TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES - September 29, 2009

The Public Meeting of the Mount Olive Township Council was called to Order at 8:38 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: Mrs. Labow, Mr. Rattner, Mr. Roman, Mr. Greenbaum, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Mania

Absent: Mr. Tobey

Also Present: David Scapicchio, Mayor; Bill Sohl, Business Administrator; Fred Semrau, Township Attorney; Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk

President Rattner: Moving right along, we have a Proclamation from the Mayor.

Proclamation Honoring November as Volunteer Appreciation Month

Office of the Mayor

PROCLAMATION

Honoring November as “Volunteer Appreciation Month”

WHEREAS, the residents of Mount Olive have effectively created positive change with their volunteer action, regardless of the size of their contribution; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of volunteers throughout Mount Olive have donated their time and talents to make a difference in the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, the giving of oneself in service to another empowers both the giver and the recipient alike; and

WHEREAS, experience teaches us that government by itself cannot solve all of our social problems and needs; and

WHEREAS, Mount Olive’s volunteer force has increased exponentially year after year; and

WHEREAS, during the month of November, Mount Olive Township will act on Councilman John Mania’s promise to our volunteers that they will be acknowledged for their great work and recognize their commitment to service; and

WHEREAS, it is the right that we recognize those volunteers who are vital to our future as a caring and productive community; and

WHEREAS, together, I encourage community organizations and businesses to join me in acknowledging appreciation to our volunteers.

NOW THEREFORE, I David Scapicchio, Mayor of Mount Olive Township with the inspiration of Councilman John Mania do hereby proclaim, November as Volunteer Appreciation Month in the Township of Mount Olive.

Questions on Bill List?

President Rattner: Thank you, Mayor. Questions on the Bill List? Mr. Sohl is hoping there are none.

Mr. Sohl: Our CFO is enjoying the warm sunny climate of Jamaica.

President Rattner: Okay.

Mr. Greenbaum: Not going to Disney World this year? What happened?

Mr. Sohl: No kids to go along with.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

President Rattner: Okay, seeing none we’ll move right along. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings. Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: I move for approval of:

September 15, 2009 Executive Session, Workshop & Public Meeting (all present)

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: All in favor?

AYE

President Rattner: Anybody opposed?

CORRESPONDENCE

LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS/ORGANIZATIONS

1. Email received September 24, 2009, from We Work for Health regarding Thank Senator Menendez for his support in the health care debate.

2. Letter received September 25, 2009, from the East Hanover Italian American Club regarding the Fifth Annual Morris County Columbus Day Parade.

RESOLUTIONS / ORDINANCES / CORRESPONDENCE OTHER TOWNS

3. Ordinances received September 14, 2009, from the Township of Roxbury regarding Land Development and COAH.

4. Letter received September 14, 2009, from Washington Township regarding Public Hearings on the Washington Township Master Plan Reexamination Report.

5. Resolution received September 15, 2009, from Boonton Township opposing Proposed Changes to the Health Care System.

6. Resolution received September 18, 2009, from Parsippany-Troy Hills Township opposing the Adoption of P.L. 2009, c.118.

7. Resolution received September 21, 2009, from Hanover Township regarding Health Care Reform.

8. Ordinance received September 21, 2009, from Allamuchy Township regarding “MR” Zoning Districts.

9. Letter received September 22, 2009, from the Borough of Morris Plains regarding a COAH Regional Briefing.

DOT/ /DEP / LOI / HIGHLANDS

10. Letter received September 14, 2009, from Motiva Enterprises, LLC regarding Notification and Public Outreach for 90 Route 206, Flanders.

11. Email received September 14, 2009, from GES, NJ regarding Shell Station 90 Route 206, Flanders.

12. Letter received September 16, 2009, from Motiva Enterprises, LLC, regarding 285 Route 206, Flanders.

13. Letter received September 16, 2009, from Motiva Enterprises, LLC, regarding 35 Route 46 East, Budd Lake.

14. Letter received September 16, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding a One Year Extension of Time for a Treatment Works Approval for the Mount Olive Mews.

15. Letter received September 16, 2009, from Stantec Consulting Corporation regarding a Public Notification and Outreach, Service Station No. 00611, Route 46 and Mount Olive Road.

16. Letter received September 18, 2009, from EWMA Environmental Consulting and Remediation Firm regarding a Notification and Public Outreach for Valley National Bank, 202 Route 46 West.

17. Letter received September 21, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding a Morris County MUA Mount Olive Transfer Station Permit.

18. Letter received September 23, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding a Notice of Deficiency for 11 Locust Street.

19. Letter received September 24, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regarding Block 1101 Lot 2, Cheri Lane.

LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES

20. Email received September 11, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding an Updated Time for the 10/23 session “Ethics Back to Basics.”

21. Email received September 11, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Lame Duck Issues and Unemployment Insurance Extended Benefits.

22. Email received September 11, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Conference on New Jersey’s Economy: Status of Gloom and Prospects for Bloom.

23. Email received September 14, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding “The Economy’s Impact on Crime,” by Director Jose Cordero.

24. Email received September 14, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Rethinking our Region: From Infrastructure to Social Structure National Premiere of the New Metropolis, Reminder – COAH Briefing, State Planning Commission, Affordable Housing and Sample Resolution for Legislative Action on the Eastampton COAH Decision.

25. Letter received September 16, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Federal Update Road and Rail Funding.

26. Email received September 17, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Reminder: COAH Regional Briefing – September 24, 2009.

27. Email received September 18, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Deadline Reminder October 13 – Call for Nominations Eighth Annual Innovation in Governance Awards, and 2009 League Conference Resolutions.

28. Letter received September 21, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding ADA Compliance.

29. Email received September 21, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Mayor’s Wellness Update.

30. Email received September 21, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Important Conference Sessions Economic Development and Revitalization.

31. Email received September 22, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Seminar and Important Conference Session.

32. Email received September 22, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a League Professional Development Seminar: “Labor Negotiations Primer: Collective Negotiations and Interest Arbitration.

33. Email received September 22, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Conference Sessions Update and Mayors Book Clubs Expand.

34. Email received September 23, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Federal H1N1 Resources, Mayor’s Book Clubs Launched, Tax Foundation Names New Jersey First in Nation in Property Taxes and 94th Annual League Conference.

35. Email received September 24, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding Property Taxes – Annual Conference.

36. Email received September 25, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding a Final Reminder – Conference on New Jersey Economy.

37. Letter received September 25, 2009, from the State of New Jersey League of Municipalities regarding the 18th Annual Mayor’s Legislative Day.

DCA

38. Email received September 15, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs regarding a GovConnect Update for September 15, 2009.

MORRIS COUNTY

39. Email received September 14, 2009, from the Morris County Green Table regarding Open Space Funding: Time to Renew.

40. Letter received September 21, 2009, from the Morris County Planning Board regarding July 16, 2009 regular Meeting Minutes.

STATE TREASURY

41. Letter received September 15, 2009, from the State of New Jersey Department of the Treasury regarding Executive Order No. 151.

UTILITIES

42. Letter received September 24, 2009, from Comcast regarding Channel Changes.

TORT

43. Tort claim received September 17, 2009, from Broscious, Fischer & Zaiter regarding Frank Natale.

44. Tort Claim received September 24, 2009, from Borrus, Golden, Foley, Vignuolo, Hyman & Stahl regarding Amy Gulli and Anthony Gulli, Guardian at litem for Gianna Gulli, minor.

LETTER FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES

45. Email received September 11, 2009, from Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen regarding The Week Just Past, Point to Ponder: Bipartisanship in Health Reform?, Working for Transparency in Health Reform, More Town Meetings, Weakening our Defenses, Bad Idea of the Wee: Ignoring the Morgenthau Report, 9-11: “Their Bravery Will Never be Forgotten,” Spread the eNews and Contact Rep. Frelinghuysen.

46. Email received September 18, 2009, from Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen regarding The Week Just Past, Another Government Takeover: College Student Loans, No Taxpayer Funds for ACORN, A Dangerous White House Reversal on Missile Defense, Afghanistan Questions, New Leadership at Picatinny, More Town Meetings, Spread the eNews and Contact Rep. Frelinghuysen.

President Rattner: Okay, we have 46 items of Correspondence. Does anybody want to mention or comment on any of those items of Correspondence? Seeing none, we’ll move right along. We have an Ordinance for Public Hearing.

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

President Rattner: We have an Ordinance for Public Hearing. I open…

Mr. Greenbaum: It’s been carried.

Mrs. Lashway: Are you going to open the hearing or do you want to carry it?

President Rattner: Don’t we have to open it and then we carry it? Isn’t that what usually happens?

Mr. Semrau: Yes, I mean, you advertise…

President Rattner: We go through this each time. Okay, I open the hearing to the public on 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. – (Continue to October 27, 2009, meeting per Planning Board)

President Rattner: Okay, we’re ultimately going to table this. We’re going to continue the public hearing to October 27th. So seeing nobody from the public, I’ll close the public portion and ask…

Mr. Greenbaum: I make a motion to continue the public portion to October 27th 2009.

President Rattner: Mr. Mania’s name was on there to do it.

Mr. Greenbaum: Yes, but…

Mr. Mania: That’s okay.

President Rattner: Okay, do I get a second?

Mrs. Labow: Second.

Mr. Perkins: Do you want to second it, John?

Mr. Mania: I’ll second it then. Thank you, Mr. Greenbaum.

Mr. Perkins: Too late, he’s not listening. Colleen got that one.

President Rattner: Okay, any discussion? Okay, Roll Call?

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING (second reading/public hearing October 13, 2009) - none

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 Joining in the American Legion Auxiliary’s Tribute to Prisoners of Way.

3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing a Settlement in Connection with Tax Appeals Involving Mt. Olive Industrial Realty.

4. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Commending Eileen Swan, Executive Director of the Highlands Commission, for Her Outstanding Skills as Administrator, Counselor and Diplomat for the Highlands Commission.

5. Township of Mount Olive Resolution Petitioning the New Jersey Council of Affordable Housing with an Adopted Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.

6. Mount Olive Township Resolution Requesting Review and Approval of a Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan

7. 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 ($90,672 for State Health Services Grant).

8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Cancellation of a Grant Balance (Over the Limit Under Arrest).

9. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Use of One Purchasing Contract (HD Supply Waterworks).

10. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Regarding Famous Footwear Developer’s Agreement.

President Rattner: Okay, moving right along, we come to the Consent Resolutions Agenda. Okay, Mr. Perkins, would you move Consent Resolutions one through ten?

Mr. Perkins: Did you want to ask if any Councilmember wishes to have any item removed, Mr. President?

President Rattner: They didn’t say anything during the Workshop. Did anybody want to change their mind and would like anything removed? Seeing none, we can just make the motion.

Mr. Perkins: Thank you, Mr. President. I move for adoption of Consent Resolutions numbers one through ten.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Rattner: Any discussion or clarifying statements? Anybody from the public that would like to address the Council on any of the resolutions? Seeing none, I’ll take a Roll Call.

PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS – none

ROLL CALL – Passed with the exception of Mr. Rattner who voted no on number six

RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT

President Rattner: Okay, now we come to resolutions on Non Consent. Mr. Roman, would you move resolution number eleven?

Mr. Roman: I move for adoption of Non Consent Resolution number eleven.

11. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing a Contract with Robert Perkoski for the Farming of Charters Farm, Block 8300 Lots 3 and 4, Under the “Non-Fair and Open” Contracts in Accordance with the Pay-to-Play Law. *(revised)

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Rattner: Is there anybody from the public who would like to address Council on this resolution? This resolution is the one you heard about having a farmer take care of our lands, maintain our lands and farm it. Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion and ask for a vote.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: Since Mr. Greenbaum did yours, Mr. Mania, would you like to move resolution number twelve?

Mr. Mania: I move resolution number twelve.

12. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount Olive Authorizing the Filing of a Grant Application to New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for Local Public Health Emergency Response to H1N1. *(added)

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Anybody from the public that would like to address the Council on this resolution? Seeing none, I’ll close the public portion and ask for a Roll Call.

PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS – none

COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS – none

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

MOTIONS

President Rattner: Next we have Approval of Raffle Applications. Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: I move for:

1. Approval of Raffle Application #2330 for Lions Club Mt. Olive.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

President Rattner: The Bill List, Mrs. Labow?

Mrs. Labow: I move the Bill List for approval.

2. Bill List.

Mr. Perkins: Second.

President Rattner: Did you hear a second?

Mrs. Labow: Yes, Ray did.

President Rattner: Oh, okay, moved and seconded. Roll Call.

ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

President Rattner: Okay, moving right along, Administrative Matters. Does Administration have anything that they’d like to bring up at this time?

Mr. Sohl: I’d just like to point out two things. Number one, we were notified today about the Township being one of a relatively small number of towns that are going to be recognized by the, Kathy, what’s the…?

Mr. Perkins: Sustainable Jersey.

Mr. Sohl: …Energy Sustainability in the League of Municipalities, and Mr. Perkins is going to try to be there on our behalf to say hello. Secondly, Mrs. Labow had asked me to look into certain matters relative to Flanders Park, and I believe the only thing left that has not been addressed is some of the grass growing in the crack that’s on the basketball court. The Playground has been totally redone, not totally redone, but has been addressed relative to the issues that you pointed out. Kind of an ironic element was the fact that we were down there today trying to do that work and a resident complained this was not the right time to do it because their kids wanted to play. So you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins, you wanted to say something?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, thank you, Mr. President.

Mr. Sohl: We’ll keep you abreast of exactly when that last item…

Mrs. Labow: Thank you very much and I just want to say that I received an email from a resident and I sent it right off to Mr. Sohl, Mr. Quinn and Mr. Lynch, and the very next morning had responded and action was already being taken. I want to thank you very much.

Mr. Sohl: It’s sad that I have to say this but one of the unfortunate aspects of some of the situations down there is a direct result of vandalism. It’s tragic that we have such vandalism going on but it does. We have Jimmy filing a Police report every time this occurs.

Mrs. Labow: Yes, the one part that was really sad to find out was that the gazebo that our Girl Scouts had done for their Gold Award may now have to be removed because of the vandalism. I just want to thank Captain…

Mr. Sohl: They had to remove a bunch of slats.

Mrs. Labow: Yes, and I wanted to thank Captain Gardner for putting the Park on the extra watch list.

Mr. Sohl: I can’t…

Mrs. Labow: He put it, Captain Gardner put the Park on the additional watch list.

Mr. Sohl: I still can’t understand.

Mayor Scapicchio: Stepped up patrol.

Mr. Sohl: Yes, oh, that’s right.

Mrs. Labow: Thank you. Stepped up patrol.

Mr. Roman: You’ve got to talk like this.

Mr. Sohl: We’ve done that. Captain Gardner’s already addressed that.

Mrs. Labow: Alex…

Mr. Sohl: In fact, I went down there after having the note that you sent me and I went down there, I believe it was Monday morning, and a patrol car was there the same time I pulled in.

Mrs. Labow: Okay, good.

President Rattner: Okay, Mr. Perkins, you’ve been patient because you had a comment and you got stepped on.

Mr. Sohl: That’s it.

Mr. Perkins: That’s alright. See, he’s doing it again. He can’t hear good. I just wanted to comment. I wanted to thank Kathy Murphy for all of her help and assistance with the Sustainable Jersey Program. Just for the public’s record and for the rest of the Council and Administration, we are Sustainable Jersey certified. There will be an Awards Program Luncheon to be held at the League of Municipalities Annual Conference on Tuesday the 17th. I’m assuming that someone from the Township will be down there and I think it would behoove us to have at least one person attend the Luncheon. Mount Olive is in the “first wave” of municipalities submitting for Sustainable Jersey certification. So I don’t believe there’s more than maybe about 35 municipalities out of all of us that are in here that are getting honorable mention. So it goes to show that we have taken sustainability seriously, clean energy, renewables and energy conservation, and Kathy, the Administration, the Mayor and the Council that obviously adopted the Green Resolution back in 2007, I thank you very much. We continue to move forward with this inevitably to hopefully save the planet, but that not being my intent, my intent is to reduce energy costs and thereby reduce the burden on the taxpayers. Thank you, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Thank you, Mr. Perkins. Any other Old Business? Any other New Business? Legal Matters?

OLD BUSINESS – none

NEW BUSINESS – none

LEGAL MATTERS

Mr. Semrau: The only thing I would mention is that we’ve been in the process of foreclosing on the Combe Fill North property, and Judge Wilson signed what was an amended judgment of foreclosure to address issues with the State of New Jersey. So that’s really the next to last step to just receive a final judgment and title to the property.

Mrs. Labow: Thank you.

COUNCIL REPORTS

President Rattner: Thank you. Now we come 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: No meeting, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Planning Board Report, Mr. Greenbaum.

Planning Board Report

Mr. Greenbaum: We met on the 17th. There was an application for an extension on Morris Chase. They were given a one year extension based upon the Judge’s prior ruling and the work that they’ve done on site. There really was no other option but to give them a one year approval on the final extension. They wanted more but the Planning Board was only inclined to do it on a year by year basis. We have been told that they are moving forward with building and that they intend actually to have houses for sale somewhere in the beginning of 2011 I think it was, but actually start somewhere in 2010. I think it’s somewhere in the neighborhood of, if I remember correctly, 170 or 180 single family and townhouse type houses. Coming in October is Morris Chase Mr. Greenbaum (Cont’d): Phase II, the Law Brothers, for an extension. I suggested to Mr. Buzak, and I am suggesting to Mr. Semrau, that there needs to be some discussion between the Township Attorney and the Planning Board Attorney with respect to Morris Chase Phase II. The issues that have come up with respect to the Highlands, where the Township stands with respect to Morris Chase Phase II, so that Mr. Buzack can be fully educated and then educate the Board in terms of the history and the ultimate issues it needs to decide with respect to their application for an extension.

Mr. Semrau: That’s fine.

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

Board of Adjustment Liaison Report

Mr. Greenbaum: There was a Board of Adjustment meeting. There were various applications heard and everything was fairly routine and granted.

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

Open Space Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: We met a couple of weeks ago and Kathy’s already been through all of it. Thank you.

Mr. Rattner: You can also say that the County Road Trip from their Open Space Committee arrived in Town on Saturday. I think that it went rather well. They had to be impressed with the pieces of property. Yes, I was able to walk from River Road up the property and be one of them, and some of the people that made it because a lot didn’t. So I can still do it, barely. I think it was good. The people from the different organizations that gave the presentations gave a very good presentation. They actually have some really good plans for the property on what they’re going to do with it once it’s turned over. The big thing is to have it close on their schedule, which is before next spring, is that all of the remediation has to be done by the developer and he’s agreed to do it. So that’s going to be the interesting part. Okay, Legislative Committee Report, Mr. Perkins.

Legislative Committee Report

Mr. Perkins: Nothing to report, Mr. President.

President Rattner: You just want to add that the Congressman is going to be here on Saturday morning for all of the residents?

Mrs. Labow: At the Middle School.

Mr. Sohl: Correct.

Mr. Perkins: Correct, that’s at the Mount Olive Middle School from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen will be there. I shutter to think of what most of the questions are going to be but I somehow got the funny feeling that health care is going to be a big, major item.

President Rattner: Here’s your opportunity. It’s everybody’s opportunity to speak to the Congressman on any issue that they have with the Federal Government. Pride Committee Report, Mrs. Labow.

Pride Committee Report

Mrs. Labow: We had to cancel our meeting last week because it was Back to School Night and we’re meeting tomorrow night.

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

Board of Education Liaison Report

Mr. Roman: At the last Board of Education meeting, the Board started their annual goal setting session and tonight they are starting a series of meetings. An ad hoc committee was formed to start the next future, where they want the School system to go. Unfortunately, I was not at that meeting but I will attend the next meeting and then report back.

Lake/Environment Issues Committee

President Rattner: Thank you. Next we have me, Lake Committee, Lake Environmental Issues. What I have to report is that on October 10th a week from this Saturday will be the semi annual Lake Cleanup. Anybody…

Mr. Perkins: Yay.

President Rattner: What?

Mr. Perkins: Yay.

President Rattner: Anybody who would like to volunteer is always welcome. Usually there’s even donuts to start you off with. We meet at 9:00 at what we call the Lake House. That’s Mr. Gerdes house on Sandshore Road and everybody’s invited. Safety Committee Liaison, Mr. Perkins?

Safety Committee Liaison

Mr. Perkins: No meeting, Mr. President.

Economic Development Committee Report

President Rattner: Economic Development Committee Report, I have none. Library Board Liaison, Mr. Tobey, is not here. Senior Citizen Liaison, Mrs. Labow.

Library Board Liaison – none

Senior Citizen Liaison

Mrs. Labow: I don’t have anything to report.

PUBLIC PORTION

President Rattner: Okay, now we come to the final public portion. Would anybody from the public like to address the Council on any issue? Mr. McDonnell.

Ned McDonnell, Budd Lake: I have a question on the Bill List on page 17. This was for the Tinc emergency well repairs. What was the emergency that required the repairs?

Mr. Sohl: Which item? What page?

Mr. McDonnell: 17.

Mrs. Labow: 17.

Mr. Roman: I think it’s the well that collapsed.

Mrs. Labow: Page 17.

Mr. Sohl: What page?

Mayor Scapicchio: 17.

Mr. McDonnell: 17.

Mr. Roman: That $32,000 one?

Mr. Perkins: Those were the ones from two weeks ago.

Mr. McDonnell: Yes, it was a $32,000 bill.

Mr. Roman: Well, if you were doing your job and being at every meeting you would know what it was about.

Mr. Perkins: We had the resolutions two weeks ago. The wells had collapsed.

Mr. Sohl: I believe it was a pump failure.

Mr. McDonnell: Do we have a maintenance contract with anybody? Who routinely takes care of the wells?

Mrs. Labow: It was the walls that collapsed I think, wasn’t it? The wall…

Mr. Perkins: This was past the routine maintenance. Literally, they had a well collapse.

Mrs. Labow: It collapsed.

Mr. Sohl: That’s right.

Mr. McDonnell: And this is nothing that could have been foreseen?

Mr. Perkins: No.

Mrs. Labow: No.

Mr. Sohl: No.

President Rattner: Some of our pumps are very, very old. Your question about who maintains our pumps, that’s why we have our Water & Sewer department who do all the routine maintenance. They inspect every pump every day. They have a maintenance program and at some point, this was just a catastrophic failure that was unforeseen. I mean, that happens.

Mr. McDonnell: Now, you say that some of the pumps are very old. Is there any thought of replacing these things before more pumps catastrophically fail?

Mr. Roman: Yes, but that wasn’t a pump. That was a wall.

Mrs. Labow: That wasn’t the pump. It was the wall.

Mr. Greenbaum: That’s not what it was.

Mrs. Labow: The well itself collapsed.

Mr. Roman: Not the pump. The wall itself.

Mr. Sohl: The well casing.

Mr. McDonnell: Okay.

President Rattner: During budget time the department comes up with a priority list and hopefully they guess right. There is a, put in capital every year. A lot of times you see those. Those are the things that are $100,000 - $150,000 where there’s a whole rebuilding of a whole system or a unit, a subsystem, and they try their best guess, because you know that the Council doesn’t just give them everything on their wish list. So part of it is trying to just determine what has to go first.

Mr. McDonnell: Okay, thank you. Have there been any reports of weak well casings or anything in previous inspections? Had there been any inkling that this could have happened?

President Rattner: Administration would probably have to check with the department.

Mr. McDonnell: So it’s not that you don’t know of any.

Mr. Perkins: Steve?

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: Ned, no. Typically, the only way that you’re going to be able to see if there’s anything wrong with a casing is you’re going to have to go down with a camera, which means you shut off the well and lower a camera down there to see if there’s any problems, any corrosion or anything else that’s starting to effect the casing of the well. At this point there was no indication. The pump pressures and everything were fine. The well wall literally collapsed. So for them in the emergency, and they literally replaced a submersible with a new pump. So we’re actually pumping out a little bit better than what we were pumping before, but they actually had problems getting the pump out because it had collapsed over the well pump…

Mr. McDonnell: Sure.

Mr. Greenbaum: I would imagine…

Mr. Perkins: …but there was no way, I mean, I spent twenty some odd years in the water utility business. Unfortunately there is no way unless you routinely, say once every year or two, because I have all these other wells that I can run and I have a tank and I can run it off for a day or two. You hire an outside firm. They come in. You pull the well pump and they go down and they physically examine the casing. Then you can come back up. That typically is not done, maybe every ten years.

Mr. Greenbaum: Even if you could identify it, Ray, I would imagine that if you identified it you would have to replace the casing anyway.

Mr. Perkins: It would be easier if it didn’t collapse.

Mr. Greenbaum: Right.

Mr. Perkins: The tough part was that it had to collapse so they had to get Stothoff in to take care of it.

Mr. McDonnell: Okay, thanks. One other thing, they just repaved my road about a week ago. It looks beautiful. Thanks.

Mr. Perkins: I know. Right, past where mine is. That’s alright.

President Rattner: Thank you. Anybody else who would like to speak to the Council at this time? Seeing none, we’ll do final Council comments. Then we’re going to go into executive session to give us an update on contract negotiations. When we come back out we will not be taking any action. So after Council comments we will clear the room. Thank you. Council comments, going from the far left. Mr. Mania, do you have any comments?

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Mr. Mania: No comment.

President Rattner: Mr. Greenbaum?

Mr. Greenbaum: No comment.

President Rattner: Mr. Perkins?

Mr. Perkins: Nothing, Mr. President.

President Rattner: Mr. Roman?

Mr. Roman: No.

President Rattner: Mrs. Labow?

Mrs. Labow: I just have a quick comment. I just want to say to any residents out there, if anybody comes to your door trying to sell you beef, that’s not allowed. They do have to get special permits. Again today a U.S. Beef truck was going down my street going door to door and I happened to be outside. I asked him, “Do you have a permit?” He hunted all over the truck and he said, “Oh, well my boss gets one.” I did call the Police and called the Health department. People don’t have to buy the meat from them. Matter of fact, I would advise not Mrs. Labow (Cont’d): to. It’s kind of dangerous. You don’t really know where that beef has been or shrimp or whatever. I guess Mr. Perkins had the seafood guy coming or whatever.

Mr. Perkins: Where’s the beef?

Mrs. Labow: Yes, where’s the beef? So just call the Police and just say these people don’t have a permit to do this.

President Rattner: Thank you, Mrs. Labow, and I have none. So now, Mr. Perkins, would you move us into executive session?

Mr. Perkins: Yes, Mr. President. In accordance with Sections 7 & 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, I make a motion that we move into executive session to discuss contract negotiations. Note that the Minutes will be available upon completion of the item.

Mrs. Labow: Second.

President Rattner: All in favor?

AYE

EXECUTIVE SESSION - Contract Negotiations

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none opposed, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 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 October 13, 2009.
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Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk

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