Deputy Mayor 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.
Mayor Piazza asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
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.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the September 17, 2008 regular meeting minutes as written.
AYES: Schriver, Post, Morrison, Weeks ABSTAIN: Piazza
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the September 17, 2008 executive session minutes. AYES: Schriver, Post, Morrison, Weeks ABSTAIN: Piazza
ORDINANCE
Public Hearing
Ordinance No. 2008-10
- PROHIBIT
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the public hearing for Ordinance No. 2008-10 was opened.
Hearing no comments, the public hearing was closed on a motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Ordinance No. 2008-10 as written below.
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-10
STATE OF NEW
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE § 7, PARKING,
ATTACHMENT 1, SCHEDULE I, NO PARKING, TO
PROHIBIT PARKING ON
RARITAN RIVER ROAD FROM HOFFMAN’S CROSSING ROAD SOUTH TO THE ENTRANCE OF KEN
LOCKWOOD GORGE FOR A DISTANCE OF ONE THOUGHSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY
(1,230.00) FEET.
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon, Hunterdon County, has received and heard numerous complaints concerning the parking of vehicles along Raritan River Road in the Township of Lebanon in the area of Hoffman’s Crossing Road to Ken Lockwood Gorge located adjacent to the said street; and,
WHEREAS, the said parking of vehicles contributes to and causes a danger to pedestrians, children and users of Ken Lockwood Gorge and contributes to and causes a danger to vehicular traffic in the area; and,
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon has requested that the Township Police Department observe and investigate the said parking of vehicles along Raritan River Road south from Hoffman’s Crossing Road to Ken Lockwood Gorge and make recommendations to the Township Committee; and,
WHEREAS, the Township Police Department has made its recommendation to the Township Committee that parking should be prohibited on Raritan River Road from Hoffman’s Crossing Road south to the entrance of Ken Lockwood Gorge, a distance which was measured and determined to be one thousand two hundred and thirty (1,230.00) feet; and,
WHEREAS, the said
WHEREAS, the Township Committee deems it in the best interests of the public and the residents of the Township in the vicinity of Raritan River Road from Hoffman’s Crossing Road south to the entrance of Ken Lockwood Gorge to restrict parking along Raritan River Road from Hoffman’s Crossing Road south to the entrance of Ken Lockwood Gorge;
NOW, THEREFORE, Chapter 7, Attachment 1, Schedule I, entitled “No Parking” of the Township Ordinances of the Township of Lebanon in Hunterdon County is hereby amended as follows.
Chapter 7
Attachment 1
SCHEDULE I
No Parking
In
accordance with the provisions of § 7-3-3,
no person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the following described
streets or parts of streets:
|
[Added 3-2-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-05 |
Both |
From the Intersection of Bunnvale
Road and |
|
|
Both |
Raritan River Road from its
intersection with Hoffman’s Crossing Road south to the entrance of Ken
Lockwood Gorge, a distance of one thousand two hundred and thirty (1,230.00)
feet south of the intersection. |
Amendments indicated as follows: Deletions indicated by strike-through. Additions indicated by underscore.
As amended May 20, 2003.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that:
1.
All ordinances or portions of ordinances, which are inconsistent with
this Ordinance, shall be repealed as to their inconsistencies only.
2.
The various parts, sections, and clauses of this Ordinance are hereby
declared to be severable so that if any part, sentence, paragraph, section, or
clause of this Ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or invalidated by a court
of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Ordinance shall not be
affected thereby.
3. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon final passage and publication as required by law.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No.
84-2008 – Fireworks Permit –
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 84-2008 as written below.
RESOLUTION NO. 84-2008
RESOLUTION GRANTING A FIREWORKS
PERMIT TO
WHEREAS, St. John Neumann Church has applied for a permit for public display of fireworks to be held on October 4, 2008 (rain date – October 5, 2008) at 9:00 p.m.; 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
documents with the appropriate
Resolution No.
85-2008 – Retail Consumption License – Ono rosa Inc.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 85-2008 as written below.
RESOLUTION NO. 85-2008
RESOLUTION RENEWING PLENARY
RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE
WHEREAS, the listed Plenary Retail Consumption Licensee has submitted an application form that has been completed in all respects; and
WHEREAS, the applicant is qualified to be licensed according to all statutory, regulatory and local government ABC Laws and regulations; and
WHEREAS, the applicant has paid a
filing fee of $200.00 to the State of
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by
the Township Committee of the
1019-33-002-005 ONO ROSA INC, 282 Route 513, Glen
Gardner (
Resolution No.
86-2008 – Initiate the Effectuation of a Tax Assignment/
Authorize Deputy Mayor to
Execute
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 86-2008 as written below.
RESOLUTION NO. 86-008
STATE OF NEW
WHEREAS an assignment of a Lebanon Township held Tax Sale Certificate #200702 has been requested, and,
WHEREAS this assignment is acceptable to the Township Committee,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Mayor George Piazza be named as the Township Official to execute this assignment, and
BE IT FURTHERMORE RESOLVED, that the necessary notification and advertisement be initiated to effectuate this assignment.
Resolution No.
87-2008 – Refund of
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 87-2008 as written below.
RESOLUTION NO. 87-2008
STATE OF NEW
WHEREAS there has been a
duplication of tax payments because of the direct payment of
WHEREAS the following property owners have requested that these amounts be refunded to them,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following amounts be returned to the property owners:
35/54 Ken & Kenya Kaszyk 607.52
17/1.01 George Parsons 1000.00
23/1 Gordon
Resolution No.
88-2008 - Chapter 159 –
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver, and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 88-2008 as written below.
RESOLUTION NO. 88-2008
STATE OF NEW
WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A4-87 provides that the Director of the Division of Local Government Services may approve the insertion of any special item of revenue in the budget of any county or municipality when such item shall have been made available by law and the amount thereof was not determined at the time of the adoption of the budget, and
WHEREAS, said Director may also approve the insertion of an item of appropriation for an equal amount, and
WHEREAS, the Township of Lebanon has received $20,000.00 grant from the State of New Jersey, Highlands Water Protection & Planning Council and wishes to amend its 2008 Budget to include a portion of this amount as a revenue
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Committee of the Township of Lebanon, Hunterdon County, State of New Jersey hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the insertion of an item of revenue in the budget of the year 2008 in the sum of $20,000.00 from:
Miscellaneous revenues
Special Items of General Revenue Anticipated with
Prior Written Consent of the Director of Local
Government Services:
State and Federal Revenues Off-Set with
Appropriations:
Pursuant to provisions of Statute, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a like sum of $20,000.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated under the caption of:
General Appropriations
(a) Operations Excluded from Caps
State and Federal Programs Off-Set by
Revenues:
Resolution No.
89-2008 – Appropriate Capital Improvement Fund –Township Garage
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 89-2008 as written below. AYES: Schriver, Piazza, Post, Morrison NAYS: Weeks
RESOLUTION NO. 89-2008
STATE OF NEW
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:30-2.3(c) the sum of $30,000 is appropriated from the Capital Improvement Fund for preliminary costs, including but not limited to architect fees for the construction of a new municipal garage.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Township
Committee, of the
The Clerk will speak to the Township Treasurer to inquire on any previous Engineering costs relative to the Township Garage project and to find out if the costs can be incorporated into Resolution No. 89-2008.
OLD BUSINESS
Approve Police
Chief’s Agreement –Authorize Mayor and Clerk to Sign
Held to Executive Session.
Request of Fire Chief
Jay Harkins for Acceptance of a 1971
Jay Harkins, Fire Chief Present.
Jay stated that he received a letter from the Township
Attorney stating some concerns with accepting the vehicle. Jay stated that the
vehicle is a 1971 and they do understand that it has to be updated to 2008
commercial and rescue vehicle standards.
He believes that it is but will have a survey done by the Forestry
Service as per the Township’s requirements.
The vehicle has to be lighted and stripped. Jay will obtain a list of deficiencies and
will post them. Jay said that the main
issue was getting the vehicle since it is in such good shape. It will serve the Township’s need and it is
free. They have a holdharmless clause
from
Jay stated that he has no means of moving the vehicle for inspections etc. The vehicle needs insurance and plates so he can have it evaluated or have work done to it. The insurance company will be provided with a copy of this letter, the agreement and the holdharmless for their input on the insurance coverage.
Jay stated that relative to item number 1 in the attorney’s
letter, regarding responding to all requests for the Forest Fire Service and
concern with manpower, that the Township has mutual aid agreements with
surrounding towns. This vehicle is not
something that is going to go to far off places because it is not a brand new
vehicle and it is not capable of going to the
Mayor Piazza stated that he does not see enough benefits for the Township in receiving the vehicle. This is an old vehicle. The Township will be spending money on this old vehicle which we do not own. Jay stated that he tried to go the other route of purchasing a new vehicle but the ordinance was shot down. He is just trying to protect all of the open space that has now been acquired by the Township. A new brush truck would cost approximately $190,000.00.
Mr. Post asked what the vehicle can do in the Township, County and parks that the current fleet cannot address. Jay stated that they cannot go into confined areas such as the Ken Lockwood Gorge. There is no road in there anymore and it has overgrown very fast. This truck can go places that a full sized engine cannot. It can be used for search and rescue.
Items to be followed up on would be; cost necessary to bring the truck up to spec, the insurability and the holdharmless clauses. Jay stated that he will work on the holdharmless clauses and the appropriate paperwork. Mr. Post stated that if these items can be resolved and the cost are nominal to bring it up to spec, this may be a good deal. Mayor Piazza stated that it is still an old vehicle.
Mr. Post asked Mr. Dove to speak about the age and the reliability of the fleet. Mr. Dove stated that the Forest Fire Service is still operating 1986 trucks. There are parts of the Country operating 1971 vehicles also.
The Clerk will contact the insurance company and Jay will look into the holdharmless clauses.
Municipal Court of
North Hunterdon
Mayor Piazza stated that he has the minutes from the last
Municipal Court meeting. He was unable to attend. One item discussed is that the MCNH is still
trying to settle an issue with
Community Service
Time
Mayor Piazza stated that he received a call from a resident stating that her son had gotten into trouble with the law and he needs to complete 20 hours of community service time. She wanted to know if it could be done through the Township. The Mayor spoke to Paul Jones to see if he would oversee the young man’s time. The matter will be discussed in closed session.
DEP – Fire Station
No. 1
Mr. Post stated that he has had no luck in making contact with Mr. Michael Chudzik of the DEP to schedule a meeting relative to Fire Station No. 1 soil testing. He feels that it is time to escalate the request and to contact the Commissioner.
Attorney George will attempt to look into who to contact next.
Mayor Piazza stated that he spoke to Jack Goldwin who is now taking over the cell tower project. The prior representative, Steve, has moved onto another position. Mayor Piazza gave Jack the Township Attorney’s phone number so discuss the matter.
NEW BUSINESS
Appoint Recreation Commission Member – Kristin Petrik
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the appointment of Kristin Petrik as a Recreation Commission
Member for a 4 yr term.
Cancel November 19, 2008 Meeting – NJ League of
Municipalities Conference
Motion by Mr. Weeks, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee canceled the November 19, 2008 Committee meeting.
Approve cost of Emergency Tree Removal
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the cost of $2,000.00 for emergency tree removal on Little Brook Road as requested by the DPW Supervisor.
Musconetcong Watershed Association – Designation as a
Component of the
National Wild
and
Resolution No. 89A-2008 – Musconetcong Watershed Association – Designation as a
Component of the National Wild and
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 89A-2008 as entitled below and attached.
RESOLUTION 89A-2008
STATE OF NEW
WHEREAS, the
WHEREAS, the
Musconetcong River Management Council was formed to protect and manage the
natural resources of the
WHEREAS, the
WHEREAS, the
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon, County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey that the Mayor of the Township of Lebanon is authorized to execute the Musconetcong River Management Memorandum of Understanding; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Mayor, by his designee, Erik Jan Hendriksen, is authorized to sign the commemorative and celebratory copy thereof at the signing ceremony on Tuesday, October 7, 2008; and,
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Township Clerk is authorized to forward a copy of this
Resolution to the Musconetcong River Management Council on behalf of the
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 unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the October 1, 2008 bill list in the amount of $146,762.51.
CORRESPONDENCE
Tax Collector’s Report for the Month of August 2008.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee opened the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
There were no comments from the Public.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee closed the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 90-2008 and convened in executive session at 7:59 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 90-2008
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Amendments to the Chief’s Contract
Proposal of Community Service to be Serviced in the Township
Motion by Ms. Schriver,
seconded by Mr. Morrison and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee reconvened the
Regular Committee meeting at 8:14 p.m.
Attorney George stated that during executive session, the Township Committee discussed a request for community service to be provided by a youth. The consensus was that this sort of service has been provided in the past so long as the order is provided to the Township Attorney showing the terms and that the insurance company approves the work. The Chief’s proposed contract was discussed; specifically clarifications to vacation and personnel benefits time.
At the close of the executive session and during the public portion of the meeting a request was made by the newspaper for release of the letter sent to the Fire Chief, by the Township Attorney,
relative to the acquisition of the Fire Vehicle. It was determined that since the letter was addressed point by point on the record, it was determined to release a copy of the letter.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the Police Chief’s contract, as amended, subject to the approval and signature of the Chief and authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign. AYES: Schriver, Piazza, Post, Morrison NAYS: Weeks
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 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved: October 15, 2008 _____________________________
George Piazza, Mayor