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 Phil George and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 7 members of the public.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee approved minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 5, 2008.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved minutes of the Executive Session of March 5, 2008.
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim Morris – NJ Conservation Foundation
Re:
Mr. Morris informed all present that the New Jersey
Conservation Foundation holds a conservation easement on Lot 29, Block 17, in
In order to amend the easement, NJCF must have the approval of the NJDEP as required by the Conservation Restriction Act. Prior to approving the amendment, the DEP requires that a public hearing be held, at which time the public has the opportunity to comment. .
Mr. Dave Mills, of
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. 37-2008 -
Transfer
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 37-2008 as written below.
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 37-2008
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WHEREAS,
N.J.S.A. 40A:4-59 provides that all unexpended balances carried forward |
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after the
close of the year are available, until lapsed at the close of the succeeding
year, to |
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meet
specific claims, commitments or contracts incurred during the preceding
fiscal year, |
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and allow
transfers to be made from unexpended balances which are expected to be |
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insufficient
during the first three months of the succeeding year; |
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NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE |
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following
transfers in the amount of $8,000 be made between the 2007 Budget |
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Appropriation
Reserves as follows: |
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ACCOUNT
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ACCOUNT
NAME |
FROM |
TO |
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7-01-26-290-011 |
Roads s/w |
8,000.00 |
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7-01-31-447-299 |
Gasoline |
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8,000.00 |
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8,000.00 |
8,000.00 |
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OLD BUSINESS
Swartz Drainage –
Glenside Trail
Mr. Swartz has come before the Committee at prior meeting to request assistance with a stormwater drainage issue on his property. The Township Engineer provided his opinion to the Township Committee stating that the issue is not related to the Township and that the matter should be addressed with his neighbors in an attempt to resolve the problem.
Mayor Piazza stated that the Engineer has provided his report based on the pictures submitted by Mr. Swartz and the Township Committee upholds the recommendation of Mr. Risse. Mr. Swartz requested that an independent review be conducted as he questioned Mr. Risse’s opinion.
Mayor Piazza stated that in addition, the Planning Board and the DPW Supervisor, Paul Jones, do not support Mr. Swartz’s request for Township assistance. The issue is between the landowners.
Planner Mike Bolan –
Approve COAH Comments
Planner Mike Bolan has submitted the following comments to be forwarded on to COAH for their consideration:
· The comment period ending on March 22, 2008 does not provide adequate time for comments to be received, reviewed and the rules revised by COAH prior to the June 2, 2008 deadline for adoption as set forth by the Superior Court. Thus, the review period is provided for form only.
·
The proposed Rules (Appendix C) establish the Township’s Prior Round
Obligation for 1987-1999 at 27 affordable units (The Township has complied with
the Prior Round Obligation).
·
The proposed Rules (Appendix B) establish a rehabilitation requirement of
20 units. The Township had a
rehabilitation obligation of zero (0) under the prior Third Round rules. What has changed that creates this increase
in the rehabilitation obligation?
·
Appendix F, Task 1, Allocating Growth to Municipalities indicates that
between 2004-2018 the Township will grow by 169 dwelling units. This results in an affordable housing
obligation of 34 affordable units.
COAH, or its consultants,
somehow arrived at this number even though a historic growth projection would
produce 100 new dwelling units from 2004 to 2018, and the “S” Curve, a standard
statistical measurement for population, projects an increase of 43 new dwelling
units from 2004 to 2018.
It appears from the review
of these data for
Since 2004
The Township supports the
use of the “S” Curve as an accurate method to predict future growth in the
Township.
·
Given the Township’s location entirely in the Highlands Preservation
Area, which requires a lot area of 25 acres or 88 acres depending on the forest
coverage, how is the Township possibly to satisfy an obligation of 9 affordable
units (“S” Curve), much less the 34 affordable units resulting from the
allocation recommended by COAH?
·
These proposed regulations will not result in more affordable housing in
Motion by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee approved the comments submitted by Planner Bolan to be submitted to COAH.
Fire Tank Ordinance
Mayor Piazza stated that at the Planning Board meeting the Fire Tank Ordinance was reviewed with Warren Gabriel and John Kneafsey. The language was amended and everyone is on the same page. Planner Bolan will make the recommended changes and submit to the Committee for action to be taken.
Master Plan
Mayor Piazza stated that Township Professionals recommended putting the review and updating of the Master Plan on hold at this time.
Mayor Piazza stated that he received a call from Select Wireless informing him that the municipal office property is listed on the Township ROSI as the lot has been merged with the park land adjacent to the municipal building. It would be very difficult to place the cell tower on Green Acres restricted property. The Township will have to request to Green Acres that they release the property from the ROSI as it was merged in error. The tax assessor will have to correct the tax map by excluding the municipal office lot from the park land.
The Township Committee stated that they would like to see the Select Wireless plan first to see if it warrants releasing the property.
Municipal Coordinator
–
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Mr. Frank Morrison as Hunterdon County Senior Services Municipal Coordinator.
Zoning Officer Report
Mayor Piazza stated that the Zoning Officer submitted a report to the Committee at the last meeting. He feels that the Committee should review and consider the comments made.
Mayor Piazza stated that he called the Police today to see what the status is. They are not sure what the States intentions are with the road. Fishing season is coming and there will be problems in that area. Mayor Piazza spoke to Warren Gabriel and was informed that Paul Jones had spoken to someone on the State level who may have some answers.
Ms. Schriver stated that the Committee met with the State to review their plan however, it seems that that plan has not been followed through with. The plan was to be able to drive to a certain parking area but not straight through. Pedestrians and bikes will be able to access the closed area. Parking has been a major issue in the area. The State Fish and Game or the DEP needs to be contacted to find out what is going on.
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Application
for Social Affair Permit –
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved an application for Social Affair Permit to Lebanon Township PTA to be held on 06/01/08.
Approve Hunterdon
Humane Animal Shelter Contract –
(Authorize Mayor to Sign)
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter Contract
for the 2008 year in the amount of $10,906.00 and authorized the Mayor and
Clerk to sign.
Appoint Eileen
Lebida- Historian - John Dempsey –Honorary Historian
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Eileen Lebida as Historian and John Dempsey as Honorary Historian for the Township.
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 19, 2008 bill list in the amount of $70,636.06.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mayor Piazza stated
that he received a letter from Clean Communities stating that the Township will
be receiving $12,857.94 from the 2007 Recycling Grant.
Mayor Piazza
received a letter from a resident commending the DPW and Police Dept for their
help when a tree came down near his property during a storm.
Tax Collector’s Report for the Month of February 2008
Attorney Steven Kunzman – Combe Fill South Litigation
Statewide’s Edge – Loss Control Service Visit
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Nancy Durios asked about the status of the Library Roof replacement.
Attorney George said that the plans are complete and have been sent back to the Township Engineer for final review.
Anthony Casale asked if the Township Committee found out any information on the insurance coverage for the Fire Station 1. Mayor Piazza stated that he will call the insurance company.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 38-2008 and convened in executive session.
RESOLUTION NO. 39-2008
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Collective Bargaining – CWA - PBA
Update on
Township Trailer
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 7:57 p.m.
Attorney George stated
that in executive session the Collective Bargaining Agreements were discussed
in addition to a modification to the PBA Memorandum of Agreement suggested by
Mr. Post. Discussion was held on the possibility of entering into a Memorandum
of Agreement with the CWA Local 1040.
Combe Fill Land Fill litigation was discussed. Settlement has not been reached but it is
being focused upon. General guidelines and parameters to disciplinary hearings
which may be coming up.
Motion by Mr. Post,
seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the amended PBA Local 188 Memorandum of
Agreement and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign. AYES: Schriver, Post,
Piazza, Morrison NAYS: Weeks
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 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved: April 2, 2008 ___________________________
George Piazza, Mayor