June 20, 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 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 Post asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
Present - Ed Post Jay Weeks
George Piazza Francis Monahan
Absent - Patricia Schriver
Also Present - Attorney Eric Bernstein and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 6 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 June 6, 2007 regular meeting minutes.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 6, 2007 executive session minutes.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 13, 2007 special meeting minutes.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the June 13, 2007 special executive session minutes.
2006 MUNICIPAL AUDIT
Chief Financial Officer provided the Committee with a corrective action plan relative to the recommendations of the Township Auditor.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 55A-2007 as stated below.
STATE OF NEW
RESOLUTION NO. 55A-2007
GOVERNING
BODY CERTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:5-4
requires the governing body of every local unit to have made an annual audit of
its books, accounts and financial transactions, and
WHEREAS, the Annual Report of
Audit for the year 2006 has been filed by a Registered Municipal Accountant
with the Municipal Clerk pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:5-6, and a copy has been
received by each member of the governing body; and,
WHEREAS, R.S. 52:27BB-34
authorizes the Local Finance Board of the State of
WHEREAS, the Local Finance Board has promulgated N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5, a regulation requiring that the governing body of each municipality shall by resolution certify to the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey that all members of the governing body have reviewed, as a minimum, the sections of the annual audit entitled “Comments and Recommendations, and,
WHEREAS, the members of the governing body have personally reviewed as a minimum the Annual Report of Audit, and specifically the sections of the Annual Audit entitled “Comments and Recommendations, as evidenced by the group affidavit form of the governing body attached hereto; and,
WHEREAS, such resolution of certification shall be adopted by the Governing Body no later than forty-five days after the receipt of the annual audit, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5; and,
WHEREAS, all members of the governing body have received and have familiarized themselves with, at least, the minimum requirements of the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey, as stated aforesaid and have subscribed to the affidavit, as provided by the Local Finance Board, and
WHEREAS, failure to comply with the regulations of the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey may subject the members of the local governing body to the penalty provisions of R.S. 52:27BB-52, to wit:
R.S. 52:27BB-52: A local officer or member of a local governing body who, after a date fixed for compliance, fails or refuses to obey an order of the director (Director of Local Government Services), under the provisions of this Article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, in addition shall forfeit his office.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Township
Committee of the Township of Lebanon, hereby states that it has complied with
N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5 and does hereby submit a certified copy of this resolution
and the required affidavit to said Board to show evidence of said compliance.
ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 2007-10
- Public Hearing
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the pubic hearing for Ordnance No. 2007-10 was opened.
Mr. Ron Milkowski inquired on the type of sign that will be purchased with the bond funds.
The public hearing was closed on a motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Ordinance No. 2007-10 as written below.
STATE OF NEW
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-10
BOND ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE MAKING OF VARIOUS PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
AND THE ACQUISITION OF NEW ADDITIONAL OR REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY,
NEW COMMUNICATION AND SIGNAL SYSTEMS EQUIPMENT AND NEW AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES,
INCLUDING ORIGINAL APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT, IN, BY AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF
LEBANON, IN THE COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, TO APPROPRIATE THE
SUM OF $257,500 TO PAY THE COST THEREOF, TO MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT, TO AUTHORIZE
THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE SUCH APPROPRIATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE
ISSUANCE OF BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH
BONDS.
-------------------------------------------------
BE IT ORDAINED by the
Township Committee of the
Section l. The Township of Lebanon, in the County of
Hunterdon, State of New Jersey (the "Township") is hereby authorized
to make various public improvements and to acquire new additional or
replacement equipment and machinery, new communication and signal systems
equipment and new automotive vehicles, including original apparatus and
equipment, in, by and for said Township, as more particularly described in
Section 4 hereof. The cost of the
improvements includes all work, materials and appurtenances necessary and
suitable therefor.
Section 2. There is hereby appropriated to the payment
of the cost of making the improvements described in Sections l and 4 hereof
(hereinafter referred to as "purposes"), the respective amounts of
money hereinafter stated as the appropriation for said respective
purposes. Said appropriation shall be
met from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized and the down
payment appropriated by this ordinance. Said improvements shall be made as general
improvements and no part of the cost thereof shall be assessed against property
specially benefited.
Section
3. It is hereby determined and stated
that the making of such improvements is not a current expense of said Township.
Section
4. The several purposes hereby
authorized for the financing of which said obligations are to be issued are set
forth in the following "Schedule of Improvements, Purposes and
Amounts" which schedule also shows (l) the amount of the appropriation and
the estimated cost of each such purpose, and (2) the amount of each sum which
is to be provided by the down payment hereinafter appropriated to finance
such purposes, and (3) the estimated
maximum amount of bonds and notes to be
issued for each such purpose, and (4) the period of
usefulness of each such purpose, according to its reasonable life, computed
from the date of said bonds:
SCHEDULE
OF IMPROVEMENTS, PURPOSES AND AMOUNTS
A. Undertaking various public improvements and
the acquisition of new additional or replacement equipment and machinery
consisting of: (i) undertaking the Road Resurfacing Program at various
locations in the Township, as set forth on a list on file or to be placed on
file with the Township Clerk, and hereby approved as if set forth herein in
full, (ii) replacement of the Public Library roof, (iii) construction of a well
at Memorial Park and (iv) acquisition of fireproof file cabinets for the use of
various departments, offices and agencies.
Depending upon the contract price and other exigent circumstances, and
upon approval by the Township Committee, there may be additions to or deletions
from the list referred to in clause (i) of the preceding sentence. It is hereby determined and stated that said
roads being improved are of "Class B" or equivalent construction as
defined in Section 22 of the Local Bond Law (Chapter 2 of Title 40A of the New
Jersey Statutes Annotated, as amended; the "Local Bond Law").
Appropriation and Estimated Cost $152,500
Down Payment Appropriated
$ 7,300
Bonds and Notes
Authorized $145,200
Period of
Usefulness 10 years
B. Acquisition of new communication and signal
systems equipment consisting of a traffic safety message sign for the use of
the Police Department.
Appropriation
and Estimated Cost $ 16,000
Down Payment
Appropriated $ 800
Bonds and Notes
Authorized $ 15,200
Period of
Usefulness
10 years
vehicle, including original apparatus and equipment,
for the use of the Road Department consisting of (i) a transport trailer for
lawn mowers, (ii) a salt spreader, (iii) electric truck tarps and (iv) a pickup
truck with plow.
Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 54,000
Down Payment Appropriated $ 2,600
Bonds and Notes Authorized $ 51,400
Period of Usefulness 5
years
D.
Acquisition of a new automotive vehicle, including original apparatus
and equipment, consisting of an all-terrain vehicle for the use of the Fire
Department.
Appropriation and Estimated Cost $ 35,000
Down Payment Appropriated $ 2,175
Bonds
and Notes Authorized $
32,825
Period
o f Usefulness 5
years
-------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Appropriation and Estimated Cost
$257,500
Aggregate Down
Payment Appropriated
$ 12,875
Aggregate Amount of Bonds and Notes
Authorized $244,625
Section 5. The cost of such purposes, as hereinbefore stated, does not include any amount to
finance the cost of such purposes, including architect's fees, accounting, engineering
and inspection costs, legal expenses and other expenses, including interest on
such obligations to the extent permitted by Section 20 of the Local Bond Law.
Section 6. It is hereby determined and stated that
moneys exceeding $12,875, appropriated for down payments on capital
improvements or for the capital improvement fund in budgets heretofore adopted
for said Township, are now available to finance said purposes. The sum of $12,875 is hereby appropriated
from such moneys to the payment of the cost of said purposes.
Section 7. To finance said purposes, bonds of said
Township of an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $244,625 are hereby
authorized to be issued pursuant to the Local Bond Law. Said bonds shall bear interest at a rate per
annum as may be hereafter determined within the limitations prescribed by
law. All matters with respect to said
bonds not determined by this ordinance shall be determined by resolutions to be
hereafter adopted.
Section 8. To finance said purposes, bond anticipation
notes of said Township of an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $244,625
are hereby authorized to be issued pursuant to the Local Bond Law in
anticipation of the issuance of said bonds.
In the event that bonds are issued pursuant to this ordinance, the
aggregate amount of notes hereby authorized to be issued shall be reduced by an
amount equal to the principal amount of the bonds so issued. If the aggregate amount of outstanding bonds
and notes issued pursuant to this ordinance shall at any time exceed the sum
first mentioned in this section, the moneys raised by the issuance of said
bonds shall, to not less than the amount of such excess, be applied to the
payment of such notes then outstanding.
Section 9. Each bond anticipation note issued pursuant
to this ordinance shall be dated on or about the date of its issuance and shall
be payable not more than one year from its date, shall bear interest at a rate
per annum as may be hereafter determined within the limitations prescribed by
law and may be renewed from time to time pursuant to and within limitations
prescribed by the Local Bond Law. Each
of said bond anticipation notes shall be signed by the Mayor and by a financial
officer and shall be under the seal of said Township and attested by the
Township Clerk or Deputy Township Clerk.
Said officers are hereby authorized to execute said notes in such form
as they may adopt in conformity with law.
The power to determine any matters with respect to said notes not
determined by this ordinance and also the power to sell said notes, is hereby
delegated to the Chief Financial Officer who is hereby authorized to sell said
notes either at one time or from time to time in the manner provided by law.
Section 10. It is hereby determined and declared that the
average period of usefulness of said purposes, according to their reasonable
lives, taking into consideration the respective amounts of bonds or notes
authorized for said purposes, is a period of 8.27 years computed from the date
of said bonds.
Section 11. It is hereby determined and stated that the
Supplemental Debt Statement required by the Local Bond Law has been duly made
and filed in the office of the Township Clerk of said Township, and that such
statement so filed shows that the gross debt of said Township, as defined in
Section 43 of the Local Bond Law, is increased by this ordinance by $244,625
and that the issuance of the bonds and notes authorized by this ordinance will
be within all debt limitations prescribed by said Local Bond Law.
Section 12. Any funds received from private parties, the
County of Hunterdon, the State of New Jersey or any of their agencies or any
funds received from the United States of America or any of its agencies in aid
of such purposes, shall be applied to the payment of the cost of such purposes,
or, if bond anticipation notes have been issued, to the payment of the bond
anticipation notes, and the amount of bonds authorized for such purposes shall
be reduced accordingly.
Section 13. The Township intends to issue the bonds or
notes to finance the cost of the improvements described in Sections 1 and 4 of
this bond ordinance. If the Township
incurs such costs prior to the issuance of the bonds or notes, the Township
hereby states its reasonable expectation to
reimburse
itself for such expenditures with the proceeds of such bonds or notes in the
maximum principal amount of bonds or notes authorized by this bond ordinance.
Section 14. The full faith and credit of the Township are
hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the principal of and the interest on
the obligations authorized by this ordinance.
Said obligations shall be direct, unlimited and general obligations of
the Township, and the Township shall levy ad valorem taxes upon all the taxable
real property within the Township for the payment of the principal of and
interest on such bonds and notes, without limitation as to rate or amount.
Section 15. The capital budget is hereby amended to
conform with the provisions of this ordinance to the extent of any
inconsistency therewith and the resolutions promulgated by the Local Finance
Board showing full detail of the amended capital budget and capital program as
approved by the Director, Division of Local Government Services, is on file with
the Township Clerk and is available for public inspection.
Section 16. This ordinance shall take effect twenty days
after the first publication thereof after final passage.
Ordinance No. 2007-11 –
Introduction
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township introduced Ordinance No. 2007-11. (as entitled below)
ORDINANCE NO. 2007-11
STATE OF NEW
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING, REVISING AND SUPPLEMENTING
THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES RELATING TO
ORGANIZATION OF THE
AMENDING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
OF THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE
Public Hearing to be held on July 18, 2007.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No.
56-2007 – Plenary Retail Consumption
License Renewals
Motion by Mr. Piazza , seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 56-2007. (as written below)
RESOLUTION NO. 56-2007
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
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by
the Township Committee of the
1019-33-005-001 New
Hampton Inn, Inc.,
1019-33-001-002
A T K Inc. t/a Tony’s Restaurant
& Pub,
1009-33-004-007 Christies Inc. 2035 Highway 31, Glen Gardner, NJ
1019-33-002-005 ONO ROSA INC
Resolution No.
57-2007 – Granting Fireworks Approval
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolutions No. 57-2007. (as written below)
RESOLUTION NO. 57-2007
RESOLUTION GRANTING FIREWORKS
PERMIT TO A&B STAINLESS VALVE
AND FITTING COMPANY
WHEREAS, A & B Stainless Valve and Fitting Company has applied for a permit for public display of fireworks on July 7, 2007; and
WHEREAS, the Lebanon Township Fire Code Official has reviewed the application, investigated the area where the display will take place and recommends that the permit be granted; and
WHEREAS, the necessary bond and surety has been posted.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by
the Township Committee of the
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the
Township Fire Official file copies of this Resolution and any other pertinent
document with the appropriate
OLD BUSINESS
Library Roof Replacement
Mr. Art Gerlich
stated that the Township Engineer submitted an estimate for a cedar or
synthetic shingles for the library roof.
The estimated cost would be the same for both at an approximate cost of $1,000.00
a square foot. The entire cost could be
close to $30,000.00. Mr. Gerlich recommended just replacing the cedar shingles
as he felt that the estimate was high. Mayor Post asked if asphalt was considered.
The Township Committee budgeted $10,000.00 for the roof in 2007. The Township
Clerk will request an estimate from the Engineer for an asphalt roof with
plywood. The Clerk is to inform the Engineer of the
dollar figure the Committee has to work with.
TRC – Authorize Mayor
to Execute Biennial Certification Monitoring Report
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Biennial Certification Monitoring Report to be sent to the DEP by TRC Raviv.
The Clerk is to speak to John Potenza to inquire on where
the Township is with the testing and where the process is.
Freedom House
Mayor Post stated
that they did a site inspection yesterday with the contractor, the architect
and Fred Riehl. They were looking to see
what it would take to finish the project, absent the septic system.
Mayor Post stated
that they are ready to move forward with the septic system and asked the
Township Attorney what the process is in bidding for the contractor to perform
the work. Attorney Bernstein stated that
the money the Township will be contributing to Freedom House is COAH Trust
money and is just a different form of grant money; therefore, there are requirements
Freedom House will need to follow. If Freedom House is going to seek a
contractor, they will need to follow the normal course of action in the expenditures
of public funds, such as prevailing wage and alike. The Township’s responsibility is to only
provide Freedom House with the money once they have obtained the required
contractor to do the work. The contractor must be in compliance with the
Freedom House requirements as well as the Township’s requirements in terms of
prevailing wage, valid business registration certificate, etc. Attorney Bernstein stated that he will work
with Freedom House to inform them of the requirements.
Nagie Closing
Mayor Post stated
that he met with the SADC and the Nagie Closing is imminent. Attorney Bernstein stated that the documents
were just returned to Attorney DeSapio with the Mayor and Clerk’s
signatures. Mayor Post stated that he
would like Attorney Bernstein to follow up on obtaining the Nagie signatures.
Police Rules and Regulations
Attorney Bernstein
stated that it has come to his attention that relative to the Rules and
Regulations that they have not been reviewed or updated in over a
generation. Attorney Bernstein asked for
approval for his office to review the document and to make recommendations to
the Committee.
The Committee
decided to wait until the new Chief is appointed so that they may work with the
Township Attorney on updating the policy.
NEW BUSINESS
Appoint Municipal Clerk
Attorney Bernstein stated that with this 3 year appointment, the Clerk will receive tenure after the second year.
Motion by seconded Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and
carried by unanimous favorable roll
call vote, the Township Committee reappointed Karen Sandorse as Township
Clerk.
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Motion by seconded Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee approved the June 20, 2007 bill list in the amount of $2,681,160.69.
CORRESPONDENCE
LTFAS – Non-Compliance with NIMS
The Clerk is to send a letter to Ken Ader to inquire on how the Squad is going to remedy the concerns raised by Mr. Wagner.
Attorney J. Peter
Jost – Borough of Califon –
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Sergeant Jack Gale asked how many residents will reside at Freedom House. Mayor Post stated 10 men. Sergeant Gale asked for clarification on the amendments to the Police ordinance. He stated that the method which will be followed in the Chief’s promotion process is the same as originally understood by all candidates, therefore, couldn’t the prior test grades stand. Mayor Post stated that the due to the confusion that has been associated with the Rules and Regulations for the police department, the Committee feels that it is best to officially adopt the ordinance establishing the procedures and to start from the beginning all over again.
Mr. Ron Milkowski asked what went wrong since the last meeting that the promotion process changed so much. Attorney Bernstein explained that the Township became aware that there were issues with the way the process had been done and whether it had been done legally. The
Rules and Regulations were adopted years ago by resolution but should have been adopted by ordinance. Therefore, they were not official.
Mr. Milkowski asked why the Township can’t go out to bid for cedar shingles with the option of asphalt shingles for the library roof. Mayor Post stated that the Township cannot go to bid for something unless the money is in place, which it is not. Mr. Milkowski suggested putting the cedar shingles on one side of the building this year and the other side next year.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, 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. 58-2007and convened in executive session.
RESOLUTION NO. 58-2007
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Personnel – Chief’s Position
Personnel – Chief’s Promotional Exam Process
First Aid Squad Audit
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded
by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular
Committee meeting.
Attorney Bernstein stated that all members of the Governing Body present at the commencement of the executive session were present at the recommencement of the open session as well as the Township Clerk and the Township Attorney. The Township CFO Greg Della Pia was also present for the conversation regarding the audit preformed by the Township Auditor, Ardito and Co., regarding the volunteer First Aid Squad.
Attorney Bernstein said that the Clerk has been given instruction relative to the audit findings from Ardito as well as the Township Attorney’s office in terms of distribution. No formal action is required.
Relative to the scoring on the first Chief’s Exam, Ms. Sandorse was given direction by the Committee, with the advise of Counsel, of what needs to be done. The Attorney will work with her to carry it out, in coordination with Chief Schell, prior to her retirement.
In the issue of the filling of the position in the absence of an appointed Chief, the Committee discussed the concept of Acting Chief as opposed to an Officer in Charge.
Motion by Mr. Monahan,
seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee created the position
of and appointed Sergeant Jack Gale as Officer in Charge. As Officer in Charge,
Sergeant Gale will be advised to coordinate purchases and related items with
the Township Committee Liaison to the Township Committee, Russ Monahan, as well
as keep Committeeman Monahan abreast of the ongoing issues so he can advise the
Committee accordingly. There shall be no
shift changes and no other actions that would be contrary to the Collective
Bargaining Agreement or the procedures of the Department that have been in
existence.
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 8:57p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved ___________________________
Edward L. Post III, Mayor