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NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
MARCH 18, 2021 7:00 P.M.
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CALL TO ORDER Mayor Doyle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor Doyle followed by a moment of silence for longtime resident Andrew Cassoni who recently passed.
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 Forsyth
REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE There was no correspondence this evening.
ENGINEER’S REPORT Engineer Hirsh reported he is meeting with the Deputy Mayor to finalize the FY2019 Park plans. He stated he was in process of finalizing the FY2021 NJDOT plans and expects to bid at the end of March. He noted the roof bids would be received on March 31st. He stated the Sykesville drainage improvement was complete. He noted the NJDEP Stormwater report would be submitted on May 1st.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR
FEBRUARY 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
· March 4, 2021 – Regular Meeting
· March 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.
2021-50
Resolution Authorizing Street Opening Permit
RESOLUTION 2021-50
TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER
COUNTY OF BURLINGTON
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STREET OPENING PERMIT
WHEREAS,
Al Davis of Public Service
Electric & Gas Co., hereinafter referred to as “PSEG”, has submitted an
application for a Street Opening Permit for 2 Smylie Road; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 12 the Township Engineer, Joseph Hirsh of Environmental Resolutions Inc. has reviewed said application and recommends approval by the Township Committee; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 19 “Fees” a fee of $50 is required prior to the issuance of a Street Excavation Permit.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of
the Township of North Hanover that the application for a Street
Excavation Permit to PSEG for the location known as
2 Smylie Drive is hereby
approved subject to receipt of payment of the
applicable fee.
NON-CONSENT AGENDA
NONE
DISCUSSION
· 2021 Budget review with CFO Bruno – Mr. Bruno stated he would recommend a small tax increase of .143 cents. He stated the average assessed home was 300,000 and that would mean an annual increase of $42.80 per year. He stated the main issue was the EMS services. He noted he covered a half year EMS service in this budget and a full year would have to be considered for next year. He also noted the outstanding issue of the Police Contract. He stated the EMS issue is new and will be around moving forward. Deputy Mayor DeBaecke inquired as to what the increase would be without the EMS issue. CFO Bruno noted there would have been no increase if not for the EMS issue. He noted he always proceeds conservatively when using the surplus and noted the importance of regenerating the surplus. Mayor Doyle expressed his concerns about the number moving forward and some consideration might have to be given to new streams of revenue. CFO Bruno also noted the America Rescue Plan monies is forth-coming and the uses will be determined shortly. Committeeman O’Donnell noted the EMS revenue was down due to COVID. There was a general consensus to introduce on April 1st.
· Cannabis Legislation – Mayor Doyle noted the 6 classes and the need to pass legislation 180 days from the enactment and if no action is taken it would be 5 years before anything could be enacted. Attorney Roselli noted this would also have to be referred to the land use board. Attorney Roselli also noted there was pending companion legislation for the police. Mayor Doyle noted, if anything, he would only support a growing operation due to the fact it would have revenue for the Municipality. Mayor Doyle noted a grower maximum would be 1,000 pounds per month. Committeeman O’Donnell noted neighboring Town’s will probably take action. Mayor Doyle noted only limited areas would be permitted. He also stated he has one person interested in coming to the Township Committee to discuss an operation. Committeeman Kocubinski also noted the Department of Agriculture would also have a say. Attorney Roselli also noted he has not seen anything that the right to farm applies or not. Mayor Doyle inquired if the Committee would like to hear what the interested gentlemen has to say. There was a general consensus to allow the man to come before the Committee. Committeeman O’Donnell noted whatever it is will have to be safe and economical. Deputy Mayor DeBaecke noted the issues with those farms that have federal funding would probably not be eligible. Attorney Roselli said that is possible and would have to be looked into. Committeeman Forsyth noted the State Agricultural Board members were against it. Committeeman Kocubinski noted that most of the prime farms are already preserved. Mayor Doyle noted he would contact the league and the gentlemen to attend.
· Tax Assessor Proposal for Cama and MODIV – The Township Committee authorized moving forward with the BRT proposal with the understanding it would be a two-year contract.
· Green Acres field use fee’s – After discussion, there was a general consensus to not charge a fee. Attorney Roselli would draft an ordinance establishing rental policy for fields for outside organized sports.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE “COMMENTS” Committeeman Kocubinski noted is attendance at the Soil Conservation meeting. He noted there was pending legislation regarding solar on farm properties and recommended opposition to the legislation. He expressed concerns over the availability of crops and ratables. Committeeman Forsyth noted his concerns over the crop vs solar monies and was not a fan of being told what can be done with land you own.
Deputy Mayor DeBaecke noted the recent brush fire on Meany Road. He stated the longtime resident was severely injured and prays for his recover. He thanked the surrounding companies for their assistance. He also offered recognition to Herman’s Supply for lending equipment to move bales of hay, at no charge to the Community.
Mayor Doyle noted the Easter Egg Hunt had 161 children signed up. He noted the park clean up was held and went well. He thanked the recreation committee. The baseball season is ready and COVID prepared. He thanked Attorney Roselli for his assistance in preparing documents. Memorial Day is still being discussed. He also discussed the concerns of a resident regarding the playground equipment being roped off. After discussion, there was a general consensus to reopen with the proper signage as recommended by the CDC and the BCJIF. Clerk Picariello was directed to ascertain the proper verbiage for the signage and have them ordered. Mayor Doyle noted summer camp was moving along nicely and a nurse was found. He also thanked the Building and Grounds supervisor for his assistance in getting the ambulance inspected. Mayor Doyle also reported a resident, Ms. Gerry Chimel, had offered to replace the Croshaw Oak sign. Mayor Doyle was appreciative of her thoughts and her kindness to all the employees. After discussion, there was a general consensus to have the Township replace the sign. Deputy Mayor DeBaecke offered to help install the replacement.
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
EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION 2021-51 Authorizing a Closed Session Meeting to discuss the following matter(s) pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 EMS Contract Matter, Personnel and Litigation matters
TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER
COUNTY OF BURLINGTON
AUTHORIZING A CLOSED SESSION
MEETING
WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 and P.L. 2001, C. 404, permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of North Hanover Township wishes to go into a closed Executive Session and is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist which should not be discussed in public, and
WHEREAS. the Open Public Meetings Act pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 and N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 permits the Township Committee to discuss certain matter(s) in private, and in this case for the purpose of the Township Committee to discuss contract negotiations, litigation and personnel matters in this regard.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Township Committee of North Hanover Township that it will go into an Executive Session for the purpose of the Township Committee to discuss EMS Contract Matters, NJNG Contract Matters, Litigation and Personnel matters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of such discussion may be revealed at such time as the matter(s) are resolved and/or a contract(s) is signed and/or the negotiations are formally settled. Interested parties may contact the Township Clerk anytime during normal business hours for periodic updates as to the availability in this regard.
MOTION TO ADJOURN TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE
SESSION
8:56 pm Proposed By: Committeeman O’Donnell Seconded By: Committeeman Kocubinski
Respectively
submitted,
____________________
Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC
Township Clerk* |