PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2005
The Pittsgrove Township Committee met in the Meeting Room on September 13, 2005, Mayor Peter I. Voros presided. Committee members present were Jeffrey T. Ridgway, Sr., Linda A. DuBois, Maxine C. Hargus 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 Meeting Act.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Hargus, the minutes of the August 23, 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 Reports and Other (Minutes) were accepted as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
Departmental Reports - Tax Collector (08/05)
Other (Minutes) - Salem Co. Department of Emergency Services (06/05)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A public hearing was held on an ordinance entitled “Ordinance Reappropriating $26,000 Proceeds Of Obligations Not Needed For Their Original Purposes In Order To Provide For The Construction Of Four-Bay Pole Barn In And By The Township Of Pittsgrove, In The County of Salem, New Jersey”. There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Hargus and seconded by DuBois.
Vote: All in favor
Final passage of the aforementioned ordinance was deferred until the next meeting to be held September 27, 2005 so that the Township Clerk could check on a procedural aspect of the Ordinance with Bond Counsel.
A public hearing was held on an ordinance entitled “Bond Ordinance Providing A Supplemental Appropriation Of $26,000 For The Completion Financing Of A Four-Bay Pole Barn In And By The Township Of Pittsgrove, In The County Of Salem, New Jersey And Authorizing The Issuance Of $26,000 Bonds Or Notes Of The Township For Financing Part Of The Appropriation”. There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus.
Vote: All in favor
Final passage of the aforementioned ordinance was deferred until the next meeting to be held September 27, 2005 so that the Township Clerk could check on a procedural aspect of the Ordinance with Bond Counsel.
A public hearing was held on an ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Amending Sections 1-9, 8-1, 8-6, 27-6, 27-9, 27-12, 28-10, 34-6, 34-11, 38-3(A), 40-2, 40-23, 40-25, 47-7, 47-8, 49-5, 50-2, 50-7, 50-14, 54-19, 64-3(C), 64-57, 64-68, 64-81.1, 69-4, 71-9, 72-4(A), 72-6(D), 73-5(A), 75-9, 75-10(A)(11), 83-17, 83-25, 84-2(D), 84-5, 84-9, 90-2. 93-4(B), 93-12, 95-10, 96-27, 96-7.1(D), 96-26.1(H), 96-29.3, 96-21(A) And A120 Of The Code Of The Township Of Pittsgrove And Adding Section 37-3 To The Code Of The Township Of Pittsgrove”. There being no comments from the public, said hearing was closed on a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Hargus and seconded by DuBois, the aforementioned Ordinance No.
09-2005 was adopted on second reading for final passage.
Vote: All in favor
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Tony Bianchini of Holt, Mulroy, Germann Public Affairs L.L.C. introduced John Strait, Plant Manager, Chamber Works Site, E.I. DuPont. Mr. Strait provided an update on the U.S. Army/Newport Initiative. This project is part of the country’s effort to reduce the number of potential terrorist targets in the wake of 911 by accelerating destruction of its stockpile of VX nerve agent. A rigorous chemical-destruction process is proposed that will result in the production of wastewater from the U.S. Army site in Newport, Indiana. In 2002 the Army asked for the assistance of the DuPont Secure Environmental Treatment facility in Deepwater, NJ to safely treat the wastewater based on its destruction efforts at Aberdeen, Maryland where mustard agent is destroyed. He stated that DuPont has extensive experience and knowledge in handling and transporting numerous materials, including hazardous chemicals, and has demonstrated that it can do so safely and without negative impact to people’s health or the environment. No contracts have been signed by DuPont. For more than two years, DuPont has conducted ongoing communications with interested parties, community groups and public officials. Two primary concerns were brought to the forefront: the possibility of phosphonates in the effluent discharged to the Delaware River and the possibility of residual VX in the wastewater being transported to Chamber Works. In response DuPont developed a new technology to remove phosphonates from the effluent and agreed to have an increased presence in Newport to be sure that no detectable VX was present in the wastewater to be transported. In 2004 DuPont agreed with the Delaware and New Jersey Congressional delegations that the Centers for Disease Control conduct a review of the Army’s proposal. Initial findings have been released indicating that DuPont can safely transport the material and is capable of treating the wastewater. The review is not complete, however. An analysis of the technology to significantly remove phosphonates from the wastewater was not included and concerns raised by EPA Region II staff regarding the potential impact on the Delaware River are to be addressed. DuPont has pledged to the community that it would only be involved in the proposal if it can be accomplished safely and effectively without any adverse impact on the community, their employees or the environment.
Mayor Voros expressed concern about any adverse impact on the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay as the result of this initiative and is interested in the outcome of the review about this aspect. Mr. Strait responded that part of the tests performed include
that of aquatic life. The Mayor asked if the product could be taken 200 miles out to sea and disposed of. Mr. Strait commented that that wasn’t proposed.
Committeewoman Hargus wondered if destruction of the agent has been done anywhere else. Mr. Strait responded not that he knows of.
Committeeman Martin wanted to know if other companies are capable of fulfilling the initiative. Mr. Strait responded that he doesn’t know, but there are very few that have the same capabilities that DuPont does.
Marcelline Eachus, Pittsgrove, received confirmation that the product is very caustic. She also informed Mr. Strait that she is on a local ambulance squad and in her opinion, they would have no capability to handle an incident because their gear has not been properly fitted, nor have they been instructed on how to use it.
Mr. Strait commented that it is a caustic wastewater that will be neutralized and that a spill would not require the evacuation of a community. You do no want to get the wastewater on your skin and although it is hazardous, it is similar to what is handled everyday. DuPont together with Emergency Services is capable of handling an incident.
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, commented that Pine Bluff, Arkansas burns nerve gas and a mixture of things. He is curious as to why this is proposed here versus Arkansas. Mr. Strait responded that each facility is an independent project.
Mayor Voros thanked both gentlemen for coming to the meeting and keeping the Township Committee and community informed.
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Martin, the Raffle License Application submitted by the Ellison Elementary School, Inc. for an Off-Premise Draw Raffle (50/50 Cash) to be held April 1, 2006 at Running Deer Golf Club was approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by DuBois and seconded by Ridgway, the Raffle License Applications submitted by the South Jersey Health System Foundation (D/B/A) South Jersey Healthcare Foundation for an Off-Premise Draw Raffle (Prizes) and an On-Premise Draw Raffle (50/50 Cash) to be held October 26, 2005 at the Centerton Country Club were approved as submitted.
Vote: All in favor
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION & PERSONNEL (Hargus/Voros) - No business.
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS (DuBois/Hargus) - No business.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (DuBois/Hargus)
Committeewoman Hargus commented that two visitors attended the last Economic Development Committee Meeting and were interested in what Pittsgrove had to offer. Committeewoman DuBois added that they also inquired about Pittsgrove statistics.
Committeewoman DuBois stated that she was part of a Press Conference on September 2, 2005 where she had the privilege to meet the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director. He advised her that he has access to the Rural Business Enterprise Grant that’s between $40,000 - $60,000 and requires no municipal match. There is also a pot of $800,000 available from another source that Pittsgrove may qualify for. On a motion by Hargus and seconded by Ridgway, Committeewoman DuBois was authorized to seek information on the aforementioned grants and provide the same to the Township Administrator and Consultant to review.
Vote: All in favor
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, FIRE & LIGHTING (DuBois/Ridgway) - No business.
FINANCE (Martin/Voros)
On a motion by Martin and seconded by Ridgway, RESOLUTION NO. 2005-135 Payment Of Bills was adopted as amended to reflect a reduction in the purchase order submitted by Jeryl Goff from $89.63 to $54.00.
Vote: All in favor
INTERLOCAL & SHARED SERVICES (DuBois) - No business.
ORDINANCE REVIEW & LEGISLATIVE (Hargus/Ridgway) - No business.
RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (Ridgway/DuBois)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Martin, the request by Brian Dean to use Green Branch for soccer was approved with the following conditions as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee. Mr. Dean and his team will only be able to use a certain field that is to be designated by the Pittsgrove Soccer Club. The Pittsgrove Soccer Club will not be required to allow Mr. Dean to use Pittsgrove Soccer Club equipment and if necessary, he will be responsible to provide his own equipment (goals, nets, paint for fields, etc.). Mr. Dean can only use the fields for practice and not for games.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, the request by Pittsgrove Midget Football to construct a scoreboard at Green Branch Park and donate it to the Township was approved as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, the request by the Scull Family to use Green Branch Park (refreshment stand/restrooms/pavilion) for a Family Reunion on October 2, 2005 was approved as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee.
Vote: All in favor
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by Hargus, the coordination of amusement rides for Pittsgrove Day 2006 by the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee was approved as recommended by the Recreation Advisory Committee. All fees, paperwork, insurance, staffing and logistics will be coordinated between the Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee and an amusement company that they are familiar with. Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee will keep all profits from the amusement rides. There will be no cost to the township and a $6,000 reduction for Pittsgrove Day will be realized.
Vote: All in favor
ROADS & TOWNSHIP FACILITIES MAINTENANCE (Ridgway/Voros)
On a motion by Ridgway and seconded by DuBois, RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 136 Approving An Interlocal Government Services Agreement With The County Of Salem For Phase I Of A Bicycle Path In The Township Of Pittsgrove was approved as read.
Vote: All in favor
The Township Committee acknowledged the receipt of correspondence from Engineering Design Associates, P.A. regarding the Licciardello Subdivision, Block 802, Lot 46, Porchtown Road. The request to review and approve a road name will not be considered until final approval for the subdivision has been obtained.
SHADE TREE (Hargus)
Committeewoman Hargus reported that three residents from Running Deer Trail attended the last meeting of the Shade Tree Advisory Committee. The residents expressed concern that Headley Homes is clearing lots and is violating a condition of Planning Board approval and a deed restriction. The Shade Tree Advisory Committee communicated the matter in a memorandum to the Township Committee which included recommendations. Committeewoman Hargus advised that the matter is currently being reviewed by the Township Solicitor. Edward Bagden, Pittsgrove, informed the Township Committee that the residents tried to deal with Headley Homes directly and when they received no satisfaction contacted the Mayor, Township Code Enforcement Officer and Shade Tree Advisory Committee. The Code Enforcement Officer stopped the lot clearing and is requiring the developer to submit a clearing plan. Mr. Bagden is interested in any action the Township can take regarding the matter, including remediation, and feels the developer should be called to task regarding the violations.
CORRESPONDENCE - No comment.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Herbert Wegner, Pittsgrove, provided an update in the Planning Incentive Grant (PIG) and other projects. He advised that four farms are currently being worked on; that appraisals have been performed; and what the status is on each one. Green Acres is currently pursuing preservation of the Dana property that consists of 30 acres and the Dixon property should close by the end of this month. Other properties being worked on include that owned by Clark and another golf course. Two properties are being proposed for development: 93 acres at Lawrence Corner and Mc Kishen Roads, east of Deer Pen Park for which there is some interest by Green Acres; and The Natural Land Trust is considering the Briar Hill property on Route 40. Mr. Wegner advised that he is keeping the Planning Board informed also. He continues to receive telephone calls almost daily about farmland and open space preservation. Committeeman Martin commented to Mr. Wegner that his farmland preservation sign looks great! Mr. Wegner responded that Green Acres is considering his method of sign maintenance. He also announced that he has been asked to join ANJEC. Mayor Voros congratulated Mr. Wegner and again thanked him for all the time and effort he devotes to the Township.
There being no further comments from the public, a motion was made by DuBois and seconded by Hargus to close the audience participation segment.
Vote: All in favor
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned on a motion by DuBois and seconded by Martin.
Vote: All in favor
Constance S. Garton
Township Clerk
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