TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
January 17, 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 7:30 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: Dempski, present; Kovacs, present; Mueller, present; Strunk, present; Horensky, present. Township Attorney Edward J Glynn and Township Clerk Mary Ann O’Neil,  were also present.

SALUTE TO FLAG

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Strunk made a motion to approve the minutes from the Special Meeting of December 8, 2005, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, abstain; Kovacs, abstain; Dempski, yes.

Strunk made a motion to approve the minutes from the Executive Session of the Special Meeting of December 8, Mueller seconded.
 ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, abstain; Kovacs, abstain; Dempski, yes.

Strunk made a motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 20, 2005, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.

Strunk made a motion to approve the Executive Minutes from the Regular Meeting of December 20, 2005, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Dempski, yes.

ORDINANCES
Kovacs made a motion to open Ordinance 06-01 2006 Salary Ordinance to the public, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes;  Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Sara Leitch, Express Times, asked how do the salaries for the mayor and committee members compare to the current ordinance.  The Mayor said it is just a salary range and there has been no increase in the salaries for any mayor or committee member for several years.  Kovacs said there is a resolution fixing the exact numbers. Horensky made a motion to close the public hearing, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to approve Ordinance 06-01 after public hearing and second reading, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

Mueller made a motion to open Ordinance 06-02 Ordinance Reauthorizing the Open Space Trust Fund for the Twp of Washington to the public, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Richard Flint, Skyview Drive, asked how does one find out what is going on with the open space program, is there any report available, such as acquisition of properties, spending of bonds, etc., is there any accounting?  The Mayor said that they currently have not been spending too much other than bond payments. The Mayor said that a print out should be done at the end of the year of the open space encumbrances and payments made from it.  Flint said, since it is a tax on the people, there should be a brief summary of activity. Kovacs said it would be good to get a history together on this.  The Mayor will have it ready for the next meeting.
Strunk made a motion to close the public hearing, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to approve Ordinance 06-02 after public hearing and second reading, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to introduce Ordinance 06-03 Ordinance Amending, Revising and Supplementing Chapter 72 of the Code of the Township of Washington Entitled, “Fire Prevention,” Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Public hearing and second reading will be February 21, 2006.

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 pulled out Resolution 06-28.  Kovacs made a motion to approve Resolution 06-24 through and including 06-27, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
06-24Reduction of Performance Guarantee for Marco Contractors
06-25Resolution Authorizing a Contract for Jersey Professional Management for Temporary Management Consultant Services to be provided by Donna Mollineaux.
06-26Transfer Resolution
06-27Tax Sale Certificate Redemption Bl 78, Lot 9.01

Strunk made a motion to approve Resolution 06-28 State Aid Application for Castle Street/Dale Avenue Sidewalk, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor said that this resolution authorizes the Township to apply, as a fall back mechanism, if they do not get the funding for Cemetery Hill, if the bid does not fall properly. An attempt will be made to redirect the funds to other areas which address safety in the Township. 

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
There were none.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Application for State Aid for Pleasant Valley Road -  After discussion, the Mayor asked for a motion to approve Robert Miller, Township Engineer, to create a grant application for Safe Streets to Schools to NJDOT for the Pleasant Valley Phase II Project, pending a review at the budget meetings. Horensky made a motion to approve this, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor will contact Miller to prepare the application for the meeting on January 28th with his  estimates and what the Township may be able to get from the State, as well as the cost of the project.

2.Brown and Brown - Strunk said he had two specialists that the Township had used before go up and do some review on it.  Extensive revamping of the air conditioning system and rewiring is needed, because of the way the building is being reconfigured.   This work will have to be done from  from outside expertise drawings that the architect is not licensed to provide.  The Township needs to seek proposals from professionals for the mechanical and electrical work. Some of this could not determined until Brown and Brown got out.   The Township has to take down about 95% of the ceiling tiles to see the extent of what has to be revamped with the air conditioning.   Strunk suggested that a Project Manager be hired.  The plans are far enough along to move to that end.   He also suggested that the DPW take the ceiling tiles down to allow this investigation being done.   Strunk also suggested if the Township want to save the carpet it must be covered to avoid damage.

Strunk said that Pete de Boer, Certified Public Manager, has also investigated removal of the oil tank.  Kovacs said that de Boer will have three quotes for the next meeting.  He has talked with the gas company and they will give the Township free hookup.   Kovacs said that de Boer had also talked with Agway, now Suburban Energy, on converting from oil to gas and will have this ready for the next meeting.

Kovacs asked why the things being done at Brown and Brown has not gone out to general contractors.   Kovacs said the Township has to go out to bid for a general contractor and let them worry about the subcontractors.    Strunk said a complete plan has to be supplied to the general contractor of what is there, what has to be fixed and what has to be changed. Kovacs asked if there were any specs.  Strunk said not to replace the air conditioning or revamp the electrical.   The Mayor said if someone is hired or a general contractor does  it, it could be a package.  The structural plans are  ready, but the infrastructure is not done.  This could be part of the bid proposal, building, as well as  designing some of the electricity, air conditioning and  plumbing. The Mayor said that way, the same person would be designing it and building it. 

Horensky said it was in favor of hiring a general contractor and if there is a problem, you just go to that one source.  If we hire subcontractors on our own, then the Township are the ones that have to check references, permits done and filed with State, labor agreements, etc.  Horensky thanked Strunk for the information that has been provided, but now it is time to go out and bid the job properly.   Horensky said it is time to put together a Request for Proposal (RFP), identify what we want accomplished in the building, what we need to do with regards to systems that have to be investigated and get the project off and running and let somebody else worry about if all the subcontractors are working properly and efficiently. Strunk said the Township does not have the design information to go out for a RFP.
 
The Mayor said that part of the bid responsibility would have to be a full inspection of the building. Kovacs said the general contractors should be told what the Committee wants, how much will it cost?  Strunk said  that you have to go to DCA for permitting for mechanical and electrical and the architect that has drawn the plans does not have that capability.   Strunk said before you can pull a permit, DCA wants to look at the drawings and say yes or no.

The Mayor said there are two areas to be considered.  You can say a General Contractor would be hired to not only build it, but finish up some of the mechanical and electrical or go out and bid for the them and then bid for General Contractor.  Horensky said he went along with the first option.  Horensky said that the cost would be to have an individual put together a set of plans that shows where the deficiencies are, design the system for the correction of the  deficiencies so when you go out to bid you are telling the contractor what to do.

Kovacs said the work will have to be bid.  Somebody has go into the building and put together a set of specs and drawings so people can bid on them.  Horensky said, at this point, the Committee should go out and hire one firm that has the capability of bringing this project to the point where it can go out to bid on it, then go forward.  The Mayor said a Bid Proposal should be put together for completing the infrastructure of the building.  Horensky said the Committee should hire a company that can take a look at the internal workings of the building, look at all the systems and come up with a plan that will mesh with structural plan that has already been developed on the lay out of the building, then use that as a basis to go out to bid.   Kovacs said that Robert Miller, Township Engineer, because he knows what is out there in the market place and what is needed to be done. Miller should be told what the Committee wants to do, final plans are needed to go out to bid on the project and ask who he would recommend to do this project.   The Mayor said he would like a motion to authorize him to contact Robert Miller, Township Engineer, to develop RFP for the sum total of a building engineering firm to develop plans for HVAC, electric and plumbing. Kovacs said it would be the entire project, Horensky agreed. The Mayor said it would be plans, plus construction, so they are looking for a general contracting firm to build, as well as spec out the plans for the three areas.  Kovacs said he is looking for a set of specs that will finish the building and any details on HVAC, electric or whatever else is needed, because the only thing the Township has is the floor layout.  Kovacs made a motion that Miller be contacted to come back with some recommendations on what is exactly needed on the Brown and Brown Building, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor thanked Strunk for all the work that he has done on the building and dealing with State on issues.  Strunk said the project is not back to the Township Committee to go forward with it.  There was discussion on Project Manager, which will also be discussed with Miller.

NEW BUSINESS
1.Kovacs made a motion to approve the Clerk attending the Master Municipal Clerk Academy on February 23 and 24 in East Windsor, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

2&3Horensky made a motion to approve the appointment of Judge J. Edward Palmer for the Washington Township Municipal Court, for a three year term, expiring 12/31/08, Barbara Ball, Municipal Court Administrator, for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Jennifer Golas as Deputy Municipal Court Administrator for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Brett Morrow as Prosecutor for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, and Irene Brownell as representative to close out of the Central Warren Court,  Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor said that Donald Farino had been appointed as Public Defender at the Reorganization Meeting.

4.Introduction to Pay-to-Play Bidding Policy - The Mayor had a hand out for the Committee to review, which will become an ordinance.  Committee was to review and if there were any questions to call him. This will become an ordinance, which must be filed with the Secretary of the State and it has to be posted on the Township Web Site, as well as include a template for selection process on bidding policy.

5.Appointment to Open Space Advisory not ready.

6.NJSLOM Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition - The Mayor would like to have a motion if the Township would be interested in sponsoring  a Junior or Senior in Warren Hills, living in Washington Township. The Committee would  form a Scholarship Committee and select the semi-finalists, then they are sent down to the State for a final selection. Horensky made a motion to approve the Township working with the NJSLOM on the Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes. Dempski, yes.
 
7.Proposal to consolidate Township Banking - The Mayor said the Finance Department has done a review on how the Township is currently managing the two banks. They got five bids from various banks in the area. After reviewing proposals, they recommended  that all accounts be consolidated and put into the Hudson United Bank, Kovacs seconded.  This will be done after the budget meeting.   Mueller made a motion to approve the consolidation of all township bank accounts to Hudson United Bank, Kovacs seconded. There was discussion on having a second pick up during tax time. Finance was to try to get this as part of the package, if not, the Township will have to pay for them. This will be done at the convenience of the Finance Department.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

8.Authorization for Stormwater Management Coordinators to draft ordinance  - The Mayor said that the Township, being a Tier B Municipality, has several requirements to meet this year.  The stenciling must be done on the stormwater drains, update all the ordinance to be in compliance with the regulations. The Mayor said there are two people working on this, from different points of view.  Steve Gruenberg from the Land Use Board is reviewing and updating the ordinances.  Robert Miller, Township Engineer and Peter de Boer, Public Works Manager, need to redraft ordinances from a technical standpoint.   Miller had suggested that it would cost $4500 to update the ordinances from a technical engineering standpoint to make sure they are compliant with the new regulations. Strunk made a motion to approve Miller and de Boer working on drafting ordinances from a technical standpoint, pending availability of funds, Horensky seconded.   Horensky suggested that Kerry Pflug be contacted on this since she  has done extensive work on stormwater management.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes. Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.

9.The Mayor appointed Robert Finke to the Environmental Commission for a three year term, expiring 12/31/08. 

10.Kovacs made a motion to approve the raffle  applications for the Washington Nursery School on March 11, 2006, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky abstained (wife works at school); Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
Barry Mueller said the Historical Commission reorganized and has the same officers and same meeting time.

Recreation Commission did not meet this month.

He is meeting with Municipal Alliance on Thursday.

Jeff Strunk said he submitted a suggestion form last month from Finance to send out and asked if there any objections to this being done to the employees, there was none.

John Horensky said he has been working with Mueller and there is a draft sign ordinance being developed. They are working with Tom Bocko, Zoning Officer, on this. The Mayor said he had submitted his suggestions. Horensky said he will continue working with Mueller and Bocko in refining this ordinance and come back by next meeting for further discussion.

Horensky said he had met with Fire Commissions and Fire Department.  There is continuous concern about how to resolve the issue regarding 76-64 truck.  The vehicle is in a bond.  Ralph Dorio, Commissioner, has talked with his attorney, who had been discussing this matter with Bond Counsel.   At this point, it does not appear that it could be separated out of the bond and there is still 20 years of payment on the bond. He would like to continue exploring ways in which the Township might be able to be move it over to the Fire District and the Fire District  continue to make payments on it.      The Mayor said he would want anything in writing stipulated  on any terms that are proposed.

Horensky said the computer system in the Police Department failed and they lost some memory in reports. Their memory is full, there is no more memory in the server.   Chief Mc Donald said it was $300 to increase the memory of the server to get them over this until the Committee decides what they want to do in terms of long record management.   Chief Mc Donald will have a representative contact the Mayor on backing all Township information off site in Pennsylvania.  It would run between $30 and $50 a month. Kovacs made a motion to authorize Chief Mc Donald in increase the memory of the computer system, not to exceed $1000, pending available of funds, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

Chief Mc Donald said that numerous complaints have been received about one of the local establishments. They are currently investigating some of the complaints. The Township Ordinance is inviting some of the problems, because the closing time in the Township is 3:00 a.m.   All other municipalities close at 2:00 a.m.  He asked for an amendment to the ordinance changing the closing hours until 2:00 a.m. Horensky made a motion to approve, by title, an Ordinance closing the bars at 2:00 a.m.,  Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
 
Michael Kovacs said the Department of Public Works is currently doing some work at the Brown and Brown Building on the police gym.    The DPW is also collecting Christmas trees every Thursday.  There was some work done on Coleman Hill Road by putting down road materials and loose gravel was swept.   There were new tires put on the back hoe and grader. There was also repairs made on the F350 and F250. Kovacs said that de Boer is loaded down with paper work and has talked about the possibility of adding a part time secretary to do the work.

de Boer said the Committee had approved $2000 for him to fix the building behind the Brown and Brown Building and he needs another $500 to finish it. Kovacs made a motion that and additional $500 be given to de Boer to finish the room being used for police gym, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, no; Dempski, yes.
Mayor David Dempski said, under Professional Service Agreements, there was a quote from CREW to update Wastewater Management Plan, which will be presented during the budget meeting.

The Mayor is meeting with Robert Miller, Township Engineer, and Ed Glynn, Township Attorney and ABD
Thursday to put some closure on the drainage problem.

He had a call from Karen Keeber, from Warren County Human Services.  There is a grass root committee organizing to start a YMCA in the Washington Township area. It would be a branch off the Phillipsburg-Easton Y. Ed Rossi has volunteered to represent Washington Township.  They would initially use space in local churches and schools.

The Mayor and Mueller met with the Board of Education on renting the Police Building.  They want a six year lease, based on improvement value.  Renovation plans were passed out to the Committee to review.  This will be discussed at the February meeting.

On Affordable Housing, COAH required the petition  be republished in the Star Ledger, because the Star Gazette does not have enough circulation.

PAYMENT OF BILLS
Mueller made a motion to pay the bills, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Kovacs made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. for discussion on personnel issues and contract negotiations, Mueller seconded.   All were in favor.

The doors were opened. Horensky made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 11:40 p.m., Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.

Glynn  said, with regard to the Gangaware matter, the Committee will be taking a vote which will be along the lines of authorizing him to communicate with Gangaware’s attorney that unless they receive a signed and notarized letter of resignation, effective immediately by the close of business this Friday, January 20th, that the Township will communicate, in writing, with the bonding company and make all monetary claims under the bond to effectuate full reimbursement of the Township for all of its losses, not just the$8500 that was put forth in settlement offer.  With regard to the DPW contract, Kovacs and Strunk will be meeting with the representative of the union along with Pete de Boer and propose changes that were discussed this evening.

Strunk made a motion that the summary as proposed by Ed Glynn on Gangaware be approved, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.

The Mayor asked for authorization to advertise for a full time CFO Position on Monday of next week in the paper and also NJ League Web Site and magazine.  Kovacs mad a motion that the position of CFO be advertised in local papers and NJ League Web Site and Magazine, Horensky seconded.  All were in favor.

Horensky made a motion to adjourn at 11:45 p.m., Kovacs seconded.

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk