2009-09-08 Council Agenda Session Minutes

September 8TH, 2009 - AGENDA

SESSION

Vice President Murphy called the meeting to order at 6:03 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 Jack Ball, Mayor Mr. Murphy – Present Michael Hartsough, Attorney Mr. Steinmann – Present Dave Thompson, Administrator Mr. Summiel - Present Stephen W. Elliott, Clerk President Wollert – arrived at 6:32 pm

DISCUSSION 1. Municipal Finance Officer Chris Jack and Consultant Joseph Monzo were recognized to discuss a draft of the FY 2010 budget. Mr. Monzo indicated that there were significant declines in revenues, especially tax appeal settlements and State aid, and major increases in health benefit and pension costs. Operating expenses had been held reduced, vacant positions were going unfilled and some part time employees were being laid off. The net effect was a 17.5 cent tax increase. The Township is planning to make a formal request to the State for $2 million in Extraordinary Aid. If granted, it would result in a 6 cent increase. Councilman Steinmann questioned the increase in pension costs, noting that the State had forced the Township to take the deferment in last year’s budget due to a budgeting error on the part of the Finance Officer. Mr. Cox noted that he would like to see further cuts and Mr. Murphy said that he would like information to track whether or not prior unfilled positions had remained unfilled. He also stated that Administration should be considering furloughs for part time employees.. CONSENT AGENDA: The Consent Agenda was presented fro review. 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $1,018,819.21. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of August 10th, 2009 (Agenda) and August 11th, 2009 (Regular). 3. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,931.29 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Law Offices of Marc A. Deitch, PC, 957 Route 33 #351, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 for property owner Johnson Allan & Marshall Jennifer L. for Block: 214.15 Lot: 9 also known as 8 Langmoore Drive. 4. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,267.48 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to American Home Mortgage, ZC Sterling Real Estate Tax Solutions, 210 Interstate North Parkway, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30339, Attn: Refunds; Loan #0003150109,

B:27,L:171 for property owner Walton, Carolyn for Block: 27 Lot: 171 also known as 132 Robbins Avenue. 5. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $2,058.11 for the second half billing of 2009 to Melissa Amendola, 325 Green Lane, Ewing, NJ 08638 for property owner Roman Heriberto & Eva Alicea for Block: 580 Lot: 4 also known as 10 Nettletree Drive. 6. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,048.17 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Foltiny, Miklos C. & Ilona P., 8 Pennwood Drive, Ewing, NJ 08638 for property owner Foltiny, Miklos C. & Ilona P. for Block: 118.02 Lot: 40 also known as 8 Pennwood Drive. 7. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,262.76 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Princeton Assurance Corporation, 2482 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ 08534; File #NJ09-8800FA for property owner Nugyen, Mark & Buczynski, Amy for Block: 588 Lot: 96 also known as 3 Leicester Lane. 8. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,050.53 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Ivens, Frank E & Diane, 4 Ewington Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638 for property owner Ivens, Frank E. & Diane for Block: 121 Lot: 6 also known as 4 Ewington Avenue. 9. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,453.77 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Rohrer, Phillip I. & Rhiannon L., 122 Central Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08628 for property owner Rohrer, Phillip I. & Rhiannon L. for Block: 380 Lot: 282 also known as 122 Central Avenue. 10. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,549.28 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Bush, Keith W. & Laraine F., 1 Pershing Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08618 for property owner Bush, Keith W. & Laraine F. for Block: 293 Lot: 7 also known as 1 Pershing Avenue. 11. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,194.38 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Kapes, Richard J., 417 Sutherland Road, Ewing, NJ 08618 for property owner Kapes, Richard J. for Block: 234.01 Lot: 14 also known as 417 Sutherland Road. 12. A Resolution authorizing a Refund, as recommended by the Tax Collector in the amount of $1,629.45 for August 1, 2009 tax quarter to Hodge-Ticker Caroline, 45 King Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638 for property owner HodgeTicker Caroline for Block: 162 Lot: 136 also known as 45 King Avenue. 13. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an off premise 50/50 cash raffle sponsored by SERV Foundation, Inc. to be held on Friday, November 13th, 2009 starting at 1:00 pm. 14. A Resolution authorizing New Bethel Holy Church to hold a block party/street closing on September 5th, 2009 starting at 12:00 noon. 15. A Resolution authorizing Tall Tree Court Civic Association to hold a block party/street closing on Saturday, September 12th, 2009 starting at 11:00 a.m. 16. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of an off premise merchandise raffle sponsored by Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 on October 26th, 2009 starting at 8:00 pm.

17. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of a Casino Night sponsored by Victorians of Villa Victoria Academy on November 14th, 2009 starting at 6:00 pm. 18. A Resolution authorizing a refund, as recommended by the Municipal Clerk, to Kate Tuttle, 8 Locke Court, Ewing, NJ 08628, for an OPRA request submitted. The Consent Agenda was approved for action. ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION President Wollert presented ordinances for introduction for review. 1. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING ESTABLISHING CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TOWNSHIP CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS THAT EXCEED $150,000. (2009) This ordinance was to be held pending further information. 2. AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF A PORTION OF HOLLOWBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE - HEAD START. (2009) 3. AN ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMIT AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14 (2009) The second two ordinances were approved for action after explanation by Attorney Hartsough. NEW BUSINESS President Wollert introduced the New Business Agenda for review. 1. A RESOLUTION PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-59 TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATION RESERVES. 2. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR A GRANT FROM THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES UNDER THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENERGY AUDIT PROGRAM. 3. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING PREQUALIFICATION REGULATIONS FOR CONTRACTORS FOR THE HISTORIC COMPONENTS OF THE RESTORATION OF THE LOUIS KAHN TRENTON BATH HOUSE AND DAY CAMP PAVILIONS AT THE EWING SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER. (public hearing required during the Regular Meeting) 4. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF MERCER FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE LOUIS KAHN TRENTON BATH HOUSE AND DAY CAMP PAVILIONS AT THE EWING SENIOR & COMMUNITY CENTER. 5. A RESOLUTION REJECTING ALL BIDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF SECURITY CAMERAS. 6. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN PREPARED BY THE DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION.

Mr. Hartsough explained the resolutions regarding the refurbishing of the historic bathhouse and pavilion at the Ewing Senior and Community Center. Mr. Murphy questioned the transfer resolution and Mr. Jack responded. The New Business agenda was then approved for action.

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Ct) commented that there would be no Social Security increases for 2 years and there should be no salary increases. She also noted that the Township had paid $1.5 million to the Sewerage Authority that was not necessary and that could have eased this year’s problem. Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Road) and Todd Roundtree (10 Crescent) also commented on the budget with Mr. Roundtree asking that there be no cuts in public safety. Jim McManimon (2 Pioneer Ct) noted that digital noise monitors were available and Trish DeCello (10 Chelmsford ) stated that there should be no more raises. Valerie from the Ewing-Braeburn Park Civic Association asked that the Township establish “quiet zones” to improve quality of life issues in neighborhoods. There being no further business, President Wollert asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Murphy so moved, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. The meeting was adjourned at 7:43 pm. ________________________________ Kathleen Wollert, Council President

_______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk