TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY

Regular Minutes
May 15, 2007

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 7:33  p.m. by Mayor John Horensky.

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; Elbassiouny, present; Kovacs, present; Mueller, present; Horensky, present. Michael Lavery, Township Attorney and Mary Ann O’Neil, Township Clerk were also present. Also present were Peter de Boer, Public Works Manager, John Mooney and Bill Schroeder, Township Auditors, Dawn Stanchina, CFO, Police Chief James Mc Donald and Richard Vollmar, Township Engineer.

SALUTE TO FLAG

PUBLIC HEARING/ADOPTION OF 2007 BUDGET
Elbassiouny made a motion to open the public hearing on the 2007 Budget, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Schroeder said the budget looks very good and there was only a 1.5 cent increase, which is $15 for every $100,000 of assessment.  

The Mayor opened the floor to the public on the 2007 budget.

Richard Strunk, 116 Brass Castle Road, said, at the January 28 meeting,  Evans stated that we were at a 2.3 cent increase in the tax rate. Later in that meeting deBoer said he needed an additional $100,000 for normal road improvements.  Strunk said each $.01 equaling approximately $66,000 in raised tax revenue and another 1.5 cent increase representing deBoer’s request,  that totals to a 3.8 cent tax increase or $250,000.00 budget increase. Tonight we are $1.5 cents or $99,000 increase. At the February 3, 2007 meeting the committee was looking for small amounts of money to cut from animal control and the Tax Assessor to reduce the budget. At the March 3, 2007 meeting. Evans stated that the budget now was at only a 1.5 cent increase and he wondered how the Township was able to reduce budget by $151,000.

Stanchina said the issue was the money was not in the budget, it was included in the entire numbers for the budget.  They kept it aside to discuss potential opportunities for that money, because it is an ongoing process with the renovation of roads. So, it was incorporated within the budget at the time they talked about it, it was already in the budget.  They tabled it to the side to discuss other potential opportunities for projects that he needed that $100,000 to do.

Strunk said, at  the February 3, 2007 budget meeting Evans stated that the Township had $7 MILLION DOLLARS  WORTH OF UNFUNDED DEBT and NOT PERMANENTLY FINANCED.   Strunk asked what unfunded debt and what does it mean not be to permanently financed?  Schroeder said if you go out for an ordinance, say for $1million dollars, the State requires you put at least 5% down, which comes out of capital improvement fund, which is raised yearly.  If it was $50,000, then $950,000 is called unfunded debt, you have not raised that money yet. You can raise it over the life of the ordinance or go out for bond, but then it would be permanently financed.   Strunk said he suggested that none of this money be incorporated until after July 1st so it would not impact the 2007 budget. Schroeder said, if you issue a bond before June 30th, interest payments are due every six months and the first interest payment would be due in this calendar year and raised in the budget.  Strunk asked if the Township has money they have borrowed, but not paying back. Schroeder said the Township may not have spent it. Just because you pass an ordinance, it does not mean that you spent the money yet. 

Strunk asked if any surplus is being used in the 2007 budget.  Schroeder said, yes $1.7 millions dollars is being used.  Strunk asked what was the surplus last year, Schroeder said they used about $970,000 last year.
Strunk said, when he was on Committee, and liaison to the Finance Department, he had them do a long term forecast analysis on long term debt, which was presented in December 2005. The Department came before the Committee and presented a spread sheet showing that the practice started in 2002 when Horensky was Mayor and Kovacs was in charge of Finance. The Township borrowed money, paying interest only on loans.  In a sense this keeps the tax rate low because we are not borrowing and paying principle.  We did the same thing in 2002 when the Township bonded for 20 years for a fire truck that will take 22 years to pay back and the truck will long be out of the Township’s ownership.

Strunk said the same thing was done with computer equipment in 2002 that has a life expectancy of about 5 years. That was incorporated in a 20 year bond and the equipment will be in garbage by the time they get done paying for it.  Recently, Kovacs again suggested that the Township purchase new computers for the new Administration Building with a 20 year bond.  Strunk said, fortunately, Dempski said this was not a good thing to do, because the Township would be paying it long after they had already thrown it away.

Strunk said he presented a schedule in 2005 that showed the Township normally pays about $500,000 down in debt.  When it come to the year 2014, the Township will be getting hit a bill of $1,782,766.30.  This was confirmed by Evans at the January 28, 2007 budget meeting, page 4.
 
Strunk said he realized the municipal budget process is a difficult and complicated process and not easy to understand unless you have been involved in the continuous method of not paying down debt and letting some future committee worry about it is not a sound way to run a township.

In short the 1.5 cent tax increase proposed is a false tax rate, kept low to make the budget look good.  And because we have been borrowing money for years, paying interest only and minimal principle payments, it is not giving the true picture to  the taxpayer exactly what is owed and we need to pay. This is a practice started a long time ago when. Horensky was mayor and Kovacs was in charge of finance and continues. He said the Township needs to go back and look at the schedule and understand that finances must be paid down sooner or in 2014 the taxpayer will be going to hit with a high tax.

Schroeder said there are State Laws that must be adhered to on bonding.  They could have something with a five year ordinance, with a five year life and a 20 year bond. That is because they have to equalize and average out all the ordinances issued and the useful life, times the amount  of money to come to an average bond in years for the issue. There is probably 5 year items in a 20 year bond, but there is probably 30 year items in there that are paying off 20 years, because this is the average it comes out to.

Strunk gave the spreadsheet to become part of the records.

Nobody else wished to be heard.  Elbassiouny made a motion to close the public hearing, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to approve the 2007 Budget, Resolution 07-55, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to approve Resolution 07-56, Resolution Cancelling Current Fund Budget Appropriation, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Horensky, yes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Mayor said the Committee would be taking a short Executive session with the CFO. Kovacs made a motion to go into Executive Session at 7:47 p.m., seconded by Elbassiouny. All were in favor..

The doors were opened. Elbassiouny made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 7:58 p.m. Dempski seconded.  All were in favor.

Lavery said the Committee met in Executive Session on a personnel matter.  No official was taken.  Copies of the minutes will be available at such time as the Committee determines there will be no harm to the public interest.

Elbassiouny made a motion that the CFO be authorized to issue payroll checks, in certain limited circumstances, provided same were approved, in advance, by Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kovacs made a motion to approve the Regular Minutes of March 20, 2007, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Mueller made a motion to approve the Executive Minutes of March 20, 2007, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

Kovacs made a motion to approve the Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 9, 2007, Dempski seconded. ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
 
Kovacs made a motion to approve the Executive Minutes of the Special Meeting of  April 9,2007, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, abstain; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Mueller had a correction to the Regular Minutes of April 16, page 3, fifth paragraph, the word Chef should be changed to Chief.  Mueller made a motion to approve the minutes of April 16, 2007, as amended, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Horensky, yes.

Dempski made a motion to approve the Executive Minutes of April 16, 2007, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

ORDINANCE
Kovacs made a motion to approve Ordinance 07-12, Ordinance of the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, amending and supplementing Section 123-36 Certificates of Occupancy of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Washington, Warren County, New Jersey. Dempski seconded.  Lavery said this would be subject to changes made in the ordinance. Elbassiouny said this ordinance is for a temporary CO, with addition of Construction Code Office.   Lavery said, right now, the Township does not provide for a Temporary CO, this allows for a Temporary CO in certain circumstances and the  Construction Official will determine what the amount of the guarantee is, it would be $5,000 for residential and $10,000 for commercial.  This will be at the discretion of the Construction Officer.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be June 19, 2007.

RESOLUTIONS
Mueller made a motion to approve Resolutions 07-57 through 07-61, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.
07-57 Authorize and Approve Salary and Wages and Employment Title for Certain Employees (George Mc Grath)
07-58 Acceptance of Performance Bond/Maitron LLC, Block 64, Lot 11
07-59 Authorize and Approve Salaries and Wages for Certain Employees (Jason Graf & Justin Iwaniszyn)
07-60 Resolution on Regency at Hawk Pointe TWA Application
07-61 Resolution to Authorize and Approve Salary and Wages for Certain Employees (Phillip Smith/Kevin Racek)
 
REPORTS FROM STAFF
de Boer said that on the paving at the Brass Castle and Port Colden School, they will be assisting the schools during the summer months when the students are not present to get this work done.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
William Jelliffe, 203 Cemetery Hill Road, said he had attended the April meeting and expressed concern about the wheels on the Township Truck.  He said he was told he would find out what happened with the situation and has not heard anything at all. Elbassiouny said he had researched it and the mechanic had done research on it and the wheels were the wrong size.  They are trying to see if they can buy, after market, steel wheels, but they do not make steel wheels for that particular truck after market. So the Township has to go back to the dealer and buy them from them.  The wheels that had been on the truck have been removed for  credit, having to pay for restocking fee.  

Richard Strunk, 116 Brass Castle Road, said that the March meeting, Kovacs suggested that he research the minutes to find out about him being appointed project manager for the B&B building and also the Committee  giving him permission to demolish 12,000 sq, ft of office space. He did the research,   read minutes back as far as January 1, 2006. In January 2006 Kovacs was put in charge of building and grounds and did practically nothing with the B&B building until Nov. 2006 when he wanted a new architect. The  January 1, 2007 meeting minutes reflect and I quote “the Mayor said, under Building and grounds, he and  Kovacs will continue to spearhead the work on the New Municipal Building”  At the February 3, 2007 meeting, Kovacs made a motion to have deBoer made project manager. Also, at the February 3, 2007 meeting  Kovacs made a motion to have the architect prepare bid documents for demolishing of the inside of the B&B building. At the February 20, 2007 Dempski amended the Feb 3, 2007 motion to have DeBoer be project manager with additional condition.   A review of the minutes, from 2006 to present,  indicate at no time was Kovacs made project manager or did the Committee authorize him to demolish 12,000 sq ft of office space and dispose of Municipal property.  Unfortunately, in the past Kovacs has made other decisions without approval and authority from the appropriate body.  Strunk said the last one he recalled was when he was on the Committee and the  Recreation  Committee came to the Township about Mr. Kovacs giving approvals for use of fields by other organizations without permission of the recreation commission.
 
Our form of government is by consensus of the majority of the Committee. No individuals are allowed on their own to make decisions, such as destroying 12,000 sq ft. of office space without vote by the committee. As I stated previously in meetings, the township can’t dispose of a junk bicycle without a majority of the committee voting to so.

We currently had a bid for 1.5 million to renovate the building using some of the current furniture and office layout. So when the bids come in over 1.5 million dollars for B&B renovation, we can personally thank Kovacs for  personally making decision to eliminate the possibility of making the renovation cheaper, he alone made the choice and let the taxpayer have no choice at all

In the latest addition on the B&B project  Horensky and  Kovacs are spearheading, at the April 9th special meeting, where no member of the public was allowed to speak, we learned from the Architect that the, mechanical engineer put 2﷓ 12 ton air﷓conditioning units on the roof. Now the structural engineer has determined the roof trusses would not  hold the load, so we now have to replace the roof trusses and the roof. Wouldn’t a simple solution be to put the air conditioning units in the basement where they have been performing for the last 30 years   Lets save the taxpayer some money and avoid this Tai﷓Mah Hall  Legacy.

The Mayor said the record should reflect that those air conditioners are not placed on top of the existing building, they are placed on the addition in the back..  Strunk said he was the Pre-Bid Meeting with the contractor and there are two 12,000 ton units going on the existing roof and two 10,000 ton units going in the addition where the elevator shaft is placed.

Kovacs said, for clarification, he never pretended to be the Project Manager.  He was liaison on this project with the Committee, not Project Manager.    On the fields, Kovacs said he had talked with Nick Goldash and said it might be a good idea to bring in JV’s and Varsity down to fields, but to get permission to do.  Kovacs said he never gave permission for any outside organization to use fields.

Kovacs told Strunk that when he was theoretically the liaison, there was a lot of changes he was pushing to make that de Boer would not do, because the architect would not approve. 

Public Portion ended at 8:15 p.m.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Website Forms - Dempski said he had received good input from some departments on the design and features of new website.  There was discussion about making website more user friendly.

2. Payment of Dell check- will be done during Payment of Bills.

3. Health Insurance Renewal - The Committee reviewed the Health Insurance Proposals.   There was another vendor that wanted to make a presentation, so no decision on health care was done at this time.

4. The Mayor said that a member of the Community had come forward to do a Senior Citizens Survey, who was a Girl Scout, Jessica Masulli , and did the survey to receive a Girl Scout Award, which would be similar to Eagle Scout. Masulli  said she sent out a survey and questionnaire to approximately 100 seniors and also went to different events to distribute the survey. She put together the results of the 30 surveys that were returned, which will have all contact information on for the needs of the seniors. There were about 7 people that were interested in serving on the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.  Dempski said the 7 seniors should receive a copy of the Citizens Involvement Form and return it.  This would be a Committee Appointment and the Mayor selects the Chairperson.  Masulli was to get the information to the Township Clerk.  Chief Mc Donald said he would like to see the list provided as soon as possible.  He will work with Masulli and possibly they could help her to get the additional 5 hours she needs to complete this project.

NEW BUSINESS
Elbassiouny said the Township just received a report on Wastewater Regulations that just came out. He would like to have the Committee authorize the Township Engineer to respond to the Highlands Council and where it would effect certain properties in the Township. He could then report back to the Committee on what is going on.  The Mayor said he has not seen it, he has heard of the new drawing, if you would and the way there may be two areas of preservation area and development area in which the Township could build.  It was his understanding that the development area is being chopped away and divided into the second tier, which will be as restrictive as the conservation area. The Mayor said a lot of the areas in the Township that the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance identifies as areas in which they wish to do commercial development  are being circled.  If it goes through, it would eliminate the Township from developing its commercial base.  He did contact the Highlands Commission when he heard this and did indicate that some of this would be happening.  The Mayor asked the Highlands Council to meet and they have agreed to meet with him, just to further educate him as to what the plans are for the Township.  He will report back to Committee.
 
2. Electrical Service for Basketball Court - Walter Godfrey, member of the Recreation Commission was present , because Rob Plenge from the Youth Association has a portable score board and needs electricity.  He approached the Recreation Commission about using the basketball courts this summer. After investigating, they found there are no wires, the conduit is run, but wires from panel to fields.  de Boer recommended they approve $3500. Godfrey asked for approval of an amount, up to $3500, to run power from panel at the pavilion up to basketball courts from the park bond.   Kovacs said the conduits are in at the baseball field, with the idea that some day they may want to light them, so it is in already. Kovacs said this is the same situation with the basketball courts  Samir questioned the cost of $3500 to run wires, which is high.   This would strictly be for the score board.

The Mayor said the lights are there, but there is no electricity to the  lights.   Mueller said the Township Ordinance does not allow anyone to be there after dark, so what good would lights be.  Kovacs asked if they had considered a portable generator, because one was used for the batting cages along the stream. Kovacs said, until the Township decide they are going to light those fields, just to run it for a score board would be, unless they decide at the same time they are going to light the basketball court and do the entire  job at once.
He questioned whether the money was available.   de Boer said he was under the impression that it was to hook up the lights as well.  Godfrey said the Recreation Commission was just talking about doing one secured outlet for them to be able to plug in the scoreboard.  He said the park is only open from dusk to dark.
The Mayor said, if they are going to run electricity for one socket, it makes sense to do it all right now, as opposed to going back and doing it later on.  Samir asked that more homework be done on these costs.  Godfrey said the request was only for one outlet only.  Kovacs asked Godfrey to do more homework and get back to the Committee.

3. After discussion on bills for close out work  from Hatch Mott Mac Donald, Lavery was to write a letter on payment of the bills.  Kovacs said the Committee needs more information justifying the payment.

4. Survey from Alan Lowcher/Economic Development Commission - The Committee reviewed the form. The Mayor felt the format could be changed, because the lines run into each other. Dempski said if Lowcher sends him the file, he would be able to put on the web site.

5. Police Outside Work - Mueller made a motion to approve the 2007 Police Outside Services Agreement, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky,  yes.

6. Kovacs made a motion to approve the Clerk attending an ABC Class on June 22, 2007 at Bethlehem, NJ, Elbassiouny seconded.  All were in favor.

7. Finance Request/Code & Construction O/E - Elbassiouny said the first deposit made by Code and construction was $1800 from the 1st to 11th.  He said the Committee will need to move approximately $10,000 into the account to get them through the month. Mansfield will also be sending their payment in May or June.   Mueller made a motion to transfer $10,000 into the Code and Construction Account, Elbassiouny seconded. Stanchina said this  will be a loan from General Fund to Code and Construction which must be paid back by the end of the year.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

8. Roof Replacement - Municipal/Police Building and Field House Roof - Elbassiouny made, a motion to approve the roof replacement at the Municipal/Police Building and Field House pending availability of funds, Dempski seconded.  The Mayor said this would be taken out of the recent bond for the Brown and Brown Building and other improvements.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

9. Approval to purchase a 1800 Hydraulic Truck Conveyer Spreader -  Only one quote was received. Lavery said that if a request is over 15% of the bid threshold, you have to, by law get three quotes.  If it is under the 15% you do not have to get three quotes, but it is good policy to still get three quotes. de Boer was to come back to the next meeting with three quotes.

10.Tires - de Boer said they have a lot of tires they would like to dispose of.  They contacted Mansfield  who also has tires, but the company will only pick up at one place. The Committee had no problem with this.

11. Clean Communities Grant  - Dempski passed out a copy of updated budget.  They received $9275 in grant money. He has been publishing the Clean Communities Grant to various groups in the Township.  He received two applications, Save the Environmental Club at Warren Hills Regional High School, who are requesting $250 for a mini-grant to do trail work, blue bird monitoring and paper recycling education of student body and New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program, working under New Jersey Research and  Conservation Development Organization, who is requesting $250.
 
Dempski said the Stormwater Management mailing should have gone out before April and if it hasn’t been done, it is a significant drop out.   Dempski said the Stormwater Mailing would have run $1250.  The Mayor asked if money could be used from the Clean Community Grant to cover the cost of getting rid of the tires. Dempski said it could be done, because you getting rid of litter. The Mayor told de Boer, on the tires with Mansfield, the Clean Community Funds should be used.  Dempski requested that de Boer get a rough number of the tires collected in Washington Township and weight, if possible, because it would be needed for a report.   Dempski said the mailing was done with a grant last year, but there was no grant this year.  The mailing could certainly come out of Clean Communities Grant. Elbassiouny would like to see a flyer on the Code and Construction go in the same envelope. 

Dempski said there was something new ACO/ZO on litter patrol.  This stands for Animal Control Officer and Zoning Officer. He thought it would be beneficial to encourage some joint patrols in the park in the
recreational areas, to make sure dogs are leashed and litter laws are being enforced.  There would be a $25 per person and they could go joint patrols in the park to see this is done. 

Dempski made a motion that the following grants be awarded, not to exceed $ 250, to SAVE at  Warren Hills Regional High School and New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Program,  pending availability of funds, and authorization to write correspondence to the Animal Control Officer and Zoning Officer to do joint litter patrols in the parks in passive recreation areas, at a cost of $25 per person, not to exceed 7 patrols for a total of $350, Elbassiouny seconded. 
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

12. Green Acres Trust - Dempski said there will be no money left at the end of this year in the Green Acres Trust. There will be nothing left for Farmland Preservation and Open Space Preservation.  The Open Space Advisory Committee took a vote and wanted the Township Attorney to review a resolution supporting renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust.  He would like to have it done by the next meeting.

13. The Mayor said that every year they are required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to do a Right to Know Survey for the Township.  He requested authorization to approve JoAnn Fascenelli, Treasurer, who has done it in the past, to do it again this year. Dempski made a motion to approve Fascenelli to do the Right to Know Report, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes. Elbassiouny, yes. Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes

14. Dempski said a report had been received from Finance on the cell phones. He felt the numbers were too high and the Committee should be looking on how to stop it.   The cell phone is a valuable tool, but it should be restricted to needing it for voice communications.  Dempski said this is unacceptable.  The Mayor said he had talked with Chief Mc Donald about this and he is looking into the matter to provide information to the Committee regarding if there is a need, at any time, to do text messaging and to address the issue.

REPORT FROM OFFICIALS
Barry Mueller said he attended the Council of Government meeting.  There was a low attendance, but they did discuss things that were in progress. They do have to make a decision within the next few months of any items the Township wants to look into seriously about shared services.   He said Dempski has the survey reviewing it and it will be given to other members to review.

The Historical Day will be this Saturday, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and they are hoping for good weather.

David Dempski said he had talked with the Treasurer during the Health Benefits Review and she brought up a concern, since the Township is just starting up the Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. She had a lot of seniors that said it is hardship to pay for the convenience center and curb side passes.  She wanted to know if the Township could develop an ordinance to give valid senior citizens a discount on the passes. He asked that Lavery look into a discount plans for seniors for the passes.   Dempski gave a draft ordinance to Lavery to review.

Samir Elbassiouny asked for a few minutes of silence to remember the local boy that was recently killed in a freak accident.

He said the Code and Construction Office did 82 inspections from during the first 11 days of the month.  They are doing a lot of catch up on the old permits. Also, during the first week they were open, a very nice gesture was done by someone in the Township by someone bringing cookies.  He said he believes the Township should have a “No Gift Policy,” especially for the enforcing body, such as Code and Construction.  The Committee agreed it was a good policy, especially with the Code and Construction Office.

He attended the ICS 402 Emergency Management Training, which means the Township can apply for Emergency Management Grants.
 
Elbassiouny said he has been working with the Finance Department to try and get scanners for check processing. He said, since they now have the Code and Construction Office, a lot of money can be done on it. They have talked with three different banks on what they can provide. They have narrowed it down to two banks that will not charge for scanners and will post money on line automatically.

On the Road Department, in the past, they usually have two part time employees.  de Boer would like to recommend they go  with three part time employees, but sharing the same amount of hours.

He could not attend the Pre-Bid Meeting on Brown and Brown Building. He did speak with de Boer, who said there were 5-6 contractors that showed interest.   He said he will be resuming the liaison position, with the Mayor, on the Brown  and Brown Building, under Building and Grounds.

He said that de Boer will be chipping and tarring some of the roads and he is waiting for the other municipalities to get together for a better price.

Michael Kovacs had no report.

Mayor John Horensky distributed the Police Monthly Report to the Committee.

He said he attended the CERT Meeting at Hawk Pointe. This is the second CERT Program done in the Township.

He said, with regard to the Police Department, during the past several weeks there have been some e-mails being passed around regarding activities in the Police Department and he was asked to look into it.  He did that, with the Chief, and asked that Dempski speak with the Chief after the meeting, to sign some form that need to be filled out, to proceed with the investigation as required.

On the Fire District, there is a request for the Department of Public Works to provide the equipment to extend the parking lot along the side walk on Pleasant Valley Road, because there is not enough place to park. 

He spoke with Commissioner Ralph Dorio, president of the Fire District, who asked that the Lease Agreement be done on Truck 76-64. Lavery has a Lease Agreement prepared to be signed and the Mayor asked for authorization to sign it.  Mueller made a motion to approve the signing of the Lease Agreement between the Township and Fire District on Truck 76-64, Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Horensky, yes.

The new Fire Truck 76-65 has arrived and they are planning a Joint Wet Down with Washington Boro, which will take place some time in August.

The Mayor also took the ICA 402 Training, so two of the Committee are in compliance with Governors Directive.

He attended the last meeting of the Economic Development Commission.  

Chief Mc Donald had asked that a letter be sent by the Mayor to the Freeholders supporting the Qualifying Range in the County, which he has done.

On COAH, they sent a letter requesting a copy of the ordinance that identifies the Liaison Officer from the Township.  He said that at the last meeting, the Committee all felt that the secretary of the Code and Construction Office should be this person.  The Mayor said the Committee did not take official action to name her at that time, but asked that a resolution be done appointing her.   Elbassiouny made a motion to approve Resolution 07-62, Resolution of the Township of Washington, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, Appointing Carolyn Quinn as the Township COAH Coordinator, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
The Mayor asked that after Lavery has completed the resolution he be given a copy, along with the ordinance. Dempski suggested it be sent certified mail.

Elbassiouny said a letter had been received from the Superintendent at Warren Hills requesting that they stay with DCA during their construction and he agreed that this would be a good idea.  DCA has not responded yet to the request.   Dempski said, as long as they know, if there is a delay with DCA, the Township can do nothing to do about it, this is their decision.  Lavery said, if DCA does not honor this request, then the Township would be responsible.
 
PAYMENT OF BILLS
An additional bill had been given to the Township for Keiser Trucking for grinding in an amount of $7200 to be added to the bills.  Mueller made a motion to approve the payment of bills, including the added bill,
Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Dempski, abstain; Elbassiouny, abstain ; Horensky, yes.

OTHER
Kovacs made a motion to approve a Special Meeting on May 29, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. to award the bids on the Brown and Brown Building Construction and the Grape Vine Restaurant Issue, Executive Session may be held and Action may be taken,  Elbassiouny seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Elbassiouny, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.

Township Engineer Richard Vollmar gave his monthly report.

Elbassiouny said, he had talked with Code and Construction and left a message with Tom Bocko, Zoning Officer to get a list of some of run down properties in the Township, because the Township should be aware of it.  They could be health hazards or structural hazards.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Lavery said he had two contractional updates and potential ABC Violations  that he would like to discuss in Executive Session. Dempski made a motion to go into Executive Session at 10:34 p.m., after a small break, on contractional matters, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.

The doors were opened. Kovacs made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 11:10 p.m., Elbassiouny seconded.  All were in favor.

Lavery said the Committee came out of Executive Session at 11:10 p.m., where they discussed a contractional matter regarding the Unity Bank Contract, AJR Contract Status and upcoming hearing with some potential ABC Violations.  No official action was taken and copies of these minutes will be available at such time the Committee determines there is no harm to public interest.  Lavery said that Elbassiouny left the Executive Session when there was discussion on the ABC Violations.

Dempski made a motion to adjourn at 11:13 p.m., Mueller seconded.  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk