March 13, 2007
Minutes
Mayor Utter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Those present were: Committeeman Barbagallo, Committeeman Brace, Committeeman Brislin, Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Mayor Utter, Attorney Hinkes and Deputy Clerk Picinich.
EXECUTIVE SESSION included 2007 Budget and Salary Ordinance, Property at 302 Shimer Brook and employee health benefits.
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to 2007 Budget and Salary Ordinance, Property at 302 Shimer Brook and employee health benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee believes it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss such matters in closed session;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey that it shall enter closed session to discuss only the matters mentioned above; the result of which may be made public immediately thereafter or at a later date.
March 13, 2007
Attest:
Desrie W. Picinich,
Deputy Clerk
Committeeman Lashendock motioned to enter into executive session at 7:05 p.m.. Committeeman Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried with all in favor.
With no other items to discuss in Executive Session, the Executive session was closed on motion of Mr. Brislin seconded by Mr. Lashendock. The motion was carried with all members in favor.
Committeeman Lashendock motioned to return to regular session. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote, and the regular session began at 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Utter stated the meeting was being held in Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act P.L.1975, C. 231 and has been duly advertised.
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy Clerk Picinich was asked to take the roll call. All committee present.
Committeeman Lashendock made a motion to open to public participation regarding agenda items only. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
With no comment from the public, Committeeman Brislin motioned to close public participation. Committeeman Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
MINUTES
Committeeman Brislin made a motion to approve the Regular Session Minutes of February 27, 2007. Committeeman Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote. Committeeman Lashendock motioned to approve the Executive Session Minutes of February 27, 2007. Committeeman Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Administration:
Mayor Utter reported a meeting among Committeeman Lashendock, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, Ken O'Connor and the Park Service regarding the ballfields on Route 206. The Township has received a verbal commitment for a two year renewable lease, and the Park Service's desire to have an annual meeting regarding same. The Park Service also requested signage denoting their ownership and cooperation with the Township in making this recreational use property available. Committeeman Lashendock to have DPW provide a two-lock system to secure the ballfield gates.
Health and Welfare:
Committeeman Barbagallo advised nothing to report.
Public Works:
Committeeman Lashendock reported he is working on a date for the Spring Clean-Up.
Public Safety:
Committeeman Brace advised nothing to report.
Finance:
Committeeman Brislin reported that the 2007 Budget will be introduced during the next Township Committee Meeting.
Recreation:
No Report
RESOLUTIONS
R 2007-17 OPPOSITION TO COAH
Committeeman Lashendock made a motion to table until next meeting, Committeeman Brislin seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2007-19 AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF DUPLICATE TAX SALE CERTIFICATE
Committeeman Brislin made a motion to approve, Committeeman Lashendock seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2007-20 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ALTERNATE PROSECUTOR Mr. Hinkes advised the committee that Mark Hontz, Esq. had indicated no interest in this appointment. Committeeman Barbagallo motioned to withdraw the resolution. Committeeman Brace seconded. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2007-21 INTERLOCAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP ROAD DEPARTMENT Committeeman Barbagallo made a motion to open the matter for discussion. Committeeman Brislin seconded the motion, and it was carried by a unanimous voice vote. After a lengthy discussion among the committee and legal counsel, Committeeman Barbagallo made a motion to table the discussion. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion, and it was carried by a unanimous voice vote. Committeeman Brislin motioned to authorize Attorney Hinkes to prepare a revised version of the agreement. Committeeman Brace seconded, and the motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
ORDINANCES
ORD 2007-004 (First Reading) 2007 SALARY ORDINANCE Committeeman Brislin made a motion that the Mayor and Committee receive no increase for 2007, the Municipal Clerk's compensation will be increased to $45,560 in recognition of her certification, and that all other employees will receive a 3.3 percent increase across the board. The motion was seconded by Committeeman Lashendock. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
ORD 2007-005 (Second Reading) FEE ORDINANCE FOR CEREMONIES Committeeman Brislin made a motion to approve the ordinance. Committeeman Barbagallo seconded, and the motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
BILLS LIST
Vouchers
After discussion among the Committee regarding #746 Community Corp. of High Point in the amount of $288.42, Committeeman Brislin made a motion to pay all bills. Committeeman Lashendock seconded the motion, and it was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
KSM Engineering - Committeeman Brislin made a motion to authorize the Land Use Board Secretary to pay the outstanding balance of $425.00 and use the balance of the applicant's escrow account to pay this bill, and further to make written notification to the applicant that if the total balance is not paid, a lien will be placed upon the property. The motion was seconded by Committeeman Brace, and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
COAH - There was a lengthy discussion among the Committee and legal counsel regarding the demands of the COAH obligation.
General Agreement Draft - National Park Service - Committeeman Brislin made a motion to adopt this agreement upon approval of the insurance requirements therein by George Morville Agency. Committeeman Lashendock seconded the motion. Roll call vote:
Mr. Barbagallo - Yes
Mr. Brace - No
Mr. Brislin - Yes
Mr. Lashendock - Yes
Mr. Utter - Yes
The motion was carried by a majority of the membership.
Dwight Fickes & Senior Budget - Committeeman Barbagallo made a motion to table this item until the next meeting. Committeeman Brislin seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.
302 Shimer Brook Road Property - Committeeman Brislin made a motion to advise owner that Montague Township is not interested in this property. Committeeman Lashendock seconded the motion, and it was carried by unanimous voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Lawn Maintenance (Price Quotes) After comparison of quotes from Dickson and JRC Contracting, Committeeman Barbagallo made a motion to award the contract to JRC on a yearly contract upon confirmation that the Fire House will be included in the price. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion, and it was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Volunteer Dinner - No Report
Committeeman Brislin made a motion to amend the Agenda to include discussion and action regarding employee and dependents' dental insurance. Committeeman Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Dental Insurance
Mayor Utter indicated that the Committee wanted to amend the agenda so they can look at dental benefits and what the Township offers the employees now and what they are going to offer them in the future. Committeeman Brace reported that the dental insurance for employees and their families costs about $17,000, that being about $750 per individual, per year. He also indicated that he had spoken to three employees who didn't use the insurance during the past year, and that the Township was just making the insurance company richer.
Committeeman Brislin made a motion that effective ninety days from March 13, 2007, that the dental insurance coverage for employees and their dependents be reduced from 100% of taxpayers' expense to 0% of taxpayers' expense. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion.
Committeeman Barbagallo made a statement that he noticed payroll had been increased approximately $9,000 in one month, and that he believes it was a result of the insurance situation, and that taking the insurance away from employees to save money is actually costing the Township money. He added that even though he believed the dental insurance was not the best plan, he expressed displeasure over how much the Township has and continues to punish its employees.
Roll Call Vote:
Mr. Barbagallo - No
Mr. Brace - Yes
Mr. Brislin - Yes
Mr. Lashendock
Mr. Utter - Yes
The motion was carried by a majority of the membership.
MONTHLY REPORTS
Tax Collector's Revenue (February) - Total collected $1,148,894.12, year to date: $1,687,165.42
CORRESPONDENCE
NJ Department of Environmental Protection - Clean Communities Allocation. There was a discussion among the committee after which Mayor Utter stated that he hadn't had a chance to look at the file but would do that to get more information.
Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control- Mayor Utter advised the public that anyone interested in reading this multi-page document may do so upon request to the Clerk.
Annual Tax Lien Sale - This sale will be held April 19, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Municipal Building. $176,688.36 in 2005 and 2006 remain unpaid on 345 properties.
Committeeman Brace motioned to open to the public. Committeeman Brace seconded the motion, and it was carried by unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Alicia Batko presented the change in wording for the description of the historic Brick House Village, which will appear on a sign on the north side of County Road 521. Committeeman Brislin made a motion to approve the change in wording, Committeeman Barbagallo seconded the motion, and it was carried by unanimous voice vote.
Richard Clauberg suggested that if the Township is planning on spending $7,000 to cut the Township lawns, then there should be an effort to grow grass included in that price, and if that is not done, then the Township is wasting money.
Reginald Cole suggested giving Township properties to Green Acres. He also reported that there was still no "No Left Turn" sign in the center driveway of the Valero gas station.
Charles Teufert inquired about lots in the country club owned by the Township, and if, as property owner, the Township could turn over rights to the Rec. Committee. Mayor Utter said he would look into it. He also asked what was going on with the website. Mayor Utter requested Deputy Clerk Picinich have Clerk Francisco follow up on this.
Committeeman Barbagallo made a motion to close to the public. Committeeman Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Committeeman Barbagallo motioned to adjourn. Committeeman Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Desrie Picinich
Deputy Clerk
03-15-07