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January 22, 2008

 

A Workshop Meeting was held by the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury on January 22, 2008 at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New Jersey at 7:30 p.m.

 

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 8, 2008; notice was posted on the bulletin board in the main hallway of the Municipal Building on January 8, 2008.

 

ROLL CALL:  (Present) Councilman Gary Behrens, Deputy Mayor Kathy DeFillippo, Councilmen Fred Hall, Jim Rilee, Martin Schmidt and Mayor Tim Smith

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Christopher Raths, Township Manager; Rob Kuncken, Information Technology Director, Michael Kobylarz, Township Engineer; Anthony Bucco, Township Attorney; Janet Rieth, Deputy Township Clerk and Mary Jane Parr, Administrative Aide

 

ABSENT:  Councilman Richard Zoschak – On Vacation

 

REPORTS OF COUNCIL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL         

COMMITTEES AND NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS

A.     New Business

B.     Old Business

      Procurement Policy

                                 C.  Presentation- IT Complaint Monitors – By Rob Kuncken

 

Mr. Kuncken gave a PowerPoint presentation on the complaints management software system he is working on for town hall.  Mr. Kuncken stated it would be fully functioning and on-line in April 2008.  He will be assigning numbers to each complaint so they can be kept track of and each complaint will be logged into the computer.  The Township Manager will be able to access this complaint file.

 

The software allows Residents to access the GPS website and lodge their own complaint and follow the progress and status of it.

 

Residents will also be able to obtain Service Requests and request repairs.  The software will also give you a total amount of the labor involved and the cost of materials.

 

Mr. Hall stated this would give the Township a great tracking method for keeping track of complaints and requests coming into the Township.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo questioned if the person sends in an e-mail will they get information that it is received and being work on.  Mr. Kuncken stated it would let the person know what department is handling the complaint and approximately how many hours it will take to handle the problem/complaint.

 

Mr. Kuncken stated all phones have been installed as of today except for dispatch.  Training will take place starting next week and we will be on-line and ready by February 1, 2008.  Mr. Kuncken stated we are saving approximately $30,000 per year on the new phone system. 

 

PUBLIC PORTION

None

 

 

Mr. Schmidt stated the Environmental Commission met and they had a guest speaker from the Denville Community Garden speak about their Community Garden. A report will be ready in about a month for the Council’s review.

 

Mr. Hall stated the Field of Dreams Committee is trying to raise funds for the turf filed.  This non-profit organization is trying to raise money to support the Township and Board of Education in obtaining the field.  Mr. Hall is concerned that the Field of Dreams website lists the Township as a supporter of the project.  He asked the Council to review the webpage and advise if anyone had a problem with the wording.  Mr. Rilee has some concerns since the website states the turf filed will be built at the Roxbury High School football field.  Mr. Bucco suggested that someone should request that the web-site creator change the line to remove the location of where the field is proposed to be built.

 

Mr. Hall stated that the BOE has passed a Resolution committing $20,000 a year for the turf field.  Mr. Bucco stated he is almost finished with a rough draft the agreement and was not aware that the BOE was going to be contributing toward its construction.  Mr. Bucco requested copies of the Resolution.

 

Mayor Smith stated he has a problem with locating the turf field before a public hearing is held on the subject.  Mr. Hall stated he disagrees with Mayor Smith.  Mr. Hall believes that the Council already discussed this with the Public and it was agreed we should move ahead.  Mr. Rilee stated we never agreed on the High School football field being the location for the turf field.  Mr. Raths stated that the Committee raising the $300,000 has the understanding that the turf field is going to be at the high school field.  Mr. Hall stated that the BOE has committed to $20,000 per year for 12 years plus the cost of the lights.

 

Mr. Raths stated if it is not a shared contribution that will change everything.  Mr. Schmidt stated he would like to see more public input on the turf field and he is not so sure that the high school is the best location for the turf field.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo stated that the Council does support the turf field, but not necessarily its location at the H.S.

 

Mayor Smith suggested we write a Resolution supporting the turf field and a shared services agreement with the BOE.  Mr. Hall stated he would ask the Committee to take off the location of the turf field on their web site.

 

Mr. Rilee thinks that at the Public Hearing we should decide the location of the turf field along with the use of Open Space funds for Capital project costs for recreation going forward.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo made a motion to support the turf field provided the location is removed from the website.  Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.

 

ROLL CALL:              Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes  Mr. Schmidt – Yes

                                    Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Mr. Hall – Yes

                                    Mr. Rilee – Abstain                  Mayor Smith – Yes

 

Motion Carried 5 to 0, with 1 Abstention

 

Mr. Schmidt questioned why we can’t have the Public Hearing at the January 30, 2008 Council Meeting.  Mr. Raths stated we couldn’t do it at that meeting because it has already been advertised.

 

Council agreed to hold the Public Hearing on the turf field on February 26, 2008.

 

 

 

MATTERS REQUESTED/REFERRED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MANAGER, ATTORNEY OR CLERK

Mr. Behrens attended the Mt. Arlington Train Station grand opening along with Mrs. DeFillippo and Mr. Schmidt. Mr. Hall stated he also attended.  Mr. Behrens stated there are no funds for erecting a parking deck and it will be a problem if not now, in the future.

 

Mr. Behrens stated that he along with Mrs. DeFillippo and Mr. Raths attended the grand opening of Bee Attitudes, a new child care facility on Main Street, Succasunna and he anticipates that they will be a good neighbor.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo questioned Mr. Raths about our Police Department and the Stay Alive 25 program and the Route 206 report.  Mr. Raths stated he has not gotten anything back yet from the Chief on these matters, but will follow up.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo stated that the Main Street Streetscape kickoff would be held on February 10, 2008 from 3:00 – 5:00.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo stated that the Neighborhood meeting would be at 72 Eyland at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2008.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo stated that the next Economic Development Committee meeting will be Thursday night. There will so be a speaker on variances and signs.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo stated the train station grand opening was heavily attended and they will need additional parking.

 

Mrs. DeFillippo requested that a resolution be prepared opposing the wrongful death statute. Council stated they would have to wait and read the information.

 

Mayor Smith stated that the Open Space Committee meets a week from Thursday.

 

Mayor Smith got mail regarding problems in parks and flash cameras that download pictures and yell at intruders.  Mr. Hall stated that our Police Department has installed cameras at the High School and the video can be viewed from our dispatch station.  Mr. Hall believes that the system is very good and the Police Department should be invited to a Council Meeting and do a presentation.  Mr. Behrens stated the Police Department did a presentation at a meeting he attended in the past and it was very good.

 

Mayor Smith stated that the Roxbury Cares has been in contact with the family of the brother and sister injured in the serious car accident last week on Howard Boulevard.  Mayor Smith asked if anyone is interested in helping out this family to contact him.

 

Mr. Raths stated there is a Resident with a handicap son putting in a ramp and has asked if the Township would waive the fee for the permits and applications.

 

Mr. Hall made a motion to waive the fees for a ramp for the Resident with a handicapped son.  Mr. Behrens seconded the motion

 

 

Roll Call:                      Mr. Hall – Yes                         Mr. Behrens – Yes

                                    Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes  Mr. Rilee – Yes

                                    Mr. Schmidt – Yes                   Mayor Smith – Yes

 

Motion Carried 6 to 0

                 

A.     Approval of Merry Heart 5K race to be held on June 2, 2008  

 

A motion was made by Mr. Rilee to approve the Merry Heart 5K race to be held on June 2, 2008.  Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call:                      Mr. Rilee – Yes                        Mr. Schmidt – Yes

                                    Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes  Mr. Hall – Yes

                                    Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Mayor Smith – Abstain

 

Motion Carried 5 to 0, with 1 Abstention

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

February 13, 2007 Budget

February 27, 2007 Budget

April 3, 2007 Regular

May 22, 2007 Executive

July 10, 2007 Regular

 

A motion was made by Mr. Rilee to approve the Minutes listed above.  Mr. Hall seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call:          Mr. Rilee – Yes                                    Mr. Hall – Yes

Mr. Behrens – Abstain on all                 Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes, with Abstention on 2/27/07

Mr. Schmidt – Yes                               Mayor Smith – Yes, with Abstention on 2/27/07

 

Motion Carried 5 to 0, with 1 Abstention on all Minutes plus 2 Abstentions on 2/27/07 Minutes

 

DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION

None

 

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None

 

HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING

None

     

DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR DISCUSSION

None

 

INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS

 

08-39  A RESOLUTION INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND APPROVING THE FOLLOWING NUMBERED RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE WORKSHOP COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR THIS DATE:  08-40, 08-41, 08-42, 08-43, 08-44, 08-45, 08-46, 08-47, 08-48, 08-49,08-50, 08-51, 08-52, 08-53, 08-54, 08-55

 

 

Mr. Rilee made a motion to adopt Resolution 08-39.  Mr. Behrens seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call:          Mr. Rilee – Yes                        Mr. Behrens – Yes

                        Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes  Mr. Hall – Yes

Mr. Schmidt – Yes                   Mayor Smith – Yes with recuse on check #47014

 

Motion Carried 6 to 0, with 1 recuse on check #47014

 

08-40  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE 2008 MORRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

 

08-41  A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 (FINAL) TO THE CONTRACT WITH LANCHA CONSTRUCTION CORP. FOR THE LAKESIDE BOULEVARD SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, LAKESIDE BOULEVARD, LANDING

 

08-42  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE POSTED BY KENBAR INVESTMENTS, LLC, THE DEDICATION OF HILLCREST AVENUE, LEDGEWOOD, AND THE ASSOCIATED OFF-SITE IMPROVEMENTS

 

08-43  A RESOLUTION DENYING THE RELEASE OF THE PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT KNOWN AS FAIRWAYS AT ROXBURY (FAIRWAY’S EDGE) BLOCK 101, LOT 3

 

08-44  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A CASH PERFORMANCE BOND FOR MINOR INCOMPLETE ITEMS REGARDING THE REGER ROAD IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT KNOWN AS FAIRWAYS AT ROXBURY (FAIRWAY’S EDGE) BLOCK 101, LOT 3

 

08-45  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF TAXES

 

08-46  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SETTLEMENT OF VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES ISSUED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGAINST THE TOWNSHIP OF ROXBURY FOR OUTSTANDING EFFLUENT AND MONITORING REPORT VIOLATIONS AT THE AJAX TERRACE AND SKYVIEW ESTATES WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS

 

08-47  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A CASH MAINTENANCE BOND #04-75 TO FRANK NABATIAN FOR TREE MAINTENANCE ON PROPERTY LOCATED ON ROUTE 10 BLOCK 1902, LOT 6

 

08-48  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF ONE SWITCH-N-GO EQUIPMENT BODY FROM TONY SANCHEZ LTD

 

08-49  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF TAXES

 

08-50  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE TO ABE SYNDER AND COMPANY INC FOR 2005/2007 SNOW REMOVAL SERVICES

 

08-51  A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SHARED SERVICE WITH THE COUNTY OF MORRIS IN THE PARIS GRANT PROGRAM

 

08-52  A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TOWNSHIP FIRE  DEPARTMENT

 

08-53  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES TO KENNY’S MUSIC BOX, 19 ROUTE 10 EAST, SUITE 3A, BUILDING 1, SUCCASUNNA (BLOCK 1905, LOT 19)

 

08-54  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TAX & UTILITY COLLECTOR TO PROCESS THE CANCELLATION OF ANY PROPERTY TAX, SEWER OR WATER UTILITY REFUND OR DELINQUENCY FOR 2007 OF LESS THAN $10.00

           

08-55  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF BILLS

     

 

COMMUNICATIONS

January 18, 2008

 

#2 – Memo from BettyLou DeCroce, Township Clerk to Mayor/Council, Christopher Raths, Township Manager and Robert Hackett, Emergency Management Coordinator dated January 15, 2008 RE: Grant Application – Mayor Smith questioned Mr. Raths about the application – Mr. Raths stated he has already spoken to Mr. Hackett regarding the grant application.

 

#3 – Correspondence from David Sumba, N.J.D.E.P., Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Compliance and Enforcement to Manuel Sanchez Jr., 8 Tamarack Drive, Succasunna dated June 29, 2006 RE: FIELD NOTICE OF VIOLATION – Mayor Smith questioned why they were receiving this violation notice now when it is dated June 29, 2006 – Mike Kobylarz, Engineering Director stated that this is an on going problem with the Resident of this address who keeps cutting the grass, which is owned by the N.J.D.E.P. and they want the Resident to stop.

 

#4 – Correspondence from Vincent Termini, Succasunna to Mr. Christopher Raths, Township Manager dated January 10, 2008 RE: New Dog Licensing Fee and Other Issues – Mr. Rilee questioned Mr. Raths if he is sending a letter with an explanation – Mr. Raths stated yes he is sending a letter to this Resident this week.  Mr. Rilee suggested that Mr. Raths send a letter to all the Residents who are affected by the new fee.

 

#7 – Correspondence from John Maley, Executive Director, Raritan Highlands Compact to the Former Mayor John Ciaramella dated January 10, 2008 RE: Raritan Highlands Compact Dues 2008 – Mr. Rilee questioned Mr. Raths on who is on this Committee – Mr. Raths stated that he is and that former Mayor Ciaramella was. Mr. Hall questioned what is the purpose of being part of the Raritan Highlands Compact and why we fund them – Mr. Raths stated he would ask John Lovell to write Council a letter to explain why we should participate and fund the Raritan Highlands Compact.

 

#15 – Invitation from the Housing Partnership in Cooperation with Morris County Department of Planning to attend “The Proposed COAH Rule Changes: The Impact on Your Municipalityon Thursday, February 21, 2008 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm at County College of Morris – Mr. Hall stated he will attend this meeting.

 

#16 – Mayors Fax Advisory from William G. Dressel, Jr., Executive Director of NJLM dated January 16, 2008 RE: League’s Shared Services Board – Council requested that Mr. Raths send this to Rick Blood, Assistant Director of Public Works.

 

 

 EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

08-56  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. Rilee made a motion to adopt Resolution 08-56 for Executive Session.  Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call:          Mr. Rilee – Yes                        Mr. Schmidt – Yes

                        Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Mrs. DeFillippo – Yes

Mr. Hall – Yes                         Mayor Smith – Yes

 

Motion Carried 6 to 0

 

 ADJOURNMENT

At 9:50 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

MINUTES APPROVED BY COUNCIL

DATE:                        February 26, 2008

ROLL CALL:            Mr. Rilee – yes Mr. Schmidt – yes

                                    Mr. Behrens – yes        Mrs. DeFillippo – yes

                                    Mr. Hall – yes  Mayor Smith - yes