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MINUTES – MENDHAM TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
Morris
County
,
New Jersey
December 22, 2003
Mayor Pierson called the meeting to order at
7:30 p.m.
in Township Hall,
Brookside
,
New Jersey
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Pierson, Mr. Phelan,
Mr. Schrier (arrived at
9:06 p.m.
,
Mr.
D’Emidio, Mr. Krieg
Absent:
No One
Also Present:
Roger S. Clapp, Esq., Township Attorney
Steven
Mountain
, Township Administrator
Penny Newell, Township Clerk
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
Mayor Pierson read the following
statements:
STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE: “Adequate
notice of this meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of Mendham was
given as required by the Open Public Meetings Act as follows: Notice was given
to the Observer Tribune and the Daily Record on January 16, 2003;
Notice was posted on the bulletin board in Township Offices and Notice was filed
with the Clerk on January 16, 2003.”
STATEMENT OF EMERGENCY EVACUATION
PROCEDURE: “In case of an emergency requiring the evacuation of this room
there are two emergency exit doors along the side that you entered. In the foyer
you may then either exit down the open stairwell to the exterior or enter the
enclosed stairwell and exit at the bottom. Then please move away from the
building until instructed that it is safe to re-enter.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
December 8, 2003
– held for next meeting
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Pierson reported that he and Mr. Mountain met with
the Mendham Soccer Club Board to discuss concerns that have been brought to the
Committee regarding the cost of the programs and the scheduling of games on
Jewish holidays. Mayor Pierson noted that the Soccer Club has reduced the cost
of the programs and also established a scholarship program. They will not be
changing their master schedule but the coaches will have the prerogative to
reschedule games if desired, as there are only a certain number of weekends to
play and the schedule is tight.
HEARING PERSONS PRESENT
Upon motion duly made and seconded the meeting was opened
to the public. No one present asked to be heard. Upon motion duly made and
seconded the meeting was closed to the public.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Follow-up discussion – SSI Presentation – Mr.
Mountain said the consensus following the December 15th presentation
is that the projected cost of the recommendation is too much for a small town
Mr. Schrier gave the information to
Morris
County
for comment by the County radio supervisor on the idea of a second tower. Mr.
Mountain has also presented the second tower idea to SSI and is awaiting their
analysis. A sub-committee was suggested to address communications issues
relative to the possible merger of the Township and Borough police departments.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding different scenarios to accomplish an
acceptable communications system for Township emergency services.
2. Mr. D’Emidio referenced a meeting about the needs
associated with a new firehouse in
Brookside
. He related comments about a conceptual drawing that included five bays for
fire apparatus and one for an ambulance and the possible future need for an
aerial ladder truck. Another meeting will be held next month to discuss cost
issues, septic issues and the building footprint. One suggestion was for a
lean-to type structure on the back of the building to house the antique fire
truck. Mr. D’Emidio suggested several ideas – one was to place the building
at an angle towards the roadway and another was to keep to simple, clean lines
to fit in with the neighboring area. Mr. Mountain said the vehicle replacement
schedule may require alteration or change to coincide with a new building and he
also noted that a change in vehicle acquisition would help towards the cost of
the building. Mayor Pierson expressed concern with any delay in acquiring a
pumper to replace the twenty-year old one. Mr. Phelan said there are a lot of
things pending and the funding for those, including the firehouse, the municipal
building, library and police headquarters add up to very large dollars. He
suggested a well documented financial plan to meet these upcoming needs. Mr.
Krieg noted that FEMA may be willing to contribute to the cost of a new
firehouse to be located out of a flood plain.
3. Resolution R2003-124
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
MENDHAM, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE
BOND FOR THE RESERVOIR RIDGE SUBDIVISION
WHEREAS, a Performance Bond was furnished by N.R. Associates, LLC in
connection with the installation of improvements for the reservoir Ridge
Subdivision; and
WHEREAS, the developer has requested the release of the Performance Bond;
and
WHEREAS, the Township Engineer has issued a report recommending the
release of the Performance Bond $36,251.29 in accordance with the recommendation
provided by the Township Engineer and attached to this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the
Township
of
Mendham
, as follows:
1.
The Performance Bond in the amount of $36,251.29, provided by N.R.
Associates, is hereby released.
2. A certified copy of this
Resolution shall be forwarded by the Township Clerk
to
N.R. Associates.
Mr. Phelan made a motion to adopt R2003-124 subject to the
investigation into one possible concern from a neighboring property owner; Mr.
D’Emidio seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL – All present voted YES.
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE
TOWNSHIP
OF
MENDHAM
, IN
THE
COUNTY
OF
MORRIS
, NEW
JERSEY
,
AUTHORIZING DISCUSSION WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC
WHEREAS, it is
deemed appropriate that the Township Committee discuss the matters hereafter
mentioned without the presence of the public in accordance with the provisions
of R.S. 10:412b, being section 7b of the Open Public Meetings Act.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the
Township
of
Mendham
, in the
County
of
Morris
,
New Jersey
, as follows:
Matters relating to:
[x] personnel
[x] contract negotiations
[x] acquisition
of property
[x] litigation
[x]
attorney/client privilege
shall be discussed by the Township Committee without the
presence of the public. It is anticipated that these matters can be disclosed to
the public when further action is taken in connection with the discussion.
Mr. Krieg made a motion to adopt R2003-128; Mr. Phelan
seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL – All present voted YES.
5. Resolution R2003-129
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
MENDHAM, IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS, NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF ITEMS OF
APPROPRIATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF NJSA 40A:4-58
WHEREAS, there appears to be insufficient funds in the following 2003
appropriations to meet the demands thereon for the balance of the year:
TO: Administration
OE
Open Space Committee
OE
Police
OE
Snow Removal
OE
Social Security
OE
Buildings and Grounds
OE
Maintenance of Parks
OE
Streets and Roads
OE
WHEREAS, there appears to be a surplus in the following 2003
appropriations over and above the demand deemed to be necessary for the balance
of the year:
FROM:
Zoning Board of Adjustment OE
Insurance
OE
Streets and Roads
SW
Administration
SW
Legal-Labor
OE
Engineering
OE
Planning Board
SW
Construction
OE
Board of Health
OE
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township
of Mendham, in the County of Morris, New Jersey, that in accordance with the
provisions of NJSA 40A:4-58, part of the surplus in the appropriations
heretofore mentioned be and the same are hereby transferred to the
appropriations mentioned as being insufficient to meet the prior demands.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Treasurer is hereby authorized to make
the following transfers:
TO:
Administration
OE $ 9,000
Open Space Committee
OE 300
Police
OE 5,000
Snow Removal
OE 11,400
Social Security
OE 7,000
Buildings and Grounds
OE 1,500
Maintenance of Parks
OE 500
Streets and Roads
OE 1,000
Total
$ 35,700
FROM:
Zoning Board of Adjustment OE
$ 7,000
Insurance
OE 2,700
Streets and Roads
SW 6,600
Administration
SW 4,000
Legal-Labor OE
1,200
Engineering
OE 2,000
Planning Board
SW 1,200
Construction
OE 9,500
Board of Health
OE 1,500
Total
$ 35,700
A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded by the Township
Clerk to the Treasurer.
Mr. Phelan made a motion to adopt R2003-129; Mr. Krieg
seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL – All present voted YES.
6. Resolution R2003-130
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE
TOWNSHIP
OF
MENDHAM
, IN THE
COUNTY
OF
MORRIS
, NEW
JERSEY
, TO AMEND THE 2003 BUDGET
WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A4-87 provides that the Director of the Division of
Local Government Services may approve the insertion of any special item of
revenue in the budget of any county or municipality when such item shall have
been made available by law and the amount thereof was not determined at the time
of the adoption of the budget; and
WHEREAS, said Director may also approve the insertion of an item of
appropriation for an equal amount; and
WHEREAS, the Township has received $24,197.67 from FEMA and wishes to
amend its 2003 Budget to include the full amount as a revenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the
Township of Mendham, hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local
Government Services to approve the insertion of an item of revenue in the budget
of the year 2003 in the sum of $24,197.67 which is now available as a revenue
from:
Miscellaneous Revenues
Special Items of General
Revenue Anticipated with Prior Written Consent
Of the Director
of Local Government Services:
State and Federal Revenues
Off-set with Appropriations:
FEMA
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a like sum of $24,197.67 be and the same is
hereby appropriated under the caption of:
General Appropriations
(a)
Operations Excluded from 5% Caps
State and Federal Programs
Off-set by Revenues:
FEMA
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Clerk ;forward two copies of
this Resolution to the Director of Local Government Services.
Mr. Phelan made a motion to adopt R2003-130; Mr. Krieg
seconded the motion.
ROLL CALL – All present voted YES.
7. Discussion of police vehicle purchase for 2004 - Mr.
Mountain suggested deferring this discussion until a future meeting when Chief
Costanza will be here.
8. Mayor Pierson reviewed the Standing Committee
appointments for 2004.
ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
1. Mr. Mountain reported a complaint regarding a detention
basin located at
26 Cold Hill Road
. He said although the detention basin is on private property it is the
Township’s responsibility and is badly deteriorating. The Township’s
environmental consultant has looked at the property and recommends repair that
requires DEP permitting. Mr. Mountain suggested seeking the permit in 2004 and
scheduling the repair for 2005. He also will contact the Whippany River
Watershed Association to ascertain if they have an interest in providing some
funding towards the project as the detention basin is at the top edge of the
watershed.
2. Mr. Mountain and Ms. Webster would like to schedule
operating budget meetings in January. The Committee discussed several options
for meetings including Saturdays.
OPEN ITEMS LIST
The Open Items List was reviewed and updated.
CORRESPONDENCE
1.
NJSLOM Legislative Viewpoint
2.
Passaic
River
Coalition/Certificate
3.
Whippany
River
Watershed Action Committee/2004 Dues
4.
Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP/Irene-Sheehan
5.
NJSLOM/ Mayors Fax Advisory (3)
6.
NJ DOT/Enhancement Program
7.
Morris
County
Community Development/Representatives
8.
Senator Bucco/S-1818
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
APPROVAL OF BILL LIST
The Township Committee approved the charges listed by
department which list is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
HEARING PERSONS PRESENT
Upon motion duly made and seconded the meeting was opened
to the public.
Mike Nametz,
2 Connet Lane
: asked about the Open Items List discussion regarding the Mendham East Sewer
Plant. The different structure between Mendham East and Mendham West (serves Mr.
Nametz’s property) was explained.
It should also be noted that Mr. Nametz’s son was also in
attendance as a requirement for a Boy Scout badge.
There being no others present who asked to be heard, upon
motion duly made and seconded the meeting was closed to the public.
Upon motion duly made and seconded the Committee went into
closed session at 8:48 p.m. Ernest DelGuercio, Township Tax Assessor, reviewed a
revaluation proposal received and he also presented his proposal for an in-house
reassessment, explaining that the two procedures are basically the same, but one
is done by an outside firm and the other in-house. A tax appeal was discussed as
was the ongoing police merger study. A lawsuit regarding a roadway easement
vacation was also discussed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded the Committee returned
to open session at
9:54 p.m.
There being no other matters to come before the Committee, upon motion duly
made and seconded the meeting adjourned at
9:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Penny Newell, Township Clerk
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