Council Minutes 20070227

REGULAR MEETING February 27, 2007 – 7:30P.M. President Summiel called the meeting to order at 7:31 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 4th day of January 2007.

ROLL CALL ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

Mr. Cox – Present Mr. Murphy – Present Mr. Steinmann – Present Ms. Wollert – Present President Summiel - Present

David Thompson, Administrator Mike Hartsough, Attorney Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk Shannon Keyes, CFO

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA: Trish DiCello (10 Chelmsford) asked about the resolution awarding a contract for accounting services. President Summiel and Attorney Hartsough responded. CONSENT AGENDA: The Clerk presented the Consent Agenda: 07R-37 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $447,847.60. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of February 13th (Agenda) and February 13th (Regular). 3. A Resolution approving Joselito G. Holt as a Junior Member of the Prospect Heights Volunteer Fire Department. 4. A Resolution authorizing the reduction of a performance guarantee to the amount of $34,001.39 (30% of original amount) for West Trenton Animal Hospital, Block 382/Lots 5,6 and 21, Project #03 04092 03-06, as recommended by Township Engineer, Schoor DePalma. 5. A Resolution granting a REFUND as recommended by the Township Construction Official in the amount of $59.00 to Kenneth Green, 203 Nancy Lane for a roofing permit that will not be required. 6. A Resolution to REFUND the total amount of $1722.22 for February 1st, 2007 tax quarter to Paul C. Keyes, 23 Ronit Drive, Ewing, NJ 08628 for property owner Paul C. Keyes for Block: 214.11, Lot: 8 also known as 69 Nancy Lane to refund overpayment. Mr. Steinmann moved the Consent Agenda, seconded by Ms.Wollert. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox YES Mr. Murphy YES (recused self on Hill Wallack bills) Mr. Steinmann YES Ms. Wollert YES President Summiel YES

ORDINANCE (S) FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION 1.

The Clerk read AN ORDINANCE FIXING SALARIES FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007. (2007) – Tax Collector

Mr. Steinmann moved the ordinance, seconded by Ms. Wollert. ROLL CALL

2.

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

The Clerk read AN ORDINANCE FIXING SALARIES FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007. (2007) – Business Administrator

Mr. Steinmann moved the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

G. NEW BUSINESS 1.

07R-38 The Clerk read A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING TO THE LOCAL FINANCE BOARD THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY HAVE REVIEWED, AS A MINIMUM, THE SECTIONS OF THE AUDIT ENTITLED “COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS”. (Council members to sign group affidavit)

Ms. Wollert moved the resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

The Clerk later circulated the group affidavit that all members of Council signed. 2.

07R-39 The Clerk read A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PERSON TO PERSON TRANSFER OF EWING TOWNSHIP PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LIQUOR LICENSE #1102-33-024-006 FROM GROUND ROUND, INC. TO ARM AT EWING, LLC.

Mr. Steinmann moved the resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

3. 07R-40 The Clerk read A RESOLUTION AWARDING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR 2007 FOR BOND COUNSEL ON A NONFAIR AND OPEN BASIS TO PARKER-McCAY.

Ms. Wollert moved the resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

4. 07R-41 The Clerk read A RESOLUTION CONCERNING THE IMPROVEMENT OF RAILROAD TRACKS AT THE WEST TRENTON TRAIN STATION BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE CSX CORPORATION.

Mr. Steinmann moved to table the resolution, seconded by Mr. Murphy. The motion to table was approved unanimously by voice vote. 5. 07R-42 The Clerk read A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A NON-FAIR AND OPEN CONTRACT FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES to Shannon Keyes.

Ms. Wollert moved the resolution, seconded by Mr. Steinmann. ROLL CALL

Mr. Cox Mr. Murphy Mr. Steinmann Ms. Wollert President Summiel

YES YES YES YES YES

COUNCIL REPORTS Mr. Steinmann reported that the Planning Board and the Site Review Committee had met and discussed the lot coverage issue regarding parking on residential rental properties. He felt that a good resolution would be achieved and that an ordinance would be forwarded to Council. Ms. Wollert noted that the Economic Development Commission would meet on March 15. She also complimented the Black History Month celebration at the Hollowbrook Center. Mr. Cox reported that the Senior Citizens Advisory meeting had been cancelled due to the weather. He also felt that the recent report from the Police Department was very helpful. Mr. Murphy reported that the dam at Flower Hill property was in need of repair and that it would be attended to. He also asked that future police reports include the numbers of noise complaints at specific addresses. Mr. Summiel reported that tomorrow was the first public meeting on the school budget, that the TACT committee met last week, and that the College had razed the three buildings infested with mold.

STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Grace Montgomery (170 Upland Ave.) informed Council about neighborhood issues including a tree branch at Somerset and Buttonwood, old tires at a house for sale and about snow removal at a rental property. Mr. Thompson indicated that he would follow up. Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Rd) asked about the Administrator’s contract and for an update on Township spending. President Summiel responded. Todd Roundtree thanked Council for encouraging changes to the impervious surface coverage ordinance. Lou Inverso (1436 Heath) and Trish DeCello (10 Chelmsford) questioned the CARC settlement at the airport. President Summiel, Attorney Hartsough and CFO Keyes responded.

Ron Dykus (170 Upper Ferry Rd) asked about police overtime and the recent shift change. There being no further business, President Summiel called for adjournment. Mr. Murphy moved to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Wollert. The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 pm.

______________________________ Les Summiel, Council President

______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk