01-01-09 Reorganization Meeting Minutes

January 1st, 2009 - REORGANIZATION MEETING The Clerk called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon. Mr. Charles Geter greeted the attendees and introduced Msgr. Hugh Ronan who gave the Invocation. Mr. Geter then led the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Township Clerk then read the Open Public Meetings Statement: The notice requirements provided for in the “Open Public Meetings Act” have been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given in a notice which was transmitted to the Times of Trenton and the Trentonian, filed with the Clerk of the Township of Ewing and posted in the Ewing Township Municipal Complex, all on the 15th day of December 2008.

SWEARING IN OF REELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS The Clerk read the Certificates of Election for Joseph Murphy, Les Summiel and Bert Steinmann. The Clerk then swore in Joseph Murphy to a four year term on Council. Mr. Bert Steinmann was sworn in by Assemblywoman and Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Mr. Les Summiel by Superior Court Judge Thomas Sumners. ROLL CALL

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Councilman Donald Cox - Present Councilman Joseph Murphy - Present Councilman Bert Steinmann - Present Councilman Les Summiel - Present Councilwoman Kathleen Wollert - Present

The Clerk then formally presented the Ewing Township Council for 2009. NOMINATIONS FOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT The Clerk called for nominations for Council President; Mr. Steinmann nominated Ms. Wollert, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

Ms. Wollert was sworn in by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. NOMINATION FOR COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT President Wollert called for nominations for Vice President. Mr. Summiel moved the name of Councilman Murphy, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

Mr. Murphy was sworn in by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS Mr. Murphy thanked his wife and daughter for their support and thought that Council and Administration should meet with department heads to review budgetary needs over a five year period. He also looked forward to increased use of shared services with the Board of Education.

Mr. Steinmann saw a difficult time ahead due to the economy and commented that the Township needs to be aware of the financial hardships being imposed to it residents. Hopefully with a new President the State and municipality will benefit from an improved sense of hope for the future. Mr. Summiel stressed the need for Council to be presented with a full picture of proposed initiatives and that Council be able to make detailed and thorough reviews of those proposals. Mr. Cox stressed the shared services, a more business friendly environment, an improved Emergency management service and better energy efficiency, including solar power. President Wollert praised the Township’s employees and asked that everyone in the community practice perseverance, respect, kindness and generosity of spirit to help the community work through these difficult economic times. REORGANIZATION AGENDA All items listed under Item P, Reorganization Agenda, are considered routine by The Township Council and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will not be separate discussion of these items. If any Council member desires discussion on an item, they may request that the item be removed from the Reorganization Agenda and considered separately following the action taken on the Reorganization Agenda. There will be one motion for all items listed.

1. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-001) A Resolution setting observance of holidays for 2009. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

2. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-002) A Resolution of meeting dates of The Township Council and the various Township boards and commissions for 2009. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

3. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-003) A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of the Ewing Township Cash Management Plan including depositories for 2009. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Cox. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

4. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-004) A Resolution adopting procedures for the conduct of Council, 2009. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel.

ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS 1. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-005) A Resolution consenting to appointment of Michael T. Hartsough, Esq. as the township attorney and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for legal services to Hartsough, Kenny, Chase & Sullivan. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

2. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-006) A Resolution consenting to appointment of Robert M. Mannix, III as the township engineer and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for engineering services to CMX Engineering. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

3. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-007) A Resolution consenting to appointment of Eugene Elias as the municipal auditor and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for legal services to Mercadien, P.C. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

4. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-008) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for engineering services to Remington, Vernick & Arango Engineers, Inc. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

5. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-009) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for engineering services to Alaimo Group Consulting Engineers. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy.

ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

6. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-010) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for a grant consultant to Ron Rukenstein & Associates, LLC. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Cox. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

7. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-011) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for appraisal services to Peter Sockler and Sockler Realty Services Group, Inc. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

8. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-012) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for appraisal services to Thomas A. DeMartin and DeMartin Schwartz, Inc. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Cox. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

9. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-013) A Resolution consenting to the appointment of Edward A. Hoffman, Esq. as the Rent Control attorney and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for legal services. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

10. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-014) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for special tax appeals attorney to Harry Haushalter, Esq. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

11. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-015) A Resolution authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for bond counsel to Edward McManimon III, Esq. and McManimon & Scotland, LLC. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

12. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-016) A Resolution consenting to appointment of Paul Donini as the public defender and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for legal services to Donini & Ramsey. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Cox. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

13. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-017) A Resolution consenting to the appointment of Ashley Hutchinson, Esq. as the municipal prosecutor and authorizing the award of a non-fair and open contract for legal services. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

14. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-018) A Resolution approving the Mayors’ reappointment of Roger T. Haley as Municipal Court Judge for the Township of Ewing, with a term to expire on December 31st, 2011. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

Judge Haley was then sworn in by Superior Court Judge Sumners. 15. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-019) A Resolution reappointing Thomas M. Hespe as Ewing Township Municipal Tax Collector. This reappointment will give Mr. Hespe tenure in that position, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-145. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

Mr. Hespe was then sworn in by the Ewing Township Clerk Mr. Stephen Elliott.

COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS (Resolution #09R-020) a. Bert H. Steinmann appointed as a Class III member of the Planning Board, term to expire December 31, 2009. Mr. Murphy moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-021) b. Hilary Hyser is appointed to the Redevelopment Agency to fill the unexpired term of Sandra McCord with a term to expire December 31, 2009, and Terrance Stokes is appointed to the Redevelopment Agency to fill the unexpired term of Janet McLaughlin with a term to expire December 31, 2010. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-022) c. Charles Geter is reappointed to the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority for a five year term to expire on January 31, 2014. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-023) d. Janet McLaughlin is appointed to the Zoning Board, filling the unexpired term of G. H. Friedlander, due to expire December 31, 2009, George Byrd, III is appointed to the Zoning Board, filling the unexpired term of John Prunetti, with a term to expire on December 31, 2009, Richard Dey is reappointed to the Zoning Board for a four year term expiring on December 31, 2012, Mary Corrigan is being appointed to the Zoning Board, as 1st Alternate, with a term to expire on December 31, 2010, and Cleophas Williams is being appointed to the Zoning Board, as 2nd Alternate, with a term to expire on December 31, 2010. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS WITH ADVICE AND CONSENT OF COUNCIL (Resolution #09R-024) a. Dr. Faye Ball appointed to the Condemnation Board filling an unexpired term of Robert Brooks with the term expiring December 31, 2009, and Maria Benedetti is appointed to the Board of Condemnation with a term to expire on December 31, 2011. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-025) b. Bruce Angebranndt is reappointed to the Advisory Board of Recreation for a 3 year term which expires on December 31, 2011, Linda Coulton is reappointed to the Advisory Board of Recreation for a 3 year term which expires on December 31, 2011, Mark Hazzard is reappointed to the Advisory Board of Recreation for a 3 year term which expires on December 31, 2011, and James Matlack is appointed to the Advisory Board of Recreation, filling the unexpired term of Dr. Faye Ball with a term to expire on December 31, 2010. Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-026) c. Marjorie Hopwood, Maria Bua, Rosanna Bua and Dr. Susan Bell are appointed to the Ewing Township Arts Commission with a term to expire on December 31, 2009. Mabel Williams, Virginia Smith, Danielle Hickey and Violet Patterson are appointed to the Ewing Township Arts Commission with a term to expire on December 31, 2010. Cathy Saprony, Chris Geary and Bill Ulrich are appointed to the Ewing Township Arts Commission with a term to expire on December 31, 2011. Mr. Summiel moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Cox. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES YES YES

(Resolution #09R-027) d. Bob Warwick, Robert Patterson and Rich Kapes are appointed to the Cable Television Citizens Advisory Committee with a term to expire on December 31, 2009. Lou Eggert, Mary Lincoln, Dick Hoyt and Kathy Mooney are appointed to the Cable Television Citizens Advisory Committee with a term to expire on December 31, 2010. Mr. Cox moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Summiel. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy

YES YES

Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

YES YES YES

The Clerk read into the record the following MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS NOT REQUIRING ADVICE AND CONSENT OF COUNCIL (NO COUNCIL ACTION REQUIRED) PLANNING BOARD 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

CLASS II: David W. Thompson with a term to expire 12/31/09 CLASS IV : Richard Owen reappointed with a term to expire 12/31/12 CLASS IV: Carl McCall reappointed with a term to expire 12/31/12 CLASS IV: George Nickels reappointed with a term to expire 12/31/12 ALT. NO. 1: Anthony Chiarello reappointed with a term to expire 12/31/10

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION 1. 2. 3. 4.

Dr. James Kostinas reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Dr. Susan Bell reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Gilda Picerno reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Peter Inverso reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 1. 2. 3. 4.

John Hoegl appointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Peter J. Boughton reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Lee Farnham reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 Helaine Liwacz-Alternate No. 1 – filling an unexpired term of Aimee Williams with a term expiring December 31, 2010 5. Harold Rapp, Alternate No. 2, term expiring December 31, 2010

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Marjorie Hopwood reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2012 Robert Britton reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2012 Barbara Geary, with a term expiring December 31, 2012 Virginia E. Tryon – Alt. No. 1 appointed with a term expiring December 31, 2010 James Evanochko – Alt. No. 2 appointed with a term expiring December 31, 2010

FIRE ADVISORY BOARD 1. Douglas Brower reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 2. Todd Roundtree reappointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011 3. Paul Rulkiewicz appointed with a term expiring December 31, 2011

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Mr. G.H.Friedlander thanked Council for their support during his many years of service on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and for their recognition of his recent retirement. BENEDICTION Msgr. Ronan then gave the Benediction. Their being no further business, President Wollert called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Summiel so moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. The meeting was adjourned at 1:06 pm. ________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk