1 MINUTES FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE WORK SESSION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 7:30 P.M. The Franklin Township Committee held a 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 Bruce Polkowitz called the meeting to order and called for the flag salute. A moment of silence was observed in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the attacks on September 11, 2001. Roll Call: James Fania PRESENT Susan Soloway PRESENT Timothy Wintermute PRESENT Daniel Connor PRESENT Bruce Polkowitz PRESENT Also present: Richard Wenner, Municipal Attorney Others present: Officers Dominick Zeveney and John Oliveira, Monica Lewis, GTBM, Inc. (E- Ticket) Comments from the public: None The following items will be considered on the Consent Agenda at the Regular Meeting Thursday, September 25, 2014. No action required on these items this evening. a. Approval of Bills for Payment b. Approval of minutes, August 28, 2014 combined work session/regular meeting & executive session c. Resolution 2014 66 Certificate of Sale Redemption, US Bank Cust for Crestar Capital, LLC, $20,118.31 d. Resolution 2014 74 Certificate of Sale Redemption, TWR as Cst for Ebury Fund 1NY, LLC, $23,468.21 At this time the Township Committee deviated from the agenda in order to hear the presentation by Monica Lewis, GTBM, Inc. on e- ticket and to allow Officer Dominick Zeveney to present his report on same. Officer Zeveney prepared a detailed written report for the Township Committee (made a part of these official minutes). Officer Zeveney commented on the current need for officers to drop off tickets at the court at least twice a week requiring a one hour, 30 mile, round trip, loss of man hours on patrol in the township, fuel costs incurred (200 gallons per year). $2,200 man hours lost just to drop off tickets. $325 is the estimated cost for fuel on an annual basis. E- ticket is a system that would be installed in the patrol cars with data being entered for printing out a paper ticket. Ticket books cost 45 cents per ticket. If we enter into a contract with GTBM we have a proposal for $3.30 for every ticket up to 1,200 and if
2 we issue more than that the fee would go down to $2.52. This is the fee for GTBM for each ticket written. Factoring in the cost of the paper ticket, the price per summons issued via e- ticket, it drops to $2.85 for the first 1,200 and $2.07 for additional tickets. If we enter into a contract subtracting the paper ticket cost we re talking about $3,360 per year for three e- ticket devices which would allow software, repairs, installation, transfer to other vehicles if needed. When data is entered into the e- ticket system it is automatically sent down to the court. This eliminates a week s lag between issuing a summons and having them entered into the court s system. 1,850 tickets were written in 2013. This year we re at 1,000 and estimate 1,500 at year end. We have one more year on our contract with the court and its possible additional personnel may need to be added to assist in entering data. E- ticket reduces manually entering data. Officers can be in more places during their shift with the reduction in paperwork at the station. Storage would be on the computer and it would eliminate paper storage. With e- ticket data is entered one time and multiple violations can be issued at the same time rather than writing out each summons manually. E- ticket would cut down on man hours and fuel. $500 - $1,000 is what the system would cost. Officers can be in more places rather than writing tickets out by hand. Officers could be out on the road curbing speeding violations. 50% more summonses can be issued via e- ticket. Officer Zeveney commented on the skyrocket in traffic through the township over the last several years. 25%- 50% more tickets can be written for violators. Mayor Polkowitz commented on the savings for the township in getting e- ticket; savings in fuel, man hours going back and forth to the court. There is no up- front cost associated with installing the system. Monica Lewis commented on a question regarding having an option to purchase. She will need to look at her spreadsheets for this information. There are no costs to the township for lease at this time. GTMB serves 150 towns in New Jersey. System includes the software and any updates needed. Contract term is for three years with $400 quarterly payments. GTBM is part of the Morristown Co- op of which Franklin Township is a member for this quote. New improved hardware isn t immediately replaced, however, it will be replaced if hardware is defective. There was discussion about the cost of a scanner for swiping driver s licenses - $800- $900. Ms. Lewis needs to work up some numbers if we re interested in this, too. There is no opportunity for a trial period for six months. The Municipal Attorney will look into the statutory requirements regarding length of contract allowed. It s possible we may be able to enter into only a two year contract. Ms. Lewis said she will hold the same costs if that turns out to be the case. The Police Departments gets the tickets from the court and will keep some paper tickets on hand should there be power outages. This could mean a savings to the court in not having to order additional paper tickets for Franklin Township if we go with e- ticket. Motion to accept the proposal made by GTBM for a two (2) year contract, or if allowed by the Local Public Contracts Law, a contract not to exceed three (3) years, and authorize the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor to execute the contract upon receipt of a Certificate of Availability of Funds from the Chief Finance Officer. Contract pending review and approval by the Municipal Attorney. Moved Fania Second Wintermute
3 Mayor Polkowitz thanked the officers for a thorough job in preparing information regarding the e- ticket system and including all the information the Township Committee asked for. Officer Dominick Zeveney informed the Township Committee that the Topper gas cards through Shell are no longer being accepted as per management s decision. Lehigh Valley Gas bought out Topper and abandoned the program for all their customers because of problems with the stations maintaining the system/equipment and keeping accurate records. Use of the Topper gas card allowed fuel tax to be automatically eliminated from the township s billings. Officer Zeveney asked permission to look into obtaining a fleet/corporate charge card for the Shell station at Croton Road. It was also suggested that he look into a corporate card at other local stations in Clinton. There was some discussion about having an above ground gas tank installed at headquarters but there were problems with needing concrete barriers. Vehicles are currently being gassed up at the DPW but during the wintertime and in the dark there is a problem with icing at the township s facility which can be hazardous. Officer Zeveney also asked the Township Committee if they would authorize sponsoring a candidate at the Police Academy for a Class II officer. There would be no cost to the township and there would be no promise of employment to the candidate upon completion of the program. A certificate of insurance will be required by the Academy for liability purposes. Officer Zeveney will get all the paperwork in order next week. Officers Zeveney, Oliveira and Snyder are conducting interviews for a possible candidate at the moment. Criminal background check, fingerprinting, physical, psychological testing, drug screening including use of steroids are being conducted at the candidate s expense. The Ocean County Police Academy may offer classes December- May and June- November. As a result of the Meet the Committee session conducted on Tuesday evening, September 9, the Township Committee has requested additional patrols for speeding violations on Sky Manor Road. Officer Zeveney will also contact Del Val High School to inform them of these patrols being conducted in the hours leading up to school opening. Residents also brought to the attention of the Committee that some residents are gaining access to the DPW facility after hours by going through residential properties. Installation of a fence around the perimeter of the garage may deter this habit. Officer Zeveney also reported a problem with a pit bull dog owned by an Alexandria Township resident on Sky Manor Road menacing Franklin Township residents on our portion of the road. Summonses have been issued and a court date with the owner, the prosecutor and the Judge is scheduled for October 27, 2014. Motion to sponsor a candidate to the Police Academy at no cost to Franklin Township. Moved Fania Second Soloway Item for action this evening:
4 Motion to Adopt Resolution 2014 67 Compliance with IRS Code, BAN $308,500.00. DEPARTMENT HEAD/SUBMITTEE REPORTS Finance, Administration, Insurance, HR/Benefits: Soloway & Polkowitz Salary Resolution 2014 54 will be discussed in executive session prior to taking action. Motion to adopt the Personnel Policy Manual. Second Soloway The Township Committee will consider the MuniciPay contract at the September 25 meeting. Public Safety (PD, Fire, EMS, OEM, Court, Health): Polkowitz & Connor Nothing further to report. Department of Public Works: Fania & Wintermute Committee Member Jim Fania reported that Alan Dilley is interviewing prospective candidates for snow removal at $18.00 and non- snow removal at $25.00 per hour. He is also moving ahead with the fence installation. Deputy Mayor Dan Connor confirmed that residents on Sky Manor Road were provided with advance notice regarding the paving that occurred earlier this season. Mayor Bruce Polkowitz received a letter from Union Township expressing their appreciation for Alan Dilley for his assistance as a Certified Recycling Coordinator. It was suggested that letters of this nature be reported to the residents in the next newsletter along with any other items noteworthy to the community. Land Use (Land Use Board, Open Space, Planning, Zoning, Construction, Environmental): Connor & Soloway A Mayoral appointment to the Environmental Commission was made for Kim Goodwin to fill a vacancy terminating on December 31, 2015. The Land Use Board had their first public hearing on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, Wednesday, September 10, 2014. There was a positive response from the Board and public. Negotiations are on- going for the Alfieri property. Deputy Mayor Dan Connor spoke with John Barczyk, Zoning Officer, to review Readington Township s code on creating a lot circle on any given property which would give a certain ratio to determine setbacks and other criteria for accessory structures. Since the Zoning Officer would determine the lot circle with a designated starting number for a required setback, the resident would need to see the Zoning Officer to determine setbacks for any particular property. The Committee will ask the Municipal Attorney to review the information for a possible amendment to the land use code.
5 Motion to authorize a response to the State Agriculture Development Committee to indicate Franklin Township s support of the effort to preserve the Fernandez Farm, Block 41 Lot 17. Community, Business, School, Recreation, Seniors: Wintermute & Fania Reminder: Public Hearing Ordinance 2014 03 to Create a Recreation Advisory Committee. BOARD OF HEALTH No need for a meeting this evening. The Township Committee reported the Meet the Committee held on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. Approximately 12 residents were in attendance and there was some good feedback. They commented on speeding on newly paved Sky Manor Road, residents using the recycling facility after hours, trash blowing on resident s property from the DPW facility, possible increase in clean up days, and heavy traffic on Locust Grove Road. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion to Adopt a Resolution to enter executive session for discussion of matters pertaining to personnel, litigation, contract negotiations, possible land acquisition, and matters of attorney- client privilege. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION Motion to return to open session at 9:20 P.M. Moved Soloway All in favor. Motion to Adopt Resolution 2014 54 Establishing 2014 Salaries for Non- contracted Employees. Mayor Polkowitz commented on the Township Committee s being prudent in looking at this 2% salary increase which will be retroactive to July 1, 2014, in effect being a 1% increase. This is the first increase for the employees since 2010. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:23 P.M. Moved Soloway All in favor. Respectfully submitted, Ursula V. Stryker, RMC Municipal Clerk DATE OF ADOPTION: