PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 22, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on November 22, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Linda A. DuBois, Christine L. Seeney and Kenneth P. Martin. Township Solicitor, Benjamin C. Telsey was also present.
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 Seeney, the minutes of the November 9, 2005 Regular Meeting were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the following Departmental Reports and (Other) Minutes were accepted as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
Departmental Reports - Court Administrator (10/05)
Housing/Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer (10/05)
Other (Minutes) - Recreation Advisory Committee (10/05)
PUBLIC HEARING
A Public Hearing was held on an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Of The Township Of Pittsgrove To Acquire By Donation Block 801, Lot 11 From The Estate Of Alfred Garrison Pursuant to N.J.S.A.40A:12-3”.
The Township Solicitor informed the Township Committee that there is an additional lien against the property by the Elmer Bank in the amount of $11,000 + -. The Elmer Bank contacted the Township after seeing the aforementioned ordinance in the newspaper to make its claim known.
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, asked about the outcome of the environmental investigation performed at the property and the extent of any contamination. Mayor Voros and Committeewoman Seeney responded that the extent of contamination is not what was once suspected. Limited waste, minimal soil contamination and a lot of tires was detected. Committeeman Martin responded that several options were considered relative to the fate of the property and acquisition by the Township is the best solution.
There being no further comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Seeney and seconded by Martin, the aforementioned Ordinance No. 18-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Seeney/Voros) - No business.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Seeney)
Committeewoman DuBois acknowledged the receipt of letters received from Alfred Shaffer and Mary Stenberg requesting the Township Committee to support choice and competition in New Jersey’s cable TV marketplace. Mayor Voros requested that the Township Committee hold off on its action of the matter for the time being.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DuBois/Seeney) - No business.
EMERGENCY MANGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway)
Committeewoman DuBois provided other members with a copy of a Training Matrix for elected and appointed officials relative to the National Incident Management System. She reported that it will be necessary to complete the recommended training for various response levels reflected and obtain certifications in order to receive grant funding. The recommended training can be accessed via the computer and she has begun the process.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros)
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-162 Payment Of Bills was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-163 Providing For The Transfer Of Certain 2005 Appropriation Account Balances was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-164 Cancel Certain Grant Reserves was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois)
Committeewoman DuBois reported that a third driver was hired to work 25 hours per week relative to the Salem County Specialized Transportation Program.
Mayor Voros announced that breakfast/lunch is provided to senior citizens at the Norma Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Transportation to and from the facility can be arranged by contacting the Salem County Specialized Transportation Program. Thirteen (13) seniors currently partake in the service at the center, but the number must increase to seventeen (17) to warrant continuation of the service at this location. Meals are provided by Dodges Market. The Salem County Specialized Transportation Program offers a variety of services that include day trips and speakers.
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGLISLATIVE (Seeney/Ridgway)
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Ridgway, an ordinance entitled “Adding Chapter 77 Entitled ‘Sex Offender Residency Prohibition’ To The Code Of The Township Of Pittsgrove” was approved on first reading. The second reading and public hearing will be held on December 13, 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) - No business.
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTENANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the request from Mary Clifford, a resident, to use the parking lot at the Municipal Building to park vehicles while away on a group ski trip from January 27 - 29, 2006 was approved.
Vote: All in favor
SHADE TREE (Seeney) - No business.
CORRESPONDENCE
Committeewoman Seeney reported that she attended the New Jersey League Of Municipalities Annual Conference. She made good contacts and attended several informative seminars. Mayor Voros commented that Pittsgrove was well represented at the conference.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Mary Stenberg, Pittsgrove, asked about trees being cut down on private property.
Mayor Voros suggested that she contact the Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, asked about the criteria relative to the Ordinance introduced by the Township Committee “Sex Offender Residency Prohibition”. Mayor Voros responded that no convicted sex offender shall be permitted to reside within 2,500 feet of any school, park, playground or day care center in the Township. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held during the next meeting of the Township Committee. She was also interested in knowing more about the Mayor’s request to hold off on action supporting choice and competition in the cable TV marketplace.
Mayor Voros announced that The Society to Protect Animals will sponsor and subsidize its second low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Mannington Township on November 21, 2005.
There being no other comments from the public, a motion was made by Ridgway and seconded by Martin to close the audience participation segment.
Vote: All in favor
PRESENTATION
Herbert Wegner, Chairman of the Environmental Commission introduced Patricia Elkis of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission who gave a power point presentation on “Conservation Design”. Ms. Elkis provided an overview of how a Conservation Design Ordinance uses the development process to protect natural resources and preserve open space while maintaining landowner equity. Ms. Elkis answered a few questions and was thanked by Chairman Wegner and Mayor Voros for her attendance. The presentation was informative and the Township may consider the services offered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission in the future. The company is currently providing services to Pilegrove Township.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-165 Resolution Authorizing Executive Session to discuss pending 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 ninety (90) days.
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, 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 DuBois and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
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