1 MINUTES FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WORK SESSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011 7:30 P.M. The Franklin Township Committee held their work session at 7:30 P.M., at the Municipal Building. This meeting has been properly noticed in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Mayor Scott Bauman called the meeting to order. Roll Call: Vigdis Austad PRESENT Susan Campbell PRESENT Steven Tarshis PRESENT Robert McGeary PRESENT Scott Bauman PRESENT Also present: Anthony E. Koester, Esq., Municipal Attorney Some members of the public present: Lora Jones, Maurice Jones, Linda Haughey, Bill Wild, Kim Goodwin, Richard Cavallaro, Ken Mandoli, Dan Connor, Ron Mathews, David denhollander The Mayor called for the flag salute. The Township Committee approved the meeting agenda. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Motion to adopt the revised December 23, 2010 Executive Sessions #1 and #2 meeting minutes. Moved McGeary Second Campbell All in favor. Motion carried. Motion to adopt the February 10, 2011 Regular Meeting minutes. Moved McGeary Second Campbell All in favor. Motion carried. Motion to adopt the February 17, 2011 Special Meeting minutes. Moved McGeary Second Campbell All in favor. Motion carried. 1
2 Deputy Mayor McGeary thanked Committee Members Vigdis Austad and Susan Campbell for all the work they did in preparing the budget discussion presentation at the Quakertown Fire Company on February 17, 2011. CORRESPONDENCE Copies of correspondence made available to the public this evening and during regular business hours of the Municipal Clerk. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Richard Cavallaro complimented Vigdis Austad and Susan Campbell for the presentation at the February 17 meeting for budget discussion. He also made general comments on the school. A local realtor commented on the solar energy ordinance public hearing to be held later this evening. Dan Connor commented on the lighting ordinance. DEPARTMENT HEAD & SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Subcommittee: Austad & Tarshis Committee Member Steve Tarshis read the Tax Collector s January, 2011 report into the record and it is also made a part of these official minutes. PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion to authorize payment of bills as presented. Moved Tarshis Second McGeary Current $190,085.17 Twp. of Franklin State & Federal Grant Fund $ 4,821.34 Escrow $ 1,302.25 TOTAL $196,208.76 The Committee had questions on some of the bills. Check #8773 in the amount of $800.00 made payable to The National Weather Station will be held from payment. The subcommittee will speak to Alan Dilley about this service. Motion to amend payment of bills to exclude Check #8773 in the amount of $800.00, The National Weather Station. Moved Tarshis Second McGeary 2
3 Roll Call Vote: Austad AYE Campbell AYE Tarshis AYE McGeary AYE Bauman AYE Motion carried. 2011 Municipal Budget: Committee Member Vigdis Austad commented on having met with Ron Mathews on several occasions in preparation of the municipal budget in an effort to make cuts in various departments. Discussed options for the Construction Office: leave as is, outsource to the DCA, possible shared service agreement with Raritan Township. Options are still being explored. Mr. Koester will check on whether an ordinance or a resolution will be needed should the DCA provide the service. Committee Member Vigdis Austad also commented on the costs for medical benefits and presented the Committee with a 5 year phase-in plan for employee contribution of 30% of medical premium. She also commented on the possibility of restructuring the police department and reducing costs. At this time the Municipal Clerk was asked to Rice notice all employees for the meeting scheduled for March 10. Ken Mandoli prepared an inventory of vehicles and recommended the Committee consider declaring 3 vehicles as surplus property for public auction. Ken also presented information on outside contractor jobs and the costs. Currently Franklin Township charges $75 per hour for contract jobs and the township retains $10. Discussed possibly raising the fee. Ken also commented on the vehicles in service: Dodge Durango is the vehicle he currently uses, the Chevy Suburban (seized vehicle) is being used by the police department, the Tahoe is also in the fleet, 3 patrol vehicles are rotated to keep mileage equal. Ken also had some information on State Police coverage and said the township would need to go through the Office of the Governor for approval. There is also the possibility of contracting with the State Police for a specific number of hours coverage per month. The Committee is waiting for DPW budget information from Alan Dilley. The Committee also discussed the possibility of adding no funds to the capital fund. Other areas of discussion: reserve on uncollected taxes, legal costs. The Committee discussed the possibility of exploring commercial development at the Over the Barrel site and he will be meeting with Jim Petrucci who has expressed interest. Deputy Mayor McGeary also recommended contacting Mr. Richard Baker of National Project to see if he has any interest in pursuing development. 3
4 Committee Member Tarshis commented on the possibility of TD Bank not picking up their fees and charges to the municipality. He has reached out to Unity Bank to see what they could offer. Jim Hughes of Unity Bank will contact Ron Mathews. The Committee also discussed the properties at 204 and 206 Sidney Road. Market value has decreased and it was suggested we consider converting both to 2 small office properties with the possibility of renting. Committee Member Tarshis also commented on recycling. He suggested a voucher or decal system and tracking the amount of use to justify manning the depot. Another suggestion was giving residents a dozen coupons for recycling and after that there would be a fee those using it would pay for it. Committee Member Tarshis also reported that the Ken Weiss matter and the use of his off-tract improvement funds has been resolved. Committee Member Tarshis also commented on Viridian, a solar and green energy provider. Through this company and others, one may direct their utility provider, JCP&L that they want a portion of their energy to be provided by these green energy companies one can do that. Billing remains the same but as a result the residential utility may be 10% less. If the user solicits additional customers, they would get $5 for each person signed up. Committee Member Tarshis suggested creating a 501C(3) Friends of Franklin Township to provide financial assistant to municipal departments/entities. We as residents all sign up and Friends of Franklin Township would get the $5. It was suggested that a Viridian representative attend the April work session to discuss this possibility. The Committee anticipates having a draft of the 2011 municipal budget for approval at the March 10 meeting with adoption at the April 21 meeting. REMINDER: Ordinance 2011 02 CAP Ordinance scheduled for public hearing, Thursday, March 10, 2011. Police/Fire/Public Safety/Emergency Management Subcommittee: McGeary & Tarshis Mayor Bauman reported on having received the Police Department s January report. Deputy Mayor McGeary reported on voter approval of the Fire District Budget. He also reported on the CERT team responding to the flooding problem at the Franklin Township School. Ken Mandoli thanked all the members for their assistance. Ken Mandoli reported on St. Hubert s animal control. Committee 4
5 Member Austad also thanked the Quakertown Fire Company for the pumps and the DPW for bringing over some gravel. Department of Public Works Subcommittee: Bauman & Campbell Recycling Ordinance: The Committee is in receipt of the latest revision of the Recycling Ordinance. It is anticipated that introduction and first reading will be on the March 10 agenda. Interlocal Service Agreement: No update on this from Delaware and Kingwood Townships. Administration Subcommittee: Austad & Campbell Monthly reports have been received from the Municipal Clerk and the Clerical Assistant. The Clerk will send one more follow up for those individuals not having provided their code books for updating. City Connections: Need to follow up to see if the 2011 contract has been received. Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant: Mayor Bauman updated the Committee on this matter and reported that one additional document needs his signature. Animal Control: The Committee is in receipt of a proposed contract from Animal Control Solutions. Cost: $6,600.00 per year. Committee Member Vigdis Austad will compare the contract to that of St. Hubert s. Electrical Work in Municipal Building: The Township has solicited quotes to upgrade electric at the Municipal Building. Motion to authorize a contract with Mt. Salem Electric Co. in the amount of $800.00 for upgrades to the electric at the Municipal Building. Moved Tarshis Second McGeary Roll Call Vote: Austad AYE Campbell AYE Tarshis AYE McGeary AYE Bauman AYE Motion carried. 5
6 Planning/Zoning/Construction Subcommittee: Bauman & Tarshis Mayor Bauman reported on Land Use Board activities: no applications received for development/variance; discussed solar ordinance; designated assignments for the year. The Construction Official provided his January, 2011 report which is being made a part of these official minutes. Lighting Ordinance 2011-03: Public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled for Thursday, March 10, 2011. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2011 01 AN ORDINANCE TO SUPPLEMENT AND AMEND CHAPTER 220 ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKLIN, COUNTY OF HUNTERDON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE STANDARDS FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Motion to open the public hearing on Ordinance 2011 01. Moved McGeary Second Tarshis All in favor. Motion carried. Comments from the public: None Motion to carry the public hearing to Thursday, April 14, 2011. Moved Tarshis Second McGeary All in favor. Motion carried. Open Space/Farmland Preservation Subcommittee: Austad & Bauman Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan: Mayor Bauman was advised by Jim Stryker, Land Use Board Chairman, that since meeting with the SADC approximately 6 weeks ago, there has been no communication from them on the necessary changes to the plan. Jim Stryker will contact our Planner to follow up on this matter. Mayor Bauman reported on various meetings he attended. 6
7 Mayor Bauman will respond to the request from Rural Awareness to house artifacts at the Municipal Building. There is no space available for this purpose. Health/Recreation/Environment Subcommittee: Bauman & Campbell Ella Haver, Senior Citizen Coordinator, provided her monthly report which was read into the record and made a part of these official minutes. Mayor Bauman updated the Committee on activities of the Environmental Commission at their last meeting. Motion to accept, with regret, the letter of resignation submitted by P. J. Magala, Recreation Commission Member, effective March 1, 2011. Moved Campbell Second Tarshis All in favor. Motion carried. Insurance Subcommittee: Campbell & Tarshis The Committee is in receipt of a policy renewal Volunteer Accident Insurance. There was discussion regarding the policy being secondary insurance. Motion to decline renewal of the Volunteer Accident Insurance policy. Moved Campbell The Committee will contact Chris Tarricone, our insurance representative, for additional information regarding the policy. The Committee discussed the Section 125 Premium Only Plan resolution regarding pre-taxed medical benefit coverage. Ron Mathews said we need to establish a Section 125 Plan which allows for the eligibility of the tax exempt status for the health care. Another part of the plan allows pre-tax dollar deduction to cover out-of-pocket medical costs. The Committee commented on the need for an outside administration of the out-of-pocket cost program. 7
8 Municipal Court Subcommittee: McGeary & Tarshis No report. School Subcommittee: Austad & Tarshis Committee Member Vigdis Austad reported that she and Committee Member Steve Tarshis attended the last Board of Education Meeting; flooding at the school; budget work session being held this evening at the school with introduction of budget anticipated next week. Mayor Bauman reported that he and Chris Piparo, President of the School Board, are preparing an informational letter to be sent to all residents. Committee Member Vigdis Austad also reminded everyone of a Community Day event planned for June 4, 2011. COMMENTS FROM THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE, NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE: None COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: Ron Mathews advised the Committee he needs guidance in proceeding to secure our County Open Space funds for the Perkowsky property and Mayor Bauman said the Committee will be discussing this matter. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to Adopt a Resolution to enter executive session pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 at 9:50 P.M. for discussion of matters pertaining to personnel, litigation, contract negotiations, possible land acquisition, and matters of attorney-client privilege. The Committee anticipates returning to open session at approximately 10:20 P.M. at which time action may be taken. Moved McGeary Second Campbell Roll Call Vote: Austad AYE Campbell AYE Tarshis AYE McGeary AYE Bauman AYE Motion carried. 8
9 RETURN TO OPEN SESSION Motion to return to open session at 10:35 P.M. for adjournment. Moved Campbell Second McGeary All in favor. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 10:35 P.M. Moved Campbell Second McGeary All in favor. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Ursula V. Stryker, RMC Municipal Clerk DATE OF ADOPTION: 9