June 13, 2007
Mayor Edward Post called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated that in compliance with the “Open Public Meeting Act” this is a Special 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 Post asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
Present - Ed Post Patricia Schriver Jay Weeks
George Piazza Francis Monahan
Absent -
Also Present - Attorney Phil George and Sergeant Jack Gale
Mayor Post stated that there is a problem with the process of appointing a new Police Chief. Most of the meeting will be held in executive session to obtain legal advice from the Township Counsel.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 55-2007 and convened into executive session at 6:30 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 55-2007
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Personnel Matters – Police Chief Position and Contract Issues of a General Nature
Motion by Ms.
Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee reconvened the
Special meeting at 7:35 p.m.
Attorney George stated that during the executive session, the topic of conversation was the testing and appointment of the new Chief of Police. During the course of the written exam and promotions process, it was brought to the attention of the Township Clerk and the Township Committee, that there is an inconsistency in the Policy and Procedures Manual. There are a number of enactments which change the criteria for testing and scoring. The Attorney’s position is that due to the inconsistencies, it is necessary to move forward with redoing the written testing in a consistent manner for everyone involved. The Township Committee has requested that the Township Attorney redraft the ordinance as appropriate. The Ordinance will be ready for introduction at the June 20, 2007 meeting and the 40%-10%-10%-40% version as discussed in 77-6b will be amended to remove the 3 yr requirement for previous rank and interviews will be conducted by the State Police Chief’s Association.
Motion by Ms.
Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee authorized the
Township Attorney to proceed with redrafting the Township Police Ordinance
which will amend the existing ordinance sections 77-1 through 77-6. and will
include the amendments in section 4:16 in the policies and procedures manual.
During the
executive session, no other topics were discussed.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Sergeant Gale asked if he understood right, that the test will need to be retaken by all candidates. Mayor Post stated that due to the questions surrounding the validity of the test and the inconsistencies of the polices in effect, the Committee felt that it would be best to start clean. It is unclear today which policies are in effect.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Having no further business to come before the Committee a motion was made by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved ___________________________
Edward L. Post III, Mayor