TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
March 21, 2006

TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY

Regular Minutes
March 21, 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 7:32 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: Horensky, present;  Kovacs, present; Mueller, present; Strunk, present; Dempski, present. Township Attorney Edward J Glynn and Township Clerk Mary Ann O’Neil were also present.

SALUTE TO FLAG

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Strunk made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting on February 21, 2006, Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor except Horensky, who abstained.

Strunk made a motion to approve the minutes of the Executive Meeting on February 21, 2006, Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor, except Horensky, who abstained.

AWARD OF BIDS
Cemetery Hill/Rymon Road Reconstruction - The Mayor said that once again a bid was done on the Cemetery Hill/Rymon Road Reconstruction. There were two bids received, one from Lancha Construction Corporation for $234, 918.00  and Intercounty Paving Associates for $211,444.00.  The Mayor said the Township bonded $77,000 for this project and there is a NJDOT grant for $90,000, which leaves a shortage of $44,000 for the lowest bid. After discussion, Strunk made a motion to reject all bids on this project,, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes;  Dempski, yes.

Strunk made a motion for Robert Miller, Township Engineer, and a representative from the Township Committee to negotiate with the two bidders and also have Miller give the Committee a definitive answer by the next meeting on the transfer of funds with the State and also by next meeting to have the negotiation pro cess finalized so it can be awarded, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.
Strunk volunteered to work with Miller to get this finalized.

ORDINANCES
Ordinance 06-05 Ordinance Amending, Revising and Supplementing Chapter 4 of the Code of the Township of Washington Entitled “Budget Control and Fiscal Management” Article VI “Public Contracts - Kovacs made a motion to open Ordinance 06-05 to the public. All were in favor.   Nobody from the public wished to be heard. Kovacs made a motion to close the public hearing, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor. Horensky made a motion, after public hearing and second reading, to adopt Ordinance 06-05, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski ,yes.

Ordinance 06-06, Bond Ordinance Providing for Renovations and Improvements to Block 30, Lot 15, Brown and Brown Building for use as the New Administration Building in the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey Appropriating Funds in the Amount of $475,000 and Authorizing the issuance of Bonds and Notes in the amount of $445,250 Mueller made a motion to open Ordinance 06-06 to the public. All were in favor.   Nobody from the public wished to be heard. Kovacs made a motion to close the public hearing, Strunk seconded. All were in favor.   Mueller made a motion, after public hearing and second reading, to adopt Ordinance 06-06, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to introduce Ordinance 06-07  Ordinance Amending, Revising and Supplementing Chapter 117 of the Code of the Township of Washington, Entitled “Vehicles”, subsection one hundred seventeen-twenty seven, entitled “ Schedule V: Trucks over four tons excluded” and subsection one hundred seventeen-twenty seven.one, entitled “Schedule A: Trucks over fifteen tons excluded, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.  Public Hearing and Second Reading will be April 17, 2006.

Strunk made a motion to introduce 06-08 Ordinance Amending, Revising, and Supplementing Chapter 23 of the Code of the Township of Washington, Entitled “Officers and Employees”, Article I Entitled “Township Clerk” Section 1, Sub-Section 23-3 “Deputy Township Clerk, Mueller seconded. All were in favor. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be April 17, 2006.
Strunk made a motion to introduce 06-09 Ordinance Amending, Revising, and Supplementing Chapter 4 of the Code of the Township of Washington, Entitled “Budget Control and Fiscal Management” Article II Entitled “Administration” Sub-Section 4-5 “Chief Municipal Finance Officer: Deputy Treasurer, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.  Public Hearing and Second Reading will be April 17, 2006.
 
Strunk made a motion to introduce 06-10 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 (Deputy Clerk/Treasurer/Seasonal Employees), Mueller seconded. All were in favor. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be April 17, 2006.

Mueller made a motion to introduce 06-11 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 (equipment operator), Kovacs seconded. All were in favor except Strunk who voted no. Public Hearing and Second Reading will be April 17, 2006.

RESOLUTIONS
The Mayor advised that any item for discussion should be removed prior to approval.  Otherwise, one motion will cover all items on Consent Agenda. The Mayor pulled out Resolutions 06-50 and 06-51 for further discussion. Strunk asked that Resolutions  06-43, 06-44 and 06-45 be pulled.   Strunk made a motion to approve Resolutions 06-46 up to and including 06-49, Horensky seconded.  All were in favor. 
06-46 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Phillip Smith)
06-47 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Brent Rader and Ryan Lance)
06-48 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Anna Godfrey)
06-49 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (JoAnn Fascenelli)

Kovacs said that Resolution 06-43 could not be approved until after the ordinance has had second reading and asked that it be put on the April agenda.
06-43 Resolution to Authorize and  Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Frank Gara)

Strunk made a motion to rescind Resolutions 06-48 and 06-49  until the ordinance involving same has had second reading, Horensky seconded to rescind.  All were in favor.
06-48 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Anna Godfrey)
06-49 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (JoAnn Fascenelli)

Kovacs made a motion to approve 06-44 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees(Mary Ann O’Neil), Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, no; Dempski, yes.

Horensky made a motion to approve 06-45 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (James McDonald), Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, no; Strunk, no; Dempski, yes

Strunk made a motion to approve 06-51 Resolution Supporting the Application for an Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions “2006 Smart Growth Planning” Grant, Horensky seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve 06-52 Refund Resolution - Block 65.02, Lot 4, 06-53 PAIC Coverage Fund for Renewal of Membership and 06-54 Risk Management Consultant, Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

Kovacs made a motion to approve 06-55 Resolution Authorizing the Signing of Warrants for the Township of Washington Municipal Court and 06-56 Resolution Opposing Senate Bill S1219 and S366, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Diane Bonelli,47 East Asbury Anderson Road, resident for 17-1/2 years has had this issue with school parking problems in the past.  She has resolved them in Port Colden, but her children are out of there, but it was not until somebody got hit by a car that it got fixed. She talked to the police and mayor about it and things did not happen Her son is a junior at Warren Hills High School.  In June of 2005 she got so frustrated that she sent a letter to Prosecutor Thomas Ferguson, after she had called the Department of Justice. The incident that happened was that there was a car parked in the handicapped parking space illegally. There were two Washington Township Police Officers there and they finished the business they were doing.  . She asked them to give the car a ticket and they said no.  She called Chief Mc Donald and he said no, he cannot tell his men what to do. She took the vice principal of the high school to court and he paid a $430 fine.  The principal was there to fight for extenuating circumstances. This continues to be a problem and the biggest problem is that it is a safety issue. When she takes her son into the gym she cannot safely  take him in because there are vehicles parked all around, even though the signs say no parking. She has talked to Township Police Officers about the problem. She does not get the cooperation of the police or of the school. Chief Mc Donald said the issuance of motor vehicle summons is totally discretionary to the officer, he cannot order an officer to issue a summons. The Chief wanted to go on the record to say that he thought this has not been a serious safety concern.    The Mayor will discuss the problem with Peter Merluzzi, Superintendent at Warren Hills Regional High School.

Jacquelyn Puglia, 21 Pinehurst Drive, resident of 22 years, said there has been an ongoing problem on Mine Hill Road and Belvidere Avenue of littering and dumping. Many of the neighbors have gone out through the years and picked up garbage and within a short time it is back again.  Puglia called de Boer, Public Works Manager,  this week about the problem.  He responded quickly and within a few days there were six signs up stating, No Dumping and No Littering, but there is no fine on the sign. She thanked de Boer and his department for cleaning the area up. Puglia asked what kind of schedule the residents can expect for them to pick it up and can signs be added on Belvidere Avenue and add the wording on the fines.    de Boer said the Township does not do a road side clean up. There have been times when he had service individuals that do that sort of thing.  On occasion he has sent the DPW out to do some clean up. de Boer said that Mine Hill Road is a very dangerous road to work on with community service or volunteers, that is why he did it this time.    The Mayor told de Boer to get additional signs and to put the penalties on the signs.

OLD BUSINESS
1. The Mayor said there have been several meetings with the Board of Education (BOE) in regards to leasing the Police/Municipal Building once the offices have been moved to the new Township Building on Route 31, which should occur sometime next year.  The Mayor said the BOE had given the Township detailed plans about what their  plans were going to like. The building will need to be upgraded with cosmetic changes and a handicapped bathroom. The BOE had planned on moving some personnel out of the Brass Castle Building to free up additional class space and would use the Township building for Administrative Offices.  The Township had originally said they could have a three year lease with a two year renewal.  As they are spending money on the building, the Mayor said they wanted a longer lease.

The Mayor said there were concerns raised at the last meeting when he distributed the basic schematic they had of the building.  It raised some issues, one of which was the length of the lease so long would impede the Township’s need for the building in the future, as well as with the improvements, make the building less usable when the Township took it over again.   The Mayor asked the Committee what other concerns there may be.   Kovacs said he would make a motion, then it could be discussed. Kovacs made a motion that the Township not lease the Police/Municipal Building to the Washington Township BOE and keep it for Washington Township resident’s use, Horensky seconded.

Kovacs said when this subject first came up he supported it, but after he thought about it, he thought of the many reasons that  the Township needs the building. Kovacs said if they were landlords, there would be no basic income and carrying the liability. Kovacs said there would be major renovations and the big meeting room would be partitioned into offices, etc. It would then be major work to return the room back into the way it was today.   There must be polling places for six districts.   Also, once the Administration Building is sold, there is the problem of storing all the athletic  equipment that is stored in the barn. Kovacs said there is space in the Police/Municipal Building to do a lot of storage.  More committees are added all the time and they are always looking for a place to meet.   The building is also used by the Youth Association for sign ups, meetings and handing out uniforms.  Kovacs said that when the Committee takes a vote it should be taken into consideration that the building could not be used by residents any more.  Also, when John Frey, was Superintendent at Port Colden School, the plans for the Old School House was to turn the building into a library and build the Administration Offices into that building.  Kovacs said the BOE should take a look at the original plans of John Frey to use the building.

Strunk said he disagrees with some of the things Kovacs brought up.  Strunk said, with the new building, there is enough space with the two meeting room, plus the conference room if needed, to hold the elections. Strunk said the storage is a definite concern, because he would not like to see the building turned into a garage to equate with storage area of athletic or sports equipment, it is too costly. Strunk said his concern was that in the agreement, the equipment used for the fields is stored in the basement and they may have fumes associated with it. He would want an agreement that this did not turn into a future concern, because the Township still needs this area downstairs for this.  If it was a problem, the BOE would have to address it with filtration and blowers and not the Township.  Strunk wanted to go forward with this. 

The Mayor said that being a landlord from a commercial point of view is different than a Township Committee going into a shared service with another elected official body.  For example, Mansfield Township is a landlord to Washington Township, the Township is sharing their court.  The Mayor saw nothing wrong with entering into an agreement with the BOE.  The Mayor said the new Municipal Building belongs to the community and should be used every day of the week and all voting should be in that building. The Mayor said they can still use the Rush Log Cabin for meetings and the BOE has indicated that they would be willing to let outside groups use their Brass Castle Library for youth registrations and meetings.  The Mayor said the Township is trying to form a Seniors Advisory Committee and it would be great to have them use the new building. He felt, if the Township had a Seniors Advisory Committee, he would like to see it in the new building. There is a kitchen there, it is staffed and would be a more secure area to have them congregate  there.  He said one of the ways to cut taxes is to work together. Washington Township manages it growth and it is no fault of the BOE how many kids go in and out of the school. So, as they have growing pains, it is incumbent on the Township to take some initiative and help another tax entity and work together. He supports the leasing to BOE.
 
Horensky said that one should not confuse the idea of shared services with what Kovacs was talking about. Nobody has said anything this evening that would discourage the idea of the concept with shared services. Horensky said shared services is the way to go, but both entities have to be in a position where there is benefits.  At this point, the things that Kovacs bring up has some validity. The staff is still not in the new building and don’t know when they will be in the building. Horensky said there is a need and  desire to bring as many people into the building as possible, but have no idea how the building is going to function. You don’t know when you have groups coming in during a working day how it is going to function with regard to normal office functions of the building.  There is no history of the new building and how it will operate.  We do not know how the design is going to work.  On paper it all looks great. There is a large parking lot, but if we start bringing in a lot of people during the day, you are mixing individuals that are coming in for  different purposes. Horensky said he is not against shared services, he is just saying that there are a lot of issues that the Township  still have to come to resolution on and since the employees will not be out of the Police/Municipal Building before the end of this year, he would not be in favor of entering an agreement at this point of time until there is a better handle on what can and cannot do at the new building. 

Horensky said he agreed, the building should be used for as many things as possible, but if there is an operation or club going on or enter into a Seniors Citizens Committee and they hold their meeting in there and a function is going on, can that function work with the open space at the building.  Will it create a disruption? However, at this point nobody has the answers.   When the Administration Building is sold, the equipment will have to be moved out of the building and there is a need for a large area for storage of sports equipment.  Nobody has said that a storage equipment site is going to be built somewhere else, so unless the Township is prepared to make a move to identify where the equipment is going to, the only place would be the Police/Municipal Building.  He is saying, “lets not put the cart before the horse.”    At this point there are still too many questions in his mind as to where things are going to move and how they are going to cross function for the Township to be in a position to sign an agreement that would bind the Township to something that they may or may not be comfortable with come a year from now. He does not see a problem in keeping the dialogue open and when the Township is fully operational in the new building and the space needs have been evaluated, then is the appropriate time to enter into an agreement and not before then.

The Mayor said he did have some discussion with the Recreation Commission and Panther Football Team.  The idea that was kicked around was to put a smaller shed on the property, which would also be used to house some of the DPW equipment.   The Mayor did not think $10,000 a year, which is what it costs to maintain the Police/Municipal Building for equipment was justifiable. Horensky said he did not say the building would remain vacant, the equipment could be put downstairs and there are functions that happen during the day that could be done at the building.   When there was discussion about moving, there had discussions on what the building could be used for once vacated. There were thoughts about what would be done at the building before the BOE approached the Township.  They were not operating in a vacuum, there was consideration as to utilizing the building, fully, absent any other discussion held with the BOE. 

Kovacs said when the Township purchased the property for the park and decided to go ahead and build the park, they had looked at the long range plans and where the priorities would go as far as money. The park, at that time, was the priority. The plans were that eventually there would be an addition to the Administration Building to build proper offices and the Police/Municipal Building would be turned into a Community Center, with the addition eventually of a gym.  It would be similar to the Firth Youth Center.

Muller said at first he thought the leasing to BOE would work great. Then, when it expanded into the big room, he was not comfortable giving up the whole use of the building.  Mueller said, he agreed with Horensky, if they knew how the new building would accommodate the Township, but there are a lot of “ifs” yet, including we do not know when the new building will be ready.  He was uncomfortable with giving up the whole building before the Township knows how the new building will be like and what the needs might be in the future.

Michael Malia, said he was speaking as a senior citizen, resident and board member.  He said, as he listened to this from the beginning, if this can be done in a way that is a gain for all parties, with little or no pain for the parties, that is great.  If we are now looking at it and having other thoughts, this needs to be looked at it. He said there is time and there are options. He understands that the Township has an unknown time schedule now and it is tolerable to them. Whether or not this is the right thing to do for both parties, he does not know.  It is a building built for a particular purpose and has served well. To reconfigure it for anything, whether it be the BOE or social, there is a challenge no matter what you do with it.   Malia said he is not making a strong plea one way or another from his stand point.  It sounds as if there is time to keep the dialogue open, but another point is, on the agreement, it should be referred to as a commercial agreement.  It should be an agreement that is meaningful and right for both parties.  There should not be an unfair advantage or disadvantage to either party.
 
Karen Graff just wanted to echo what Malia had said. They are not really squashed for space right now, they are not on a fixed time line, they are not chomping at the bit to get into the building.  She said to spend the money so the building would be an improvement on what they are using, it is something they have to think about and look at the long term prospects of being able to stay. They are not in a hurry and would like to see the dialogue stay open. They are not going to ask the Township to make an agreement tonight, that is not why the BOE is at the meeting.   Strunk asked if there is a problem with them staying where they are, Graff said they are fine where they are right now.  She said on the old school house building, it had been tabled because of the lack of grants. However, she had talked with Cathy Kelly today and it sounds like there some matching grants available now.   They are pursuing grants to do renovations inside of the building and is an option they are looking into. 

The Mayor asked the Committee if there were any objections to himself and Mueller having additional negotiations with the BOE to come up with an amended plan review, as well as needs assessment for both parties.    Kovacs said he had a motion on the floor right now and would like to clarify it and say that what the Township needs right now is time to evaluate what we can do with the building before any decision is made on it.  He is in favor of continuing with the dialogue with BOE, but at the same time looking at doing a study on what the Township needs and evaluate what the needs will be once the staff is moved into the other building.    Kovacs said his motion will stand, but he is in favor of the dialogue.      The Mayor said if he is going to say no, he did not see any need to waste anyone’s time, especially making a study.  He did not want to waste his time and others. Kovacs said the Committee must say no to get it back to a neutral position where they can start over.   Kovacs added to his motion that the Committee will continue dialogue with the BOE on the possibility of renting the building, Horensky seconded the amendment to the motion.    Mueller asked for the full motion, which was -  Kovacs made a motion that the Township not lease the Police/Municipal Building to the Washington Township BOE and  keep it for Washington Township Resident’s use, but the Township should continue with the dialogue with the BOE on the possibility or renting the building.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, no; Dempski, no.

Strunk asked where does the Township stand on this matter?   Kovacs said the Township has to look at their needs for the building, as opposed to what the school needs are and continue that dialogue both at the same time. However, nothing can be done until the staff is in the other building and assess what is needed.  He said he thought the Chief would be opposed to using a lot of the space downstairs where the police department has their headquarters.   Kovacs said dialogue must be done with the Chief on this discussion. The Mayor said there would probably be voting upstairs and downstairs once the Township is in the new building.

Frank Laughlin,133 Bowerstown Road, asked why the Committee does not sell the Police/Municipal Building and keep the Administration Building. The Mayor said the Administration will be listed as commercial real estate and probably bring in a good amount.

2. The Mayor said, under center designation, the Township had moved forward to de-designate the center designation as they have been working on to either having actively preserved or action to preserve most of the areas in the center that would have been housing the sewer plant. They had started the effort to de-designate it and have going through many permutations and requirements by the State. The recent one was the State wanted the Township to begin what they call a Prepetition for Endorsement of the State Plan. This was their official mechanism to de-designate the Township.   An alternative would be to amend the center designation to bring it in from the West to the East a little.  Right now, Scarlett Doyle, Township Planner, has talked with some of the people at DCA, “Smart Growth” and there is no real legal way to do this or preventing the Township from de-designating.    Strunk had attended a meeting and gave an update.  Strunk said that there was dialogue on center designation, de-designation, amending the center designation and the process that they wanted used for prepetitioning.    Strunk said the Township needs to think on the issue a little more and the process expires in 2008.  They are going to send more to do steps and what they think the Township should do to amend or de-designate it. Horensky said that it was his feeling would be to let it sunset if it expires in 2008.  The Mayor said he had reviewed the Centers Law, which said there is a certain sunset law which expires May 18, 2008.  Strunk said he would like to keep the dialogue open on this.

NEW BUSINESS
3. Interview Candidate for CFO Position

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Strunk made a motion to go into Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. for a personnel issue, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

The doors were opened. Strunk made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 9:40 p.m., Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

Glynn asked that the record reflect that the Township Committee interviewed Dawn Stanchina and the Committee will take a vote on whether or not to hire her as Certified Finance Officer and under what conditions.  Strunk will then finalize details as to starting date and hours.
 
Strunk made a motion to hire Dawn Stanchina as Certified Finance Officer at $45/hour and she recognizes the fact that there are no benefits, not to exceed 16 hours a week unless necessary, hours to be settled in the future, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.

Strunk made a motion to approve Resolution 06-50, Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Dawn Stanchina), Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS
 1. Recreation Commission - Tennis Courts - Ray Berrie, Commission Member, said they had originally planned on building new tennis courts. However, they had Robert Miller, Township Engineer,  inspect the courts and he said the base was very good and they could do a complete reconditioning of the courts.  The cost, which includes going out for bid specs, would be approximately $80,000.   Berrie said they would like to put it out to bid and try to perform the actual work in July. This is to come out of the Park Bond. The Clerk was to check with Finance and have a balance from the Park Bond given at the next meeting   Mueller made a motion authorizing the Recreation Commission to go out to bid, pending availability of monies, to resurface and repair the tennis courts, not to exceed $80,000, Strunk seconded. 
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes.

2. Darin Zignoli - Eagle Scout Project - The Mayor said that the Boy Scouts are very active in the area and provide a lot of community service, as well as providing a lot of important lessons for the youth participating in Scouting.   The Mayor said there is an Eagle Scout Candidate Darin Zignoli who has his project approved and will be doing some work for the Youth Association in terms of refinishing the shed, building some park benches and goal cages. One of the rules is that you cannot buy the supplies needed, they must be donated.  The youth association has agreed to pay $475 toward the total bill of $900 and if anyone is interested in supporting Zignoli or know of anyone they should contact him.  Strunk asked that the Mayor to have Zignoli contact him.

3. Had been done earlier.

4. 2006 MEL Employment Practice Loss Control Program - The Mayor said he had received a notice on the MEL Update for 2006.  Glynn and the Clerk advised it had been done and sent.

5. Applying for grant from ANJEC to aid in the Updating of the Washington Township Wastewater Management Plan - Mayor said this has been done already.

6. Policy Manual Revisions - The Mayor said during the investigation with the Prosecutors Office and Forensic Auditor, several discrepancies were discovered in the Policy Manual which need to be changed. Fascenelli had put together some changes in the manual and the Mayor asked for authorization to have the changes made.  The Clerk said she had reviewed the memo and the manual and had some comments. On Time and Attendance 3 and 4, that she never sees certified time and she would never submit to the Finance Officer. There are also some typing changes that need to be made.  She said she is supposed to get all Attendance Cards in December, which de Boer has complied with. The Mayor asked if the police had complied and she said no.  The Mayor advised the Chief to get the Attendance Cards to her by the end of each year.  The Clerk was to work with Fascenelli to update the Policy Manual.  Kovacs made a motion to authorize Fascenelli and the Clerk work together to make the changes in the Policy Manual, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

7. Policy Manual Revisions to Support Performance Measures for Longevity Pay - The Mayor had handed out a draft proposal of a Performance Based Longevity Compensation Policy. The Mayor would like to see measurable performance measures and  he would like it reviewed by the Committee. He would like to have in place by the end of the year so people can be given measurable goals and objectives and start measuring performance and tie this to longevity for the full time employees that are eligible for longevity pay.  He would like it reviewed by the Committee for the next meeting.  The Mayor said he has goals and objectives, feed back form, performance appraisal for non-supervisor and supervisor personnel, ranking form, as well as a performance improvement plan.

8. Creation of Treasurer and Promotion of Acting CFO and Administration Secretary - had been discussed earlier in meeting.

9. New NJ DCA Form required for Non-Fair and Open Contracts and Political Contribution Disclosure Form - The Mayor said the State is trying to close the loop holes in their Fair and Open Policy. In terms of the Governing Body, whenever they award a Non-Fair and Open Contract, each person will have to fill out an Entity Disclosure and  a Political Disclosure Form.    There will be a Resolution, Entity Disclosure and a Political Disclosure Form that will have to be on file with the Clerk stating the Township has awarded a Non-Fair and Open Contract.
 
10. Authorization to implement online survey to develop topics for Community Forum - The Mayor said the Clerk had given him an idea about an On Line Survey for the Community to fill out. He would like to do the survey to gather ideas for the Community Forum he had talked about previously.  He asked for authorization from the Committee to create an on-line Community Survey to gauge what the interests and expectations of the community, what topics they would like to discuss, concerns and issues.  Strunk made a motion to authorize the Mayor to create an online survey and work with Brian Wilcox to implement it on the website, Horensky seconded   All were in favor.  The Mayor will have it ready for the next meeting for the Committee’s approval.

Horensky said he felt the most expensive way to get information out to residents is by mail. He would like to investigate a way that the public could contact the clerk and provide e-mail addresses.  The Clerk could set up an address book and things could be sent out via e-mail.  Kovacs said voting reminders and things going on in the Township could be sent out to residents by e-mail.

OTHER
The Mayor said that in regard to the AJR Preservation Progress, he is working diligently on doing it. At the last meeting he had been authorized to go out to bid.  The next step is the process of getting the Professional Services in line. He sent out seven bids for surveys and received three back.  He sent out three bids for title insurance and received three back.  The surveys range from $19,320 to $66,900.  He had anticipated it to be $15,000 and the lowest bid was for $19,320 from LJ Brill & Associates.  The Mayor said her work is excellent and she has a lot of experience in farmland preservation. He recommended this bid be accepted.  For title insurance, the Mayor recommended KTL Title Agency for $5250.00.  The Mayor asked for authorization to award these bids, pending the starting of them, after receiving final authorization from the State when the numbers come in on April 5, 2006.  Kovacs made a motion to authorize the Mayor to award the bid to LJ Brill and Associates for $19,320 and KTL Title Agency for $5250, to reserve these professionals, work not to begin until after receiving final authorization from the State,  Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.

11. Authorization to bid for Home Inspections/Phase I Environmental Assessment/AJR Farmland Preservation Project - The Mayor asked for authorization to request bids for proposal for Home Inspections/Phase I Environmental Assessment without soil samples to support the AJR Farmland Preservation Project.  He said Phase I would run between $3,000 and $5,000 and the Home Inspections cost at out $375 each. This is necessary to qualify for the State Grant.  The Mayor said this will come out of Open Space Trust funds. Kovacs made a motion to approve the authorization requested by the Mayor, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes.

12. Discussion on Proposed Sex Offender Residency Prohibition Zone Ordinance - The Mayor said a resident had called him regarding the establishment of a Pedophile Free Zone in Washington Township. He had a draft ordinance for review, which had also been sent to Chief Mc Donald and both Superintendents of the Board of Educations.  He has researched for several months to develop this ordinance and having Glynn review it.  After discussion, it was the consensus of the Committee to not do anything on ordinance at this time. Glynn said he had looked at the draft ordinance.  He said the regulations of sex offenders under Meghans Law is something that is the subject of a very defined and detailed statutory and regulatory program in the State of New Jersey.

RESOLUTION
The Mayor said when the Committee awarded the LJ Brill Associates, a resolution would have to be passed awarding a Non-Fair and Open Contract because the amount did exceed the $17,500.  Strunk made a motion to approve Resolution 06-57, Resolution Authorizing the Award of a Non-Fair and Open Contract for Farmland Preservation Work, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS
13. Resignation/Land Use Board and Open Space Advisory Committee - The Committee accepted with regret, the resignations of Tom Birkner as Alternate 1 from the Land Use Board and Claire Tondrell from the Open Space Advisory Committee. 

14. The Mayor appointed Efrem Zaret as Alternate 1 to the Land Use Board with a term expiring 12/31/06.

15.Strunk made a motion to approve the Clerk attending a Registrar Class on April 25, 2006, Scotch Plains, NJ for three credits, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.

REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
Barry Mueller said the Historical Commission is just about ready to start the lettering on the Auto Giro Hanger and are continuing to work on a Day of Celebration in the fall.

He met with the Recreation Commission and they are working on the Five Year Plan.
 
On Municipal Alliance, Mueller said they are not going to be able to hold a Summer Program this year because the Brass Castle School is replacing the windows.  The janitors will be doing the maintenance work at Port Colden School.  There is no place to hold the program.  They did have a concern that if the funding was not used this year that they would lose it in future years.  Mueller told them that the Township cannot commit for future committees, but knowing the situation, it should go on record what the reason was that they were not spending the funds this year.  They should certainly hope to have them available next year.      Mueller said the Municipal Alliance is doing other things, but just cannot have the summer program this year.
Mueller did not attend the Warren Hills Budget Meeting, but knows the Mayor did and can report on it.

R.J.Strunk said Finance has been covered and the hiring of the new CFO has been done.

John Horensky said that he had a conversation with the Economic Development Commission and their budget.  Horensky said the budget of $250 had been approved and their response was that they had requested $2500.   There was discussion on what the budget amount that was requested.  Horensky said they had wanted to join the Warren County Chamber of Commerce, get flyers out and some sort of community work.  Mueller said when there were budget workshops there was no evidence of any being there.   Lowcher, Chairman, thought they had asked for $2500.   Horensky is meeting with them Thursday and would like some direction from the Committee on what to tell them.    The Mayor said he will amend the budget and take the money that had been put in budget for the Municipal Alliance and amend it to go to the Economic Development Committee.

Horensky had met with the Fire District and Fire Commissioners.  There is still the issue of the Fire Truck and how it can be resolved.  They are seeking a flag pole for the Brass Castle Fire Department because theirs is damaged. The Mayor said the Committee can give them one from the Brown and Brown Building. 

Horensky said Chief Mc Donald had talked to him  about a new program that is being run voluntarily right now, but may become mandatory program, the Station In House Adjustment Program.  It has to deal with individuals that are given Community Service Work. Chief Mc Donald said it has already been made mandatory for several years now. It is for juvenile offenders and rather than send them to a juvenile system they are given a work program. The school has offered to take most of them and allow them to work off whatever hours are given. The Chief asked, regarding the insurance coverage if one of these juveniles gets hurt while performing duties for either the Police and DPW.    He said he had talked with de Boer, who had an employee hurt, which was covered.    Chief Mc Donald said the Township does not have a choice in the matter, it has been sent down from the Attorney Generals Office.  The Clerk said she  does the insurance claims and the only injury she had was the summer help, which was an employee of the Township. Chief Mc Donald said he knew that one of the juveniles working with the DPW got hurt. The Clerk advised that a claim was never put in for the juvenile.  She will check with Brown and Brown to see if there would be coverage for the juveniles or community service people.

He is going to a meeting of the OEM Coordinators tomorrow evening. They will be discussing their plans on emergency preparedness.

Horensky said that when there was discussion on picking up garbage and it is household garbage, if you go through the bag and find a name and address, there is a severe penalty for littering.   If any names are found they should be prosecuted so the message gets out to the people.

Michael Kovacs said the DPW is doing road sweeping, road signs and working at the Brown and Brown Building.  They have gotten rid of junk furniture and the good furniture is in storage.  Kovacs said they have been told that the panels installed at Brown and Brown  are garbage.  They are so old that they cannot even get replacement parts.  de Boer is working with three bidders now to get them to look at it.   Kovacs said, in the meantime, the staff should pick out the furniture they want and what is left should be sold. There is a storage container at the site with furniture in it  and the barn is full of furniture   Kovacs said the men will be going in tomorrow to take the ceiling tiles down and get rid of them.   

Kovacs said Ed Gagne, Architect, had sent a report to the Committee. It would seem that it will be June before the contract for the work is awarded. Gagne has asked for some items on the security system, smoke detectors, telephones, etc.  It is important at this time to get an idea of where the desks, work stations, etc will be because of the wiring that needs to be done. Kovacs said he would like to sit down with Strunk and try to get more detail on this.  Strunk said each department should supply a sketch on what they would like to

have.  Kovacs felt it would be a good idea to sit down with each one and discuss what they are looking for in equipment, desk placement, file cabinets, etc.    Horensky suggested that Walter Cooper, Fire Official, come into the building and see what needs to be done.    The Mayor said he would like to keep as much of the wiring as possible on the telephones and computers.   Strunk said that Kelly Hummell and Bob Horn have both expressed interest in working on this.  Kovacs said he is also going to check for structural damage in the roof.
 
Mayor David Dempski said Congressman Garrett’s Staff will be meeting at the Warren County Chamber of Commerce on Brass Castle Road the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

On, the Warren Hills Board of Education meeting, they did successfully cut over $300,000 from the budget, Washington Township now has the highest enrollment for all five districts, they are up 6.2%, the 2005 rate was 83.5 cents , the 2006 rate is 91.5 cents or an 8 cent increase, they have also encountered 7% increase due to $206,000 in tuition for Warren County Vo-Tech and the average house in Washington Township is $241,000 and would pay $2205 this year based on the 91.5 cent increase.

On March 18th he went to a Shared Service Meeting that was organized by Mansfield and Hackettstown.  It was attended by Independence, Washington Township, Hackettstown, Washington Township in Morris County, Allamuchy Township and Franklin Township. They discussed getting organized, forming a unified voice and creating an information center via web page.  They would be developing Shared Services Starting Point and form agreements with each other.   They are now developing By-Laws and creating a Non-Profit Organization. They may charge each municipality $1000 each year assessment for Funding Grant Writing.  The next meeting will be April 22nd to review further steps in trying to get this group together and come up with a name for it.

On Affordable Housing, the 45 day objection period ended and none was raised.  So, the third round petition will now be under review by a COAH Planner.

On the Open Space Advisory Committee, the Open Space Recreation Plan ( OSRP) public meetings are set for the Land Use Board on April 12th and he will be holding a public meeting with the Township at their April meeting on the 17th.  This will be done in the early part of the meeting. The Mayor asked for a motion on the public hearing on April 17th.  Strunk made a motion to approve a Public Hearing on the Open Space Recreational Plan at the Township Meeting on April 17, 2006 to solicit public comments and questions, Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

On the Notice of Violations (NOVs), the Township has complied and did all things requested because of the soccer field and the transition area.   The Mayor said DEP wants an additional survey done showing legal description of the modified wetlands transition lines, as shown on the drawings used for the DEP Permit
in the Maser Drawings. The descriptions then need to be reviewed and approved by DEP along with restriction warning. Once approved they can be filed at the court house again.  The Mayor said that the Township Engineer has quoted a price of $1100 to do this.  Kovacs made a motion to approve spending $1100 to have the Township Engineer do the work required by DEP, Horensky seconded. All were in favor.

OTHER
Horensky said the Police Department’s computer system crashed last week and they lost data, police records, mandatory police records. The Chief had a quote from Instant Solution Pricing Quote which would be $595 set up fee and $49/month.  The information would be back up off site.    Kovacs made a motion to approve the quote received by the chief for the installation of the records system at $595 and the $49 a month fee, Horensky seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes.
The Chief said when the staff move to the new Municipal Building, the Administrative’s Records could also be stored at the same $49 a month.

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Strunk made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:55 p.m. to discuss matters of litigation,  Strunk seconded. All were in favor. The doors were opened.  Horensky made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 11:06 p.m., Strunk seconded.  All were in favor.

ADJOURN
Horensky made a motion to adjourn at 11:06 p.m., Kovacs seconded.  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk