January 29, 2008
A
Budget/Workshop Meeting was held by the Township Council of the Township of
Roxbury on January 29, 2008 at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New Jersey
OPEN PUBLIC MEETING
STATEMENT
Notice is hereby given that
A Special Meeting of the Township Council of the
Township of Roxbury
will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 7:30
PM at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New Jersey. This meeting is being held
for the purpose of discussing the 2008
Municipal Budget and any end of year
issues.
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 December 3, 2007;
notice was posted on the bulletin
board in the main hallway of the Municipal Building on December 3, 2007.
ROLL CALL: (Present) Councilman Gary Behrens, Deputy Mayor Kathy
DeFillippo, Councilman Fred Hall, Jim Rilee, and Mayor Tim Smith
ALSO PRESENT: Christopher Raths, Township Manager; Lisa Palmieri,
Chief Financial Officer and BettyLou DeCroce, Township Clerk
ABSENT: Councilman Martin Schmidt – Mr. Schmidt is sick.
Councilman Richard Zoschak –
Mr. Zoschak is away.
Mayor Smith amended the
order of business so that Resolution 08-57 could be heard for approval.
08-57
A Resolution of the Township
Council of the Township
of Roxbury, Fixing the
Rate of Interest To Be Charged on Delinquent Taxes or Assessment
Mr. Rilee made a motion to
adopt Resolution 08-57 for approval. Mr.
Behrens seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Mr. Rilee – Yes Mr. Behrens – Yes
Ms. DeFillippo – Yes Mr. Hall – Yes
Mayor Smith – Yes
Motion Carried 5 to 0
REPORTS OF COUNCIL LIAISON
REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS
·
Capital Budget Discussion
1. Police –
Chief Mark Noll and Lt. Jim
Simonetti attended the budget meeting for the Police Department. Discussion ensued pertaining to the purchase
of a new generator. The generator being
proposed would be able to backup the entire building when an electric outage
takes place. The generator will be
diesel powered at a cost of $106,000.00.
Council had several questions pertaining to the purchase and agreed that
it is a necessary project.
Discussion took place with
regard to the purchase of vehicles for the 2008 budget. The breakdowns of the vehicles are as
follows: Four – 2008 Crown Victoria, 2008 Durango/Similar, and 2008
Ford 150. Lt. Simonetti will look
into the other vehicles that Council discussed but there was consensus for the
vehicles requested and any final decision will be by the Police Department and
the Manager.
Operating Budget – Police
25-240 Police Department –
OK – No Changes
25-241 Police Staff – OK –
No Changes
25-242 Traffic Control – OK
– No Changes
25-250 Dispatch – OK – No
Changes
Discussion took place with
regard to training at the Police
& Fire Academy
and the list that is created for new officers.
2. Recreation
Dave Stierli, Recreation
Director was present to discuss the Capital and Operating Budgets.
Operating Budget
26-310 Buildings &
Grounds
Mayor Smith stated that
there are a lot of line items in this budget that were overspent. Mr. Stierli stated that there was an increase
of approximately 15% in material and supplies and that was because the
individual that is working in the position is now full time. The Township is now providing all services.
Mr. Stierli stated that the
cost of running all the programs are fee based and therefore a wash to the
township.
Park Maintenance
Mr. Raths stated that Park
Maintenance went down in cost. Some of
it is offset using some of the recreation fees with regard to detention
basins.
Mr. Behrens questioned the
use of the SLAP Program. Mr. Raths
stated that the township does utilize the program as much as possible. Mr. Raths will ask Ms. Ward, Recycling
Coordinator to evaluate the amount of money the township has saved during the
year for utilizing the SLAP Program.
Mr. Raths stated that the
Recreation Trust Account would not be discussed tonight because he does not
have all of the information available at this time.
Capital
Computer Room – Mr. Stierli stated that it was decided
there was a need to install an independent air system for ventilation in the
township’s computer office. The office
is located at 1715 Rt. #46, Ledgewood in the IT Director’s area.
Senior Center - Mr. Stierli
looked to renovate the Health Clinic/Nutrition Center so that more space would
become available and not interfere with senior programs. Mr. Stierli discussed the possibility of a
portable room divider. Mr. Rilee stated
that the Board of Education needs to verify their intention to use the Berkshire Valley building prior to the Township
appropriating funds for the changes in the Community Center. Council agreed to obtain the schools
intentions.
Mr. Stierli is looking for
improvements at the Community Center to move the health clinic to the lunchroom
area. Mr. Rilee would like to see the
needs assessment prior to making a decision.
Council again stated that they want to wait and to see what the Board of
Education’s intentions are with regard to the Nutrition Center.
Mr. Raths stated that he
feels we should still look into a room divider for the Senior Center
anyway. We will decide once we know what
the school will be doing in Berkshire
Valley.
Mr. Stierli wanted to
replace the sign in front of the Town Hall at 1715 Rt. #46 and a new light pole
for the benefit of the public. This sign
would include a message sign. Mr. Smith
felt that we could wait on this project.
Mrs. DeCroce stated that it is a problem with the public identifying the
building. There are complaints filed all
the time. Mr. Kluska was present and
stated he supported a new sign because it is hard to see. Council will take a look at it.
Mr. Stierli stated that
there are repairs needed on the back of the building located at 72 Eyland Avenue. The area in need of repair is where the Teen Center
and the potential Art
Cultural Center
is planned. Mr. Raths stated that the
front also needs repairs. Mr. Smith felt
that the back of the building does need repairs to the stucco and thought it
was necessary to repair it soon. Mr.
Raths stated that the cost could be reduced to $6,500. Mr. Stierli also stated that there are
repairs by Social Services as well.
Mr. Raths discussed the roof
repair on 1715 Rt. #46, Town Hall. The
amount of $65,000 was put in for repairs.
There was an infrared look at the roof and it needs to be replaced which
would cost over $200,000.
Mr. Raths handed out the
December 11, 2007 “Roxbury Recreation Stewardship” The Phase 1 Project would
include Landing Road, Field installation of Lights, Lyons Farms Environmental Education
Center/Community Garden, Dell Avenue Improvement excluding fill/grading. The cost would be roughly $800,000. Mr. Raths
stated that the increase of fees of $80,000.would pay the cost of the bonding
of the Phase 1 Project which would allow the projects to take place in
2009. The Council noted that the
Gottdiener Bonding would be coming off line in 2012 and then they would reissue
that debt for Capital purposes. Further
discussion took place with regard to the Open Space Fund being utilized for Recreational
purposes.
Mr. Stierli reminded Council
that the Recreation organizations will be raising independent funds through
donations and they will give those funds to the township to offset costs of
capital improvements. This could be
utilized through fee charges to the organizations in lieu of a donation.
Mr. Raths will work on this
with the Board of Education and keep Council up to date on the negotiations of
shared services.
Discussion took place with
regard to the Landing
Road Park
and the damages that occurred there. Mr.
Stierli stated that he would submit additional paper work to Mrs. DeCroce
outlining the damages to the park and the cost of the repairs. There is funding in place for the
installation of cameras at the Parks for the PD to review.
3. Clerk
BettyLou DeCroce, Township
Clerk discussed with Council the Operating Budget for 2008 for the Clerk’s
Office. Ms. DeCroce discussed the
proposal submitted by The Tab Group from Andover
Township, New Jersey
with regard to the files in the rear of the Community Center at 72 Eyland Avenue. The files would be organized, purged,
scheduled and placed in archival storage.
The following quote was provided:
Preparation of Boxes for
move:
Cost of
150 boxes for materials on floor
1.2
cubic foot box $2.60
each = $390.00
3.0
cubic foot box
(Engineering
Drawings) about 25 boxes= $131.25
2
men $19.00 each X 5 days (80 hrs.)
Returning
to our facility with Vans full
Of
boxes every day= $3,040.00
Initial
label, index and store boxes on
Shelves
(estimate 700 boxes) a one
Time
charge for new boxes=
$1,645.00
Estimated
Cost for Move
$5,206.25
Total
yearly cost for estimated storage
1,500
cubic feet $3,825.00
Or
$2.55/ cu.ft. – Based on actual
Amount
after purging.
Note: TAB is
not going to charge the Township for any pickup or delivery costs for any part
of this phase of the project.
Ms. DeCroce advised that the yearly cost would be based
on the township’s need for outside storage rage. The cost of the next closest competitor was
$28,0000.00
Council felt that the cost was reasonable but would
rather have the complete needs assessment
Done before approval is given. Ms. DeCroce stressed the need to contract
this work out
and store the files properly. The current storage
condition is not good and the SMART
report conducted by the County of Morris
stated that there was an emergent need to get the
documents out of the current facility they are in.
Mr. Raths is working on the final needs assessment
report and will submit that to Council in the
near future.
Ms. DeCroce discussed a need for a part-time
seasonal person as used last summer. The
Individual from last year is available but only
during February, March and possibly April.
The
purpose of using the same individual is she knows
where she left off with the files and would be
able to continue without training. Council agreed to allow the clerk to move
forward with this
project.
Mr. Raths questioned if we could increase the size
of the ordinance books to 8 ½ by 11.
Mrs. DeCroce will look into the cost because new
books will need to be purchased.
MATTERS REQUESTED/REFERRED
BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, MANAGER, ATTORNEY OR CLERK
PUBLIC PORTION
Mr. Kluska
Emmans Road
Mr. Kluska asked where the unexpended monies go. Mayor Smith stated into the fund
balance. Mr. Kluska asked about line
item Police 25-240 – which shows a $6,000 balance. Mr. Raths stated that it is transferred out and
utilized in the fund balance to offset any other line items in the budget that
are overspent.
Mr. Kluska noted that the $80,000 for recreation would be
nice if we get it. If we do not get it,
will the taxpayers have to pickup the cost?
Mr. Raths stated that we increased the fees in recreation, which will
cover the cost. Mr. Raths also stated
that the $80,000 is a conservative number and he feels there will be enough
collected to cover the cost.
DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION
None
ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED
None
HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING
None
DRAFT RESOLUTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
None
INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF
RESOLUTIONS
None
COMMUNICATIONS
January 25, 2008
Mr. Rilee made a motion to
file the communications of January 25th.
Mr. Hall seconded the motion.
Roll Call: All In Favor – Yes
Motion Carried 5 to 0
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:20 PM Mr. Rilee made a motion to adjourn the Budget/Workshop
Meeting. Mr. Behrens seconded the
motion.
Roll Call: All In
Favor – Yes
_______________________
BettyLou
DeCroce
Township Clerk
MINUTES
APPROVED BY COUNCIL
DATE: April
8, 2008
ROLL
CALL: Mr.
Zoschak – recuse Mr. Schmidt –
recuse
Mr.
Behrens – yes Mrs.
DeFillippo – yes
Mr.
Hall – yes Mayor
Smith - yes