2009-06-09 Council Agenda Session Minutes

JUNE 9TH, 2009 - AGENDA SESSION President Wollert called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 5th day of June, 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 Michael Hartsough, Attorney Dave Thompson, Administrator Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk

DISCUSSION President Wollert introduced MFO Chris Jack and Financial Consultant Joe Monzo to discuss the budget transfer resolution and the status of the current budget. Mr. Monzo indicated that he had worked extensively with Mr. Jack since February. All accounts are in order and the current transfer resolution is a normal transaction at this time of the year. Council asked if it were possible to include a trial balance with every bill list and Mr. Monzo indicated that it was. Council also asked for a budget report by the end of the week and Mr. Jack promised that it would be available. In response to a question, Mr. Thompson stated that most of the salary adjustments were due to overtime, especially with respect to per diems for firemen and police overtime for 9-1-1 dispatchers. President Wollert then moved the discussion to the capital budget and to the status of the rescue truck that had been budgeted for West Trenton. Mayor Ball stated that he had reviewed the status of the truck and had decided not to purchase it this year because of economic conditions. He felt that while it would be nice to purchase the truck, it was in excellent condition. He also stated that he had reached out to other funding sources but no money was available. Mr. Summiel stated that he felt that the important issue was whether the truck would improve the protection of life and property in the Township. Mrs. Wollert said that a report quoted by Mayor Ball advised that the current truck was over 20 years old, could not handle all the response equipment that current safety regulations require. Chief Ralph Brandmaier (West Trenton) indicated that he had prepared the report and that the new truck was required due to its age and current safety requirements. CONSENT AGENDA: Present Wollert introduced the Consent Agenda for review. 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $645,740.51 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of May 26th, 2009 (Agenda) and May 26, 2009 (Regular).

3. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1235.22 due to overpayment of May 1, 2009 tax quarter to Carolyn Page, 831 Lily Lane, Ewing, NJ 08638 for property owner Carolyn Page for Block: 193.01, Lot: 92, also known as 831 Lily Lane for refund due to overpayment. 4. A Resolution authorizing a maintenance guarantee release for Commerce Park at Ewingville (Commerce, Walters, Winterwood and Spring Garden Avenues), formerly designated section S-105 Lots 53 & 54, by Ewing Engineers CMX – Project #040 2221 02 – 06. 5. A Resolution approving Kyle D. Brower as a Senior Member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 6. A Resolution approving Jennifer D. Narducci as a Senior Business Member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 7. A Resolution approving Matthew M. Rosidivito as a Senior Member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 8. A Resolution approving Brandon T. Leese as a Junior Member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 9. A Resolution authorizing the Tax Collector to enter into an installment

payment agreement and to redeem the municipal lien holds by the Township of Ewing for Block 16, Lot 16, also known as 1436 Heath Avenue. 10. A Resolution authorizing the Tax Collector to enter into an installment payment agreement and to redeem the municipal lien holds by the Township of Ewing for Block 320, Lot 130, also known as 62 Lexington Avenue. 11. A Resolution approving the transfer of tax sale premium to the municipality for Block 495 Lot 18. 12. A Resolution approving the transfer of tax sale premium to the municipality for Block 27 Lot 171. Mr. Summiel questioned the intent of the two tax sale premium transfers. It was decided by Council to handle them as separate items of New Business. The Consent Agenda was the approved for action as amended. ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION President Wollert introduced two ordinances for introduction and first reading. 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES CHAPTER 215, LAND DEVELOPMENT, OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF OFFICE AND TO AMEND REGULATIONS WITHIN THE IP-1 ZONE. Mr. Hartsough indicated that the Ordinance had been referred by the Planning Board and would not need to be referred back. He also indicated that due to the complex nature of the required mailing to advertise the ordinance to property owners, the hearing would be scheduled for July 14th. Planning Board Chairman Richard Owen described the ordinance and answered questions from Council. 2. AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING DEDICATION OF COMMERCE AVENUE, WALTERS AVENUE, SPRING GARDEN AVENUE AND WINTERWOOD AVENUE. Mr. Hartsough advised that the Township had completed the streets in accordance with the Engineer’s specifications and should be accepted.

Mr. Steinmann voiced concern about the lack of an Association to pay for the costs of plowing and lighting as had been a requirement of the Planning Board. After discussion, Council decided to move the ordinance but to hold the resolution returning the performance bond and allow two weeks for the matter to be resolved by the developer and the property owners. The Consent Agenda was further amended and the Ordinances approved for action. NEW BUSINESS President Wollert presented the New Business agenda for review. 1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO PALMER LANE PROJECT. 2. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION AND EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO WILBURTHA ROAD-PHASE I PROJECT. 3. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLMENT OF FIBER OPTIC CABLE ALONG EXISTING UTILITY POLES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OFWAY FOR EWING TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT. 4. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS OF AMERICAN, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 1032 (CLERICAL/ADMINISTRATIVE). 5. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 2066. 6. A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING $347,400 WITHIN THE FISCAL YEAR 2009 TOWNSHIP BUDGET.

The New Business Agenda was approved for action. STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

There being no further business, President Wollert asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Steinmann so moved, seconded by Mr. Murphy. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 pm. ________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

_______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk