TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES - November 24, 2009

The Public Meeting of the Mount Olive Township Council was called to Order at 7:44 pm by President Rattner with the Pledge of Allegiance.
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. Rattner, Mr. Roman, Mr. Greenbaum, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Tobey, Mr. Mania

Absent: Mrs. Labow

Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; Bill Sohl, Business Administrator; John Dorsey, Township Attorney; Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk; Rose Barsanti, Tax Collector

President Rattner: As I mentioned at the beginning of the Workshop, we are going to have a short Public Meeting, a short Executive Session. Then we will move into the Public Meeting. I ask that when we go into Executive Session that the public leave. You can go to the Cafeteria. The Clerk will come down and make sure that you are aware when the meeting opens back up. With that, Mr. Perkins, would you move us into Executive Session?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, Mr. President. According to Sections 7 & 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, I make a motion that we move into Executive Session to discuss negotiations on Combe Fill, as well as the Water Utility, noting that all Minutes will be made available upon conclusion of those matters.

Mr. Tobey: Second.

President Rattner: Okay, Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

EXECUTIVE SESSION – Negotiations

The Public Meeting went into Executive Session at 7:46 p.m.

The Public Meeting reconvened at 8:00 p.m.

Questions on Bill List?

President Rattner: Okay, moving back into the Public Meeting, the first thing we have are Questions on the Bill List. Rose is just chopping at the bit to show her deep knowledge of every bill.

Mr. Dorsey: Why don’t we go out and get Mr. McDonnell for it.

President Rattner: Mr. Russell is the one who will probably answer more. Okay, seeing none…

Mr. Perkins: Hold on.

Mr. Roman: My question is on the $99 for towing located on page 8. Is that related to the accident that there’s other expenditures on here? Also, where was this vehicle towed from that it cost us almost $100 to tow?

Ms. Barsanti: Do you know anything about it?

President Rattner: It was towed from International to headquarters and I guess it’s based on the Towing Ordinance that this Council passed last year that raised the rates. They said it would cost us money.

Mr. Sohl: Does he have a page number?

Ms. Barsanti: He said page 8.

President Rattner: Alex, I went through the bills. Those repairs that we had on Police cars were from incidents a couple of months ago.

Mayor Scapicchio: You have until the end of the meeting to come up with it.

Ms. Barsanti: Okay.

Mr. Sohl: Or else you’re fired.

Ms. Barsanti: Thanks, Bill.

Mayor Scapicchio: Take your time.

President Rattner: This was a recent, I’m not sure if it was an accident or a disabled vehicle, but it was the set charge plus three miles.

Mayor Scapicchio: We’re trying to find the backup.

Mr. Roman: And then also how often are we getting vehicles towed that it costs us?

Ms. Barsanti: Do we have the vendor name? Do you have that?

Mr. Roman: Yes, Bill’s Service Center.

Mr. Sohl: What page is it on?

Ms. Barsanti: Okay, Bill’s Service.

Mr. Roman: You know, how many times a year does this happen that we need a vehicle towed?

Mr. Quinn: It could be random. It all depends on what the situation is. Is it an accident? Is it a breakdown? If it’s a breakdown and the vehicle is under contract then it’s covered under contract. If it happens to be an accident situation or a vehicle out of contract we’re going to foot the bill.

Mr. Roman: So if this was a breakdown, it’s covered by…?

Mr. Quinn: Depending on the vehicle and the age of the vehicle and the miles on the vehicle. I don’t have the information in front of me so I can’t…

Mr. Greenbaum: It was a Police vehicle.

Mayor Scapicchio: It was a Police car.

Mr. Quinn: Which one?

Mr. Roman: Doesn’t say.

Mayor Scapicchio: We’ve had a few.

Mr. Quinn: Yes. I’d have to get you the information. When I have more information to look it up…

Mr. Roman: Yes, I’m just curious as to whether, you know, are we towing, how many times a year does a vehicle get towed? I understand on the accidents the insurance, I’m assuming, pays for the tow.

Mayor Scapicchio: Alex, we can get you that information. We don’t have it tonight.

Mr. Roman: Okay.

Mayor Scapicchio: We’ll find out last year how many vehicles have been towed.

Mr. Greenbaum: Sherry would have had that information at hand and would have given it to us…

Ms. Barsanti: They’re picking on me.

Mr. Sohl: Tell them to stuff it.

Mr. Mania: Wow, poor Rose.

Ms. Barsanti: I’m trying.

President Rattner: Is there anything else, Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: No, that’s it.

President Rattner: Does anybody else have any questions on the Bill List?

Mr. Perkins: Join AAA.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

President Rattner: Then we’ll move right along if that’s the only question we have on the Bill List. We have Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings, November 10th Workshop & Public Meeting. Mr. Mania, would you move those Minutes?

Mr. Mania: I move for approval of the Minutes of:

November 10, 2009 Workshop & Public Meeting

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Any discussion or corrections? All in favor?

AYE

CORRESPONDENCE

LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS/ORGANIZATIONS

1. Letter received November 10, 2009, from Parker McCay Attorneys at Law regarding Public Intoxication Ordinance Litigation, Maple Shade – McMullen.Obchinetz v. Maple Shade Township.

2. Email received November 10, 2009, from the New Jersey Business & Industry Association regarding the New Good Neighbor Awards February 1st Nomination Deadline.

RESOLUTIONS / ORDINANCES / CORRESPONDENCE OTHER TOWNS

3. Letter received November 16, 2009, from the Township of Chester regarding Resolution #2009-100.

4. Ordinance received November 19, 2009, from Washington Township regarding Land Use.

DOT / DEP / LOI / HIGHLANDS

5. Letter received November 9, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding Laidlaw Transit, Inc. Bartley Chester Road and a Remedial Investigation Work Plan.

6. Letter received November 9, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding Laidlaw Transit, Inc. Bartley Chester Road and a Preliminary Assessment Report.

7. Letter received November 9, 2009, from Beattie Padovano, LLC regarding an Application for Constellation Energy Projects and Services Group, 125 Bartley - Flanders Road.

8. Letter received November 18, 2009, from Vanasse, Hangen, Brustlin, Inc. regarding a Proposed Pharmacy, NJDOT Access Application, Route 46 and Woodsedge Avenue.

9. Letter received November 18, 2009, from the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding a Notice of Deficiency for 22 Goldmine Avenue.

LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES

10. Email received November 9, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Professional Development Seminar: New Jersey’s Economic Stimulus Act and the Recovery Zone Bond Programs.

11. Email received November 9, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Updated CEU’s – “Municipal Liens.”

12. Email received November 13, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a New Law Affecting Members of Local Authorities, Board, and Commissions and the League’s Consulting Period on General Municipal Topics at the 94th Annual Conference.

13. Email received November 16, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding the Mayors Taskforce for School Funding Reform Seeks Your Support, and November 19th Meeting Christie/Guadagno Red Tape Review Group Local Officials Invited to Testify.
DCA

14. Email received November 10, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regarding a Program on New Jersey’s Economic Stimulus Act and the Recovery Zone Bond Programs.

15. Email received November 16, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regarding a Gov Connect Update.

MORRIS COUNTY

16. Minutes received November 9, 2009, from the Morris County Planning Board regarding an October 15, 2009 Regular Meeting.

17. Letter received November 13, 2009, from the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders regarding the South Branch Preserve Project.

UTILITIES

18. Letter received November 13, 2009, from Comcast regarding Channel Changes.

19. Letter received November 16, 2009, from Comcast regarding Price Adjustment.

20. E-mail received November 20, 2009, from NJ Clean Water Council of New Jersey regarding a Public Hearing, December 7, 2009.

LETTER FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES

21. Email received November 6, 2009, from Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen regarding the Week Just Passed, Pelosi Health Care Bill Will Cover Illegal Immigrants, The Pelosi Health Care Bill – by the Numbers, They Put what in the Pelosi Health Care Bill, Bad Idea of the Week: Minimal Debate on Pelosi Health Care Bill, Where are the Jobs, and Time to Move to Afghanistan. PDF Correspondence

22. Email received November 13, 2009, from Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen regarding The Week Just Past, Inside the Unemployment Rate, and Laying a Foundation for Picatinny’s Future.

23. Email received November 18, 2009, from Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen regarding the Obama Administration’s Decision to Prosecute al Qaeda Terrorists in New York Federal Criminal Court.

President Rattner: Okay, next we have Correspondence. We have 23 items of Correspondence. Does anybody want to comment on any of those Correspondence?

Mr. Roman: I just want to comment on item 23, the proposed prosecution of al Qaeda terrorists in New York Federal Court. I deeply oppose that.

Mr. Dorsey: …prosecution in New York.

Mr. Roman: In New York, the prosecution in New York.

President Rattner: Okay, anybody else have any other comments on the Correspondence?

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

President Rattner: Moving right along, we’ll come to Ordinances for Public Hearing. I now open the hearing to the public on Ord.#23-2009, entitled:

Ord.#23-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend Section 400-109 (IV) Contained in Article IX Entitled “Development Fee and Affordable Housing Contribution” of the Code of the Township of Mount Olive.

President Rattner: Would anybody from the public like to address this ordinance? Seeing none, I’ll close the hearing to the public and ask Mr. Greenbaum to move it.

Mr. Greenbaum: I move Ord.#23-2009 for approval.

Mr. Roman: Second.

President Rattner: Any discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: Ord. #23-2009 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. The next item, I open the hearing to the public on Ord. #24-2009, entitled:

Ord.#24-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend and Supplement Article VII Entitled “Zoning District Use and Bulk Regulations” of Section 400-100 Entitled “Rural and Residential Districts” of the Code of the Township of Mount Olive.

President Rattner: Anybody from the public that would like to address the Council on this item? Seeing none, I’ll close the hearing to the public and ask Mr. Tobey to move it.

Mr. Tobey: Yes, I move Ord. #24-2009.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Any discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: Okay, now we’ll move to Ordinances for First Reading. Ord.#24-2009 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.
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING (second reading/public hearing December 8, 2009)

President Rattner: Now we’ll move to Ordinances for First Reading. Next item on the Agenda is Ord.#25-2009, entitled:

Ord. #25-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive Establishing Water and Sewer Service Rates Within the Township for All Services Rendered After January 1, 2010.

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins, would you move that?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, Mr. President. I move that Ord. #25-2009 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on December 8, 2009 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.

Mr. Mania: Second.

President Rattner: Is there any discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: The next item is Ord.#26-2009, entitled:

Ord.#26-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Dissolve the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Vest Powers into the Planning Board.

President Rattner: Mr. Greenbaum, would you move that?

Mr. Greenbaum: Yes, thank you. I move that Ord.#26-2009 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on December 8, 2009 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.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: It’s moved and seconded. Is there any Council discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception of Mr. Roman who voted no.

President Rattner: Okay, now we have Ord.#27-2009 which was added tonight.

Ord.#27-2009 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 2009 and 2010. (added)

President Rattner: Mr. Roman, would you move that?

Mr. Roman: I move that Ord.#27-2009 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on December 8, 2009 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.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Any 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 a Settlement in Connection with the Tax Appeal Entitled Quantum Capital Group, LLC v. Mount Olive Township.

2. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing a Settlement in Connection with the Tax Appeal Entitled Durkin Realty, LLC v. Mount Olive Township.

3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Supporting the Repair/Reconstruction of the Route 46 Bridge at the Hackettstown/Washington/Mount Olive Border Over the Musconetcong River. (amended)

4. A Resolution of the Township of Mount Olive, County of Morris, State of New Jersey Authorizing the Release of a Performance and Cash Bond for the Site Improvements for the Picatinny Federal Credit Union Project on Property Identified as Block 4100, Lot 9.02 Subject to the Posting of a Two Year Maintenance Bond.

5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Approving an Emergency Purchase for Repairs on the Flanders Sewer Plant Aeration Tank.

6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing Change order No. 1 and Payment Certificate No. 1 in Connection with the Improvements to Flanders-Bartley Road Project. PDF Resolution (amended)

7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Approving the FOP and FOP Superiors Contracts Between the Township and FOP Lodge #122. (added)

8. 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 2009 Municipal Budget ($74,503.28 for a Recycling Tonnage Grant. (added)

President Rattner: Does anybody from the Council want to take anything off of the Consent Agenda and discuss it separately?

Mr. Greenbaum: Can you remove the FOP?

President Rattner: Yes.

Mr. Greenbaum: So number 7 is going to be on Non Consent.

President Rattner: Right, and number 8 is on Consent.

Mrs. Lashway: Yes.

President Rattner: So what we’ll be moving on Consent will be 1 through 6 and 8. Does anybody want anything else removed? Mr. Roman, would you move the Consent Resolutions?

Mr. Roman: I move for approval of Consent Resolutions 1 through 6 and 8.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Would anybody from the public like to address the Council on the items on the Consent Agenda?

Mr. Ireland: So if I want to comment on number 7 you have to wait?

President Rattner: You’ll have separate time. That’ll be next. I close the hearing to the public. Is there any other further discussion from the Council? Roll Call.

PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT

President Rattner: Mr. Mania, would you move resolution number 7?

Mr. Greenbaum: You just have to move it.

Mr. Mania: I move resolution number 7.

7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Approving the FOP and FOP Superiors Contracts Between the Township and FOP Lodge #122. (added)

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Okay, the title of that resolution for the public’s benefit is a “Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Approving the FOP and FOP Superiors Contracts between the Township and FOP Lodge #122.” Would anybody from the public like to address this resolution? Yes, sir. Name and address for the record.

Scott Ireland, 6 Eric Court: Just curious, at the end of the day for the contract, what is the net impact on the budget in dollar amount for each year of the contract?

President Rattner: Mayor, do you want to answer that one?

Mr. Sohl: We provided that to Council.

President Rattner: What?

Mr. Sohl: We provided that before. Didn’t Sherry…?

President Rattner: Dave, you’re close to the, the Administration is responsible for the negotiations, and it was a very good settlement. I mean, there’s no doubt about it. Do you want to explain in there, because with the health benefit changes, the number is coming out very, very good to all parties.

Mr. Sohl: Yes, we see a net savings every year.

Mayor Scapicchio: Basically, the agreement that we signed is a four year agreement, a 3.75% increase in each of the years. 2009 is retroactive to July 1st so half of the 3.75%. The FOP has agreed to enroll in the State Health Benefits Program. We estimate that there is a $5,000 savings per family for everybody that’s enrolled in that State plan, and has now opted out of Blue Cross Blue Shield. So moving forward we see a savings in health benefits of about three quarters of a million dollars.

Mr. Ireland: I think my question is…?

Mayor Scapicchio: We have a spreadsheet, Scott. We don’t have it here. Sherry has prepared it. We can get that for you.

President Rattner: Mr. Ireland, what this is is the economic cost of the package is relatively flat. It’s just about no cost.

Mr. Ireland: That’s what I’m asking. At the end of the day…

Mr. Mania: Excuse me, point of order. You need to come up to the mic so the record can…

Mr. Ireland: Absolutely.

Mr. Mania: Thank you.

Mr. Ireland: You’re welcome. Yes, that’s what I think I’m looking for is that after the net increases for the 3.75 and the medical or whatever givebacks, what is the net impact on the budget at the end of each year?

Mr. Sohl: Well, one of the things that I do have with us tonight is Councilman Greenbaum spoke with Mrs., our CFO…

Mr. Greenbaum: That’s the best you could do?

Mr. Sohl: …and asked about the exempt employees, what the net savings would be there. We were looking there, for example, and that’s a subset of the total employee base obviously, of $73,000 the first year and then over the three year period of $221,000.

Mr. Roman: That’s our savings.

Mr. Sohl: That’s a savings.

President Rattner: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: I didn’t participate in the negotiations and so I was provided with the information, and I know what you are looking for. I did see it at one point and if I had it I would give it to you. My understanding is the following, that as you know, the FOP negotiations are binding arbitration. It’s not something that we can just simply not agree to give increases if the arbitrator ultimately was to award a number. If he was going to award a number and we didn’t resolve the negotiations, we would have come away with a less favorable result than we did. To be quite honest with you, the information which was provided to me was very surprising in terms of the benefit to the Township. Ultimately, I’m not sure that one can answer the question that you are looking for for the following reasons. Number one, the savings to the Township… First of all, in year one as you know which is last year, 2009, because the contract ended in 2008, the Town Council took a position that we were not going to increase the salary line item in our budget and we didn’t. So the savings for 2009, or I should say the increases which the employees are getting retroactively for 2009, are coming out of the 2009 budget. That’s year one without any change to the healthcare plan. So we didn’t budget any increases. The money is there and it will be paid out of this year’s budget. That’s year one. Year two, my understanding is that it takes approximately three to four months to actually effectuate the change from healthcare plan A to healthcare plan B, so that the total savings to the Township in year two are not going to be recognized as they will in year three and year four. Now, the wildcard from my perspective is that we don’t know exactly how much the increases would have been in the gold plan that the employees had with Blue Cross Blue Shield going forward in year three and year four. What we do know is that we were looking at an increase, and I believe my recollection is that it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 that we were going to see in the Blue Cross Blue Shield. I don’t know what we would have seen by way of increase in years three and years four if we had not negotiated to move away from Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Town doesn’t have the option simply to change healthcare plans. It has to be agreed upon by the Unions. So we would have been stuck with, had we not gotten an agreement from the municipal employees, of staying with Blue Cross Blue Shield irrespective of any other changes that we made to the contract. The numbers which have been given to us by the Administration in terms of the savings are through the State plan. They are significant in terms of the change from Blue Cross Blue Shield to the State plan, that $5,000 number per family, but there are all kinds of variables that are also included, such as how many of the employers are going to go into plan A or plan B or plan C within the State. How much are we actually going to save? There will be a savings. Some of the plans are a little bit more expensive, some a little less expensive. So we don’t really have the exact numbers right now. What we do know is that we have moved away from a healthcare plan that was going to bankrupt this Town ultimately, and we’ve moved to something which we hope, at least in the short term, looks to be a better option for the Town, a significantly better option for the Township. The way it’s been explained to me is that we will actually be saving money with the increases and with the, and I know that’s the number you’re looking for, and that’s what made it so attractive. It’s the healthcare plan which was really the problem here which we’ve gotten away from and that’s what makes it so very attractive. The number of 3.75% in today’s economy is something which is hard to sell, but if you look at it and say, you know what, the arbitrator was going to award it anyway, because we know that’s what the arbitration awards have been coming down… The employees understood the economy and said we’re willing to work with you by changing to this healthcare plan.

Mr. Ireland: I agree. I commend the Administration and the Council for what sounds like, at the end of the day, maybe some sort of…

Mr. Greenbaum: Wash.

Mr. Ireland: Wash.

Mr. Perkins: Wash.

Mr. Greenbaum: Or better than a wash.

Mr. Ireland: A 3.75%, like you said, it’s hard to sell but you can sell it with givebacks unlike our Board of Education.

Mr. Tobey: Excuse me, Scott, that’s exactly what it is. When you look at the 3.75 I can tell you it is a wash is what it comes out to, but more importantly, it’s really a step in the right direction also because, you know, I think everyone up here knows whenever the topic of benefits came up, that was a difficult topic for me because I thought what was given here you cannot find anywhere in the world, never mind just the United States. Okay? So we took a step in the right direction with this.

President Rattner: We’re really happy with what transpired. The numbers that we looked at and also the health plan differences, the employees are protected because they are still going to have Blue Cross, believe it or not. It’s just through the State plan. The coverages are very much the same and it’s still managed by them. It’s that the networks change. At least that’s the way it was explained, but just on the Police what we were looking at, and these are just rough numbers. It’s very easy to see that if the increase, the decrease is $5,000 and that’s only family plans. The single plan is maybe closer to $2,800. At 3.75 you can pick a number, any salary number, take what the increase would be and look at what the decrease is in health care. Now, what Mr. Greenbaum was saying is that we know to effectuate the change we’re going to do it as quick as possible. It’s probably going to take three months. So we’re hoping the best case scenario will be March, but most likely it will be April. So it’d be a wash. Now we’re starting the next year, even with increases, the health costs are that much less. It was, if you look at it as a total economic cost, we’re really keeping our salary costs flat for the next couple of years, the total compensation costs.

Mr. Ireland: And I suspect the public will obviously see that as well, because if it’s a wash, we’ll be in great shape.

Mr. Greenbaum: There’s never a…

President Rattner: Mr. Mania?

Mr. Greenbaum: Sorry. There’s never a guarantee as to what’s going to happen with the State plan and what they’re going to try to pass along to us, but that was the best option that we had. Go ahead, sorry.

President Rattner: Mr. Mania?

Mr. Mania: Because the State plan, as I understand it, $900 million deficit and they’re portraying an increase for the next three years of 20% per year. That’s what I’m hearing. I guess the next question I have for the Administration, that $5,000 per family, is that just for the first year, the savings?

Mr. Sohl: No, that would carry on a comparative basis to the existing plan, that would carry forward each of the years.

Mr. Greenbaum: Again, it’s hard to compare what Blue Cross would have done to us outside of the plan and what the State’s going to do to us inside of the plan.

Mr. Tobey: Excuse me, I can comment on that. I can tell you that Blue Cross was in a 30% plus increase. So if we’re at 20% we’re still ahead of the game.

President Rattner: I think we were given those numbers, and you’ve got to look at if we’re getting into a plan that is roughly 25% less than what we were in. This year we know as Mr. Mania said, the State announced and the School Board’s the same thing, about a 25% increase. Our plan was going up 17% because we already got those numbers, but if you look at the lower, you know, you’re starting from a lower base. That bigger percentage in absolute dollars, there’s really no difference. So once we have it and you’re saving $5,000 this year over the plan we had, we’ll save $5,000 over what would have been next year, and we don’t know. There’s other variables. Who knows what’s going to happen with the pension plan? I think everybody worked together. I think our Labor Attorney has to be given a lot of credit, who did a tremendous job, came in and said this is what we should go for. Let’s sit down with their attorney and a mediator explained exactly what the situation is and the Town’s ability to pay. All of those things, they’re finally taking that into consideration and he really pushed that part. That’s one of the reasons why we were able to get a deferred, or the retroactivity.

Mr. Dorsey: Okay.

Mr. Mania: We just need to hope the State plan doesn’t go belly up.

President Rattner: Well, any plan can go belly up. Mr. Roman, you wanted to say something.

Mr. Roman: If the numbers are correct, I don’t know that many businesses or municipalities can say that in the next four years that their labor costs will be about the same that they are presently. So I think that’s something that should…

President Rattner: Well, no, it’s going to go up but it’s less than what it would have been. I mean, it’s going to go up the 3.75 alone, but that’s where we are. So any other discussion? I’ll close the public portion. I’ll open it up for any Council discussion. Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: Moving right along.

Mrs. Lashway: Resolution number 9.

President Rattner: Okay, resolution number 9, gee, Mrs. Labow isn’t here. Mr. Tobey?

Mr. Tobey: So moved.

9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Honoring Rose Caputo.

Mr. Greenbaum: Second.

President Rattner: Thank you. Any other comments? Roll Call.

PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS

President Rattner: Okay, would anybody like to address the Council on resolution number 9? Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion. Any other Council comments? Roll Call.

Mr. Roman: Ray had his hand up.

President Rattner: Wasn’t quick enough. Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: Thank you, Mr. President. I’d just like to comment that after a tremendous length of service, Rose Caputo has finally decided to retire from the Township. She will be missed. She’s been a staple. She’s been an employee of the month. Excellent person. Thank you, Mr. President.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

MOTIONS

President Rattner: Okay, we have Motions. Bill List, Mr. Mania?

Mr. Mania: I make a motion to approve the Bill List.

1. Bill List.

Mr. Roman: Second.

President Rattner: Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

OLD BUSINESS

President Rattner: Okay, now we move on to Old Business. Anybody have any Old Business that they’d like to bring up? Any New Business? Mayor?

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Scapicchio: Yes, I just want to bring to everyone’s attention that Green Acres did an inspection on October 23rd of some of our open space here. Some of the open space that we purchased with Open Space funds, and we have been deemed in compliance with all of the Green Acre rules and regulations in terms of the upkeep and the use of those facilities.

President Rattner: And they have to be happy with the…

Mayor Scapicchio: The next inspection is 2012.

President Rattner: Thank you, Mayor. Anything else? Legal Matters, Mr. Dorsey?

LEGAL MATTERS

Mr. Dorsey: Nothing further.

COUNCIL REPORTS

President Rattner: Okay, we’ll move right along to Council Reports. Recreation Liaison Report, Mr. Roman?

Recreation Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: No meeting held this month.

Board of Health Report

President Rattner: Board of Health, Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: No meeting, Mr. President.

Planning Board Report

President Rattner: Planning Board Report, Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: We had one application that came before the Board. It was actually quite interesting. It involved the Golf Zone on Route 206. It was looking to put in a paintball facility, basically nets, and turn their detention basin which is currently overgrown, into a facility for three different or four different paintball fields. It was approved five to four.

Board of Adjustment Liaison Report

President Rattner: Board of Adjustment Report, Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: There were several applications on the Board of Adjustment. A swimming pool, a shed and also Benjamin Moore solar fields. All were approved.

President Rattner: Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: Rob, on the Planning Board, how long was that meeting?

Mr. Greenbaum: That particular meeting I think ended at about 10:00 or so.

Mr. Roman: And the Board of Adjustment meeting, how long was that?

Mr. Greenbaum: I don’t know, but we’ve only had one meeting a month.

Mr. Perkins: …a little after 10:00.

Mr. Greenbaum: Ten? Board of Adjustment hasn’t gone more than one meeting a month either. We’ve been canceling a meeting a month, both Boards.

Open Space Committee Report

President Rattner: Okay, Open Space Committee Report. Mrs. Labow is not here. I guess we got the report from the Mayor. Legislative Committee Report, Mr. Perkins?

Legislative Committee Report

Mr. Perkins: Only thing to report is for those of us that went down to the League of Municipalities last week, Mr. Sohl, Councilman Roman and myself attended the Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon. The Mayor, Councilman Greenbaum, Councilman Mania and myself attended the Morris League Luncheon on Wednesday. We did a little bit of networking down there and that’s it.

Pride Committee Report

President Rattner: Thank you, Mr. Perkins. Pride Committee Report, Mrs. Labow is absent. Board of Education Liaison Report, Mr. Roman?

Board of Education Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: I neglected my duties to attend last night but from what I understand it was not too eventful.

Lake/Environment Issues Committee

President Rattner: Lake Environmental Issues Committee, I have nothing to report. Safety Committee Liaison, Mr. Perkins?

Safety Committee Liaison

Mr. Perkins: No meeting, Mr. President.

Economic Development Committee Report

President Rattner: Economic Development Committee hasn’t met. Library Board Liaison, Mr. Tobey?

Library Board Liaison

Mr. Tobey: Nothing to report.

Senior Citizen Liaison

President Rattner: And we have the Senior Citizen Liaison, Mrs. Labow, again, is absent. Now we come to the public portion. Anybody from the public who would like to address the Council on any issue?

PUBLIC PORTION

Scott Ireland, 6 Eric Court: I’d like to thank Bill Sohl. After the last meeting when we talked about the internet, a number of financial items were put up the next morning. It was a nice response.

Mr. Sohl: And we will continue to put items up as we readily get them in the format that allows us to do so.

Mr. Ireland: Terrific, thank you. The other one, I’d just quickly like to bring to your attention, I actually texted the Mayor during your ceremony. The older sister of one of the players was sitting over here, the blonde sitting in front of me a little bit, Jenna Grossman. Just for the Town’s information, Jenna was just named for the fourth year in a row, she goes to Quinnipiac College. She was the starting goalie at Mount Olive for field hockey. She’s the goalie for Quinnipiac. She was just named the Conference MVP for the fourth year in a row up at Quinnipiac. So it runs in the family with the Grossman’s.

Mayor Scapicchio: It would have been nice if we knew that.

Mr. Ireland: I texted you. I was hoping they were going to lollygag a little bit but anyway. Just wanted to bring it to your attention.

President Rattner: Thank you. Anybody else from the public who would like to address the Council? Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion and go to final Council comments. Mr. Mania?

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mr. Mania: Yes, I just want to thank the Mayor for the quick response in getting that parking lot done at Turkey Brook and the Public Works Department for facilitating that very nice job of paving. Thank you.

President Rattner: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: I’d like to commend the Administration and those members of Council who worked on putting together the negotiations with the FOP. It was a very difficult negotiation in light of the economy and what the taxpayers expect from us. I think that we came away from it as good as we possibly could have under all circumstances.

President Rattner: I think that all parties came away happy. They understood what it was and I think the FOP has to be congratulated on that too. Mr. Tobey?

Mr. Tobey: I’d like to wish everybody an enjoyable, safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Mr. Mania: You too, Mr. Tobey.

Mr. Tobey: Thank you.

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: Thank you, Mr. President. I just have a few things here. Just as a point of interest, and I know that we will have a formal presentation, I was proud to be down there with Bill Sohl and Councilman Roman to accept the award for Sustainable Jersey. We are one of 32 municipalities in the State that received certification. It’s a rather dubious distinction. Out of the 150 I believe that submitted, 32 of us were certified. That’s a great accomplishment. The Mayor and his staff need to be commended for all of the hard work that they put in to get us there. Also, this Saturday morning the Kiwanis Santa House opens up. So it’s time to bring the children from 10:00 until 4:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. There are numerous Council members, Mayors and other people from the Township that fill in for the big guy in the red suit. The All Veterans Memorial ceremony was tremendous that we had on the 15th. If you haven’t had a chance to go up there, as Mr. Mania has pointed out, the pavement has been done. It is a beautiful path to enduring freedom that you walk along to get down into the main memorial. It is touching as a veteran, as a combat veteran, having watched some of my comrades pulled off the field, some alive some not. I can tell you that it takes a moment to reflect down there and it is a wonderful thing. Referencing the FOP contract, I’d like to thank the Administration and my fellow Council members for negotiating that. It’s always touchy when you talk about the Police. It’s probably one of the few things, you can cross State lines, you can cross Township lines, or County lines, but there’s always somebody there in blue with a badge to help protect and serve you. You need to take that into consideration, you know, as we went forward into these negotiations. I think you guys did an outstanding job. Other than that, again, I’d like to wish everybody a healthful and Happy Thanksgiving with you and your families. Thank you, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: Touching on what Ray said about Sustainable Jersey, I am all for us moving forward into becoming sustainable as far as energy is concerned, but one of the things that I found dismaying from some of the presenters is that pushing the sustainability as with capping carbon. I want to make sure that as we go forward and try to make sure that we reduce our energy consumptions that it is purely our, it’s based on a cost effective analysis and it’s not in some way to reduce our carbon output.

President Rattner: Thank you, Mr. Roman. I just want to add that everybody have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. I wanted to mention that I saw in the newspaper today that the State Police and the local Police departments are going to be out in force looking for anybody who may decide to have too good of a time on Thanksgiving. Thank you very much. Seeing nothing, I’ll move for adjournment.

Mr. Perkins: So moved.

President Rattner: All in favor?

AYE

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none opposed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.

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Steven W. Rattner, 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 December 8, 2009.

_________________________________
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk

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