miller’s Schedule, to put the New Municipal Complex out to bid for the target date to award the bid by October 17th, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
6. Clarification of Rolls/Responsibilities in New Municipal Complex - The Mayor said there are still some stall areas on the New Municipal
Complex.
Kovacs said he understands that Robert Miller, Township Engineer, was hired as Project Manager, who is responsible for all facets of this project; Pete de Boer, Certified Public Works Manager, was Clerk of the Works to work with Miller. Kovacs said, as liaison to Building and Grounds, which could change in January, if Miller has any questions he comes to him. Kovacs said if there is an emergency and a bid decision that had to be made, Kovacs said that he would call the Mayor and jointly they would make that decision. If it could wait for a Township Committee meeting, then rather than a decision being made, it would go before the Township Committee.
Strunk said there are a lot of unresolved issues, for instance the security.
Chief Mc Donald was looking into security measures. Horensky said the Chief had been looking into someone designing the system and then he would troubleshoot it and oversee it when the installer comes in and puts the equipment in. He will specify what has to be done and make sure it is done the right way. Stunk said this was a person at the May meeting who offered himself as a consultant and they were going to get additional people in to talk about it, but as far as he knows, nothing has been done since the May 3rd meeting. Horensky suggested they go out and secure someone, such as person discussed, that would be responsible for doing the design work of all of the security system. This person would become the Project Manager of installation of the entire security system of the building. Horensky said a proposal should be put together identifying exactly what the Township is looking for and have the individuals do proposals and see what the numbers come in at and go from there. Strunk said there are also the issues of recording system, sound system, internal issues (dais) and furniture. This individual did not have knowledge on this. The Mayor asked Chef Mc Donald to get in touch with Township Engineer and get a vendor in to do the security consulting for the Township.
7.Authorization for Anna Godfrey to attend Registrars Class - Strunk made a motion for Ann Godfrey to attend the Registrars Class in Atlantic City on November 13th and 14th , Horensky seconded. All were in favor.
REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
John A Horensky said he met with the Washington Township Fire Commissioners and Fire Company last month.
Horensky said there was a meeting with the Police Department on a new Block Watch that
was established over at Valley View. He said that the Chief and Corporal Kauffman did a great job talking with the residents, who are very interested in participating in the Block Watch.
Horensky said that he and the
Mayor met with a representative of our police department and the Readington Township Police Department with regard to some technology that might be of interest to the Township to consider in the future. It was night vision equipment
mounted on a spot light. Horensky said there have been a lot of complaints about things happening in the park at night and the equipment would be very helpful. The Chief said it has thermal imaging and several other
functions. Horensky said he will have a packet of information put together for the Township Committee.
Horensky
a letter was received from a resident on the great work performed by Gary and Betty Wysocki. Kovacs suggested they be sent a letter of accommodation for a job well done and a copy put in their personnel file.
Michael
Kovacs asked de Boer about the summer part time students.
de Boer said Ryans last day was today and Brents last day was Friday. Kovacs said they did a good job this summer. de Boer said they did an outstanding job and they will lose Brent next year because he is going on an internship. Kovacs said they worked hard and he felt a letter should be sent to them from the Township Committee and Mayor. The Mayor will do a letter.
Kovacs asked about closing of a field. de Boer said they must give one field a rest each year. Ray Berry wants to close down S3 for this year. They overseeded it and fertilized it.
Barry Mueller said a meeting
had been arranged from Anna Mc Clement and two engineers (Robert Miller, Township Engineer and Bill Gleba). It was useful, it cleared up some questions, but he would not recommend this be done on a regular basis.
On the Recreation
Committee, Mueller asked de Boer what the delay was at the tennis courts.
de Boer said it was not delayed due to the weather, it was late in getting started and the contractor was stopped by the Township Engineer, because he was not conforming to the specifications. de Boer said the contractor is supposed to rectify the problem by the end of the week and paving should start Monday. Horensky asked if the schedule provided to him slips that he be notified, because several coaches have called about JV tennis. de Boer said it may be close, because if they pave on Monday, then they have to wait two weeks to put on a final coating. Mueller said that DEP approval was received for the underground wiring for the Horse Shoe Court lights.
Mueller said that Dawn Mc Crea would like to put in a Blue Bird Trail just inside the buffer in the Meadow Breeze Park. Mc Crea has already gotten DEP approval to put it inside the buffer. The Mayor said
this should be looked into, because there are two DEP Areas - one is planning and one is enforcement. The Mayor said that she should get clarification in writing from both the Fresh Water Planning and Enforcement. de Boer said he did speak with Tanya Hatten about this, but she would not put anything in writing. Hatten said it is permissible for educational purposes. de Boer said the placement of it is specified in the letter and it is outside, not inside the riparian buffer.
de Boer said in regard to the Horse Shoe Lighting, there was also some paths. The Mayor said the walking paths were taken out, they would not let the Township put them behind the football stands.
de Boer said it could come off the walk over bridge and then go right and then left, it just cannot go behind the football stands. They did approve the path that would go between the football field and bleachers and the other way off the bridge, up and around to the parking lot. It cannot be a paved path. de Boer said the Township Engineer is going to ask if the path can be like the fine stone/cinder used for running tracks.
Mueller said on Historical Commission, the sign on the Auto Giro Building is completed and looks good. Once the corn is cut it will be very visible from Route 57.
R.J. Strunk had no report.
Mayor David Dempski
said that Ocino Restaurant is going to put a request in to hook up to the Hawk Pointe Sewerage Plant in September. They are hesitant on paying the Township Professionals to review the plans.
The Route 57 Speed Reduction near
the Good Shepherd Academy should be completed by the end of September.
The Mayor said that two requests have been received to renew the Soil Erosion Permit for Pacesetter and Golf Course Fields. de Boer said they are stabilized
and did not see any reason to renew the two permits.
There are still a lot of problems at the A&P Shopping Center. Summons have been issued and the Mayor is trying to get in touch with the owner to discuss it. The
Mayor said he may, in September, use the proper State Statute to form a sub-committee of the Committee and entertaining subpoening the owner to have him come and explain why the lights and fire systems are constantly out. The Mayor
said he may bring in people from the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, Skyland Office Development Center to see if he needs guidance in what is going on in the community.
The Mayor said letters
had been received from the Tractor Supply Mall, Good Eats Restaurant small business owners and manager of the mall. There are some issues with the signs on the property. The Mayor instructed the Tom Bocko, Zoning Officer to sit down with them and solve this in an amicable situation. They cannot put signs up in a right-a-way, but the Township wants them to be successful in their business. Bocko sat down the interested parties and they will be applying for a variance before the Land Use Board to increase additional signs for the smaller stores which have no road front sign. Mueller brought up the letter that had been received from the Township showing many signs in front of businesses and asked if they were in violation as well. The Mayor said most of them were. Mueller said that it is a matter of the Zoning Officer enforcing the ordinance. The Mayor said he calls him constantly and he issued several violations last week.
On ENSR, they are funded for this year, but they need to address for future commitments.
The Solar Power Bid is still in progress, the structural engineer is still reviewing the roof situation.
On public assistance,
they met on July 13th and they are down to seven clients. They will also be meeting on September 8th, October 16th and November 20th. The Mayor also has an Executive Session on Public Assistance.
On Affordable Housing,
they are waiting for COAH to response to the third round questions that have been answered.
On Open Space, they will be meeting on Thursday with County, State and Non-Profit Groups to map out future farmland preservation projects.
The Mayor said, regarding SWAC, the next meeting will be September 7th and they will be giving a tour of the new PCFA facilities, where they will consolidate the recycling center to the convenience center from the existing County Garage.
The Mayor said that Mansfield is working on a proposal to us the Wolfe Preserve for deer carcasses, if the Township is willing th drop the carcasses off, they would take them.
Mansfield is interested in a Mutual Aid Agreement where if the Township DP W was tied up, they would be willing to take Township carcasses and it would be vice-versa if their DPW was tied up. The preserve is in Columbia, N.J. The Mayor said he would rather pay mileage, than $75 fee per carcass to get rid of them. de Boer, Public Works Manager, said that Morris County Co-op went out to bid and it would be $59.95 a deer during the week, $69.95 for weekends and there is a cost charged to the property owner of $79.95. de Boer said he had talked with someone in the Police Department about the deer and there is at least one deer a week on an average. de Boer said if the DPW is going to do it, he didn’t think it should be complicated in going to Mansfield Township to cover for them. de Boer said the carcass removal by the Township starts October 1st. The Mayor said that this will wait until it is discussed further in council next week. de Boer will look into this and do a cost analysis on various way to dispose of carcasses
The Mayor said the appraisals are being done on the AJR Farm, due the end of August and the auction will be the end of October.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Horensky made a motion to approve the payment of bills, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Kovacs made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:00 p.m. for the purpose of personnel, Horensky
seconded. All were in favor.
The doors were opened. Horensky made a motion to come out of Executive Session, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
The Mayor made a motion that a resolution be drafted for the September
19th meeting to transfer the Public Assistance Duties to the Warren County Public Assistance Office, to consolidate management of the Township Welfare Clients and other issues, Kovacs seconded
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes.
There being nothing further to come before the Committee, Horensky made a motion to adjourn at 10:15 p.m., Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk
