2009-03-30 Special Council Meeting Minutes

March 30th, 2009 -

SPECIAL MEETING

President Wollert opened the Special Meting at 12:00 noon and read the Open Public Meeting 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 27th day of March, 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 Chris Jack, Chief Financial Officer Joe Monzo, Financial Consultant

The Special Meeting was called to deal solely with a proposal to apply to the Local Finance Board to defer approximately one half of the Township’s pension obligations for the fiscal year, as permitted under recently enacted law. Attorney Hartsough outlined the provision of the pension deferral legislation and Mayor Ball announced that he had been advised by the State that Ewing would not be getting any extraordinary aid for its Fiscal 2009 budget. In addition, the Division of Local Government Services was now indicating that action on the resolution would bind the Township to do the deferral. Consultant Monzo then reviewed the need to pass the resolution. As submitted, the Township budget exceeded both the levy cap and the spending cap provided for in State law. Agreeing to the pension deferral would eliminate the spending cap problem and recommended using surplus to become compliant with the levy cap. Although it was not wise to use surplus, there was no alternative given the current conditions. Mr. Summiel asked what the consequences would be if the deferral was not approved. Attorney Hartsough noted that it was too late in the fiscal year to go through the layoff procedure that would have any impact. Mr. Summiel then asked about the availability of Special Municipal Aid. It was indicated that it was not available. Mr. Summiel added that he was not comfortable with doing this at the 11th hour and that past deferrals had cost the taxpayers dearly. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Steinmann both indicated deep disappointment with the situation. They had both worked with Administration to prepare the introduced version of the budget and had been assured that the amounts of revenue and appropriation were appropriate. To find out at this time that that was not the case was troubling. Mr. Steinmann added that the deferral was distasteful but not to do it would lead to a financial disaster. 1. The Clerk then read (Resolution #09R-64) A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING MAKING APPLICATION TO THE LOCAL FINANCE BOARD FOR A REDUCED PENSION CONTRIBUTION PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 43:15A-24(c) AND/OR N.J.S.A. 43:16A-15(9) Mr. Steinmann moved the Resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy

NO YES

Mr. Summiel Mr. Steinmann President Wollert

NO YES YES

STATEMENTS AND COMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Road) commented that this was the second year that revenues in the introduced budget had needed changing and that the spending that had gone on within the Township with the budget problems extent was uncalled for. He suggested hat the surplus be used to decrease the local levy. Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Ct) stated that it was a sad day for the Township but given the presentation by Mr. Monzo there really was no other choice. There being no further business, President Wollert called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Steinmann so moved, seconded by Mr. Murphy. The meeting was adjourned at 1:25 pm.

________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

________________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk