Township Committee
Meeting Minutes, August 8, 2019
Meeting date:
Thursday, August 8, 2019
This REGULAR MEETING of the Fredon Township Committee was called to order by Chairman Smith at 7:00 P.M.
Committeeman Smith advised those present that this meeting was being held in compliance with provisions of P.L. 1975, Chapter 231, Sections 4 & 13, as noticed to the New Jersey Herald and Sunday Herald in January 2019.
ATTENDING: Mr. Flora, Mr. Green, Mr. Masi, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Smith
ABSENT: None
Mayor Smith invited those present to participate in a flag salute.
Mayor Smith called for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the recent mass shootings in Texas and Ohio.
CORRESPONDENCE: Upon MOTION by Committeeman Masi with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to waive reading of correspondence since list of same had been posted and copies made available for public inspection. All in favor. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Committeeman Smith asked if anyone wished to have any items separated. No response.
* MINUTES OF TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING: July 25, 2019
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to approve adoption of the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, abstained; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
VOUCHERS: Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved to approve vouchers presented by Deborah Bonanno, CFO.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Claims are listed on the attached schedule, which is made a part of the minutes of this meeting as a supplemental record.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to employ William Erickson at a rate of $12.50 per hour for the position of Civic Center attendant.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Discussion was held on the draft agreement to enter in a shared service with the County of Sussex to repair and reopen the Puder Road Bridge. Committeeman Flora objected to the proposal, noting that taxes have been paid to the County for the last eleven years while other bridges in the County have been upgraded and repaired and this bridge remains out. He questioned why the Township would pay more money on this bridge and still wait another year and a half for the possibility of construction beginning. Committeeman Flora reiterated that it is a County owned bridge.
Committeeman Green noted that the cost is just north of a half a million dollars for the project. He questioned why the County is looking for the Township to contribute to the project as this was a small amount in the overall County budget. Committeeman Flora asked how many other towns have done something like this.
Chairman Smith noted that there was a greater likelihood that a collaborative effort would qualify for state aid or a grant, although it is not certain. He stated that the bridge has been in the queue to get done, noting that it had been bumped back several times as other projects have taken precedence. Committeeman Smith added that he has correspondence that indicates that the bridge may not get done for five to ten years. Committeeman Smith commented that he is trying to look into ways to get the bridge back in service.
Discussion was held regarding other projects in the County that have been completed as a result of shared service agreements.
Chairman Smith noted that an alternative to this proposal was that the Township could manage the project and be reimbursed 100% by the County. He stated that the Township could negotiate the terms of the shared service agreement or manage the project in Town. Committeeman Smith added that it will take three to five years before the project can begin construction.
Committeeman Green stated that his biggest concern, even at 20% sharing is that the Township would be putting out one year’s worth of the road budget.
Committeeman Flora asked if there were any examples of municipal management of a County project. Committeeman Smith stated that he has just heard about this recently.
Committeeman Flora stated that he was offended that the Township has to buy their way up the County’s list of projects.
Committeeman Green commented that this should be looked into, adding that if it is a resource issue for the County, the Township project manages and gets reimbursed, then he is willing to support floating a short term bond. Committeeman Smith agreed that the Committee should investigate managing the project themselves. Committeeman Flora noted that he was content with this option. Committeemen Smith and Green will have a phone conversation with Sussex County Engineer Bill Koppenaal regarding project management.
Chairman Smith amended the agenda at this time to hear from Recreation Commission Chairman Arne Olsen. Mr. Olsen noted that he was present to discuss some maintenance items at Lodestar Park. Mr. Olsen spoke of several areas in the parking lot that require attention as they are quite muddy and suggested gravel for them. Committeeman Green stated that the DPW is very busy right now and they will be asked to get it into their queue for a late fall or early spring project. This expenditure would be considered buildings and grounds and not come out of the Recreation Commission’s budget.
Chairman Olsen asked about the red barn that is located near the park entrance, asking if it was part of the Coursen House. Keepers of Coursen’s Corners Chairwoman Virginia Richardson noted that the barn is part of the Coursen Homestead adding that the Keepers have considered the house to be their main project as there were only eight members and most of them older. Mr. Olsen stated that he would like to take on the barn project, clean up the area, remove vegetation, and shore up the structure and ultimately get the barn painted. Committeeman Green suggested finding volunteers, compiling a list and coming back before the Committee with a plan.
Mr. Olsen thanked the Committee for their time and left the meeting. Chairman Smith resumed the regular order of the agenda at this time.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved to appoint Gail Kinney to the recreation Commission.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Flora, action was moved to hire Gail Kinney as Recreation Commission Secretary at a salary of $1501.00 per year in the event that the current Recreation Commission Secretary submits her resignation.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Much discussion was held regarding complaints of speeding on the municipal roads. Committeeman Smith expressed his frustration with not getting any feedback from the New Jersey State Police after sending a third letter requesting increased enforcement. Committeeman Flora noted that the State Police basically exist to provide emergency services in most of the rural communities. Chairman Smith noted that there are residents reaching out to the governing body because they are frustrated or intimidated to speak with their neighbors.
Committeeman Flora suggested encouraging people to walk through the streets and talk to their neighbors and ask them to slow down.
Committeeman Green suggested asking a trooper to come to a meeting and ask the State Police to advise them of actions that the Committee can take to abate this problem.
Committeeman Flora asked that a mailer go out to every resident about the problem of increased speeding on municipal roads and the Committee was in consensus.
Discussion was held regarding the condition of the municipal building parking lot. Committeeman Green stated that he would like to have Mr. Lambert include the parking lot paving in the plan for next year.
Chairman Smith opened the meeting to the public at this time. There being no comments from the public, Chairman Smith closed the meeting to the public at this time.
There being no further business before the Committee, upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Masi, this meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M. All approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Prommel
Acting Municipal Clerk