View Other Items in this Archive | View All Archives | Printable Version

September 9, 2008

 

A Regular Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Roxbury was held on September 9, 2008 at 1715 Route 46, Ledgewood, New Jersey at 7:30 PM.

 

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):  Mayor Timothy Smith, Deputy Mayor Kathy DeFillippo, Councilmen Gary Behrens, Fred Hall, Jim Rilee and Martin Schmidt

 

Absent:  Councilman Richard Zoschak

 

Also Present:  Christopher Raths, Township Manager; Anthony Bucco, Township Attorney; and BettyLou DeCroce, Township Clerk

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

August 26, 2008 - Executive Session

 

Mr. Rilee made a motion to approve the minutes as listed above.  Mr. Behrens seconded the motion.

 

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

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes            Mr. Hall – Yes                         Mr. Schmidt – Yes                               Mayor Smith - Abstain

 

Motion carried 5 to 0 with one abstention.

 

 

PUBLIC PORTION

No public comment

 

REPORTS OF COUNCIL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVES, COUNCIL COMMITTEES AND NEW BUSINESS/OLD BUSINESS

 

A.  New Business

None

 

B.  Old Business

1.  Procurement Policy – Progress.

 

Mr. Behrens stated that he attended a Traffic Committee meeting last week.  There was a presentation by the County Engineer pertaining to the intersection at Rt. #10 and Hillside Avenue.  The design needs to be finalized and approved by the State.  It could take two more years before work is started on this project. 

 

Mr. Hall stated that there is a COAH meeting tomorrow night.

 

Mr. Hall stated that he attended the Board of Education meeting last night.  Discussion took place about the Board of Education’s renewal of their disposal contract with Blue Diamond and the shared services agreement with the Township.  Mr. Hall stated that the cost seemed to be significantly higher than in previous years.  Mr. Raths will look into how much the Township would charge to provide refuse collection in an attempt to be competitive with other collectors.

 

 

 

Mr. Hall stated that the Board of Education has made some modifications to the Interlocal Services Agreement as it pertains to the shared field contract.  The Board of Education will be forwarding those changes to the Township for review and comment.

 

Mr. Hall stated that the Township was acknowledged for helping the Board of Education realize a cost savings by recommending that they use fuel with a lower octane level for their vehicles.

 

Mr. Hall stated that, as a result of parental concerns, the Chief of Police and the Township have examined the idea of having a bus stop at the Berkshire Valley Firehouse.  The Township has notified the Superintendent and the Board of Education that we agree with the safety concerns that were raised by several parents.  Mr. Hall stated that, in the future, the Board of Education should notify the Township prior to making a change like this.

 

Mr. Schmidt stated that we used a new top-coating treatment for road repairs on Patricia Drive.  We will be monitoring the durability of the technique over the next few years in hopes that this will be a more economical procedure for repair of the Township’s less traveled roads.

 

Mr. Schmidt stated that New Jersey Natural Gas announced a 19% increase in their rates.

 

Mr. Rilee stated that the County is looking for the Council’s support of their preliminary road design which recommends having two lanes between Main Street and Rt. #10 southbound; three lanes on Rt. #10 northbound; and a left turn lane on the south side of Hillside Avenue.  The Council felt that the improvements would help with the traffic flow.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that she observed the SLAP Program cleaning up around Horseshoe Lake and was impressed with the cleanliness of the area.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that, while at the building at 72 Eyland, she observed work being done in preparation for a transition from the Township’s bottled drinking water to a bottleless, filtered drinking water system.  Mr. Raths stated that, at Town Hall, a replacement refrigerator was purchased with filtered water availability from the door.  Mr. Raths stated that the changes will result in a cost savings for the Township.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that there still is no gate on the fence at Dell Park.  Mr. Raths stated that the gate would be installed soon.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo asked if Berkshire Valley Park was going to have a gate.  Mr. Raths stated that there would be a gate at the Berkshire Valley Park.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that residents have requested that Berkshire Valley Park have picnic benches and a picnic table.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that “Alive at 25” is a shared services program between the Roxbury Police Department and the Board of Education designed to educate high school students and their parents about the rules and dangers of driving.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo asked when the Rt. #206 meeting with the neighboring towns is going to be held.  Mr. Raths will confirm the date and time.

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that she had a letter from ‘Morris Tomorrow’ asking that we send them pictures from our community by September 30th.

 

 

 

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo stated that she had asked Mr. Raths to arrange a tour of the Berkshire Valley Road building prior to the Nutrition Center being moved to Eyland Avenue.  Mr. Raths stated that he would have some potential dates for a tour emailed to the Council members.

 

Mayor Smith stated he received a letter from the DEP, NJ Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act, in regard to a grant for tree planting, tree removal, hazardous tree identification and related work for up to $3,000.00 (with a matching component requirement).  Mr. Raths stated that he would look into this.

 

Mayor Smith stated that the Economic Development Committee spent a lot of time discussing the Rt. #46 corridor and they should have a redevelopment vision soon.

 

Mayor Smith stated that the Council members have information to review on the Township’s plan to purchase a portion of the Swim & Sport Club property for Open Space. 

 

Mayor Smith stated that, in regard to Open Space, there is a piece of property behind Kuiken Brothers that may be for sale.  There is also another potential Horeseshoe Lake property in which the Council will be receiving information on.  Mr. Raths is gathering more data on both of these properties. 

 

Ms. DeCroce stated that the documents that were stored at Eyland Ave. have been cleared out and the space is now empty.

 

Mr. Raths would like a Workshop Meeting to have pre-budget conversations.

 

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

A.  Oath of Office of Local Registrar of Vital Statistics

Ms. BettyLou DeCroce administered the Oath of Office to Cindy Van Sickles.

 

B.  SSC One Day Liquor License

C.  North Jersey Legends Hog Chapter One Day Liquor License

 

Mr. Rilee made a motion to approve items B and C as listed above.  Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.

 

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

                                    Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes

                                    Mr. Hall - Yes                          Mayor Smith – Yes

 

Motion carried 6 to 0.

 

 

D.   Title 39 Enforcement- Private Property

Mr. Bucco stated that the State has sent a notice to all Municipalities that it will no longer give input on the enforcement of traffic regulations on private property.

 

A resolution for consideration at the League of Municipalities to reverse this decision should be considered.

 

DRAFT ORDINANCES FOR DISCUSSION

None

 

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

13-08               AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER VII, TRAFFIC, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ROXBURY, COUNTY OF MORRIS, STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

Mr. Rilee made a motion to introduce Ordinance 13-08.  Mr. Schmidt seconded the motion.

 

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

                        Mr. Behrens - Yes                    Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes 

Mr. Hall – Yes                         Mayor Smith - Yes

 

Motion Carried 6 to 0.

 

 

HEARING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES ON SECOND READING

None

 

DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR DISCUSSION

None

 

INTRODUCTION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS

08-359             A RESOLUTION INCORPORATING BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND APPROVING THE FOLLOWING NUMBERED RESOLUTIONS LISTED ON THE WORKSHOP COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR THIS DATE: 08-357, 08-360, 08-361, 08-362, 08-363, 08-364, 08-365, 08-366, 08-367, 08-368, 08-369, 08-370, 08-371, 08-372, 08-373, 08-374, 08-375, 08-376, 08-377, 08-378

 

Mr. Rilee made a motion to adopt 08-359.  Deputy Mayor DeFillippo seconded the motion.

 

Roll Call:          Mr. Rilee - Yes                        Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes

Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Mr. Hall – Yes

Mr. Schmidt – Yes, with an abstention on 08-372 & 08-373

Mayor Smith - Yes

 

Motion carried 6 to 0, with one abstention on Resolution 08-372 and one abstention on Resolution 08-373.

 

 

08-357             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR LITIGATION SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THE VALIDITY OF THE NEW COAH REGULATIONS

 

08-360             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO.RO-05-08-033, 57A UNNEBERG AVENUE, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 3201, LOT 13

 

08-361             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO. RO-02-08-003, 259 EYLAND AVENUE, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 2904, LOT 15

 

08-362             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF UNUSED ENGINEERING INSPECTION ESCROW FEES TO DEVELOPING ENTERPRISES LLC FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF11 REGER ROAD; BLOCK 101, LOT 4

 

08-363             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF UNUSED ENGINEERING INSPECTION ESCROW FEES TO POSEIDON SPA & POOL, LLC REGARDING VARIOUS SOIL MOVING PERMITS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF ROXBURY

 

08-364             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF UNUSED ENGINEERING INSPECTION ESCROW FEES TO AMERICAN POOLS, INC. REGARDING SOIL MOVING PERMIT NO. 062707; BLOCK 3203, LOT 2

 

08-365             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF UNUSED ENGINEERING INSPECTION ESCROW FEES TO ALAN PFERSCH REGARDING SOIL MOVING PERMIT NO. 092507; BLOCK 6001, LOT 36

 

08-366             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO.RO-06-08-062, 14 CLEARFIELD ROAD, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 3403, LOT 9

 

08-367             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO.RO-07-08-065, 10 RADCLIFF DRIVE, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 4201, LOT 16

 

08-368             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO. RO-07-08-067, 31 HONEYMAN DRIVE, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 3005, LOT 12

 

08-369             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO. RO-07-08-077, 10 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 701,

LOT 62

 

08-370             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE REFUND OF UNUSED ENGINEERING INSPECTION ESCROW FEES TO BRIAN OSTERMAN REGARDING SOIL MOVING PERMIT NO. MINSOIL-04-08-004; BLOCK 701, LOT 29

 

08-371             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY EXCAVATION PERMIT NO.RO-06-08-060, 10 VALLEY ROAD, SUCCASUNNA; BLOCK 4803 , LOT 2

 

08-372             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PETERSON & SONS TREE SERVICE FOR TREE REMOVAL ON TOWNSHIP PROPERTY MORE FORMALLY KNOWN AS 58 CAYUGA AVENUE; BLOCK 12107, LOT 10

 

08-373             A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 08-148 THAT AUTHORIZED THE ENDORSEMENT OF A TREATMENT WORKS APPROVAL PERMIT APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF JAI LAXMINARAYAN CORPORATION FOR THE DAYS INN OF LEDGEWOOD; BLOCK 9603 LOT 9

 

08-374             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO WELDON MATERIALS, INC. FOR PAVING MATERIALS 

         

08-375             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PETERSON & SONS TREE SERVICE FOR TREE WORK ON VARIOUS TOWNSHIP ROADS 

 

 

08-376             A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE MEMBERSHIP OF

THE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT

 

08-377             A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A CONTRACT TO PK ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ENGINEERING FOR A PHASE 2 SITE INVESTGATION FOR THE MORRIS CANAL PROPERTY LOCATED AT 323 CENTER STREET, PORT MORRIS; BLOCK 10401, LOT 1

Mr. Raths distributed a Certification of Funds to the Council members.

 

08-378                          A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF BILLS

 

PERSONNEL CHANGES

None

 

COMMUNICATIONS

September 5, 2008

#2  Correspondence from Gene Feyl, Freeholder Deputy Director, to Commissioner Kris Kolluri, New Jersey Department of Transportation, dated August 13, 2008, re:  Route 10 / Commerce Blvd. Improvements 

Mayor Smith stated that Gene Feyl has done a wonderful job of pushing for this and communicating with the Township about the status of this issue.

 

#4  Correspondence from John Bonanni, County Administrator, to Christopher Raths, Township Manager, dated September 3, 2008, re:  Animal Control, Sheltering, and Cruelty Services Feasibility Study

Mr. Rilee asked if we could look into sharing this service with local towns since the County will not be a coordinator of this effort.  Mr. Raths will look into and get back to the Council

 

#14 Articles on artificial turf

Mr. Hall stated that he has additional information on artificial turf.

 

#20 Lake Musconetcong Regional Planning Board Regular Meeting Minutes–July 16, 2008

Deputy Mayor DeFillippo asked what dates are scheduled for the next Lake Musconetcong cleanup.

 

PUBLIC PORTION

Mr. Richard Crammond

4 Bari Drive, Ledgewood

Mr. Crammond stated that he attended a construction meeting with the contractor for the Plane 2 East Project in the area of Ledgewood Park.  Mr. Crammond stated that ATV’s ride on that property and that all the signs and contractor’s equipment were vandalized with graffiti and paint from paintball guns.  Mr. Raths stated that gates are being installed to stop trespassers.  Discussion should take place with regard to cameras in the area for protection.

 

Mr. Robert Kluska

274 Emmans Road, Ledgewood

Mr. Kluska stated that kids with paintball guns are a continuing problem.  Mr. Kluska stated that volunteers worked the book sale for the Friends of the Library and it was successful.  Mr. Kluska asked for an explanation of a check in the amount of $250.00 on Page 68 of the agenda to the “Crohns & Colitis Foundation”.  Mr. Raths stated that we annually make a donation to this foundation on behalf of Edumands, one of our software providers, who, in turn reduces the Township bill by $250.00.

 

Mr. Kluska stated that the resurfacing of roadways as described for Patricia Drive is not a good idea for heavily traveled roads.  Mr. Schmidt stated that this is a different procedure and will not produce dust.

 

Mr. Kluska stated that police should patrol parking lots more often for vehicles occupying handicapped parking spaces without “Handicap” stickers or hang tags.

 

Mr. Richard Crammond

4 Bari Drive, Ledgewood

Mr. Crammond stated that police should also make sure that vehicles with “Handicap” stickers are actually occupied by the handicapped person.

 

Mayor Smith Closed the Public Portion.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

08-379             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 #08-379 for Executive Session.  Mr. Hall seconded the motion.

 

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

Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes

Mr. Schmidt – Yes                   Mayor Smith - Yes      

                       

Motion carried 6 to 0.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

At 9:25 PM Mr. Rilee made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Hall seconded the motion.

 

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

Mr. Behrens – Yes                   Deputy Mayor DeFillippo - Yes

Mr. Schmidt – Yes                   Mayor Smith - Yes      

 

Motion carried 6 to 0.

 

Submitted By:

 

 

________________________________

BettyLou DeCroce

Township Clerk

 

 

 

MINUTES APPROVED BY COUNCIL

DATE:                        October 21, 2008

ROLL CALL:            Mr. Rilee – yes Mrs. DeFillippo – yes

                                    Mr. Behrens – yes        Mr. Hall – yes

                                    Mr. Zoschak – abstain  Mayor Smith - yes