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 Francis Monahan
Jay Weeks Ed Post
Absent
Also Present - Attorney Eric Bernstein and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 9 members of the public.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee approved the
Mr. Weeks stated that he and Mr. Piazza attended the High
School Budget meeting. It was a long
night due to one municipality holding out, however it was finally agreed to
adjust the budget by $1.5 million dollars.
There were a few districts that did not contribute to the forensic
account fees.
Resolution No. 53-2006
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 53-2006. (as written below)
RESOLUTION 53-2006
RESOLUTION ADJUSTING
2006-07 NORTH HUNTERDON-VOORHEES
BUDGET BY $1,500,000
AND CERTIFYING THE TOTAL
AMOUNT OF $43,789,154
TO BE RASIED BY TAXES
WHEREAS, the proposed North Hunterdon-Voorhees RHSD Board of
Education budget for General Fund expenses for the school year 2006-07 was
submitted to the voters of the District on April 18, 2006 in the total amount
of $45,289,154 to be raised by taxes; and
WHEREAS, North Hunterdon-Voorhees RHSD is a type II school
district without a board of school estimate; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:22-37, the defeated school
budget was referred to the Lebanon Township Municipal Committee for review; and
WHEREAS, the Lebanon Township Municipal Committee has
pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:22-37, consulted with the Board of Education on
WHEREAS, the Lebanon Township Municipal Committee has
determined that certain adjustments in the General Fund expenses in the
proposed budget are acceptable, appropriate and will reduce the amount by
$1,500,000 to be raised by local tax levy; and
WHEREAS, the Lebanon Township Municipal Committee has
determined that these adjustments will not impair the ability of the Board of
Education to provide a thorough and efficient education and maintain stability
for the students of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees RHSD;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Lebanon Township
Municipal Committee in the
BUDGET CATEGORY: Regular
Programs – Instruction
ACCOUNT DESCRIPTION: Grade
9-12 Teaching Salaries
ITEM(S) TO BE ADJUSTED:
AMOUNT IN PROPOSED ADVERTISED BUDGET: $13,775,883
ADJUSTMENT: $500,000
TOTAL ADJUSTED AMOUNT: $13,275,883
EXPLANATION OF ADJUSTMENT:
Reduction for anticipated turnover savings due to
Retirements and resignations
The second adjustment to the 2006-07 school year budget is
to anticipate $1,000,000 in fund balance from the 2005-06 school year budget
and allot that reduction to tax relief.
ADJUSTMENT:
$1,000,000 Budgeted Fund Balance line 1640 and 1660 Recapitulation of Balances
Be It Further Resolved by the Lebanon Township Municipal Committee, County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey, that the Municipal Clerk is directed to certify by May 19, 2006 to the Hunterdon County Board of Taxation, the Hunterdon County Superintendent of Schools, the
Lebanon Township Municipal Tax Assessor, the State of New
Jersey Division of Local Finance of the Department of the Treasury, and the
Board of Education of the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional HS District that
the amount of $5,872,159 is necessary to be raised by taxation in the Township
General Fund; which amount shall be included in the taxes to be raised, levied
and collected in the Lebanon Township Municipality for the General Funds of the
schools.
Be It Further Resolved that copies of this resolution be
forwarded by the Municipal Clerk to the persons and departments herein named
for certification purposes.
Resolution No. 54-2006
Mr. Piazza stated
that Mr. Josh Rich provided the Committee with a letter stating that in his
opinion most of the historic value, in the area being considered, is gone, due
to relocation of structures which were located in the area.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolutions No. 54-2006. (as written below)
RESOLUTION NO. 54-2006
STATE OF NEW
A RESOLUTION OF THE
OPPOSING THE
NOMINATION OF THE WOODGLEN
HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR
LISTING IN THE NEW
AND NATIONAL
REGISTERS OF HISTORIC PLACES
WHEREAS, a proposal was submitted
to the New Jersey State Review Board for Historic Sites for the nomination of
Woodglen Historic District to the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic
Places; and,
WHEREAS, the Township of Lebanon has considered the
implications, both positive and negative, of inclusion of the Woodglen Historic
District in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places; and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined
that the listing of the Woodglen Historic District in the aforementioned
Registers would result in substantial limitations on what Lebanon Township, its
residents and its citizens can do with respect to improvements and other
projects in said District; and,
WHEREAS, it has been determined that approval of the Commissioner
of Environmental Protection, through a lengthy and detailed process, would be
required prior to Lebanon Township undertaking any project that could
potentially affect the Woodglen Historic District; and
WHEREAS,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the
National Registers of Historic Places
is hereby opposed and a recommendation is made to withdraw the
application. The Township also
authorizes the necessary Township officials and
representatives to attend any
meetings on behalf of the Township as to such application to oppose such
application.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a copy of such Resolution shall be forwarded to all applicable
Federal and State officials/departments as to this application.
OLD BUSINESS
Red Light Permit – Giulio
Dantonio-Assistant Captain of the
Mr. Monahan stated
that he met with Giulio Dantonio regarding his request to obtain a Red Light
for his personal vehicle. Mr. Monahan
stated that originally he did not have a full copy of the Red Light application,
so he researched Title 39, which did not permit Mr. Dantonio, as Assistant
Captain, to have a Red Light. When Mr. Monahan received a full copy of the
application, it was stated on the reverse side, that Mr. Dantonio would in fact
be permitted to have the Light, under the New Jersey Administrative Code.
Mr. Monahan referred
to the
The Squad Vehicle
Operation Policy states that the Immediate Response Unit is to be used to speed
up response times for duty personnel responding from home bases that are
sufficient distance from the Squad building after length and call response
times. The remaining crew members will
respond to the Squad building and connect with the IRU at the scene.
Mr. Monahan stated
that the First Responder, who is available nearly every day, all day, should
have use of the vehicle. The vehicle is
not being used as agreed to by the Township.
Mr. Monahan stated that he recommends that changes be made. Mr. Monahan
explained that this situation is the basis of him denying the Red Light to Mr.
Dantonio. He feels that Mr. Dantonio
should have use of the Squad vehicle, as he is the First Responder nearly every
single day.
Mayor Schriver asked
Mr. Dantonio if he has been using the vehicle during the day. Mr. Dantonio
stated that he had not been using the vehicle due to not having access to
it. He is in process of attempting to
resolve the matter at this time.
Mr. Post stated that
assuming that Mr. Dantonio is spending much of his time, in the Township, as a
First Responder during the day, it is a minor request to ask.
Mr. Piazza stated
that he is not comfortable with having someone in the Township with a Red Light
and Siren on a personal vehicle.
Mr. Monahan
questioned why the Township is providing a vehicle for one Squad Member. The vehicle is being used to go back and
forth to work, it is used all over the Township, and it is the Township paying
for the insurance and gas.
Mayor Schriver
stated that the Township Committee wants the Squad to follow procedures enacted
in 2004. The first responder vehicle should be used by the First Responder who
is on duty, as agreed to when the Committee gave the Squad the vehicle. Mayor
Schriver stated that the Committee should be made aware, if the problem cannot
be worked out, as she feels that Mr. Dantonio should be granted the Red Light
for his personal vehicle if that is the vehicle he will be using.
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee moved to deny the application for the red light application. AYES: Weeks, Piazza, Schriver, Monahan NAYS: Post
Motion by Mr. Piazza seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee Mayor Schriver stated that the Committee
insists that the First Responder vehicle is to be used as a First Responder and
not solely by one individual, who might not be the First Responder.
The Clerk is to send
a letter to the squad reaffirming the Committees position on the matter with
attachments as noted by Mr. Monahan.
Mr. Dantonio asked
if he is able to use the vehicle for personal use during the day; i.e. going to
the bank, lunch etc. The policy is the
policy of the squad, and it states that the vehicle can be used to go for meals
etc. but it should not leave the Township.
Update Well Testing at
Mr. Piazza stated
that he attended the Lebanon Township School Board Meeting on
Township Rehabilitation Assistance
Mr. Post stated that
he, Attorney Bernstein and Planner Bolan had a discussion on the topic of rehabilitation
assistance in the Township. The issue that was raised is what the Township can
do to individuals seeking rehabilitation of homes in regard to low-moderate
income housing. According to Planner
Bolan, when COAH reconfigured the Township’s obligations for Round 3, we have
one rehab obligation, which has been met.
This is not a continuing review obligation; therefore, there will be no
change until 2010. Due to this, the
Township can not use the Affordable Housing Trust Fund money in order to subsidize
this kind of program, because we do not have someone eligible in order for the
Township to receive the credits. If the
Township wants to consider establishing a rehabilitation program for
low-moderate income units, using a set of criteria, not using affordable
housing money, just current or bond money.
There will be no benefit to the Township under the COAH’s Round 3. Mr.
Post stated that Mr. Bolan informed him that he is not aware of any municipality
which offers this sort of program, due to the administrative burden it would
incur.
Mayor Schriver
stated that she does not want to close the door on looking into assisting
residents that may be in need of help.
NEW BUSINESS
DPW Supervisor Request for Summer Employees
Motion by Mr. Weeks seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorize
Paul Jones to work in conjunction with Mr. Weeks to hire summer employees to
work for the DPW from date of hire to Labor Day.
DPW Supervisor Request to Seek Bids for Loader
Motion by Mr. Weeks seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee authorized the DPW supervisor to seek bids to replace
the 1982 loader.
Blue Light Application – John Russell Yarnell IV
Motion by Mr. Monahan seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried
by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee approved the blue light application for John Russell Yarnell
IV
AYES: Weeks, Piazza,
Schriver, Monahan NAYS:
Post
Request to Lease New Police Vehicle
Mr. Monahan stated
that he received a note from the Police Chief requesting the lease of a new
police car, as budgeted for in the 2006 Budget.
The request is for a 4-wheel drive vehicle with a smaller motor for
economy purposes. The vehicle will be a
marked Dodge
Mr. Piazza asked if
one of the other police vehicles will be auctioned off and what the approximate
mileage is on the vehicle. Mr. Monahan
stated that he confirmed with the Chief that there will be a vehicle auctioned
off and at the time of auction the mileage will most likely exceed 100,000.
Motion by Mr. Monahan seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized a State Contract Lease Agreement, for a replacement of a trade in vehicle, to be sold by the Township, at auction, during the 2006 calendar year. The
Lease must be reviewed by the Municipal Attorney and executed by the appropriate Township Officials, prior to the delivery of the car. Certification of funds must be obtained by the Chief Financial Officer and the availability therein. The total number of vehicles available to the Department will not exceed five (5).
Auction of Squad
Vehicles
Mr. Monahan stated that the Rescue Squad has an ambulance
and possibly another vehicle that they would like to give back to the Township
to be auctioned off. The Squad would
like to know if they would be granted the money received for the sale of the
vehicles.
Attorney Bernstein stated that if the Squad would like, they can request the vehicles to be put out for bid. Once sold, the money will come back to the Township. It is then the decision of the Committee as to what will be done with the money.
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Mr. Monahan stated that there
was voucher from TRC Raviv in the amount of $7,857.84 for the well testing at
Fire Company #1. Discussion was held by
the Township Attorney and the Committee on the status of the well testing. The Clerk is to request that TRC Raviv be in
attendance at the June 7th or June 21st Committee
meeting.
Motion by seconded Mr. Monahan seconded by Mr. Piazza and
carried by unanimous favorable
roll call vote the Township Committee approved the
CORRESPONDENCE
Tax Collector’s Report for the Month of April 2006
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Sandra Singer Rauschenberger, a Township Historian asked if
the Township Committee had spoken to any of the Township Historians involved in
the Historic District proposal or did the Committee receive a letter from the
Historians relative to the same. Ms.
Rauschenberger stated that according to Township Historian John Bolt, the
Township is aware of the Historians application for the Woodglen Historic
District, as the Township accepted a $7000.00 grant, to work to establish the
historic district. The Township Clerk
will look into.
Ron Milkowski asked if Woodglen is going to be an historic district. The Committee stated that they oppose the historic district, however, the State could still grant it. Mr. Milkowski stated that a subcommittee could take action to jeopardize the community and never inform the Committee as to their actions. Mayor Schriver stated that a letter is to be sent to all Commissions and Committees stated that they must inform the Committee prior to any formal action being taken on behalf of the Township.
Linda Ricker questioned the Highlands Water Protection Act. Lands in the Township have been preserved and
others have not. Ms. Ricker stated that she contacted Eileen Swan for advice
and Eileen suggested selling the property to Green Acres. Ms. Ricker stated that she does not want to
sell to Green Acres. Those denied have not been able to obtain a letter stating
why. Ms. Ricker stated that she has lost
all the value on her property due to the State regulations and if her property
is not able to be preserved, why can’t she go back to 7.5 acre zoning. She has
gone to every possible group for assistance and has received no
assistance. The SADC stated that the property
does not rank high enough, does not have tillable soil and the property is not
close enough to preserved farms.
Eric Bernstein stated that the Highlands Act is in place; however the regulations are being defined.
Ron Milkowski noted that the concept of
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 55-2006 and convened in
executive session at
RESOLUTION NO. 55-2006
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Personal Library
Attorney Client Privilege
Housing - Davara – English
Motion by Mr. Monahan seconded
by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular
Committee meeting at
Attorney Bernstein stated that there was Attorney Client Privilege discussion involving Davara and COAH related issues. No formal action to be taken. The Township Attorney and Clerk have been given direction on such related items. There was a discussion regarding the Library.
Motion by Mr. Post seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the policy and procedures memo dated May 18th, which is to be sent to the Library and Museum staff and authorized the hiring of Wendy Harding, as a part time employee, at a salary of $12.00 per hour, to assist in the Library during the approximate 4 week absence and recovery of Marie Taluba, and on a substitute basis thereafter. The hiring is subject to certification of funds and the individual will work at the pleasure of the Library and Township Committees.
Having no further business to come before the Committee a
motion was made by Mr. Weeks seconded by Mr. Piazza 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