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NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE SPECIAL
MEETING /BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES
February 23, 2021, 6:00 P.M.
VIA CONFERENCE CALL:
Dial In: 1-855-774-8852; Access Code 7589919790
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IN
PERSON LIMITED TO THE FIRST 13 REGISTERED
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REGISTER EMAIL: CLERK@NORTHHANOVERTWP.COM
CALL TO ORDER Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor Doyle
ROLL CALL: Mayor Doyle Deputy Mayor DeBaecke Committeeman Forsyth Committeeman Kocubinski Committeeman O’Donnell
Absent: None
Also Present: Township Clerk Picariello and Township Attorney Roselli
SUNSHINE STATEMENT: “The provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have been met. Notice of this meeting has been transmitted by email to the Courier Post, Burlington County Times and The Trenton Times as well as given to those having requested same and posted on the Township bulletin board located in the foyer of the municipal building”.
PUBLIC COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Doyle opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening.
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT Proposed By: Deputy Mayor DeBaecke Seconded By: Committeeman O’Donnell
DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR
JANUARY 2021 a. Tax Collector b. Construction, Zoning & Mobile Homes
c.
North Hanover Court
d.
Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company
e.
Police Department
f.
Buildings/Grounds Supervisor
MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
· February 4, 2021 – Regular Meeting
· February 4, 2021 – Executive Session
BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR APPROVAL
CONSENT AGENDA DEFINED:
All Resolutions listed on today’s consent agenda are to be considered as one vote by Township Committee and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately.
NONE
NON-CONSENT AGENDA 2021-46 Resolution in Support of H.R. 946 – the Stop the Attack Local Taxpayers Act
RESOLUTION 2021-46
TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER
COUNTY OF BURLINGTON
Resolution in Support of H.R. 946 – The
Stop the Attack Local Taxpayers Act
WHEREAS,
each provision of the Federal Tax Code, which is incredibly complex, was
enacted for a reason. While some of those reasons may no longer serve
the public’s interest, others remain fair and effective tools that
promote the general welfare; and
WHEREAS,
the deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) has been a feature of the
tax code for more than 100 years. In 1913, the first federal income tax
form allowed taxpayers to deduct state and local taxes, one of only six
deductions allowed at the time; and
WHEREAS,
a federal tax reform law passed in 2017 capped the deductibility of
state and local taxes at $10,000 forcing double taxation for residents
that pay in excess of that amount, as well as harm to states and
communities that rely on tax payments that support public services which
benefit all citizens, such as K-12 schools, law enforcement and public
safety, transportation and infrastructure, and vital community and
public health services; and
WHEREAS,
New Jersey 9th District Congressman Bill Pascrell has
introduced H.R. 946 the Stop the Attack on Local Taxpayers (SALT) Act,
which eliminates the $10,000 cap on property tax deduction and
retroactively removes the cap; and
WHEREAS,
taxpayers in all 50 states benefit from the SALT deduction that is
claimed by taxpayers of all income levels; and
WHEREAS,
the deduction is especially important for middle-income homeowners, as
fifty percent of the deductions claimed by taxpayers making $50,000 to
$100,000 are for property taxes; and
WHEREAS,
the SALT deduction does not unfairly benefit taxpayers in high tax
states. To the contrary, low tax states are generally more dependent on
the federal government, receiving more in federal funding than they pay
in federal taxes. According to one study, New Jersey, New York, and
Illinois are among the states that receive less than $1 from the federal
government for every $1 paid in federal taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the governing body of the Township of North Hanover, supports the
full tax deductibility outlined in H.R. 946 and urges all members of the
New Jersey Congressional Delegation as well as all members of congress
to support the SALT Act, with voice and vote, to restore the fair and
reasonable SALT deductibility provision from the Federal Tax Code; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Congressman Andy Kim,
Senators Booker and Menendez, President Joe Biden and the New Jersey
State League of Municipalities.
DISCUSSION · Summer Camp 2021 – Director Zirilli gave an overview, with safety protocols, concerning this year’s program. There was discussion regarding the Governor’s executive orders and the Township Committee determined to allow 20 Children and to utilize the entire Bowers Building. Township Committee reviewed additional safety protocols, as it relates to the buildings and bus, with Director Zirilli and his responsibility to implement the protocols. Attorney Roselli suggested keeping the program consistent each week of the program and to send him a copy of the final draft of the registration packet, for his approval. The Township Committee authorized refunds in the event of quarantine minus the trip costs.
·
BCJIF Legal Bulletin – Mandatory Employee
Vaccination – Attorney Roselli reviewed the legal implications of a
policy. After discussion,
there was a general consensus to NOT move forward with a policy.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Questions, comments or statements from members of the public in attendance.
Mayor Doyle opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening.
MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT Proposed By: Deputy Mayor DeBaecke Seconded By: Committeeman Forsyth
BACK TO PUBLIC SESSION
BUDGET WORKSHOP – TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE TO REVIEW BUDGET LINE ITEMS
Mayor Doyle noted there were several lines that would need increased this year. He stated legal line would need increased for various reasons. He reviewed capital needs of drainage, water treatment, body cams, ambulance, generator gas conversion, turn out gear and microphones. Township Committee discussed the needs of the JVFC with Chief Gancarz. The Township Committee made various inquires with Chief Gancarz and it was decided a meeting with Mayor Doyle, Committeeman O’Donnell and Chief Gancarz would be set up, in the near future. Mayor Doyle expressed concerns with the current stipend program and wanted to review the stipend records. He also expressed concerns with the wording in Chief Gancarz budget request and noted he was mindful of taxpayer dollars. The Committee thanked Chief Gancarz for his time and service.
Mayor Doyle noted the lease payment funds were available in the 2021 year as the leases have been paid. The Committee preliminarily reviewed the Police Budget. Deputy Mayor DeBaecke noted he would like to stay on a schedule with Police vehicles and that sedan options could be considered in the future should the funding dictate that. There was a general consensus to use the lease funding and administrative fees to purchase a new Ford.
Committeeman O’Donnell noted the Mayor and him discussed the Court operation with the CFO and noted they operated efficiently. There was a general consensus the Court budget was put together well.
The Committee would like to see the budget transfers for 2020 in a separate sheet, for the next workshop. There was a general consensus for the Township Committee to further review the budget documentation and the next workshop to formulate the budget and capital plan. There was brief discussion of the EMS service budgetary impact and possible referendum on the matter.
The Clerk was directed to have the CFO, Treasurer and OIC Duff at the next budget workshop and to have the Finance Department provide the transfers. The Committee set March 1st for the next workshop.
Proposed By: Deputy Mayor DeBaecke Seconded By: Committeeman Forsyth
Respectively submitted,
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Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC
Township Clerk
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