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
Absent - Russ Monahan
Also Present - Attorney Eric Bernstein and Deputy Clerk Kimberly Jacobus and 7 members of the public.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
unanimous roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the
MAYORAL PROCLAMATION
– Older Americans Month
Mayor Schriver stated that May has been designated as Older Americans Month and was asked by the Hunterdon County Department of Aging if we would approve the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, the month of May is traditionally designated and
observed throughout the nation as Older Americans Month; and
WHEREAS, the 2006 theme is, “
WHEREAS, the
WHEREAS, older Americans remain active and productive,
volunteering their time, talents and expertise, thereby enriching all our
lives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Township Committee
of the Township of Lebanon, County of Hunterdon does hereby proclaim the month
of May 2006 as Older Americans Month in Lebanon Township; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lebanon Township Committee calls upon all
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous roll call vote, the Township
Committee adopted the Older Americans Month Proclamation.
It was found out that an ordinance was not necessary to release funds for the closing on the Special Farms purchase.
Mr. Post stated, that back in 2004, Attorney Bernstein was asked to render an opinion on our participation in the Riback property acquisition. This is a project that is funded by the State Agricultural Development Board and NJ Water Supply Authority for $1.9 million dollars and the collective funding came up $75,000 short. The Township was asked to participate in the purchase and a resolution was passed at that time; #101-2004, (attached) regarding the Special Farm purchase.
Mr. Post confirmed with CFO Greg Della Pia that the monies
were available. Mr. Post also asked the
CFO for a full accounting of what projects we have earmarked. Mr. Della Pia will have a listing at the next
budget meeting.
No action needs to be
taken at this time.
APPOINTMENT - Housing Administrator
The Clerk spoke to
the Mayor regarding naming a Housing Administrator. The Mayor felt that this was something that
could be held off on.
The naming of a
housing administrator was tabled.
OLD BUSINESS
The Right Light application will be carried until Committeeman Monahan returns from vacation.
The following Blue Light applications were approved: Donna Ader, Bruce Cunningham, Lawrence Van Pelt, Kathleen Wisbeski, Benjamin Heimall, Joni Note, Diane Gil, and Byron Weightman.
David Nell’s application was incomplete and was not approved. Andrea Hutchins and William Groff’s applications were not approved as they are non-residents.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
unanimous roll call vote, the Township
Committee approved eight Blue Light applications as listed above.
Mr. Piazza spoke about the Planning Board meeting from the
night before. Planner Mike Bolan stated
that the present site of the Road Department is not big enough to put a new
building. He also discussed the park
land, the interest in putting the building there and he felt that it could not
be done there because of the
There are a few sites that will be looked at to see if they are appropriate.
Mr. Piazza also spoke regarding the ROSI list. Planner Bolan feels there is no problem putting the park on the list, knowing that you could never sell any portion of the property as it is designated as park and park only. The Planning Board agreed and they are going to be passing a resolution. There will be a small portion that will be carved out and not put on the ROSI. We are not going to lose any control of the park land.
NEW
BUSINESS
Mayor Schriver had a request from a resident for financial
assistance for rehabilitation on her
home. The request got to Mayor Schriver
in March. The resident is having trouble
finding any agency that could help. The
resident went to the Hunterdon County Housing Corporation and they told her
that she would not be eligible because
Attorney Bernstein
suggested that Mayor Schriver talk to Planner Bolan, as we do have a rehab
obligation, we also have an affordable housing trust. Mayor Schriver stated
that she had spoke to
him last night, and
he suggested that we go to them and see what they had to offer. Mayor Schriver stated that when she spoke to
Mr. Delaney about a month ago, he was really talking about COAH
and they charge a
$600 fee each time they help you out.
Mayor Schriver’s and Planner Bolan’s understanding is that we do not
have any responsibility under the current COAH to give out low-or-no-interest
loans. Attorney Bernstein stated that we
do have an obligation from Round #2 for rehab and we believe we do have an
obligation for Round #3 for rehab. We
need to have a program in place to have money available for low and moderate
housing for rehabilitation in accordance with both the proposed round and
definitely from the last round because that is the one thing that COAH has a
problem with. Attorney Bernstein will
talk to Planner Bolan.
Mayor Schriver discussed
a memo regarding a phone call made to the township office by Mayor Grimes. Califon Boro is interested in having the Nellie
Hoffman Estate property put into preservation.
There is 11 acres of the property that is in the Township. Attorney
Bernstein stated, that we could voice in on the application. If Califon intends to pursue it, we would
like to be part of the process, to the extent that we may or may not agree with
it. We need to know more information and
we want to be part of the process. A
letter is to be sent to the Mayor telling him that we are taking it under
consideration and we need additional information. Mr. Post will be the contact person.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous roll call vote, the Township Committee accepted the resignation of Brian Cerf from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Post had correspondence from Hunterdon
County Open Space Trust Fund that we contribute to. Our contribution last year for the current
year was $294,000. In the past we have
been eligible to get a percentage back for our own use, the percentage has
increased from 10% to 15%. We need to lay claim to our share of
that. Mr. Post stated that we do want to
apply to the County for our share of the money.
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the
CORRESPONDENCE
The Hunterdon County Municipal
Officers Dinner will be held on
The Tax Collector submitted her report for the month of March 2006.
There was a letter from the Governor which includes the annual report from the New Jersey Highlands.
The Mayor requested that the Committee read, to comment on at the next meeting, information from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding making Woodglen into a historical designation. This was discussed at the Planning Board meeting the night before. Not everybody had the information yet. There are a few people who do not feel that this is a good thing if it happens. The Committee is concerned with the impact it would have on the people in the area.
The New Jersey State Review Board
meeting is on June 7, in
Mr. Piazza asked Attorney Bernstein,
if we don’t respond, that this just can come (happen). They are going to consider the nomination and
in the absence of an objection, the chances are that they will proceed with the
approval. If we did object to it, we
would need to go on record and you would need to find out how it got to where
it is. Mayor Schriver wants to respond
to this at the next meeting.
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.
Sandra Rauschenberger, Historians, stated that to her knowledge, basically they had already designated New Hampton as historic and it would be the same exact thing (for Woodglen). What she understands is that it just obligates us to preserve the structures, not tear them down to put in new homes or add an addition to it that would be outrageously against the historic structure. Mr. Piazza stated that he felt that it should have come before the Committee or they should have been aware it. He feels there is going to be a lot of people against it. Mayor Schriver stated that if something is to be considered historic, that it be brought to the Committee first.
Sandra stated that the Nellie Hoffman property is being preserved by the South Branch Watershed, the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and the Borough of Califon.
William Rauschenberger wanted to express his appreciation for the work that the Committee does. Mr. Rauschenberger knows that they do not get compliments back very often for the work they do. Sometimes he agrees with what they are doing and sometime he doesn’t but, the time and effort put in is appreciated. The Committee thanked him.
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Post 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. Post and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved
Resolution No. 46-2006 and convened in executive session at
RESOLUTION NO. 46-2006
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon, that in compliance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-12, this meeting will be closed to the Public to discuss the following matters:
Personnel-Township Treasurer
Motion by Mr. Piazza
seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township
Committee came out of executive session. Attorney Bernstein stated that Mr. Weeks
was not present, but in the building.
There was a discussion relative to the Treasurer and her request for a seminar, sensibly Mr. Piazza will
advise the CFO regarding procedures and the individual will be advised by the
Township Clerk that the request is being denied. No further action needed.
Having no further
business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Kimberly S. Jacobus
Deputy Municipal Clerk
Approved:
___________________________
Patricia Schriver, Mayor