April 3, 2007
A Regular
Meeting was held by the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury on April 3,
2007 at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New Jersey at 7:30 PM.
OPEN PUBLIC
MEETING STATEMENT
Notice is hereby
given that the Regular Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of
Roxbury previously scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2007 will be held on
Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 7:30 PM, at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New
Jersey.
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 March 8, 2007; notice was posted on the bulletin board
in the main hallway of the Municipal Building on March 8, 2007.
ROLL CALL
(Present): Councilwoman Kathy DeFillippo, Councilmen
Fred Hall, Jim Rilee, Martin Schmidt, Tim Smith, Richard Zoschak and Mayor John
Ciaramella
Also
Present: Christopher Raths, Township
Manager; Anthony Bucco, Township Attorney and BettyLou DeCroce, Township Clerk
PRESENTATIONS
ROXPAC
Tim Smith gave a
presentation on the Roxbury Arts Vision Statement & Plan.
It is the
mission of Roxbury Township to provide the highest possible quality of life for
its residents consistent with competitive levels of taxation.
“Quality of
Life” means more than just safety and security. It also means enjoyment of leisure time through township
facilities and programs.
Roxbury enjoys a
safe and secure environment. It is also
a leader among regional towns for its recreational facilities and
programs. Furthermore, Roxbury’s school
system consistently produces state-level quality Arts performances,
particularly its marching band, choirs and theatricals.
However,
performing Arts opportunities within the schools do not fully meet the needs of
individual student artists and small groups.
In addition, Arts availability to the general public other than school
performances is very limited. Roxbury’s
population suffers from a lack of quality performing Arts programming. Finally, Visual Arts displays and programs
are also fairly limited in the Township.
These issues are
not limited to Roxbury alone. The
western Morris County region suffers from a fragmented Arts environment, with
little planning, cooperation or coordination among Arts entities. The ideas presented in this Plan would
benefit the region at large as well as Roxbury residents.
The purpose of
this Arts Plan is to review these needs and opportunities, and suggest
potential programming and actins to meet them.
The entire
“Roxbury Township Arts Vision Statement and Plan” and “Roxbury Arts Business
Plan” is on file in the Clerk’s office for review by the public.
Council members
had general comments:
Councilman Jim
Rilee had concerns for raising funds and having space in a good location.
Councilman
Martin Schmidt stated that as long as the funding is provided for through
private contributions he has no problem with it.
Councilman
Richard Zoschak stated that the concept is great but the cost concerns him.
Councilwoman
Kathy DeFillippo also had the same sentiment with raising the funding for the
art center.
Councilman Hall
stated that he felt the proposed location in the rear of 73 Eyland Avenue would
be an appropriate site location.
Mayor Ciaramella
stated that the Steering Committee did a great job and he looks forward to
working with ROXPAC and felt that with the funding in place it would be an
asset to the Township of Roxbury.
At this time
Mayor Ciaramella read the Proclamation – National Public Health Week.
Mayor Ciaramella
asked for a motion on the following Resolution.
07-126
A
Resolution authorizing the self-exam on the 2007 Budget
Mr. Rilee made a
motion to adopt Resolution 07-126. Mr.
Schmidt seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Rilee - yes Mr.
Schmidt – yes
Mrs. DeFillippo
– yes Mr. Hall – yes
Mr. Smith – yes Mr. Zoschak –yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– yes
Motion carried 7
- 0
05-07 Calendar
Year 2007 Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to
Establish a Cap Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14)
Mr. Rilee made a
motion to introduce Ordinance 05-07.
Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Rilee – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mrs. DeFillippo
– yes Mr. Hall – yes
Mr. Smith – yes Mr. Zoschak – yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– yes
Motion carried 7
– 0
Mr. Schmidt made
a motion to adopt Resolution 07-127.
Mrs. DeFillippo seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Schmidt –
yes Mrs. DeFillippo – yes
Mr. Hall – yes Mr. Rilee – yes
Mr. Smith – yes Mr. Zoschak – yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– yes
Motion carried 7
- 0
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
None
PUBLIC PORTION
REPORTS OF
COUNCIL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND NEW BUSINESS/OLD
BUSINESS
Councilwoman
Kathy DeFillippo questioned Mr. Raths when the ordinance pertaining to the
Garden State Preservation Trust (Green Acres) will be completed. Mr. Raths stated that he will advise her
tomorrow.
Councilwoman
Kathy DeFillippo made a motion to appoint John Wetzel to the Lake Musconetcong
Regional Planning Board for the term of April 3, 2007 to December
31, 2010. Mr. Rilee seconded the
motion.
Roll Call:
Mrs. DeFillippo
– yes Mr. Rilee – yes
Mr. Hall – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes
Mr. Smith –yes Mr. Zoschak – yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– yes
Motion carried 7
– 0
Councilwoman
Kathy DeFillippo stated that there would be a Girl Scout tour on May 5th and she will be attending it.
Ms. DeFillippo
further stated that the MS Walk would be held on Saturday, April 22, 2007 at
Horseshoe Lake.
Councilman
Martin Schmidt advised Mr. Raths that he has had complaints of speeding on Nyma
Way. Mr. Raths will speak to Chief Noll
with regard to this.
Mr. Schmidt
further stated that he is seeing PODS being used for storage around town and
the township should take a position on whether this is something that should be
controlled. Mr. Raths and Mr. Bucco
will look into the legal aspects of control.
Mr. Schmidt also
questioned Mr. Raths on the pressure washing of Reger Road. Mr. Raths will get back to Mr. Schmidt
tomorrow.
Councilman Jim
Rilee stated that he would like to see the Library Board give a presentation of capital projects as
every other department does in the township.
Councilman
Richard Zoschak discussed the process of the CDBG block grants. Mr. Zoschak pointed out that when an
application is heard pertaining to Roxbury Township or any other town the
representative from that town has to step down.
Councilman
Zoschak stated that he spoke to Mr. Raths prior to the meeting about a leaf
problem on Riggs Road. Mr. Raths stated
that the matter is being followed up on.
Councilman
Zoschak requested an update on the school bus, which was passed by a motorist
while picking up children. Mr. Raths
stated Stg. Palanchi has contacted the resident.
Councilman Fred
Hall stated that there was just an incident in which he personally witnessed
the excellent and quick response of our EMS and Police Department. He thanked them for all their efforts.
Councilman Hall
stated that the new fencing at Horseshoe Lake looks great. Mr. Hall questioned when the
paving/striping would be done on E. Mapledale.
Councilman Hall
also brought up for discussion the MCMUA and the township bike path at
Horseshoe Lake. Mr. Rilee stated that
the Township has had discussions with the Freeholders and the MUA hoping to
resolve the issue.
Further
Councilman Hall has concern for the continued traffic pattern problems at Rt.
#10 and Hillside Avenue. Mr. Raths has
discussed this with the county and the state DOT. This intersection needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Mr. Raths will setup meetings to help move
along discussions.
Mr. Hall stated
that there would be continued meetings between the Board of Education and the
township Shared Services Representatives.
Such issues currently being discussed are the use of the Nutrition
Center site in Berkshire Valley to be utilized by the school. Council encouraged these discussions and
felt that it would be advantageous to the township to try and keep special
needs students within Roxbury Township.
Mr. Hall also
discussed the Computer Committee and felt that a survey for the public on the
website would be beneficial.
Councilman Tim
Smith stated that there would be a Highlands Meeting this week and Mr. Raths
advised that Mr. Stern, Township Planner would be present. Mr. Rilee did state that it is important
that we not just take a position on certain properties that we follow a full
plan.
MATTERS
REQUESTED/REFERRED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MANAGER, ATTORNEY OR CLERK
None
DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION
None
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED
ORDINANCES
04-07 An
Ordinance to Amend and Supplement Chapter II, Administrative Code, Section
2-17, Officers and Employees generally, of the revised General Ordinances of
the Township of Roxbury, County of Morris, State of New Jersey.
Mr. Schmidt made
a motion to introduce Ordinance 04-07, with a revision to Section 4, Part time
employees and an additional line, part time snow plows. Mr. Zoschak seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Schmidt –
yes Mr. Zoschak – yes
Mrs. DeFillippo
– yes Mr. Hall –yes
Mr. Rilee – no Mr. Smith – yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– no
Motion carried 5
– 2
HEARING AND ADOPTION OF
ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
None
INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTIONS
07-128 Resolution
incorporating by reference herein and approving the following numbered
resolutions listed on the workshop council meeting agenda for this date:
07-129, 07-130, 07-131, 07-132, 07-133, 07-134, 07-136
Mr. Rilee made a
motion to adopt Resolution 07-128. Mr.
Zoschak seconded the motion.
Roll Call:
Mr. Rilee – yes Mr. Zoschak –yes
Mrs. DeFillippo
– yes Mr. Hall – yes
Mr. Schmidt –
yes Mr. Smith –yes
Mayor Ciaramella
– yes
Motion carried 7
– 0
07-129 A
Resolution authorizing an application for the Langdon Palmer Memorial Internship
Program Grant.
07-130 A
Resolution approving the Annual report of the Health Department of the Township
of Roxbury for the Calendar Year 2006.
07-131 A
resolution authorizing the Township to Apply to the Department of Environmental
Protection for the 2006 Recycling Tonnage Grant.
07-132 A
resolution authorizing the acceptance of an amended drainage easement and
agreement from Mark and Dana Tucci across lots 12.1 and 12.02, Block 2611, more
commonly known as Second Street, Township of Roxbury.
07- 133 A Resolution authorizing the refund
of taxes
07-134 A
Resolution authorizing the abatement of Sewer Utility charges and refunding the
prior payments made.
07-136 A
Resolution Rejecting all Bids and Granting Authorization to Re-Advertise for
Bids for a Roadside Flail Mower
PERSONNEL CHANGES
None
COMMUNICATIONS
March 30, 2007
PUBLIC PORTION
No Public Input
EXECUTIVE SESSION
07-135 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.
There was no
Executive Session.
ADJOURNMENT
At 9:30 PM Mr.
Rilee made a motion to adjourn the Regular Meeting. Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.
All In Favor –
yes
Submitted By:
_____________________________________
BettyLou DeCroce