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TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
March 15, 2005
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 7:35 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.
The Mayor asked everyone present to have a few minutes of silence, after the salute to the flag, in honor of Dr. Louis Wasser, a dear member of the community who passed away. He was involved with Washington Township in many facets for many years.
SALUTE TO FLAG
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Horensky made a motion to approve the minutes of the Budget Meeting of February 5, 2005, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, abstain; Dempski, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to approve the minutes of the Executive Session of February 15, 2005, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 15, 2005, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Mayor said that there were several issues that had to be discussed in Executive Session on litigation and other matters. Strunk made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.
The doors were opened. Horensky made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 8:30 p.m., Strunk seconded. All were in favor.
ORDINANCES
Kovacs made a motion to open 05-05 - Ordinance Amending, Revising and Supplementing Chapter 432 the Code of the Township of Washington, Entitled “Alcoholic Beverages,” specifically Section 43-8 Entitled “Prohibitions Pertaining to Minors and 43-10 Entitled, Violations and Penalties, to the public, Horensky seconded. All were in favor. Nobody from the audience wished to be heard. Kovacs made a motion to close the public hearing, Horensky seconded. All were in favor. Strunk said that he was concerned. He thought the Committee was maybe getting a little over zealous with ordinances, in that the Committee is getting very close to telling people what they can do at their homes, etc. To him, this is getting into parental supervision type thing and he is not sure government should be going that way. The Mayor said the reason he had the ordinance introduced was at the request of Peter Merluzzi, Superintendent of Warren Hills Regional High School. The Mayor felt, rather than taking no action, to introduce it and see how the governing body felt about it. Horensky said the ordinance indicates that everything related to alcoholic beverages being consumed on public property, there is no mention at all regarding prohibition or actions taken on anybody within their own private property. Kovacs made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-05, after public hearing and second reading, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, no; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to open Ordinance 05-06 Ordinance Approving the Vacating of the Alley in Block 24, between Castle Street and Kinnaman Avenue of the Tax Map of the Township of Washington, Strunk seconded. All were in favor. Nobody from the public wished to be heard. Horensky made a motion to close the public hearing, Strunk seconded. All were in favor. Horensky made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-06, after public hearing and second reading, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to open Ordinance 05-07 - Ordinance Revising, Amending and Supplementing Chapter 71 of the Code of the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, Entitled “Fees” and Adding New Subsection 71-1 Entitled ‘Municipal Court Discovery, to the public, Mueller seconded. All were in favor. Nobody from the audience wished to be heard. 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 adopt Ordinance 05-7 after public hearing and second reading, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Horensky made a motion to open Ordinance 05-08 - Ordinance Amending Chapter 64 -2 of the Development Regulations, Article 1 General Provisions and Word Usage of the Code of the Township of Washington, County of Warren to the public, Mueller seconded. All were in favor. Nobody from the audience wished to be heard. Horensky made a motion to close the public hearing, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
Mueller made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-8, after public hearing and second reading, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Mueller made a motion to open Ordinances 05-09 - Ordinance to amend, an Ordinance fixing the salaries of the officers and employees of the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, (Recreation Administrator and Secretary) and Ordinance 05-10 - Ordinance to amend an Ordinance fixing the salaries of the officers and employees of the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, Personnel Administrator, Kovacs seconded. All were n favor. Nobody from the public wished to be heard on these ordinances. Kovacs made a motion to close the public hearing, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-09 and 05-10, after public hearing and second reading, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
Strunk made a motion to introduce Ordinance 05-11 - Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a Cap Bank (COLA), Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be Monday, April 18, 2005.
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. Resolutions 05-50 and 51 and 60 were removed from the list. Kovacs made a motion to approved Resolutions 05-52 through and including 05-59, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
05-52 Authorizing the Establishment of the Washington Township Housing Trust Fund
05-53 Resolution to Authorize & Approve Salaries & Wages for Certain Employees (Mary Ann O’Neil)
05-54 Resolution to Authorize & Approve Salaries & Wages for Certain Employees (Anna Godfrey)
05-55 Resolution to Authorize & Approve Salaries & Wages for Certain Employees (Helen Hartrum)
05-56 Acceptance of Performance Bond, Mark Mojek
05-57 Reduction of Performance Guarantee for Lori Fitzgibbon, Jeffrey Smith, John Smith & John C Smith Site Plan
05-58 Resolution Supporting Application for an ANJEC 2005 Smart Growth Planning Grant
05-59 Resolution/Self Examination of Budget
Resolution 05-60, Introduction of the 2005 Budget, will be done later in the meeting.
Strunk made a motion to approve Resolutions 61-65, on Agenda Addendum, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.
05-61 2005 State Aid Application for Castle Street - Dale Avenue Sidewalk
05-62 2005 State Aid Application for Pleasant Valley Road - Section 2
05-63 2005 State Aid Application for Pohatcong Drive Drainage
05-64 2005 State Aid Application for Bowerstown Road Overlay
05-65 Transfer Resolution
PUBLIC QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (8:45 p.m.)
Joel Schnetzer, Asbury-Cemetery Road, said that he was before the Committee to make a few comments. Yesterday, the road department came past his farm with a piece of equipment that cleaned the side of the road. Schnetzer said it is beyond him how a township employee can ride down the road and take all the garbage that is deposited on the side of the road and blow it into his farm fields. Schnetzer said he saw the road supervisor today and said he doesn’t ever want to see that tractor come past his farm again and blow the garbage in his fields. At the same time, he questioned the supervisor on why the Township needs such an elaborate piece of equipment, a tractor with four wheel drive is an expense that the Township didn’t need. Schnetzer said it is ridiculous to see a four wheel drive tractor owned by the Township. Schnetzer said that you will not want to mow any fields, if it is that wet, that you would need a piece of equipment with four wheel drive. Schnetzer said that the Committee should be very concerned when they operate the Township, to be as conservative with tax dollars as possible. Schnetzer said when he sees something like this, he questions his judgment on to what the Township is listening on the reason why this has been purchased. Schnetzer said something this elaborate was not needed by the Township. Schnetzer said that it is only fair, that the operator of the tractor come to his farm and pick up the garbage that was deposited in his farm fields out of the fields. Schnetzer said there are fields that he cuts hay on to feed his cattle and they will eat metal and if they do, the cattle is ruined. Schnetzer said that dairy cattle today are worth $2,000 each. Schnetzer would like to see this problem rectified.
de Boer, Public Works Manager, said it was the Mc Cormick Tractor and blower, which has multiple uses, such as blowing grit and debris off the road in rural areas. Strunk asked if it was blown on to properties, de Boer said yes. de Boer said in most areas they use the sweeper to get the debris off the road. Strunk asked why it was used in this area. de Boer said he has not had an opportunity to talk with the employee that did it yet, so he does not know if he used good or bad judgement.
de Boer said that Schnetzer is entitled to his opinion, but he doesn’t necessarily agree with it. The Mayor asked the purpose of the equipment. de Boer said it is a roadside mowing tractor and has multiple uses, it does mowing beyond the banks, it can go out in the fields, or on Lake Marguerite when frozen, and do wide open areas. Schnetzer said he did not agree with any of de Boer’s reasons for getting the equipment and wanted to know if it was bought with mowing intentions. Strunk said that he investigated the request for four wheel drive and didn’t know if he would have bought him anything other than four wheel drive in todays climate. The Mayor apologized to Schnetzer and said the fields would be cleaned.
Schnetzer asked how he is supposed to watch the paper like a hawk to make sure the Township is not spending money on things that shouldn’t be spent on, so he can get to a meeting an make a pubic appearance.
The Mayor said bond ordinances are published in the paper and the purpose of the bond.
Schnetzer asked that the employee that operated the equipment to be the one that picks up the garbage.
Chief Mc Donald introduced Helen Hartrum to the Committee, who has been hired as the new police secretary. The Chief saids she comes to the township from Mansfield Township and has over 17 years of experience in this field. (Ended 8:55 p.m. )
NEW BUSINESS
1. Strunk made a motion to approve the request from the Clerk to attend seminar on March 18th on ABC, Transfers and Disciplinary Procedures, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.
2. Strunk made a motion to approve the request from the Clerk to attend Spring Conference on April 7 and 8 in Atlantic City, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
3. Mueller made a motion to approve the request from the Public Works Manager to attend a seminar on March 28 on Personnel and Labor Relations, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.
4. de Boer, Public Works Manager, wanted to discuss the Riparian Buffer. de Boer said the reason he wanted this on the agenda was to make the Committee aware of the fact, because when his department gets involved in projects at the park he hears comments about 5 or 6 men are at the park all the time. He wanted to make the Committee realize that as this project proceeds, they will do some volunteer work in this area which may be helpful, but at some point in time his department will have to be involved. The Mayor said they should be, because they are working for a $20,000 grant, so it is in-kind contribution for a $20,000 grant to make a vast improvement to the park and the creek. Richard Flint, volunteer, said they are soliciting volunteers for the project and presented a sketch of the proposed area.
5. The Mayor said the Township owns a piece of property off of East Asbury Anderson Road, which is 3.48 acres. At one time if was planned to be a satellite recreation field. The Mayor asked if they were still interested in using it for that purpose and they have no plans going forward with it. The Mayor asked the Committee if they would be interested in donating it to Warren County Habitat for Humanity to build a house there, which help in satisfying the affordable housing obligation, which is currently 93 units. Kovacs said, before there is any further discussion on this, the Committee, at one time, had talked about the fire department having a satellite building in that area. Horensky said that he thought that if any municipal property is to be disposed of, he didn’t think, unless it goes to another government agency that they can just dispose of it without going to a formal auction. It was the consensus of the Committee to see if the fire department was interested in the land (Horensky will check into this) and the Township should check to makes sure there is no other need for the land.
6. Request for purchases by de Boer from Bond - future meeting.
7. The Mayor said, he had a request from the police and emergency management, as well as other groups that do presentations, to buy a LCD projector and screen for training and presentation purposes and asked for authorization to purchase a projector not to exceed $900 and a screen not to exceed $300. Strunk made a motion to approve the purchase of the projector, not to exceed $900, and screen, not to exceed $300, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
8. Strunk made a motion to approve the Panthers Football Sign Ups on Friday, March 18 from 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturday, March 19 from 9 am until noon, Kovacs seconded. All were in favor.
9. Kovacs made a motion to approve the request from St Josephs to have a Community Walk for Diabetes on Saturday, July 2nd at 4pm, starting at the pavilion and ending at Summerfest at the Middle School. Chief Mc Donald had no problem with this affair. All were in favor.
10. The Mayor had information from the State of New Jersey on the Petro 31 Ground Water Contamination Site. They gave the Township a list of options to go forward. The first option was the POET System, which is a port of entry treatment system and another option was to run a water line down Route 31 South and on to Asbury Anderson Road at a cost of approximately $600,000. The Mayor has talked with residents and they had no problem with continuing with the POET System. Mueller made a motion to notify the State that the Township will continue with the POET System, Kovacs seconded. All in favor. The Mayor will get in touch with DEP on this matter.
11. Strunk said that a proposal had been submitted from Ed Gagne, architect, who was present at the meeting. This would be for architectural services for the Brown and Brown Building, tentatively referred to as the new Municipal Administrative Complex. A rough needs assessment has been done for each department, which has been supplied and proposed suggestions on sketches. The Mayor said it would be a total of $10,000, plus project management expenses. The Mayor asked, in terms of project management, what would be provided in terms of status for project management responsibilities. Gagne said that he offers an hourly project management fee, because in his experience legally, given you get a good contractor, Gagne does not have to be around that much. Gagne said he usually make spot inspections, when it is unexpected, or come when they want a determination or decision made or some problem solved. Gagne said he was assuming drawings would be passed and accepted by the building departments, which would be done before the building is started. If anything comes up that is a problem, Gagne could come in and act as an intermediary or problem solver or change the drawings after he is called. Gagne said that not much inspection will be needed on this project, not much is involved.
Strunk said he could see the need for architectural additional need, after the plans would be, as you get into renovation, there are unknowns that come up and if structural decisions, Gagne’s input would be required. The Mayor asked once they have people coming in doing walls, spackeling, plastering, electrical, etc., who is the one to guide all that work. Gagne said it would be the general contractor or the construction manager, not an architect. The Mayor asked de Boer if he could be construction manager on this project, de Boer said he did this for Bethlehem Township and agreed to do it. de Boer said he would do this like when he worked at the park, he worked extra and got paid extra and would do it on his time. Strunk said he felt it should be a Project Manager, because if a change order is requested, he is going to have the authorization to make that decision. Strunk asked de Boer if he had been involved in that type of supervision with Bethlehem Township. de Boer said that he went to the architect or engineer if required and used his judgement. Gagne asked de Boer if he had construction experience for something this great. de Boer said outside of public works, not a lot. Gagne asked if he knew masonry, carpentry or things specific, which de Boer did not have. Gagne then suggested that a point manager is needed for the Township, who will be able to say this does not look right, etc. de Boer said he could do this. The Mayor said he wants control over the scheduling, when it will be done and suggested, at this time, to just pass a motion to hire Gagne. Kovacs suggested taking two people from the Committee and they could have meetings at any time with Gagne, then report to the Township Committee. Strunk did not think anything could be done in a timely fashion and felt the Committee needed at least one meeting to sit down and get a general consensus from the Committee. The Mayor said he would like to see a subcommittee meet with Gagne and bring results to the Township Committee. Horensky said that, from his experience in the past, that public contract law indicates that anything above the bid threshold has to have three price quotes. Anything above that threshold, requires an official bidding process. Horensky questioned the hiring of a professional. Kovacs said it can be done under professional service agreement. Strunk asked Glynn for an opinion, who said this can be done under professional service agreement. Mueller made a motion to hire Ed Gagne as the architect for this project, not to exceed $10,000, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor said that he felt Horensky and Strunk have been putting in the most time on this project, from the conception, and asked if they would be willing to serve on the subcommittee. They agreed to do so.
After discussion, Strunk made a motion to have a special meeting on Saturday, April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. for the Committee to walk through and go over proposed plans in the basement of the Brown and Brown Building, Mueller seconded. The Clerk was to advertise the meeting.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes. Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.
12. Seasonal Part Time Help/de Boer - de Boer said if the Committee want to hire Seasonal Part Time Help, as suggested by Strunk, the Committee has to approve it. Kovacs said he thought that when men were added to the public works department, it was with the plan of being able to maintain the park at the same time. Kovacs asked if de Boer was staffed properly with present number of personnel to do the job that he was supposed to do. Kovacs asked if part time help was needed. de Boer said, for the most part they are, but last year was a bad year and the men did spend a great deal of time at the park just to keep up. de Boer said it would be helpful if you had people weed whacking and part timers, which would get the men back out on to the road. The Mayor said he would like to see more plans on how to get caught up with the road work, like chipping and tarring and avoid being behind in the work again before anyone is hired for the park. It was the consensus of the Committee to discuss this at the Special Meeting on Saturday and should be advertised. The Mayor said he needs more details and a plan on getting the roads back on schedule.
13. The Mayor passed out a draft zoning ordinance for COAH for the Committee to review. He is also having this ordinance reviewed by people from Asbury Farms.. It will also be reviewed by the Land Use Board and COAH.
14. Discussion/Various Project by Township Engineer will be held.
RESOLUTION/INTRODUCTION OF THE 2005 BUDGET
Dave Evans, Township Auditor, said there were three actions that must be taken tonight by the Committee with regard to the 2005 budget. The introduction of the COLA Ordinance 05-11 was already done. The resolution for self examination (resolution 05-59) that allows the Township to self examine their budget and forego DCA review and introduction of the budget. The Clerk said the budget for self examination had already been passed. Kovacs made a motion to approve Resolution 05-60, Introduction of the 2005 Budget, Mueller seconded. Public Hearing will be on Monday, April 18th. Evans will also be at the meeting.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.
A break was taken from 9:55 p.m. until 10:05 p.m.
OTHER
The Mayor said a resignation had been received by James Vergos, who had been appointed deputy emergency management coordinator at a previous meeting. Mueller made a motion to accept the resignation, with regrets, of James Vergos, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Mayor said a request had been received from Rob Marlow, Brown and Brown, who would like to include space in the building for an office for the United Way of Warren County. After discussion, Kovacs made a motion to advise Marlow that the Township was not interested in giving office space to United Way of Warren County, Horensky seconded. The Clerk was to write a letter. All were in favor.
NEW BUSINESS/ITEM #14
Strunk said he submitted two projects, Pohatcong Drainage Project, estimated cost between $84,660 and $126,170 and additional soil erosion plan done for B&B Building (adding lower parking lot) for $2300 and permits and fees another $500-$1500. Also, no written clarification has been received on the Meadow Breeze Land. Strunk said Pohatcong Drainage is Capital Improvement. Strunk said he had also dropped off DOT Grant for Cemetery Hill/Rymond Road to take hump out and it was estimated at $167,000. The Township already has $90,000 from the State. The Clerk was to ask the CFO to prepare a bond ordinance on Storm Water Management and Cemetery Hill Project, Pohatcong Drive and New Hampton Road Traffic Calming Device. The Mayor said the New Hampton Project was $59,000 grant with a $6,000 local cost share for the next meeting on April 18th.
REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
Horensky said he had met with the Fire Department and Fire District Commissioners at their general business meetings.
Horensky said he met with Larry Adams at Franklin Township with regard to the court system. There was an issue that came up regarding one of their court personnel, in terms of her salary. Horensky said that Franklin Township had given this one individual a $2,000 raise salary and then they thought everything would be calculated and based on that. There was an issue, because the Township did not pay that individual for one pay period any increase in salary, then the next pay period it was adjusted, based on the conversation with regard to 4.5% times her 75% of last years salary. Horensky said he conveyed this information to Adams. The issue with regard to the agreement, Adams claims he has a copy of it. The Mayor said he sent an OPRA request to the Franklin Court and they did not furnish it. Horensky said it was agreed that the counsel for both municipaliteis put together a draft document, based on conversations. Adams agrees to the fact that it should include language as to prorated court cost, based upon use of the court, not based on revenue, because there may be cases that is run through the court that produce no revenue. The court fee should be based on the amount of use each municipalities gets out of the court. Horensky said there was concern regarding improvements that were being made as a result of a decision on Franklin’s part, such as putting in new security system, television, etc. Adams assured Horensky that these are things mandated by the court.
Horensky suggested, before any discussions or decisions are made with regard to improvements to the court, that Washington Township be contacted to sit down with Franklin Township and the State to understand what they are mandating. Adams said they have done things that the State came in and made them do.
Horensky said he was made aware today by the CFO that the Township is given revenue back from the court, but only 50% of the revenue. Horensky said the Washington Township is paying 75% of the court expenses, then they should be getting 75% of the revenue. Horensky said Glynn should address this issue, the issue of dialoging and they should meet by a certain date in October to discuss issues relative to the upcoming year. The upcoming years percentages are based upon the then current years activities. Horensky said he suggested that Franklin Township form a subcommittee, which could be the Mayor and liaison and the same for the Township and meet in October. The agreement would take effect in 2006. Kovacs said the Township has to be part of their budget process too. The Mayor would like to have a copy of the agreement that Adams said he had. Horensky will be meeting again. The Mayor said he thought it would be a good idea to have the final agreement to the Committee by July. It was the consensus of the Committee that they would like to have this completed by July, after seeing a rough draft.
Michael A Kovacs said most of his report was covered during the meeting. Miller has given the Recreation Commission approval to proceed with the horse shoe court lighting. Kovacs said there are some revision to the park, where it says no fires of any kind, they want to add a statement that no charcoal grills are allowed, gas grills only. There could be exceptions on Field Day, it would have to be with specific permission. They also want to get some wording on holidays falling on a week day, they want to be able to charge weekend rates.
Kovacs said that Tom & Company on Route 31 has been sold and a bank will be going in. Part of this property will be the trailer court behind the building.
Kovacs cautioned the Committee on e-mails, because there have been a number of incidents where it could be a violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. When it is one on one there is no problem, but when everyone is copied and e-mails go back and forth, it could be a violation. Strunk said he had asked Glynn to research this matter. Glynn said there is nothing in the statutes that addresses e-mails and as he looks at it, an e-mail is not like a conference call. Kovacs said that when there is contact with more than one member it could be violation. Glynn will call the League and speak to an adviser on the Open Public Meetings Act or the Prosecutor and get a ruling on e-mail among the Committee and report at the next meeting.
Barry Mueller said the Historical Commission has put their first display in the cabinet in the meeting room and periodically it will be changed.
Mueller said that he has three persons who have committed to serving on the Economic Development Commission and a fouth is pending. Mueller said he expects to have the names by the next meeting so the appointments can be made.
R.J. Strunk said most of his reports have already been discussed. Strunk said that there is nothing to report on the Municipal Alliance, he is waiting for them to contact him. Strunk said that as of yet he has not contacted Oxford Township himself, but he saw issues in the paper regarding coverage, which as been resolved. The Mayor has already talked to the officials in Oxford Township.
Mayor David Dempski said he and Scarlette Doyle met with some of the principals at Asbury Farms and discuss Affordable Housing, the ten units generated from the new 83 unit addition. Doyle arranged a meeting with the Mayor, Shirley Bischoff, Lloyd Tubman and Richard Cotton. The Mayor said a very good discussion was held.
On February 12th the Mayor met with the Hawk Pointe Homeowners Steering Committee. They talked about visions plans, new affordable housing, and Route 31. They had a concern about the speed limits and the passing lanes, which have a dotted yellow line instead of the yellow double line. The Mayor said he wrote a letter to NJDOT to find out what can be done about speed limits on Route 31. They also talked about development pressures, light pollution and zoning issues. The Mayor gave them five pages of volunteer activities within Washington Township, range of contacts from Republican Party through all church groups and other events in the area. The Mayor said it was a three hour meeting and it went very well.
Last night the Mayor met with Pacesetters II Residents. He wanted to get their suggestions on what to do with the remaining bond money, about $9,000. The primary drive was on finishing the sidewalks on Pacesetter Drive. They would like to see this completed to go to Asbury Anderson Road. The Mayor said they had a Homeowners Associated created, but has now expired, because they did not file a report. The Mayor is trying to get them to establish their association so they can take care of their own retention basin.
The Mayor said there will be a meeting on the Superfund Site on March 31st and he will attend.
The Mayor said each year Stormwater Management requests that a sheet (Solutions to Stormwater Pollution) be mailed to the residents each year. They will pay for this and the Mayor thought it would be a good idea to do the mailing and put the tax bills in at the same time. The Mayor will apply for the grant to get the funding for the mailing.
The Mayor said there will be a State Local Tax Summit on Property Tax Relief on May 6, as part of NJ League of Municipalities at National Guard Armory in Lawrencville.
On Affordable Housing, Scarlette Doyle has reviewed his third round growth projection and it was integrated into the County Cross Acceptance numbers. This will also be used for storm water management.
The Mayor said he will be attending a COAH Seminar on March 29th to go over new third round rules.
The Mayor the Open Space Committee meets this week and will be attending the discussions on Route 57 Corridor Site. At least three people will be going and will be getting plans and what funds are available for that plan to do Route 57.
On the youth association, there has been 6 t-ball teams, 8 rookie league teams, 7 baseball teams, 6 softball teams for a total of over 300 registrations. There are more teams than there is fields for the teams. The Mayor invited the Committee to the Opening Day at 10:00 a.m. at Meadow Breeze on April 16th . It is a great community day for every one. There is a new hockey field program. Traditionally it was from 2nd grade to 6th grade. It will now be for kindergarten and first graders as well.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Strunk made a motion to pay the bills, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Strunk made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:45 p.m. to discuss litigation and other legal issues, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.
The doors were opened. Horensky made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 11:45 p.m, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
Glynn asked that the record reflect, on Baker they discussed the fact that the Township Committee is aware that the plaintiff is making an application to the Township’s Land Use Board to construct a 975 foot road and that is a Land Use Board issue that can come before that board and does not require any Committee action tonight. On the Apgar law suit, the Committee has approved the draft and resolution of that law suit in accordance with the provisions of that draft and have agreed to schedule a joint meeting with the Land Use Board on March 29th, which will be advertised and published. On Tarsi, they have agreed that Strunk will check on the extension of the cobra benefits and on the question on the promotion of the two department of public works employees, the decision was made to leave the promotion in place and seek clarification of the resolution regarding the salary increase.
There being nothing further to come before the Committee Horensky made a motion to adjourn at 11:47 p.m., Strunk seconded. All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk
