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 9 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 19, 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 19, 2008.
ORDINANCE
Introduction
Ordinance No.
2008-05 - Amending the Land Use
Ordinance – Specifically Chapter 45
Motion by Mr. Post seconded, by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee introduced Ordnance No. 2008-05. (as entitled below)
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-05
AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND USE ORDINANCE FOR THE
Public hearing will be held on May 7, 2008.
OLD BUSINESS
Ken Lockwood Gorge –
Mrs. Michele Pennucci sent a letter to the Township
Committee stating concerns she has with parking and speeding in front of her
home on
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee requested that the Police Chief perform a traffic and parking survey on both ends of the Gorge entrances to determine if an ordinance is warranted.
The Mayor stated to Mrs. Pennucci that the Township
Committee is going to ask the Police Chief to perform a traffic survey of the
area. If the survey indicates that there is an issue with the traffic the
Township Committee will then take further action. Mrs. Pennucci asked if the survey will
pertain to the speed limit or the parking problem. Mayor Piazza stated that both concerns will
be looked at. Mrs. Pennucci asked if the Township Committee is aware that the
State is closing the gorge and the
CWA 1040 Memorandum
of Agreement – Approve-Authorize Mayor/Clerk to Sign
Attorney Bernstein asked the Township to authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute a Memorandum of Agreement at such time that the parties have come to an agreement regarding such. If there is no agreement met relative to the language the Agreement is not to be signed. Warren Gabriel asked if it weren’t premature to make such an authorization when both parties have not completed their negotiations. Mr. Post stated that if the CWA and Township Committee come to an agreement prior to the next meeting, the MOA can be signed by both parties and the Attorney can prepare the Contract.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the CWA 1040 Memorandum of Agreement upon concurrence to the language therein.
Township Garage
Mr. Post stated, that at the last meeting, the Committee talked about getting feedback from Engineer Risse relative to what was covered in the estimate he provided for the cost of the construction of a new DPW Garage. Mr. Post read the response letter aloud. The DEP Wetlands expert stated that the township has a good chance at securing the approval based upon his site visit. The application plan was filed with DEP to allow for the redevelopment of the site. The response has not been received to date. As far as the budget price, Engineer Risse did research on preengineered building for maintenance garages with minor office space and bathroom facilities and construction costs with these types of building fall under prevailing wage. He spoke with a general contractor who recently completed the construction of such a garage, constructed under the current stormwater regulations and included a wash bay and other typical maintenance garage features. The square ft. price included all site preparation, all stormwater collection, detention basins, paving, curbing and sidewalks. The building was smaller than the Township’s proposal so the unit cost per square ft. might be slightly higher than the Township’s because they did not included a septic system. Engineer Risse also stated that the Mayor asked him to ere on the high side to insure proper budgeting. Engineer Risse proposed a structure of 120’ by 200’ or 24,000 sq. ft. Mr. Post stated that he asked Engineer Risse if the Township had a punchlist of requirements so the Committee could compare redevelopment of the present location with any potential new sites. We do not have that at this time. The Clerk is to ask the DPW Supervisor to inventory the requirements of a new construction, such as the number of bays, offices, stalls for salt storage, wash bays, etc. At that time, comparisons can be made based on the needs.
Engineer Risse also stated that he spoke with the DPW
Supervisor, Paul Jones, and he will be visiting
the
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 for
Approve Applications
for Raffle Licenses – LTFAS – May 24, 2008
Motion by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved two (2) applications for Raffle Licenses for the LTFAS for events to be held on May 24, 2008.
Accept Library Clerk
Resignation – Maria Taluba
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee accepted the resignation of the Library Clerk Maria Taluba.
Mayor Piazza stated that he received correspondence from the
HC Freeholders regarding shared services for Wastewater Management. The letter stated that the NJDEP requests
that
The Clerk will forward copies to the Township Committee for review and the Township Planner for his opinion.
Approve Lease
Agreement for
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the Lease Agreement for the Police Firing Range at Melick Property for the 2008 year at a cost of $1.00 and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute.
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 April 2, 2008 bill list in the amount of $ 246,209.68.
CORRESPONDENCE
Planning Board Clerk Memo - Fire Protection Ordinance
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.
Mayor Piazza stated that he needed to apologize to Mr.
Anthony Casale because Mr. Casale had asked earlier who owned
Mr. Bill Raushenberger asked if there is an access road onto the Melick property where the police have their firing range. Mayor Piazza stated that there is a road leading to the property.
Mr. Anthony Casale asked if the Committee received any information on whether the Township filed insurance claims for the Fire Station No. 1 and Combe Fill Litigation. Mayor Piazza stated that he spoke to the insurance company and there was a claim filed and it was settled. The Township did not receive compensation. The agent is looking into the archives to see exactly what happened.
Mr. Casale also asked for clarification as to which Township Board relates to Ordinance 2008-05. Attorney Bernstein stated that that ordinance relates to the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment.
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. 39-2008 and convened in executive session at 7:34.
RESOLUTION NO. 39A-2008
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Collective Bargaining – PBA and CWA Negotiations
Police Department Personnel – Eric Rautenberg – Chief Mattson
Library Personnel
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded
by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township
Committee reconvened the Regular Committee meeting at 8:58 p.m. AYES: Schriver,
Post, Piazza, Weeks NAYS: Morrison
Attorney Bernstein
noted 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 noted that the Committee
met in executive session and discussed a library position concept in which
there was no formal action taken. The
Chairman of the Library Committee was in attendance and will be making a
recommendation prior to the close of the meeting for an acting Library Clerk.
The Committee met with the Police Chief relative to Police Department manpower
and requested that the Chief make certain inquiries regarding
Patrolman Eric
Rautenberg and his present assignment as it relates to the Department. The Chief will get back to the appropriate
parties once he acquires the necessary information which was supplemented by
Officer Rautenberg. The Committee also
discussed the revision to the proposed MOA for the CWA Contract and requested
that Township Attorney go back and redo the MOA that was originally drafted and
submitted at tonight’s meeting. Relative
to PBA; there was discussion as to the implementation of the proposed Police
Pittman Schedule and in lieu of doing a MOA, followed by a Collective
Bargaining Agreement, the Attorney’s office will prepare a draft Collective
Bargaining Agreement, showing the changes in the contract, for review prior to
any action being taken by the Committee in terms of an authorization.
Mr. Art Gerlich stated
that he would like to recommend that the Township Committee appoint Wendy
Harding as Acting Library Clerk for the time in which it takes to hire someone
permanently.
Appoint Acting Head
Library Clerk
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Wendy Harding as Acting Library Clerk at a salary to be determined by the CWA 1040 Contract.
James Bolek Request
Detective Sergeant James Bolek, former member of the Township Police Department, has sent correspondence to the Township Committee requesting that the Township Committee postpone any further reimbursement of his health insurance coverage at this time.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee accepted James Bolek’s request pursuant to his April
1, 2008 letter and that any further requests to be reimbursed at a future time
will have to be taken by a separate action by the Township Committee.
Having no further business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved: April 19, 2008 ___________________________
Edward Post III, Deputy Mayor