PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 22, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on February 22, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Linda A. DuBois, Maxine C. Hargus and Kenneth P. Martin. Township Solicitor, Benjamin C. Telsey was also present.
CALL MEETING TO ORDER/FLAG SLAUTE/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 February 8, 2005 Regular Meeting were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the following Departmental Reports and Other (Minutes) were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
Departmental Reports - Construction Code Official (01/05)
Court Administrator (01/05)
Housing/Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer (01/05)
Other (Minutes) - Recreation Advisory Committee (01/05)
Rent Control Board (11/04)
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the Raffle License Applications submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Bridgeton, NJ for an On-Premises Draw Raffle (Chinese Auction) and an On-Premises Draw Raffle (50/50 Cash) to be held at the Centerton Country Club on April 16, 2005 were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Hargus/Voros)
No business.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Hargus)
Committeewoman DuBois reminded other members about the Annual Appreciation Dinner to be held March 6, 2005 at the Centerton Country Club.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Martin/Hargus)
Committeewoman Hargus commented that a Special Meeting of the Planning Board is scheduled for February 23, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room with a presentation on Landis Avenue Redevelopment Plan by Larry Waetzman, AICP, PP, from The Waetzman Planning Group. Action on the plan will not be taken at this time.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway)
Committeewoman DuBois provided an update on activities by the Emergency Management Team. An Emergency Management van is expected to be on the road by April; a 60/40 Grant for equipment (digital camera, GPS, life vests) is being applied for; a Tabletop Drill regarding dams has been completed; a continuation of the drill with the Forest Fire Service is scheduled for the fall; a Mitigation Plan was the first to be submitted; a Top Off Exercise/Drill is planned for April 7, 2005 at the Schalick High School; Hurricane Awareness will be held in Atlantic City the end of April 2005; hazardous ice emergency calls were received regarding the Willow Grove Lake dam; the team is working with Cumberland County Emergency Management relative to preparedness in the event a problem arises at United Refrigerant which Pittsgrove would also respond to and the team is working to get Right-to-Know plans for facilities in the township that are lacking the same. Overall, it has been very busy.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-37 through RESOLUTION NO. 2005-59 AUTHORITY TO OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Martin and seconded by DuBois, an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held March 8, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, NJ afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final adoption.
Vote: All in favor
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois)
Committeewoman DuBois announced that two part-time drivers were hired recently in keeping with the service demands of the Salem County Specialized Transportation Service.
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGLISLATIVE (Hargus/Ridgway)
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE TO ESTABLISH CHAPTER 18 ENTITLED “OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT - FEES FOR SPECIAL SERVICE CHARGES” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held March 8, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 989 Centerton Road, Pittsgrove, NJ afterwhich the ordinance will be considered for final adoption.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, the Township Solicitor was authorized to review information and prepare ordinances as recommended by the standing committee relative to Fees; Kennels, Pet Shops & Shelters; Signs and Graffiti.
Vote: All in favor
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (Ridgway/DuBois)
No business.
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTENANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the Road Opening Request submitted by South Jersey Gas for 45 Wallace Street was approved as recommended by the Township Engineer.
Vote: All in favor
Committeeman Ridgway brought up the matter that was tabled at the last meeting about the reconstruction/reconfiguration of Almond Road. The proposed project will better allow parking at Parvin State Park so that the public does not have to cross Almond Road. He acknowledged that correspondence has been received from the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee conveying its opposition. R. Bradley Tombs of Urban Engineers, Inc. was present just prior to this meeting to answer any questions the Township Committee may have had about the project. On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the Township Solicitor was authorized to prepare a resolution in support of the reconstruction/reconfiguration of Almond Road in response to the request from Salem County.
Vote: Aye - Ridgway, Hargus, Martin, Voros
Nay - DuBois
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-60 AWARDING A CONTRACT TO PROVIDE EXTERIOR RENOVATIONS TO THE PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-61 TO CHANGE THE PRIMARY USE OF THE PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE ODD FELLOWS HALL FROM PRIMARILY PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICES TO PROVIDING SENIOR SERVICES was approved as read.
Vote: Aye - Ridgway, Hargus, Martin, Voros
Nay - DuBois
SHADE TREE (Martin)
No business.
CORRESPONDENCE
Committeewoman Hargus announced that the Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Counties Municipal Joint Insurance Fund awarded the Township Of Pittsgrove Second Runner Up and $1,150.00 in Safety Funds for 2004 (Safety Incentive Program), Zero Workers’ Compensation “Lost Time” Accidents 2004 and Loss Ratio Average from 2002-2004 Beat the JIF’s Three-Year Loss Ratio Average. Mayor Voros congratulated municipal personnel on a job well done.
Committeewoman DuBois commented about the Fast Track Permitting Act as pertains to the Redevelopment of Landis Avenue. She suggested that caution be exercised in that the redevelopment area is so close to Vineland which is a Planning Area 1. We would not want to lose control at the local level of 700 + acres of environmentally sensitive lands. As a point of information, Mayor Voros commented that this area would not become a Planning Area 1 and would be no higher than a Planning Area 3. Committeewoman DuBois mentioned the proximity of sewer that exists on both sides of Pittsgrove and the future possibility of getting it from Point A to Point B. Committeewoman Hargus reiterated that no action will be taken on the proposed redevelopment plan until the fast track law is deciphered in detail.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Marcelline Eachus, Pittsgrove Township, thanked the Township Committee for contributing to the purchase of the nice new Elmer Ambulance. She asked if the ordinance introduced earlier on the agenda about OPRA fees pertains to the Tax Assessor. Committeewoman Hargus responded that the introduced ordinance pertains to fees for special service charges. The Fee Ordinance (Chapter A120) is also being reviewed and will be changed. Mrs. Eachus questioned the Township Solicitor about the township charging for an employee’s time as she believed it could not. The Township Solicitor responded that the ordinance provides for charges relative to exceptional circumstances that take substantial amounts of time. Mrs. Eachus reminded the Township Committee to consider driveway ordinance concerns. She mentioned that Dennis Miranda (Go Native!) commented about DEP ideas and made suggestions at a prior meeting. She commented about pervious versus impervious runoff washing into a watershed and advised that the Palatine Lake Homeowners Association is having a three-year study performed on water quality. Mrs. Eachus then commented about the matter of her state tax appeal. She stated that no one would talk to her about her settlement offer. She felt she had a strong case, was willing to communicate with township officials/representatives in hopes to resolve the matter prior to appearing before the State Tax Court, but no one would listen. Mrs. Eachus mentioned a comment made by the Mayor at the last meeting regarding a vote by the Township Committee relative to tax appeals. In a letter to the Township Committee, she requested information regarding such vote to which she received a response from the Township Clerk that no formal action/vote was taken. Mrs. Eachus stated that she won her state tax appeal, but was not happy because it’s a shame to spend taxpayer’s money in defense of an appeal when she attempted to settle the matter, but was ignored.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove Township, inquired about the change of primary use for the Pittsgrove Township Community Center as acted upon earlier on the agenda. He wanted to know if the change would affect the future use of the facility by the Historical Society who would like to meet there and also display items. Committeeman Ridgway responded that the change in use would not affect use by the Historical Society. The change was made to enhance grant funding opportunities. Mr. Wegner then extended an invitation to attend the next meeting of the Environmental Commission on Monday, February 28 which will also be attended by the Historical Society. He has arranged for a very good speaker to be there.
There being no further comments from the public, a motion was made by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway to close the audience participation segment.
Vote: All in favor
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2004-62 RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss pending litigation and contract negotiations was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
Minutes of the Executive Session will be made available for public review with respect to matters involving litigation after said litigation has been resolved and all periods of appeal have expired and with respect to other matters within (90) days.
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by DuBois, the meeting was reopened to the public.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the Township Clerk was directed to respond to the ongoing concern of Mary Miranda about the dead tree on Can House Road and convey that the Public Works Department will not remove the tree.
Vote: All in favor
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Hargus.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
GHM:CSG:ghm