TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES - September 15, 2009

The Public Meeting of the Mount Olive Township Council was called to Order at 8:34 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. Tobey, Mrs. Labow, Mr. Rattner, Mr. Roman, Mr. Greenbaum, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Mania

Absent: None

Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; John Dorsey, Township Attorney; Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk; Sherry Maniscalco, CFO

President Rattner: Okay, moving right along, we have a proclamation from the Mayor.

Mayor’s Proclamation - Creating a “Green Team” for the Township of Mount Olive

Office of the Mayor

PROCLAMATION

Creating a “Green Team” for the Township of Mount Olive

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey is a leader in the nation in the goal to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use, implement best practice and working to bring government together with businesses, schools, homes and non-profits to achieve these goals; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Mount Olive is in support of the Sustainable Jersey project to coordinate and disseminate information on energy saving measures to the public, to encourage public participation in the decision making regarding energy issues and implementing energy saving measures; and

WHEREAS, the Sustainable Jersey Program provided information, guidance, networking, grant programs and other measures and incentives to encourage participation through a consortium of government, non-profits, businesses and public/private partnerships; and

WHEREAS, to be successful an inclusive group can assist in the spreading of information throughout the Township by increasing awareness and improving practices, and the intention of the committee is to be broad in scope, to invite residents, students, business members and anyone interested to join in, and to encourage the participation of already existing committees with interests in energy savings, clean energy practices, a cleaner environment, long range planning and envisioning a better Mount Olive.

NOW THEREFORE, be it proclaimed that I, David Scapicchio, Mayor of Mount Olive Township do hereby proclaim the creation of a “Green Team” as a subcommittee of the already existing Environmental Commission in Mount Olive Township.

Mayor Scapicchio: Thanks, Steve.

Questions on Bill List?

President Rattner: Thank you, Mayor. Next on the Agenda we have questions on the Bill List. Does anybody have any questions for the CFO? Seeing none, we’ll move right along.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

President Rattner: We have Approval of Minutes from the Previous Meeting, which is September 1st both the Workshop and the Public Meeting. Mr. Mania, would you move them?

Mr. Mania: I move for the approval of minutes of our previous meeting to include:

September 1, 2009 Workshop & Public Meeting (all present)

Mr. Greenbaum: Second.

President Rattner: Moved and seconded. Does anybody have any corrections or comments? Seeing none, all in favor?

AYE

CORRESPONDENCE

LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS/ORGANIZATIONS

1. Letter received September 11, 2009, from the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce regarding a September Annual Awards Dinner.

RESOLUTIONS / ORDINANCES / CORRESPONDENCE OTHER TOWNS

2. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the Township of Roxbury regarding an Amendment of the Master Plan.

3. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the Township of Roxbury regarding Ordinance 15-09, 16-09, 17-09, 18-09 and 19-09.

4. Resolution received September 3, 2009, from the Borough of Kinnelon regarding Support of and Amendment to the Open Public Records Act.

DOT/ /DEP / LOI / HIGHLANDS

5. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding “Environmental Investigation/Cleanup in Progress at this Site” sign rules.

6. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding 29 Kevin Drive.

7. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding 11 Sunset Drive.

8. Letter received August 31, 2009, from Betts Environmental Services Corporation regarding environmental contamination at the former NJ Bus Company/Laidlaw Transit, 704 Bartley-Chester Road.

9. Letter received August 31, 2009, from Betts Environmental Services Corporation regarding a Public Notice.

10. Letter received September 8, 2009, from Kleinfelder regarding a Public Notification for Inactive Exxon Service Station #32544, 257 State Route 206.

11. Email received September 9, 2009, from Sovereign Consulting, Inc. regarding a Public Notification for 285 Route 206, Flanders.

12. Email received September 9, 2009, from Sovereign Consulting, Inc. regarding a Public Notification for 35 Route 46 East, Flanders.

LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES

13. Email received August 28, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding the Risk of Third Party Service Organizations and Ameripay.

14. Email received August 28, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Delay of Red Flag Rule until November 1, 2009.

15. Email received August 31, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Washington Watch Federal Update, Clean-Tea (Transportation Policy Legislation,) EECBG and Climate Change Legislation, National Preparedness Month Kick-Off and Prevailing Wage Threshold Change.

16. Email received August 31, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Washington Watch Federal update.

17. Email received September 1, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a League Professional Development Seminar and a September Grant Page Posted.

18. Email received September 1, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a COAH Briefing.

19. Letter received September 2, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a League Delegates Luncheon.

20. Letter received September 2, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Women in Government Breakfast. PDF Correspondence

21. Email received September 2, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding an NJLM Statement on Speaker Roberts.

22. Email received September 3, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a League Professional Development Program “Ethics – Back to Basics,” and Invitation for 2009 New Jersey Statewide Cultural Festival, September 26.

23. Email received September 4, 2009 from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a League Professional Development Program – “The Federal Stimulus Act and Grants.”

24. Email received September 4, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding the 1st Annual Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon.

25. Email received September 8, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Lame Duck Issues and the Staples Advantage Agreement.

26. Letter received September 10, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding the program, “New Jersey’s Economy: Status of Gloom and Prospects of Bloom.”

27. Email received September 10, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding an Urgent H1N1 Update.

28. Email received September 10, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Arts Build Communities and U.S. EPA Workshop on Brownfields Clean-up Grants.

29. Email received September 11, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Two issues for the “Lame Duck” and Beyond: Mandates Relief and Binding Arbitration Reform.

DCA

30. Email received September 2, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regarding Updated NJRA RTI Training Dates.

MORRIS COUNTY

31. Email received September 9, 2009, from Morris County regarding the PARIS Grant.

32. Email received September 10, 2009, from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office regarding an Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.

USDA

33. Letter received August 31, 2009, from the United States Department of Agriculture regarding an FSA Newsletter.

UTILITIES

34. Letter received September 2, 2009, from Comcast regarding Channel Changes.

35. Letter received September 4, 2009, from Comcast regarding Cable Guide Update.

36. Letter received September 8, 2009, from PSE&G regarding a Notice of Brush Mowing and Herbicide for Block 800 Lot 32 (1 Dorset Drive) and Block 801 Lot 1 (10 Dorset Drive).

37. Letter received September 8, 2009, from PSE&G regarding a Notice of Brush Mowing and Herbicide for Block 8800 Lot 36.24 (31 Saunders Lane) and Block 8800 Lot 36.45 (65 Saunders Lane, Open Space).

38. Letter received September 8, 2009, from Jersey Central Power & Light regarding a proposed Economic Stimulus Demand Response and Energy Efficiency Programs.

39. Letter received September 10, 2009, from Comcast regarding Channel Additions.

MSA

40. Minutes received September 3, 2009, from the Musconetcong Sewerage Authority regarding an August 5, 2009 Regular Meeting.

TORT

41. Letter received September 4, 2009, from Peter C. Ioannou, Attorney At Law regarding an August 13, 2009 Accident involving Martha Rincon.

42. Summons received September 10, 2009, from Michael McKenna, Esq. regarding Tilcon New York, Inc. & Kelly Excavating & Paving, Inc. D/B/A as Owl Contracting.

LETTER FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES

43. Email received September 4, 2009, from Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen regarding the Issue of our Day: Health Care.

COAH

44. Email received September 9, 2009, from the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing regarding Regional Planning Guidelines and Highlands Growth Projection Worksheet.

President Rattner: Next we have Correspondence. We have 44 items of Correspondence. Does anybody want to comment on any items of Correspondence? Seeing none, we’ll move right along to ordinances.

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

President Rattner: I open the hearing for Ord.#21-2009, entitled:

Ord.#21-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend and Supplement Chapter 102 Entitled “Documents, Fees for Copies of,” Article I Entitled “General Fees.”

President Rattner: Does anybody from the public want to address the Council on that ordinance? Seeing none, I’ll close the hearing to the public and ask Mr. Tobey to move it.

Mr. Tobey: Yes, Mr. President, I move Ord.#21-2009.

Mr. Roman: Second.

President Rattner: It’s moved and seconded. Any other comments? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING (second reading/public hearing September 29, 2009)

President Rattner: Ord.#21-2009 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 on the Agenda for First Reading is Ord.#22-2009, entitled:

Ord.#22-2009 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend the Permitted Uses as Set Forth in
§ 400-100 “Rural and Residential Districts” and in §400-101 “Nonresidential Districts” of Chapter 400, Entitled “Land Use” of the Code of the Township of Mount Olive to Include Antennas for Wireless Telecommunication Services and to Modify the Accessory Use Provisions in the Residential and Nonresidential Zone Districts to Include Equipment Associated with Said Antennas.

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

Mr. Greenbaum: I move that Ord.#22-2009 be introduced by title and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on September 29, 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. Tobey: 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 the Release of Performance Guarantees Posted by Jersey Central Power and Light.

2. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive to Modify the Township’s Resolution Entitled “Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive RE: Notice of Intent to Petition the Highlands Council for Plan Conformance” to Delete all References to Planning Area in Order to Rescind the Notice of Intent to Conform for the Planning Area.

3. 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 ($18,177.82 for Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund).

4. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Approving an Emergency Purchase in the Amount of $32,455.50 Due to Total Well Failure from a Collapsed Well Wall.

5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing Additional Engineering Services Provided by CMS in Connection with the Tinc Farm-Lynnwood-Goldmine Interconnect.

6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing an Agreement with Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission for the Disposal of Sludge.

7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing Funds for the Acquisition of a Portion of the Walsh Property, Block 8100 Lot 3 by the Land Conservancy of New Jersey.

8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Awarding a Contract to Andy-Matt Inc., J&R Tree Service and Mountainview Landscaping for Snowplowing Services.

9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Awarding a Contract to the Liberty Store for DPW & Dispatcher Uniforms and Accessories.

President Rattner: Okay, that’s all the ordinances we have tonight. Now we’ll go to Consent Resolutions. Other than number two which we’ve decided at the Workshop to take off…

Mrs. Labow: It was number one.

Mr. Roman: No, no, number one is the one I…

President Rattner: That’s why I’m going to ask you. You’re the one who wanted that one off so I’ll let you make that… You want to take number one off?

Mr. Roman: Actually, I would like to move it to Non Consent.

President Rattner: Okay, that’s why I want you to…

Mr. Roman: I want to move it to Non Consent.

President Rattner: Non Consent, okay. So right now we have resolutions one and three through nine. Mr. Perkins, would you move the Consent Resolutions?

Mr. Perkins: No, it’s resolutions three through nine, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Three through nine.

Mr. Perkins: So moved.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Rattner: Anybody from the public that would like to address the Council on Consent Resolutions three through nine? Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion. Any Council discussion? Roll Call.

PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT

President Rattner: Okay, Mr. Roman, would you like to move resolution number one?

1. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Release of Performance Guarantees Posted by Jersey Central Power and Light.

Mr. Roman: Well, first, if I can make a statement regarding number one.

Mr. Perkins: You’ve got to move it.

President Rattner: You have to move it now.

Mr. Roman: I’ll move Non Consent resolution number one.

President Rattner: Okay, anybody from the public that would like to address the Council on resolution number one? Seeing none, I’ll take Council comments.

PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Roman: I sat on the Board of Adjustment when JCP&L was approved for this application, and one of the reasons to have that application approved was the extensive use of planting some vegetation to obscure the substation from public view. Earlier, say about three to four months ago, I reached out to the Planning department, Eugene, as to why as of yet the plantings haven’t been done. They informed me that it was a little bit too late in the season to start. So I would just like reassurances that before we even approve this, from Eugene, that all of the items that were supposed to be done on there would be performed.

President Rattner: Mayor?

Mayor Scapicchio: I think we just have Gene Buczynski give us a letter telling us whether or not they’ve been performed.

Mr. Roman: Okay.

Mayor Scapicchio: I would hold this until we get that letter.

President Rattner: Well, I think we have the letter. That was the question of whether they were actually in fact performed, because he had to sign off that all the improvements were made.

Mayor Scapicchio: I don’t have it in front of me so why don’t you just hold off on this and we’ll find out. Is that alright, Alex?

Mr. Roman: Yes, that’s fine.

Mayor Scapicchio: Sherry?

Mrs. Maniscalco: That’s fine.

Mr. Roman: Then I move that we remove it.

President Rattner: You withdraw your motion?

Mr. Roman: I withdraw.

President Rattner: Okay, moving right along we have Motions.

Mrs. Lashway: Well, wait a minute. We had a motion. You withdrew the motion, is that what you said?

President Rattner: He withdrew the motion.

Mrs. Labow: There was a second I believe too.

Mr. Tobey: Withdrew it? So we’re voting on it?

Mr. Greenbaum: No.

President Rattner: That’s why I thought we were just taking it off the first time.

MOTIONS

President Rattner: Okay, now we’ll move on to Motions. Mr. Roman, would you move the Raffle Applications?

Mr. Roman: I move for approval of:

1. Approval of Raffle Application #2325 for the Mount Olive High School Band Booster Association; Bingo Application #2326 and Raffle Application #2327 for Budd Lake Vol. Fire Co. #1; and Raffle Application #2328 & #2329 for the Mt. Olive High School Band Booster Association.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Any discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: Okay, the Bill List. Mrs. Labow, would you move that?

Mrs. Labow: I move the Bill List.

2. Bill List.

Mr. Roman: Second.

President Rattner: Any other discussion? Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

President Rattner: Okay, moving right along to Administrative matters. Mayor, do you have anything at this point?

Mayor Scapicchio: Nothing.

OLD BUSINESS – none

NEW BUSINESS

President Rattner: Anybody have any other Old Business? Anybody have any New Business? Mr. Dorsey, do you have any Legal Matters?

Mr. Dorsey: Not other than that which we discussed.

Mr. Mania: Mr. Rattner, if I may?

President Rattner: Mr. Mania.

Mr. Mania: I guess, I’m not sure, but under New Business we had a recent fire on Saturday up near Lakeview Estates.

President Rattner: Timberline.

Mr. Mania: I understand there was a problem getting water up there. Anybody have anything on that?

Mr. Roman: I was not aware that we had a problem getting water up there.

President Rattner: I know that they had tank trucks and according to the firemen that were on site, they didn’t have any trouble having enough water. They called every tanker, I guess, within about ten miles. As far as Mount Arlington and Schooley’s Mountain, Long Valley and the other one... Mayor, you wanted to say something?

Mayor Scapicchio: Yes, I mean, Tim tells me that there’s active fire hydrants up in that area. So tonight we’re sort of wondering why they needed tankers, but obviously they needed them. I mean, we can find out from the Budd Lake Fire Department.

President Rattner: Well, maybe they didn’t know they had them because they just stretched out hoses. In fact, they had hoses and if they had to they were going to take water out of the Lake.

Mr. Mania: If my recollection serves me, while I was on the Planning Board I thought Lakeview Estates, they were supposed to tie into those.

Mr. Quinn: Lakeview Estates is tied into the Pinecrest system.

Mayor Scapicchio: Then it’s turned on.

Mr. Quinn: Yes, I’m unaware of any issues over there.

President Rattner: Was the Fire Department notified that they now have working fire hydrants over there?

Mr. Mania: I don’t know.

Mayor Scapicchio: I can’t answer that, Steve.

President Rattner: Well, maybe that’s what just has to be checked into.

Mr. Quinn: Yes, I’ll check it out. It’s been operational for years.

President Rattner: But they didn’t go to any fire hydrants. They brought in all the water. That they did do.

Mr. Roman: Yes, because when I drove by I thought it was something major, and then I later found out it was a house fire.

President Rattner: Well, if it was your house it would be major.

Mayor Scapicchio: Tim, you’ll look into that?

Mr. Quinn: Sure, I’ll look into it.

Mr. Mania: The whole inside of the house was destroyed. I think that’s pretty major.

President Rattner: Thank you. Anything else, Mr. Mania? That was it?

Mr. Mania: That’s it. Thank you.

LEGAL MATTERS – none

COUNCIL REPORTS

President Rattner: Moving right on to Council Reports. Recreation Liaison Report, Mr. Roman.

Recreation Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: Nothing to report.

President Rattner: Board of Health Report, Mr. Perkins.

Board of Health Report

Mr. Perkins: Next week, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Planning Board Report, Mr. Greenbaum.

Planning Board Report

Mr. Greenbaum: Thursday night.

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

Board of Adjustment Liaison Report

Mr. Greenbaum: Yesterday’s meeting was cancelled.

President Rattner: Open Space Committee Report, Mrs. Labow.

Open Space Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: We had the meeting last night but I was not able to attend.

President Rattner: Legislative Committee Report, Mr. Perkins.

Legislative Committee Report

Mr. Perkins: Nothing to report.

President Rattner: Pride Committee Report, Mrs. Labow.

Pride Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: We haven’t had a meeting. Next week we’ll have a meeting.

President Rattner: Board of Education Liaison Report, Mr. Roman.

Board of Education Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: School’s in session. I’m sure we’re all aware of that. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend last night’s meeting, but one interesting thing that was brought to my attention is that a number of School busses, especially on the High School runs, are being run with excess capacity. So that is something that I’ll be reaching out to the Board of Education to clarify whether that is the case.

Lake/Environment Issues Committee

President Rattner: Okay, Lake Environmental Issues, the only thing I have is just that I got a couple of telephone calls, as did a couple of other Council members last week, that by the channel behind the old municipal building going down under Manor House Road to the firehouse, there was a green slime. There were a number of people that were concerned that it was a sewer line break. I know I went down and you could see right away it wasn’t. That’s actually an occurrence that happens this time of year when the water, when the rain slows down and it’s been warm and because of the vegetation, it’s the different stuff and the algae that forms on it. I know that Mr. Wilpert did give me a call because they said that I was seen there, and he was saying that it was definitely not the sewer. I know Tim’s people were there looking to make sure. It was just suggested that he take a sample of the water, send it out and find out what was actually in it. It’s probably just one of the joys of living in a lake community.

Mr. Roman: And I’d like to thank Tim’s crew for being out there. Again, I’d have them check that right away because as we’re all aware, I’m right adjacent to that and there was a putrid smell coming from that. I was relieved to know that that was caused naturally as opposed to…

President Rattner: Yes, they mentioned, there was a little guy who came over here and looked at it. Thank you. Safety Committee Liaison, Mr. Perkins.

Safety Committee Liaison

Mr. Perkins: Meeting next month, Mr. President.

Economic Development Committee Report

President Rattner: Economic Development Committee Report. I have nothing to report. Solid Waste Advisory Committee Report, Mr. Perkins.

Solid Waste Advisory Committee Report

Mr. Perkins: Yes, we had a brief meeting this evening, Mr. President. We received a couple of issues that are outstanding. What I can tell you is that we are more than likely, at the recommendation of the Committee, we’re going to dispense. We would request that it no longer be listed as a Council Report item. If there is something specific that the Council needs to address then we can reconvene the Committee, but we will not be meeting on a regular basis.

President Rattner: Thank you, Mr. Perkins. Library Board Liaison, Mr. Tobey.

Library Board Liaison

Mr. Tobey: Nothing to report.

President Rattner: Senior Citizen Liaison, Mrs. Labow.

Senior Citizen Liaison

Mrs. Labow: Nothing to report.

PUBLIC PORTION

President Rattner: Now we’ll go to the final public portion. Anybody from the public? Yes, sir.

John Titus, Flanders: Getting back to that fire on Saturday. I’m with the Flanders Fire Department. We got called out to help Budd Lake with no pressure in the hydrants at all.

President Rattner: Oh, you actually tried them?

Mr. Titus: Yes.

Mr. Roman: Was there, did you forward that problem over to Public Works?

Mr. Titus: I’m not an officer, so I didn’t do it.

Mr. Perkins: Well, we know now.

President Rattner: Well hopefully, but Freddy Detoro knows, right?

Mr. Titus: Fred’s from Flanders. It should have been the Chief of Budd Lake that told you.

President Rattner: Okay, but I mean if he was there he would know and he’s here everyday. Okay.

Mr. Titus: Yes.

Mr. Roman: Is there a regular test that’s done on all the hydrants and all the systems, or is there any way of ever knowing if one isn’t…?

Mr. Quinn: Basically, we do the hydrant flushing on a yearly basis. So at that point we know that the fire hydrants are working. We also monitor the pressure levels at the actual well and water tower. So if there was a pressure problem it wasn’t reported to me and I will look into this and find out exactly what is going on over there.

President Rattner: Thank you. You got your answer, Mr. Mania, in a round about way but you got your answer.

Mr. Mania: Yes, I guess.

President Rattner: Anybody else from the public who would like to address the Council at this time? Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion and go for Council comments. Well, first I’ll ask if the Mayor has any other comments.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mayor Scapicchio: No comments, Steve.

President Rattner: Mr. Mania?

Mr. Mania: No comments.

President Rattner: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: No comments.

President Rattner: Mr. Tobey?

Mr. Tobey: No comments.

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, thank you for asking, Mr. President. I’d like to take a couple of moments to thank the Mayor for his proclamation this evening for the Green Team. This is a part of the Sustainable Jersey requirements. One of the other requirements is that we perform a municipal audit, which I believe is going to be taking place shortly if it’s not already under way. There needs to be some community involvement. The Mayor did endorse the U.S. Congress of Mayor’s Climate Control initiative back in 2007. The Council passed a Green Resolution. We continue to look for ways to encourage our residents to save energy, to save money and reduce our carbon footprint, something near and dear to my friend, Mr. Roman, here. I want to again thank the Mayor. I think this is appropriate to get this out. There are many municipalities throughout this State that are being recognized for their outstanding leadership in energy conservation and reducing the tax burden upon their residents by reducing their dependencies on a tremendous amount of electricity. Today I had the pleasure of being with a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency from Washington, D.C. where we handed out certificates to builders in the State of New Jersey to participate in the New Jersey Energy Star Homes Program. Last year we had the dubious distinction of certifying 4,180 homes in the State. New Jersey is the second leading builder in the entire country for Energy Star certified homes. So we have a great basis to continue to work, and I thank anybody who wants to volunteer to help along with the Sub Committee for Green. Please contact the Mayor’s office and let it be known that you’d like to be there. Thank you, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Thank you. Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: Nothing.

President Rattner: Mrs. Labow?

Mrs. Labow: Nothing.

President Rattner: Okay, the only thing that I have and it’s sad news, is that Mount Olive lost a long time employee, past employee this past weekend. Also, I guess you can call him a Town character and Mount Olive was better for it. That’s Sonny Wolksi, longtime Building Inspector and an employee of the Town for 28 years. He passed away in his sleep Thursday night into Friday morning. The only thing I can say about Sonny is that when you talk about living on borrowed time, never forgetting what doctors told him, it was over twenty years ago when he was diagnosed with bladder cancer that was spreading, and they told him he didn’t have much time. Ten years ago he gave up on doctors and hadn’t been to a doctor in the last ten years, at least that’s what his wife said. It is sad that Sonny, who gave so much to the Town, and he was around for all of the big buildings, the shopping centers, the ITC. He was the Construction Official. He was always found around Town and people went to him for advice so it was a sad time. Mount Olive was just the better for having him as an employee and having him as a resident for just short of fifty years. With that I’ll move for adjournment.

Mr. Mania: 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 8:54 pm.

_________________________________
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 September 29, 2009.
_________________________________
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk

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