2009-07-13 Council Agenda Session Minutes

JULY 13, 2009 - AGENDA SESSION President Wollert called the meeting to order at 6:38 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 – Absent Mr. Summiel - Present President Wollert – Present

Jack Ball, Mayor Michael Hartsough, Attorney Dave Thompson, Administrator Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk

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 $129,722.22. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of June 22nd, 2009 (Agenda) and June 23rd, 2009 (Regular). 3. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $216.34 due to overpayment of October 1, 2009 sewer bill to DeLuca Francis B. & Joseph Dondero, 244 Avenel Court, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733 for property owner DeLuca Francis B. & Joseph Dondero for Block: 135, Lot: 209, also known as 39 Ardsley Avenue for refund due to overpayment. 4. A Resolution authorizing the Catholic Church of St. Hedwig to hold a walking pilgrimage on August 8th, 2009 starting at 6:30 am and ending at 10:30 am. 5. A Resolution authorizing Glendale Civic Association, Inc. to hold a Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. 6. A Resolution approving Kenneth J. Dziminski as a junior member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 7. A Resolution authorizing the Celestial Church of Christ to hold a block party/road closing on August 9th, 2009 starting at 9:00 am. The Consent Agenda was approved for action. ORDINANCE(S) FOR SECOND READING, PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ADOPTION The Council President presented the ordinances proposed for second reading. 1. A BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF A FIRE RESCUE TRUCK AND RELATED EQUIPMENT IN AND BY THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING, IN THE COUNTY OF MERCER, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $1,000,000.00 THEREFORE AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $950,000.00 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF. (2009)

2. 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. (2009) President Wollert opened the discussion on the proposed bond ordinance. Mr. Cox asked what Administration’s thinking on the purchase was and whether there was a less expensive alternative. Mayor Ball stated that he had no further comments on the matter and that he felt that the Township should take more time and possibly hire a consultant to provide some direction. Administrator Thompson added that a company from Maryland had prepared such a study about 8 years ago and that a current review could cost about $20,000. The Council President asked that there be some factual determinations to why the Council should not proceed with the ordinance. Mr. Summiel noted that he had asked for such an analysis and that it had not been provided. Mr. Murphy stated that studying the matter was a waste of money and that a study had already been done but ignored by Administration. He was concerned about the safety of the residents and the volunteers and that the ordinance should be adopted. The Council President asked the Clerk to contact the Township’s Bond Counsel (Mr. Ed McManimon) and ask him to be present at the Council meeting to discuss the current state of the market regarding new bonding. The Ordinances were then approved for action. NEW BUSINESS The Council President presented the New Business Agenda for review. 1. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A TEMPORARY BUDGET FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THE 2009-2010 FISCAL YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,726,295.00. 2. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPROVAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES FOR RENEWAL FOR 2009-2010. 3. A RESOLUTION REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR THE HEALTH CENTER ENTRANCE AT THE EWING SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER. 4. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF A BID FOR THE INSTALLATION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE EWING SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER TO RED OAK BUILDING GROUP, LLC 5. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PUBLIC DONOR AGREEMENT WITH THE CYO OF MERCER COUNTY.

Mr. Hartsough explained that the bid for the health center entrance at the Senior and Community Center was due to the current unavailability of grant funding; it would be available shortly. He also noted that the agreement with the CYO was for a day care service at the Hollowbrook Center. The New Business agenda was then approved for action. STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Rd) commented that the bond ordinance is simply a funding mechanism. He added that since the Mayor is the Public Safety Director, he is ultimately responsible for fire protection in the Township and that he is going against the recommendations of his professionals.

Trish DeCello (10 Chelmsford) asked that the Township be prudent, while Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Ct) commented that the time for talk was over. There being no further business, President Wollert asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Murphy so moved, seconded by Mr. Summiel. The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 pm. ________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

_______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk