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Mt. Olive
Township Council Minutes
December 19, 2006
The Regular Public Meeting of the Mount Olive Township
Council was called to Order at 7:33 pm by Council President
Greenbaum with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF REFLECTION for all
those who have and continue to protect our freedoms and
our ways 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. Tepper, Mr. Buell, Mr. Perkins,
Mr. Rattner, Mr. Biondi,
Mrs. Labow, Mr. Greenbaum,
Absent: None
Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; William Sohl,
Business Administrator;
John Dorsey, Township Attorney; Sherry Jenkins, CFO;
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk
President Greenbaum: I am going to proceed with the Public
Meeting because tonight we have a Conference Meeting and
a Public Meeting. I think probably 99.9% of everything
we are dealing with in the Conference Meeting is dealt
with in the Public Meeting. So perhaps we can dispense
with the Conference Meeting after we have concluded the
Public Meeting. We will deal with the Public Meeting this
evening in a similar fashion that we would normally handle
a Conference Meeting, if that’s acceptable to everybody?
Okay. So let’s start with questions on the Bill List.
Questions on Bill List?
President Greenbaum: Has everyone had an opportunity to
review the Bill List that wants to review the Bill List
and submit the same to the Administration? Does anyone
have additional questions on the Bill List? There are a
couple of additional items this evening that came up at
the last minute, all of which that were discussed with
me by the Administration and of which I put on. I don’t
think that anyone is going to have a problem with any of
them. We will deal with those items separately. Bill, why
don’t you just briefly, if you will, go through the
additional bill items. One of them had to do with the police
department in terms of getting a bill paid.
Mr. Sohl: That is correct.
President Greenbaum: Its $25,000 or thereabout.
Mr. Sohl: It’s $25, 664.33.
President Greenbaum: Most of it relates to grant money
that we have received...
Mr. Sohl: Correct, $23,000 is grant money. This goes back
over a period of time. Actually, the police department
was looking for a bill and it had not been received and
it has been straightened out now.
President Greenbaum: Okay, so in essence, the Township
is only paying the balance between the total bill and the
grant money which is a very small amount of money.
Mr. Sohl: Correct.
President Greenbaum: Does anyone have a problem with that?
That will be included on the Bill List. What else is on
the Bill List?
Mr. Biondi: What was is it for?
Mr. Sohl: It was the 911 fund.
Mr. Biondi: Oh, 911 fund. Okay.
President Greenbaum: What else has been added to the Bill
List this evening?
Mr. Sohl: That’s the only one we did. That’s
it.
President Greenbaum: There were other changes to the Agenda
that occurred today. One relating to the Mandlebaum property....
Mayor Scapicchio: That’s a resolution change.
President Greenbaum: Resolution which deals with the fact
that the funding which we are actually getting back from
the County is less than....
Mr. Sohl: Correct.
President Greenbaum: It’s a percentage allocation
and its about $16,000 and change, less than what we thought
we were getting.
Mr. Sohl: Correct.
President Greenbaum: We are going to make up that difference
out of the Open Space Fund.
Mr. Sohl: Correct.
President Greenbaum: That will be done this evening by
way of resolution.
Mr. Sohl: Correct.
President Greenbaum: What other changes were made this
evening Bill?
Mr. Sohl: The one we just discussed was Resolution #26.
We also have Resolution #27 which we have
added, as a result of input from Schoor DePalma. This is
a change order for the resurfacing of Pleasant Hill Road
Phase II. This change order is a reduction in cost. So
this will close out that whole project at a reduction of
approximately....I can give you the exact number, $17,534.47.
President Greenbaum: I am sure nobody has a problem with
that. The last item I have here is Resolution #6 was amended.
Mr. Sohl: Right, and Sherry will correct me if I am wrong,
we took one of the items that was originally going to be
on the cancellation of the Capital off, from the version
that they...
Mrs. Jenkins: Yes, we are just modifying it because a
PO came in for a slightly different figure. So I am modifying
it by 59 cents because I want to clear out the balance.
President Greenbaum: Okay, it is a non-issue then. Bill,
you’re going to have to speak directly into the microphone
or ...I know you’re a very soft spoken individual
but we are having trouble picking you up. Okay, the only
other issue I have on the Amended Agenda is the Bill List.
An additional Verizon bill?
Mr. Sohl: That’s what we did.
President Greenbaum: Oh, that’s it?
Mrs. Jenkins: Yes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
President Greenbaum: Alright. Then let’s get on
with the Approval of Minutes from previous meetings. There
are none this evening.
CORRESPONDENCE
LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS / ORGANIZATIONS
1. E-mail received December 14, 2006 from Robb Pearson
regarding Councilman Jim Buell.
2. Letter received December 15, 2006, from the Heritage
Conservancy regarding Free Low Impact Development Training
Program for Municipal Officials within the Musconetcong
Watershed.
LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES
3. Letter received December 14, 2006, from the New Jersey
State League of Municipalities regarding Managing Technology
Treats and Risk.
UTILITIES
4. Letter received December 14, 2006, from NJ Natural
Gas regarding Notice of Public Hearing.
MORRIS COUNTY
5. Minutes of the October 19, 2006, Meeting of the Morris
County Planning Board received December 14, 2006.
6. E-mail received December 15, 2006, from Connected Citizens
County Government News.
LETTERS FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENATIVES
7. E-mail received December 8, 2006, from Congressman
Frelinghuysen regarding Iraq Study Group Report, Life Cycle
Management, Lifespan Respite Care Act, Combating Autism,
and Honor for “Monuments Men.”
DOT / DEP
8. Letter received December 12, 2006, from Equity Environmental
Engineering LLC regarding Submittal of Response for 77
Crease Road Block 1201, Lot 7.
9. Letter received December 13, 2006, from State of New
Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding
No Further Action Letter and Covenant not to sue for Swack
residence 198 Route 46, Block 3309, Lot 7.
President Greenbaum: I have nine pieces of Correspondence.
Does anyone wish to discuss any of those?
ORDINANCE FOR PUBLIC HEARING
President Greenbaum: The first ordinance is Ordinance
#34-2006 entitled:
Ord. #34-2006 Ordinance Appropriating $418,412 for the
Acquisition of the Mandelbaum Property in and by the Township
of Mount Olive, in the County of Morris, New Jersey.
President Greenbaum: At the present time, I will open
it up to the public for anyone who wishes to discuss this
particular ordinance. Seeing none, I close it to the public.
Do you want to move that, Mr. Buell?
Mr. Buell: Yes, certainly. I move Ordinance #34-2006.
Mr. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Dave, did you have something on that?
Mayor Scapicchio: No, it’s the next one... the January
23, 2006 – 07.
Mr. Tepper: January 9th, they just amended it... I guess.
Mayor Scapicchio: Okay. So it’s 07.
President Greenbaum: Okay, so Ordinance #34-2006 has been
moved and seconded. Is there any Council discussion? Roll
Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: Ordinance # 34-2006 is passed on
second reading and I hereby direct the Clerk to forward
a copy of same to the Mayor and publish the notice of adoption
as required by law.
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING - 2nd reading January 9,
2006
President Greenbaum: We have one ordinance for first reading
with second reading to be January 9, 2007 Ordinance 37-2006
entitled:
Ord. #37-2006 An Ordinance Dealing with the Prompt Payment
of Construction Related Bills.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Tepper, do you want to move that
please?
Mr. Tepper: I move that Ordinance # 37-2006 be introduced
by title, and passed on first reading, and that a meeting
be held on January 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal
Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road,
Mount Olive, New Jersey , for public hearing, consideration
of second reading and passage of said Ordinance, and that
the Clerk be directed to publish, post and make available
said Ordinance in accordance with the requirements of the
law.
Mr. Buell: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Is there any
Council discussion?
Mr. Tepper: Is it 20 days or is it 30 days?
Mr. Dorsey: Twenty.
Mr. Tepper: Okay, because I had read 30 before.
Mr. Dorsey: Twenty right?
Mrs. Jenkins: Twenty.
Mr. Dorsey: The non-lawyers agree with the Township Attorney.
Mr. Tepper: Then I will defer to the non-lawyers.
President Greenbaum: I offer no opinion on the subject.
Is there any other Council discussion? Roll Call please.
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 Approving Settlements of Tax Appeals for
2006 on 9 Properties Owned by Mount Olive Industrial Realty.
2. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Approving a Change Order to the Contract
between the Township of Mount Olive and Suburban Consulting
Engineers, Inc.
3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Transfer of Unexpended Storm
Control Appropriations to the Accumulated Snow Trust Fund.
4. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Requesting Approval from the Director of
the Division of Local Government Services for Insertion
of a Specific Item of Revenue into the 2006 Municipal Budget
($240.00 for Tobacco Age-Of-Sale Enforcement)
5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Approving a Vendor Service Contract on a “Non-Fair
and Open” Basis Pursuant to the “Pay to Play” Law.
6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of
Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of Various General
Capital Ordinance Balances.
7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Use of Various Purchasing
Contracts.
8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Providing for the Transfer of 2006 Budget
Appropriations in the Sewer Utility.
9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Providing for The Transfer of 2006 Budget
Appropriations in the Current Fund Budget.
10. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Approving the Transfer of Funds from Surplus
into the Reserve for Tax Appeals.
11. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of 2006 Appropriations
into the Current Fund.
12. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of 2006 Appropriations
in the Sanitation District.
13. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of 2006 Appropriations
in the Sewer Utility Fund.
14. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of 2006 Appropriations
in the Water Utility Fund.
15. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Providing for the Transfer of 2006 Budget
Appropriations in the Water Utility Budget.
16. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Requesting Approval from the Director of
the Division of Local Government Services for Insertion
of a Specific Item into the 2006 Municipal Budget ($1,579.72
for Donation – Lion’s Club – Police Equipment)
17. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing a Lease Agreement with the County
of Morris for the Rental Space Formerly Known as the Nutrition
Site at the Mount Olive Senior Center.
18. Resolution of the Township Council for the Township
of Mount Olive Awarding a Contract to Lamp Post Electric
for the Re-Bid of NJ Licensed Electrician Services.
19. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing a Contract for the Acquisition
of the Mandelbaum Property, Block 800, Lot 6.
20. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Acknowledging Receipt of a Check in the
Amount of $198,861.00 from the Mount Olive Library Board
of Trustees.
21. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Approving and Emergency Purchase in the
Amount of $15,870.00 for a Water Pump for Well No. 3.
22. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Releasing Performance Guarantees Posted
by Givaudan Fragrances.
23. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Release of Performance Guarantees
in Connection with Gen III (Fox Chase) – Section
I.
24. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Concurring in the Reduction of Speed Limits
on Route 206 as Proposed by the NJDOT.
25. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Establishing the Annual Reorganization Meeting
for January 2, 2007.
President Greenbaum: This evening on the Amended Agenda,
we have 25 Resolutions on the Consent Resolutions Agenda.
Number 19 is being pulled in favor of #26 which is on
the Non Consent because of the change. So we are moving
#1 – 18 and 20 – 25, unless anyone on Council
wishes to have any of the other Resolutions pulled. Seeing
none. Mr. Rattner, do you want to move....?
Mr. Rattner: Thank you, Mr. President. I move Resolutions
#1 through 18 and 20 – 25 that also includes Resolution
#6 which we have amended tonight.
Mr. Perkins: Second.
PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Anyone from the
public who wishes to be heard on any of the Resolutions
on the Consent Resolutions Agenda? Seeing none, I close
it to the public.
COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS
President Greenbaum: Is there any Councilmember who wishes
to provide a brief clarifying statement with respect to
any of the Consent Resolutions? Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT
President Greenbaum: Okay, we are up to the Non Consent
Resolutions. The first Resolution on Non Consent is:
26. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing Expenses for the Acquisition
of the Mandelbaum Property, Block 800 Lot 6.
President Greenbaum: It’s being amended... its being
further amended with respect to the last Now, Therefore
clause which will now read. “Now, Therefore, the
Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive hereby
authorizes” and this is the added sentence, “the
Mayor to enter into a contract authorizing” That’s
the change and it continues, “up to amount of $10,000
from the Open Space Trust towards the title insurance and
an additional $16,950 related to the acquisition cost of
the Mandlebaum property.” Mr. Tepper, could you move
that in the amended form?
Mr. Tepper: I move Non Consent Resolution #26 as amended.
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Is there anyone
from the public who wishes to be heard? Seeing none, I
close it the public. Any Councilmember who wishes to be
heard? Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: The next Resolution on the Non Consent
Resolution Agenda is:
27. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing Change Order #1 to the Contract
for Resurfacing Pleasant Hill Road Phase II.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Buell, could you please move
that?
Mr. Buell: I move Resolution #27.
President Greenbaum: Is there a second?
Mrs. Labow: Second.
PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS
COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS
President Greenbaum: It has been moved and seconded. Is
there anyone from the public who wishes to be heard? Seeing
none, I close it to the public. Any Councilmember who wishes
to be heard? Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
MOTIONS
President Greenbaum: The first Motion on the Amended Agenda
is:
1. Approval of Raffle Application #2175 & 2176 for
St. Michaels H.S.A.; Raffle Application #2177 for West
Central Morris High School; and Raffle Applications #2178 & #2179
for St. Judes Church.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Biondi, could you move those
please?
Mr. Biondi: Thank you, Mr. President. I move Motion #1
for approval.
Mr. Perkins: Second.
President Greenbaum: It has been moved and seconded. Any
discussion? Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
2. Bill List & Additional Verizon Bill
President Greenbaum: We are up to the Bill List. Mrs.
Labow, do you want to move the Bill List please?
Mrs. Labow: Yes, thank you Mr. President. I would like
to move the Bill List with the additional Verizon bill.
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
Library Board Report
Mayor Scapicchio: There is no new Library Board report
other than what we had talked about last week. The check
for $198,600 has been turned over to the Municipality.
The new Board is working on cleaning up and finalizing
all of the outstanding issues relative to the punch list
items and some disputed bills by the architect... Rob,
Bill brought to my attention that we didn’t move
on Resolution #19?
President Greenbaum: Nineteen was pulled.
Mayor Scapicchio: Oh it was pulled.
Mr. Dorsey: It was replaced by...
President Greenbaum: It was replaced by #26.
Mr. Sohl: That doesn’t make sense.
President Greenbaum: That’s what Kathy had advised
needed to be done. Kathy?
Mr. Sohl: Your number is different from the other one
then. The one I am looking at....
Mr. Tepper: You’re looking at the Non Amended. The
Amended is correct.
President Greenbaum: Number 19 on the Amended Agenda was:
19. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing a Contract for the Acquisition
of the Mandelbaum Property, Block 800, Lot 6.
Mr. Sohl: My error.
President Greenbaum: Okay.
Mr. Sohl: Sorry.
President Greenbaum: Actually Dave, the Library...my understanding
was that the Library Board actually met and reconstituted
on the 13th which was subsequent to our last Council Meeting.
Our last Council Meeting was on the 12th. So the Library
actually met and my understanding is that Suzanne Jeska
has been elected as President.
Mayor Scapicchio: Yes, Mr. President. Suzanne Jeska has
been elected President. Stephanie Sherman has been elected
Vice President and Stan Miller is the Secretary of the
Library Board. It was a very productive meeting. I think
everybody in the audience including Rita Hilbert, the Library
Board Director and Joan Young who has been a long standing
member of that Library Board of Trustees now realizes and
understands that we have put together a group of people
that are library supporters that have a vision for the
way that Library should operate and I think that moving
forward you are going to see some good positive changes.
Mr. Rattner: I just wanted to add one thing. On the Bill
List tonight was a check from the Township to the Library
giving them all the remaining money in their budget so
that the Township has funded the budget of the Library
100% as we contractually do. So I guess what the Mayor
told us, and with us giving them the rest of their funding,
that all the bookkeeping for 2006 is now complete and final.
Mr. Dorsey: Perhaps we should also.....
Mayor Scapicchio: Mr. President, if I could add one more
thing...
President Greenbaum: Mr. Dorsey was next and then you
can go.
Mr. Dorsey: I was just going to say that perhaps we should
also note that the first act of the new President was to
sign and deliver the check to the Township for $198,861.
That as far as I can see, totally resolved the issue that
has been outstanding for months and months. So I guess
we are in good shape.
President Greenbaum: Mayor?
Mayor Scapicchio: Some of the positive changes that this
board has already made in terms of the way the agenda is
handled is they allow the public to not only speak at the
beginning of the meeting but also at the end of the meeting.
They have also entertained and have begun to allow the
public to participate during the meeting. Those are three
real good items in terms of changes that have and will
make a positive difference in the way the Library now operates.
President Greenbaum: I had a telephone conversation with
Suzanne Jeska today who introduced herself as
“
Hi, I am Suzanne Jeska, I ‘m on the Library Board.” I
am like, “Suzanne I know who you are.” Interestingly
she was questioning about the ordinance that we had introduced
last week with respect to the Library and the Library terms.
She had found out that there was action taken by the Council
with respect to the Library Board and she was unaware that
the action was actually taking place. So communication
is a two way street. We need to be able to communicate
to the Library when Council and/or the Administration is
taking action with respect to anything having to do with
the Library. As you may recall, the action we took was
simply to amend the ordinance in the Township to be consistent
with the State Statute in terms of appointment and terms,
that was a procedural move that we took but it took some
explaining to her so that she understood exactly what we
had done. Perhaps we can talk about....and the thought
is that in 2007, Council is going to re -appoint the liaison
for the Library Board so that there is as much free flow
of information between the three bodies, the Administration,
the Council and the Library as can possibly be made. Did
you have something Colleen?
Mrs. Labow: Yes, the other thing that they started at
the meeting and it was really nice. Is the board packet
that they get with the Bill List is going to be distributed
to the....any public members who shows up. So if anybody
from the public has any questions at least they have something
to work off of. I thought that was a really nice move in
the right direction.
President Greenbaum: Okay. Are there any other Administrative
matters?
Mayor Scapicchio: No.
OLD BUSINESS
Library Handicapped Parking
President Greenbaum: I have Library Handicapped Parking.
I assume that’s a project that the Library Board
is going to undertake?
Mayor Scapicchio: They’re revisiting that. The new
Library Board members are revisiting that from the beginning.
It seems what turned out to be just some additional handicapped
parking spaces closer to building turned into a wish list
of some other things that turned into some additional costs.
They are going to take a new look at that issue and hopefully
get that resolved as quickly as they possibly can.
President Greenbaum: Okay, we will keep that on as a tickler
item and I will put that on for the second meeting in January,
the second real public meeting in January, if there is
one, or the first Public Meeting in February. Is there
any other Old Business?
NEW BUSINESS
President Greenbaum: Is there any New Business? Is there
anything on the conference meeting agenda that we haven’t
already touched upon to anyone’s liking and most
of it are resolutions that we have already dealt with.
I didn’t see anything on here that required further
discussion. Does anyone have any other new matters?
Mrs. Labow: I read in the Daily Record, I sent you a copy
of the email...
President Greenbaum: Of the stacking ordinance?
Mrs. Labow: No, the other thing. There is a company, I
forget the name of the website, where they are taking information
off of the municipal websites and apparently Randolph asked
them not to do that. It is okay if you want to put a link
and direct it but what they are doing is copying what’s
on the municipal township website and then putting it on
their website which enables them to possibly change information
with different dates. I checked what they have for Mount
Olive and they have done the same thing and I don’t
know if we want to take the same position that Randolph
did and send them a letter and say please, feel free to
use the link but don’t copy and paste and make it
appear as if it is official information because we have
no control over if they are changing the information or
giving out misinformation.
President Greenbaum: I suggest you bring that issue up
with Bill and let Bill handle it as an administrative matter.
Any other New Business?
LEGAL MATTERS
President Greenbaum: Up to legal matters, Mr. Dorsey.
Mr. Dorsey: No, no legal matters.
COUNCIL REPORTS
President Greenbaum: Any Council Reports this evening
since last week? No further Council Reports? Okay, there
are two, Mr. Perkins.
Mr. Perkins: Thank you, Mr. President. The Zoning Board
of Adjustment meeting of last night, most of it was business
as usual. However, I wanted to bring up that 4 St. Andrews
Court, which was the shed which was too close on the property
lines, they wanted to maintain the shed. They had actually
come in and asked to apply for a variance. They had tried
to move it. It wouldn’t move. They set up to get
a variance. They were summarily denied. So they will be
taking down that shed.
President Greenbaum: Good. My understanding also is that
last night was Nick Geiger’s last night at the Board
of Adjustment. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend but
my plan is to actually bring Nick in and present him with
a certificate from Council for his years of service.
Mr. Perkins: Mr. President, I did read the certificate
that was made out last night. It is just absent your signature
as well as the Mayor’s. Nick was grateful, obviously
for that and we are all grateful for his years of service.
President Greenbaum: We will bring him in. I’ve
asked if he is available to come in the evening of the
Reorg. Anything else? Mr. Rattner did you have something?
Mr. Rattner: Yes, the Finance Committee met tonight. We
actually met for about an hour and fifteen minutes. The
Mayor attended and we had a very good discussion about
where we think...we actually came to an agreement of where
we think the major issues are, what the town has as we
move forward looking at both short term things which includes
the budget which will be delivered to us next month, also
looking at things that will go on past 2007 as 2007 will
just be a year of trying to pick up the pieces and get
everything in place and have the town running efficiently
again. Thank you.
President Greenbaum: Does anyone else have any Committee
Reports this evening? Mr. Tepper.
Mr. Tepper: Planning Board did review the...made comment
on the Supreme Court decision that we’ll probably
be drafting a letter to be forwarded to Council recommending
that Council do whatever it can do to encourage the Administration
to acquire the Open Space ...use Open Space eminent domain
to acquire the property for ARD.
President Greenbaum: For ARD or for Morris Chase in general?
Mr. Tepper: Yes, in general.
President Greenbaum: Okay, so for both properties.
Mr. Tepper: For both properties.
PUBLIC PORTION
President Greenbaum: Any other Committee reports this
evening? We are up to the Public Portion. Does anyone from
the public have anything that they wish to add?
Ned McDonald, Budd Lake: Just one question on the Bill
List. Page #7. There is a $618.50 charge for winter flyers
for recreation. Shouldn’t that be charged to the
recreation utility? How does that work and what gets charged
to the recreation utility and what doesn’t?
President Greenbaum: Did you find it Sherry?
Mrs. Jenkins: Yes, I see it. I am not comfortable answering
that Rob. That’s really a question for Jill.
President Greenbaum: I’m sorry?
Mrs. Jenkins: That’s really a question that Jill
Daggon has to answer.
President Greenbaum: Okay, she is the one that coded it.
Mrs. Jenkins: Yes, exactly.
President Greenbaum: It was my understanding that the
recreation utility was to be used in a fashion that it
was a self funding program, where if a ski trip was going
to occur that they would collect the money and it would
go into a utility and then the expenses related to the
ski trip would be taken out of the utility. And that the
general recreation fund would be used for things which
were not self-funding which no fees were collected and
it was just coming out of the funds that the Township was
actually providing. I don’t know the answer to the
specific question.
Mr. McDonald: It just seems like a gray area. I would
just like to get it clarified as to how these things are
moved back and forth.
President Greenbaum: You know what? We will get that answer
for you. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be this
evening but I am going to have Sherry, to have Jill, provide
the answer as to why she coded it in that fashion so that
we can follow up with your concerns at some later meeting.
Mr. McDonald: Thank you.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Executive Session – Morris Chase
President Greenbaum: Okay, thank you very much. Anyone
else from the public who wishes to be heard? I close it
to the public. We have one Executive Session this evening.
It’s going to be a discussion related to Morris Chase
and the recent Supreme Court decision in the Mount Laurel
case. Before we do that, I don’t know whether or
not anyone has any comments this evening. We will start
at the end of the Dias. Sherry, did you have anything that
you wanted to add?
Mrs. Jenkins: No.
President Greenbaum: I am sure that everyone sitting up
here, since this is our last meeting, wishes you a very
happy holiday and a successful New Year.
Mrs. Jenkins: Thank you.
Mr. Sohl: Yes, I would just like to echo those same comments
to the members of the public, certainly all the employees
that have made the Mayor and my transition here... I won’t
say perfectly smooth but with a lot less bumps than could
have been. Again, credit to everybody and looking forward
to a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy
Hanukkah...did I leave anything out?
President Greenbaum: Not that I can think of. I am sure
you have. I am sure there is some Hindu holiday at the
end of the year.
Mayor Scapicchio: I would just like to wish everyone a
happy holiday no matter what holiday you celebrate and
we look forward to a very successful New Year.
Mr. Tepper: Just to reiterate everybody’s wish to
the employees and to the Township residents for a happy
and healthy holiday.
Mr. Buell: Same Here.
Mr. Biondi: Ditto.
Mrs. Labow: Ditto.
Mr. Perkins: We are not going to get away that easy. Thank
you Mr. President. I wrote it all down here.
Mrs. Labow: Oh my god, there are 50 pages.
Mr. Perkins: I know. This is the last meeting of the year
and it’s obviously been a tough year. It ended quite
favorably at least in my opinion. We now have a Mayor who
I believe is more attuned to what’s going on from
what I can gather from the personnel here in this building.
They are working much more harmoniously and happier than
they were before. There is more open communication with
our new BA and the Mayor. The Council welcomes, obviously
the new Mayor willing to work together with us and I think
it is a very optimistic time now as we approach the holiday
season where we can actually give thanks now, to say that
yes, we are moving forward and I see nothing but good things
for 2007. Thank you Mr. President.
Mr. Rattner: Thank you. One thing I just want to bring
up before I wish everyone a happy holiday is that, we have
to watch out for what we wish for. Some joker, I guess
an Assemblyman from Mercer County has introduced a bill
for shared services, requiring the DEP to develop a plan
to eliminate municipal park management and establish a
county based park system under the direction of the DEP.
Now I don’t know where this is going and that’s
why I preceded it but some of the things coming here and
it under the guise of shared services and that every town
taking care of their own parks is not efficient. Everybody
takes care of it differently and not protecting the environment
in the same way but they are looking at costs and its gives
the DEP one year to come up with a proposal. Now this is
not something in there...this has just been introduced
but you never know what is going to come out of those...that
fun house in Trenton. With that, I just want to wish everybody
a happy and healthy and safe Christmas, New Year and the
finishing days of Hanukkah.
Mr. Dorsey: I just wish everybody a happy holiday and
I think Mr. Perkins, summed up the last two months of the
year very well for the Township.
President Greenbaum: Lisa?
Mrs. Lashway: Happy Holidays.
President Greenbaum: I have nothing. We are going to go
into an Executive Session at which time when we come out
we will take no further public action this evening. Mr.
Perkins, do you want to move us into Executive Session?
Mr. Perkins: Yes, Mr. President. In accordance with Section
7&8 of the Open Public Meeting Act, I make a motion
we move into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing
Morris Chase (negotiations).
President Greenbaum: Is there a second?
Mr. Biondi: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded all in favor?
AYE
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none opposed,
the meeting was adjourned at 9:09 pm.
_________________________________
Robert J. Greenbaum, Council President
I, LISA M. 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 January 9, 2007.
______________________________
Lisa M. Lashway, Township Clerk
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