Council Minutes 20070918

SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2007 – 7:00 P.M. SPECIAL

MEETING

President Summiel called the meeting to order at 7:04 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 14th day of September 2007. ROLL CALL ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

Mr. Cox – Present Mr. Murphy – Present Mr. Steinmann – Absent (vacation) Ms. Wollert - Present President Summiel - Present

Dave Thompson, Administrator John Barrett, CFO Stephen Elliott, Municipal Clerk

The purpose for this Special Meeting was for Council to continue its review of the proposed 2007-2008 Fiscal Year Township budget. BUDGET REVIEW Paul Rulkiewicz (EMS), Chief Robert Coulton and Captain Frank Sabatino (Police Department), and Ted Forst (Director of Community Affairs) appeared before Council to discuss their proposed budgets for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. The EMS and Police budgets were considered first, and all members of Council asked questions about the proposed budgets. There were especially detailed queries about the operations of the police department. Council was particularly concerned about the specific number of new hires planned for the Police, and about the need for improved communication through the general police number as a public service. The Chief responded to all questions with Mr. Thompson and Mr. Barrett providing supporting information as required. Mayor Ball indicated that the State Division of Community Affairs recently completed a survey of the Police Department and he was awaiting a hard copy. He will make it available to Council when he receives it. The Division of Community Affairs budget was then reviewed and included the departments of Recreation Programming (Ted Forst), Health (Alan Lee), Senior Citizens (Jeanette Spann), Centers Coordinator (Yvonne Ellis) and Animal Control. President Summiel asked about organization, staffing levels and the number of individuals served. Councilman Murphy and the Council President inquired about the supervison of laborers and clerical staff formerly working in the Community Centers and recently shifted to other areas. Mayor Ball promised to provide accurate information about staffing. At 10:00 a brief recess was taken. At 10:07 the meeting was reconvened. STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Ralph Simms (25 Harding St) asked about not funding of Concerned Citizens in the budget. Mr. Barrett indicated that it was an illegal appropriation because of the nonprofit status of the Concerned Citizens. President Summiel indicated that it would be considered in the coming weeks.

Rob Green (57 Theresa St) commented on the upkeep of the Community Center and the provision of after school, summer camp, food pantries and other services to the community at the Center. She supported the restoration of the $25,000 appropriation. Charlotte Gash asked about naming the new center. . Veronica Taylor (111 Louisiana Ave.) and Daisey Elms (333 Westmoreland) questioned the staffing at the Hollowbrook Center and suggested that the assistant be restored . Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Rd) commented about changing the organization structure without Council approval and about staffing the Police Department. Todd Roundtree asked about police staffing and the number of officers on street Louise Sumter (9 Brandon Ave) asked about the ”freeze” on hiring at the Township. There being no further business, President Summiel asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Murphy so moved seconded by Ms. Wollert. The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 pm.

______________________________ Les Summiel, Council President

______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk