Lebanon Township Committee Minutes of Regular Meeting

November 7, 2007

CALL TO ORDER

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.

FLAG SALUTE

Mayor Post asked everyone to stand for the flag salute.

ROLL CALL

Present - Ed Post Jay Weeks Patricia Schriver

George Piazza Francis Monahan

Absent -

Also Present - Attorney Phil George and Clerk Karen Sandorse and 5 members of the public.

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the October 17, 2007 regular meeting minutes.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the October 17, 2007 executive session minutes.

ORDINANCES

Ordinance No. 2007-14 – Introduction

ORDINANCE NO. 2007-14

TOWNSHIP OF LEBANON

COUNTY OF HUNTERDON

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

AN ORDINANCE REVISING, AMENDING AND SUPPLEMENTING

THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES TO PROVIDE FOR FIRE PROTECTION BY THE LEBANON TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND AUTHORIZING CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL APPLICANTS TO THE LEBANON TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee introduced Ordinance No. 2007-14. (as entitled above)

Public Hearing to be held on December 5, 2007.

Attorney George stated that this ordinance is a requirement for Rescue Squad’s also and Attorney Bernstein’s office has been working on a similar one for the Township First Aid Squad. Attorney George stated that he will speak to the associate in his office who is working on the ordinance to see to it that they have the most current Township agreement with the Squad. The ordinance will be ready for introduction at the December 5, 2007 meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Schedule Police Officer Interviews: Date and Time

The Township Committee scheduled a meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the police officer position. The meeting will be held on December 5, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

Mr. Monahan stated that he will be going on vacation, therefore, unable to work with the Chief to determine which candidates will be interviewed by the Township Committee. The Mayor will work with the Chief to narrow the number down to three.

The Board of Health meeting will be changed to December 19, 2007, if there is a need for business to be conducted. If not, the meeting will be canceled.

Schedule Zoning Officer Interviews: Date and Time

The Township Committee scheduled a meeting for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the Zoning Officer position. The meeting will be held on December 4, 2007 at 5:30 p.m.

The Clerk is to notify the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment so they may be in attendance for the interviewing.

Request for Release of Capital Funds for Message Board– Warren Gabriel

Warren Gabriel has requested the release of Capital Funds to purchase the message board for in front of the Municipal Office. The total cost of the sign with delivery is $19,310.85. The DPW will take care of the installation of the sign.

The Township Committee decided that since the Township has already purchased the mobile sign through the police department it is not necessary at this time to purchase another one.

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee decided to use the existing portable sign to see how it works out.

Authorize the Awarding of Library Roof Bid

Attorney George stated that the Library roof repair project has been advertised for RFP’s and the bid opening will take place tomorrow. There is not another meeting until December 5, 2007, which will bring the project closer to the possibility of bad weather. In order to expedite the awarding of the contract, the Township Committee can adopt a resolution which would authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the contract once reviewed and approved by the Township Engineer and the CFO certifies funds are available.

Resolution No. 71A-2007

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 71A-2007. (as attached)

Authorize the Awarding of Road Materials and Gas, Oil and Diesel Bid

Motion by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Mr. Piazza and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the DPW Liaison, Jay Weeks to work with Paul Jones in reviewing the bids received at the bid opening and to award the contracts. Committee approval will take place at the December 5, 2007 meeting.

Request to Proceed with Municipal Office Air Handler Replacement –

Authorize Mayor and Clerk to Sign Agreement

Mr. Piazza stated that he spoke with Paul Jones regarding the replacement of the air handler in the municipal office. Paul has attempted to obtain quotes from other companies, however, General Conditioning is the only one received at a cost of $6500.00

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the replacement of the Municipal Office air handler by General Conditioning at a cost of $6500.00. This approval is subject to certification of funds.

Hagedorn Hospital

Mayor Post stated that he received correspondence from Deborah Smith, the CEO at Hagedorn Hospital, relative to protocols if one of the clients were to leave the hospital and not return. There was a auto dialer-call chain, that was put in place to contact residents if such an event should occur. Ms. Smith is asking for the Township’s assistance in getting the word out to the residents if they should choose to participate in the call chain. The Clerk will have the information placed on the website and in the newsletter.

Dutch Hill Road Project

Mr. Monahan stated that he would like to publicly thank the Township Road Department and the State of New Jersey, for the grant, for the installation of storm drains on Dutch Hill Road. Now his house no longer gets flooded. It rained hard and the system worked very well. The road has been paved and there is just a little touch up left for the job to be complete.

NEW BUSINESS

CWA Request to be Closed: 12/24/2007 and 12/31/2007

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the CWA request to close the Township Offices and DPW on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. All employees are to use their own time for half of each day.

Approve Blue Light Permit Applications – Paul Lagarenne & Kyle Anastasio

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the blue light applications for Paul Lagarenne & Kyle Anastasio.

Request to Advertise for Sale of Surplus Materials (Vehicles)

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the DPW Supervisor to advertise for the Sale of Surplus as listed below:

Minimum Bid

2003 Crown Victoria Police Car $ 1,500.00

Vin # 2FAFP71W93X124992

96,665 Miles

1992 Dodge Ram P/U with Plow $ 500.00

Vin # 1B7KM36Z8NS577813

177,705 Miles

1988 Chevy C-30 2wd Ambulance $ 500.00

Vin # 1GBJR34W1JJ132520

103,987 Miles

Chief Mattson – Sagem Morpho Inc. Maintenance Agreement Option

Chief Mattson sent a letter to the Committee informing them that the one year warranty will soon expire for the Sagem Morpho electronic fingerprinting machine, which was purchased in 2006. The Chief stated that it was just brought to his attention that the annual maintenance agreement will cost $4,000.00 per year and will increase 5% every year thereafter. A service call without a maintenance agreement would cost $150.00 per hour with a 6 hour minimum, plus parts. Chief Mattson stated that it is his decision not to enter into the maintenance agreement as it is excessive and not cost effective in the long run.

The Township Committee agreed with Chief Mattson’s decision.

William Swartz – Stormwater Runoff

Mr. William Swartz of 15 Glenside Trail came before the Committee to inform them of a stormwater runoff problem he is having on his property. Mr. Swartz stated that the problem stems from the development of three new homes along Route 513 just north of Dan-ly Way.

During heavy rains the water from the three properties accumulates at the bottom the three yards and is then channeled northward until it exits from the back of the third yard onto his and his neighbor’s property. The water is severely damaging a large portion of the roadway.

Paul Jones and Steve Risse will look into the matter and report back to the Committee with his recommendations.

Approve Raffle Application – Voorhees High School PTSA

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved a Raffle Application for Voorhees High School PTSA. Raffle will be held on February 1, 2008.

PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS

Committee Members provided a description of vouchers exceeding $1000.00.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved the November 7, 2007 bill list in the amount of $1,102,062.23.

CORRESPONDENCE

OEM Coordinator Warren Gabriel – First Year of Service Report

Chief Mattson – 2003 Ford Crown Victoria, Removed From Service

Tax Collector’s Report for the Month of October 2007

Garden Manager Sandy Phelps – Summary of 2007 Garden Projects

LT Historians Meeting Minutes of October 4, 2007

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.

Ms. Nancy Darios inquired on why the speed limit flashing lights are not working in front of the Township schools. The Clerk will contact the Board of Education.

Clerk Sandorse requested that the Library hours be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving.

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver 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 Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee approved Resolution No. 72-2007 and convened in executive session.

TOWNSHIP OF LEBANON

RESOLUTION NO. 72-2007

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:

Land Acquisition

Potential Litigation – 29 Sharrer Road

Motion by Mr. Piazza, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee reconvened the Regular Committee meeting at 8:33 p.m.

Attorney George stated that Committee discussed the procedures that are involved and the potential risk of litigation against and proactively in regard to declaring the property at 29 Sharrer Road as unsafe. A determination was made that some action will need to be taken on public record to move forward. Also discussed was the current status of negotiations on the Pelio property acquisition, which are still pending and are not at the stage where they are public under the Open Space Preservation Act or under the MLUA under acquisition.

Motion by Ms. Schriver, seconded by Mr. Monahan and carried by favorable roll call vote, the Township Committee authorized the Township Engineer to do a site investigation at 29 Sharrer Road and to also pursue with the DEP any conditions of potential demolition or condemnation. In addition the Township Attorney is to proceed with a notice provisions under the construction code for declaring the building unsafe and giving notice. AYES: Piazza, Post, Schriver, Monahan NAYS: Weeks

ADJOURN

Having no further business to come before the Committee, a motion was made by Mr. Monahan, seconded by Ms. Schriver and carried by unanimous favorable roll call vote to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

_______________________________

Karen J. Sandorse, RMC/CMC

Municipal Clerk

Approved ___________________________

Edward L. Post III, Mayor