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TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, WARREN COUNTY
Regular Meeting
September 21, 2004
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 7:45 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, transmitted to the Express Times and posted at the municipal building.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, present. Kovacs, present; Mueller, present; Strunk, present; Horensky, present. Edward Glynn, Township Attorney and Mary Ann O’Neil, Township Clerk were also present.
SALUTE TO FLAG
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kovacs made a motion to approve the Executive Minutes of August 17, 2004, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
Dempski made a motion to approve the Regular Minutes of August 17, 2004, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to approve the Special Meeting Minutes of August 24, 2004, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
Dempski made a motion to approve the Executive minutes of August 24, 2004, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
AWARDING OF BID
Restroom Unit for Meadow Breeze Complex Glynn said this bid was received and acceptable in the amount, but the question was whether or not the bid can be awarded because there was some question as to whether or not the bidder had received a business registration certificate from the State. Glynn said he received a faxed copy today and the effective date of the registration is September 1, 2004 and issuance date is September 15, 2004. Glynn said he spoke with the director of the Division of Revenue and she advised him that there is not a problem issuing approval of the bid tonight and she had no objection to it. She said it is true, on many occasions they issue a certificate after the bid is actually submitted and as long as it was in the hands of the Committee tonight, it should not present a problem. Dempski made a motion that the bid received from Bio-Sun Systems, Inc. in the amount of $60,500 for the Meadow Breeze Complex be approved. Strunk seconded. Dempski amended his motion to reflect that this amount should come out of the Park Bond, Strunk seconded the amendment.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
Vehicles, Equipment and Bicycles
Peter de Boer, Public Works Manager, recommended the high bidder of the vehicles be approved as listed. Kovacs made a motion that the 1987 Ford Dump Truck be awarded to Eric Rudolph in the amount of $3002, the Cat Grader be awarded to Melvin Bittner in the amount of $1,000, Bay Go Roller be awarded to Jersey One Auto Sales in the amount of $270 and the 1996 Jeep Cherokee be awarded to Jersey One Auto Sales in the amount of $530, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
de Boer also recommended that the bids be rejected on the 1994 Chevrolet Caprice (76-05), 1997 Ford Crown Victoria (76-11) and 1997 Ford Crown Victoria (76-15) because the bids that came in were below the set minimum bid. de Boer recommended that the vehicles be rebid with the minimum being the minimum bid received from the prospective purchasers, which would be 76-05 a t$430, 76-11 at $530 and $76-15 at $940. Strunk made a motion to approve the recommendations made by de Boer on 76-05, 76-11 and 76-15, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
de Boer also recommended that the bicycles (1-15) and blue print port be scrapped because no bids were received on these items. There was discussion about contacting the Boy Scouts to see if they are still running a project where they took used bicycles and send them out for refurbishing and then sent to Third World Countries. Strunk also said he had heard of a company that does this. Claire Tondreau, in the audience, gave a name of a company that does this to the Clerk to pursue. The Clerk will work with de Boer on getting the bicycles into the hands of a non-profit organization. Strunk will also provide the name of a company
Dempski said that, on the Blue Print Port, that he will look into whether the Tech School would want it. de Boer said it is a hanging file for blueprints. The Mayor said, if nobody wants this or the bicycles, then the Committee will go forward with de Boers recommendation to scrap them. Strunk made a motion that if the Blue Print Port and bicycles cannot be disposed of to a non-profit organization that they be disposed of, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
ORDINANCES
Strunk made a motion to open the public hearing on Ordinance 04-12 - Ordinance Requiring Proof of Property Taxes being Current before Land Use Board Application is deemed Complete, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Strunk, yes; Dempski, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
Len Artigliere, Land Use Board Chairman, said that with respect to this matter, he did have comments, but they also relate back to the another issue which has to do with the minutes of the Township Committee Meeting of July 20, 2004. Artigliere said some of his comments may touch on pending litigation, as well as potential litigation, so he asked that before consideration of this ordinance, whether or not these items should be discussed in Executive Session as opposed in public hearing portion of ordinance because of the litigation aspect involved. The Mayor asked if anyone from the public wanted to be heard and if not, the public portion will be closed. After coming out of Executive Session, formal action will be taken on the ordinance. Kovacs made a motion to close the public hearing portion of Ordinance 04-12, Dempski seconded.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, no; Horensky, yes.
Kovacs made a motion to approve Ordinance 04-13 Ordinance Amending, Revising and Supplementing Chapter 117 of the Code of the Township of Washington, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic,” specifically Article III, entitled “Schedules”, subsection twenty seven entitled “Schedule” V; Trucks over Four Tons Excluded, on first reading, Dempski seconded. Dempski said that he had spoken with Fire Chief James Vergos and an exception will have to be added for fire department apparatus, emergency service vehicles and de Boer said the DPW vehicles should also be included.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
Public Hearing and Second Reading will be October 19, 2004.
RESOLUTIONS
Dempski made a motion to approve Resolution 04-103 Release of Washington Township Land Use Board Escrow, Blue Army, Block 2, Lot 72, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
Kovacs made a motion to approve Resolution 04-104 Resolution Honoring NJ Society of Municipal Engineers on 75th Anniversary, Dempski seconded. All were in favor.
Dempski made a motion to approve Resolution 04-105 Resolution on Annual Audit Report for 2003, Mueller seconded. Dempski said there are two errors on the audit, the names of the officials is incorrect on page 7 in comment section and if this is an audit report it should reflect the right names of the officials in 2003. Also, under comments, under matters, it does not have enough information or action items. Dempski would like to see if the dog license fees are covering the costs of running that department, because he does not think it is doing so. Kovacs said this is the auditors report. Dempski said that the Group Affidavit Form that he signed says that it should be read and agree to suggestions or a plan of action regarding the comment section. Dempski said he did not fully understand the first comment referring that there should be two employees in the Tax Collectors office, which was not clear. Kovacs said this has always been a recommendation. Dempski would like to see more detail with a recommendation on what should be done. Also, the Animal Control Budget is another area that should be looked at to make sure that the fees are covering that department, because it is not doing so at this time. Dempski said it is an Audit Report and it should not contain any flaws. The Mayor said once the revisions are made to the Audit, it will be accepted. A no vote means the audit is not acceptable, as is, and must be corrected. A yes vote means it is accepted, as is.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, no; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, no; Strunk, no; Horensky, no.
Dempski made a motion that Resolution 04-106 Refund of Over Payment/D4 Baseball Field be approved, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
Dempski made a motion that Resolution 04-107 Recycling Tonnage Grant/Chapter 159 Budget Amendment be approved, Strunk seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
Dempski made a motion that Resolution 04-108 Amend Resolution to Authorize & Approve Salaries & Wages (Stacie Brown) be approved, Strunk seconded. Chief Mc Donald was asked about the salary and wages for Crossing Guard. Mc Donald said that the previous crossing guard left. The police were providing this service until they hired someone else. Mc Donald said he checked with the CFO on the salary on a new employee, who advised it would remain the same no matter who was hired to do it. Applications were put out and Brown got the position.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
Dempski made a motion that Resolution 04-109 Release of Performance Guarantee for Hicken (Washington One Stop) be approved, Mueller seconded. All were in favor.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (8:15 p.m.)
Claire Tondreau, 61 New Hampton Road, said that the group present had been at the Township Meeting several months ago and the Committee was supportive in trying to get a one lane bridge replaced with a one lane bridge across the Musconetcong. The engineers of Warren and Hunterdon County has decided that a two lane
bridge is critical for the traffic flow. This creates a problem for the people that live there. There is a fair amount of traffic and speeding. They are concerned about expanding the bridge, there will be more traffic as a cut through from Route 31 to Route 57. So, in addition to the weight restriction that was done this evening, they would like to urge the Committee to consider also installing traffic calming devices. Tondreau said the Warren County Engineers have said that there are discretionary state funds that are available and suggested that an application be put in for these funds. She said they also suggested that the County Freeholders could pass an ordinance to support the Township Committee in getting this State Aid. The Mayor asked de Boer to meet with Robert Miller, Township Engineer, Fire Chief Vergos and Police Chief Mc Donald to discuss some type of road calming devices to be used and bring the information back to the Township Committee for recommendation.
Tom Birkner, 61 New Hampton Road, said that he knows that they are not a majority living in the Township and there is a limited amount of money, he would hope there would be ways to do something that is affordable and cost effective on this matter and the County can help.
Jim Chesterton 40 Musconetcong River Road, and was present to support the traffic calming devices, as well as weight limits on New Hampton Road. He said last week they met with the Hunterdon County Engineers, with the residents of New Hampton, and discussed a number of options that are available. The engineers will be moving, within the next two weeks, for a survey team to study to locations for various types of proposals. They will come back with a set of proposals for them in a few weeks. There will be further discussion and financing information. He suggested the Warren County Engineers communicate with the Hunterdon County Engineers on this matter.
Andy Levin, 116 Asbury Anderson Road, said he supports traffic calming devices and weight limits. He asked for the Committee’s support in making sure their roads are safe.
Dean Springmeyer, 20 New Hampton Road said that anything they could do to reduce traffic volume and speed on the road would be greatly appreciated.
Cathy Nelson, 40 New Hampton Road, asked the Committee to support any recommendations that come out of this to slow traffic down.
Anthony Tambasco, 70 New Hampton Road asked the speed be reduced to 25 miles per hour on this road.
Jim Cook, 43 Musconetcong River Road, asked support for the weight limit for New Hampton Road and the installation of traffic calming devices. He said that speeding in rural areas is a major problem and it will be used for a short cut off of Route 31.
Kathy Enz, 18 Spring Lane, asked Ed Glynn, Township Attorney, if he either sent and/or got an answer from her neighbors about the spikes in the road. Glynn said he got a letter from William Mandry, who indicated that he felt his client’s were within their rights to do what they were doing. Glynn spoke with Mandry about this and told him that his clients had no right to do anything with the Township Road, they had no right to put stakes in the road and no right to remove anything that was Township property. Since then, he has had no further communication with him. Enz said the spikes are still there. She has spoken with a surveyor and he said they are not allowed to be above the surface of any road and these are. Kovacs said that de Boer, Public Works Manager, should go up and check this out and if stakes are inappropriate that they be pulled out. de Boer asked for clarification as to what he was to do. The Mayor said, if the stakes are in the Township’s right a way the stakes should be put down level with the surface of the road. If they are not in the Township’s right a way, then don’t touch anything. de Boer will contact Robert Miller, Township Engineer, on this matter.
Richard Flint, secretary of Recreation Commission, wanted to clarify that there is a go ahead on up to $10,000 as part of the restroom project. Flint did not think this had been done officially. Dempski made a motion that the Recreation Commission has access, not to exceed $10,000 out of the Park Bond for the purpose of the Department of Public Works to installing composting toilet in Meadow Breeze Park Complex, Strunk seconded. Kovacs asked if this included the engineering fee, Dempski said it would be separate.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Strunk, yes; Kovacs, yes; Mueller, yes; Horensky, yes.
David Dempski said he had received a letter asking if tax bills could be paid at the local bank, which could be during lunch, after hours and on Saturdays. Dempski said he had talked with the CFO and it is possible and taxes can be collected, up until the date. Penalties could not be paid at the bank. Kovacs said the Tax Collector is available 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with the exception of lunch hour. Once in a while there is a bank deposit run that is done, but right now, if the Tax Collector is out, the Clerk’s Office can collect it or it can be sent in the mail. (Ended at 8:40 p.m.)
OLD BUSINESS
1. Sponsorship Policy Dempski said this had been discussed at the last meeting. Mel Kries and Steve Sarullo will be working on a Sponsorship Policy.
2. Cross Acceptance Questionnaire Al Ivany had a copy of the second draft on the Cross Acceptance to discuss, which had previously been distributed to the Committee. If there are no additions, he will take to the County on Thursday and submit. Dempski said he would like more time to read it. Dempski said that they did go through the Center Designation with the Borough and handing it in without getting comments is not being a good neighbor and it will create problems and they could challenge it. Dempski said the Boro should get a letter on what the Township is doing. Kovacs said a letter should be sent. The Mayor said that Paul Drake, from DCA, was to be at the meeting, but today he called and said he could not make it. Drake was going to give a presentation on Center Designation on what he views as positiveness of it and the impact of the Highlands with regard to that. The Mayor said he had discussed with Drake that the Township was in a position and leaning toward having the Center Designation removed. Drake had asked for the opportunity to speak to the Committee to make sure they understood Center Designation and have balanced information to make a decision. The Mayor said there are two issues, letting Washington Borough know, in advance, of the Township’s intention to withdraw from Center Designation and whether or not the Committee wants to hear input from the State prior to making a decision. Strunk said he is always looking for new information and he would like the Boro to know the direction the Township is going on this.
The Mayor said, then it was the consensus of the Committee that there is no objection notifying the Boro that this is what the Township is intending at this point in time. The Mayor asked if the Committee wanted Drake to attend the next meeting. Kovacs said he was against this. Kovacs said, unless he has something to offer, because he has sat through the entire process when this started but didn’t think there would be much to offer. Kovacs said he felt a decision could be made right now. There has been no benefits with the Center Designation and it has been detrimental to the Township. Strunk said he agreed with this, but wanted to keep an open mind. The Mayor asked if the Committee wanted Drake to come to the next meeting. Strunk said the Boro should be notified and if the State wants to come, then so be it, but this is the direction we are going right now.
The Mayor asked for a motion that Al Ivany submit the Cross Acceptance Plan to the County, with the corrections made on the numbering and a letter be sent to the Boro, with a copy of it, indicating this is the course of action that the Committee has decided to take. Dempski made a motion that Al Ivany submit the Cross Acceptance Plan Questionnaire to the County and a letter be sent to the Boro, with a copy of the questionnaire, Strunk seconded. All were in favor. The Mayor asked the Committee if Drake should be contacted to attend the next meeting. A vote was taken on whether Drake should attend: Dempski, no; Kovacs, no; Horensky, yes; Mueller, no and Strunk, yes. The Mayor said if anyone wants further information they should contact Drake directly.
The Mayor recognized Kerry Pflugh in the audience for working with Al Ivany on the questionnaire. Pflugh said that she would support the Committee’s opinion, if they are firm in their decision, on the Center Designation. She has discussed this with Drake already. Pflugh said, it was her understanding, after talking with Drake that the Township could withdraw at any time.
3.National Geomatica Revised End User Agreement Dempski said he had a meeting in July with the different departments to see what the program could offer them. Dempski said the areas best served at this time would be Zoning Department and the Land Use Board. Dempski said that in order to get their fee, certain fees are collected and they take a portion of the fee. Dempski said the fees would be increased to cover this.
Dempski gave them the info from last year to see if it would be acceptable to them. Dempski said he had talked with the Land Use Board Secretary, who said the escrows are too low. Dempski said a township wide review of prices should be done. Dempski distributed a copy of proposed fees for review. Dempski said he would like to have an ordinance ready for introduction in October and ready to start implement in December. Dempski asked that Glynn be authorized to go back to fee ordinance, with regard to the Land Board issues to bring the fees consistent to proposed fees. Dempski said the escrow should also be done. The Mayor will take this information to the Land Use Board and the concept behind it. The public will be restricted on what information they could pull up.
Dempski asked if he had permission to meet with Scarlette Doyle, Township Planner on COAH, which was given to him. Glynn said he has already talked with her.
4. Personnel Administrator/Employment Attorney Glynn said that, with regard to the new Policy and Procedure by the Insurance Carrier for the Township. As part of the check list, the Township must certify by the end of this month that they have adopted the various policies and procedures that the carrier has recommended. The new Policy and Procedure Manual has been revised and put together by the Clerk’s office. The last step that needs to be done is to have him certify that the Township has appointed a Personnel Administrator and Employment Attorney. Glynn said that typically the Personnel Administrator is the Township Clerk and Employment Attorney is Township Attorney. The Mayor asked if, in his research, has there been any indication as to what level of work would be done. Glynn said it would not involve much of his time, all he has do is certify that the policies are in place and send to broker. Glynn said it would involve more work for the Township Clerk on an ongoing basis, as paperwork must get taken care, anything from a grievance by an employee to any personnel situation and video training. The Mayor asked if any of this paperwork under this program, is there any additional work being done now. The Clerk said it involves many issues, new things being done all the time, updates to be done, meetings to attend, policy procedures put into place, grievances, video training, possible evaluations and constant updates on what has to be done.
The Clerk said she has already met with de Boer, Public Works Manager and Police Chief Mc Donald on the new Policy and Procedure Manuals, upcoming training for the men and training that must be done. There was discussion on what the Clerk should get paid. The Mayor said he would like more information. Strunk said it is a new river and the Township Committee is either going to jump in or pull out and be assessed the penalty. Dempski said the penalty would be great, it would be a risk. Strunk said if the cost would be $12,000 to have the Clerk administer the program, is it cost beneficial? Dempski said, one settlement and this amount would look like peanuts. Strunk said there will be additional time and responsibilities on the Clerk. Dempski asked if an amount will be set for the additional work being done. The Mayor said this will be discussed later, because it will involve a change in the Salary Ordinance. The motion being made will just be for designation at this time. Dempski made a motion that the Township Attorney be named Employment Attorney and Mary Ann O’Neil, Township clerk, be named as Personnel Administrator, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Kovacs made a motion to approve the Raffle Application for the Rotary for 11/15/04, Dempski seconded. All were in favor.
2. John La Porta Request/Reimbursement of Taxes - John La Porta said he had submitted a letter to the Township Committee and supportive documents. There is a process where there is a veteran that has been declared 100% totally disabled. La Porta said that he would like to reiterate that the law and statutes states that any veteran who is 100% totally disabled for veteran service is exempt from paying property taxes and reimbursed for the taxes paid, as of the day in which the award was made, in his case February 2003. La Porta has filed a copy of the letter and copy of documents with Michael Schmidt, Tax Assessor, who said this would be taken up in a resolution by the Township Committee.
Dempski made a motion that John La Porta be reimbursed taxes as requested from February 3, 2003, seconded by Mueller. All were in favor. Kovacs requested that before anything be done on this request that a written comment be received by the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector on this matter. Dempski amended his motion to include written comments from the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector, Muller seconded the amendment.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
3. Request for Attorney Stover/Singley Estate Dempski said that he talked with an individual and said he had an idea about whether they would be willing to donate the property to Habitat for Humanity. This would be a good place to build on for COAH obligations if Habitat for Humanity was to take ownership of it. If there is a seed lot, you may be able to get more donations. Dempski has tried to get in touch with Warren County Habitat for Humanity through e-mail, fax and voice mail, but has not been successful. He would like to contact Hunterdon and Morris County Habitat to see if they are interested. Dempski said Habitat is trying to get land to build on for the people. The Mayor said the Township owes Attorney Stover an answer on this. Kovacs said this would be a good opportunity to get rid of some of these properties at Butler Park. The Mayor said he would like to see Dempski authorized to go forward and see if anybody is interested in this property, then work from there. Dempski asked either the Planner and Engineer develop an up to date, best guess, on exactly what the lots look like before he approaches the people. The Mayor said they should start by asking the Tax Assessor to go through the records and start the process. Strunk will check with the Assessor, tell him what the Committee is looking for and have him come up with a strategy as to how to go forward to contact the individuals and move this forward. Identification of parcels must be done. Strunk is to find out who owns what and how they go about cleaning up the properties in the Butler Park Section. The Mayor said he would like a letter be sent to Stover indicating that the Committee, at this point of time, is investigating the issues surrounding all of the properties in Butler Park. At this time, they are not looking to go forward with the suggestion on the quick claim. The Committee will get back to him later on this.
4. Robert Miller/Lanning Trail - Glynn said he had talked with Miller about Lanning Trail. He was going to go ahead and do a property description to take care of this. Miller has talked to de Boer about this. Glynn said that when he talked with Miller he had no objection to what the property owner was proposing.
5. Kovacs made a motion to approve the installation of a Gas Heater at the Public Works Annex, in the amount of $2,480, to be taken from the bond, Dempski seconded. All were in favor.
OTHER
The Mayor said that members of the Land Use Board were present and there had been discussion earlier relative to an Executive Session item and discussing the matter with them. The Mayor asked that the Executive Session be moved up at this time to address the issue.
Kovacs made a motion to go into Executive Session at 9:48 p.m., Strunk seconded. All were in favor.
The doors were opened. Strunk made a motion to come out of Executive Session at 12:05 a.m., seconded by Dempski. All were in favor.
Glynn asked that the record reflect that there was an open exchange of ideas with Len Artigliere, Land Use Chairman, and several members of the Land Use Board with regard to the July minutes and certain comments that were made in the minutes. There was a very lengthy discussion, which lasted well over two hours and the bottom line is that the Land Use Board discussed among themselves whether or not they want to put something in writing to the Township Committee or come back before the Committee in public session and discuss this matter further.
Glynn said they also discussed the Tarsi matter and the prospect of her either returning or not returning to her position by the end of the year. Glynn had been directed to send a letter to her attorney announcing the Committee’s position on this.
Glynn said that on the Apgar Case, he will be contacting the adjuster and discuss his August 10th letter and why it was necessary to send this letter when he has already advised the Committee that punitive damages are not covered. Also, he is to ask Attorney Susan Rubright for an updated report before the next meeting on the status of the case.
REPORTS FROM OFFICIALS
Strunk had no report.
Mueller had no report.
Dempski said, under Public Assistance, there are 11 open cases. And 1 will be closed. There was 1 fraud case going against us with Affirmative Action. Barbara Theis, Welfare Director, has also advised that Work First New Jersey is a potential for volunteers to DEP (not felons) to see if the DEP may want to use them. She will be contacting de Boer on this.
On Recreation, there was an excellent meeting between Robert Miller, Township Engineer, de Boer and Richard Flint to discuss various issues. Dempski has submitted a grant for the replacement of wooden playground for $28,000 to get new swing set at Meadow Breeze Park. Also, due to the second bidding, the engineering costs went up $605, they need additional funds to pay this from the park bond. Also, from the 2004 budget, they have $2,000 in unspent funds and they would like to spend the funds on a 10x14 foot shed and want permission to put it behind the DPW shed near the softball fields to store soccer equipment. Kovacs said the equipment could be put away for the winter and there are two barns where the equipment could be stored in for the winter. Strunk said he thought that the one barn is used for DPW Equipment. Also, they want to release some of the existing Pacesetter Bond Funds for the tree plantings, permanent survey markers and a bus stop pad. Strunk said, if there is money left, he felt it should go for sidewalks. Dempski said there is $14,000 left in the bond ordinance for Pacesetter. Dempski will contact the neighbors and get their input.
As far as the sheds, the committee felt that a shed behind a shed in the park will would not look good. Kovacs said in the winter time the nets could be taken off the goals and they could sit outside. The coaches can carry the balls in their cars during the season. Dempski said if they got a new shed that perhaps they could get rid of one of the smaller sheds. Kovacs said there is room in the barn at the Administration Building to store equipment. Dempski said he will have Flint contact Kovacs and Strunk to discuss this.
Dempski made a motion that the Committee allocate $605 from the Park Bond to cover the engineering requirements for the second bidding on the composting unit, Mueller seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Kovacs, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
Dempski said the Youth Association replaced the basketball scoreboard at the Brass Castle Field with a permanent one which is wireless. They did replace the infield dirt on the Brass Castle Softball Field.
On public utilities, the BPU will be issuing the certificate of approval from Comcast, which means the Township will get their money.
Dempski distributed a COAH handout. He said, with the new COAH requirement, right now the Township is at 11, the Township was done, there are 3 more that are done and before they start, right negative 11 again. Once you go back to 1999 to 2014, for every new house, 8 to 1, it is not 2004 to 2014, it is 1999. This is going to have a big impact if it is not planned right.
Kovacs had no report.
Mayor Horensky said the Police Department in cooperation with the Fire Department submitted a State Wide Local Domestic Equipment Grant for $200,000.
Horensky said a notice had been received from Warren County Chamber of Commerce about a ribbon cutting on October 2, 2004 for Senior Expo in Warren County at Vo Tech School.
Horensky said, also on October 2, 2004 the Warren County Health Department is holding a drill and test of one of the elements required on terrorism and will be held at the Warren Hills Regional High School, starting at 7:00 a.m. running through noon. They will be shutting down some of the roads and it will be as much as an actual attack as possible. They are looking for volunteers to help with this program.
Kovacs said, regarding the sound system, it has to be replaced. He recommended that Strunk talk to the CFO to see if there is money to replace the system. Kovacs said there is nothing wrong with speakers, it is the sound system and should be replaced. Dempski said he thought a standard tape recorder should be used. The Clerk said it is necessary to have the Lanier System that picks up all four speakers, which is needed when doing minutes. . Strunk said that the Land Use Board is also having problems with the system. Dempski said that an audio company should be called in to tell the Township what they really need. Kovacs said the Clerk was right, you have to have a tape recorder that is going to pick up every microphone and feed into the recorder, a single recorder will not do it. Kovacs said every microphone has a separate speaker.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Dempski made a motion to approve the payment of bills, including two vouchers for Warren Hills Regional High School for $72,516.58 and Bank of New York for NJDEA Loan in the amount of $253,787.75 which were not on the bill list, Kovacs seconded.
ROLL CALL: Dempski, yes; Kovacs, no; Mueller, yes; Strunk, no; Horensky yes.
Strunk made a motion to adjourn at 12:35 a.m., Dempski seconded. All were in favor.
The Mayor said the Committee had not passed an ordinance and asked the meeting be reconvened. Glynn said this would be no problem, Strunk should withdrew his motion to adjourn, Dempski seconded. Everybody withdrew their vote.
ORDINANCE
Kovacs made a motion to approve Ordinance 04-12 - Ordinance Requiring Proof of Property Taxes being Current before Land Use Board Application is deemed Complete, Dempski seconded. Public Hearing had been held earlier in meeting.
ROLL CALL: Kovacs, yes; Dempski, yes; Mueller, yes; Strunk, yes; Horensky, yes.
There being nothing further to come before the Committee, Kovacs made a motion at 12:55 a..m. to adjourn, Dempski seconded. All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ann O’Neil RMC/CMC
Township Clerk
