MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF

THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MENDHAM

MORRIS COUNTY , NEW JERSEY

APRIL 22, 2008

Deputy Mayor Phelan  called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in Township Hall, Brookside , New Jersey .

ROLL CALL:    Present:                    Mr. Phelan

                                                            Mr. Krieg       

                                                            Mr. Schrier

                                                            Mr. Cioppettini

                                                            Mayor Florek (arrived at 8:09 pm)

                          Also Present:           Stephen P. Mountain , Township Administrator

                                                            Christopher Falcon, Esq., Township Attorney

                                                            Ann Carlson, Township Clerk

Deputy Mayor Phelan led all in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Phelan called for a moment of silence in memory of two Mendham Township residents who died in accidents during the month of April.

 Mr. Phelan read the following statement:

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 4, 2008; Notice was posted on the Bulletin Board in the Township Offices and Notice was filed with the Township Clerk on January 4, 2008.

The Mendham Township Little League, represented by Richard Hettinger, Jeffrey Zenna and Scott ,  was present to seek approval for developing a Little League field at Meadowood Park .  The organization reported that funding is available and this filed would essentially be a donation to the Township.  Lighting the field is not in the plan.  Little League would like to have first rights usage of the field during the months of April through July.  Jeanne Montemorano, Mendham Township Recreation Director, was present and reported that the Commission supports this proposal.   The Township Committee agreed to consider the request.  

Deputy Mayor Phelan turned the meeting over to Mayor Florek who arrived at 8:09 p.m.

APROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon motions duly made and seconded, the regular session and executive session minutes of  January 14, 2008,  and the regular session minutes of  April 7, 2008,  were approved. 

OLD BUSINESS

Mayor  Florek read Ordinance 6-2008 for adoption and called for a motion to open the public hearing.

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MENDHAM , IN THE COUNTY OF MORRIS , NEW JERSEY , AUTHORIZING A SPECIAL EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR ADDITIONAL MASTER PLAN AND COAH WORK

Upon motion of Mr. Krieg and second of Mr. Schrier, the Public Hearing on Ordinance 6-2008 was opened.  With no one desiring to be heard, the Public Hearing was closed.

Mr. Mountain noted that the Township can apply for grant money through the Highlands Council for this expense, however, it is a reimbursable grant, so the monies must be provided for and spent in order to receive the grant.

Mr. Krieg moved to adopt Ordinance 6-2008, Mr. Schrier seconded and upon a call of the roll, Ordinance 6-2008 was approved unanimously.  This ordinance is appended to the official minutes.

HEARING PERSONS PRESENT

Upon motion of Mr. Schrier and second of Mr. Krieg, Mayor Florek opened the floor to Hearing Persons Present.

George Koenig, of Northgate Road , was present to give further information concerning adoption of  an ordinance to set animal units per acre and limit  the impervious coverage for agriculture to 3% .

With no one else wishing to be heard, Mr. Phelan moved to close this portion of the meeting, Mr. Schrier seconded and this portion of the meeting was closed.

NEW BUSINESS

On motion of Mr. Krieg and  second of Mr. Phelan, the following Consent Agenda Resolutions were approved by unanimous roll call vote. 

2008-58         AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION OF $12,500.00 ADDITIONAL MASTER PLAN AND COAH WORK

2008-59         AUTHORIZING REFUND OF TAX OVERPAYMENTS

2008-60         AUTHORIZING  SUBMISSION OF RECYCLING

TONNAGE GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

2008-61         AUTHORIZING DISCUSSION WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE PUBLIC

Resolutions 2008-58 through 2008-61 are appended to the official minutes.

Mayor Florek read Resolution 2008-62 AUTHORIZING PLEDGE TO THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES FOR LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SET ASIDE PROPOSED 3^RD ROUND REGULATIONS and called for a motion to adopt.  Mr. Cioppettini so moved, Mr. Krieg seconded and Resolution 2008-62 was approved unanimously.  This resolution is appended to the official minutes.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT/OPEN ITEMS

Mr. Mountain reported that the construction meeting on the Emergency Services Building have been focused on open items and how to resolve them as quickly as possible.  As items are completed, it opens the way to complete further items. 

Mr. Mountain reported on a longstanding problem with drainage on East Main Street .  He stated that he was unaware that such a problem existed, but it is real and does not have an easy solution.  He has met with a number of the residents and they will continue to meet.  He will keep the Governing Body updated on the situation.

Mayor Florek requested that the Open Items be updated regularly in order to stay clear on how things are progressing.

Mr. Mountain reported that the Knollwood Trail drainage project has been permitted and is in final stages of plan development.  The Seeing Eye Field is still under construction and an engineer will be looking at it to check on reported problems with the pitch.  

Mr. Schrier stated his concern that no response has been received from St. Hubert ’s about the animal cruelty incident at the end of 2007.  Mr. Mountain said he will ask them to come to a meeting to respond in person.

Mr. Mountain updated the Township Committee on the Township Prosecutor’s request for payment for special sessions.  He and Mr. Schrier met with Mr. Fico.  Mr. Schrier explained  that Mr. Fico’s is a salaried position, and as such the Township is not in a position to pay additional bills, but  would entertain suggestions as to how this might be addressed in the future.  Mr. Fico understood the Township’s position and has taken back his bill.

Mr. Cioppettini spoke of the sadness felt in the community over the loss of two residents.  He was especially troubled by the loss of another teenager behind the wheel due do loss of control.  He strongly suggested that the Township and the Board of Education come up with a program to teach teenagers what happens when they are behind the wheel of a car and lose control.  Acting Police Chief Hughes stated that he has looked into some type of program and hopes there is something that the Township can use. 

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence.

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

There was no report.

HEARING PERSONS PRESENT

Upon motion duly made and seconded, Mayor Florek opened the Hearing Persons Present portion of the meeting.  No one was present to be heard and this portion of the meeting was closed.

Upon motion of Mr. Phelan and second of Mr. Cioppettini, the Governing Body moved into closed session at 8:49 p.m..

The Governing Body returned to open session at 9:11 p.m.

Mayor Florek called for a motion to approve Resolution 2008-63 APPOINTING FULL TIME DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR.  Mr. Krieg so moved, Mr. Schrier seconded and all present voted in favor.  Resolution 2008-63 is appended to the official minutes.

Mayor Florek called for a motion to approve Resolution 2008-64  AUTHORIZING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT HISTORIC PRESERVATION CONSULTING SERVICES CULTURAL RESOURCE CONSULTING GROUP

Mr. Phelan so moved, Mr. Krieg seconded and all present voted in favor.  Resolution 2008-64 is appended to the official minutes.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, Mayor Florek adjourned the meeting at 9:12 p.m.

.                                                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Ann L. Carlson, RMC

                                                                        Township Clerk

Check Register Attached