2009-06-22 Council Agenda Session Minutes

JUNE 22nd, 2009 - AGENDA SESSION President Wollert called the meeting to order at 6:30 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 Michael Hartsough, Attorney Dave Thompson, Administrator Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk

DISCUSSION President Wollert began the meeting with a discussion on the proposed bond ordinance for a fire rescue vehicle and other equipment. She indicated that Administration’s view was that there were backups available and the new truck was not necessary at this time. The Council President stated that the purchase of the vehicle had been recommended by the Fire Company as far back as January, 2008, that the down payment for it had been included in the current budget by Administration and the purchase included in the Capital Budget recommended by Administration. The down payment had not been removed by any of the amendments to the budget that were made leading up to its final adoption. Mr. Steinmann said that the purchase of the vehicle had been a subject of much discussion, that grant money had proved to be unavailable and that the cost had increased due to additional safety requirements. He felt that the rescue vehicle is absolutely necessary. Mr. Summiel said that he would like to see a cost analysis done of purchasing the truck now as opposed to waiting. Council was advised that Administration was meeting with bond counsel the following Tuesday; President Wollert said that she would like to be included and Administration agreed. The Ordinance was then added to the agenda for introduction on Tuesday night. CONSENT AGENDA: The Council President introduced the Consent Agenda for review. 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $491,531.28. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of June 9th, 2009 (Agenda) and June 9th, 2009 (Regular).

3. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $25.00 due to overpayment of October 1, 2009 sewer bill to Bank of America, 13510 Ballantyne Corp. Place, NC2-109-03-02, Charlotte, NC, 28277, Attn: FAPP for property owner Levin Properties for Block: 13.01, Lot: 9, Qual: T0023 also known as 1510 N. Olden Avenue Ext. for refund due to overpayment. 4. A Resolution authorizing a refund, as recommended by the Township Construction Official, in the amount of $200.00 for fire prevention fees to Carlos Contreras, 1459 Princeton Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638. 5. A Resolution authorizing a refund, as recommended by the Township Construction Official, in the amount of $125.00 for certificate of occupancy inspection to Nathaniel Gilliard, 3 Bittersweet Drive, Ewing, NJ 08638. 6. A Resolution authorizing a refund, as recommended by the Township Construction Official, in the amount of $450.00 for fire prevention fee to Mary Lou Drake, 1440 Prospect Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638. 7. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of a Casino Night sponsored by West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company on October 17, 2009 at the West Trenton Volunteer Fire Company from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am. 8. A Resolution establishing the Green Team in compliance with the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program. 9. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an on premise 50/50 Cash Raffle sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center (Registration Identification #495-421368; Raffle License #RL-1241) on September 21st, 2009 at the Trenton Country Club, 201 Sullivan Way, Ewing, NJ 08628 starting at 7:30 pm. 10. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an off premise merchandise raffle sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center (Registration Identification #495-421368; Raffle License #RL-1242) on September 21, 2009 at the Trenton Country Club, 201 Sullivan Way, Ewing, NJ 08628 starting at 7:00 pm. 11. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an off premise merchandise raffle sponsored by St. Francis Medical Center (Registration Identification #495-421368; Raffle License #RL-1243) on September 21, 2009 at the Trenton Country Club, 201 Sullivan Way, Ewing, NJ 08628 starting at 8:00 pm. 12. A Resolution authorizing Conway & Grafton Avenue to hold a block party/road closing on August 1, 2009 starting at 10:00 am. 13. A Resolution authorizing Leonard/Wilkes to hold a block party/road closing on July 4, 2009. 14. A Resolution authorizing Talaya Lewis to hold a block party/road closing on July 4th, 2009 starting at 2:00 pm. 15. A Resolution authorizing St. Paul Avenue Civic Association to hold a block party/road closing on July 4th, 2009 starting at 1:00 pm. Mr. Summiel noted a change to the minutes and the Consent Agenda was then approved for action. ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ADOPTION The Council President presented the Ordinance for Second Reading for review. 1. AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING DEDICATION OF COMMERCE AVENUE, WALTERS AVENUE, SPRING GARDEN AVENUE AND WINTERWOOD AVENUE. (2009)

Mr. Steinmann and Council reviewed the situation at the site with Attorney Hartsough. Mr. Summiel asked if the Township was within its legal rights to hold up action and Attorney Hartsough assured him that it was. After discussion, Council then removed the ordinance for consideration NEW BUSINESS The Council President introduced the New Business Agenda for review. 1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RENEWAL OF EWING MUNICIPAL LIQUOR LICENSES FOR THE 2009-2010 LICENSE YEAR. Mr. Elliott reviewed the status of licenses awaiting action by the State before renewal could be granted and that he would update Council at Tuesday night’s meeting. 2. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF TAX SALE PREMIUM TO THE MUNICIPALITY FOR BLOCK 495 LOT 18. 3. A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF TAX SALE PREMIUM TO THE MUNICIPALITY FOR BLOCK 27 LOT 171. 4. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO MAKE APPLICATION TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR AN EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSITANCE GRANT (JAG) LOCAL PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $17,065.00. 5. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TO GRANT THE FOLLOWING EWING TOWNSHIP NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS NO-FEE STATUS IN THE RENEWAL OF THEIR 2009-2010 FOOD HANDLING LICENSES AS PER SECT. 100-2(b) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING. 6. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE EWING TOWNSHIP CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 2008-2009 ACTIVITIES UNDER THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (Grant funds $205,489). 7. A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS AS PER N.J.S.A. 40A:4-58 IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,320.00. The New Business agenda was approved for action.

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Mr. Algernon Ward (City of Trenton) gave a presentation as to why he opposed the sale of the suburban portion of the Trenton Water System to American Water. He cited the issues associated with privatization and felt that the sale would lead to increased costs to all residents. Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Rd), Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Ct) and Mike Andrews (3 Ridge Ave) spoke in favor of purchasing the fire truck since funds for its down payment were in the budget and the truck was scheduled to be replaced. Trish DeCello (10 Chelmsford) spoke against the purchase. Mayor Ball declined to respond to a question regarding what had happened to change the Administration’s mind regarding the purchase of the truck, and also to giving the names of the experts he consulted who advised him to delay the purchase. Chief Ralph Brandmeier also spoke, saying that safety and emissions standards were increasing the cost of the truck. 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 7:43 pm. ________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

_______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk