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 Eric Bernstein, Clerk Karen Sandorse and 6 members of the public.
Mayor Piazza thanked the DPW, the Police, the Fire Department, the Rescue Squad and the Electric Company for working so hard to pull the Township through the October 28, 2008 snowstorm and for getting the roads open so quickly. It was a very rough storm and all efforts were appreciated.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the October 15, 2008 regular meeting minutes as written.
AYES: Schriver, Post, Morrison, Weeks ABSTAIN: Piazza
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the October 15, 2008 executive session meeting minutes as written. AYES: Schriver, Post, Morrison, Weeks ABSTAIN: Piazza
ORDINANCE
Introduction
.
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee introduced Ordnance No. 2008-11. (as entitled below)
ORDINANCE NO. 2008-11
STATE OF NEW
AN ORDINANCE TO
REVISE, AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT
THE CODE OF THE
CHAPTER 330, ENTITLED “SUBDIVISION OF LAND”, SPECIFICALLY
SECTION 330-35, TITLED “IMPROVEMENTS”
Public Hearing to be held on December 17, 2008.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No.
96-2008 – Awarding Contract For Rock
Salt
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 96-2008 as written below.
STATE OF NEW
RESOLUTION NO. 96-2008
RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR
ROCK SALT
WHEREAS, the Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded a master contract to Atlantic Sale, Inc (Rock Salt) on October 21, 2008 to provide rock salt for the County and members of the Cooperative Pricing System for Ice Control Materials Bid No. 2008-35 for the 08/09 season, and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee has requested to participate in the Cooperative Pricing System for Snow and Ice Control Materials with the anticipation of purchasing 1200 tons of Rock Salt, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by
the Township Committee of the
Atlantic Salt, Inc. Rock Salt $67.80 per ton
Mayor Piazza stated that
OLD BUSINESS
DPW Supervisor Request to Seek Bids for New Mason Dump
Truck
Motion by Mr. Post,
seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee authorized the DPW Supervisor to seek Bids for a new Mason Dump Truck.
DPW Supervisor Request to Seek Bids for Road Materials
and Heating and Automotive Fuel
Motion by Ms. Schriver,
seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township
Committee authorized the DPW Supervisor to seek
bids road materials and Heating and Automotive Fuel.
Police Chief Request to Purchase Two Radar Units
Motion by Mr. Post,
seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by favorable roll call vote, the
Township Committee approved the Police Chief’s request to Purchase Two Radar Units subject to the availability
of funds and upon receipt of at least two additional quotes.
Township Recycling Coordinator
Mayor Piazza stated that Paul
Jones is the Township Recycling Coordinator. State law is now mandating that he
attend additional classes. The Mayor is not sure if Paul wishes to continue
with the position. The Clerk will speak
to Paul.
NEW BUSINESS
Tony Hendra – Block 65
Mr.
Post stated that in 2006, Mr. Hendra participated in the sale of a conservation
easement on his property. The partners in the purchase were
Motion by Mr. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried
by favorable roll call vote, the Township
Committee moved not to exercise their Right of First Refusal relative to the
Hendra property Block 65 Lot 19.
Accept Resignation –
Edward Lanzo – Perc Witness
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee accepted the resignation of Edward Lanzo as the Township PercWitness with regret and thanked Ed for his service to the Township.
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee appointed Howard Symonds as Lebanon Township Perc Witness.
Approve
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post and carried
by favorable roll call vote, the Township
Committee approved a Voorhees High School PTSA Raffle Application
for an event to take place on April 28, 2009.
.
Approve Blue Light Application
– Sandra Singer Rauschenberger
Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Post, and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Blue Light Application for Sandra Singer Rauschenberger.
Approve Blue Light
Application – Urszula Acevedo
Motion by Mr. Morrison, seconded by Ms. Schriver, and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Blue Light Application for Urszula Acevedo.
Mayor Piazza stated that the Highlands Council has adopted
their Regional Master Plan. Also, COAH’s
Fair Housing Act was amended requiring municipalities to submit revised Housing
Elements and Fair Share Plans by December 31, 2008. On September 5, 2008, Governor Corzine issued
Executive Order 114 telling the two agencies to coordinate the planning
objectives and come up with a plan that works. The Order also requires the
agencies to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding by November 4, 2008. The Mayor received a letter from Eileen Swan,
Highlands Council Executive Director, saying that 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 15, 2008 bill list in the amount of $1,169,362.12.
CORRESPONDENCE
Minutes of the
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.
Ms. Pat Anderson of
Mr. Anthony Casale inquired on the chipping being done in the Township and if the Township is assisting the residents. Mayor Piazza stated that it is not the responsibility of the DPW, however, the DPW Supervisor Paul Jones has informed him that if the residents bring the limbs to the public roadway, they will do their best to chip it. There has been no timeframe given.
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. Post, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 97-2008 and convened in executive session at 7:54 p.m.
RESOLUTION NO. 97-2008
BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of
Public to discuss the following matters:
.
Anticipated or Pending Litigation – Tax Collector
Personnel – Patrol Eric Rautenberg
Negotiations Other
Than Collective Bargaining –
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 8:32 p.m.
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. There was a discussion
and guidance was given to the Township Attorney relative to the drafting of bid
specifications for a cellular tower on municipal property and the Attorney will
deal with it accordingly. There was a brief discussion relative to a personnel
matter involving Patrolman Eric Rautenberg related to National Guard
issues. The Clerk will communicate with
the CFO or Treasurer to find out what the last arrangement was and will bring
it back to the Committee for action in December. There was also a discussion
relative to correspondence involving the Tax Collector. The Committee discussed
various options relative to the comments made by an attorney on behalf of the
Tax Collector’s Association. A majority
of the Governing Body has given direction to the Township Attorney to respond
to such material. No formal action is to be taken at this time.
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 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_______________________________
Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
Approved: December 3, 2008 _____________________________
George Piazza, Mayor