Mayor George Piazza called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated that in compliance with the “Open Public Meeting Act” this is a Regular Meeting of the Township Committee as published in the Hunterdon Review, the agenda has been posted at the Municipal Building and distributed to the Hunterdon Review, Courier News, the Express Times, the Hunterdon County Democrat and the Star Ledger.
Mayor Piazza asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
Present - George Piazza, Patricia Schriver, Jay Weeks
Edward Post, Francis Morrison
Absent -
Also Present - Attorney Eric Bernstein and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 14 members of the public.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 20, 2008. AYES: Schriver, Post, Piazza, Morrison ABSTAIN: Weeks
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved minutes of the Executive Session of February 20, 2008. AYES: Schriver, Post, Piazza, Morrison ABSTAIN: Weeks
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 34-2008 - Redemption
of Tax Certificate -Block 40,
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 34-2008 as written below.
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 34-2008
WHEREAS the Tax Collector did sell Tax Sale Certificate #200604 on October 18th, 2006 and
WHEREAS this certificate has been redeemed by Judith C. Ross Poole, Executrix of the Estate of Lucy H. Ross, holder of the first mortgage on Block 40, lot 10 & lot 10 Q0110 and,
WHEREAS the amount of $16,699.38 has been collected for redemption of this certificate, and
WHEREAS there has also been a premium in the amount of $2,000 paid for this certificate by US Bank-Cust/Sass MUNI V dtr,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Treasurer be authorized to prepare and the Mayor, Treasurer and Clerk be authorized to sign a check in the amount of $18,699.38 and that this check be mailed to US Bank-Cust/Sass MUNI V dtr.
Resolution No. 35-2008 Reimbursement- Duplication of Acreage
Assessed, Block 30,
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 35-2008 as written below.
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 35-2008
WHEREAS there had been a duplication of acreage assessed for Block 30 lot 46 for 2007 and,
WHEREAS the acreage has been
adjusted on February 22, 2008 for the year 2008 by means of an order for a
change in assessment through the
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the assessment for land for 2007 be reduced from $200,100 to $111,300 and that an adjustment of $2,370.96 be credited for 2008 taxes to Edythe, Jonathan and Sharon Herson owners of Block 30 lot 46, Lebanon Township.
OLD BUSINESS
Request to Purchase
Police Vehicle (Previously Approved in 2007, New Budget Year)
On June 6,
2007, the Township Committee approved the purchase of a 2007 Marked Ford Crown
Motion by Mr. Post,
seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee
approved the purchase of a 2008 Marked Ford Crown
Mr. Erik Henriksen of
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Mr. Erik Henriksen as Lebanon Township Representative to the Musconetcong River Management Council.
Mayor Piazza stated that the Committee had received a letter
from Hunterdon County Housing stating that they will be closing and no longer
overseeing the
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Raffle
License No. 02-08 –
Motion by Ms.
Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee approved Raffle License No. 02-08 for the Lebanon
Township PTA to be held on 06/01/2008.
Approve Raffle
License No. 03-08 - South Branch Water Shed 05/17/2008
Motion by Mr. Post,
seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Raffle License No. 03-08 to
the South Branch Water Shed to be held on 05/17/2008.
Request for
Appointment of Township Historian –
Motion by Ms.
Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee appointed Bill DeCoster as Historian and Eileen Lebida
as Alternate Historian at the recommendation of the Township Historians.
Request for
Appointment of Recreation Commissioner
Motion by Ms.
Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee appointed Dave Hennessey as Recreation member for a four
year term at the request of the Recreation Commission.
Request for
Appointment of Library Committee Member
Held to a later meeting.
Approve Contribution
to the
Matter to be
considered at the Budget Worksessions.
Ms. Schriver stated that the Hunterdon County Division of Senior Services
is looking for a Municipal Coordinator from
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee approved the March 5, 2008 bill list in the amount of $118,170.17.
CORRESPONDENCE
Bill Swartz –
Glenside Trail Drainage
Mr. Swartz was in attendance at the meeting to discuss his correspondence with the Township Committee. He explained to the Committee how water flows through his and his neighbor’s properties during a rainfall. He stated that the water comes from three new homes, which were built in close proximity to his property and travels across his neighbors property and saturates his land. Mr. Swartz said that the Township Engineer was out to view the problem and wrote a letter stating his opinion on the matter, however, it was dry at the time of his visit. Paul Jones was there during a heavy rainfall and took pictures, which Mr. Swartz provided to the Committee for their viewing. The Township Committee stated that Mr. Jones needs to provide them with a report of his visit to Mr. Swartz’s property. The Township Engineer needs to affirm or amend his letter based on the pictures provided by Mr. Jones during the rainfall. Mr. Weeks suggested that Mr. Swartz speak to the Planning Board Clerk to see if proper approvals were granted for the construction of the three new homes.
Hunterdon County Municipal Officer’s Association Meeting – March 6, 2008
Hunterdon County Municipal Officer’s Association Dinner – March 31, 2008
HC Board of Chosen Freeholders -
(On File in Clerk’s Office)
Marcia Karrow –
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Nancy Durois asked about the status of the Library Roof replacement. Attorney Bernstein stated that his office redrafted the Bid Specifications and sent them to the Township Engineer for final approval.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the Township Clerk and Township Engineer to readvertise to seek bids for the replacement of the Library Roof.
Mr. Bill Raushenberger commented on the State’s plan on cutting municipal aid to certain municipalities in the State. He stated that we will be cut $76,000.00, which was about the lowest of all the municipalities.
Fire Chief Jay Harkins, introduced himself to the Committee and provided them with his phone numbers and his email address so they can reach him if necessary.
Mr. Anthony Casale stated that he heard that a family member
of a
Mr. Casale inquired on the South Branch Watershed annual stream clean-up and asked if it was open to the public. He stated that his Boy Scouts may be able to contribute time.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of
the meeting.
Cancel March 6, 2008
Budget Meeting – Reschedule
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee canceled the March 6, 2008 Budget Worksession and rescheduled it for March 19, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. and scheduled a second worksession for March 24, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 36-2008 and convened in executive session at 7:50 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 36-2008
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Collective Bargaining – PBA Local 188
Collective Bargaining - CWA Local 1040
Land Acquisition – Pelio
Attorney Client Privilege
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded
by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular Committee meeting at 8:31 p.m.
Attorney Bernstein stated that all members of the Governing Body present at the commencement of the executive session were present at the recommencement of the open session as well as the Township Clerk and the Township Attorney. Attorney Bernstein stated that discussion was held on the ongoing negotiations with the PBA Local 188 and the he provided the Committee with an update on the required paperwork required for settlement. Discussion was held on the upcoming CWA Local 1040 negotiations. Discussion was held on the Pelio Land Acquisition and the liaison was given direction as to such. The Township Attorney and Clerk will be addressing a potential disciplinary situation.
Having no further business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved: March 19, 2008 ___________________________
George Piazza, Mayor