Mayor Patricia Schriver 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 Schriver asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.
Present - Patricia Schriver George Piazza Francis Monahan
Jay Weeks Ed Post
Absent
Also Present - Attorney Angela Vidal and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 5 members of the public.
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee approved the
Ms. Karrow stated that she has been visiting all of the towns in the 23rd District since June 2006. The 23rd Legislative District has the most municipalities in it, more than any other District in the State, having 45. The next largest has 26. The District is 700 miles in diameter. The size of the District is based on population. Ms. Karrow noted that she has been in office for 10 months and has had 5 pieces of legislation signed into law, which, she believes, is more than any other republican this year.
Ms. Karrow said that tomorrow night she will be holding a
town meeting to discuss education. All
Elected Officials and Board’s of Education in the 23rd District,
along with
Ms. Karrow provided the Committee with background
information on Assembly Bill 3115 which will be considered later in this
meeting. Ms. Karrow stated that the Bill
is very important to the towns in the
municipalities. Ms. Karrow stated that she has twelve additional bills that relate to the Highlands Act.
Discussion was held on the pros and cons of the Bill. Mr. Post and Mr. Weeks stated their concerns with raising taxes across the State to offset the tax loss in the Township.
Ms. Karrow offered assistance with any matters relating to the State.
Mayor Schriver stated that the Committee supports some sort of tax on the water; however, the Committee does realize that it is not the complete answer for Bill 3115. The cost does have to come from the entire State.
Mr. Darryl Schmidt stated that if the Bill accomplishes
raising taxes in the State and the
Resolution No. 87-2006 Support of
Assembly Bill 3115
Highland’s Property Tax Stabilization Fund
Motion by Mr. Piazza , seconded by Mr. Weeks and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote,
the Township Committee moved to hold Resolution No. 87-2006 until the November
1, 2006 meeting for further consideration.
OLD BUSINESS
Appointment of OEM Coordinator
Discussion
to be held in closed session.
Mr. Piazza
stated that he went to
Freedom House Construction
Mr. Post
stated that he had visited Freedom House and they are making substantial progress
with the construction. Hopefully, the
House will be ready for occupancy in May 2007.
NEW BUSINESS
Deer Carcass Removal
The County sent
notification to the Township stating that they have entered into an agreement with
Kelly Winthrop, LLC of West Palm Beach Florida, for Deer Carcass Removal. The cost is $45.00 per carcass and the
pricing has been extended to
Approve Raffle Application –
Motion by seconded Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call
vote the Township Committee approved a raffle application for the
Voorhees High School Cheerleading Association.
Helicopter Noise –
An email complaint
was received from a
Mr. Post asked for Attorney
Vidal to provide a legal opinion on the matter.
Appointment – Library Committee Member
Motion by seconded Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Post and
carried by unanimous favorable roll call
vote the Township Committee appointed Melanie Ryan as a member to the
Library Committee.
Mr. Piazza
distributed copies of the NHMC 2007 proposed budget and stated that there is an
overall 3.3% increase from 2006, which amounts to $25,000.00. There will be an additional 2% added which is
based on what was generated by the Police Department in 2006. At this time it
appears that the total budget for the Court in 2007 will be $62,000.00. The Committee will be asked to vote on the
budget in the near future.
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.
Motion by seconded Mr. Post, seconded by Mr. Monahan and
carried by unanimous favorable roll
call vote the Township Committee approved the
CORRESPONDENCE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Mr. Weeks, 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 questioned how court costs are used or
distributed. Mr. Piazza stated that if a
violation is issued based on a Township ordinance, we would receive more in
return as opposed to a State violation.
We contribute for the operation of the court and eventually receive a
percentage of the court fines and fees in return.
Motion by Mr. Weeks 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. Post and carried by
unanimous favorable roll call vote
the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 88-2006 and convened in
executive session at
RESOLUTION NO. 88-2006
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
Personnel Matters
Potential Litigation
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded
by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee reconvened the Regular
Committee meeting at
OEM Coordinator
Appointment - (Resolution 88A-2006)
Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded
by Mr. Weeks and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote the Township Committee appointed Warren
Gabriel, OEM Coordinator, term expiring on September 30, 2009, at a salary of
$5000.00 per year.
Having no further business to come before the Committee, a
motion was made by Mr. Weeks seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried
by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved ___________________________
Patricia Schriver, Mayor