PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on December 13, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Linda A. DuBois, Christine L. Seeney and Kenneth P. Martin.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/ROLL CALL
Mayor Voros opened the meeting with a salute to the flag and reading of the Open Public Meetings Act.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the minutes of the November 22, 2005 Regular Meeting and Executive Session were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the following Departmental and (Other) Minutes were accepted as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
Departmental Reports - Tax Collector (11/05)
Construction Code Official (11/05)
Other (Minutes) - Salem County Department of Emergency Services (11/05)
Recreation Advisory Committee (11/05)
Rent Control Board (08/05)
PUBLIC HEARING
A Public Hearing was held on an
ordinance entitled “Adding Chapter 77
Entitled ‘Sex Offender Residency Prohibition’ To The Code Of The Township Of
Pittsgrove”.
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, said hearing was opened to the public.
Vote: All in favor
Mary Creamer-Stenberg, Pittsgrove, asked what if they already live in the area. Mayor Voros commented they would be exempt.
There being no further comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the aforementioned Ordinance No. 19-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Seeney/Voros)
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-166 To Authorize Cancellation Of Property Taxes For 2005 was approved as read.
Roll Call: Aye - Ridgway, DuBois, Seeney, Martin, Voros
Nay - None
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-167 Authorizing The Issuance Of A Duplicate Tax Sale Certificate Pursuant To Chapter 99 Of The Public Laws Of 1997 was approved as read.
Roll Call: Aye - Ridgway, DuBois, Seeney, Martin, Voros
Nay - None
On a motion by Martin and seconded by DuBois, an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Providing For The 2006 Salaries And Compensation Of The Officers And Employees Of The Township Of Pittsgrove, County Of Salem And State Of New Jersey” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held on December 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, New Jersey afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-168 Establishing A Fair And Open Process For The Awarding Of Professional Services Contracts For The Township Of Pittsgrove was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Seeney)
Committeewoman DuBois commented that the Winter 2005/2006 Newsletters had been mailed thanks to Committeewoman Seeney and Township Administrator Mulford for their help.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DuBois/Seeney)
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-169 Determining A Certain Area Of The Township Of Pittsgrove To Be In Need Of Rehabilitation And Directing The Planning Board To Prepare A Redevelopment Plan was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway)
Committeewoman DuBois commented that the next Emergency Management Meeting is next week. Committeewoman Seeney and Committeeman Ridgway have received their 700 certification for Emergency Management. Mayor Voros and Committeeman Martin are to be certified by December 31, 2005.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-170 Payment Of Bills was approved as read.
Vote: Aye - Ridgway, Seeney, Martin, DuBois
Nay - 0
Abstain - DuBois
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois)
Mayor Voros commented that twenty-five seniors are now using the Norma Senior Center. Committeewoman DuBois commented that the future fate of the senior program there should be known after December 31, 2005. Mayor Voros congratulated Kathy Paulus on a job well done working with the seniors.
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGISLATIVE (Seeney/Ridgway)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Amending Prior Ordinance No. 09-2005” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held on December 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, New Jersey afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Revising Section 60-4 (‘Definitions And Word Usage’) Of The Land Use And Development Ordinance” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held on December 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, New Jersey afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (Ridgway/DuBois)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, approval was granted to hold the Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 8, 2006 with a rain date of Sunday, April 9, 2006 as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the request to have a large NO ANIMALS sign erected at Green Branch Park that clearly reflects the fine was approved as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the following requests were approved for the use of playing fields at Green Branch Park contingent upon the receipt and review of schedules to alleviate any conflicts.
Vote: All in favor
Pittsgrove Midget Football - April through June 2006
Pittsgrove Soccer Club - January through December 2006
GC Generals Football League - December 2005 through May 2006
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTEANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-171 Resolution In Support Of The County Of Salem’s Project For The Repavement Of County Road #540 (Almond Road) Within The Township Of Pittsgrove, County Of Salem was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-172 Requesting An Extension For The Awarding Of Contracts For Phase I Of The Local Bikeway Network Through The Township Of Pittsgrove In The County Of Salem was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
SHADE TREE (Seeney) - No business.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-173 Authorizing the Mayor To Execute An “A-1 Of NJDEP Form WQM-003 Statements Of Consent By The Governing Body” Regarding State Of New Jersey, Division Of Parks And Forestry - Parvin State Park was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
CORRESPONDENCE
There were no comments regarding correspondence.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, asked about the introduced ordinance “An Ordinance Amending Prior Ordinance No. 09-2005”. The Township Clerk provided her with a copy of the introduced ordinance and told her that the public hearing would be held during the next meeting. Mrs. Nagy then expressed concern regarding a matter which appeared in the Today’s Sunbeam whereby one will be able to construct/conduct a commercial business on preserved farmland. She suggested that the Township Committee read the article, research the matter further and take a stance to oppose it.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, commented that he emailed the Garden State Preservation Trust and State Agricultural Committee about the aforementioned matter concerning preserved farmland. He believes both are against what is being proposed and will keep abreast of the matter.
Mayor Voros commented that what is being proposed may have started as the result of cell towers being situate in agricultural areas.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, informed the Township Committee that three farms located within the proposed Landis Avenue Redevelopment Area have retracted their applications.
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, asked Herbert Wegner why the Garden State Preservation Trust has not been vocal about the matter of commercial business on preserved farmland before now. Herbert Wegner responded that he did not know how many lobbyist the Trust has. He feels the best way to fight what is being proposed is to talk to our legislators and get the conservationist involved.
Jim Shuster, Pittsgrove, suggested that he, Herbert Wegner and Green Acres get together and talk to the three farms owners who retracted their preservation applications to better explain what is being proposed in the area.
Committeewoman DuBois responded that she liked that idea. Facts will be conveyed and it confirms to the public that both entities (Agricultural Advisory Committee and Economic Development Committee) are working together.
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, stated why pay to preserve farmland if it can be built on anyway? She told the Township Committee to think about what it’s doing.
Mary Stenberg, Pittsgrove, asked what the distance is relative to the proximity for sex offenders in prohibited areas. Mayor Voros responded 2,500 feet.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, stated that Green Acres is not affected by the legislation proposing to permit commercial businesses in preserved agricultural areas.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Martin and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
GHM:CSG:ghm