FEBRUARY 11TH, 2008 - 6:00 P.M
-AGENDA SESSION
President Steinmann called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 8th day of January, 2008. ROLL CALL
Mr. Cox – Present Mr. Murphy – Present Mr. Summiel – 6:21 pm Ms. Wollert - Present President Steinmann - Present
Dave Thompson, Administrator Ian Hammett, Attorney John Barrett, CFO Kim Macellaro, Deputy Clerk
DISCUSSION: 1. President Steinmann introduced Chief Robert Coulton who presented reports on the last quarter of 2007 as well as an Annual report of the Department’s activities. He noted the Department’s accreditation by the New Jersey Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission as a major highlight of the year. He also noted ongoing issues regarding rental properties and promised to provide Council with monthly reports. There was much discussion about the recruitment efforts by the Township to fill vacancies; Council asked that the Department be more innovative and affirmative in attracting Ewing residents to work in local law enforcement; President Steinmann asked for a review of previous plans for the recruitment of new police officers.
2. President Steinmann opened a discussion on an Administration proposal to relax the Township’s residency requirement for employees. Administration had voiced concerns about its ability to fill upcoming vacancies in the Police Department; the Council President stated that the Administration is going to have to present a good plan as to why the residency ordinance should be changed. Administrator Thompson indicated his concern that the Township would not be able to fill all the vacancies created by police retirements; he asked that the residency requirement be relaxed prior to June 30, 2008. He was also concerned that the State might force the Township to reduce the size of the force. Councilwoman Wollert responded that she did not believe that force reductions would be made that impacted on public safety; Councilman Summiel stated that he has been requesting that Administration provide a formal plan for recruitment and succession and that needed to be done in order to make an informed decision. Council then asked to be provided with copies of the State audit and review of the Police Department and Administration agreed to do so.
3. A Resolution authorizing the award of a bid for the provision of four Ford Escape Hybrid vehicles to Charles S. Winner, d/b/a Winner Ford. President Steinmann commented that all vehicles will be utilized in the construction
department. After much discussion between Administration and Council, President Steinmann pulled the resolution. CONSENT AGENDA: President Steinmann introduced the Consent Agenda for review. Councilwoman Wollert asked that check #39321 be pulled from the bills list. She doesn’t feel that this should come out of taxpayers’ money. President Steinmann pulled it from the bills list. 1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the amount of $818,819.47. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of December 17th, 2007 (Agenda), December 18th, 2007 (Regular) and January 22nd, 2008 (Agenda and Regular). 3. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $122.57 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Jewish Community Foundation of NJ & PA for Block 352, Lot 1; also known as Adrian Avenue due to being tax exempt. 4. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $234.23 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Estate of Ellis Pierson for Block 345, Lot 142; also known as Silvia Street due to being tax exempt. 5. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $270.59 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Estate of Ellis Pierson for Block 351, Lot 1; also known as Walter Street due to being tax exempt. 6. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $1,722.94 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Pamela Durkalski for Block 424, Lot 42; also known as 15 Sunset Avenue due to duplicate billing. 7. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $706.78 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Stanley Middleton for Block 141, Lot 72; also known as 68 Woodland Avenue due to duplicate billing. 8. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $587.92 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Campbell Builders, Inc. NJC for Block 260, Lot 14; also known as 1833 Pennington Road due to duplicate billing. 9. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $1,258.26 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Brogie W. Everette, Jr. for Block 181, Lot 281; also known as 231 Claflin Avenue due to duplicate billing. 10. A Resolution authorizing a cancellation, as recommended by the Tax Collector, in the amount of $956.67 for the February 1, 2008 tax quarter for property owner Campbell Builders, Inc. for Block 260, Lot 15; also known as 1863 Pennington Road due to duplicate billing. 11. A Resolution authorizing a refund, as recommended by the township construction official, in the amount of $400.00 to Geoffrey Noden Furniture Design, 232 Stokes Avenue, Ewing, NJ 08638, for a fire registration. Property is 3,000 sq. ft. and not 30,000 sq. ft. as reported.
12. A Resolution appointing/reappointing members to the Ewing Township Redevelopment Agency: Robert Kull with a term to expire 12/31/2010 and Suzanna McGee to fill an unexpired term to expire 12/31/2011 13. A Resolution appointing the following individuals to the Zoning Board of Adjustment: Richard Dey with a term to expire 12/31/2008 G.H. Friedlander with a term to expire 12/31/2009 Kay Walcott-Henderson with a term to expire 12/31/2009 Jay Fletcher with a term to expire 12/31/2010 Fredricka McNeal-Billups with a term to expire 12/31/2010 Walker Worthy, Jr. with a term to expire 12/31/2011 George Byrd, III – 1st Alternate with a term to expire 12/31/2008 Mary Corrigan – 2nd Alternate with a term to expire 12/31/2008 The consent agenda was approved for action, with the exception of check #39321 on the bills list. ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION 1. President Steinmann introduced, for first reading, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING AMENDING CHAPTER 9, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES, ARTICLE XI, TO MODIFY THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENTS MADE TO THE SENIOR CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (2008) The ordinance was approved for action. NEW BUSINESS President Steinmann presented the resolutions on the New Business Agenda. 1. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 2008 NURSING SUPERVISORY SERVICES WITH HAMILTON TOWNSHIP 2. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING AN INTERLOCAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR 2008 CLINIC SERVICES FOR SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES WITH HAMILTON TOWNSHIP They were approved for action.
STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Mr. Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Road) asked the Township Administrator if they had contacted McGuire Air Force Base about recruiting Veterans to work in the Police Department. Administrator David Thompson responded that he would have to check with the Chief of Police. Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Court) stated that we don’t have to go to McGuire Air Force when we have Army Aviation on Scotch Road that we should be actively talking to. She stated that a lot of people there live in this town. With reference to the new vehicles for the construction office, she stated that the construction department had a surplus of $600,000. CFO Barrett responded by saying that those numbers are erroneous and without merit.
Mark Fetterer (Concord Avenue) asked about hiring of police officers. Ewing should only look in the Ewing Community because there are a lot of Ewing residents who are unemployed and would love to have a job. There being no further business, President Steinmann asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Steinmann so moved, seconded by Ms. Wollert. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 pm.
______________________________ Bert H. Steinmann, Council President
______________________________ Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk
