Mayor Patricia Schriver 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 Schriver asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
Present - Patricia Schriver George Piazza
Jay Weeks Ed Post
Francis Monahan
Absent
Also Present - Attorney Eric Bernstein and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 10 members of the public.
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the
Public Hearing will be held on
Resolution No.
40-2006
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 40-2006. (As written below)
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 40-2006
WHEREAS,
under provisions of N.J.S.A.40A:4-5, a municipality shall
introduce the
Local Municipal Budget no later than March 21 of the fiscal year; and,
WHEREAS, the
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the
Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon, Hunterdon County, New Jersey,
that the Township of Lebanon hereby petitions the Director of the Division of
Local Government Services to allow a delayed introduction of the 2006 Lebanon
Township Municipal Budget; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified
copy of this Resolution shall be forwarded to the Director of the Division of
Local Government Services,
Resolution No.
41-2006
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 41-2006. (As written below)
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 41-2006
WHEREAS, the Township of
Lebanon is holding a meeting on April 5, 2006, for the purpose of introducing
the 2006 Municipal Budget and conducting other matters; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
by the Township Committee of the
2006
Surplus
anticipated general revenues $ 750,000.00
Total
Miscellaneous revenue 3,154,672.00
Amount
to be Raised by Taxes 96,931.00
Receipts
from Delinquent Taxes 266,000.00
Total
General Revenues $4,267,603.00
Total
Operations $3,396,770.00
Capital
Improvements 37,525.00
Debt
Service 223,962.00
Statutory
Expenses 163,020.00
Reserve
for Delinquent Taxes 446,326.00
Total Municipal Budget $4,267,603.00
Resolution No. 42-2006
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted
Resolution No. 42-2006. (As written below)
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 42-2006
WHEREAS, the 2006 Local Municipal Budget
was introduced on the 5th
day of April, 2006;
and,
WHEREAS, during the fiscal year 2006 the
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that
petition be made herewith to the Director of the Division of Local Government
Services that the 2006 Local
Municipal Budget
include a special item of revenue under the heading of
"Special Items of General Revenue Anticipated with Prior Written
Consent of Director of Local Government Services-Public and Private Revenues
Offset with Appropriations:”
Clean
Communities Program-CY2006 $ 10,608.00
Clean
Communities Program-CY2005 677.00
Drunk
Driving Enforcement Fund 595.00
StormWater
Management Grant 5,000.00
$16,880.00
Resolution No. 43-2006
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 43-2006. (As written below)
STATE
OF NEW
RESOLUTION
NO. 43-2006
WHEREAS, the 2006 Local Municipal Budget was introduced on the 5th
day of
April, 2006; and,
WHEREAS, during fiscal year 2006, the
grant for the Uniform
Fire Safety Act in the amount of
$7,760.00.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that petition be made herewith to
the Director of the
Division of Local Government Services that the 2006 Local
Municipal Budget include
a special item of revenue under the heading of
"Special Items of General Revenue Anticipated with Prior Written
Consent of Director of Local Government Services-Other Special Items: Uniform Fire Safety Act", in the amount
of $7,760.00.
Ordinance No. 2006-06
ORDINANCE NO 2006-06
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE TOWNSHIP
OF LEBANON, COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND MORE SPECIFICALLY CHAPTER
XVII (LAND SUBDIVISION) AND CHAPTER XVII (ZONING) TO ESTABLISH STORMWATER
MANAGEMENT STANDARDS
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Ordinance No. 2006-06 on first reading. (as entitled above)
Public Hearing to be held on
Resolution No. 38-2006
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 38-2006. (As written below)
STATE OF NEW
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
GREEN ACRES
ENABLING RESOLUTION NO.
38-2006
WHEREAS, the New Jersey
Department Environmental Protection Green Acres Program, provides loans and/or
grants to municipal and county governments and grants to nonprofit
organizations for assistance in the acquisition and development of lands for
outdoor recreation and conservation purposes, and
WHEREAS,
the
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the governing body
resolves that Patricia Schriver, Mayor or her designee, Edward Post III, Open
Space and Farmland Preservation Coordinator, are hereby authorized to:
(a) make
application for such a loan and/or such a grant
(b)
provide additional application information and furnish such documents as may
be
required
(c) act as the authorized
correspondent of the above named applicant, and
WHEREAS, the State shall
determine if the application is complete and in conformance with the scope and
intent of the Green Acres Program, and notify the applicant of the amount of
the funding award, and
WHEREAS, the applicant is
willing to use the States funds in accordance with such rules, regulations and
applicable statutes, and is willing to enter into an agreement with the State
for the above named project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED BY THE Township Committee of the
1. That
the Mayor of the above named body or Edward Post III, Open Space and Farmland
Preservation Coordinator, are hereby authorized to execute an agreement and any
amendment thereto with the State known as; Lebanon Township Planning Incentive,
and;
2. That the applicant has its matching share of the project,
if a match is required, in the amount of $1,975,000.00.
3. That, in the event the State’s funds are less than the
total project cost specified above, the applicant has the balance of funding
necessary to complete the project, and;
4. The applicant agrees to comply with all applicable federal
state, and local laws, rules, and regulations in its performance of the
project.
5. That this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Resolution No. 44-2006
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolutions No. 44-2006.
STATE OF NEW
RESOLUTION No. 44-2006
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
APPOINTMENTS
WHEREAS, there exists a need
for Attorneys, Engineers, and Professional Experts for the
WHEREAS, the Local Public
Contracts Law (N.J.S. A. 40A:11-1 et seq.) required that the resolution
authorizing the award of contracts for “Professional Services” without
competitive bids must be publicly advertised; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, Township
Clerk and Chief Financial Officer are hereby authorized and directed to execute
the agreements; and
WHEREAS sufficient funds are
available in the 2006 Temporary Budget and will be made available in the 2006
Municipal Budget for the Township of Lebanon for such services.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the
1.
Thomas Carroll Blauvelt, Esq. as Alternate Regional Municipal
Prosecutor
APPOINTMENTS -
RESIGNATIONS
2006
Environmental Commission Members
Mayor Schriver made the following appointments to the Lebanon Township Environmental Commission. Mr. Warren Newman is the 2006 Environmental Commission Chairman.
|
OPEN SPACE/ENVIRO 2006 |
|
|
|
Warren Newman-Chair |
638-4332 |
3-yr 2007 |
|
Douglas Diehl
|
638-6069 |
3-yr 2006 |
|
Nancy Lawler |
537-6048 |
3-yr 2006 |
|
Sean Kelly |
537-9257 |
3-yr 2007 |
|
Shelia McShane |
832-2945 |
3-yr 2008 |
|
Kenneth LaPensee |
537-6462 |
3 yr-2008 |
|
Julie Lewerenz |
832-2103 |
3-yr 2008 |
|
Art
Gerlich ALT #1 |
638-4331 |
2-yr 2007 |
|
Ron Ascenzo ALT
#2 |
832-8944 |
2-yr 2006 |
Township Treasurer
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Julia Gambert as the Township Treasurer for the 2006 year and authorize Mayor and Clerk to sign approved Agreement.
Recreation Commission
Resignation
Recreation Commissioner Amy Happ submitted as letter of resignation from the Township Recreation Commission.
Recreation Commission
Appointment
Karen Newman, Chairman of the Recreation Commission, recommended
the appointment of Kathy Sherman to the Recreation Commission.
Mayor Schriver appointed Ms. Kathy Sherman to sit as a Recreation Commissioner for a 2 yr. term, expiring 12/2007.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the appointment of Kathy Sherman to the
Recreation Commission for a 2 yr. term.
OLD BUSINESS
Begin Planning
Process for Township Garage
Mayor Schriver stated that she would like to see the start
of the planning process for the Township garage.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved moving forward with looking into retaining an architect and looking at drawings for the Township garage project, to determine what the need is and what the Township can continue to use at the present facility.
Farmland Preservation Status
Mr. Post stated that he met with the County Planning Department
on
Mr. Post stated that current applications in the County
program may have a shot at being approved in the
The Clerk is to send a letter to the County requesting
confirmation, in writing, relative to the Nagie payment and the County’s
position in future preservation in
Recreation Open Space
Inventory – Approve
Discussion was held on the 2006 Recreation Open Space
Inventory and the insertion of certain properties, i.e. the Park property and
the “Rich” property. The 2005 ROSI,
which was sent to Green Acres, did not include either tract of land. There is question as to whether the Park and
the Rich Property are required to be listed on the ROSI.
Mr. Post suggested having a Green Acres representative
attend a meeting to inform the Committee of the regulations relating to park
lands in the Township. The Township Planner should also be in
attendance. ROSI carried to meeting when
Green Acres and Bolan in attendance.
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee moved to have a representative from Green Acres and Planner Bolan in
at the next possible meeting to discuss the regulations. The ROSI will be held until that time.
AYES: Piazza,
Schriver, Post, Monahan NAYS: Weeks
Backus Estates
Drainage
The Municipal Clerk spoke to Steve Risse, the Township
Engineer, to inquire on the status of the drainage matter on Backus Estates as
reported by Mr. Foran. Mr. Risse
informed the Clerk that the DPW cleaned out the drainage basins in the area and
since that time there have been no reported incidences of drainage
problems. Mr. Risse recommended that the
Clerk notify the residents involved, that they are to contact the Clerk’s
office to inform the Township of any new occurrences. At that time, the Engineer will visit the development
to evaluate the matter and report back to the Committee.
Amend Newsletter
Agreement
The 2006 Agreement between the Township and Karen Newman to compose
the Township Newsletter was previously approved at the
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the amended agreement as written below.
AMENDMENT TO
AGREEMENT TO DESIGN AND MAINTAIN THE
AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT,
entered into on 15th day of February 2006, by and between the
The Township and Karen Newman have
agreed to enter into an agreement for Karen Newman to design and maintain the
Lebanon Township Newsletter for a term commencing on
The compensation for such services shall not exceed $600.00 (amended amount) pro rata for the calendar year.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto affixed their hands and seal the day and year first written above.
Mr. Piazza stated that he went to a local school board budget meeting. He supplied the committee with copies of the Budget for their information.
Mr. Post stated that
NEW
BUSINESS
Request for Support – South Branch Watershed Clean up
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized a contribution of $300.00 to the South Branch Watershed Clean up subject to availability of funds.
Motion amended by Mr. Post and seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee amended the motion to add that the treasurer is authorized to cut the check and obtain necessary signatures for prompt mailing.
Red Light Application – Giulio Dantonio
Mr. Monahan stated
that Title 39 states that only an active Chief or 1st Assistance
Chief of a Volunteer Fire Company recognized by the Municipality may display a
red emergency warning light. The law
does not apply to Rescue Squads, it strictly applies only to fire. This law is
as of 2005.
Mr. Dantonio stated
that it reads on the application that it applies to Rescue Squads. Mr. Piazza stated that he would like to have
the Police Chief’s opinion on the matter.
With no motion to approve, the request fails.
The Committee will
further research and/or Mr. Dantonio will supply the committee with more
information.
Mayor Al Schweikert –
This is a
non-binding inquiry.
Mayor Schweikert of
Motion by Mr. Monahan seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee is interested in the concept of retaining a forensic accountant to assist in the review of a potential defeated North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School Budget, subject to availability of funds, further determination of the Township Committee to enter and whether or not other municipalities in the regional district agree to contribute.
Mr. Piazza asked if the Township should be looking into a professional relative to the local school budget. The Clerk will contact Mr. John McCormack and Mr. Charlie Grau to see if they are available to review the budget if defeated.
Approve Raffle Applications -
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by
Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved
three (3) Raffle Applications for St. John
Township Dinner
Mayor Schriver stated that she and Mr. Piazza would like to
have the Township Dinner on June 3rd
or June 10th. Ms. Sandra
Raushenberger, Squad Member, stated that the squad building is not available on
June 3rd. The Township Dinner
to be held on
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Mr. Post stated concern with an invoice from TKG in the amount of $150.00. The charges are for the review of existing phone bills to compare prices with other phone service providers. Mr. Post feels that this is a cost of sales charge and requested that Mr. Koenig reconsider the charges. The Clerk will contact Mr. Koenig.
Motion by seconded Mr. Monahan seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee approved the
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee opened the Public
Comment portion of the meeting.
Mr. David Nell, President of the Lebanon Township Rescue
Squad stated his concerns with comments, that he overheard, stating that Committee
is considering not reimbursing the Squad for the ambulance purchased from
Mr. Nell also stated concerns with the Agreements for
Emergency Services to
Mr. Monahan stated that Mr. Mahoney, from Hagedorn, has questions with the calls being billed for. The Squad has attempted to schedule a meeting however, Hagedorn has not responded to the requests.
Hampton Rescue Squad was in attendance at the March 15, 2006
Committee meeting to request monetary assistance from Lebanon Township for
Mutual Aid services provided to the Township.
In response, Mr. Nell informed the Committee of Hampton’s response to calls
in the Township. The Township Squad
responds to
Mr. Nell stated that all squads that are located in the
school district are requested to share the burden of “Stand-by” service at the
High School for athletic games, etc.
However, the Township is generally the only Squad that provides the
service, with occasional assistance from Califon and
Mr. Nell stated that the Squad is monitoring their responses
very carefully and he is happy to say that
Warren Newman thanked for the Mayor for the appointments to the Environmental Commission and requested a list of members with terms.
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 45-2006 and convened in executive session at 8:22 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 45-2006
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Negotiations Other Than Collective Bargaining
Hendra and Special Farms
Negotiations with Califon Regarding Police Services
Attorney Bernstein stated that the Committee discussed a potential take over of police services in the Borough of Califon. The Mayor instructed the Clerk to send a letter of thanks, however, the Township is not interested in pursuing the matter further.
There was also discussion relative to authorization for municipal Attorney relative to the Lebanon Township Rescue Squad.
Mr. Post will work with Attorney Bernstein’s office regarding the closings for the Riback and Hendra properties. The Riback closing is on hold until pending matters have been addressed.
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee Authorized the Chief Financial Officer to expend the necessary amount to cover Lebanon Township’s 25% of the acquisition of the conservation easement on the Hendra project subject to reimbursement of that amount from the Environmental Infrastructure Trust Fund, provided that this acquisition was previously contemplated in the Township’s Open Space portfolio and to be funded by the proceeds of the Open Space Tax.
Having no further business to come before the Committee a
motion was made by Mr. Monahan
seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote
to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved ___________________________
Patricia Schriver, Mayor