Lebanon Township Committee Minutes of Regular Meeting

June 18, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

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.

FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Piazza asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.

ROLL CALL

Present - George Piazza, Patricia Schriver, Jay Weeks, Edward Post, Frank Morrison

Absent -

Also Present - Attorney Phil George, Clerk Karen Sandorse and 10 members of the public.

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 4, 2008 regular meeting minutes with a correction as noted.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 4, 2008 executive session minutes.

RESOLUTIONS

Resolution No. 68-2008 - PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSES

Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver, carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No.68-2008 as written below.

RESOLUTION NO. 68-2008

RESOLUTION RENEWING PLENARY

RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSES

WHEREAS, each of the listed Plenary Retail Consumption Licensees have submitted application forms that have been completed in all respects; and

WHEREAS, the applicants are qualified to be licensed according to all statutory, regulatory and local government ABC Laws and regulations; and

WHEREAS, each have paid a filing fee of $200.00 to the State of New Jersey and a Township License Fee of $2,500.00

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon, in the County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey, that the listed Licenses be granted a renewal for the 2008-2009 year:

1019-33-005-001 New Hampton Inn, Inc., Musconetcong River Road, Hampton, NJ

1019-33-001-002 A T K Inc. t/a Tony’s Restaurant & Pub, Califon, NJ

1019-33-002-005 ONOROSA INC

Resolution No. 69-2008

Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No.69-2008 as written below.

RESOLUTION NO. 69-2008

TOWNSHIP OF LEBANON

COUNTY OF HUNTERDON

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LEBANON, COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN INITIAL ASSESSMENT GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY HIGHLANDS WATER PROTECTION AND PLANNING COUNCIL (HIGHLANDS COUNCIL)

WHEREAS, the Highlands Council has adopted a Highlands Regional Master Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Highlands Act provided a funding mechanism for the costs of local government efforts to conform to the Regional Master Plan through the creation of a Highlands Protection Fund; and

WHEREAS, the Highlands Council is soliciting proposals through a grant program so that municipalities may receive an Initial Assessment Grant to fund preliminary municipal plan conformance activities; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Lebanon is almost entirely within the Highlands Preservation Area (99.97 percent) and has more land in the Highlands Preservation Area than all but one municipality, and thus is one of the municipalities that has had the largest impact to its planning and zoning policies from the Highlands Act and Highlands Plan; and

WHEREAS, the award of a grant to the Township at this time would be particularly helpful, as the Township is obligated to prepare a Reexamination Report of its Master Plan by August 31, 2008; and

WHEREAS, the Highlands Council is urging affected municipalities to submit a grant application to accomplish Initial Assessment;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon that the Township is authorizing the submission of a grant application for an Initial Assessment and Reexamination Report in the amount of $20,000, as the Highlands Council has indicated that grants in excess of $15,000 may be warranted in certain situations.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor, or an Authorized Designee, and Township Clerk are hereby authorized to execute any and all documents to effectuate this grant application.

OLD BUSINESS

Raritan River Road Traffic Study

The Township Committee asked the Police Chief to conduct a Road Traffic Study on Raritan River Road, relative to parking and speeding. The Chief prepared a detailed and well written report. The Report stated that everything appeared to be ok in the area and nothing out of the ordinary, however, the Chief did suggest the placement of “NO PARKING’ signs at the entrance leading into the Gorge. This will allow for the area to be properly enforced by the Police Department and will help to alleviate any parking concerns.

Glenn Roofing – Library Roof Replacement

A letter was received from Glenn Roofing regarding the payment for the replacement of the Library Roof. In the Contract, the Township Committee required that a Maintenance Bond be posted in the amount of 10% of the cost of the project and a cash Retainage of 10% to be held for one (1) year. The work is now complete and Glenn Roofing is asking the Township Committee to waive the retainage requirement and pay for the project in full and in return Glenn Roofing will issue the Township the Maintenance Bond in the full amount of the contract price which would be held for one (1) year.

The Township Committee denied the request.

The Township Committee commended Glenn Roofing for the fine work they did.

Cell Tower

Mayor Piazza stated that he received a call from Verizon today regarding a cell tower. In the recent past a request was made to the Township Committee for the placement of a cell tower on the Municipal Office property. The individual who was speaking on behalf of the Cell Tower company is not longer involved. The new associate, Steve, called the Mayor today and asked if he could fill him in on the past discussions. The Mayor informed him that the Township property is listed on the ROSI list and the Township is attempting to have it removed from the list. Ms. Schriver stated that Verizon will need to submit plan. A 60’x 60’ tract of land is a large portion of the municipal property. It will most likely need to be a certain distance from the building, also. Discussion was held on different possibilities for the placement of the tower. The Township Committee authorized the Clerk to attempt to have the Municipal Office property removed from the ROSI. Mayor Piazza is to ask Verizon to come in with a Plan.

Fire Station No. 1 – Remediation

Mr. Post stated that there was email correspondence received today from John Potenza of TRC Raviv, relative to Fire Station No. 1. John stated that he has been unsuccessful in making contact with the DEP Case Manager, Michael Chudzick, to schedule a meeting. A letter was sent by the Mayor requesting a meeting and John Potenza emailed a backup request. Mr. Post called and sent an email to Mr. Chudzick today and indicated that if he did not have the time or capacity to meet, the Township needs to know who his supervisor is so the Township can be reassigned.

Mr. Post stated that he will give it a week or two then start making more phone calls.

NEW BUSINESS

Approve Raffle License Application- LT Vol. Fire Dept. - 11/11/2008

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Raffle License Application for the LT Vol. Fire Dept. for an Raffle to take place on 11/11/2008.

Coptic Orthodox Church – Inquiry

The Township Committee received a letter from Attorney Timothy McGinn inquiring on whether the Township has interest in purchasing Block 37, Lot 34 in the Township.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee confirmed that they do no have interest in purchasing the Coptic Orthodox Church property, Lot 34, Block 37 in the Township.

Approve Blue Light Application/ Authorize Mayor to Sign – Brian Wunder

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Blue Light Application for Brian Wunder.

PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS

Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1,000.00.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 4, 2008 bill list in the amount of $2,680,431.76, with the exception of Glenn Roofing in the amount of $2747.50. AYES: Schriver, Post, Piazza, Morrison NAYS: Weeks, for the Library Roof Replacement

CORRESPONDENCE

Tax Collector’s Report for the Month of May

Ss. Peter & Paul 4-Day Walking Pilgrimage

The Pilgrimage will be held on August 7, 2008. The Committee stated that the garbage must be cleaned up and that traffic monitors should be in plain sight and should wear noticeable clothing for their protection.

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.

Mr. Anthony Casale asked if the Highlands Grant application comes with any restrictions. Mayor Piazza stated that the Township Planner confirmed that there are no restrictions other than the funds must be used for planning relative to the Highlands.

Mr. Casale inquired on the insurance coverage for the soil contamination at Fire Station No. 1.

Ms. Nancy Darois asked if anything has happened with the Township Garage to date.

Ms. Kim Murtagh of 442 Penwell Road stated concerns with the speeding on Penwell Road and asked if anything could be done to help alleviate the problem. Mr. Morrison will speak to the Chief about looking into the speeding on Penwell Road and will request that the Township Message/Radar sign be placed on Penwell Road in an attempt to deter speeding.

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. 74-2008 and convened in executive session at 7:48 p.m.

TOWNSHIP OF LEBANON

RESOLUTION NO. 74-2008

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:

Zoning Enforcement

CWA MOA

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular Committee meeting at 8:22 p.m.

Attorney George stated that there were two items discussed in executive session. One was the discussion of zoning enforcement concerns. The second matter was a minor correction in the CWA MOA which was resolved. There were no other matters discussed and no action to be taken.

ADJOURN

Having no further business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________

Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC

Municipal Clerk

Approved: July 16, 2008 _____________________________

George Piazza, Mayor