PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 At 7:30 pm the Pittsgrove Township Committee Meeting was called to order by Dr. Fiore J. Copare, Mayor. It was advertised in the Daily Journal on January 7, 2017, in accordance with Public Law 1975, Chapter 231. The flag salute was led by Mayor Copare. ROLL CALL Present: Craver, Hickson, Ridgway, Spinelli, Copare Absent: 0 Solicitor Carr and Interim Registered Municipal Clerk Garton were also in attendance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES August 23, 2017 On a motion by Hickson and seconded by Ridgway, the minutes from August 23, 2017 were approved as submitted with the correction of the last name on Page 5, Bob Law to Bob Phillips. Vote: Aye Hickson, Ridgway, Spinelli, Copare; Abstain - Craver BI-MONTHLY NJ STATE POLICE REPORT Lt. Bumbera, NJSP Bridgeton, was present and summarized the following statistics: 246 calls for service, 172 motor vehicle stops, 19 accidents, 38 investigations including a home invasion and a burglary. There were also some domestic violence incidents. He informed the Township Committee that the NJSP get involved when motor vehicle fatalities occur and there had been a couple recently; studies are requested to be performed by the NJ Department of Transportation. Committeewoman Spinelli asked how long it takes for the study; Lt. Bumbera responded four (4) to six (6) months usually, but sometimes the season is relative. APPROVAL OF FACILITY USE REQUEST FORMS On a motion by Hickson and seconded by Craver the Facility Use Requests (7) were approved as submitted with the exception - no approvals to Glassboro Softball and NJ Venom Baseball on the weekend of October 7 and 8 when EDP/MSSL has its tournament, as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee. TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR S REPORT Solicitor John G. Carr reviewed his report that was submitted for earlier distribution to the Township Committee. The contents of the report included the following matters: 694-856 Landis Avenue, LLC (Eatmor Tax Appeal), Habitat for Humanity Project / Agreement from July 10, 2012, Ordinance No. 06-2017 Attendance Policy for Elected and Appointed Officials, Possible Realignment of Positions (Municipal Clerk and Township Administrator), Proposed Contract from Tax Collector and Proposed Contract from Tax Assessor. Solicitor Carr stated that an Executive
Session is anticipated for later in the meeting regarding collective bargaining and employee matters. TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Copare moved on to Committee reports; he called on each committee member as follows: Committeewoman Spinelli provided an Ambulance Report. She received a call from Bobby Richards about the lack of coverage on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and the need to hire five (5) new certified EMT s part time beginning October 1 with coverage 24-7. The hourly rate is $12.00/hr. w/no benefits, which is expected to increase to $15.00/hr. She and Committeeman Hickson attended a meeting of the Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting who requested that the Township Committee set the date for Pittsgrove Day on the third Saturday in May 2018 with Sunday as the rain date. A motion was made by Committeeman Hickson and seconded by Committeeman Ridgway to designate the third Saturday of May 2018 as Pittsgrove Day with Sunday as the rain date. Deputy Mayor Craver stated that the Planning Board Meeting was cancelled due to no activity. He and Committeeman Ridgway attended the Economic Development Committee Meeting where it was suggested that a Five (5) Year Tax Abatement be given for home capital improvements - $15,000. Committeeman Ridgway added that it will be looked into. The City of Vineland offers this program. Committeeman Hickson concurred with what Committeewoman Spinelli reported about the ambulance confirming that volunteer turn out is minimal to none. Committeeman Ridgway stated that he contacted the Construction Code Official regarding the adjustment of excess fees and is awaiting feedback. He is also looking into the status of the Landfill Closure Escrow Fund to see when draws may begin. MAYOR S REPORT Mayor Copare acknowledged the concern mentioned by the NJSP in Palatine Lake Village. He also intends to meet with representatives from the School Board and County Freeholders concerning property taxes. PUBLIC SESSION - AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Mayor Copare announced that anyone wishing to speak should please stand, approach the microphone, state their name and the municipality in which you live for the record, and in five (5) minutes or less briefly state your comments to the Township Committee. On a motion by Craver and seconded by Spinelli, the meeting was opened to the Public. 2
Theresa Triola, Ed.D, AFSCME NJ, was present representing members regarding the status of union negotiations which is ongoing and has taken a year and a half thus far. She conveyed that a lot of time is being wasted and about $40,000 has been spent on special counsel who is stalemating the process. She could file unfair labor practice charges, but will not do that because counsel will make more money and the Township suffers. This is money that could be spent on fair wages and working conditions for our members. Good employees are being lost because of current wage rates. She stated that the contract has been gone through five (5) times and the process is jammed up or continues to go backwards which is absolutely appalling. The process needs to move forward. The next negotiation meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2017 and she doesn t want the wording to keep changing every time. She looks forward to the conclusion of this matter and asked the Township Committee to push forward. There being no further comments, a motion was made by Craver and seconded by Spinelli to close the public session. RESOLUTIONS/CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Copare stated that all matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine in nature, and having been reviewed by the Township Committee, will be enacted by one motion. Any item may be removed from the Consent Agenda at the request of any Committee Member and if so removed, will be treated as a separate matter. Any items requiring expenditures are supported by a Certification of Availability of Funds. 164-2017 Appointing Interim Registered Municipal Clerk Constance S. Garton 165-2017 Resolution Amending Resolution No. 160-2017 Designating Rain Date 166-2017 Payment of Bills (Bill List Attached) 167-2017 Change Order No. 1 Abatement Monitoring Services For Additional Asbestos Abatement Monitoring for Environmental Remediation Portion of the Demolition of the former U.S. Grain and Feed Corporation and Related Grant 168-2017 Promoting Timothy Nichols to Public Works Laborer II Pittsgrove Public Works Department 169-2017 Authorizing the Refund of Property Taxes 170-2017 Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property No Longer Needed for Public Use on an Online Auction Website 171-2017 Appointing Municipal Housing Liaison Pursuant to Fair Share Plan under Chapter 25 Affordable Housing Pittsgrove Township Code 172-2017 To Authorize the Execution of a Deed, Declaration of Fair Share Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Pursuant to Law as to Block 3101, Lot 20.02 Pursuant to the July 10, 2012 Agreement Between Pittsgrove Township and Salem County Habitat for Humanity 173-2017 To Update that Agreement between Pittsgrove Township and Salem County Habitat for Humanity which was originally Entered into on or about July 10, 2012 in a Form such as the Annexed 3
174-2017 Providing for an Executive Session not Open to the Public in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act N.J.S.A. 10:4-12b Mayor Copare asked if anyone wished to pull any resolution or had any questions. Committeeman Craver asked to pull Resolution No. 168-2017 for clarification of the hourly rate to be inserted. Committeeman Craver motioned and Committeewoman Spinelli seconded to vote by Consent Agenda on Resolutions 164-2017 through 167-2017 and 169-2017 through 174-2017. Roll Call: Craver - yes, Hickson yes, Ridgway -yes, Spinelli yes, Copare yes; motion carried. Committeeman Craver motioned and Committeewoman Spinelli seconded to adopt by Consent Agenda Resolutions 164-2017 through 167-2017 and 169-2017 through 174-2017. Roll Call: Craver - yes, Hickson yes, Ridgway -yes, Spinelli yes, Copare yes; motion carried. Committeeman Craver motioned and Committeeman Spinelli seconded to adopt Resolution No. 168-2017 reflecting an hourly rate of $13.50/hour. Roll Call: Craver yes, Hickson yes, Ridgway yes, Spinelli yes, Copare yes; motion carried. ORDINANCE A motion was made by Committeeman Craver and seconded by Committeeman Hickson to introduce on first reading Ordinance No. 6-2017 entitled An Ordinance Revising and Updating the Attendance Policy of Elected and Appointed Officials of Pittsgrove Township. The second reading and public hearing will be held on September 27, 2017 afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final adoption. Roll Call: Craver yes, Hickson yes, Ridgway yes, Spinelli yes, Copare yes; motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Clerk Garton reminded the Township Committee about the inquiry received from Salem County regarding the Senior and Disabled Resident Transportation Program. She asked if the Standing Committee would be willing to meet with County representatives to discuss the matter. It was agreed that a meeting is to be scheduled. NEW BUSINESS A motion was made by Hickson and seconded by Ridgway to advertise for the position of Full-time Township Administrator and proceed with the hiring process. A motion was made by Committeeman Craver and seconded by Committeeman Hickson to advertise for the position of Part-time Public Works Laborer III. There was discussion on the motion questioning the need to fill the position. Committeeman Hickson responded yes there is a need to fill the position. Clerk Garton reminded the Township Committee that they just acted on 4
the promotion of the Laborer III to Laborer II and that it is the recommendation of Road Foreman Daniels to now fill the Laborer III position. It was agreed to gather more information and talk to the Foreman; a motion was made by Committeeman Craver and seconded by Committeeman Hickson to withdraw the aforementioned motion. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Township Committee moved to the Conference Room for Executive Session. OPEN SESSION A motion was made by Committeewoman Spinelli and seconded by Committeeman Hickson to return to Open Session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, a motion was made by Committeewoman Spinelli and seconded by Committeeman Craver to adjourn the meeting. Constance S. Garton Interim Registered Municipal Clerk 5