Township Committee

Meeting Minutes, May 14, 2020
Meeting date: 
Thursday, May 14, 2020
This REGULAR MEETING of the Fredon Township Committee was called to order by Chairman Flora at 7:00 P.M.
 
Chairman Flora 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 2020.
 
ATTENDING:            Mr. Green, Mr. Lazzaro, Mr. Masi, Mr. Richardson (via phone), Mr. Flora
 
ABSENT:                   None
 
Chairman Flora 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 Flora asked if anyone wished to have any items separated. No response.
 
* MINUTES OF TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETINGS:   April 23, 2020 & May 7, 2020
 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Lazzaro, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved to approve adoption of the Consent Agenda. 
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye (abstain from May 7, 2020 minutes); Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, abstain; Motion carried.
 
VOUCHERS:  Upon Motion by Committeeman Masi with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved to approve vouchers presented by Deborah Bonanno, CFO.
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, 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.
 
Discussion was held regarding the Fredon School Tax Levy that was sent to the Township.  Chairman Flora noted that he had requested information on specific numbers.  He commented that the State website contains the last three year’s budget and this year’s proposed budget.  Chairman Flora stated that the budget is up approximately $130,000 over last year, a 2.9% increase.  He noted that the school has lost $40,000 in state aid.  
Committeeman Green stated that the total budget needs to be known, adding that it is not made public until the audit. 
 
RESOLUTION 2020-33:      TAX LIEN REDEMPTION 
Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved on Resolution 2020-33. 
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2020-33 as annexed was introduced and passed at this Regular Meeting of the Fredon Township Committee.
 
RESOLUTION 2020-36:      RESOLUTION OF COMPLIANCE REGARDING THE 2019
AUDIT
Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved on Resolution 2020-36.
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2020-36 as annexed was introduced and passed at this Regular Meeting of the Fredon Township Committee.
 
RESOLUTION 2020-37:      CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN FOR 2019 REPORT OF AUDIT
Upon Motion by Committeeman Lazzaro, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved on Resolution 2020-37.
 
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2020-37 as annexed was introduced and passed at this Regular Meeting of the Fredon Township Committee.
 
AUDIT – GROUP AFFIDAVIT – CERTIFICATION OF GOVERNING BODY
Each committee person signed the group affidavit certifying he/she had read what was required in the 2019 audit.
 
RESOLUTION 2020-39:      AUTHORIZING A CHANGE IN PROCEDURE FOR
CLAIMANT CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
Upon Motion by Committeeman Lazzaro, with second by Committeeman Richardson, action was moved on Resolution 2020-39.
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
RESOLUTION 2020-39 as annexed was introduced and passed at this Regular Meeting of the Fredon Township Committee.
 
MOTION:      Upon Motion by Committeeman Richardson, with second by Committeeman Green, action was moved to approve the quote in the amount of $650.00 submitted by EM Signs to provide and install the logo on the recently refurbished Community Events Sign.
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
 
Mayor Flora stated that in light of what is going on he felt it was necessary to scale back some of the proposals in this years’ budget and make an effort to get the budget below a 2% increase.  He added that the CFO would have something on the budget for the next meeting. 
 
Mayor Flora spoke of three phone calls he has received recently regarding three different properties in the Township.  He has spoken with the Code Enforcement Official to see if the people are in violation.  Ms. Fisher will be looking into the properties in question.  Committeeman Green noted that over the years the Planning Board had many discussions on what can and can’t have an ordinance for and enforce.  He added that when the Code Enforcement Officer goes out there is usually something found that violates an ordinance. 
 
Chairman Flora opened the meeting to the public at this time. 
 
Mr. Henry Rothrock of 67 Van Horn Road commented about the vacant property ordinance, voicing concern that if the owner is not living in the house for a period of time, the ordinance can be abused even if the home is maintained. 
 
There being no further comments from the public, Mayor Flora closed the meeting to the public at this time.
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Masi, action was moved on a RESOLUTION (as annexed) to move into EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:40 P.M.
ROLL CALL:             Mr. Green, aye; Mr. Lazzaro, aye; Mr. Masi, aye; Mr. Richardson, aye; Mr. Flora, aye; Motion carried.
Upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Masi, members of the Committee moved out of EXECUTIVE SESSION at 7:53 P.M. Mayor Flora advised that a matter regarding personnel was discussed. No decisions were made and the subject would be revealed at the appropriate time.
 
There being no further business before the Committee, upon Motion by Committeeman Green, with second by Committeeman Masi, this meeting was adjourned at 7:54 P. M.  All approved.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Debra Prommel
Acting Municipal Clerk