REGULAR MEETING The Franklin Township Committee held its regular monthly meeting at approximately 7:09 pm on Monday, August 4, 2014. Mayor Bonnie Butler opened the meeting in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 having been duly advertised and a copy posted in the office of the Township Clerk. Following the flag salute a roll call of committee members present. ROLL CALL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Bonnie Butler, Jeff DeAngelis, Jacob Pence, Mike Toretta, Joe Flynn. (5) Present Present were: Denise L. Becton, Municipal Clerk, Kevin Benbrook, Municipal Attorney, Mike Finelli, Municipal Engineer, Ronald Read, DPW Foreman, Roger Bulava, Recycling, Jim Onembo, Zoning and Code Enforcement, Raymond Read, OEM/911 Coordinator. CONSENT AGENDA: Minutes: The Regular Meeting Minutes and the Executive Session Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2014 were accepted on motion by Jeff DeAngelis, and seconded by Mike Toretta; Unanimous Vote. NEW BUSINESS: New Jersey State Police No Representative Present Resolutions: The following Resolution was presented for first reading and adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2014-56 WHEREAS, the property owner of Block 29 Lot 1 B0l has appealed her 2014 property tax assessments to the Warren County Tax Court, and WHEREAS, the Warren County Tax Court ruled in favor of the property owner and reduced her property tax assessment for 2014, and WHEREAS, this reduction has caused an overpayment of taxes for 2014, and WHEREAS, the property owner has requested that this overpayment be returned to her, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Committee authorize the Tax Collector to refund property taxes for Block 29 Lot 1 B01 in the amount of $150.70 to Marsha Colaluce, 2385 Route 57, Washington, NJ 07882. On motion by Jeff DeAngelis and seconded by Jacob Pence the aforenoted Resolution 2014-56 be adopted as read. Roll Call Vote Yes No Absent/Abstained Jeffrey DeAngelis X Mayor Bonnie Butler X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion Carried 1
Dated: August 4, 2014 Certification I, Denise L. Becton, Municipal Clerk of the Township of Franklin, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and exact copy adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin on August 4, 2014. Denise L. Becton, RMC/CMR Municipal Clerk FIRST READING/INTRODUCTION OF: ORDINANCE NO. 2014-6 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 63 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN, NEW JERSEY ENTITLED DOGS TO ADD A NEW 63-20 ENTITLED CURBING OF DOGS BE IT ORDAINED by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin, County of Warren and State of New Jersey that Chapter 63 entitled Dogs be and is hereby amended with the addition of a new 63-20 entitled Curbing of Dogs as follows: Section 1. provisions: There shall be a new 63-20 entitled Curbing of Dogs with the following 63-20. Curbing of Dogs. A. Any person in the custody or control of a dog shall remove and dispose in sanitary fashion any feces deposited by a dog on any public property, street or sidewalk. The owner or keeper of a disability assistance animal shall be exempt from this Ordinance provision. B. The penalty for violating this Ordinance section shall be not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00 for each offense. Section 2. Severability. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such provision(s) shall be deemed severable and the remaining portions of this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. Section 3. Repealer. All ordinances or parts of ordinances or resolutions that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are repealed to the extent of such inconsistency. Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect after the second reading, public hearing, adoption and publication, in accordance with the law. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the foregoing Ordinance was introduced at a meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Franklin in the County of Warren and State of New Jersey, held on August 4, 2014, and will be further considered for final passage after public hearing thereon at a regular meeting of said Township Council on September 8, 2014. 2
On motion by Committeeperson Jeff DeAngelis and seconded by Committeeperson Jacob Pence the aforenoted Ordinance 2014-6 be adopted at first reading. Final reading and adoption to take place on September 8th, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Vote Yes No Absent/Abstain Bonnie Butler, Mayor X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion carried On motion by Committeeperson by Committeeperson the aforenoted Ordinance 2014-6 be adopted. and seconded Roll Call Vote Yes No Absent/Abstain Bonnie Butler Joe Flynn Jeff DeAngelis Michael Toretta Jacob Pence () Yes () No () Absent Motion carried CERTIFICATION I, Denise L. Becton, Registered Municipal Clerk of the Township of Franklin, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that this a true and correct copy of an Ordinance introduced by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin at their regular meeting held on August 4th, 2014. Second reading, public hearing will be held on September 8th, 2014 at or near 7:00 PM in the Franklin Township Municipal Building, 2093 Rt. 57, Broadway, New Jersey. Denise L. Becton, Municipal Clerk DISCUSSIONS/APPROVALS: OPEN SPACE/RECREATION EXPENSES DPW Mayor Butler met with Road Foreman Read and compiled a handout with mowing costs, man hours, maintenance costs, employee costs, etc. in order to maintain open space property in the township. The mayor will speak with the CFO as to possible movement of monies, additional discussions at the September Township Meeting, after further review of the handout and anything additional that might have been forgotten. COMCAST APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL OF MUNICIPAL CONSENT Discussion tabled until September s Township Meeting. MAINTENANCE OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES: Joseph Taborelli, Jr., of Pleasant Valley Property Maintenance, submitted a letter showing interest to maintain the township s foreclosed properties. Certificate of Insurance and County Business Registration is on file at this time. At the township s July committee meeting, Scott Lazier, Lazier Landscaping, was appointed, but has since failed respond to phone calls and provide proof of insurance and business registration. At this time, the committee has several properties to be maintained, and wish to move forward with Mr. Taborelli. 3
Moved by Committeeperson Mike Toretta and seconded by Committeeperson Joe Flynn, to appoint Joseph Taborelli, Jr. of Pleasant Valley Property Maintenance, to maintain properties as given, and upon roll call, vote was passed. Roll Call Vote: Yes No Absent/Abstained Mayor Bonnie Butler X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion carried OLD BUSINESS: Public Hearing and Consideration of: Final Reading and Adoption of Ordinance 2014-5 On motion by Jacob Pence and seconded by Joe Flynn to open the Public Hearing. No Public Comments On motion by Jacob Pence and seconded by Mike Toretta to close the Public Hearing ORDINANCE 2014-5 AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $7,500.00 CURRENTLY LOCATED WITHIN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW COMPUTER EQUIPMENT THROUGHT VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS On motion by Committeeperson Bonnie Butler and seconded by Committeeperson Jeff DeAngelis the aforenoted Ordinance 2014-5 be adopted. Roll Call Vote Yes No Absent/Abstain Bonnie Butler X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion carried CERTIFICATION I, Denise L. Becton, Registered Municipal Clerk of the Township of Franklin, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, do hereby certify that this a true and correct copy of an Ordinance introduced by the Township Committee of the Township of Franklin at their regular meeting held on July 7th, 2014. Second reading, public hearing will be held on August 4th, 2014 at or near 7:00 PM in the Franklin Township Municipal Building, 2093 Rt. 57, Broadway, New Jersey. Denise L. Becton, Municipal Clerk REPORTS/UPDATES: 4
Attorney Report Report on File Attorney Kevin Benbrook reviewed his report submitted to the township committee as to cases he is working on including, the Bankruptcy Court Matter; Franklin Township vs. Trans Vantage, Comcast Franchise Renewal, and mailing the Agreement out between Franklin Township and Washington Township and Washington Borough as to the termination of the existing agreement with the joint paving equipment. Engineer Report Report on File (see below) Mr. Finelli briefed the committee as to the meeting held last month with Mayor Butler and Committeeman Pence in regards to the Flood Control Project. The mayor will write a letter to the Lieutenant Governor as to the matter. Further discussion to ensue at the next township meeting. Good Springs Road, Section II At the May Township Committee Meeting, the Committee awarded the contract for the guiderail work to Ficor, Inc. in conjunction with the Township's attempt to both complete the project and close out the grant in order to secure the final reimbursement due the Township. The guiderail was installed on 6/11/14. Our office has moved forward with the close-out of the grant through the NJDOT. The final close-out documents were sent to the NJDOT on 7/3/14. The Township is now in a position secure their final reimbursement in the amount of $ 43,849.64. Please note that our grant reimbursement amount increased by approximately $5,600 as a result of the installation of the guiderail. The final approved and fully executed Change Orders were received from the NJDOT by our office on 7/30/14. Copies were forwarded to the Township for their records. At this point, the Project is 100% officially done and closed out. The Township should receive their final reimbursement check of $43,849.64 in the very near future. 2. 2014 NJDOT Trust Fund Program: Good Springs Road, Section III I am pleased to report that the Township was successful in receiving another grant through this program. Notice was recently received that the Township was awarded a grant in the amount of $115,000. for the final section of Good Springs Road. The project was discussed at the July 7, 2014 Committee Meeting where the Committee authorized our office to proceed with the development of plans and specs with the hope of having the project constructed in 2014. We have done our initial survey work and have reviewed the various design elements associated with the Project. Base maps have been developed, and we continue to move forward in an effort to complete the design work and have the Project in a position to be constructed within the next few months. I will continue to update the Township Committee as we move forward. 3. Township Wastewater Management Plan(WMP). We have been advised in a June 16, 2014 email from NJDEP that there are three (3) options with regard to the most recent grant allotment received for $19,000 via correspondence from the NJDEP dated, 2/12/14. a. Don't accept the grant and don't do any additional work and see what comes out of the new Waster Management Planning Act regulations. b. Submit a new scope of work which includes a request for funding for septic density zoning. c. Complete septic density zoning without funding from the State. This matter was discussed at the July 7, 2014 TC Meeting, and the Committee decided to choose Option "a" as outlined above. Based upon that decision, our office, via letter dated July 15, 2014 notified the NJDEP of the Township's decision. A copy of this letter was provided to the Township for their information and records. 4. Third St. Drainage/Flood Control Grant Project This project was discussed at the July 7, 2014 TC Meeting, specific to the Township rendering a decision on moving forward with the Project or not based primarily upon the DEP's site inspection from last year and the various regulatory and permitting issues they have raised. It was agreed that Committeeman Jacob Pence, Mayor Butler and our office would meet "off-line" to review the Project in greater detail. The purpose was to evaluate the best path forward for the Township as it relates to this Grant, the various regulatory hurdles we are facing, and the need to improve the drainage conditions in this area. This meeting occurred on July 11, 2014. I am sure 5
that Mayor Butler will update the Committee in more detail regarding this project and our meeting at the August 4, 2014 Committee Meeting. Roger Bulava Recycling Mr. Bulava provided the committee with the 2014 Spring Clean Up Costs. Sanico will issue the township a credit of $560 due to an unused Packer. Clean Community monies can be used to restore the road department s plow sign. Jim Onembo Code Enforcement/Zoning Mr. Onembo advised that the old logging mill on Beidleman Road, that the township inquired, complaints of dumping and trespassing. Mr. Read will post No Trespassing and No Dumping signs. Township Attorney and Committeeman Pence will look further into this as to possibly putting this property back up for sale of auction in the near future. A trailer damaged to fire at the Pohatcong Valley Trailer Park is becoming an issue and Mr. Onembo has no authority to pursue. Mayor Butler received word, during the meeting, that Walt Van Lieu our Construction Official, advised that the trailer will be removed by this Saturday. DPW REPORT (report on file) Mr. Read discussed the following: 1. Mr. Read has received inquiries as to trimming the overhung trees in the trailer park as well as too close to the fence. Due to the trees being on township property, Mr. Read will obtain quotes from a tree company to maintain accordingly. 2. Mr. Read also received a cost from the Morris County Co-Op for a new pick up truck, 1 ton with a gas motor; $21,652.00. Open Space Report: No one present at meeting. Franklin Township Youth Association: Mr. Schlessinger inquired as to the allotment check from the 2014 Budget. Mayor Butler will discuss with our CFO. Fall registration is closed; field hockey is a record high. Possible to include the Asbury Soccer Field, with tree trimming quote, as there are over grown trees near the concession stand. Rescue Squad Chief Karen Chiu Chief Chiu advised of stand by at the Warren County Farmers Fair. OEM REPORT Raymond Read Mr. Read, advised the committee as to an agreement between the township and Warren County Technical School that he will sign, providing cooperative temporary shelter in the event of an emergency, if the school were to be evacuated. An Energy Allocation Grant in the amount of $15,000 was received, looking in to purchasing air conditioning for the community center, since this is our shelter. The grant can also be utilized to pay for our 10% of the Emergency Services Generator Grant. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS: Jeff DeAngelis 6
Committeeman DeAngelis reported after meeting with our insurance representatives as an individual using the Community Center, their homeowners insurance would be primary and then the township s insurance would be secondary. Attorney Benbrook will forward the updated Facility Use Agreement, for individuals, by next week, to Eddy Patient, Community Center Coordinator. Also, the township s 3-year JIF (Joint Insurance Fund) contract is coming due. Dental Insurance is up 14%. Insurance companies are now permitted to factor in employee s age into premium. We currently have 3 employees enrolled in this. Looking at this, one employee s premium would remain at the same cost, another employee, with dependents, cost would increase approximately $516 and the third would go down approximately $100. Township is looking at an increase of approximately $243 a month for Employee Health Insurance. Committeeman DeAngelis is willing to sit down with employees that are affected, to discuss further. Jacob Pence Nothing further to report Michael Toretta Nothing further to report Joe Flynn Nothing further to report. Bonnie Butler, Mayor Nothing further to report OPEN PUBLIC SESSION Nothing addressed MOTION FOR PAYMENT OF BILL LIST: On motion by Joe Flynn and seconded by Jacob Pence, and hearing no objection, to pay bills as per bill lists submitted by the Chief Financial Officer. Roll Call: Yes No Absent/Abstained Mayor, Bonnie Butler X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion carried MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT: On motion by Joe Flynn and seconded by Jacob Pence, hearing no objection, meeting stands adjourned at 8:10 pm. Roll Call: Yes No Absent/Abstained Mayor, Bonnie Butler X (5) Yes (0) No (0) Absent Motion carried 7
Respectfully submitted, Denise L. Becton Municipal Clerk.... 8