October 25, 2005
A
Workshop Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury was held on
October 25, 2005 at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, N.J. at 7:30 p.m.
Following
the flag salute, Mayor Zoschak asked everyone for a moment of silence to
recognize the troops in Iraq. Mayor Zoschak stated that,
unfortunately, today the 2000th soldier was killed.
OPEN
PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT
Adequate
notice of this meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury was
given as required by the Open Public Meetings act as follows: Notice was faxed
to the Daily Record, the Newark Star Ledger and the Roxbury Register on January
5, 2005; notice was posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway of the
Municipal Building on January 5, 2005.
ROLL
CALL: Councilmen John
Ciaramella, Jim Rilee, Tim Smith, Martin Schmidt and Mayor Richard Zoschak
ALSO
PRESENT: Christopher
Raths, Township Manager; Anthony Bucco, Township Attorney and Janet Rieth,
Deputy Township Clerk
ABSENT:
Councilwoman Sandy Urgo
and Councilman Fred Hall
REPORTS
OF COUNCIL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND NEW BUSINESS/OLD
BUSINESS
New
Business
Presentation:
Recognition of Mr. Norris
Mayor
Zoschak presented a plaque to Mr. Jim Norris, a school bus driver for the Township of Roxbury, who saved the life of a kindergarten
student who was exiting his bus.
Presentation:
Recognition of Roxbury Engine Company 2
Mayor
Zoschak presented plaques to Fire
Captain Robert Baker, Engineer Brian Bittetto and First Aid Lieutenant Ralph
Palazzi and Probationary Firefighter John Romeo for their act of bravery on September 8, 2005.
Chief John Hayowyk stated that the firemen responded to a reported gas
explosion in a building in Landing. Upon arrival it was observed that a
vehicle was in the building where a natural gas supply line had been sheered
off allowing a high flow of gas into the area where the vehicle had entered.
Without regard for their personal safety, the gentlemen entered the building
and rescued the driver.
Old
Business
Mr. Smith
stated that he attended the presentation before the Morris County Open Space
Trust last night. The Township has two applications, one for the McNear
property and the other for a portion of the Villages. The presentation went
well and Mr. Smith thanked Mr. Raths for a terrific job.
Mr.
Smith advised that the Economic
Development Committee will
meet this week and the Water/Sewer Committee will meet Friday.
Mayor
Zoschak stated that Roxbury Water Company sent letters to residents on Mapledale Avenue, Mekeel
Drive, Richards Avenue, West Street and Hunter Street regarding the possibility of installing
a water main service.
Mr.
Rilee stated that he also attended the Open Space Meeting and it went well.
Mr.
Rilee advised that the Master Plan Committee met two weeks ago. The committee
is ready to proceed with the COAH certification.
Mr.
Rilee advised that the Main Street Committee met recently and everything is
moving along nicely.
Mr.
Schmidt advised that the Environmental Commission has its first adopt a spot on
Meeker Street. He will provide the name of the people
who will be cleaning up the road to Mr. Raths.
Mr.
Schmidt advised that Senator Bucco has put out a press release announcing a
troop drive. Items will be collected at Town Hall and the packages will be sent
out of the Morristown Armory.
Mr.
Schmidt advised that the next Neighbors Helping Neighbors dinner will be held
on November 19, 2005 at 12:00
PM at the Senior Center.
Mayor
Zoschak stated that the Lake Hopatcong Commission held a meeting on October 17th.
They are attempting to have the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron
run safety courses and hopefully help with the patrolling of Lake Hopatcong.
Mayor
Zoschak stated that the Township received a resignation letter from Brandon
Philips, who was an alternate on the Lake Hopatcong Commission and the liaison
to the Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board. If Council members know of
anyone interested in serving on either of these committees, they will provide
the information at the next meeting.
Regarding
Dell Avenue traffic, Mayor Zoschak stated that there
will be a meeting with the residents on November 3rd.
Mayor
Zoschak advised that Glenn Gordon and Claudia Murden received an award from the
New Jersey Council on Drug Awareness. He requested that the Clerk’s Office
send a letter of congratulations to them on behalf of the Mayor and Council.
Regarding
the problem with the railroad on Berkshire
Valley Road, Mr. Raths
advised that he will be meeting with the County on Thursday. He has made it
clear to the County that we do not want them there. Mr. Raths will send
another letter on behalf of the Mayor and Council. Council members will also
speak to members of the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Mayor
Zoschak stated that he spoke with Mayor Delaney of Morristown regarding Morristown’s
stacking ordinance and the procedure that is used. Mr. Bucco advised that he
reviewed, with the staff today, procedures that need to be followed in Roxbury Township. He feels the Department Heads are on
the right track.
Mayor
Zoschak advised that Mine Hill has passed a “jake brake” law. Mr. Bucco will
speak with Mine Hill’s attorney regarding this.
Mr.
Raths advised that he attended the Housing Partnership Awards presentation and Roxbury Township was the honoree for 2005 for providing
the collaboration and resources for the successful completion of the Community Hope Home in Kenvil and for our continued
involvement in providing solutions to meet affordable housing needs for the
Township. Mr. Raths stated that he will find a suitable place to hang this on
the wall in the Council room.
Mr.
Raths stated that it was a pleasure to attend the New Jersey Council on Drug
Awareness Conference and congratulated Claudia Murden and Glenn Gordon on
receiving the award for Morris County Volunteers of the Year.
Mayor
Zoschak stated that the Township’s presentation last night at the Morris County
Open Space Trust was one of the better presentations.
Procurement
Policy
This will be
discussed at a future meeting.
Appointments
The following
appointments will be discussed at a future meeting.
Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board: 1 Member,
4-year Term (Mayor Appointment) –
Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board: un-expired term
of Brandon Phillips (11/25/03 > 12/31/06). (Mayor Appointment)
Rockaway River Watershed Cabinet: 1 Member, 1-year term
and un-expired term of Tricia Fragale (1/1/05 > 12/31/05).
Open
Space Committee: un-expired term of Mena
Schultz (1/1/04
> 12/31/06).
Lake Hopatcong Commission: un-expired term of Brandon
Phillips (1/1/04 > 12/31/05)
PUBLIC
PORTION
Charlie
Alpaugh, Eyland Avenue, Succasunna, questioned if the Township
could acquire a few of the bungalows on Hercules
Road that were to be
destroyed. They could then be turned over to Habitat for Humanity, who could
tear them down and rebuild from the foundation up. Mr. Raths will speak with
Hercules regarding this.
Kathy
DeFillippo, Deer Lane, Succasunna, questioned if anyone has
gone to West Maple Avenue in Kenvil regarding the drainage. Mr.
Raths advised that someone was out there two weeks ago. They were to go back
after the last rain storm and Mr. Raths has not heard from them. He will check
with Mr. Blood.
Ms.
DeFillippo questioned if anyone has discussed the possibility of saving one of
the Hercules bungalows for historic purposes. Mr. Raths stated that he thinks
Richard Cramond, of the Historical Committee, has approached Hercules. He will
confirm this with Mr. Cramond.
MATTERS
REQUESTED/REFERRED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MANAGER, ATTORNEY OR CLERK
Roxbury
Image
Mrs.
DeCroce, Township Clerk, will set up a meeting with Mayor Zoschak, Deputy Mayor
Schmidt and Christopher Raths to discuss how often to send out a newsletter and
the solicitation from businesses to help defray the costs.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
September 13, 2005 Regular
Meeting
September 13, 2005 Executive
Session
Mr.
Rilee made a motion to approve the above Minutes. Mr. Schmidt seconded the
motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Rilee – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Smith – abstain
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
Motion
carried 4 – 0 with one abstention
DRAFT
ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION
None
INTRODUCTION
OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES
30-05
An ordinance amending Chapter XIII, Land Development Ordinance, of the
Revised General Ordinances of the
Township of Roxbury, and providing penalties for the violation of this chapter
(Sign Ordinance)
Mayor
Zoschak stated that Council has not received model ordinances from other
municipalities and, therefore, they are not ready to act on this Ordinance.
Mr. Raths will provide the Ordinances to the Council and this will be placed on
the next meeting as a Draft Ordinance For Discussion.
HEARING
AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
31-05 An
ordinance of the Township of Roxbury accepting Makin Lane as a public
street
Mr.
Smith made a motion to open Ordinance 31-05 to the public. Mr. Rilee seconded
the motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Smith – yes Mr. Rilee – yes
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
Motion
carried 5 – 0
There
was no public comment.
Mr.
Smith made a motion to close Ordinance 31-05 to the public. Mr. Rilee seconded
the motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Smith – yes Mr. Rilee – yes
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
Motion
carried 5 – 0
Mr.
Rilee made a motion to adopt Ordinance 31-05. Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Rilee – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Smith – yes
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
Motion
carried 5 – 0
DRAFT
RESOLUTION FOR DISCUSSION
None
INTRODUCTION
AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS
05-371 A resolution
incorporating by reference herein and approving the following numbered
resolutions listed on the workshop council meeting agenda for this date:
05-372, 05-373, 05-374, 05-375, 05-376, 05-377
Mr.
Rilee made a motion to adopt Resolution 05-371. Mr. Schmidt seconded the
motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Rilee – yes (recuse on check #37594) Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Smith – yes (recuse on check #37582
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
Motion
carried 5 – 0 with one recusal on check #37594 and one recusal on check #37582
05-372 A
resolution authorizing refund of Zoning Permit Fee previously deposited with
the Township of Roxbury for development matters pursuant to Chapter XIII (Land
Use) of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Roxbury
05-373 A
resolution authorizing refund of unused escrow monies previously deposited with
the Township of Roxbury for development matters pursuant to Chapter XIII (Land
Use) of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Roxbury
05-374 A
resolution authorizing the award of a contract to Tilcon New York
Incorporated for the paving of Reger Road
05-375 A
resolution authorizing the release of the Performance Bond for outstanding
items for the development known as DP Roxbury, LLC, Block 101, Lot 3.04, 33
Reger Road
05-376 A
resolution authorizing the award of a contract to U-Con Contracting
Corporation of Andover, New Jersey for
the Port Morris Drainage Improvements Main Street and Canal Street
This
project should start November 1st, weather permitting.
05-377
A resolution authorizing payment of bills
COMMUNICATIONS
October
14, 2005
#20
– Resolution Urging the Legislature to Reject Efforts by Telecommunications
Companies to Eliminate Cable Television Municipal Consents – A resolution will
be on the next Agenda.
October
21, 2005
#1
– Interoffice Memo from Christopher Raths, Township Manager to Mayor/Council,
dated October 21, 2005, re: Information Update (1) DPW Facility – Mayor/Council
will be notified of the meeting date; (2) Fall Paving/Concrete Work – This work
will be done this year, weather permitting.
#11
– Correspondence from John A. Meyerle, Chairman of NJ Coalition for Property
Tax Reform to the Municipal Clerk, Mayor & The Elected Officials of Roxbury
Township, dated October 3, 2005, re: The Smart Bill (A-4041 and S-2502) –
Council would need to see more information before supporting.
#14
– Mayors Fax Advisory from NJLM, dated October 11, 2005, re: Draft Letter
Requesting Delay in Adoption of New Green Acres Rules – The Township has
already done this.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
05-378 A
Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury, in the County of
Morris, New Jersey, authorizing conference of the Township Council with the
public excluded
Mr.
Ciaramella made a motion to adopt Resolution 05-378 for Executive Session. Mr.
Schmidt seconded the motion.
Roll
Call:
Mr.
Ciaramella – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mr.
Rilee – yes Mr. Smith – yes
Mayor
Zoschak – yes
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:25 PM Mr.
Rilee made a motion to adjourn the Workshop Meeting. Mr. Schmidt seconded the
motion.
All
In Favor - Yes
Submitted
By:
_________________________
BettyLou
DeCroce
Township
Clerk
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
DATE: November 29, 2005
ROLL
CALL: Mr.
Rilee – yes Mr. Ciaramella – yes
Mr.
Hall – abstain Ms. Urgo – abstain
Mayor
Zoschak - yes