August 27, 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 Patricia Schriver Jay Weeks
George Piazza Francis Monahan
Absent -
Also Present – Attorney Phil George and Clerk Karen Sandorse
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 63-2007 and
convened in executive session at 5:01 p.m. Action may be taken when the regular meeting is reconvened.
RESOLUTION NO. 63-2007
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 Matters – Police Chief Promotion
Candidate Interviews
Motion by Ms. Schriver,
seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular
Committee meeting at 7:44 p.m
Attorney George
stated that during the executive session the sole topic discussed was the
appointment of the new Chief of Police.
The scores were tallied and factored as per the present ordinance
requirements. Discussion took place in regard to the scoring criteria for which
the Township Committee is responsible. Once the discussion was complete, it was
decided to come
out of executive
session to possibly entertain a motion from the Committee for the appointment
of the new Police Chief.
Ms. Schriver stated
for the record that the Committee had three outstanding candidates all of which
could have handled the position but we all know that we cannot have three
chiefs.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Officer Christopher Mattson as the Lebanon Township Police Chief for a one year contract term. AYES: Piazza, Post, Schriver, Monahan NAYS: Weeks.
Mayor Post stated that Officer Mattson will receive a contract which will outline the terms and conditions, which the Committee explained to him in executive session. It will be a one year probationary contract. The salary will be slightly higher than the starting range in the salary ordinance for the Police Chief’s position at $86,750.00. There will be no paid overtime and will have paid holidays. If the Chief is required to work an emergency or be on call, there will be compensatory time as opposed to overtime, which will have to be used by the close of the calendar year. The Chief will work 8 hours per day, 5 days a week with some flexibility to accommodate certain circumstances. The Chief will be available for patrol as necessary. A uniform will be required when on duty and allowances will be permitted as outlined in the PBA contract. During offsite work such as classes, business casual is acceptable. Attorney Bernstein’s office will prepare a contract for review and acceptance by the Committee at the September 5, 2007 meeting. If that negotiation is not successful, the Committee will offer the contract to the next officer in line.
PRESENTATION OF
MINUTES
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the July 18, 2007 regular meeting minutes.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the July 18, 2007 executive session minutes.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the August 15, 2007 regular meeting minutes. AYES: Piazza, Post, Schriver, Monahan ABSTAIN: Weeks
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the August 15, 2007 executive session minutes. AYES: Piazza, Post, Schriver, Monahan ABSTAIN: Weeks
OLD BUSINESS
Retired Police
Chief’s Dinner and Ownership of Service Weapon
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the expenditure of $1500.00 as a contribution to the Former Police Chief’s Retirement Dinner which will be held on October 19, 2007 at the Bloomsbury Fire House. Expenditure is subject to certification of funds by the Township Treasurer. AYES: Piazza, Post, Schriver, Monahan ABSTAIN: Weeks
The Township Clerk will contact Mr. Jim Flynn to inquire on
the legal process which needs to be followed for the Retired Chief to obtain
ownership of her service weapon.
NEW BUSINESS
Approve Raffle License – Voorhees Viking Victory Club –
10/05/07 – 11/16/07
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Raffle License application for the Voorhees
Viking Victory Club for events to be held from 10/05/07 – 11/16/07.
Approve LTFAS – Coin Toss Application – 09/01/07 +
09/02/07
(Pending State and
The Township
Committee stated concern with the safety of the coin toss due to the location
of the toss. Squad member Bruce
Cunningham stated that the application was submitted to the NJDOT for approval
also. Mr. Cunningham stated that he also reviewed the traffic control plans
with Sergeant Gale. There is a letter in place from the DOT stating that they
are happy with the plan. The squad
members will not be in the roadway, they will be on the shoulder or the grassy
areas.
Mr. Cunningham
stated that the Freeholder approval letter is missing from the application due
to a family illness in that office, however he was informed by a staff member that
the approval was granted and a call can be made to the Freeholder office for
confirmation.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the Coin Toss application which will be held on 09/01/07 and 09/02/07.
Approve Application for Special Permit for Social Affair
– LT Vol. Fire Dept.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved an application for a Special Permit for Social Affair
to LT Vol. Fire Dept. for the Community Day in the Park event to be held on
September 29, 2007 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Approve Application for Special Permit for Social Affair
–
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved an application for a Special Permit for Social Affair
to
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Motion by seconded Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee approved the August 27, 2007 bill list in the amount of $3,891,135.56.
CORRESPONDENCE
Doug Kiovsky –
Mr. Doug Kiovsky,
Hunterdon County Park Planner has sent a letter to the Committee stating that the
County would like to make and install metal signs along a proposed route from
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the request to
install signs in the Township as noted.
Gail Glashoff -
Planning & Zoning Clerk Request for Meeting
Gail Glashoff,
Planning & Zoning Clerk, has sent a memo to the Committee stating that he
Planning Board and Board of Adjustment would like to meet with the Committee in
closed session on September 19, 2007 to discuss enforcement and resolutions
which have been a problem for many years in the Township. There will be two members from each Board in
attendance, Chairman Gary MacQueen and Mr. Josh Rich from the Planning Board
and Chairman Bruce Terzuolo and Andy Kozlowski from the Zoning Board.
The Township
Committee agreed to meet with the Board members. The Clerk will provide the
Zoning Officer Bill Skene with a Rice Notice.
Tax Collector Report for the Month of July
The Tax Collector
submitted her collection report for the month of July 2007.
Norman J. Severt – Request for the Committee to Authorize
the Purchase of the Tax
Held to executive
session.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
Mr. Anthony Casale inquired on the time noted on the Special Permit for Social Affair for the LT
Vol. Fire Dept. for the Community Day in the Park event to be held on September
29, 2007 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Mr. Casale
stated that the advertisement in the municipal building states that the event
starts at 12:00 and since the application is for 1:00 p.m. does that limit when
the beer can be served.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee moved to return to item number C. under New Business, Social Affair.
Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the amendment to the Special Permit for Social Affair for the LT Vol. Fire Dept., from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Casale also inquired on the status Title Search of the
Sergeant Jack Gale stated that a few months ago the
Committee had directed him to perform a traffic study on
Sergeant Gale asked if the Committee will be providing the overall scores for the Police Chief promotion.
Bruce Cunningham asked if the Clerk would be able to expedite the processing of the Coin Toss application.
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 Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 64-2007 and convened in executive session at 8:10 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 64-2007
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Personnel Matters – Tax Collector
Real Estate Negotiation – Potential Pending Litigation
Motion by Ms. Schriver,
seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular
Committee meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Attorney George stated that during executive session the Committee discussed at length the property chain of title, the collection and foreclosure and tax sale certificates relative to the Severt Property, Block 60 Lot 20. No action will be taken subject to receipt of supporting documents from the Tax Collector. Clarification and discussion was held on the hours worked, work flow and procedures of the Tax Collector, pursuant to Resolution No. 105-2003. Said Resolution sets out the duties, responsibilities and compensation of the same.
Having no further business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan, and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved ___________________________
Edward L. Post III, Mayor