MINUTES OF THE FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 24, 2005

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 24, 2005 At 7:30 p.m. the Township Committee met to review the agenda for the Regular Meeting. OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Law, (c. 231 P.L. 1975), this meeting was announced by posting a notice on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building reserved for that purpose; by mailing such notice to the offices of the official newspapers of the Township and by filing such notice with the Township Clerk. The Township Committee reviewed communications from Tom Ritchie regarding a request to install a Peace Pole at Durand Park. After a brief discussion, the request was approved. The Township Committee reviewed correspondence from Seth and Karen Golub (Mr. Golub being related to the writers, removed himself from the room). The Golub s desire to remove a tree in the front of their property that has caused their children to trip over exposed roots that cover a large part of the lawn. After some discussion it was decided to refer the matter to the Shade Tree Commission. Mr. Antus presented the Township Committee with a proposal to install a new system of lighting at Opatut Park. The new system requires less electricity, hence a lower cost to maintain. The new system will cost more, but according to Mr. Antus, the Township would recover the added cost over a 10 year period. After some discussion it was decided to install the new lights. Mr. Sanders reported that seed grasses have been planted at the Parenteau property. This variety of grass is environmentally-friendly and requires little maintenance. A discussion ensued regarding the purchase by the Township of a Mount Laurel unit about to enter foreclosure. Mr. Davison explained that the Mount Laurel unit is not protected by foreclosure and if allowed to proceed, the Township would lose credit for the unit. Once the Township has purchased the unit, the state will obtain a qualified buyer, at which time the township will be reimbursed. A brief discussion ensued regarding the prohibition against lofts in the Raintree development. A request will be made to stop marketing 3 bedroom units because they would be in violation of Township ordinances. Mrs. Avallone requested a proclamation honoring the 50 th anniversary of Father O Connor s ordination into the priesthood. Mr. Antus reported that a state representative will be present at the next workshop to discuss the state benefits plan. REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER At 8:00 p.m. Mayor Salkin called the Regular Meeting to order and read the following statement: OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Law, (c. 231 P.L. 1975), this meeting was announced by posting a notice on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building reserved for that purpose; by mailing such notice to the offices of the official newspapers of the Township and by filing such notice with the Township Clerk. 1

2 ROLL CALL On roll call the following Township Committee members were present: Committeeman Anthony Ammiano, Committeewoman Dorothy Avallone, Committeemen Eugene Golub, Mr. Raymond Kershaw Mayor David Salkin. Absent: None Also present were Romeo Cascaes, Township Clerk; Duane Davison, Township Attorney, Thomas E. Antus, Township Administrator, Douglas Sanders, Assistant Township Administrator; Terry Warner, of the Township Clerk s Office, Sandy Belan, Public Information Officer, Debra DeFeo, Chief Financial Officer. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Ammiano moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 26, 2005, second by Mr. Kershaw. VOTE: AYES: Mr. Ammiano, Mr. Golub, Mr. Kershaw, Mayor Salkin NAYS: None ABSTENTIONS: Mrs. Avallone ABSENT: None REPORTS Mr. Cascaes read the Report of the Township Tax Collector for the Month of April 2005: Net Receipts: General Fund $ 12,004, Water Account $ 432, Sewer Account $ 490, CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence to be read. PRESENTATIONS Proclamation Respect For Law Month May 2005 Mayor Salkin read a proclamation honoring Respect For Law Month and presented it to Mr. Kershaw, who is a member of the Optimist Club of Freehold. Presentation Annual Police Awards Mayor Salkin and Police Commissioner Avallone presented various awards to deserving members of the Freehold Township Police Department and several citizens: Communications Officer Joel Halpern, Officers Scot Hall, George Burdge III, Raymond Piccolini, Patrick Cruise, U.S. Customs Agent William McLeod, Civilian Ken Lucas, Jerry Ostrander, Earl Cain, John Todd, Jeffrey Palladino, Karl Schlechtweg, Richard Hudak, Michael Denham, Russell Gelber, William Gallo, Daniel Ruiz, Scott Keenan, Richard Leidy, Communications Officer Jeff Stiles and Citizen Harry Block. Proclamation Honoring Families Helping Families Mr. Golub read and with Mayor Salkin presented a proclamation honoring Families Helping Families to representatives of the organization: Frances Louro, Isabella Basile, Janet DeVito and Mary Ann Bolognese. 2

3 Unveiling Of Portrait Of Former Judge Kenneth R. Smith, Jr. Mayor Salkin presided over the unveiling of a portrait of the late Freehold Township Municipal Court Judge, Kenneth R. Smith, Jr. Current Municipal Court Judge Francis F.X. Foley spoke of Judge Smith and his service to the Court. Achievement In Planning Award Scenic Corridor Ordinance Mr. Ammiano presented the Township Committee with the Achievement In Planning Award from the New Jersey Planning Officials. He explained that the Township was the first community in New Jersey to adopt an ordinance protecting scenic roadways. Proclamation Honoring Laura Donovan School Student Body Mr. Kershaw read a proclamation honoring the student body of Laura Donovan School for raising 120,000 pennies for the victims of the tsunami last year. Proclamation Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month June 2005 Mr. Golub read a proclamation proclaiming June 2005 as Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month. FORMAL ACTION Public Hearing Municipal Budget (R-05-85) Mr. Golub read the Resolution R adopting the 2005 Budget that was approved at first reading at a prior township meeting. Mr. Antus gave a presentation on the 2005 Budget. Mayor Salkin opened the public hearing on the 2005 Budget. Adam Geist, 525 East Freehold Rd., thanked the Township Committee and Mr. Antus for the presentation on the budget. He said he had a greater appreciation for the process, especially those portions of the budget that are beyond the control of the governing body. He asked if there were projections for Mr. Antus said that studies have indicated that the increase in the budget in 2006 would be in the range of 4.8 cents on the tax rate, or $1.5 million increase. Mr. Geist added that holding down the rate of growth has helped to keep taxes down. Deborah Organik, 469 East Freehold Road, asked the current population of the township. The mayor responded, about 36,000. Ms. Organik inquired as to which municipal properties were being sold. Mr. Antus responded that a home on Randolph Rd. and a home on Robertsville Rd. The homes were acquired as part of open space acquisitions, subdivided and sold separately. Ms. Organik asked what is the debt of the Township? Debra DeFeo responded that the debt is approximately $40 million. Mr. Antus explained that debt is regulated by the Department of Community Affairs and is limited to 3% of total assessed valuation. The Township is well under that cap at about 1 ½ %. Ms. DeFeo noted that she and Mr. Antus have an annual review of the status of the debt. Ms. Organik spoke with the Township Committee members regarding the amount of undeveloped, non-residential property remaining in the Township. Ms. Organik asked if the Township Committee had considered a health care plan in which higher paid employees contributed more than the lower paid employees. Mr. Antus said that the concept has been discussed with union representatives but there doesn t seem to be much support for it. Stan Organik, 469 East Freehold Road, said he was encouraged by the presentation because of the residential buildout in the offing. More houses do not mean lower taxes, he said. He asked what steps had been taken to reduce growth in the past. Mayor Salkin explained the measures that have been taken, especially the creation of the Open Space Mater Plan eleven years ago. Today, 30% of Freehold Township is permanent open space. Mr. Organik commended the Township Committee for the good innovations discussed in the budget 3

4 presentation. Mr. Organic asked if the $2.6 million fees for new liquor licenses had been collected. Mayor Salkin responded that the fees had been paid by the license holders. Mr. Organik spoke of possible savings in health care costs. He commended the Township Committee for the purchase of the arms on street lights because it is usually cheaper to buy than to rent. Apryl Basile, East Freehold Rd., commended the Township Committee on the budget presentation. There being no further comment from the public, Mr. Kershaw offered a motion closing the public hearing on the 2005 Budget, second by Mr. Ammiano. Resolution R a - Amending The 2005 Budget Mr. Ammiano offered a motion to adopt Resolution R a, as read, seconded by Mr. Golub. Mr. Antus explained why the Budget was being amended. Motion to Adopt Municipal Budget Mr. Golub offered a motion to adopt the 2005 Budget, as presented, seconded by Mrs. Avallone. NEW BUSINESS Resolution - R Approving Consolidated Bills List Mr. Kershaw offered a motion to adopt Resolution R , the payment of bills in the amount of $11,142,200.43, as presented, seconded by Mr. Ammiano VOTE: AYES: Mr. Ammiano, Mrs. Avallone (1), Mr. Golub (2), Mr. Kershaw (3), Mayor Salkin NAYS: None ABSTENTIONS: (see below) ABSENT: None (1) Mrs. Avallone abstained on all items related to the County of Monmouth (2) Mr. Golub abstained on all items related to Hatch, Mott, McDonald and the Manasquan River Regional Sewer Authority (3) Mr. Kershaw abstained on all items related to the Manasquan River Regional Sewer Authority Ordinance O st Reading - Ordinance Authorizing The Leasing Of Certain Capital Equipment By The Township Of Freehold, New Jersey From The Monmouth County Improvement Authority And The Execution Of A Lease And Agreement Relating Thereto 4

5 Mr. Golub moved to adopt Ordinance O-05-13, second by Mr. Ammiano, setting a Public Hearing for June 28, Ordinance O st Reading Amending Chapter VIII (Alcoholic Beverage Control), Section 8-3 (Licenses) By Adding Subsection (Licenses For Hotels) Of The Revised General Ordinances Of The Township Of Freehold, County Of Monmouth, State Of New Jersey Mr. Kershaw moved to adopt Ordinance O-05-14, second by Mr. Golub, setting a Public Hearing for June 28, Ordinance O st Reading Amending Chapter XI (Traffic), Section (Stop Intersections) Of The Revised General Ordinances Of The Township Of Freehold, County Of Monmouth And State Of New Jersey Mr. Ammiano moved to adopt Ordinance O-05-15, second by Mr. Golub, setting a Public Hearing for June 28, Consent Agenda The "Consent Agenda" section of the meeting agenda shall be preceded by an explanatory note substantially set forth as follows: "All matters listed under item "Consent Agenda" are considered routine by the Township Committee and will be enacted by (1) motion in the form listed below. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired of any item, that item will be considered separately." R a. Supporting And Endorsing The Monmouth County Drug Enforcement Demand Reduction Grant R b. In Acceptance Of Sharing Available Resources Efficiently (SHARE) Grant R c. Authorizing Health Care Benefits Buy Out Pursuant To Section a Of The Revised General Ordinances Of The Township Of Freehold R d. Disbursing Overpayments of Taxes 5

6 R e. Of The Township Of Freehold Committing To Purchase The Mount Laurel Unit At 2609 Metedeconk Court To Preserve Its Affordability R f. Approving Amusement Games For The Monmouth County Fair July 27 July 31, 2005 R g. Authorizing Temporary Parking Restrictions During The Monmouth County Fair July 27 July 31, 2005 R h. Authorizing A Contract For Shared Services Consulting As An Extraordinary Unspecifiable Service R i. Awarding A Negotiated Contract For Pool Facility Rental For 2005 Freehold Township Recreation Summer Camp Program R j. Authorizing Change Order No. 1 For Contract 96 Meadowbrook Lane Sanitary Sewer Replacement And Pump Station Abandonment R k. Authorizing Change Order No. 3 For Contract 94 Jackson Mill Road Water Treatment Plant Expansion R l. Authorizing Utility Extension Application (TWA-1) Sewer Village Commons Site Plan # R m. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees And Reducing Performance Guarantees For Master s Game Room, Site Plan No R n. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees For Mr. Rooter, Site Plan No R o. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees For Mount s Corner, Phase I (fka Heritage Square) Site Plan No R p. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees And Reducing Performance Guarantees For Mount s Corner, Phase II, Site Plan No R q. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees And Reducing Performance Guarantees For Mount s Corner, Phase III, Site Plan No R r. Denying Request For Release Of Performance Guarantees And Reducing Performance Guarantees For Mount s Corner, Phase IV, Site Plan No Mr. Golub moved to adopt the Consent Agenda, as presented, second by Mr. Ammiano. Motion Raffle Licenses Marine Corps League July 9, 2005 & September 10, 2005 Mrs. Avallone moved to approve the above referenced raffle licenses, second by Mr. Kershaw. 6

7 AUDIENCE Ron Pagut, of 57 Ely Harmony Rd. informed the Township Committee of a commercial development proposed in Jackson Township that borders Mr. Pagut s property in Freehold Township. The intense commercial property abuts rural residential properties in Freehold Township and presents a significant threat to the neighborhood. The Township Committee reviewed maps and documentation presented by Mr. Pagut and said that matter would be referred to the Township Planner for recommendations. Members of the Township Committee commended Mr. Antus, Mr. Sanders, Ms. DeFeo and the financial staff for the excellent job on developing the 2005 Budget. They also commented on the police awards. Mayor Salkin said, One cannot begin to comprehend how complicated municipal budgeting process can be. He commended the staff for a job well done. The mayor also reminded the public that next weekend is Memorial Day, and asked everyone to pray for our servicemen and women who are in harm s way. ADJOURNMENT: 10:20 p.m. ROMEO CASCAES, TOWNSHIP CLERK 7