PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 25, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on October 25, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were
Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Linda A. DuBois and Christine L. Seeney. Committee member Kenneth P. Martin was absent. 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 DuBois, the minutes of the October 11, 2005 Regular Meeting and Executive Session were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the following Departmental Reports were accepted as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
Departmental Reports - Construction Code Official (09/05)
Court Administrator (09/05)
Housing/Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer (09/05)
Tax Assessor (Added Assessment & Rollback Taxes Report)
Tax Collector (09/05)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the public hearing was opened for the ordinance entitled “An Ordinance To Prohibit Illicit Connections To The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Operated By The Township Of Pittsgrove”.
Vote: All in favor
There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 12-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the public hearing was opened
for the ordinance
entitled “An Ordinance To Prohibit The
Spilling Dumping Or Disposal Of Materials Other Than Stormwater To The Township
Of Pittsgrove Storm Sewer System”.
Vote: All in favor
There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 13-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the public hearing was opened for the ordinance entitled “An Ordinance To Establish Requirements To Control Littering In The Township Of Pittsgrove”.
Vote: All in favor
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove Township, wanted to know how the Township was going to prevent people from littering. Committeeman Ridgway responded it’s not, but there is an enforcement provision. Mayor Voros added that these ordinances are in conjunction with the Stormwater Management Plan.
There being no further comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 14-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by
Seeney, the public hearing was opened for the ordinance entitled “An Ordinance To Establish Requirements For
The Proper Disposal Of Pet Solid Waste In The Township Of Pittsgrove”.
Vote: All in favor
There being no 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 Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 15-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Seeney and seconded by
Ridgway, the public hearing was opened for the ordinance entitled “An Ordinance To Prohibit The Feeding Of
Unconfined Wildlife On Property Owned By The Township Of Pittsgrove”.
Vote: All in favor
There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Seeney.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Seeney and seconded by DuBois, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 16-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the public hearing was opened
for the ordinance
entitled “An Ordinance To Establish A
Yard Waste Disposal Program And To Establish Requirements For The Proper
Handling Of Yard Waste In The Township Of Pittsgrove”.
Vote: All in favor
There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Seeney and seconded by Ridgway.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, the aforementioned ORDINANCE NO. 17-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Seeney/Voros)
On motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-147
Resolution
Rescinding Resolution #2005-141 Appointing An Assistant Building Inspector For
The Township Of Pittsgrove was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-148 Resolution Appointing A Building Subcode Official/Inspector For The Township Of Pittsgrove was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Seeney)
Committeewoman DuBois commented that the newsletter is moving forward.
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-149 Recognizing Tessa North For Her Attainment Of Missionette Honor Star was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
Committeewoman Seeney read an article from the October 20, 2005 issue of the Elmer Times by Charles Jansky in support of the Odd Fellows Hall/Senior Center.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DuBois/Seeney)
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the resignation of Robert Ternay as a member of the Economic Development Committee was accepted with regret.
Vote: All in favor
Committeewoman DuBois reported that the Township Administrator is planning to attend a USDA Rural Development Seminar on October 26, 2005 and that she will attend a Planning Officials Seminar on October 27, 2005 on Redevelopment and Eminent Domain. There will be more grant funds meetings coming up that will also be attended.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway)
Committeewoman DuBois reported that township employees received fire extinguisher safety training last week. The training was given by Charles Hughes, Fire Official - Bureau of Fire Safety. The Emergency Management Open Public Meeting was well attended by more than twenty-six people. Those in attendance were representatives of the three fire districts, EMS, Bureau of Fire Safety, the School Superintendent and Safety Officer, the general public and dam operators. It was a good opportunity to discuss any concerns. Plans for upcoming developments were reviewed.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros) - No business.
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois)
Committeewoman DuBois mentioned that fifty construction permits have been issued for the Borough of Elmer and that the interlocal agreement regarding the Construction Code Office is going well. If approved by Salem County, the upcoming Newsletter will contain an article regarding the need for better attendance at the Norma nutrition site in order to continue the service into 2006 and that transportation to and from the site is available.
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGISLATIVE (Seeney/Ridgway) - No business.
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (Ridgway/DuBois) - No business.
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTENANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-150 Awarding A Contract For Providing Delivering And Installing One (1) Pole Building For The Township Of Pittsgrove was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-151 Accepting A Proposal From Sickels & Associates, Inc. To Provide Surveying And Engineering Services For Phase I Of The Local Bikeway Network For Pittsgrove Township was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the road name “Briar Hill Drive” relative to the Briar Hill Estates Major Subdivision was approved as proposed by Michael J. Gruccio, Esquire.
Vote: All in favor
The Township Committee acknowledged the receipt of a $400,000 Small Cities Block Grant for the Senior Center Phase II. It is anticipated that the center will open at the end of November or beginning of December 2005. Occupancy for the center is estimated to be 324.
SHADE TREE (Seeney) - No business.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Marcelline Eachus, Pittsgrove, asked if a request to use the Meeting Room was received from the Palatine Lake Homeowners Association. The Township Clerk responded that Linda Amme has been in contact with the Township Administrator. Mrs. Eachus informed the Township Committee that the NJ State Police will patrol Palatine Lake Village during Trick or Treat on Halloween as the result of past parking and traffic concerns. She also commented that she attended the Emergency Management Open Public Meeting and is concerned about procedures not being followed by dam operators above Pittsgrove. It puts lives and property in danger when notification protocol is not followed. Many dams are in poor condition which leaves Pittsgrove in a precarious position. She also informed the Township Committee that lake owners/dam operators are required to obtain a $2.00 annual permit from the NJ DEP. She feels there is a cavalier attitude and wants to know if anything can be done. Committeewoman DuBois responded that Pittsgrove is doing what it is supposed to, but unfortunately, other jurisdictions are not.
Valerie Nagy, Pittsgrove, followed up on the aforementioned comments by Mrs. Eachus. She stated that the problems with protocol for dam operations have been a concern for many years. Mrs. Nagy suggested that someone notify the State (DEP) about the breach in etiquette and that the possibility of a dangerous situation exists. They should also be aware that we are concerned about the poor condition of dams north of Willow Grove. A letter will document the matter and may help with the liability aspect should there ever be a problem. As pertains to Elmer Lake, the State owns it and has a responsibility regarding it. Mayor Voros asked Committee members DuBois and Ridgway to talk with Jeff Walker, Emergency Management Coordinator, about the concerns and suggestions. Mrs. Nagy asked if the Master Plan was going to be put on the website. The Township Clerk informed her that the request was brought to the attention of the Township Administrator. Mrs. Nagy provided the Township Clerk with an electronic version of the Master Plan for his use.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, informed the Township Committee that he has been very busy attending various meetings. He stated that the article in the Elmer Times written by Charles Jansky about the Senior Center was nice and hoped that space would be available there so that historical items could be displayed. Mr. Wegner presented the Township Committee with the Abstract of Ratables for Salem, Gloucester and Cumberland Counties. It reflects the amount of ratables, population and tax rate. The information is very clear to point out - more people…more ratables…higher tax rate. Also, municipalities with local police forces are paying a half dollar more. Mr. Wegner suggested that a representative from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Committee be invited to attend an upcoming meeting. They are currently providing Pilesgrove Township with a study and are taking a modern approach to put development in. The Planning Board should also be invited to attend. Mayor Voros told him to coordinate a date with the Township Clerk.
Kirk Craver, Pittsgrove, asked about the status of pension costs for township employees. Mayor Voros responded that the township complies with payment requirements set forth by the state. The Township Clerk advised that pension is an item reviewed as part of the Municipal Budget each year.
There being no other comments from the public, a motion was made by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney to close the audience participation segment.
Vote: All in favor
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-152 Resolution Authorizing Executive Session to discuss pending litigation, attorney/client privilege 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 ninety (90) days.
On a motion by Seeney and seconded by DuBois, the meeting was reopened to the public.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Seeney, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-153 Resolution Authorizing the Advertisement For Sale By Sealed Bid Of A Plenary Retail Distribution License was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
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