TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Reorganization Meeting
January 1, 2007

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP REORGANIZATION MINUTES

JANUARY 1, 2007

The Clerk swore Barry Mueller and Samir Elbassiouny  in as Township Committeemen for a three year term,  prior to the beginning of the Reorganization Meeting.

Township Clerk Mary Ann O’Neil called the 2007 Reorganization Meeting to order at noon on this date at the Washington Township Municipal Building located at 33 Little Philadelphia Road, Washington, NJ.

SUNSHINE LAW COMPLIANCE  - The Clerk 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, posted at the Municipal Building and a copy is in the Clerks office.   This agenda is subject to change by order of the Township Committee and or during the scheduled meeting.

ROLL CALL: Dempski, present; Elbassiouny, present; Horensky, present; Kovacs, present; Mueller, present.

SALUTE TO FLAG

NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR
The Clerk asked for nominations for the Mayor of Washington Township for a one year term. Elbassiouny  nominated Horensky, Kovacs seconded.  The Clerk asked if there were any further nominations for Mayor. Kovacs moved to close the nominations, Elbassiouny seconded. All were in favor. The Clerk asked for a motion of Horensky for a one year term as Mayor.   Kovacs made a motion that Horensky be appointed as Mayor, Elbassiouny seconded. 
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes.
The Clerk swore Horensky in as Mayor.

Horensky said, before they convened the meeting that he would like to recognize some of the guests, which were: Freeholder John Di Maio, Mayor John Inscho of Liberty Township and Mayor Angelo Acceturo of Oxford Township.

NOMINATIONS FOR DEPUTY MAYOR
Kovacs made a motion to nominate Samir Elbassiouny  as Deputy Mayor, Horensky seconded.  Kovacs made a motion to close the nominations, Horensky seconded. All were in favor. Kovacs made a motion to approve the appointment of Samir Elbassiouny as Deputy Mayor, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Elbassiouny, yes.
The Clerk sworn in Elbassiouny as Deputy Mayor.

APPOINTMENTS
Dempski made a motion to approve the appointment of Mary Ann O’Neil, for a term of one year (12/31/07) to the following positions, Election Official, Affirmative Action Officer, Secretary to the Local Board of Health, Secretary to the Safety Committee, Custodian of Government Records, Public Agency Compliance Officer and Safety Coordinator, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

The Mayor said the Committee had gone forward this year for Request For Proposals (RFP), which was in compliance with the State’s new performance standards for identifying professionals for the Municipalities. Dempski  made a motion to approve the appointment of Michael Lavery, from the firm of Sirkus and Lavery for Township Attorney for a one year term, at a rate of $125/hour and meeting charge of $375 per meeting,  Kovacs seconded.    The Mayor said that in speaking with Lavery, it would be $3,000 per month which  does include meeting charges, so the fee would be $3,000 per month, which includes preparations of all the materials necessary to run the township and meeting attendance.  Dempski amended his motion to be $3,000 a month retainer, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski made a motion to approve the appointment of Anna C Godfrey for a one year term (12/31/07) for Deputy Election Official and Deputy Custodian of Records and Deputy Township Clerk, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Jo Ann Fascenelli as Treasurer for a one year term ending 12/31/07, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Michael Schmidt as 911 Coordinator for a one year term ending 12/31/07, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Thomas Bocko as Zoning Officer for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Dempski seconded.  All were in favor. 

Mueller made a motion to approve Betty and Gary Wysocki as Animal Control Officers for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Dempski seconded.  All were in favor.

Elbassiouny  made a motion to approve Daniel Wyckoff to the Office of Aging for Washington Township for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.

The Mayor said the Township had again gone out through RFP’s to seek an engineer for a three year term, expiring 12/31/09.   The Mayor said, based on the proposals submitted, he recommended that Medina Consultants be hired. Elbassiouny  made a motion that Medina Consultants be hired, Kovacs seconded.
Dempski asked why Finelli Consulting was not involved in the bidding process.  The Mayor said that Finelli is the Township’s Land Use Board Engineer and they are doing an excellent job and by taking them on, it would stretch them very thin.  They do have other municipalities and land use boards in the County.  Their staff, though very talented, is very small.   Medina Consultants have a large breadth of engineering services that extend across the State of New Jersey.   They do a lot of work in areas that could benefit the township doing geotechnical ,  stormwater management and been involved in a lot of other programs. The Mayor said from that prospective, if the Township was looking to maximize the engineering resources they do have, this was the reason he made the recommendation for Medina Consultants.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, no; Mueller, no; Horensky, yes.

Dempski made a motion to approve Jerilynn Harris, for a one year term, as Court Administrator, expiring 12/31/07, to approve the position of Prosecutor, James Morrow, for a one year term expiring 12/31/07 and Donald Farino as Public Defender for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Elbassiouny seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve  Donald Farino to the position of Public Defender for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

Elbassiouny  made a motion to approve Pete de Boer and Jo Ann Fascenelli as Recycling Coordinators for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Dempski  seconded.   All were in favor.

The Mayor said they had gone through the procurement process for an auditor. The Mayor recommended that Dave Evans, from Nisivoccia and Company be reappointed. Dempski  made a motion to reappoint Dave Evans as Auditor for 2007 for a one year period expiring 12/31/07, Mueller  seconded.  Kovacs said he wanted to make sure that this year the Township try their best to introduce in February and adopt the budget in March if at all possible.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski  made a motion to approve Steve Rogut as Bond Counsel for a term of one year expiring 12/31/07, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

The Mayor said, on the appointment of a Consultant for the Land Use Board, on the geotechnical, a number of engineering firms had submitted their RFP. He asked for any recommendations.  Dempski asked if it was the intent to use the same engineer as geotechnical consultant.  The Mayor said that after the RFP’s had been reviewed and they have the qualifications that are acceptable for geologist, he saw no reason why not to bring them on board as technical consultant.   Elbassiouny made a motion to approve Medina Consultants as geotechnical consultant to the Land Use Board, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski  made a motion that Pat Kollar be Municipal Alliance Coordinator for a period of one year expiring 12/31/07, Elbassiouny seconded. All were in favor.

The Mayor recommended Dempski, as a Township Representative on Municipal Alliance. Elbassiouny made a motion that Dempski be Township Representative  on the Municipal Alliance for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor.

Elbassiouny made a motion that Cef Garcia be approved for three  year term, expiring 12/31/09, as Emergency Management Coordinator,  Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion that Bruce Smith be appointed as Sewerage Consultant for a one year period with a term expiring 12/31/07, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski said they did not do the appraisers or special counsel awards. The Mayor asked that when it comes time to identify special counsel, since there was some questions raised with regard to the acceptability of the proposals that were submitted, that Township Attorney Michael Lavery review the documents received, compare them to what was proposed and give a recommendation for special counsel at the regular meeting in January. At that time, a decision will be made. Dempski said he had a correction for the record, on Attorney Bernstein, in his December 26, 2006 letter underneath he had a cut and paste error. Bernstein did not submit a monthly rate, but he did submit an hourly rate.   The Committee agreed to do this, with the understanding that they do not have to take his recommendation. 

The Mayor asked, with regard to appraisers, if anyone had a recommendation.  Dempski said four had been submitted, two did not include the required pricing, but all four or five appraisers, were equally qualified in terms of being familiar with Washington Township.   Dempski said he would support Jerry Mc Hale and Associates and C L Orbaker and Associates who has done work for the Township in the past. Dempski made a motion to prequalify Jerry Mc Hale and Associates and C L. Orbaker and Associates, for Green Acres and Farmland Preservation Appraisal Reports, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

The Mayor said that RFP’s had also been sent out on Sewerage Consulting Engineers and a motion should be made not to hire, but to prequalify.   Elbassiouny made a motion that Crew Engineers be prequalified as Consulting Engineers for a one year period expiring 12/31/07, Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor.

ORDINANCES
Kovacs made a motion to approve Ordinance 07-01 2007 Salary Ordinance on first reading, Elbassiouny  seconded. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be held on January 16, 2007.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes. .

Elbassiouny made a motion to approve Ordinance 07-02 Ordinance Reauthorizing the Open Space Trust Fund for the Township of Washington on first reading, Mueller seconded.  Public Hearing and Second Reading will be held January 16, 2007.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

Elbassiouny made a motion to approve Ordinance 07-03, Ordinance Creating Uniform Construction Code Office, Dempski seconded. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be held January 17,  2007. Dempski said if this passed, it will have to be reflected in the salary resolution and salary ordinance the positions created in ordinance.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

RESOLUTIONS
The Mayor asked if any of the Committee wanted to pull any resolutions, if not, then a consent motion will be made for all resolutions.  Dempski asked that Resolution 07–02 needs to be sent down to COAH.  The Mayor asked that Resolution 07-14 be tabled until the next meeting.
Kovacs made a motion that Resolutions 07-01 through 07-13 and 07-15 through and including  07-22 be approved, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
07-01 Resolution Authorizing Township of Washington Officials to Sign Checks
07-02 Cash Management Plan
07-03 Temporary Budget
07-04 Establishing Petty Cash Funds
07-05 Salary Resolution
07-06 Resolution Designation Official Newspapers
07-07 Interest on Delinquent Taxes ad Assessments
07-08 07-08 Tax Assessors/Township Attorney Stipulations
07-09 Regular Meetings of the Township Committee and Board of Health
07-10 Resolution Designating a Public Agency Compliance Officer (PACO)
07-11 Resolution Adopting a Uniform Notice of Claim
07-12 Resolution Appointing Public Alliance Insurance Coverage Fund Commissioner
07-13 Resolution Authorizing the Award of Fair and Open Contract for Township Attorney
07-15 Resolution Authorizing the Award of Fair and Open Contract for Township Engineer.
07-16 Resolution Authorizing the Award of Fair and Open Contract fo Auditing & Accounting Services
07-17 Resolution Authorizing the Award of Fair and Open Contract for Township Bond Counsel
07-18 Resolution Authorizing the Award of Fair and Open Contract for Appraisal Services
07-19 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Public Defender (Donald Farino))
07-20 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Municipal Alliance Coordinator  (P Kollar)
07-21 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Sewerage Consultant (B Smith)
07-222006 Budget Appropriation Transfer

NEW BUSINESS
Proposal for Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment - The Mayor said there was a Proposal for a Limited Phase II Environmental Assessment, which has to do with the work being done at the Brown and Brown Building (new site of the Administration Building).  The proposal was from Keating Environmental Management Incorporated, the firm that completed Phase I environmental work. The proposal calls for the preparation of Phase II work, more detailed environmental assessment of the building and its materials.  The price for this work is $8500. Keating came back with a report, which indicated, due to the present age of the structure and materials that were used, that it does present the potential for contamination. It has to be handled through an environmental clean up activity. Dempski made a motion to authorize Keating Environmental Management Incorporated be hired at $8500 to conduct a limited  Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, at 211 Route 31, (Brown and Brown Building), Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS
LAND USE BOARD
The Mayor said, as Mayor, he serves as Class I Member for a one year on the Land Use Board with a term ending 12/31/07.  The Mayor appointed Evan Howell, Official for the Township/Tax Collector, as a Class II Member, with a one year term ending 12/31/07. The Mayor recommended that Samir Elbassiouny be made a Class III Member of the Land Use Board.  Kovacs made a motion to approve Samir Elbassiouny to a Class III Position, for a one year term expiring 12/31/07, Dempski seconded.  All were in favor.

The Mayor appointed Leonard Artigliere to a Class IV position for a four year term, expiring 12/31/10. He reappointed, Efrem Zaret, Alternate 1 to a two year term expiring 12/31/08 and James Vergos, Alternate 2 to a one year term expiring 12/31/07.

The Mayor appointed Carl Bundschuh to an unexpired term, expiring 12/31/08.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
The Mayor reappointed Phil Iwaniszyn as Chairman of the Environmental Commission for a one year term expiring 12/31/07. 
There are four members, whose terms have expired.  The Mayor appointed Gordon Wallace and reappointed  Lynn Griffin for three year terms, expiring 12/31/09. There are still two openings on the Commission.

HISTORICAL COMMISSION
The Mayor said there are two Class C, four year terms. He reappointed Gregory Terhune and Waltraud Knudsen, expiring 12/31/10.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The Mayor appointed David Dempski, Township Committee representative for a one year term expiring 12/31/067 on Affordable Housing.  The Mayor reappointed Sharon App to a three year term, expiring 12/31/09. There is still an open seat.

RECREATION COMMISSION
The Mayor appointed Raymond Berry  to a 5 year term to the Recreation Commission with a term ending 12/31/11.   The Mayor appointed Daryl Detrick to serve the balance of an unexpired term, with a term expiring 12/31/08.
 
OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Mayor reappointed David Dempski as Chairman.   The Mayor asked Mueller if he had asked Gregory Terhune to stay on Open Space and he had not, but will do so. Kovacs made a motion to have Dempski serve as Township Representative on the Open Space Advisory Committee, Elbassiouny seconded.  All were in favor.  Dempski asked that Al Ivany be appointed to the Open Space Advisory Committee, as the public.  Kovacs made a motion to appoint Al Ivany to the Open Space Advisory Committee, Elbassiouny seconded representative.  All were in favor.  Dempski said that he would like to see if Al Ivany would accept the Chairman seat and he would resign from it.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The Mayor appointed Julie Morganello to a five year term, expiring 12/31/11.

APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS LIAISONS TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY/JOHN HORENSKY
Police Department
Emergency Management
Animal Control Officer
Public Health Department
Shared Municipal Court
Fire District/Fire Department/Fire Official
Municipal Attorney
Economic Development

BUILDING AND GROUNDS/SAMIR ELBASSIOUNY
Department of Public Works
Buildings
Grounds
Construction Official
Recycling
Township Engineer
Warren County Solid Waste Advisory Council

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION/MICHAEL KOVACS
Township Clerk
Deputy Township Clerk
Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer/Finance Secretary
Tax Assessor
Tax Collector
Municipal Auditor

SCHOOLS AND RECREATION/BARRY MUELLER
Washington Township Board of Education
Warren Hills Regional High School Board of Education
Washington Township Youth Association
Washington Township Football
Recreation Commission/Administrator
Historic Commission
Shared Services Council

PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE/DAVID DEMPSKI
Public Information
Township Website
Municipal Alliance
Affordable Housing Officer
Clean Communities Coordinator
Farmland Preservation
Environmental Commission

The Mayor said, under Building and Grounds, he and Kovacs will continue to spearhead the work on the New Municipal Building.

NEW BUSINESS
Elbassiouny made a motion that the Budget Meetings be held on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 3, 2007 at10:00 a.m., Dempski seconded.  All were in favor.

PAYMENT OF BILLS
The Mayor read the bill list to the Committee prior to their signing and approval. After the vouchers were signed, Mueller made a motion to pay the bills, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski said they had not appointed a Clean Community Coordinator. The Mayor said, in the past they had asked Fascenelli to do this, however, after reviewing the RFP on the position, she indicated at that time she could not comply and be able to satisfy all the requirements that had been put into the document.  Dempski said he would accept being Clean Community Coordinator, without the stipend. The Mayor appointed Dempski to be Clean Community Coordinator, without a stipend, to do the work as listed in the document prepared earlier in the year.

Kovacs made a motion to adjourn at 1:00 p.m.. Dempski seconded All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk