01-13-09 Council Regular Session Minutes

JANUARY 13TH, 2009 - REGULAR

SESSION

President Wollert called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm and 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 2nd day of January, 2009. ROLL CALL ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

Mr. Cox – Present Mr. Murphy- Present Mr. Steinmann- Present Mr. Summiel – Present President Wollert- Present

Jack Ball, Mayor David Thompson, Administrator Mike Hartsough, Attorney Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Ron Prykanowski (16 Thurston) and Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern) commented on the closed session. CONSENT AGENDA: The Clerk read the Consent Agenda: (Resolution #09R-28) 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $1,011,422.45. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of December 15th, 2008 (Agenda), December 16th, 2008 (Regular) and January 1st, 2009 (Reorganization). 3. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1079.85 for November 1, 2008 tax quarter to American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc., c/o ZC Sterling Real Estate Tax Solutions, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30339, Attn: Refunds, Loan No. 0003150109 for property owner Carolyn Walton for Block: 27, Lot: 171 also known as 132 Robbins Avenue for refund due to overpayment. 4. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $149.23 for November 1, 2008 added tax quarter to Walter J. Olkowski, 1438 North Olden Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638, for property owner Walter J. Olkowski for Block: 18, Lot: 9 also known as 1438 North Olden Avenue for refund due to cancellation of added taxes by County Board Appeal. 5. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1007.96 for November 1, 2008 tax quarter to Adam A. Grant, D2 Carver Place, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, for property owner Adam A. Grant for Block: 497, Lot: 4 also known as 110 Broad Avenue for refund due to overpayment.

6. A Resolution authorizing a Cancellation and a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector. A CANCELLATION in the amount of $689.62 from November 19, 2008 to December 31st, 2008 due to 100% disabled veteran allowance and REFUND the total amount of $689.62 due to overpayment to Yolanda Perez & Dennis J. Yuhasz, 38 Holiday Court, Ewing, New Jersey 08638-1737 for property owner Yolanda Perez & Dennis J. Yuhasz for Block: 214, Lot: 44.20 also known as 38 Holiday Court. 7. A Resolution authorizing a Cancellation and a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector. A REFUND in the amount of $63.56 and a CANCELLATION in the amount of $63.56 for November 1, 2008 added tax quarter to Meredith L. Varra, 13 Thurston Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08618-1709 for property owner Meredith L. Varra for Block: 276, Lot: 46 also known as 13 Thurston Avenue due to refund of November 1, 2008 added tax quarter and cancellation of taxes by County Board Appeal. 8. A Resolution authorizing a Cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $53.75 for second half CY2008 sewer bill, for property owner Ewing Golf Range, Inc. c/o Pisauro, for Block: 118.04: Lot: 53, also known as 1471 Prospect Street due to water meter removed on May 12, 2008. 9. A Resolution approving Oscar A. Estrada as a member of the Pennington Road Fire Company. 10. A Resolution approving Brian A. Smith as a member of the Pennington Road Fire Company. 11. A Resolution approving Davone J. Cooper as a member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 12. A Resolution approving Garrett L. Faryna as a member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 13. A Resolution approving Miguel A. Ortiz, Jr. as a member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 14. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an off premise 50/50 cash raffle sponsored by the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary to be held on April 5th, 2009. Mr. Steinmann reported that a question he had had regarding a bill had been answered. Mr. Cox then moved the resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

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

YES YES YES YES YES

NEW BUSINESS 1. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-29) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A BID FOR LEAF COMPOSTING AND BRUSH MANAGEMENT AT THE TOWNSHIP COMPOST FACILITY TO L & S CONTRACTING CO., 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

2. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-30) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EXTENSION OF THE TAX REMITTANCE GRACE PERIOD FOR THE FEBRUARY 1, 2009 TAX QUARTER TO THE DATE OF FEBRUARY 17, 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

3. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-31) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PREPARATION OF ESTIMATED TAX BILLS.

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

4. The Clerk read (Resolution was pulled from agenda) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF SURPLUS PROPERTY NO LONGER NEEDED FOR PUBLIC USE ON AN ONLINE AUCTION SITE. President Wollert pulled the resolution pending further review. 5. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-32) A RESOLUTION TO JOIN THE GARDEN STATE MUNICIPAL JOINT INSURANCE FUND AND TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTION OF THE GARDEN STATE MUNICIPAL JOINT INSURANCE FUND JOINT TRUST AGREEMENT.

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

6. The Clerk read (Resolution #09R-33) A RESOLUTION APPOINTING DAVID W. THOMPSON AS THE FUND COMMISSIONER AND CHRISTOPHER JACK AS THE ALTERNATE FUND COMMISSIONER TO THE GARDEN STATE MUNICIPAL JOINT INSURANCE FUND.

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

COUNCIL REPORTS Mr. Summiel informed Council that the TACT Committee was meeting at 6:00, January 14th to discuss rental properties. Mr. Steinmann reported that the Planning Board had reorganized with only one new application. Mr. Murphy stated his intent to work with the Board of Education on shared services and Mr. Cox stated that there had been no Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council meeting.

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Dolores Sebasto (501 Walker Ave) reported on an incident that occurred at the Senior Center that morning involving Senior Club B and an outside agency that was renting the facility. President Wollert asked Administration to follow up and make sure that there would be no repeat. Mildred Russell (119 King Ave) stated that her civic association was ready to work with Council and fight the judicial ruling striking down several Township ordinances regarding rental properties. CLOSED SESSION Council moved into closed session at 7:26 pm, on a motion by Mr. Steinmann, seconded by Mr. Murphy with unanimous approval to discuss items of negotiation and litigation, with the minutes of the session to be made available subsequent to the completion of these actions. The meeting was reopened at 8:19 pm. Mayor Ball asked Council’s advice on a letter to neighboring municipalities inviting them to a presentation on a proposed regional; animal shelter. The presentation would be made by Kate Tuttle and her group EASEL. Mr. Summiel and others felt that the letter should be sent by EASEL, not the Township. Mr. Steinamnn also suggested that a temporary shelter be constructed at the Recreation Department for Ewing Township’s use until a regional solution could be found. After discussion Council felt that EASEL should in fact send the letter and Mayor Ball said that he would forward Council a copy. President Wollert then asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Cox so moved, seconded by Mr. Summiel. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 pm.

________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk