PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on January 25, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Maxine C. Hargus and Kenneth P. Martin. Linda A. DuBois was absent due to her required attendance at a swim meet. 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 MEETINGS
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, the minutes of the December 28, 2004 Executive Session, January 3, 2005 Reorganization Meeting and January 11, 2005 Regular Meeting were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, the following Departmental Report and Other (Minutes) were approved as submitted.
Departmental Report - Court Administrator (12/05)
Other (Minutes) - Recreation Advisory Committee (12/05)
Rent Control (07/04)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Hargus)
Lt. Tartaglia, Station Commander - Bridgeton, New Jersey State Police was present to respond to recent concerns of the public and the Township Committee. Kevin Garrison, Pittsgrove Township, stated that he is concerned about speeding. Lt. Tartaglia responded that this concern is mirrored in the seven other municipalities under their jurisdiction. In response to correspondence from the Township Committee the NJSP has increased its presence via periodic patrols in those areas of most concern. Committeeman Martin thanked the Lt. for the level of service the NJSP provide within the township and acknowledged that they are shorthanded and pulled in many directions. He reiterated the concerns relative to speeding, primarily along Buck Road and Porchtown Road. Lt. Tartaglia concurred that speeding does occur on these roads which are major thoroughfares through the township. Committeeman Martin asked if there was anything that the Township can do to be of assistance, like reporting tag numbers, etc. The Lt. responded that it is not only a matter of reporting tag numbers, but the individual reporting the tag number must also be able and willing to identify the driver of the vehicle. Many times this cannot be done or the individual reporting the incident/vehicle is not willing to identify the driver. Lt. Tartaglia assured the Township Committee that coverage will continue at community events. Committeewoman Hargus asked about ongoing ATV concerns. Lt. Tartaglia acknowledged that this is a long standing concern and that there is no easy solution to the problem. Much of the time the source of the problem is that those purchasing ATV’s do not have enough area on which to ride them. This results in riders trespassing onto adjoining properties, etc. The NJSP have found that information is best distributed through the schools and by Public Service Announcements. In instances when violators are identified and captured, the NJSP prefer to talk with the individual(s) to impress upon them the nature of the problem and consequences. Most violators are not aware that such illegal riding may jeopardize ones driver’s license. Parents are often not aware that they are subject to violations for these illegal acts performed by their children and it gets to be very expensive. Marcelline Eachus, Pittsgrove Township, made the Lt. aware that patrolmen are not responding to acts of vandalism being reported in Palatine Lake Village Development. She acknowledged that while this may not be a high priority, she would appreciate a call back if they cannot respond. The Lt. was not aware that such reports are not being responded to and will look into this further. He also encouraged her to contact him if this continues to happen. Mrs. Eachus also asked about the concern that was conveyed relative to trick or treat on Halloween in Palatine Lake Village Development. The influx in pedestrian and vehicular traffic makes it very difficult to maneuver throughout the development during this time and is an accident waiting to happen. Lt. Tartaglia responded that he was not previously aware of the concern and encouraged someone to contact him about two weeks prior to the occasion so that a provision can be made for periodic patrols in the development. Mayor Voros thanked Lt. Tartaglia for his attendance and the recent effort by the NJSP regarding the Town Hall Meeting held at the Cumberland Regional High School.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Nicki Burke, of the Salem County Surrogate’s Office was present and discussed the joint venture between the county and township to make office space available for a Satellite Office to better serve the residents in this part of the county. Residents may contact the Surrogate’s Office to make appointments on Tuesday’s from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ms. Burke thanked the Township Committee for its cooperation with this venture.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC REALTIONS (DuBois/Hargus)
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Hargus RESOLUTION NO. 2005-28 RECOGNIZING THE 2004 ARTHUR P. SCHALICK HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM was approved as read. Mayor Voros presented Coach Hedgman with a framed copy of the resolution.
Vote: All in favor
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Ridgway, the Raffle License Application submitted by the Pittsgrove Soccer Club for an On-Premise Draw Raffle (Motorcycle) on September 4, 2005 at Green Branch Park was approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Hargus/Voros)
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-24 AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF PROPERTY TAXES was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-25 AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF PROPERTY TAXES was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-26 APPOINTING A CONTRACTOR TO PREPARE A MUNICIPAL STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND A STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PLAN (Sickels and Associates, Inc.) was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-27 APPOINTING A BANKING AND DESPOSITORY SERVICES PROVIDER (The Bank) was approved as read.
Vote: Aye - Hargus, Martin, Voros
Abstained - Ridgway
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, Gail Cassidy was hired as the Secretary for the Economic Development Committee and Shade Tree Advisory Committee as recommended by the standing committee.
Vote: All in favor
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Hargus)
In the absence of Committeewoman DuBois, Committeewoman Hargus announced that a Buffet Dinner will be held for 2004 Appreciation on March 6, 2005
from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Terrace Room of the Centerton Country Club.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (Martin/Hargus)
No business.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway)
No business.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros)
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-29 PAYMENT OF BILLS was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois)
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, the 2005 Municipal Alliance Service Contract was approved and the Mayor and Township Clerk were authorized to execute the same.
Vote: All in favor
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGISLATIVE (Hargus/Ridgway)
No business.
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (Ridgway/DuBois)
No business.
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTENANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
Mayor Voros thanked Harry Snyder, Public Works Manager and Public Works personnel for their best efforts during the recent snowstorm.
SHADE TREE (Martin)
No business.
CORRESPONDENCE
Public Hearing Notices were acknowledged from the following: Daytop Village of New Jersey, Inc. for a use variance to expand and operate a residential Juvenile Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Facility (Group Home) and Landis Sewerage Authority for connection fee increase and surcharge for oil and grease.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove Township, asked if the decision made at the last meeting regarding the $3.00 fee for each copy of a property record card was final. Committeewoman Hargus commented that the Ordinance Review and Legislative Standing Committee will be looking at a lot of things regarding proposed ordinance changes.
There being no further comments from the public, a motion was made by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway to close the audience participation segment.
Vote: All in favor
TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-30 APPOINTING SPECIAL COUNSEL TO ASSIST THE PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP SOLICITOR WITH RESPECT TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OBLIGATIONS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-31 AUTHORIZING JEFFREY SURENIAN, ESQUIRE TO OBTAIN APPROPRIATE COURT APPROVAL TO INCREASE THE DEVELOPMENT FEE CONTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO 60-117 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Ridgway, an ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE APPROVING PROPERTY TAX AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF PITTSGROVE AND T & T MANAGEMENT, LLC FOR BLOCK 104, LOT 4 was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held on February 8, 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
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-32 AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION to discuss litigation and attorney/client privilege 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 Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the meeting was reopened to the public.
Vote: All in favor
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
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