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Township Committee

Meeting Minutes, September 12, 2019
Meeting date: 
Thursday, September 12, 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.
 
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:  August 22, 2019
 
* RAFFLE APPLICATIONS:
  1. Friends of the NRA FND,  RA430 & RA431
  2. PTC of Fredon Township School, RA432
 
* RESOLUTIONS:
  1. 2019-59:         DECLARING SURPLUS VARIOUS COMPUTER EQUIPMENT BELONGING TO THE TOWNSHIP OF FREDON PURSUANT TO                                 THE POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSAL OF SAID  EQUIPMEN

  2. 2019-61:          REQUESTING APPROVAL OF ITEM OF REVENUE AND  APPROPRIATION NJSA 40A:4-87 FOR A GRANT AWARD FROM THE                            NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MUNICIPAL AID PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $371,25

* BLUE LIGHT PERMIT:       Request for permit by Rachel Condit as authorized by Fire
Chief, Peter DePalma 
 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved to approve adoption of the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; 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, along with the vouchers for Viersma and Pellow not included on the list.
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.
 
ORDINANCE 2019-07:    AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FREDON PROVIDING FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND APPROPRIATING $83,100 THEREFOR FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND
 
Mayor Smith advised that discussion and consideration of Second Reading would be held on Ordinance 2019-07 as read by title. Copy has been posted and copies have been available for the public. Affidavit of publication has been received.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved on ORDINANCE 2019-07. Mayor Smith opened discussion to the public. There was no public comment.
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
 
Discussion was held regarding engineering services and the responsibilities of the engineer.  Committeeman Flora noted that it is the Committee’s responsibility to request work product from him.  Additionally he suggested asking for more communication.  Committeeman Masi suggested that Mr. Pellow be asked to come in twice a year to provide an update.  Committeeman Green stated that it would be helpful for the engineer to come in for budget planning in January and then again mid-year.  The Committee requested that he update the Roads report, recognizing that the Committee did not follow his recommendations for this year, noting that it was a time of the essence issue. 
 
Traffic calming devices were discussed with Mayor Smith stating that they are not a good fit for a rural community.  The Committee was in agreement.  Mayor Smith felt that the recent mailing on speeding has helped. 
 
Much discussion was held regarding moving the Fredon School election date.  Chairman Smith reiterated that this is not an “us against them”, noting that the Committee has been trying to start a dialogue.  Additionally, he stated that Kittatinny School has presented their budget and been transparent.   The Committee requested that the Township Attorney review the resolution and ensure that it is adequate. The consensus was to table the discussion and revisit it in November. 
 
The Road Department budget was discussed.  CFO Deborah Bonanno stated that there was about $5,000 left in the capital road budget.  Committeeman Green asked if $30,000-$50,000 could be freed up to do a paving project.  Ms. Bonanno stated that she would be more comfortable with $30,000-$40,000 being spent.  The Committee directed Mrs. Prommel to advise Mr. Lambert that he could overlay one road, not to exceed $40,000. 
 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved to approve the proposal from Murray Contracting through the ESCNJ Co-Op for the men’s room bathroom renovations, not to exceed $33,000. 
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
 
MOTION:       Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to approve the Fireman’s Association application for Fredon Volunteer Fire Company member Tim Wistuba.
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved on a RESOLUTION (as annexed) to move into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:45 P.M. All approved. Upon motion of Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Richardson, members of the Committee moved out of EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:55 P.M. Mayor Smith advised that a matter regarding personnel was discussed. No decisions were made and the subject would be revealed at the appropriate time.
 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to accept, with regret, the resignation of Tax Collector Gisela Rutnik. 
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved to hire Nisivoccia, LLP to determine and correct the discrepancy in the Tax Title liens. 
ROLL CALL:              Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
 
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 8:00 P.M.  All approved.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
 
Debra Prommel
Acting Municipal Clerk