Township Committee
Meeting Minutes, December 12, 2019
Meeting date:
Thursday, December 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. Richardson, Mr. Smith
ABSENT: Mr. Masi
Mayor Smith invited those present to participate in a flag salute.
CORRESPONDENCE: Upon MOTION by Committeeman Richardson with second by Committeeman Flora, action was moved to waive reading of correspondence since list of same had been posted and copies made available for public inspection.
Discussion was held with regard to the letter from the attorney for the Fredon Board of Education. Mayor Smith noted that he would meet with the municipal attorney. Further discussion will take place during discussion on Resolution 2019-70.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Committeeman Smith asked if anyone wished to have any items separated. No response.
* MINUTES OF TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING: November 26, 2019
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Flora, action was moved to approve adoption of the Consent Agenda.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Richardson, abstain; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
VOUCHERS: Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Flora, action was moved to approve vouchers presented by Deborah Bonanno, CFO.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, 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.
RESOLUTION 2019-70: RETURNING THE DATE OF THE ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS TO APRIL – 2nd Reading
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Smith, action was moved to table Resolution 2019-70.
All in favor. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding the correspondence received by the Township from the Fredon School Board attorney and the response by the municipal attorney. Chairman Smith stated that he would like to speak to Township attorney William Hinkes before further action is taken on the resolution.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, nay; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Flora action was moved to approve the use of the Municipal Building meeting room on the 3rd Monday of the month by the Sewing Guild.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Committeeman Green arrived at 7:13 P. M.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Green action was moved to table the discussion on the additional funds required to finance the Fredon-Greendell Road Section I Project until budget discussion begins in January.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding the possible acquisition of Block 1601, Lot 1. This piece of property is contiguous to Lodestar Park and the Civic Center property. Committeeman Green suggested that Committeeman Richardson reach out to the interested party to determine what the asking price would be.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Richardson action was moved to investigate the proposed asking price of Block 1601, Lot 1.
Discussion was held on the BPU letter that was drafted by Committeeman Flora. Committeeman Flora would like to send the letter out to every citizen in town and it would be up to them to send it on to the Board of Public Utilities.
Committeeman Green commented that he is sick of what is happening with JCP&L. Chairman Smith stated that a letter should not be sent out the to residents that is not factually correct. He added that he is not certain that the system is antiquated. Committeeman Flora asked who better to comment on the state of the system than the people who were there to repair it. Committeeman Green stated that there may be a way to tweak the letter. Committeeman Flora stated that his concerns were that BPU enforces upgrading the systems.
Committeeman Smith reiterated that the governing body has a responsibility to send out a letter that is factually correct. Committeeman Green noted that the Committee has concerns about the age of the equipment and would like those concerns to be addressed by both JCP&L and the BPU. Committeeman Flora stated that JCP&L should come in and prove that they have made changes and upgrades.
Committeeman Smith spoke of the incident that occurred at 208 Newton Swartswood Road, adding that the Fire Chief called the Sussex County EOC as there was a fire and electrocution hazard on site. Committeeman Smith noted that it took four to five hours before JCP&L could get on scene to disable the line. Chairman Smith would like a transcript of the call so that a complaint can be filed.
Recapping the beginning of the storm, Committeeman Smith noted that he had spoken with the Township representative from JCP&L and asked them if they were ready for the storm and was told that they were. He explained that as the storm evolved, he was told that JCP&L could not bring in additional personnel from out of the area as they had locked down their personnel and did not allow them to leave, waiting to ascertain that their own areas were secured.
Committeeman Flora commented that they have a pattern of operation that they follow. He added that they answer is upgrading the grid because it is not sectionalized. Chairman Smith stated that he wanted verification from Ms. Espinoza about the age of the system.
Committeeman Green suggested two letters, one from the Township Committee and the second one encouraging residents to mobilize.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Richardson action was moved to table the distribution of the letter until further fact finding could be completed.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, nay; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Flora with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved to change the date for the Township Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 26, 2019 to Monday, December 30, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: Mr. Flora, aye; Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Smith, aye; Motion carried.
Committeeman Flora opened discussion on OEM operations during the storm and spoke of a complaint that was received. He expressed concern that the OEM position needs to be delineated.
Chairman Smith noted that the operations should follow protocols, procedures and common sense. He added that his communication with Keith Festa was exemplary through the event. Committeeman Richardson commented that Mr. Festa should have passed on information to the entities that should handle the emergency.
Committeeman Flora stated that he would like to see as much as possible done with the Road Department allowing for coordination and working together cooperatively. Committeeman Smith added that in larger towns there are more personnel and not so many people wearing multiple hats.
The consensus was that Committeeman Flora and Committeeman Richardson would meet with Mr. Festa and Mr. DePalma to review the procedures utilized in an emergency situation.
Chairman Smith opened the meeting to the public at this time.
Mrs. Diane Neuschafer of 26 Puder Road came forward at this time. Mrs. Neuschafer thanked the Department of Public Works for the work that they do.
Mrs. Neuschafer explained to the Committee that during the recent storm her home’s power was not restored until 4:32 P. M. on Friday. She added that she does not believe that JCP&L cares, noting that the requirement to show driver’s license to obtain ice and water is ridiculous and unfair, and prevented her from helping her neighbor who could not get out.
Mrs. Neuschafer reported that Friday morning she was told by a repairman from South Jersey that they were not called until the night before to come up to assist in Sussex County, adding that they should have been called in sooner.
Committeeman Green commented that the Committee felt her pain and the Committee will do their best to make waves.
Mr. Henry Rothrock of 67 Van Horn Road was present to question why he paid interest on property taxes when the municipality had escrow money from a project that was not returned to him with interest. Committeeman Green noted that there are specific guidelines for handling escrow money.
Mr. Rothrock additionally voiced concern regarding the online tax information on the Township website, adding that it affords no privacy.
Mr. Rothrock commented that there is 14 feet on either side of the street to clear, questioning who has the responsibility to clear the right-of-way. Chairman Smith stated that it is JCP&L’s responsibility.
There being no further 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 Green, this meeting was adjourned at 8:20 P.M. All approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Prommel
Acting Municipal Clerk