Mount Olive Township Council Meetings

TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES - APRIL 8, 2008

The Regular Public Meeting of the Mount Olive Township Council was called to Order at 9:41pm by Council President Perkins with the Pledge of Allegiance.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF REFLECTION for all those who have and continue to protect our freedoms and our way of life.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT
According to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been given to the Mount Olive Chronicle. Notice has been posted at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Mount Olive Township, New Jersey and notices were sent to those requesting the same.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mr. Perkins, Mr. Roman, Mr. Tobey, Mrs. Labow,
Mr. Rattner, Mr. Tepper, Mr. Greenbaum (present but not in room)

Absent: none

Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; Bill Sohl, Business Administrator; Sherry Jenkins, CFO; John Dorsey, Township Attorney; Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk

Questions on Bill List? - none

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

President Perkins: That takes us to approval of Minutes of previous meetings which would have been Mr. Greenbaum, but he’s chosen to stay in the hall.

Mr. Tepper: Mr. President, I will move for approval of:

February 16, 2008 Budget Hearing – all present
February 23, 2008 Budget Hearing – all present
March 11, 2008 WS, PM & CS – Mr. Rattner Absent
March 25, 2008 WS – all present & March 25, 2008 PM - all present except R. Greenbaum abstained

Mrs. Labow: Second.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Greenbaum was not present to vote, and Mr. Rattner abstained from the March 11th WS, PM and CS

CORRESPONDENCE

LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS/ORGANIZATIONS

1. Letter received March 25, 2008, from Temple Hatikvah regarding a public “Speakers Series.” PDF Correspondence

RESOLUTIONS / ORDINANCES / CORRESPONDENCE OTHER TOWNS

2. Resolution received April 1, 2008, from Lauren Kirkman regarding a stay on Third Round COAH Proposals. PDF Correspondence

3. Resolution received April 2, 2008, from the Borough of Beechwood regarding opposing the Governor’s Proposed State Budget for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year for its Failure to Treat Property Relief as a Priority. PDF Correspondence

4. Resolution received April 3, 2008, from the Township of Mountville regarding Support of A1265. PDF Correspondence

5. Resolution received April 4, 2008, from the Borough of Peapack and Gladstone Opposing the Governor’s Proposed State Budget for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year for its Failure to Treat Property Relief as a Priority. PDF Correspondence

NJ MOTOR VEHICLE

6. Letter received March 27, 2008, from New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission regarding Petition for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Conduct of Regular Route Operations by NJMVC Docket No. 08008. PDF Correspondence
DCA

7. E-mail received March 20, 2008, from Department of Community Affairs regarding CY 2008 Budget Updates. PDF Correspondence

MUA / MSA

8. List of allocations received April 2, 2008, from the Musconetcong Sewerage Authority regarding participating municipalities in the 4.31 MGD Water Pollution Control Plant. PDF Correspondence

DOT / DEP / LOI / HIGHLANDS

9. Letter received March 24, 2008, from Careaga Engineering Inc. regarding an application for a flood hazard area permit for James Lum, Block 6900, Lot 13 (11 River Road). PDF Correspondence

10. Letter received March 24, 2008, from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding 2008 Clean Communities Entitlement. PDF Correspondence

11. Letter received March 26, 2008, from the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation regarding applications for Municipal Aid, Bikeway, Centers of Place, Historic Bridge, and Safe Streets to Transit Program. PDF Correspondence

12. Letter received March 28, 2008, from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding Dr. Parminderjeet Sandhu, Gas Station, Block 7702, Lot 44 (341 Route 46) Agency Determination: Highlands Act – Exempt, Water Quality Management Plan – Consistent. PDF Correspondence

13. Information received March 31, 2008, from PMK Group Consulting and Environmental Engineers regarding NJDEP Stormwater General Permits Approaching Deadline. PDF Correspondence

14. Application received April 2, 2008, from Nusbaum, Stein, Goldstein, Bronstein & Kron regarding Ciel West Lake Properties, LLC, Block 7702, Lot 21 (325 Route 46, Budd Lake) PDF Correspondence

15. Letter received April 3, 2008, from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding Agency Determination , Highlands Act – Not Exempt for Morris Chase (a/k/a Dyrham Wood, Formerly Golden Mills – Phases I & II, Block 4400, Lot 79 (64 Goldmine Road) PDF Correspondence

16. Letter received April 4, 2008, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding Site Investigation report for 100 International Drive, Mount Olive. PDF Correspondence

UTILITIES

17. Letter received March 24, 2008, from New Jersey American Water regarding “Newsdrop”, An update concerning Issues in the Water Industry. PDF Correspondence

18. Fax received March 27, 2008, from Comcast regarding On Demand Access. PDF Correspondence

19. Letter received April 1, 2008, from the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury regarding Notice to All Solid Waste Facilities and Haulers regarding the effective date of the recycling tax imposition. PDF Correspondence

MORRIS COUNTY

20. Minutes received March 27, 2008, from the Morris County Planning Board regarding the February 21, 2008 meeting. PDF Correspondence

COAH

21. Letter received March 24, 2008, from Remington & Vernick Engineers regarding COAH’s Growth Share Methodology. PDF Correspondence

LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES

22. Seminar Information received March 27, 2008, from the Morris County League of Municipalities regarding “Command Vehicle, M.C. Recycling Update, and Water Infrastructure – Successful Strategies for Local Leadership.” PDF Correspondence

LETTERS FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES

23. Letter received March 28, 2008, from United States Senate regarding the Economic Stimulus Package. PDF Correspondence

24. Letter received April 2, 2008, from Senator Oroho regarding Special Municipal Aid, “Don’t Punish Municipalities that Operate Efficiently.” PDF Correspondence

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

President Perkins: I believe we have 24 pieces of Correspondence. Did anyone want to discuss any piece of Correspondence that was submitted? We’ll accept the Correspondence. That takes us to ordinances for public hearing. Let’s see, where are we? It takes a while. You’ve got to flip the page. I open the hearing to the public on Ord. #13-2008, entitled:

Ord. #13-2008 An Ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend and Supplement Article II 400-6 “Definitions” and Article V “Design Guidelines and Technical Standards” of Section 400-34 Entitled “Apartments and Townhouses” of the Code of the Township of Mount Olive Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:1E-99.13A Regarding Recycling in MultiFamily Housing.

President Perkins: Mr. Tepper, would you move that please?

Mr. Tepper: Yes, Mr. President, I move Ord. #13-2008 for final approval.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Perkins: Do I have any comments from the public on Ord. #13-2008. Seeing none, do I have any Council comments? Take the Roll, Mrs. Lashway.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Greenbaum was not present.

President Perkins: Ord. #13-2008 has passed on second reading, and I hereby direct the Clerk to forward a copy of same to the Mayor and publish a notice of adoption as required by law. I open the hearing to the public on ordinance #19-2008, entitled:

Ord.#19–2008 An Ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Relating to the Issuance of a Demolition Permit (Amending and Supplementing Section 400-10C of the Code of the Township of Mount Olive). (continue to 4/22/08 meeting)

President Perkins: I open that to the public. Any comments from anybody in the public? Seeing none, I close it to the public. Mr. Tepper, would you move that one also, please?

Mr. Tepper: Yes, Mr. President, I move for adoption and final approval of Ord. #19-2008.

Mrs. Lashway: No, we need you to move to continue it. It’s got to be reviewed by the Planning Board.

Mr. Tepper: Alright, I presume you will, would you like me to bring that up this Thursday?

Mrs. Lashway: It’s already been sent to them.

Mr. Tepper: Alright, then I will move to continue it.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Perkins: Roll Call, Lisa?

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Greenbaum was not present.

President Perkins: I open the hearing to the public on Ord. #21-2008, entitled:

Ord.#21-2008 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive Establishing Salaries of Mayor, Council, Department Heads, Supervisory Personnel and Employees of the Township Clerk’s Office for the Year 2008. (defeat or table)

President Perkins: I open it to the public. Seeing none, Mr. Roman, would you move that to defeat it or table it, please?

Mr. Roman: I move to defeat Ord. #21-2008.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Perkins: Roll Call, please?

Mrs. Lashway: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: I’m going to abstain on that since I was out of the room and I didn’t hear the discussion.

ROLL CALL – Defeated with the exception Mr. Greenbaum abstained and Mr. Tobey voted no

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING – (Public Hearing April 22, 2008)

President Perkins: That takes us to ordinances for first reading. The next item on the Agenda for first reading is:

Ord. #20-2008 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive Establishing Recreation Fees for Various Township Sponsored Recreational Activities.

President Perkins: Mr. Greenbaum, could you introduce that, please?

Mr. Greenbaum: I move Ord. #20-2008 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Mount Olive, NJ for a public hearing consideration of said reading and passage of said ordinance and that the Clerk be directed to publish, post and make available such ordinance in accordance with the requirements of law.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Perkins: Thank you, Roll Call, Mrs. Lashway.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Perkins: The next item on the Agenda for first reading is Ord. #22-2008, entitled:

Ord.#22-2008 An Ordinance of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Relative to 2008 Salaries for Department Heads, Supervisors and Employees of the Township Clerk’s Office.

President Perkins: Mr. Greenbaum, would you move that, please?

Mr. Greenbaum: I move Ord. #22-2008 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Mount Olive, NJ for a public hearing consideration of said reading and passage of said ordinance and that the Clerk be directed to publish, post and make available such ordinance in accordance with the requirements of law.

President Perkins: Do I have a second?

Mr. Roman: Second.

President Perkins: Council discussion? Roll Call, Mrs. Lashway.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Roman, Mrs. Labow, and Mr. Rattner voted no

Mr. Tobey: Did you forget me?

Mr. Tepper: You forgot Mr. Tobey.

Mrs. Lashway: Mr. Tobey, I’m sorry.

Mr. Tobey: Yes.

Mr. Tepper: Otherwise it fails.

President Perkins: You got that?

Mrs. Lashway: Yes, sorry.

President Perkins: That’s alright. It’s been that kind of a night. The next item on the Agenda is Ord. #23-2008, entitled:

Ord.#23-2008 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive Establishing Salaries of Mayor, Council, Department Heads, Supervisory Personnel and Employees of the Township Clerk’s Office for the Year 2008.

President Perkins: Mr. Roman, would you move that, please? Mr. Roman?

Mrs. Labow: It’s your turn.

Mr. Tepper: It’s my fault. I apologize, Mr. President. I’m trying to understand the difference between Ord. #22-2008 and Ord. #23-2008.

Mrs. Labow: Yes.

Mr. Tobey: And 21.

Mrs. Lashway: Ord. #22-2008 is the merit or the stipend and Ord. #23-008 is…

President Perkins: Ord. #23-2008 is the revised.

Mrs. Labow: Do you want to revote the…

President Perkins: Ord. #23-2008 is the amended standard salary increase.

Mr. Tepper: But what I have here is Ord. #21-2008 in front of me which doesn’t reflect at all for ordinance of first, it’s on the top, which we tabled…

Mrs. Labow: It was in…

President Perkins: That’s defeated.

Mr. Tepper: We defeated that and the other one replaced changes in the salary, which is…

Mrs. Labow: It was not in the same order in the packet.

Mr. Roman: This one is replacing that one.

Mr. Tepper: So what is Ord. #20-2008…?

Mrs. Lashway: Ord. #23-2008 is the new one as amended.

President Perkins: Ord. #23-2008 is a new amended.

Mrs. Labow: The way it was in the packet…

Mr. Tepper: Then I apologize because I would ask then that you revote Ord. #22-2008.

Mrs. Labow: The way it was in the packet, it’s not in the same order as on the list. It was not in order, that’s why I think there was a little bit of confusion.

Mrs. Lashway: Ord. #20-2008, Ord. #22-2008, 22 is the bonuses and 23 is the regular salary ordinance.

Mr. Tepper: There’s 19, 21, 23.

Mr. Tobey: But we defeated 21.

Mrs. Labow: Yes, I almost did the same thing.

Mr. Tepper: Yes, that’s why I voted the way I did.

Mrs. Labow: Because I was looking at the Agenda and they were sort of out of order. 21 was, it was in numerical order but it shouldn’t have been.

Mrs. Lashway: Well, no, Ord. #21-2008 was on for public hearing.

Mr. Tobey: And we defeated it.

Mrs. Lashway: And it was defeated. So it’s in order of the business. It might not be numerical order but it’s in order of the business.

Mrs. Labow: But what I’m saying in my packet it was numerical order instead of order in the Agenda.

Mrs. Lashway: I’m surprised because I have my packet right here and mine is correct.

Mrs. Labow: I know, because I’m thinking, what is this? So I had to move mine around because it was in numerical order instead of in order of the Agenda. That’s what happened to Russell’s too.

Mr. Roman: Yes, okay I see it.

Mrs. Labow: And Alex’s too?

Mr. Tepper: It’s the same thing.

Mr. Roman: No, no I didn’t…

Mr. Tepper: Whatever.

Mrs. Lashway: Ord. #21-2008is dead. Ord. #22-2008 is reintroduced for first reading. Ord. #23-2008…

Mr. Tepper: Alright, it was first reading. It’s got to come back for second reading and I can vote appropriately at that time. I’ll leave it as it is.

Mrs. Labow: He thought he was voting on a different ordinance.

Mr. Dorsey: Alright, somebody has to move Ord. #23-2008.

Mr. Roman: Then I apologize. I move that Ord. #23-2008 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on April 22nd, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road, Mount Olive, NJ for a public hearing consideration of said reading and passage of said ordinance and that the Clerk be directed to publish, post and make available such ordinance in accordance with the requirements of law.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Perkins: Council discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

CONSENT RESOLUTIONS AGENDA:

Resolutions on the Consent Agenda List are considered to be routine and non-controversial by the Township Council and will be approved by one motion (one vote). There will be no separate discussion or debate on each of these resolutions except for the possibility of brief clarifying statements that may be offered. If one or more Council member requests, any individual resolution on the Consent Agenda may be removed from the Consent Agenda List and acted on separately.

CONSENT RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Budd Lake First Aid & Rescue Squad to Sell Excess Equipment (amended resolution adopted 3/25/08). PDF Resolution

2. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Relative to the Mount Olive Carnival (7/23/08-7/27/07) and Mount Olive Community Week (7/24/08) and Rain Date (7/27/08). PDF Resolution

3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Relative to Mount Olive Carnival Week (7/23/08-7/28/08) and Mount Olive Community Week with Fireworks Scheduled for (7/26/08) and Rain Date (7/27/08). PDF Resolution

4. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Commending Detective Peter Yagiello on His Years of Service and His Retirement from the Mount Olive Township Police Department. PDF Resolution

5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Commending Officer Robert Scholtz on His 32 Years of Service and His Retirement from the Mount Olive Township Police Department. PDF Resolution

6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Execution of a Developer’s Agreement Based on Final Site Plan Approval Between the Township of Mount Olive and Paragano Commercial, LLC.

7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Opposing the Governors Proposed State Budget for the 2008-2009 Fiscal Year and Requesting the State Government Take Affirmative Action to Restore Program Funding Sufficient to Honor State Statutes and Their Stated Commitment to the Cause of Property Tax Relief in all New Jersey Municipalities.

8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Submission of a Tonnage Grant Application to the State of New Jersey.

9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of a Grant Balance of $600 for the Baptist Church Stabilization.

10. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Renegotiated Lease Agreement with CBS Outdoor for Bill Board Panels 2650 and 2753 Located on Township Property at the Clover Hill Treatment Plant.

President Perkins: With that, are there any…

Mrs. Lashway: Mr. Paragano asked that this be amended. This is the name of the new company that is going to enter into the developer’s agreement. Paramount Plaza, LLC Resolution #6. So we want to vote on… Resolution #6 is being amended.

Mr. Tepper: I don’t have that on mine.

Mrs. Labow: It’s on your last page.

Mr. Roman: It should be on Non Consent.

President Perkins: Alright, Consent Resolution #6 is being amended. It’s changing from Paragano Commercial, LLC to Paramount Plaza, LLC.

Mrs. Lashway: Same principal.

President Perkins: Everything else stays the same. It’s the same principal, just a company name change.

Mrs. Labow: #5.

Mr. Dorsey: #6.

Mrs. Labow: No, no I’m asking to have Resolution #5 removed.

President Perkins: Anything else.

Mr. Rattner: What about Resolution #4?

President Perkins: What about #4? You don’t want that one too?

Mrs. Labow: Oh yes, Resolution #4 also. Resolutions #4 and 5 please.

President Perkins: Anyone else have any others to move off? Seeing none, alright, Mrs. Labow, would you move Consent Resolutions one through three and six through ten, please?

Mrs. Labow: I move resolutions one through three and six through ten for approval.

Mr. Tepper: Second.

President Perkins: Roll Call, please.

PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS - none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS - none

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT

President Perkins: That moves us to Non Consent Resolution #4. Mrs. Labow, would you move that, please?

Mrs. Labow: I move Resolution #4 please.

Mr. Roman: Second.

PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS - none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS

Mrs. Labow: The reason why I asked to have this, oh… Do you want me to explain why?

President Perkins: Yes.

Mrs. Labow: The reason why I wanted to have Resolutions #4 and #5 removed is because when we have officers that have retired, I just feel that we should kind of take a moment to spend a little special attention instead of just voting it through in one lump with a bunch of other ones. I wanted to thank Detective Peter Yagiello for all of his years of service, and I wish him, as I’m sure the rest of the Council and the Mayor and Administration wish him the best in his retirement, and thank him for all of his years of service.

President Perkins: And did you want to do the same with Resolution #5?

Mrs. Labow: And I want to also do the same, I didn’t know if you want me to do it separate or not. Officer Robert Scholtz, his 32 years of service, and it’s an honor to have been able to work with both of these gentleman and I wish them the best.

Mr. Rattner: Second.

President Perkins: Yes, take a vote.

Mr. Tepper: You’re moving four and five simultaneously?

Mrs. Labow: We’re going to move four and five together.

President Perkins: Yes, four and five together please, Lisa.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Perkins: That moves us down to resolutions under Non Consent. We have one and that’s Resolution #11. Mr. Tepper, would you move that please?

Mr. Tepper: I have a question first before I move that.

President Perkins: Yes sir.

Mr. Tepper: I’d like to understand the need for it, in that the Council can expand, I understand the logic of having Mrs. Uhrmann being responsible. She has to draw a line in the sand as to how long she’ll accept monies for putting memorials or bricks or whatever out there. After it’s handed over to the Town, it’s the Township’s obligation to maintain this and to manage it in whatever fashion it so desires. So, I don’t understand why the Township needs a resolution to manage its own actions.

President Perkins: Mr. Sohl?

Mr. Sohl: Okay, sure, I mean, because from the perspective of the Administration as well as, you know, we don’t want to add additional bricks.

Mr. Tepper: Alright, if someone came two years from now and went to the Administration and said that you have the opportunity to say no. By the same token, if someone suffered a serious loss two years from now, or had a lot of people join, the whole family, five brothers or whatever, you would have the opportunity if you so chose, to add it. I mean, no one can force you to do so, but I don’t think that the Township needs to give a resolution to accomplish its maintenance or management of a park.

Mr. Sohl: Well we’re not managing. It’s not to manage the Park. It’s to define the limits of the Memorial itself that this is the point. It’s been advertised for years. The time has come to put the stake in the ground, and that’s it.

Mr. Tepper: I agree from Mrs. Uhrmann’s perspective that absolutely there has to be something drawn.

Mr. Sohl: We don’t want Administration doing it either.

Mr. Tepper: Once it’s handed over to the Town it’s like any other thing within the Town. An easy example would be that we moved the Memorial from where it was to here. There may be something down the road and you wouldn’t have to pass a resolution or repeal a resolution to manage that. It’s simply something that the Administration can choose to do or not do, and I don’t think that it requires a resolution. You can make a decision I’m not going to do it. You could make a decision you’d like to. I just think you don’t…

Mr. Sohl: But I may not be here some day, and the Mayor.

Mr. Tepper: That’s my point. Why should we, as a Council now, hinder a future Council or a future Administration by law?

Mayor Scapicchio: Point of order, Ray?

President Perkins: Mr. Mayor.

Mayor Scapicchio: The resolution hasn’t been introduced.

Mr. Tepper: Right.

Mayor Scapicchio: There’s no reason to have any discussion. It’s inappropriate at this point in time.

President Perkins: Thank you, Mayor.

Mr. Tepper: Okay, I will now introduce Non Consent Resolution #11.

11. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Designating the All Veterans Memorial to be a Non-Expandable Memorial.* added 4/7/08

President Perkins: Do I have a second?

Mr. Tobey: Second.

President Perkins: Mr. Tepper, did you want to continue any further now that it’s been properly introduced?

Mr. Tepper: I think my comment has been made, and the Mayor is right. I should have waited until after it had been introduced. I had wanted to have discussion of it. I still believe that there’s not a need to have it and that the Township has the ability to manage this as it deems appropriate.

Mrs. Labow: I have a question.

President Perkins: Mrs. Labow?

Mrs. Labow: How many bricks are we talking for this part of the project? Is this just the pentagon with the commemorative bricks?

Mr. Sohl: It’s the circle with all of the pavers.

Mrs. Labow: The circle with all the pavers, but there’s other pavers. There’s presidential pavers at another part.

Mr. Sohl: That’s all going out, right Charlie?

Mrs. Labow: So, for the pentagon part, how many pavers are there all total?

Mr. Sohl: I don’t have that number in my head.

Mr. Roman: I would request that since Mrs. Uhrmann is here in attendance maybe we can ask her those questions.

President Perkins: I mean, Mrs. Uhrmann, are you prepared to tell us the number of pavers that are total within the entire, and if so would you…

Mrs. Uhrmann: I will tell you our formula.

Mr. Tepper: But what, I guess the point is what does that matter?

President Perkins: It doesn’t.

Mrs. Labow: Because if there’s blank ones.

Mr. Tepper: No, I don’t think that it does matter.

Mrs. Labow: No, it would just be interesting to know.

Mr. Tepper: I candidly don’t think that the number, it’s just the issue if the Council five years from now, or the Administration five years from now…

Mrs. Uhrmann: Russ, let me explain.

Mr. Tepper: Okay.

President Perkins: No, hang on.

Mr. Tepper: Well, no, you see you’re entitled to do what you want to do while it’s yours. After it’s handed over to the Town it’s the Township’s to manage. We’ve had that. That was handed out at the Planning Board and that was handed out here. I understand what that is and I fully agree that there has to be a line drawn in the sand for what’s accepted.

President Perkins: And Russ, if I can ask that and you’ve adequately put it, anything that we pass as a resolution by this body that’s now duly elected and sitting here, us that may not be here in four years, three years, or two years, may view this entirely differently and come back and say that we want to expand this Memorial and we want to add pavers. That would be up to the body that controls the parks at that time, so that would be easy to change.

Mr. Tepper: I agree, Ray. I’m trying to leave the authorization to manage this to the department of Parks and Grounds and the Administration, and not require a decision or a resolution by a Council for them to decide that it’s appropriate. I don’t think the Township as such has to have that in its managing. We have no other entity that we manage in such a way. Now, I fully agree and support Charlie’s decision, Mrs. Uhrmann’s decision to say at this point in time I need to know for the design, and I accept “x” number of names. I just don’t think the Township needs to do it by resolution. We’re passing a law that we don’t need to pass and it’s just another ordinance being done, or resolution being done.

President Perkins: Mrs. Uhrmann, would you like to give Colleen, Mrs. Labow, the number of pavers?

Mrs. Uhrmann: Yes, in the middle you will see the monument. Hypothetically, there’s a family who loses a loved one in wartime. We have the monument itself to inscribe our local families’ names. When you look, surrounding the monument you will see a pentagon area. They’re divided in five different sections. Each section will consist of, how we did the formula is we took the largest number of pavers and what we did we doubled it. Each section is going to have 800 pavers and none of the pavers that are being in place are going to, which is going to be the branch. It’s going to be the Army. None of the pavers are going to have one paver touch another. So it’s going to be divided by a blank paver. The reason why we are asking for this resolution right now is that the Army section of the pentagon is full. It’s done. It’s finished. I received several calls from area residents that are under the impression by what they were told that they would be able to purchase pavers ongoing. I spoke with my landscaper because the property was not properly graded in the very beginning for the ground to heave. The All Veterans Memorial has purchased twice as much QP as would have been regular to set these pavers. If these pavers are disturbed, it will compromise the bed of the All Veterans Memorial. What we’re trying to do is a set a precedent here that we have literally, every person has had an opportunity, especially in the Mount Olive area, to purchase these pavers. We have had 13 newspaper articles. We’ve had direct mails. We’ve hit every American Legion in the State of New Jersey. We’ve hit every VFW. We have hit even the senior citizen services. We have solicited them. I have done two solid years of constant solicitation. There’s a time where we’re going to have to say that we’re done and it is a memorial ground. It is non-expandable. We started this project stating that it was a non-expandable memorial ground. People who purchased pavers were under the understanding that when they placed their entire family in this memorial ground, it will not be disturbed. When you hear other people out there saying, “I’m purchasing pavers later,” that’s unfair to the people that I have sent applications back. I said I’m sorry. The deadline was December 15th. I placed the order on December 30th. This simply wouldn’t be fair, and especially when it would literally compromise the integrity of the entire project. The project is finished. The design of the project, and I discussed this with Mayor Scapicchio and Councilman Phil Tobey and Business Administrator Bill Sohl, I stated that this memorial ground is going to be as big as the community will support it at the time we are soliciting. That was the deal. Otherwise I would have been more than happy to take the County up and taken the Memorial out to the County, over to Greystone. I kept it here in Mount Olive and I said, the deal is that this Memorial will be as big as the community can support it. It is done. That is how we have established, the Army section is how we established the size of the Memorial. We then put a border around it so it cannot be removed. So the people who have had their applications sent back, you know, I’ve apologized to them. It was two years. I’ve given them the opportunity, but if anybody in the future opens this up it’s not going to be fair to the people who wanted to participate. It’s not going to be fair to the people who are under the strict understanding that this is a memorial ground and it’s not expandable. This has been since day one I have stated that this was going to be non-expandable. If we got two pavers that would have been the size of the All Veterans Memorial. As it stands, it’s approximately 6,000 square feet and I don’t want this Memorial compromised or tampered with. This is, you know, this took a lot of work on my behalf and I’ll be darned if I’m going to start seeing pavers lifted up and replaced. The presidential preamble area is complete. All the presidents have been designated and then the same thing with the Operation Iraqi Freedom Bridge. It’s done. It’s finished. The reason for the resolution is because there are several people out there that have been told by the Township that, oh, you can get it afterwards. It wouldn’t be fair, and I know the hardscaper who is going to donate a lot of his work. He is very upset to think that the Township will then turn around, this is not maintenance, Mr. Tepper. This is about a memorial ground, a sacred memorial ground that people who were interested at the time where it was available, they took part in it and they trusted that it was going to be a non-expandable memorial ground. This has nothing to do with maintenance.

Mr. Tepper: I didn’t raise maintenance.

Mrs. Uhrmann: Yes you did.

Mr. Tepper: Mrs. Uhrmann, I’m not going to argue with you. I’m raising the point that if the Township so chose to allow people who weren’t involved, who moved into Town after this is done, to subsequently want to add names of people who have served in the Armed Forces, that would be the prerogative of the Town. That is all that I am saying.

Mrs. Uhrmann: So you think then, and you go into the Washington, D.C. area you just want to dig up a body in Mount, in Arlington Cemetery, and that’s just the prerogative. There’s got to be something…

Mr. Tepper: Mrs. Uhrmann, you’re raising points that are irrelevant, number one. Number two…

Mrs. Uhrmann: There’s got to be something sacred in this Town, Mr. Tepper.

Mr. Tepper: Number two, Mrs. Uhrmann, there are a great deal of things that happen in Arlington Cemetery that change, that is done, and it is done by the CB Construction Battalion of which my brother’s son is in. So I know they do things. They constantly modify memorials and add things to them. The point is not to touch the intent, the point is not to denigrate what you’re trying to accomplish. The point is to allow the Township to have the flexibility if it so desires, to add additional names. That’s all.

Mrs. Uhrmann: Well then fine then, you know what? I have to tell you if this is something that would offend me, I would be a liar to all of the other people who understood newspaper articles that I brought here, made it perfectly clear this is not expandable. If that is your position, then perhaps this Township has a real issue with the people who trusted that this how we were going to go about it, and now all of a sudden we’re going to change our minds. I don’t agree with you, Mr. Tepper. My word is exactly the way it’s going to stand, and if this is the way it is, and the hardscaper said the same thing. If he’s putting this Memorial in and you’re going to have a bunch of people pulling pavers out and putting them back in, and it’s going to compromise it…

Mr. Tepper: I don’t think anyone is talking about pulling pavers out and putting pavers back in.

Mrs. Uhrmann: Well how would you add names to a pentagon area which is enclosed?

Mr. Tepper: I didn’t say they were going to go to the pentagon area. I said within the overall Memorial. You’re putting words in my mouth. You didn’t ask where I proposed putting them in, you just made a statement. I said adding or modifying that exhibit at all. If you go back to that, the people who donated or put in the original Memorial never intended it to be moved off of Route 46. There are things that change. I am just saying that the Township should have the ability to manage it. This will become the Township’s and it will be the Township’s Memorial. We appreciate the fact of what has been done. When your son presented it to the Planning Board, it was a great plan. It seems to have grown from that quite a bit and it is still a good plan, but it doesn’t mean that it’s exactly going to stay the way one person says it’s going to stay. It may have a change and that is all that I was pointing out. I am not trying to change your plan. I am not trying to change your design.

Mr. Uhrmann: Oh, excuse me. It’s not mine, Mr. Tepper, okay. Get over that.

President Perkins: Alright, Mrs. Uhrmann, I’m going to close debate on this.

Mrs. Labow: I have a question.

President Perkins: Let’s get a Roll Call on the resolution that’s out there. I mean, we all understand what the Memorial was put there for. I’m a veteran. There are other veterans that are within close enough earshot. You build a memorial and it’s typically setup not to be modified. It could be expanded to outside…

Mrs. Uhrmann: That’s fine.

Mr. Tepper: That’s all I’m talking about.

President Perkins: …and I believe that is what Mr. Tepper’s point is.

Mr. Tepper: That’s all I’m trying to get across although not being accepted as that.

President Perkins: That’s alright, so, what I’d like to do now, Lisa is would you please…

Mrs. Lashway: Any questions from the public?

President Perkins: Mr. Russell, do you have something to add to this?

Nelson Russell: The resolution as written would not allow the, not the pavers area, but the actual Memorial to have names added to it. So, people killed in Iraq or whatever, we’re not through having wars yet, would not be able to be added to the Memorial as it is written.

Mr. Tepper: The intent, as we’ve always said the intent would be if someone, a resident of the Town, were to pass in a war or action that their name would be added to the Memorial.

President Perkins: Nelson.

Mr. Russell: That’s not the way it’s written.

Mr. Tepper: I understand that.

President Perkins: Nelson, if someone is killed from Mount Olive Township in a war zone situation, then they hold the highest honor by having their name inscribed onto the granite Memorial underneath their branch of service, far be it, I don’t think that anyone passed seeing their name up there from a deceased service member would worry about a paver stone.

Mr. Russell: I fully understand that. As written though, it says that it can’t be added to.

Mr. Tepper: Well, no, it says the paved area. It’s not saying the Memorial proper.

President Perkins: It says the paved area.

Mr. Russell: It says All Veterans, “the All Veterans Memorial Turkey Brook Park to be a non-expandable Memorial that should not be disturbed once completed and dedicated on or about Memorial Day.”

President Perkins: It says that “no future disturbance to the paved areas of the Memorial will occur after the installation.”

Mr. Russell: I don’t see the paved area, I’m looking at the…

President Perkins: The third whereas, Nelson.

Mrs. Labow: I think he’s looking at the fourth one.

Mr. Russell: I’m looking at the therefore be it resolved.

President Perkins: No, go right above that.

Mr. Tepper: This is ridiculous because we’re saying the same thing.

President Perkins: The intent and objective of the planning for the Memorial has been to have the Memorial be sacred and solemn and that no future disturbance to the paved areas of the Memorial will occur after the installation. In other words, nobody wants to go and start prying up paving blocks that are out there to start putting them in.

Mr. Russell: I fully understand that.

President Perkins: As Mr. Tepper said, could we put pavers on either side of that? Could we start another walkway? There’s many things that we can do as the years go by once it’s ours.

Mr. Russell: I understand that and I’m not advocating we do anything with the pavers.

President Perkins: Okay, well, that’s what it says.

Mr. Russell: It’s just the way it’s written. You can’t add anybody to the granite Memorial in the therefore.

President Perkins: Sure you can. The granite Memorial is not paved.

Mr. Roman: …be a non-expandable Memorial.

President Perkins: What?

Mr. Russell: That’s the All Veterans Memorial, is it not?

Mr. Sohl: That’s the centerpiece.

Mr. Tepper: So why don’t you change the “hereby designate the paved area of the All Veterans Memorial to be non-expandable” and then everybody will be then happy.

Mr. Sohl: That’s fine.

Mr. Russell: Paved area, fine, exempt the granite.

President Perkins: Should we… Would that make…

Mr. Tepper: I believe that is what Mr. Russell is looking for and I think that is a rational approach.

President Perkins: Well then can we get a motion to amend that resolution that way, to add that?

Mr. Tepper: So moved.

President Perkins: Do I have a second?

Mr. Rattner: Second.

President Perkins: Roll Call please, on the amended.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Roman and Mrs. Labow voted no

Mr. Tepper: I don’t have a problem with the design.

Mrs. Lashway: Okay, this is a Roll Call on the resolution as amended.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mr. Roman and Mrs. Labow voted no

MOTIONS

President Perkins: That takes us, moving on to, thank goodness, the Motions. Mr. Rattner, can you move the raffle application?

Mr. Rattner: Thank you, Mr. President, I move:

1. Approval of Raffle Application #2248 for the Scandinavian American Heritage Society.

Mr. Tepper: Second.

President Perkins: Roll Call, Lisa.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Perkins: Motion number 2, Mr. Tobey, the approval of Taxi Licenses.

2. Approval of Taxi Licenses for Sohail Anjum (Budd Lake Taxi) and Joseph Scheer (J & L Car Service).

Mr. Tobey: I move Motion number two as presented.

President Perkins: Can I have a second?

Mr. Tepper: Second.

President Perkins: Thank you. Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Perkins: Mr. Tepper, would you move the Bill List, please?

3. Bill List.

Mr. Tepper: Yes, Mr. President, I move for approval of the Bill List.

President Perkins: Second, please.

Mr. Rattner: Second.

President Perkins: Thank you. Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception Mrs. Labow voted no

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS - none

OLD BUSINESS - none

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Rattner: Lisa, have we been contacted by the American Cancer Society regarding the Relay for Life, because I know they’ve been holding meetings and usually we pass a resolution letting them waive the noise ordinance.

Mrs. Lashway: Okay, this is different than the American Heart Walk?

Mrs. Labow: The Relay for Life is on June 14th.

Mr. Rattner: This is the one at the High School.

Mrs. Lashway: No, I haven’t seen any…

Mr. Rattner: Because they said that they don’t even remember doing it last year, but we’ve always done that. I thought we did, but they said they didn’t have one for last year.

Mrs. Labow: Yes, they did.

Mr. Rattner: The person who made the presentation last week, but anyway, okay. I just want to make sure that they get it so we have everything in place.

Mrs. Lashway: Unless they, is there like a team captain? Is it Christie or Joanne Lepre or somebody?

Mr. Rattner: No.

Mrs. Labow: No, but they did it last year. They asked for a waiver to the noise last year, I remember.

President Perkins: Alright, Legal Matters, Mr. Dorsey?

LEGAL MATTERS

Mr. Dorsey: Well, for anyone that may have wondered, Mr. Hashemi’s check which was delivered at 5:30 to Lisa two weeks ago cleared when it was done. That brings the total of collections to $200,000. Now Rose gets so excited when somebody doesn’t submit their payment. By 11:00 she calls up to know whether she can list their property for tax sale. Number two, I’ve sent you all a decision of the DEP as to ARD which the DEP specifically denied ARD a Highlands Exemption, and as I read it, I have to admit these decisions by DEP are rather complex, it was denied because the DEP permit for water and the DEP permit for the discharge of sewerage was only large enough, or great enough to cover Morris Hunt and Morris Chase, not including the track still controlled by ARD. Now, I cannot imagine that ARD who lawyers up real good in these cases is finished. I suspect that they will either appeal the decision of the DEP to the Appellate Division or in some way attempt to appeal it within the DEP, but at this point I think it’s fair to say that what we referred to as Section II of Morris Chase / ARD is never going to occur.

Mr. Tepper: Indefinite holdup.

President Perkins: Thank you, Mr. Dorsey. That takes us to Council Reports.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Recreation Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: Nothing too eventful. The Sports Associations’ allocation budget process has started. Various sports have not submitted their request, and that’s the only thing of note. I mean, the Carnival planning is going on. I’m very happy to report that I believe this year’s carnival will be much better than previous years if that could even be imaginable. That’s it for me.

Board of Health Report

Mrs. Labow: We meet next week.

Planning Board Report

Mr. Tepper: Meets Thursday.

Board of Adjustment Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: The only matter that was on was for Meineke. I’m sure that it’s no surprise that it’s been moved forward to another meeting.

Mrs. Labow: It didn’t get defeated?

Mr. Roman: It’s getting more interesting.

President Perkins: It’s going to go on for a while.

Open Space Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: We meet Monday.

Legislative Committee Report

Mr. Rattner: Nothing to report.

Pride Committee Liaison Report

Mrs. Labow: The last Pride Committee meeting we discussed working on some plantings around Town, and currently we’re working on the berm on 206 where we had some plantings. Somebody had decided to put up some landscaping bricks and a flagpole. We’re not really sure who put them up there, but not the Town so we’re going to work on either moving those or trying to incorporate them with the design. Also, we are having Earth Day on April 27th. We’ve decided, and Mr. Tobey will be happy to hear this, we’ve decided to clean the PAL Pond at Bennington on the 27th because the Fishing Derby is on the 4th. The 27th from 1:00 to 3:00 we’ll be at the PAL Pond. Hopefully, a lot of residents will clean the PAL Pond area in anticipation and preparation for the PAL Fishing Derby the following Sunday. That’s about it for right now.

President Perkins: Thank you.

Mr. Roman: Mr. President, if I can amend my report, I forgot to mention that opening day for Baseball is this Saturday. Unfortunately I will not be marching with the Council because I will be marching with my own team, but I will meet you there to throw the balls.

Mrs. Labow: There you go.

President Perkins: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: Recreation report, I just wanted to let everyone know that the lights at Flanders Field are now operational. Anyone who wants to see what it looks like can check it out.

President Perkins: How’s it affecting the area, Rob?

Mr. Greenbaum: I don’t know. The lights are operational.

President Perkins: Well, I want to take this opportunity for anybody that hopefully paid attention, the Consent Resolution was passed this evening to accept the lease agreement that Bill had negotiated. Again, I have to extend a hearty thank you to Councilman Greenbaum for pursuing and pushing that last year, that we do something with the billboard that wasn’t getting changed in a timely fashion. That now brings some extra revenue into the Township. Thank you, Bill. Mr. Greenbaum, thank you.

Mrs. Labow: Ray, I actually pulled that out of the packet so I could talk about it, and I was like, I know I had it right here.

President Perkins: I figured that.

Board of Education Liaison Report

Mr. Tobey: The vote is April 15th. Question #2 has been modified and that question is around $400,000, down from seven and change and that’s about it.

Lake/Environment Issues Committee

Mr. Rattner: Nothing to report.

Safety Committee Liaison

Mr. Greenbaum: Nothing.

Finance Committee Report

Mr. Rattner: Nothing unless we want to talk more about the budget.

President Perkins: Not tonight, thank you.

Economic Development Committee Report

Mr. Rattner: It has its first meeting this year on Saturday after its winter hiatus.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: Solid Waste meets tomorrow night.

Library Board Liaison

Mr. Tepper: Meets tomorrow night.

President Perkins: Perfect. That takes us to that last public portion. Ned, I’ll let you get up there first. Switch off here.

PUBLIC PORTION

Ned McDonnell, Budd Lake: This is in reference to Ord. #22-2008. This should be filed under chutzpah, total disdain of the taxpayers, or the Administration and the Council just doesn’t get it. In these times with the problems with the budgets, taxes going up, it’s not a big sum. $8,250 isn’t a lot of money, but the symbolism there is tremendous. There’s absolutely no reason to give out, now I’m not criticizing the people involved that would get these bonuses. I’m talking about the fact of giving bonuses. A raise has already been given, a 4% raise, and then on top of that you throw on this bonus. You’re just playing with the public’s money to do a feel good thing for some of your employees, and I don’t know what benefit this does for anybody. The lack of benefit is that the public looks and says, “oh yes, this is just another one of these pork barrel things that goes on.” Everybody, you know, scratches everybody else’s back, throws a little money back and forth. It’s just tax money, what the heck. It’s only $500 and $8,000 total, not much money, but it’s just one of those things. Rob is talking about $20 on taxes, well it isn’t much to take out of the pocket of a taxpayer, but then when you find out you’re giving $500 to an employee on top of their raise, what’s going on? If they’re doing such a good job, how come the raise wasn’t added that extra 0.5%, or whatever it is. It’s just a fraud put on the taxpayer to do this kind of thing. If an individual employee was exemplary and deserves something, okay, on an individual basis you could maybe make a point of something above and beyond, but just to blanketly throw this money out, I just don’t see it. It’s just, the symbolism is bad there. I think you just simply just plain don’t get it. At some point the well is going to be dry and these little drops all add up. I really feel you should defeat this ordinance and never do this kind of thing again. It’s just not right to play with the public’s money this way, to score points with your employees. I just, I don’t see it. Thank you.

President Perkins: Mr. Russell?

Mr. Russell: Just a couple of questions on the Bill List. On page 1, there’s Foote vs. Mt. Olive Township litigation. What is Scarinci & Hollenbeck?

Mr. Sohl: That’s the MEL / JIF defense.

Mr. Russell: That what?

Mr. Sohl: That’s our defense.

Mr. Russell: Oh, that’s the JIF. Okay. On page 5, I am seeing two charges for March cable service of $64.90 both to the same call center. It looks like a duplicate to me.

Mr. Sohl: I don’t think so.

Ms. Jenkins: No, I believe it’s two separate locations. I think there’s one at the Middle School and one at the High School.

Mr. Russell: Okay.

Mr. Sohl: It’s for the SRO officers.

Ms. Jenkins: Yes, it is.

Mr. Russell: And on page 9, I’m seeing $17,000 for March litigation services and it says miscellaneous litigation. That’s a lot of litigation to be involved with.

Ms. Jenkins: John’s not here.

Mr. Rattner: He’s spending his money.

Ms. Jenkins: I mean, there’s an entire bill that shows all of the backup for the charges for Mr. Dorsey’s office.

Mr. Russell: Are we being litigated against that much, I mean, we have that many lawsuits?

Ms. Jenkins: I can’t really answer that part of it.

Mr. Tepper: Mr. Russell, we just had the issues of the Budd Lake Sewer charges and the monies that were recovered on EDUs of over $200,000, so I think it’s probably a fair return for what he’s done.

Mr. Russell: Are those going after some commercial establishments that had…

Mr. Tepper: He’s had to go to court for that and he’s going, I believe, Perkins is taking us to court now in fact on that. So that’s $99,000. So there is a good return for the investment.

Mr. Russell: Okay, thank you.

Ms. Jenkins: If you want to look at the bill I can give that to you too.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

President Perkins: Thank you. That takes us in to Council Comments. Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: None.

President Perkins: Mr. Tepper?

Mr. Tepper: I have nothing further.

President Perkins: Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: Yes, I just want to clarify my reason for voting against the Non-Consent Resolution on the Veterans Memorial. I envision that if my son were to serve in the military and he serves there honorably, I would at least like to have the opportunity that his name could also be added to the pavers. I’m not saying that I would want to, but I know I would at least like the opportunity. I’m pretty sure that some residents in the future would at least like the opportunity. If the Memorial were to be disturbed and irreparably harmed then that would have to be on the heads of whoever is in charge at that time. So I want to clarify my point on that. I applaud Mrs. Uhrmann for all of the work that she’s done. I agree wholeheartedly of cutting the pavers right now as for the number of people that could be on there, but I don’t think that this is the right thing to do, to stop the Memorial where it’s at. I leave that to a decision for a Council and Administration in the future. That’s it.

President Perkins: Thank you. Mrs. Labow?

Mrs. Labow: I just want to say that I agree with Alex as well. I also think about the time when we had the Mount Olive Memorial down at the beach, I heard from a lot of people, especially senior citizens who were very upset that the Mount Olive Memorial was being moved. They felt that that was sacred ground, and they felt that it was always going to be there for their loved ones. Ultimately we did decide we were going to move it, and thanks to Mrs. Uhrmann we’ll have a beautiful memorial up at Turkey Brook Park. I’d just like to kind of leave the option in the future if for whatever reason it is moved, I don’t think that it’s right for this Council or any other Council to make a decision like that on what somebody in the future can’t do.

President Perkins: Thank you. Mr. Rattner?

Mr. Rattner: I have no comments.

President Perkins: Mr. Tobey?

Mr. Tobey: Thank you, I have some comments or thoughts with regards to the budget that I just want to share, and it’s exactly that. Just some thoughts that were going through my mind. As elected officials, we are leaders in the community. We are trustees of the taxpayer’s money. Leaders lead but true leaders make tough decisions, and I believe we have some tough decisions that we need to make. That’s all.

President Perkins: Thank you, Mr. Tobey. I’ll be brief and I won’t belabor any longer on the budget. We all have our different thought processes about where we’d like to see it end and how we should address it. However, with the All Veterans Memorial, being a veteran I had strong feelings at the beginning. I think a long time before you, Charlie, when people had talked about the possibility of relocating that Memorial, I was one of the ones that was opposed to moving it. I felt that that was hallowed ground. I guess that any of us that have been in a war zone and had our fellow comrades die next to us, have a little bit more of an attachment to a memorial than the average person does. I guess that’s why we all shed a tear when taps plays and we understand, and I personally appreciate the endeavor, the work and the effort. I understand not disturbing the paver portion and I would hope that the Council that’s in effect at that time understands that that portion that is presently finished and will be completed by Memorial Day of this year should remain undisturbed. Should it be the decision to purchase more pavers of a different style and have a different walkway, circle piece added to the outside of the Memorial with those names of those young men and women who will be remembered forever, then I believe that to be an honorable way to remember them. I do agree with you that once this was down, we have all had two years to think about this. It’s been talked about. Everybody knows the pavers were there. If the people held out, I often say I look at the tree of life right outside in our lobby here, and I see how many names are not on there for buying any of the trees that are surrounding this building or other areas. I say, well, they still have the opportunity to do that because there’s a blank leaf on the tree right now. So there should be something considered, but I agree that it shouldn’t be the section that is completed. That is the Memorial in itself and to move and embrace that Memorial outward, as unfortunately young men and women will continue to die and serve in our military with honor and distinction, they should be given that right to be able to have something. I would trust that whoever is in charge at that particular time would put the same care and effort into expanding that Memorial past what is in place as you have, and I’m sure the Township is grateful and will continue to maintain that. So, having said that, I will take a motion to adjourn.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none opposed, the meeting was adjourned at 10:34 pm.

_________________________________
Raymond T. Perkins, Council President

I, LISA LASHWAY, Township Clerk of the Township of Mount Olive do hereby certify that the foregoing Minutes is a true and correct copy of the Minutes approved at a legally convened meeting of the Mount Olive Township Council duly held on April 22, 2008.

______________________________________
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk
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