TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
July 18, 2006

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY

Regular Minutes
July 18, 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 Deputy Mayor Barry Mueller.

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. Township Attorney Edward J Glynn  and Mary Ann O’Neil, Township Clerk were also present.   Dempski was absent.

SALUTE TO FLAG

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Horensky made a motion to approve the Regular Minutes from the meeting of June 20, 2006, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.

BIDS & AWARDS
Kovacs made a motion to award the Appraisal Services to Develop Value for AJR Farm for Auction Minimum Bid to BMW for $1400 and Lyn Collins for $2400, subject to the availability of funds, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes. 

Kovacs made a motion to award the Reproduction of New Administration Building Bidding Specifications to Studer & Mc Eldowney in the amount of $1500, pending the availability of funds, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.

ORDINANCES
06-20 Ordinance Amending, Revising & Supplementing Chapter 1 of the Code of the Township of Washington, Entitled “General Provisions”  Specifically Article I Entitled “Administration”, Specifically Subsection Three, Two Entitled “Definitions” and Article II, Entitled “Fair Housing Fees,” - Horensky made a motion to open Ordinance to the public, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor, except Kovacs who abstained. Nobody from the public wished to be heard. Horensky made a motion to close the public hearing, Strunk seconded. All were in favor.
Strunk made a motion to adopt Ordinance 06-20, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.

Horensky made a motion to introduce Ordinance 06-21 - Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Property owned by the Township of Washington, Warren County, New Jersey and Not Required for Public Purposes, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:12-21(L) Et Seq, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be August 15, 2006.

Horensky made a motion to introduce Ordinance 06-22 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 123, Zoning of the Code of the Township of Washington, Warren County, NJ, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be August 15, 2006.

RESOLUTIONS
The Deputy Mayor advised that any item for discussion should be removed prior to approval.  Otherwise, one motion will cover all items on Consent Agenda.  The Deputy Mayor said that Resolution 06-116 and 06-122 seemed to be the same. Horensky said there was an error in the wording on Resolution 06-115, which should be corrected by the Finance Department, but should be pulled and done separate.
Strunk made a motion that Resolutions 06-113 to 06-124, excluding 06-115, be approved, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.
06-113 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salary and Wages for Certain Employees (Shane Zaro)
06-114 Chapter 159 Budget Amendment (2006 PCFA of Warren County)
06-116 Resolution Authorizing the Amendment of a Non-Fair and Open Contract for Farmland Preservation Survey Work (LJ Brill)
06-117 Municipal Alliance Cash Match 2007
06-118 Release of Washington Township Land Use Board Escrow ( Marco Di Ciaula)
06-119 Tax Sale Certificate Redemption Resolution Bl. 38, Lot 18.24
06-120 Tax Sale Certificate Redemption Resolution Bl. 28, Lot 2
06-121 Resolution Amending Resolution 06-65 (Appointing Court Personnel) to Correct Spelling of Name
06-122 Resolution Authorizing the Amendment of a Non-Fair and Open Contract for Farmland Preservation Survey Work
06-123 Resolution Appointing a Deputy Court Administrator
06-124 Resolution on Annual Report of Audit for 2005
 
Horensky made a motion to approve Resolution 06-115, as amended, taking out Warren County Pollution Control Financing Authority and  putting in the wording Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund Grant, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS (7:45 p.m.)
Frank Cregan, 62 Merlin Drive, had a copy of the Solutions to Stormwater Pollution leaflet that had been sent out to all residents in February.  There was an article on Don’t Feed Wildlife and he could not find a local ordinance on this. His concern was bird flu and there are chicken farms in the area that could be contaminated by wild birds. Cregan said the public area that he is specifically addressing is the lawn area behind Mc Donalds and the A&P Shopping Center. People are feeding the snow geese and other birds  in the winter.  The birds do not leave and dirty the area until spring.   He said there should be an ordinance that addresses this problem, because it is extremely untidy, dirty and dangerous. Horensky suggested that the Solid Waste Plan be amended.  Glynn will work with de Boer on this. (Ended 7:55 p.m.)

OLD BUSINESS
Fire District - Funding of Fire Truck 76-64. Horensky gave a history of the purchase of the fire truck when purchased by the Township from a bond.  Ralph Dorio, Fire District Commissioner, said the attorneys for all three parties have discussed this and Fire District Attorney Richard Braslow drafted an agreement, which is coordinated with the payment schedules that the Mayor sent to the Fire District about a month ago. It allows a way to transfer the truck, through a lease agreement, then the Fire District can continue the truck in service or get rid of it. Dorio said, after 10 years, then they can transfer the title.  Dorio said he had used 2014 in the agreement, because that is when he thought that was 10 years from when the bond was originally done. Dorio said there was no prepayment for the first 10 years. 

Strunk asked if the Fire District only is going to pay $1 a year to lease the truck, who will be paying the debt on the truck. Horensky said the Mayor had made the suggestion several meetings ago that he would be looking for the district to bring this up to speed to cover this budget, up to this point in time, but from this year forward, since it is the Township’s bond, it is still the Township’s truck, that the responsibility for payment of the truck will be the Township’s and the Township will just transfer the asset to them after the 10 year period of time. 

Strunk said, when the Fire District was formed, they agreed to pay the debt on the truck.  Dorio said the Fire District was never involved in any of the debt or financing decisions that the Committee made, even though they were made after the Fire District was formed. Dorio said the only agreement, which was unspoken, with the Township was to pay $48,000, figuring they would pay the truck off in 10 years. Dorio said, what really happens is the taxpayers pay for the truck twice.  Strunk said this is incorrect. He had researched this and what happens is the Fire District gives the Township money, which is received as a revenue, which reduces the Township’s budget by that amount. So, the taxpayers only pay for it once.   Dorio said when the Township bonded for the truck, the Township bonded and taxed the people for the payment of that bond.   Strunk said the money received is brought in as a recoverable debt or revenue, which reduces the Township’s monies by $48,000. Strunk said nobody is paying twice for the truck because it is anticipated revenue.

Horensky said the original intent was for the Township to transfer the asset and title over to the Fire District and they in turn would pay off the truck. However, when the debt was consolidated, the truck was rolled into a long term debt that could not be prepaid.

Strunk said the Township has a CAP on their budget and they are constantly looking at small amounts to put it together.  So, if there was $48,000 extra dollars it would be a good thing.  The Fire District works under a different set of principals and does not have that CAP.  Strunk said the Township needs the latitude of having that money available, rather than paying another $48,000.  
 
Horensky said that he was not sure the Township could anticipate the $48,000 as an anticipated revenue because it is based on their budget being approved.  If the budget is voted down, the $48,000 has to be raised by somebody.  Strunk said that is the agreement that the Township and Commissioners should be hammering out so there is a schedule of payments.  Strunk said he has been on the Committee for three years and it has been a problem of who is paying what.   Dorio said he has a good accounting of who has paid what and they know how much they have paid to the Township.  They made five (5) payments of $9500, one in 2004 and four (4) in 2005.   Fascenelli, Treasurer, said she sent an e-mail to Dorio in February and again July stating that Finance does not agree with his figures and requested a copy of the cancelled checks. In 2004, there is an accounting of (1) one payment of $9500 and according to the Fire District they said they paid another $1500, there is no cancelled check for that amount.  In 2005, there were (4) four payments at $9500 each for $38,000 and Fire District said they paid $48,000.  Fascenelli said she does not have the $10,000 cancelled check. Fascenelli said she sent out a Open Public Records Act (OPRA) Request requesting the same information, because it is very important that Finance Office has exact figures on this, because if they did pay, then Finance has to find out where the money went.  Fascenelli said this is what she has according to her records. Dorio said the reason they only paid $9500 in 2004 was because there was an agreement made between the then CFO, Cathy Gangaware, and the Commissioners, to purchase outright the Command Vehicle for $35,000, which was part of a debt that the Township had picked up and they picked up the $35,000 and only made one payment.  This is why there is a discrepancy in 2004.  Dorio said, in retrospect it was a good idea because otherwise they would be trying to hammer out an agreement for two trucks.   Dorio said he does not know what Fascenelli is talking about, but his records indicate they made five (5) payments one (1) in 2004 and four (4) in 2005. Fascenelli said she would like to see cancelled check for the other $9500 or $10,000 in 2005 and the $1500 in 2004.  Dorio said, once again,  his records indicate they made one (1) $9500 payment in 2004 and four (4) $9500 payments in 2005, which agrees with what Fascenelli has in her records.
Fascenelli said, previously, Dorio had stated that they paid $48,000 in 2005.  Dorio said he stands corrected.

Strunk said he thinks the Fire District should be paying their allotment to the Township for the truck and after ten years they should get the truck. Strunk said the Township has a certain responsibility for the budget and if they had $48,000 for the 2006 budget they could have done a lot more. 

Dorio said in 2003 when the Fire District was formed there was $148,000 that the Township was paying for things such as hydrants, insurance, etc.  The Fire District picked this up and that $148,000 just got gone. He said the $148,000 pays their debt, if they have a debt for the truck. Strunk said the Fire District should get the truck, but there has to be payment structure done.  There has to be good accounting and good budget means, because there is something that must be paid for and the Township is limited in CAP. 

Horensky said that the agreement presented by Dorio, was put together as a result of Fire Commissioners, Bond Counsel, Township Attorney and Fire District Attorney. Horensky said he and the Mayor have had extensive conversations with the Fire District  regarding this matter.  He felt the agreement would bring the problem to a closure.    Horensky made a motion to accept the agreement that was presented, to set the conditions 1-6, with the eventuality of the fire truck 76-64 to be leased to the Fire District in the amount of $1 a year and the agreement will terminate in 2014, at which time the title will be turned over to the Fire District, Kovacs seconded, only to get on floor for discussion.

The Deputy Mayor asked Horensky, if nothing can be done until 2014, what is the agreement doing for the Township.    Horensky said they are leasing the fire truck, paying the insurance and it removes a liability of the Township. Kovacs said the agreement said the Township is paying the insurance. Dorio said this was an agreement with the Mayor, that the Township would continue to insure it.

Dorio said they are having a problem with their accounting, because they are paying money to the Township and there is no agreement and it seems to be a never ending problem.  They have been cited twice on their audits, they need to have an agreement for disposal or some sort of agreement between the Fire District and Township. 

Strunk said when the budget is done next year, the Township will be short $48,000 on the surplus side, because they do not have the money.  This where the difference in accounting comes in and it should be broken out and totally separate.  The Township should come up with a plan, they deserve an agreement based on a 10 year life expectancy and there should be a payment structure to go along with this.  

Dorio said they had put in the agreement that the Township would pay the insurance, because this is what he discussed with the Mayor, but if they lease the vehicle they could pay the insurance.  Horensky amended his motion to amend Item 2 of the agreement that the Fire District would pay the insurance, Kovacs seconded the amendment.

Fascenelli said, on Item 4, once the debt is satisfied with the Township and the title transferred, the Fire District shall have the right to dispose of the fire truck.  If the truck is sold, who gets the money? Horensky said it will be theirs to sell.

ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, no; Strunk, no.  The motion failed

The Deputy Mayor said that the points that Strunk made create a stumbling block. Kovacs said the original agreement with the Fire District when they separated was that they were going to pay for the truck.  

Horensky said that the Township Committee has made sure that the Fire District has to budget money in their account for the truck and the Township will have to rely on the fact that their budget is approved by the voters. If the budget is not approved by the voters, then the Township is on the hook and will have to come out of the taxes.
 
Kovacs said if you take out the Township 30% and figure out the 70% they would have to pay and how much they have paid on the original value of the truck and how much is left, the amount is not known.  Kovacs said take the value of the truck, subtract the period the Township had before there was a Fire District and come up with the balance on the truck, then subtract what they have paid to come up with balance they would owe on the truck.   Fascenelli said when the truck was purchased it was $317,945.   Fascenelli said the figure to date they have paid is $47,500.  Dorio said, according to the numbers they got from the Mayor, the Township was looking for $73,400 for the balance of the truck. He adjusted that number by $15,000 because of the $9500 given in 2004 that had been discussed and they paid $47,500, so that means the balance to be paid this year would be $10,766.  This would satisfy the accounting received from the Mayor several months ago.
Dorio said the Fire District was under the assumption that this was an agreed upon deal and has gone ahead and made a move to replace a 1989 fire truck with a sister truck of 64.  They had planned on using the $48,000 to finance that truck over the 10 year period.   Dorio said if this cannot be agreed upon, then the Fire District is going to go public and raise the taxes $48,000 to finance the truck that replaces the 1989 truck. Strunk asked, isn’t there a line item in their budget now for $60,000 to pay down debt?   Dorio said it is $48,000. Strunk asked, isn’t some of that anticipated to be going to the Township to pay for this truck.  Dorio said that was the original intent of the $48,000.  Once this agreement seemed to be taking hold with the Mayor and these numbers, they had an opportunity, without raising the taxes to replace a 1989 vehicle.

Kovacs told Dorio that Fascenelli can work the numbers out, 30% the Township owes and 70% of the $317,945 the Fire District owes, if they have paid $50,000 balance is - to be determined by Fascenelli.  The title cannot be turned over until 2014, so there is 8 more years of payment to make and possibly it could be leased at $20,000 a year, whatever the figure would be. Kovacs said he was just picking numbers out of the air, it would have to be determined by Fascenelli.

Dorio said he will consult with Fascenelli to make sure the numbers are right, because he would hate to rough them out at $20,000 a year or whatever it is.    Kovacs said that the Mayor would be at the next meeting and this could be discussed further.

NEW BUSINESS
1. Recreation Commission - Repairs to Food Stand at Meadow Breeze Park - Pete de Boer, Public Works Manager, said it could be repaired for approximately $700. Kovacs made a motion to authorize the repairs to the roof at the Food Stand in Meadow Breeze Park, not to exceed $1500, out of the park bond, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.

2. Discussion/Purchasing Policy - Fascenelli said it was to increase the amounts of going out for quotes from $1500 to $2000 and 3 quotes, but 2 quotes would be alright.  Strunk made a motion to approve the change in the Purchasing Police as requested by the Finance Office on quotes to $2000, Horensky seconded. ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.

3. Discussion - New Weight Room Area - The Deputy Mayor said that after reading the letter from SelecTech (Township Insurance Carrier), it would seem that the waiver being used by the police for people using the weight room needs to be tightened up.   The Deputy Mayor said he has talked with Glynn on the waiver, who assured him it could be done. Glynn will redo the waiver with Chief Mc Donald and sees nothing out of order on the recommendations made by SelecTech Loss Control Coordinator. Kovacs said the waiver needs to be done so if there is a problem it does not come back on to the Township.  Glynn asked Mc Donald for a copy of waiver on weight room and he and Mc Donald will work on it.  There was discussion on the recommendations being made by SelecTech, which the Committee said should be done and the expense of signs taken out of Police O&E.

4. Horensky made a motion to authorize the Mayor and CFO to sign COAH Escrow Agreement for Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.

5. Horensky made a motion to authorize the Mayor and Township Clerk to sign contracts for AJR Farmland Appraisals, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.

6. Discussion - Administration Building Auction - The Deputy Mayor said, from the aerial map provided, it appears that the Administration Building Lot is 2.9 acres and there is a separate lot in Washington Borough. The Township can get a commitment letter from a title insurance company for $200.  There were no survey quotations delivered to the Clerk.
 
Strunk said that before the meeting he was under the impression, but Glynn corrected him that you had to have two separate deeds for two tracts of land. Glynn told him that you can possibly have one deed, but sell a separate tract without doing a subdivision. Glynn said they are already separate parcels contained within one deed. Strunk said, if this is the case, then the Township should have an auction in different forms, one for both tracts,  one for just the Administration Building tract and one for the small piece and see where the best number would be. Kovacs said it could not be done this way. It is an auction, do one auction, then a separate auction, then you would ask what would we get for the whole tract, it cannot be done.  Strunk did not see why it could not be done.  Horensky asked how it was advertised.  Stunk said it may have to be re-advertised and they should be looking at the best alternatives for the best dollar.  The people could be aware of two auctions at the time of bidding. Horensky said the ordinance has been approved, the date has been set and the parcel of land described. If this was to be changed, it would be another two months to adopt an ordinance stating it would be two tracts. Horensky asked the Clerk about the publication of auction, who referred the question to Glynn. Glynn said that the Mayor has been working on this and the auction date is August 23.  Horensky asked if auction has been advertised, Clerk said no, she has not received final paperwork from the Mayor.  The Clerk said the resolution approved at the June meeting shows two tracts.  Glynn said that Schedule A shows two tracts.  Horensky said to rescind the ordinance would put the auction to some later date in the year.
Strunk said he is looking to get the most money from the auction.  The Deputy Mayor said the minimum bid was set on the total tract.  Strunk said this is why it should be done in two separate tracts.   The Clerk said this was why the Mayor was suggesting a title search be done. Glynn said he also suggested this.  The Clerk advised that the bank is still paying taxes on a piece of the property. 

The Deputy Mayor asked what the Committee wants to do tonight. Strunk said he thinks the Committee should investigate the procedure for selling them optionally, one tract, separate tract and third option.  Kovacs said he did not know whether the bidder would pay the $1.6 million for the one tract. Strunk said he may bid that for both pieces.  Strunk said this number is the minimum bid.

The Deputy Mayor asked Glynn what the commitment letter to the insurance company was.  Glynn said it would tell that they would insure title to these parcels. Horensky said when the first proposal came in and minimum bid was $1.6 million the Committee was satisfied with this as a starting bid for entire tract. Horensky said he felt this was a reasonable thing to ask for.  Kovacs and Horensky felt the tract should stay the way it was. 

The Deputy Mayor said there was to be discussion on getting a letter from the title insurance company. Glynn said this could be done quickly. Also, there was to be quotations for surveys, but none were turned in.   Kovacs said the land was surveyed when they bought it and felt it should be the responsibility of the buyer to have the survey done and title insurance, why should the Township do it?  Glynn said the buyer should do that. Horensky said the concern the Mayor had was that the Township did not know exactly what was there and he wanted to make sure the right metes and bounds were there for the Township and the right metes and bounds for Washington Borough and the numbers came out right  Strunk said if necessary, they could have a special meeting to continue to get the auction going forward. Horensky asked Glynn if it could auctioned on as per the conditions stated in the deed, he said yes.   Glynn said reference is made to Schedule A, which gives the descriptions of the tract, but it does not show acreage.  Kovacs asked why they would want to survey it again, Glynn said there is no reason to do it.

7. Port Colden Monitoring - Kovacs made a motion to authorize payment for Additional Services Mandated by the NJ DEP (Biennial Certification of the Classification Exception Area - $2000), Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes.

8. Approval/Emergency Back up Generator for New Municipal Complex - There was discussion on the professional service agreement for Pro-Energy Design.  It was the consensus of the Committee that services of $7500 was for the entire building.  The Clerk was to add on line 5 of the services to design that it was for the entire building. Kovacs made a motion to authorize Pro-Energy Design to furnish professional services to design an emergency generator system for the project as outlined, for the entire building, as amended, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes.

9. Strunk made a motion to approve moving two (2) escrow accounts from TD Banknorth to Commerce Bank, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes.

10. Review of Tax Bill Status- The Tax Collector had sent a memo to the Committee advising he had not received the tax rate yet. Once the rate is received and bill sent out, a 25 day grace period will have to be given to the residents.

11.Discussion- HINT Supplemental Enrollment Insurance/flex cards and reimbursements - Fascenelli advised that there is a law regarding HINT, which states that “An adult child may request to continue as dependent on his/her parents coverage even after the child reaches the limiting age under the terms of the policy of the adult child.   AETNA will bill over-age dependents directly and enrollees will remit the premium directly to AETNA. Coverage for the dependent will be issued as a stand-alone coverage. All cost-sharing requirements and limitations will apply and will not be contributed to family deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums.  Dependents would be billed directly from AETNA at a percentage of the single rate coverage.

Several employees have expressed an interest in HINT Insurance and asked if the flex card and reimbursements would apply to a dependent not yet 30 and meets all the criteria.   Transmerica’s position is that this is not applicable to the Transconnect Product.

Fascenelli said she was seeking input rom the Township Committee regarding the flex card and reimbursements.  Should co-pays and RX cost be reimbursed by the Township?
 
Strunk made a motion that if any dependent of an employee enrolls in HINT, there will be no reimbursement made by the Township on co-pay or prescriptions, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes

12. A request had been put in by Dawn Stanchina, CFO, to attend a seminar for Government Finance Officers Fall Conference in Atlantic City on September 20-22.  Strunk made a motion to approve the request. Horensky asked if there was money in the budget, because over the years he has never seen a seminar this high.   Kovacs said that was because schooling had previously been shared with two other municipalities.  The Deputy Mayor asked how much was left in the budget, Fascenelli said there was $1000 left for the rest of the year.   Strunk asked what this money was for, Fascenelli said for purchase orders and envelopes.   Strunk rescinded his motion.

After further discussion, if funds can be found, Kovacs made a motion to approve Dawn Stanchina attending the conference on September 20th through September 22, pending the availability of funds, Strunk seconded. ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky,  yes; Mueller, yes.

REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
John Horensky said he had met with two Fire Department an Fire District

Horensky said the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security is requesting that each County start preparations for a Continuity of Operation Plan for County Government and hope to complete the plan by October of this year. Each County is to work with the municipalities to insure that each municipality has a plan in place by the end of next year. Horensky said he would like to start with the Police Department in preparing for this plan. He will be working with de Boer as well.   FEMA has a template that can be used.

Horensky has received a call from residents regarding the reopening of the tennis courts.  de Boer said in discussions with Bob Miller, Township Engineer, and the contractor expects to be done September 1st, then his department will be doing some work.

Also, a resident has called about there only being one light in the parking lot at the A&P at night. Their concern is for their children that are working at Block Buster Video when they go into the parking lot.  He has talked with Chief Mc Donald who said there is an ordinance (123.9) that requires the parking lot to have lights and Tom Bocko, Zoning Officer, should see that a summons  be issued.  Horensky asked that the liaison to the Zoning Officer talk with him about this situation.

Horensky said he had an issue with regard to police vehicles.  When the Committee was in the budget process they developed a schedule for replacement of police vehicles.  There are 3 vehicles coming off this year and 4 vehicles coming off in 2007.   Chief Mc Donald would like to start the process of getting the cruisers and vehicles. However, when doing the budget something fell through the cracks and there is only $13,000 aside for the leasing of vehicles and you cannot lease two vehicles for $13,000.   The purchase price of a SUV is not the $25,000 in there, but is closer to $30,000. Horensky suggested having the Chief go forward with leasing the two vehicles and the additional funds come out of the excess money that the Township is getting from DMV.

Horensky said he had a discussion with the CFO today and she did indicate she believed there was sufficient funds in the DMV to put toward the difference between what they budgeted for the two cruisers and what they actually need for the two cruisers. The other issues becomes more sensitive, because they do not know whether they can use the grant monies to augment a capital budget.  Horensky would like to have authorization for the chief to go forward with securing the vehicles for two reasons - (1) there was a need expressed by him and it was confirmed by the Township’s action to go forward with the three vehicles this year and (2) without moving quickly they will be pushed into the next model year and an increase in costs.
Fascenelli said that the CFO felt comfortable with taking $1000 or $2000 from DMV money and put toward the purchasing a SUV.
 
Strunk said his discussion with the CFO was that they needed $5900 for lease money.    Chief Mc Donald said, for some reason the numbers put in by Andrew were $18,000, but $13,000 was budgeted, so there was a $5000 difference there.   Strunk said the CFO was comfortable with $5900 for the lease, but there is only $25,000 for the Capital and she didn’t  know if they have the extra money for SUV.   Chief Mc Donald said that the CFO figured out that between January and June there would be $18,000 in additional monies from DMV, which would not be earmarked for salaries. Strunk said his discussion at 4:30 was not knowing about the increase in the capital for the SUV, but there was money to get leases going.   If extra money is needed, then the Chief may have to hold off a bit, because this was not the discussion she had with him.  Fascenelli said the CFO will be in tomorrow and she asked the Chief to give her a call as to whether he can go ahead with the SUV or not at this time.  Chief Mc Donald asked, if the money is available from DMV, can he get approval to go ahead? Horensky asked, with regard to lease, does anyone have a problem with using monies from DMV account to augment the monies that they have in budget so the two police vehicles. The Committee agreed to this, which would be $5900.  Horensky said the other issue is, if CFO is comfortable enough to say there is still going to be excess money in the DMV account that could be utilized to augment the cost of what was put in for the  SUV, did Committee have a problem with this?  Chief Mc Donald said they would be transferring the lights they have now.   Committee had no objection.

Michael Kovacs had no report.

Richard Strunk said he went to a meeting on Saturday on shared services with several municipalities which have some good projects lined up.

On Finance, they are continuing to switch banks and implementing new procedures.

Barry Mueller said that Anna Mc Clement came to the last meeting regarding the professional bills. They have decided to meet on Thursday to discuss this.

Mueller attended the Board of Education meeting last night.  The board is looking to start a superintendent search and have accepted the resignation of Chip Castner.

On Recreation Commission, the repairs of the roof had been approved by the Committee.  There seems to be a lot of vandalism on the Township Properties, including a bondfire on one of the ball fields.    He would like to see an increase in police patrol.

The Economic Development Commission is looking to possibly holding a Holiday Season Tree Lighting, but he doesn’t have enough information to present the details yet. There would be nothing religious and maybe having Santa Claus on a fire truck.  They are also considering a Winter Festival. 

He and Strunk met with DOT regarding the culvert by the Warren County Liquor Store.  The Township’s only involvement will be the detoured traffic on Township roads. Mueller said Fascenelli had sent information on police working the area.  DOT will agree to pay the $55 per hour for a police officer, but will only pay $5.00 a hour for a police vehicle rather than the Township’s usual charge of $25.00 per hour.  Horensky said the fee has been set at $25, not $5 per hour.  It was the consensus of the Committee that they be notified that the Township cannot do it for $5 per hour and the DOT should get somebody else to do it.
Fascenelli will advise them of the Township’s decision.

Strunk said at the Saturday meeting there was discussion and Washington Borough was looking for  survey done by the Township in 2000 on a State Study Done on Efficiency of Washington Township Employees. The Clerk said there was an efficiency report done on the Police Department and she could supply a copy tomorrow to him. 

PAYMENT OF BILLS
There was discussion on a bill from Ed Gayne being paid. Kovacs questioned a charge for changes that were made, because de Boer pointed out some mistakes to Gayne that Gayne had made, which had to be corrected. Now Gayne is charging the Township for changing things that he made a mistake on.  Some of the bill was justified and some was not.  Strunk said there have been  many changes since this started. Horensky made a motion to pay the bills, Strunk  seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, abstain; Mueller, yes.

Horensky made a motion to adjourn at 10:10 p.m., Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk