|
TOWNSHIP COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
- SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
The Regular Public Meeting of the Mount Olive
Township Council was called
to
Order at
8:27 pm
by
Council
President Perkins with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & MOMENT OF REFLECTION for all those who
have and continue to protect our freedoms and our way of life.
OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT
According to the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this
meeting has been given to the Mount Olive Chronicle. Notice has
been posted at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown
Road, Mount Olive Township, New Jersey and notices were sent
to those requesting the same.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mr. Roman, Mr. Tobey, Mrs. Labow, Mr. Tepper, Mr. Greenbaum,
Mr. Rattner, Mr. Perkins
Absent: none
Also Present: Mayor David Scapicchio, Dominic DiYanni & John
Dorsey, Township Attorneys; Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk; Bill
Sohl, Business Administrator;
President Perkins: The first item on the Agenda for now is Non
Consent Resolution #1, Mr. Greenbaum.
RESOLUTIONS NON CONSENT
Mr. Greenbaum: I move:
1. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Commending Detective Corporal Mark Smith on His Retirement
from the Mount Olive Township Police Department. PDF Resolution
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Perkins: Anyone from the audience? Seeing none, I close
it. Any Council comments, discussions? Roll Call, please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
President Perkins: Also, Resolution #2, Mr. Greenbaum.
Mr. Greenbaum: I move:
2. A Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Recognizing the Noble Actions of Raushan Simmons, a Citizen
of Mount Olive. PDF Resolution
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Perkins: Anyone from the public wish to speak? I close
it to the public. Anyone on Council, comments or questions? Roll
Call, please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
Questions on Bill List?
President Perkins: That takes us to questions on the Bill List.
Any Councilmember have any questions on the Bill List? Anyone from
the audience? Seeing none, that takes us to Approval of Minutes
of Previous Meetings. Mr. Tepper.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Mr. Tepper: Yes, Mr. President. I move for approval of:
Sept. 16, 2008 WS, PM & CS – all present
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Perkins: Roll Call, please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
CORRESPONDENCE
LETTERS FROM RESIDENTS / ORGANIZATIONS
1. Letter received September 25, 2008, from the Environmental
Joint Insurance Fund regarding program workshops dealing with Energy
Management and Evaluation of Green House Emissions. PDF Correspondence
RESOLUTIONS / ORDINANCES / CORRESPONDENCE - OTHER TOWNS
2. Letter received September 15, 2008, from the Township of Roxbury
regarding “Thanks” for responding to a severe bus accident
on August 22, 2008 on Route 80. PDF Correspondence
3. Letter received September 22, 2008, from the Township of Byram
regarding Land Use Ordinances. PDF Correspondence
DOT / DEP / LOI / HIGHLANDS
4. Letter received September 15, 2008, from the State of New Jersey,
Department of Environmental Protection regarding Contaminated Sites.
PDF Correspondence
5. Letter received September 15, 2008, from Civil Engineering
regarding Notice of Technical Incompleteness for Block 1101, Lot
2 (Cheri Lane) Demiglio Lala Single Family Home. PDF Correspondence
6. Letter received September 19, 2008, from the State of New Jersey,
Department of Environmental Protection regarding B&G Real Estate
Associates, 6 Laurel Drive. PDF Correspondence
7. Letter received September 19, 2008, from the State of New Jersey,
Department of Environmental Protection regarding a No Further Action
Letter and Covenant Not to Sue for 3 Karen Place. PDF Correspondence
8. Letter received September 22, 2008 from the State of New Jersey,
Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Saum Property,
12 Parkway Drive. PDF Correspondence
9. Letter received September 22, 2008, from Kolody Engineering & Surveying
regarding the Cholish property. PDF Correspondence
10. Letter received September 24, 2008, from the State of New
Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection regarding a No Further
Action Letter and Covenant Not to Sue for 9 Budd Lake Heights Road.
PDF Correspondence
11. Letter received September 25, 2008, from the State of New
Jersey, Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council regarding
the Highlands Regional Master Plan. PDF Correspondence
12. Letter received September 26 2008, from the State of New Jersey,
Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Litterio Property,
11 Clearwater Road. PDF Correspondence
DCA
13. E-mail received September 15, 2008, from the Department of
Community Affairs regarding NJRA Redevelopment Training Institute:
2008 Fall Training Dates. PDF Correspondence
MORRIS COUNTY
14. Letter received September 19, 2008, from the Morris County
Board of Taxation regarding an explanation of computed tax rates
for Mount Olive Township. PDF Correspondence
15. Letter received September 22, 2008, from the Morris County
Agriculture Development Board regarding a 90 Day Municipal Notification
of Targeted Farms. PDF Correspondence
16. Minutes received September 25, 2008, from the Morris County
Planning Board regarding the July 17, 2008 Regular Meeting. PDF
Correspondence
LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES
17. Letter received September 12, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding Important Conference Sessions – CLEAN
and GREEN and NJ Clean Energy Conference SAVE the DATE. PDF Correspondence
18. Information received September 15, 2008, from the New Jersey
State League of Municipalities regarding the 6th Annual Award Presentation
for a Local Government Professional. PDF Correspondence
19. E-mail received September 16, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding Important Conference Information – All
New Consulting Session, New Day, New Time, Federal Update for Period
ending September 12, 2008, and “Grant Writing Workshop 101.” PDF
Correspondence
20. Letter received September 17, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding a Notice of Proposed Dues Increase.
PDF Correspondence
21. E-mail received September 17, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding Legislative Session Day Wrap-Up,
Affordable Housing COAH Litigation Update, SCI Issues Report on
Procurement of Fire Trucks, League’s License Series Books
Updated, and League’s Shared Services Board. PDF Correspondence
22. E-mail received September 19, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding the 2008 League Conference Resolutions,
and Rural Policing Local Mandate Case Update. PDF Correspondence
23. Letter received September 22, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding the 93rd Annual League Conference.
PDF Correspondence
24. E-mail received September 24, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding Web-Based Seminar for Mayors
on Children are Community: Creating Family-Friendly Cities for
Young Children. PDF Correspondence
25. E-mail received September 25, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding the New Jersey State League
of Municipalities Annual League Conference Reminder at the Atlantic
City Convention Center. PDF Correspondence
26. E-mail received September 25, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding the Governor’s Ethics
Package. PDF Correspondence
27. E-mail received September 25, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding an Important Conference Session:
Focus on Finance. PDF Correspondence
28. E-mail received September 26, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding a New Posting on Shared Services
Board. PDF Correspondence
29. E-mail received September 26, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding a Public Health Issue. PDF Correspondence
30. Email received September 26, 2008, from the New Jersey State
League of Municipalities regarding a COAH Update. PDF Correspondence
UTILITIES
31. Letter received September 15, 2008, from Jersey Central Power
and Light regarding Annual Proposal for Basic Generation Service.
PDF Correspondence
32. Letter received September 24, 2008, from Comcast regarding
Limited Basic Price Reduction. PDF Correspondence
33. Letter received September 24, 2008, from Comcast regarding
Price Changes. PDF Correspondence
34. Letter received September 26, 2008, from Comcast regarding
Price adjustments. PDF Correspondence
LETTERS FROM LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES
35. E-mail received September 22, 2008 from Congressman Rodney
Frelinghuysen regarding Action on the Economy, Frelinghuysen Opposed “So
Called” Energy Bill, Lackawanna Cutoff Moves Forward, Frelinghuysen
Votes to Increase Transparency in the Energy Markets, New Jersey’s
General Odierno Takes Over Iraq Operations, New Jersey has the
Heaviest Takes Burden, ID Theft Bill Sent to the President, and
Spread the E-News. PDF Correspondence
MISCELLANEOUS
36. E-mail received September 12, 2008, from the National League
of Cities regarding 2008 Congress of Cities Alert. PDF Correspondence
ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING
President Perkins: We have 36 pieces of Correspondence. Does any
Councilmember wish to discuss any individual piece of Correspondence?
Seeing none, we will accept them into the record. That takes us
to Ordinances for Public Hearing. I open the hearing to the public
on Ord. #49-2008, entitled:
Ord. #49-2008 An Ordinance to Amend and Supplement Various Articles
of Chapter 400 Entitled “Land Use” to Implement a Recommendation
of the Amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the 2003 Master
Plan to Create a New Zone District to be Known as the “R-7
- Active Adult / Inclusionary Housing”
President Perkins: Anyone from the public wish to be heard on
that ordinance? Seeing none, I close it to the public. Mr. Roman,
would you move that, please?
Mr. Roman: I move for adoption of Ord. #49-2008.
Mr. Tepper: Second.
President Perkins: Council discussion? Seeing none, Roll Call,
please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING (2nd reading October 14, 2008)
President Perkins: Ord. #49-2008 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. That
takes us to Ordinances for First Reading with a second reading
for October 14, 2008. The Ordinance is entitled:
Ord. 50-2008 An Ordinance of the Township of Mount Olive to Amend
and Supplement Chapter 196 entitled “Sewers and Water,” Article
XI, Entitled “Fees,” Section 196-67 Entitled “Exemptions
for Entities Supported by the Public or Government,” of the
Code of the Township of Mount Olive.
President Perkins: Mr. Greenbaum, would you move that, please?
Mr. Greenbaum: I’m sorry…
Mr. Roman: I think I affected him.
Mrs. Labow: 50-2008.
President Perkins: 50-2008.
Mr. Greenbaum: Yes, I just need the cheat sheet.
Mr. Rattner: Do you want me to do it, Mr. Perkins?
President Perkins: Do you have it, Rob?
Mr. Greenbaum: Yes.
Mr. Rattner: He’s got it.
Mr. Greenbaum: I move that Ord. #50-2008 be introduced by title
and passed on first reading and that a meeting be held on October
14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm at the Municipal Building, 204 Flanders-Drakestown
Road, Budd Lake, New Jersey for a public hearing, consideration
of second reading, and passage of said Ordinance and that the Clerk
be directed to publish, post and make available said Ordinance
in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Perkins: Any Council discussion? Seeing no one, Roll
Call, please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
CONSENT RESOLUTIONS AGENDA:
Resolutions on the Consent Agenda List are considered to be routine
and non-controversial by the Township Council and will be approved
by one motion (one vote). There will be no separate discussion
or debate on each of these resolutions except for the possibility
of brief clarifying statements that may be offered. If one or more
Council member requests, any individual resolution on the Consent
Agenda may be removed from the Consent Agenda List and acted on
separately.
CONSENT RESOLUTIONS
3. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement
with Bob Edgar of Certified Valuations, Inc. in Connection with
the Tax Appeal Bendeal Associates, LLC v. Mount Olive (Block 108
Lot 5). PDF Resolution
4. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Endorsing a Playground Project at Turkey Brook Park by the
Mount Olive Park Partners. PDF Resolution
5. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Awarding a Contract to Andy-Matt Inc. for Snowplowing Services
for 2008-2009. PDF Resolution
6. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Awarding a Contract to Datalux for (5) in-car computers for
the Mt. Olive Police Department. PDF Resolution
7. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive Awarding a Contract to Middletown Sprinkler Company, Inc.
for the Pump Station for Turkey Brook Park. PFD Resolution
President Perkins: Is there any piece of the Consent Resolutions
that any Councilmember would like to have moved to Non Consent?
Seeing none, thank you. Mr. Rattner, would you…?
Mr. Rattner: Thank you, Mr. President. I move Consent Resolutions
3 through 7.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Perkins: Thank you. Any comments from the public?
PUBLIC PORTION ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS
Scott Ireland, Eric Court, Flanders: Just curious. I was going
through numbers 4, 5, 6, and 7. I just noticed that there was one
bid on each of those contracts. To me, that doesn’t sound
real comforting. Can someone just give an elaboration on why there’s
only one bid for each contract?
Mr. Sohl: Not because we didn’t try.
Mr. Ireland: Okay, I mean, can we try harder? That just seems
getting one bid on three consecutive contracts…
Mr. Sohl: In particular, we’re seeing more and more a lack
of interest in snow plowing, for example.
Mr. Ireland: And sprinklers.
Mr. Roman: Well, the sprinkler there was…
President Perkins: That was the lowest bid. We had multiple bids
on the sprinklers.
Mr. Ireland: You’re right. There was four, yes.
President Perkins: The Data Lux, I think, was because they’re
the only manufacturer that makes that particular piece of equipment.
So that’s why we ended up with that.
COUNCIL COMMENTS ON CONSENT RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Roman: And if I may touch on Scott’s… Bill, for
the snowplowing, is that the same company from last year that bid?
Mr. Sohl: I believe so.
Mr. Roman: Alright.
Mayor Scapicchio: I think what’s happening with snowplowing
is you’re finding that the fuel, the insurance and the maintenance
on those plow trucks themselves are so expensive that they can’t
really…
Mr. Roman: I agree. Is it significantly higher than last year,
the per hour charges?
Mr. Sohl: I don’t believe so, no.
Mayor Scapicchio: I’m saying I think that’s why we
don’t get a lot of people participating in this bid process
for plowing.
Mr. Roman: It’s also, for lack of a better term, a crapshoot
if it doesn’t snow.
Mr. Sohl: Well, that’s true.
President Perkins: Always. Roll Call, please.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
President Perkins: That’s going to take us on to Non Consent
Resolution #8.
8. Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Mount
Olive recognizing the Mount Olive Township Historical Society for
the Tenth Anniversary of Organization and the Many Accomplishments
of the Group.
President Perkins: Anybody from the public wish to be heard on
that? Seeing none, I close it to the public. Council, any comments
or questions? Seeing none, Roll Call, please.
Mrs. Lashway: Need somebody to move it.
President Perkins: Somebody move that.
Mr. Tepper: I’ll move it.
Mrs. Labow: Second.
President Perkins: Now, Roll Call.
PUBLIC PORTION ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS - none
COUNCIL COMMENTS ON INDIVIDUAL RESOLUTIONS - none
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
MOTIONS
President Perkins: That takes us to Motions, Approval of Raffle
Applications, Mr. Tobey.
Mr. Tobey: I move Motion #1 as presented.
1. Approval of Raffle Applications #2270 and #2271 for the Deer
Path Montessori School.
Mr. Rattner: Second.
President Perkins: Thank you. Comments? Roll Call.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
President Perkins: That takes us to the Bill List. Mr. Greenbaum.
Mr. Greenbaum: I’ll move it.
2. Bill List.
Mr. Tepper: Second.
President Perkins: Questions, comments? Roll Call.
ROLL CALL – Passed Unanimously
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
President Perkins: Administrative Matters, Mr. Sohl?
Mr. Sohl: Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, I just wanted to report that
last night I attended the Warren/Morris Council of Governments
of which Mount Olive is a member. One of the things we’ll
be moving on, and I believe I shared this with you already, Ray,
is that through a cooperative effort we went for some energy audit,
sent out an RFP, and Metro is the lowest bidder. It will be, depending
on how many potential other communities participate, a significantly
lower number. We originally had, with Metro, a $15,000 number that
included some pump stations. We’re not including the pump
stations. We’re focusing on this building, the Senior Building,
and DPW, but it looks like even if it was just us it would be $12,000.
So there’s a lower number there, but it could be as low,
in an ideal situation, if up to nine communities participate it
could go down to something shy of $7,000.
President Perkins: That’s excellent news.
Mr. Sohl: We’re looking to move that along. We have the
money in our budget so it doesn’t need a resolution, but
I wanted to inform the Council.
President Perkins: Bill, I thank you for going, especially with
the joint working out with the other municipalities and the Counties.
It was unfortunate that the State Office of Clean Energy had proposed
that there would be a municipal audit program. It was to go into
effect in the fourth quarter of 2007. We are now in the fourth
quarter of 2008, and it is still not there. The Mayor took a very
proactive approach last year and signed on to the Mayor’s
Protocol for Climate Control, and the Council also adopted a Green
Resolution. The Mayor was hindered. I had recommended to him that
we possibly could wait since 75% of the audit costs would be reimbursed,
and then the final 25% would be reimbursed after you had successfully
completed the energy improvements. The Mayor and I had spoken and
now Bill has gone down and actually brought that cost down even
less. Excellent job, Bill, thank you. Mr. Tepper, did you have…?
Mr. Tepper: I think you identified it. I was going to say what
happened to the fact that the State had committed to coming up
with money and grants to pay for these things as an incentive.
Mr. Sohl: As a reference to that in particular, it was interesting
because Metro, as well as the others, made specific reference to
that and in any case that it was going to potentially involve that
process, their cost to the host, to the community, whatever it
was, was going to be significantly higher.
President Perkins: It’s amazing dealing with the State.
The price gets higher every time. Thanks, Bill. Anything else?
Mr. Sohl: Yes, just one other…
Mayor Scapicchio: Do we have authorization to go ahead with that?
Mr. Sohl: Hmm?
Mayor Scapicchio: Do we have the authorization to go ahead?
Mr. Sohl: Yes, I think, I mean I don’t think anybody is
opposed to it. I think we’ve had it in the budget for this
year.
President Perkins: Oh, no, it’s been approved for the Mayor
to… I would suggest, Mayor, I have to…
Mr. Tepper: It’s strictly Administrative.
President Perkins: Yes, I work with the office of clean energy.
I just have to apologize that for whatever reason that’s
outside my scope. It just never got any wheels to it. We can’t
stand around and wait. The President Perkins (cont’d): Taxpayers
are paying the money for the electric and other things here. This
audit hopefully will give us some ways and then we’re going
to have to make a determination of what we invest in energy savings
over the next two or three years.
Mr. Sohl: The only other thing I’d like to mention is if
you’ve been driving around Town during the day, you might
have occasionally run into a road situation because of the significant
paving that’s been going on. We’re getting that done
and it’s been a very good dry season, time of the year to
get it.
President Perkins: Has the cost of the paving material gone up
significantly, Bill?
Mr. Sohl: I can’t answer as to whether, I’m sure it’s
gone up, although the price of gas is down to $3.19 at the Delta
station.
Mr. Rattner: Well, what happens right now, I don’t know
if we can get a real good idea of the price because Tilcon quoted
the prices based on the prices they had last fall because they
signed a cooperative, the way we get it. That’s a fixed cost
for the entire year. So you’d have to go back and look at
what was happening when they placed the bid. No matter when we
did it this year, it’s the same price. Who knows what’s
going to happen next year?
President Perkins: Anything else, Mr. Sohl?
Mr. Sohl: That’s it. Dave, did you have anything?
Mayor Scapicchio: No.
President Perkins: Mayor, anything else?
Mayor Scapicchio: No.
President Perkins: Thank you, sir.
Phyllis Shelton: Mr. Perkins? Am I allowed to back paddle any,
or did I let it all just go by while I read what’s going
on?
President Perkins: Well, you missed the first public portion but
we’ve got another one coming up real soon.
Phyllis Shelton: You do?
President Perkins: Yes.
Phyllis Shelton: Okay, you mean tonight?
President Perkins: Yes, ma’am.
Mr. Tepper: Good question.
President Perkins: Phyllis, I wouldn’t tell you to come
back in two weeks.
Mr. Tepper: Another public session coming up real soon, two weeks.
President Perkins: That takes us to Old Business. Is there any
other Old Business? Seeing none, New Business? Legal Matters, Dominic,
other than what was covered? Nothing? That takes us to Council
Reports. Recreation Liaison, Mr. Roman?
OLD BUSINESS – none
NEW BUSINESS - none
LEGAL MATTERS - none
COUNCIL REPORTS
Recreation Liaison Report
Mr. Roman: Meets tomorrow.
President Perkins: Thank you. Board of Health report, Mrs. Labow?
Board of Health Report
Mrs. Labow: We had our meeting. It went well. We have another
meeting next month. We had three months worth of meetings in one,
and I’m really happy to report that the flu shots are ready
to go. Our survey for our animal control for the summer went extremely
well, and right now Willie’s working on all of the people
who owe money for not licensing their animals.
President Perkins: Excellent. Planning Board report, Mr. Tepper?
Planning Board Report
Mr. Tepper: We’ll meet later in the month.
President Perkins: Thank you. Board of Adjustment, Mr. Roman?
Board of Adjustment Liaison Report
Mr. Roman: Meets next week.
President Perkins: Open Space, Mrs. Labow?
Open Space Committee Report
Mrs. Labow: Next month is the next meeting.
President Perkins: Legislative Committee Report?
Legislative Committee Report
Mr. Rattner: I don’t have a report but I believe that our
legislators are in Chester tomorrow at 11:00 at their municipal
building to talk about any municipal issues that anybody may have.
So I guess it’s open to anybody even though they did ask
for an RSVP. It wasn’t absolutely required.
President Perkins: Right.
Mr. Rattner: So it’s 11:00 at the Town Hall in Chester.
President Perkins: Are you going, Steve?
Mr. Rattner: Depends when I’m getting out of here.
From the audience: Borough or Township?
Mrs. Labow: It’s on North Road. The one that’s to
the right.
Mr. Rattner: I think that’s…
Mr. Greenbaum: Township.
Mr. Rattner: Township.
President Perkins: Pride Committee, Mrs. Labow?
Pride Committee Liaison Report
Mrs. Labow: I gave the report last time. I did just want to add
one little thing there. We had Boy Scout Troop 249 contact us looking
for community service, and down on 206 on the berm, the Pride Committee,
we had wanted to put in mulch down there. We didn’t get a
chance to get to it and the Boy Scout Troop needed 50 hours of
community service. Tim was able to bring down the mulch and they
had, not this past weekend but the weekend before they had put
in 13.5 hours on Saturday and Sunday and were able to mulch most
of that berm down there on 206 Plaza Road. They’re almost
finished. They also went out Wednesday last week so it worked out
really well. They wanted to finish a merit badge. They called me
and I happened to think of that one thing that we’ve been
working on, a nice group of hours in one location. It looks good.
They did a beautiful job.
Mr. Greenbaum: I saw Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts out on Flanders
Road picking up debris on the weekend.
Mrs. Labow: Oh, really?
Mr. Greenbaum: Yes.
Mrs. Labow: In the rain?
Mr. Greenbaum: In the rain.
Mr. Sohl: Yes.
Mrs. Labow: Yes, there’s a lot of, it’s really great
when everybody works together.
President Perkins: Board of Education, Mr. Tobey?
Board of Education Liaison Report
Mr. Tobey: There’s two items to touch base upon. There was
a meeting last week, last Monday. The Superintendent search as
of then is down to five candidates. Two of them are from within
the School system. The process was to continue last Wednesday with
some closed session second round interviews. Mr. Robinson has asked
if the Council and the Administration was considering any solar
power as a means to save money here at Town Hall or any other Town
owned properties. It’s something that the Board is considering.
I told them that we had some discussions in the past, but I’ll
share the information that you provided tonight, Mr. Sohl, with
them and see if maybe we could coordinate a meeting and take it
a step further.
Mr. Roman: Phil, can you say the names of the two from in Town
that are being considered?
Mr. Tobey: No, I’m going to hold off on that.
Mr. Sohl: That’s bad form.
President Perkins: Thank you, Mr. Tobey. Lake Environmental Issues,
Mr. Rattner?
Mr. Rattner: The annual Triathlon was last Saturday which utilized
the light. The weather held out. What?
President Perkins: Cleanup.
Mr. Rattner: Oh, that’s right. The semi-annual Lake cleanup
is next Saturday if anybody wants to volunteer to help…
Mrs. Lashway: October 11th.
Mr. Rattner: I’m sorry, the 11th, a week from this Saturday.
We meet at Mr. Macintosh… It’s not Mr. Macintosh. It’s
Mr. Gerdes’ house, at 9:00 am, the one that’s on the
Lake, and because of getting enough volunteers we’ve probably
spent only about two hours on the cleanup. So anybody who wants
to join is welcome.
President Perkins: It was quick last time. We were done really
fast.
Mrs. Labow: It was really fast, except for that snake that was
slithering around.
President Perkins: Well, that was by you.
Mr. Tepper: Why are you talking to Steve like that?
President Perkins: Safety Committee Liaison, Mr. Greenbaum?
Mr. Greenbaum: Yes, we met and we had a presentation from both
Atlantic and St. Clare’s with regard to daytime coverage,
6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Both presentations
were impressive. Both of them had positive and negatives in terms
of the services that could be provided to the Township. Atlantic
indicated that they would not take matters to collection to the
extent that anyone who is provided service does not have insurance
coverage or an inability to pay. St. Clare’s indicated that
they have a program where a person can apply to have their services
covered, charity care, in the event that they don’t have
the ability to pay. St. Clare’s, obviously, has more coverage
in this area than Atlantic does. Atlantic has Randolph and has
the helicopter facility in Netcong. Both of them were impressive
and it was left to the Rescue Squads at our next meeting, which
was scheduled in short order, to come back with a recommendation
as to which service the Rescue Squads felt was better for the Township
in light of the presentations. One issue which did arise, which
I thought was an interesting issue and something that I want to
push, is that whichever service we ultimately go with, that our
qualified EMTs be given the opportunity to be employed with those
services and to cover the Town to the extent that we go to daytime
coverage. So, in other words, if there are EMTs at the Flanders
Rescue Squad and at Budd Lake Rescue Squad who are qualified in
terms of what the services require of their employees, that they
be given first opportunity for those jobs in Town. There are a
number of reasons why that’s beneficial. Number one, they
know the area. They know the frequent flyers. They know all of
the issues related to services which are provided within the Town.
Generally, I think that’s not something which the services
are real keen on in terms of doing, but something that both of
them said that they would consider if we were prepared to go forward
with their service. So I think that was a way to kind of heal some
of the wounds that were created. I think that it’s beneficial
to the Town to have these people who have volunteered all of this
time who are qualified to do the job to be given first priority
in terms of jobs which may open up by our joining the service.
President Perkins: I agree. Mr. Rattner?
Mr. Rattner: You’ll probably have a line of people waiting
for that because that happened the last time. One question I’ve
always thought about, and I don’t know the answer, when we
sign on do they provide one ambulance or do they provide whatever
it takes? In other words, if we have a situation that needs three
ambulances, do they provide three or do they just supply the first
one then it’s the volunteers who come up with the ones after
that?
Mr. Greenbaum: The coverage is based upon the number of calls
which a particular Town has. Mount Olive has, my understanding
is 2,000 calls which would require two ambulances to cover this
Town. So both services were looking at, I’ll get to your
question in a second. Both services were looking to provide two
ambulances full time, Monday through Friday, 6:00 am – 6:00
pm. Now, both services deal with the need for a third, fourth and
fifth ambulance differently. Atlantic’s response to that
question is if a third ambulance is needed, either because of the
volume of calls or because one of the ambulances is transporting
to a hospital, they will bring down their ambulance from Newton,
which covers the Newton area. They also have other ambulances which
are not for immediate medical care but rather transport type ambulances.
St. Claire’s obviously has more ambulances in this general
area staged out of Dover, St. Claire’s Dover. They will send
as many ambulances as is needed to cover this particular Town,
which is one of the advantages of St. Claire’s over Atlantic,
but Atlantic has the helicopter facility right here. They have
an ambulance which is based out of there as well. It’s a
place where we could base these two ambulances at night when they’re
not servicing the Town. So, as I said, there were advantages to
both, but the need for the volunteer Rescue Squads is still going
to be great no matter which Mr. Greenbaum (cont’d): service
we go for. So I don’t really see this in immediacy as a cost
savings measure for the Township because there will be certain
circumstances where there’s more than two ambulances which
are needed at any particular time to cover the Town. That will
then fall to the volunteer ambulance squads to the extent that
the paid services can’t cover it. I would assume, Steve,
that if there were a situation where three ambulances were needed
on a regular basis, that both services would provide a third ambulance
to the Township because they are based upon the number of calls,
and they make money based upon the number of calls that they make.
So if we could sustain the cost of three ambulances, they would
provide us with three ambulances. To answer your question, I think
in certain circumstances it would be covered by the paid service,
and in other circumstances based upon where all of the different
ambulances are it would then fall to the volunteer Rescue Squads
and/or to adjoining Towns with which we had inter local coverage
agreements with.
Mr. Rattner: So it basically works the way it does now with the
mutual aid.
Mr. Greenbaum: Yes, with the mutual aid.
President Perkins: Excellent, thank you, Mr. Greenbaum. Finance
Committee, Mr. Rattner.
Finance Committee Report
Mr. Rattner: Nothing to report.
President Perkins: Economic Development?
Economic Development Committee Report
Mr. Rattner: Nothing to report.
President Perkins: Solid Waste, Mrs. Labow?
Solid Waste Advisory Committee Report
Mrs. Labow: I think we’re going to meet in October.
President Perkins: Okay, Library Board, Mr. Tepper.
Library Board Liaison
Mr. Tepper: Meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed
until the following week.
President Perkins: Thank you. That now opens us to the last public
portion. Anyone from the public that would like to be heard.
Mr. Tepper: Tonight.
President Perkins: Two weeks.
PUBLIC PORTION
Phyllis Shelton: First, I wanted to ask Colleen Labow about the
flu shots. Is there a schedule for that yet?
Mrs. Labow: No, actually Frank was meeting today with the nurse
and a Board member who is also a nurse. I didn’t get word
yet on exactly what day it is, but they do have it in house and
you can call and make an appointment to go and then they’ll
have the date when they’re actually going to give them out.
I’ll let you know.
Mrs. Shelton: Because they usually last about six months and so
it’s not probably the best to get it in September or the
beginning of October.
Mrs. Labow: This is the time to get it, October, middle of October
into November is when they start giving them out. I’ll give
you a call. I’ll call Frank tomorrow for you.
Mrs. Shelton: Okay, thanks.
Mr. Sohl: Yes, I think it’s $15 or free with a Medicare
card.
Mrs. Labow: It’s $15 and I think Medicare is…
Mr. Rattner: Is free.
Mr. Tepper: It’s free.
Mrs. Shelton: Okay, thanks.
Mrs. Labow: But you can go up at any time and get it right at
Town Hall right in the Health department.
Mrs. Shelton: Oh, is that where? Well, I’m Phyllis Shelton
and I’m back again. I was just talking to the Grabowitz family.
It is a done deal and I’m going for it. Why not? It’s
something that’s going to happen. The only thing that I kind
of wanted to insert in here and I guess you know what it is, is
that when you have like 180 people to vote on something and some
of them are in areas that it isn’t going to benefit at all,
naturally they’re going to vote against that. I just feel
that if we could go with those sewers since it’s going up
to the Church at one point in a couple, or something, and go up
the old historical part of the Town. We are, and I’ve said
this before, such tired septic systems there, just Park Place and
Main maybe. The Church, that Methodist Church on the corner there
is desperate for it. We’ve been there a long time and it
almost seems not fair to me to have brand new people come in with
all of the facilities and we still don’t get them. I’d
just love for you guys to think about the lines being pulled on
up, because I guess it was one of the attorneys that was telling
me that they are upgrading a lot of the facilities and that is
one of them. I’m again here at your mercy just hoping that
you could help us out with sewers going up Park Place. Try to preserve
those two little streets. I know I’ve put part of, most of
my life in it to try to make it look pretty. It’s something
that people do go past and I see them even stop to take pictures
here and there. It’s a sweet little part of Town and there’s
no room as you know, too, in most of those places to even put a
septic. You can’t do them in the back where there’s
streams. The front is close to the street. It’s where you
are set back like I am. My front yard is saturated with the septic
system now. You couldn’t do it there because already the
ground is no good, I’m sure. So if you just think about us
on those two streets instead of going back to this street and over
to this street. It’s never going to work that way. I don’t
even know if there’s enough for that kind of thing. I would
really love it and if there’s anything I can do to help you
move it along, I’m here for it. That’s all I had to
say. Thanks.
Mr. Tepper: Thank you.
President Perkins: Thanks, Phyllis. Anyone else from the public?
Seeing none, I close it to the public. That takes us to Council
Comments. Mr. Greenbaum?
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mr. Greenbaum: None this evening.
President Perkins: Mr. Tepper?
Mr. Tepper: None, thank you.
President Perkins: Mr. Roman?
Mr. Roman: None.
President Perkins: Mrs. Labow?
Mrs. Labow: Nothing.
President Perkins: Mr. Rattner?
Mr. Rattner: None.
President Perkins: Mr. Tobey?
Mr. Tobey: Nothing, thank you.
President Perkins: And I have none. I’ll take a motion to…
Mr. Greenbaum: Motion to adjourn.
ADJOURNMENT - Motion was made and seconded, all in favor and none
opposed, the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 pm.
_________________________________
Raymond T. Perkins, 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 14, 2008.
_________________________________
Lisa Lashway, Township Clerk
jr
|