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Mt. Olive
Township Council Minutes
January 2, 2007 Reorganization
The Reorganization Meeting of the Mount Olive Township
Council was called to Order at 7:31 pm by Council President
Greenbaum with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOMENT OF REFLECTION in recognition of the men and women
fighting terrorism and those who have lost their lives
defending the freedom we all enjoy
Open Public Meetings Law 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 of 2007 Council
Present: Mr. Tepper, Mr. Buell, Mr. Biondi, Mrs. Labow,
Mr. Rattner,
Mr. Perkins, Mr. Greenbaum
Absent: None
Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; Bill Sohl, Business
Administrator;
John Dorsey, Township Attorney; Sherry Jenkins, CFO; Gary Higgins, Auditor;
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk
President Greenbaum: Before we get to the official business,
rather than to identify all of the dignitaries that are
in the audience tonight and just about everybody here is
a dignitary from what I can see, I just wanted to recognize
that Sheriff Ed Rockford is here this evening. Thank you
very much.
Election of 2007 Council President
President Greenbaum: The first item of business this evening
is the election of the 2007 Council President. I will open
up the floor for nominations.
Mrs. Labow: I nominate Rob Greenbaum.
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Greenbaum: It has been moved and seconded. Are
there any other nominations? I close the nominations. Roll
Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
New Council President Takes Chair
President Greenbaum: Thank you very much, I appreciate
the honor.
Election of 2007 Council Vice President
President Greenbaum: At this point, I will open up the
floor for nominations for Council Vice President for the
year 2007.
Mr. Biondi: I nominate Steve Rattner.
Mr. Tepper: Second.
President Greenbaum: It has been moved and seconded. Are
there any other nominations? Seeing none, I close the nominations.
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
New Council Vice President Takes Chair
President Greenbaum: Congratulations.
Mr. Rattner: Thank you very much.
Invocation — Pastor Robert Mitchell
President Greenbaum: It’s with great pleasure this
evening that we have Father Bob Mitchell with us to do
the Invocation. It’s always a great pleasure to have
you here Father Bob and you are an important asset to this
community. With that, if you would take the microphone
up there.
Pastor Robert Mitchell: I will read to you this night
a letter from Paul to the Colossians. Put on then as God’s
chosen ones holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another,
forgive one another. If one has a grievance against another,
as the Lord forgives you, so you must do too and we just
gather as we begin this New Year together to bring forth
a spirit of God to our Council, our Mayor and all those
who work hard to make this Township productive and welcoming
and wholesome to all people. We pray that it is a year
of growth, a year of interaction that fosters spirit of
community among all people and that we always put the benefit
of others and the Township ahead of our own personal benefit
in all ways and we pray this to our God, Amen. Thank you.
Mayor’s State of the Township Address
President Greenbaum: It’s a great personal honor
for me to ask Mayor David Scapicchio to read the State
of the Township Address.
Mayor Scapicchio: Mr. President, this is actually a little
bit more difficult and exciting then when I got sworn in
for obvious reasons, I haven’t been here that long.
Before I get started, I would just like to ask everyone
to stand for another moment of silence in recognition of
the passing of former President Gerald Ford. Thank you
very much. Mr. Council President, members of the Council,
distinguished guests and residents of Mount Olive, it is
an honor to present to you the 2007 State of the Township
Address. Although I have only been in office for less than
two months, thanks to your help, Mount Olive is once again
moving forward. With each day that passes, the pride that
we all share in our Township is being restored. I would
like to begin by mentioning the contributions of the Township’s
employees who over the past few years endured uncertain
and difficult working conditions and yet continued to undertake
and complete the required day-to-day tasks of this municipality.
I applaud all of the employees for their efforts as well
as their excellence and commitment to the residents of
Mount Olive Township. I chose not to single out any specific
employee in this State of the Township address, but rather
to collectively commend each and every one of them by naming
all of the employees as Employees of the Year for 2006
and thank them on behalf of the Councilmembers and myself
for a job well done. The employees are truly one of the
reasons that Mount Olive is moving forward. It is not difficult
to see the contributions of our employees. For instance,
our DPW department continues to be productive in all of
the areas within their control. This group of employees,
who are responsible for the maintenance of our buildings,
parks and grounds, road repair and repaving, snow removal,
sanitation, and water and sewer services, keep Mount Olive
moving forward. Our Finance department along with the Township
Council has helped to raise and keep Mount Olive’s
bond rating low, benefiting the Township’s ability
to borrow money at a lower rate. In addition, the amount
of delinquent uncollected taxes has consistently decreased
due to the hard work of all of the employees in our finance
department. Certainly a job well done. The Health department
also continues to be productive. In fact, due to the quality
and cost effective manner in which the Township’s
health services are provided, both Netcong and Mount Arlington
have contracted with Mount Olive to provide services for
their municipalities through joint shared services agreements.
Those shared services have resulted in savings to the residents
of Mount Olive through the sharing of costs with those
other municipalities. The Police department has continued
to do a fine job also. Our police force is to be commended
not only for the job they do, but also for the manner in
which they do it. We have a compassionate police force
that not only gets excellent results but also is concerned
with the manner with which they are perceived within the
community. Our community has benefited in so many ways
through the efforts of the Police department. One example
is the recently adopted “police in schools initiative” which
continues to develop and provide benefits to the community.
The employees of the Planning and Construction departments
also deserve recognition. These departments have faced
and will continue to face many challenges in the upcoming
year. With the restrictions of the Highlands legislation
and the build out of Morris Chase subdivision, these departments
will be challenged to undertake all of the essential needs
of the community in these areas. Our Municipal Court continues
to be recognized as perhaps one of the best run Municipal
Courts in Morris County. Recreation has continued to provide
and increase services and programs, such as Mount Olive
Community Day and the upcoming Winter Festival, both with
extremely limited budgets. Thank you to the businesses
and organizations that sponsor these events and help make
those possible. Our employees, working with the countless
volunteer committees and organizations within the Township,
such as, but not limited to, the volunteer emergency services
and sporting organizations, are truly what makes us proud
and me proud to live in Mount Olive Township and that will
continue to keep Mount Olive moving forward. That is not
to say that difficult times do not lie ahead because they
do. Mount Olive, like the rest of the municipalities in
Morris County and generally throughout the State of New
Jersey, continue to struggle with ever increasing tax burdens
and state and federal governmental restrictions which make
limiting tax increases an extreme challenge. Mount Olive,
over the past few years, has seen a reduction in the value
of Mayor Scapicchio (cont’d): ratables within the
Township. This year alone we are looking at a $30 million
loss in ratables the result of which will require the remainder
of the Township taxpayers to bear the burden of the decrease
in revenues associated with that ratable loss. That ratable
loss has been further compounded by the numerous commercial
tax appeals that Mount Olive has faced over the past few
years. Those tax appeals have not only resulted in a decreased
tax base for Mount Olive but have also required the Township
to utilize significant portions of current year collected
revenues to satisfy those tax appeals. After we add in
all of the other mandatory costs to the budget, such as
salary increases, additional pension payments, additional
debt service, a down payment towards revaluation costs,
additional insurance, and other statutory and operating
increases, add to that the $30 million loss of ratables
this year, there is no way to avoid a tax increase without
substantially impairing the level of municipal services
that the residents of Mount Olive expect and deserve. My
Administration has been and continues to work hard on the
budget to minimize the tax increase this will require,
but it is going to be a very difficult budget year. We
will be eliminating funding for all 2007 capital which
has not been previously approved, eliminating the position
of Assistant to the Mayor and Business Administrator, and
not replacing an employee that has resigned. We may, however,
need to add funding for some capital if it’s required
for the health and safety of the residents. We are aggressively
looking at initiatives, such as smart development, and
every opportunity to increase ratable growth within the
Township, while at the same time being mindful that growth
in our student population is counterproductive to our goal
of minimizing tax increases. Those incentives have included,
with the expert guidance of our Township Attorney, John
Dorsey, and this Council, the sale and commercial development
of the Combe Fill North Landfill. Ultimately, the sale
and successful development of that property will result
in significant revenue of over $10 million with an ongoing
commercial ratable for the Township for years to come.
All will be used for the stabilization of taxes for the
residents of this Township. With respect to those crippling
tax appeals, the end is in sight. The Township-wide reassessment
ordered by Morris County to be completed by the end of
2008 will essentially end the need to utilize current revenue
to payback commercial entities for past year tax overpayments.
The re-evaluation will result in a stabilization of the
tax increases we as residents have faced over the past
few years. At the same time, we are working with developers
of other properties within the Township. We are encouraging
adult active housing and other clean commercial development,
all with the specific goal of reducing the property tax
burden on the residents of Mount Olive Township. Tax stabilization,
in addition to our focus on generating new ratable opportunities,
will help defray the needs that are required within this
municipality. One such need that has become a top priority
of my Administration is the completion of the DPW building
that was started under the prior Administration. The cost
estimates for this project were never accurate the original
budget of $1.9 million was for a 30,000 square foot building.
We now have a 20,000 square building that needs additional
funding of approximately $500,000 to complete. Without
question, undertaking an incomplete project which, had
been administered by another, is challenging in and of
itself. This is particularly true with this project and
I pledge to all of you that we will endeavor to complete
that project, keeping costs as low as possible. Every dollar
spent will be questioned and only those needed to complete
the project will be expended. Completion of the DPW building
will allow further examination of the development of the
Budd Lake beach property and other commercial properties
along the Route 46 corridor in Mount Olive. It is my hope
that we can once again make Budd Lake a destination, not
simply a town that you pass through on your way to someplace
else. Revitalizing the Route 46 corridor will benefit us
all and will help Mount Olive to continue moving forward.
My fellow residents, a new day has dawned in Mount Olive
Township. Your Administration, your Council, the Township’s
employees, and countless volunteers are all committed to
working together, and I am confident that together we will
all keep Mount Olive moving forward. Thank you. Have a
very happy New Year.
Clapping...
President Greenbaum: Thank you, Mayor. At this point I
am going to move off the Agenda to honor Nick Geiger. Nick
was actually honored at the last Board of Adjustment meeting.
I know, Ray, you were there on behalf of the Council.
Mr. Perkins: Yes I was.
President Greenbaum: I had asked you to come back this
evening because I have a signed plaque for you for your
30 years of service to the Township of Mount Olive. I know
a plaque really doesn’t… it doesn’t really
give the weight to the amount of service that you actually
gave to Mount Olive Township. I hope by giving you this
plaque when you look at it that you will know that you
were appreciated and that your efforts on behalf of Mount
Olive Township will be remembered always.
Clapping....
Nick Geiger: Thank you very much. It does mean a lot.
Thirty years worth but it was worth it and I enjoyed working
within Town wherever I could and I wish everyone a Happy
New Year. I see everyone is relaxed and the strain is off
of this building. Have a Happy New Year and good luck to
everybody. Thank you, very much.
Clapping....
President Greenbaum: We are up to the appointment portion
of the Agenda. Mayor, did you want to read the Mayor’s
appointments or did you just want me to go through the
list?
Mayor Scapicchio: You can go through the list, Mr. President.
Appointments:
President Greenbaum: The first appointments are to the
Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee. These
appointments do not require the advice and consent of Council.
a. Mayor’s Appointments
Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee, Kathy
Murphy, 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee Alternate,
Robert Scholtz, 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Planning Board
Howie Weiss, Member Class IV, Environ. Comm. Liaison, 3
year term expires 12/31/09
Scott VanNess, Member Class II, 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Nelson Russell, Alt. II, Class IV, 2 year term expires
12/31/08
President Greenbaum: I wish you all the best of luck in
your service on the Planning Board. Things are going to
start to get real interesting in terms of the development
matters that should be coming before the Board.
Environmental Committee
Judith Hirky, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Chris Ide. 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Howie Weiss, Planning Board Liaison Class IV Member, 3
year term expires 12/31/09
Kay Serebrakian, Alt. I, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
Open Space Committee
Tracy Wadhams, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Judy Hirky, (Environmental Commission Member) 3 year term
expires 12/31/09
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Frank Wilpert, Admin. Rep., 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Tim Quinn, Admin. Rep., 1 year term expires 12/3 1/07
Hank Titone, Environ. Comm. Rep., 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Al Melvegar, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
1 Vacancy, 2 year unexpired term expires 12/31/03
b. Mayor’s Appointments with Advice & Consent
of Council
Township Attorney, John Dorsey, Esq., 1 year term expires
12/31/07
President Greenbaum: I will open that up for a motion
for consent.
Mr. Perkins: So moved.
Mr. Biondi: Second.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Perkins moved it. Mr. Biondi
seconded it. Is there any discussion? Roll Call.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
Clapping...
Mr. Dorsey: Thank you, Mayor.
Prosecutor, Brian Mason, Esq., 1 year term expires 12/31/07
President Greenbaum: Do I have a motion to approve?
Mr. Tepper: So moved.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
Public Defender, Anthony Abore, Esq., 1 year term expires
12/31/07
President Greenbaum: Can I have a motion to approve?
Mr. Biondi: So moved.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: The next, we are going to do as a
group unless anyone has a problem with that?
Economic Development Committee
Brian Siegelwax, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Don Hill, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Steve Rattner, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Ralph DeVito, 3 year unexpired term expires 12/31/08
Dave Jones, 3 year unexpired term expires 12/31/08
1 Vacancy - 3 year unexpired terms expiring 12/31/08
President Greenbaum: I would like someone to move the
entire group please.
Mr. Biondi: Moved in total.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
Recreation Advisory Committee
Christopher Killian, 3 year unexpired term expires 12/31/07
Donald Verducci, 3 year unexpired term expires 12/31/08
Bridgette Geiger, 3 year unexpired term expires 12/31/07
President Greenbaum: I would like to get a motion to approve.
Mrs. Labow: So moved.
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: These are approval of Mayor and consent
of Council.
Recreation Advisory Committee with Approval of Mayor& Consent
of Council
Bert Barrier, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
James Fancy, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Laura Szwak, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
President Greenbaum: I would like to get a motion to approve.
Mr. Biondi: So moved.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
Library Board
Stanley Miller, 5 year term to expire 12/31/11
Mr. Biondi: So moved.
Mr. Perkins: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
Pride Committee
Suzanne Dimonda, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Ronald Perry, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
David Yourish, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
4 Vacancies - 3 year unexpired terms expiring 12/31/08
Mr. Perkins: So moved.
President Greenbaum: Is there a second?
Mr. Buell: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: The next areas of appointments are
Council appointments. Some of these are administratively
done through the Council themselves. The first is the Finance/Budget/Audit
Control Committee which is an ad hoc committee created
by the Council President position. This year, the people
being nominated for this committee are:
c. Council Appointments
All Subcommittees of the Township Council previously created
are extended through 2007:
Finance/Budget/Audit Control Committee — Jim Buell,
Steve Rattner, John Sorel, Anthony McKeon, Phil Tobey,
Ray Hansel, Ed Dennerlien, 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Board of Adjustment Liaison, Ray Perkins, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
Recreation Advisory Committee Liaison, John Biondi, 1 year
term expires 12/31/07
Board of Education Liaison, Jim Buell, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
Safety Committee Liaison, Ray Perkins, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
Pride Committee Liaison, Ray Perkins, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
Legislative Committee, John Biondi, 1 year term expires
12/3 1/07
Committee RE: Lake/Environment Issues, Steve Rattner, 1
year term expires 12/31/07
Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee, Steve
Rattner, 1 year term expires 12/31/07
President Greenbaum: We have reintroduced the Library
Board Liaison position.
Library Board Liaison, Russ Tepper, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
Planning Board
Russ Tepper, Councilmember, Class III, 1 year term expires
12/31/07
President Greenbaum: At this point in time. I will open
up the floor, for nominations for Planning Board Class
III member. It’s a 1 year term.
Mr. Rattner: I nominate Russ Tepper.
Mr. Buell: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Are there any
further nominations? Seeing none.
Roll Call.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: We are going to take the rest of
the appointments as a one vote for all of the different
groups.
Crossing Guards
Theresa Petrocelli - 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Marion Widzemont - 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Donna Hickey - 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Gladys Thomson - 1 year term expires 12/31/07
Board of Adjustment
Dan Nelsen, 4 year term expires 12/31/10
Alex Roman, 4 year term expires 12/31/10
David Masukewicz, Alt. I, 2 year unexpired term expires
12/31/07
Philip Tobey, Alt. II, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
Board of Health
Steve Abrams, DMD, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Eugene Terrezza, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Dr. Anthony Miccio, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Open Space Committee
Jill Devlin, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Chip Woltz, 3 year term expires 12/31/09
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
Colleen Labow, Councilmember/Board of Health, 1 year term
expires 12/31/07
Nelson Russell, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
Phil Tobey, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
Anthony McKeon, 2 year term expires 12/31/08
Stephen Kish, 2 year unexpired term expires 12/31/07
1 Vacancy, 2 year unexpired term expires 12/31/07
President Greenbaum: At this point, I would ask for a
nomination to approve.
Mr. Perkins: So moved.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
Roll Call: Passed Unanimously
ORDINANCE FOR FIRST READING
President Greenbaum: The first ordinance for first reading
is Ordinance #1-2007 entitled:
Ord. 1-2007 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive
Establishing Salaries of Mayor, Council, Department Heads,
Supervisory Personnel and Employees of time Township Clerk’s
Office for the Year 2007.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Tepper, could you please move
that for first reading?
Mr. Tepper: Yes, Mr. President. I move that Ordinance
#1-2007 be introduced by title, and passed on first reading,
and that a meeting be held on February 13, 2007 at 7:30
pm. 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.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: Any discussion? Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
RESOLUTIONS
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.
1. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Designating the Official Newspapers of the
Municipality for the Purpose of Publication of Legal Notices.
2. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Establishing the Annual Schedule of Meetings
and Other Requirements Pursuant to the Open Public Meetings
Act.
3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Establishing a Temporary Budget for 2007
for the Current, Water, Sewer and Recreation Utility as
Well as the Sanitation District.
4. Resolution of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing
Acceptance of a Cash Management Plan for the Township of
Mount Olive for the Year 2007.
5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Appointing Steven Rattner as Council Representative
to the Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee.
6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing Participation in the State of
New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Program for the Year
2007.
7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Fixing the Rate of Interest to be Charged
on Delinquent Taxes or Assessments.
8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Purchase of Necessary Goods
and Services Under Any Contract Competitively Bid by the
Morris County Cooperative Pricing Council.
9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Authorizing the Tax Assessor and/or the
Township Attorney to File and Tax Appeals/Rollbacks.
10. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Establishing Various Change Funds for the
Year 2007.
11. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive, County of Morris, State of New Jersey,
Creating and Continuing the Mount Olive Municipal Alliance
Committee.
12. Resolution of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing
the Cancellation of Water, Sewer, Sewer Assessment and
Tax Receivable Overpayments and Balances $1.00 or Less.
13. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Establishing a Petty Cash Fund for 2007.
14. Removed – Golub Animal Contract
15. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Confirming the Appointment of William Sohl
as Business Administrator for the Township.
16. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township
of Mount Olive Retaining Professional Services Without
Competitive Bidding.
17. Resolution of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing
the Use of Various Purchasing Contracts.
President Greenbaum: This evening we have 16. Although
they are numbered to 17, 14 has been withdrawn for this
evening. Number two and Number nine have been amended.
I hope everyone has had a chance to review all of that.
Mr. Buell, do you want to move the Consent Resolutions
Agenda please? Actually, does anyone wish to have any of
the resolutions removed from the Consent Resolutions Agenda?
Seeing none, Mr. Buell, do you want to move the Consent
Resolutions Agenda?
Mr. Buell: Yes, thank you. I move Resolutions #1-13 and
#15-17.
President Greenbaum: Is there a second?
Mr. Biondi: Second.
Council Comments/Statements on Consent Resolutions Agenda
Public Portion on Consent Resolutions
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Is there 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. Is there any Council discussion? Seeing
none, Roll Call.
Mr. Tepper: Yes on #1 through 13. I will reluctantly vote
no on #15 and yes on #16 and 17.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously with the exception, Mr.
Tepper and Mr. Rattner voted No
on #15; Mr. Buell Abstained on # 15; Mr. Perkins voted No on #1
President Greenbaum: All the resolutions pass.
MOTIONS
1. Approval of Raffle Application #2180 for the Mt. Olive
High School Parents Club.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Perkins, do you want to move
that please?
Mr. Perkins: Yes, Mr. President. I move for approval of
Raffle Application #2180 for the Mt. Olive High School
Parents Club.
Mr. Buell: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any discussion?
Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously with the exception, Mrs.
Labow abstained.
2. Bill List.
President Greenbaum: Mr. Biondi, do you want to move the
Bill List please?
Mr. Biondi: I move the Bill List as submitted.
Mr. Perkins: Second.
President Greenbaum: Moved and seconded. Any Council discussion?
Nelson, did you have any questions on the Bill List this
evening? Just making sure.
Mr. Biondi: This is one of the biggest ones we’ve
had, Nelson.
President Greenbaum: Roll Call please.
ROLL CALL: Passed Unanimously
President Greenbaum: We are up to closing comments. This
evening we have the honor of having our Township Auditor,
Mr. Higgins. I don’t know whether or not you have
any closing comments since you are sitting up here?
Mr. Higgins: It was just a joy being here this evening.
Thank you.
Public Portion
Closing Council Comments
President Greenbaum: Before we get to Closing Comments,
I am sorry, I skipped by the amended Agenda, the Public
Portion. Does anyone from the public have anything that
they wish to say this evening? That’s why I skipped
by it because I knew no one had anything to say. Okay,
I will close it to the public. We also have the distinction
this evening of having our CFO here. Do you have any words
of wisdom that you would like to impart?
Mrs. Jenkins: No, I actually just lost my keys, so if
anyone can find them I would appreciate it. Other than
that I wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Mr. Rattner: The keys to your car or the keys to the safe?
Mrs. Jenkins: The keys to like everything, so yes.
President Greenbaum: Congratulations to Mr. Sohl on his
appointment as Business Administrator for the year 2007.
Mr. Sohl, do you have any comments this evening?
Mr. Sohl: Just thank you and Happy New Year to everybody.
We will be, as we have been for the last six weeks, down
and getting things done.
Mayor Scapicchio: No comments, thank you.
President Greenbaum: You certainly gave us five pages
worth.
Mayor Scapicchio: Only eight and a half minutes.
President Greenbaum: It was riveting.
Mr. Tepper: I would just like to wish everyone a happy
and healthy New Year for 2007.
Mr. Buell: Same comment.
Mr. Biondi: Ditto except for the fact that let’s
keep up the good work that we are doing here and the atmosphere
in this town has certainly changed dramatically. I just
hope it stays that way.
Mrs. Labow: I just want to say Happy New Year to everyone.
Happy healthy New Year and I wanted to say I am really
looking forward to this year. A lot of positive energy,
a lot of positive flow going through and I hope we keep
that positive momentum going.
Mr. Perkins: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Mayor, Council
President, fellow Councilmembers, Assemblyman Gregg,
Sheriff Rochford and other residents and employees, it
has been a great pleasure but I offer my thoughts for
2007. I am going to keep them fairly brief as I am sure
everybody is aware, I try to do. We need to remember
we are no longer a sleepy quaint little lake community
anymore. Actually, we have grown at an extraordinary
rate but there is an end of course in sight. Highlands
legislation has made that possible for us. The State
regulations will continue to tighten their control over
our destiny and all local officials are working toward
better relief. Traffic from neighbors not directly affected
by the Highlands Regulations will continue to increase
through our community. The strain will be put on to our
Police department to help import that traffic flow. However,
we will continue to move forward facing each challenge
as they arrive and working collectively with the leadership
of our Mayor and Council President. Every avenue to save
is being considered. Shared Services are being undertaken,
capital...I am interrupting?
President Greenbaum: No, it’s just a question on
your vote on the resolution for Bill Sohl, if you voted
in favor of Mr. Sohl?
Mr. Perkins: Yes I did.
President Greenbaum: Okay.
Mr. Perkins: I voted no for the newspaper, yes for the
Business Administrator.
President Greenbaum: Okay, thank you. Sorry.
Mr. Perkins: Every avenue to save is being considered,
Shared Services are being undertaken, capital spending
is being restricted and our employee staffing level is
still lower than in many of the previous years. Many new
members of our committees and boards are taking their turns
in helping to shape the future in our wonderful municipality.
I do not want anyone leaving here thinking that we will
or can solve all of the problems facing Mount Olive Township.
You should leave here with the confidence that your elected
officials are attacking the issues head on with advice
from professionals and committees as necessary. Wishing
all of us the happiest and healthiest of 2007, I pray that
your God blesses you all. Thank you.
Mr. Rattner: Thank you, Mr. President. This time of year
people make New Year’s resolutions. You’ve
heard the Mayor’s address and he keeps saying moving
ahead. That’s exactly what is happening. I think
there is a new tone. I think that we are all looking for
the same goals. I think that includes the residents, the
people that have been appointed to committees, Council
and the direction of the Mayor and the Business Administrator.
We will probably have different ideas of how to get there
but as long as we keep our eye on what the end goal is
to the benefit of the citizens of Mount Olive. I think
we are going to have a great year. Thank you, very much.
Mr. Dorsey: I just want to wish everyone Happy New Year.
There certainly is a different mood and flow in this Chamber
from a year ago at this time and I thank everyone for their
confidence and support.
President Greenbaum: It was not my intention this evening
to say anything in closing. However, I note that I was
remiss in not mentioning Assemblyman Guy Gregg who is here,
who is a strong supporter of Mount Olive Township and from
where I sit, I couldn’t actually see you. We are
always honored to have you here in Mount Olive and we appreciate
your efforts on our behalf at the State level. With that,
I would ask for a motion to Adjourn. I am sorry. We need
to do the Benediction.
Benediction — Pastor Matt Jones
Pastor Matt Jones: I took one look at that Agenda and
I said, my gosh, less than an hour. That is amazing. Would
you all come to my church’s annual business meeting
and help me get this thing done quickly? This is great.
You know I think of the book of Proverbs. It says that
the end of the thing is greater than its beginning thereof.
I see the great foundation that has been laid here tonight.
I see the great tone that is in this room and I am excited
to see what is going to happen in Mount Olive over the
next few months and the next few years. So why don’t
we close in prayer. Our Father and our God, we thank you
so much that we can be here on this evening and Lord, we
know your scripture says unless the Lord builds this house
they that labor, labor in vain. We stop to acknowledge
you, Lord God, our need for you and your divine guidance
and your divine grace in each one of our lives. Father,
as decisions have been made and deliberations have been
made, Lord, it is our prayer this evening that you would
guide by your grace and bless by your hand, all that has
been said and all that has been done. For as we serve,
Lord God, the people here in Mount Olive we are doing your
will by building your kingdom here on this earth. We thank
you, Lord, and I ask this in Christ’s name, Amen.
President Greenbaum: Thank you. That was Pastor Matt Jones.
We appreciate you coming here this evening and your efforts
on behalf of Mount Olive Township as well. Motion to Adjourn.
Mr. Biondi: So moved.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Greenbaum: All in favor?
AYE
Adjournment
Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none opposed,
time meeting was adjourned at 8: 11 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 January 23, 2007
___________________________
Lisa M. Lashway, Township Clerk
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