TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Reorganization Meeting
January 2, 2006

                   WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP REORGANIZATION MINUTES

                                                     JANUARY 2, 2006

The Clerk swore David Dempski in as a Township Committeeman  for a three year term prior to the beginning of the Reorganization Meeting.

Township Clerk Mary Ann O’Neil called the 2006 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; Horensky, present; Kovacs, present; Mueller, present; Strunk, present.

SALUTE TO FLAG

NOMINATIONS FOR MAYOR

The Clerk asked for nominations for the Mayor of Washington Township for a one year term.  Mueller nominated Dempski, Horensky seconded.  Kovacs moved to close the nominations, Horensky seconded. All were in favor. The Clerk congratulated Dempski for being the Mayor for 2006 and swore him in for the one year term.

NOMINATIONS FOR DEPUTY MAYOR

Horensky made a motion to approve Barry Mueller as Deputy Mayor, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.  Horensky made a motion to close the nominations, Strunk seconded. All were in favor. The Clerk swore Mueller in for a one year term as Deputy Mayor.

APPOINTMENTS

Horensky made a motion to approve the appointment of Edward Glynn for Township Attorney for a one year term, at a rate of $130/hr and $360 per Township Committee Meeting, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve the appointment of Mary Ann O’Neil, for a term of one year (12/31/06) 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. Also, for a three year term for the Registrar with a term ending 12/31/08. All were in favor.

Mueller made a motion to approve the appointment of Anna C Godfrey for a one year term (12/31/06) for Deputy Election Official and Deputy Custodian of Records.  Also, for a three year term for the position of Deputy Registrar with a term ending 12/31/08. All were in favor.

Mueller made a motion to approve Andrew Coppola as Deputy Treasurer for a one year term ending 12/31/06, Mueller seconded.  There was some discussion on the term, but ended up 12/31/06.

All were in favor.

Horensky made a motion to approve Jo Ann Fascenelli for Acting CFO for a one year term ending 12/31/06, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Strunk made a motion to approve Michael Schmidt as 911 Coordinator for a one year term ending 12/31/06, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Strunk made a motion to approve Thomas Bocko as Zoning Officer for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Mueller 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 12/31/06, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.

Mueller made a motion to approve Daniel Wyckoff to the Office of Aging for Washington Township for a one year term, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.

Strunk made a motion to approve Robert Miller to the third year of his three year term, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Nancy Jacobsen at Part Time Court Administrator for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

Strunk made a motion to approve the position of Prosecutor, name to be determined later, for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve the Donald Farino  to the position of Public Defender for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

Horensky made a motion to approve Pete de Boer and Jo Ann Fascenelli as Recycling Coordinator for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Dave Evans as Auditor for 2006 at a rate of $5,600 for a one year period expiring 12/31/06, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Steve Rogut as Bond Counsel for a term of one year expiring 12/31/06, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

The appointment of a Consultant for the Land Use Board was to be given to the Land Use Board to determine which firm they want to do the work for 2006.

Horensky made a motion that Pat Kollar be Municipal Alliance Coordinator for a period of one year expiring 12/31/06, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion that Barry Mueller be Township Representative on the Municipal Alliance for a one year term expiring 12/31/06, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

Horensky made a motion that Cef Garcia be approved to the third year of his three  year term, 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 12/31/06, Horensky seconded. All were in favor except the Mayor who abstained.

The Mayor made a motion that Crew Engineers be appointed as Consulting Engineers for a one year period expiring 12/31/06, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

ORDINANCES

Strunk made a motion to approve Ordinance 06-01 2006 Salary Ordinance on first reading, Mueller seconded. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be held on January 17, 2006.

ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.

Horensky made a motion to approve Ordinance 06-02 Ordinance Reauthorizing the Open Space Trust Fund for the Township of Washington on first reading, Strunk seconded.  Public Hearing and Second Reading will be held January17, 2006.

ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, 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.

Kovacs made a motion that Resolutions 06-01 through and including 06-23 be approved, Horensky seconded.

ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

• 06-01 Resolution Authorizing Certain Individuals to Sign Checks
• 06-02 Cash Management Plan
• 06-03 Temporary Budget
• 06-04 Established Petty Cash Fund
• 06-05 2006 Salary Resolution
• 06-06 Resolution Designating Official Newspapers
• 06-07 Interest on Delinquent Taxes and Assessments
• 06-08 Tax Assessor/Township Attorney Stipulation
• 06-09 Regular Meeting Dates of the Township Committee and Board of Health
• 06-10 Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Non-Fair and Open Space Contract for Township Attorney.
• 06-11 Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Non-Fair and Open Space Contract for 2006 Budget Preparation and 2005 Municipal Audit.
• 06-12 Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Non-Fair and Open Space Contract for a Township Engineer.
• 06-13 Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Non-Fair and Open Space Contract for Special Land Use Litigation.
• 06-14 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Bond Counsel
• 06-15 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Wastewater Consulting Engr.
• 06-16 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Sewerage Consultant
• 06-17 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Special Tax Council
• 06-18 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Pubic Bid - Municipal Alliance Coordinator
• 06-19 Resolution Designating a Public Agency Compliance Officer
• 06-20 Resolution Adopting a Uniform Notice of Claims
• 06-21 Resolution Appointing a Public Alliance Insurance Coverage Fund Commissioner
• 06-22 Award of Contract for Professional Services Without Public Bid - Township Public Defender
• 06-23 Resolution to Continue and Administer and Fund Administration of General Assistance Program

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 12/31/06.  The Mayor appointed Evan Howell, Official for the Township/Tax Collector, as a Class II Member, with a one year term ending 12/31/06. The Mayor said he was reappointing Kerry Pflugh as a Class IV Member with a term expiring 12/31/09. The Mayor reappointed Jane Beltz as Alternate II to a term expiring 12/31/06.  Kovacs made a motion to appoint John Horensky, Township Committeeman, as Class III , to the Land Use Board, Horensky seconded.

ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes. Mueller, no; Strunk, no; Dempski, no.

Mueller made a motion to appoint R.J. Strunk to the Class III Seat on the Land Use Board, Dempski seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Horensky, no; Kovacs, no; Strunk, yes.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

The Mayor reappointed Phil Iwaniszyn as Chairman of the Environmental Commission for a one year term expiring 12/31/06. 

The Mayor reappointed Al Ivany as a member of the Environmental Commission for a 3 year term expiring 12/31/08.

HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Strunk made a motion to  appoint Sheila Dempski to a four year term on the Historical Commission with a term expiring 12/31/09, Mueller seconded.

ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, abstain.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Mayor will service as Township Committee representative for a one year term expiring 12/31/06.

LOCAL ASSISTANCE BOARD

The Mayor will serve as a member of the Governing Body for a one year term expiring 12/31/06.    The Mayor reappointed Barbara Theis to a four year term as director of the Local Assistance Board with a term expiring 12/31/09.

RECREATION COMMISSION

The Mayor appointed Joseph DeFranza to a 5 year term to the Recreation Commission with a term ending 12/31/10.   He also appointed Randy Harrison as Alternate 2 to a one year term expiring 12/31/06.

OPEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Mayor reappointed Al Ivany as Chairman of the Open Space Advisory Committee with a one year term expiring 12/31/06.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

The Mayor reappointed Alan Lowcher, Attorney, to a five year term on the Economic Development Commission with a term expiring 12/31/10.

APPOINTMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AS LIAISONS TO VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

 HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY/JOHN HORENSKY

 Emergency Management

 Police Department

 Public Health Officer

 Animal Control

 Fire District/Fire Department/Fire Official

 BUILDING AND GROUNDS/MICHAEL A KOVACS

 Department of Public Works

 Building & Grounds

 Construction Official

 Recycling

 Public Utilities

 ADMINISTRATION AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES/DAVID DEMPSKI

 Administrative Secretary

 Township Clerk

 Zoning Officer

 Township Attorney

 Township Engineer

 Township Geologist

 Sewerage Engineer and Consultant

 Municipal Auditor

 Shared Municipal Court

 FINANCE AND BUDGET/JEFF STRUNK

 Annual Budget Preparation and Presentation

 Finance

 Chief Financial Officer

 Deputy Treasurer/Finance Secretary

 Tax Assessor

 Tax Collector

 RECREATION, PUBLIC INFORMATION AND SCHOOLS/BARRY MUELLER

 Washington Township Panther Football

 Washington Township Youth Association

 Township Web Site

 Public Information

 Washington Township Board of Education

 Warren Hills Regional Board of Education

 Municipal Alliance

 Recreation Commission Administrator

 Recreation Commission

Also, under Special Liaisons the Mayor will serve as Affordable Housing Officer and on the Local Assistance Board.  He appointed Horensky to serve on the Economic Development Commission, Barry Mueller as Historic Preservation Commission Liaison and Strunk to be Environmental Commission Liaison. 

GOALS FOR 2006

The Mayor said there are several areas that he wants to cover this year, such as a Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, to serve as a way of  communicating and find out the needs of the senior population.  He would like to see significant progress made on the Brown and Brown Building, particularly getting the first floor ready for the Police Department. He would like to either form a Citizens Advisory Committee or have a Community Forum to address what people want to see in the future of Washington Township in terms of development, where they want to see the future going. He will also work supporting the finalizing of the Open Space Recreation Plan, which will allow the Township to receive greater state grants for open space and farmland preservation.   The COAH Petition is satisfactorily completed.  He is still working on the final completion of preserving the AJR Farm, working on an orderly transition for the proper close out of the Central Warren Court, research the needs of the Wastewater Management Plan this year, to see whether it needs to be amended or updated.  Also, to have the zoning ordinances are updated to reflect Highland and Stormwater Requirements. He will work with the Land Use Board to develop a Lighting Ordinance to control light pollution, as well as get their input on the Sign Ordinance which Mueller, Horensky and Bocko have been working on.   The Mayor said he did receive a call from Washington Borough Mayor Van Deursen and she wanted to pass on her best wishes for a New Year and hopefully a continuation of working together for shared services.  She proposed that the Borough and Township hold two joint meetings to discuss what could be shared in the future.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Kovacs made a motion to approve Saturday, January 28, 2006 and Saturday, February 4, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. for Budget Meetings, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

2. Discussion/Hiring Temporary Help for Finance Office - After discussion, Strunk made a motion to approve the signing of a contract with New Jersey Professional Management for an temporary CFO employee at a rate of $85/hour for 10-15 hours a week, with a placement fee of $500, not to exceed $14,500, pending availability of funds, Mueller seconded.

ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.

3 Discussion/Suggestion Form - Strunk said that something that Fascenelli has brought to his attention that might be considered is a general questionnaire to the employees if there are ways to save money.  Strunk said he felt that there should be a reward given to the employee that’s suggestions may save money for the Township. The Mayor said that any cost savings should be shared with the originator of the idea for the first year cost savings they would receive 20% to 25% of the amount. Strunk said this form was to be reviewed and it can be discussed at the next meeting.

4. Request from United Soccer Club to use meeting room was removed from agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS & CONCERNS/there were none

PAYMENT OF BILLS

Mueller made a motion to pay the bills, Strunk seconded.

ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Dempski, yes.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

Mueller made a motion to adjourn at 1:15 p.m., Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor.

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