NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 2, 2023, 7:00 P.M.

VIA CONFERENCE CALL: Dial In: 1-888-482-9769; Access Code 4493305#

OR

IN PERSON

CALL TO ORDER Mayor Forsyth called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

FLAG SALUTE: Led by Mayor Forsyth

ROLL CALL: Mayor Forsyth

Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

Committeeman DeBaecke

Committeeman Doyle

Committeeman Kocubinski

Absent: None

Also Present: Township Clerk Mary 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 Forsyth opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Committeeman Doyle

Seconded By: Committeeman DeBaecke

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence this evening.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Hirsh was not present this evening. Clerk Picariello noted that Engineer Hirsh received comments from the NJDOT with regards to the Stewart Road project. There were some revisions that need to be made and they would be submitted by the end of the week. He also stated he would be submitting the CDBG grant by mid-December and would again submit for automatic door openers and ramp at the Municipal Building and the Bowers Buildings.

MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

• October 19, 2023 – Regular Meeting

• October 19, 2023 – 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.

2023-160 Resolution Canceling Taxes

RESOLUTION 2023-160

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION CANCELING TAXES

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Veteran Affairs has classified Jennifer Tansits fka Jennifer Walsh as 100% Permanently and Totally Disabled; and

WHERAS, by application from Jay Renwick, Tax Assessor in the Township of North Hanover, the said exemption is granted from September 30, 2023; and

WHERAS, N.J.S.A. 54:4-3.30a – Allows for the exemption from taxation from real and personal property for any citizen and resident of the State who has a total or 100% permanent disability as defined by this statue.

WHEREAS, the following taxes must be canceled and any monies paid by the owner should be refunded.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following taxes be canceled:

BLOCK 400 LOT 9.01 2023 $2,124.83

1^st half 2024 $4,252.78

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER, that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Burlington County Board of Taxation, the Treasurer of Burlington County, the Municipal/Regional School Board to advise them of the action taken by the Township Committee on this matter.

NON-CONSENT AGENDA

2023-161 Resolution Authorizing Submission of an Application for FY2024 Community Development Block Grant Funding for Exterior Accessibility Improvements at the Jennette Bowers Senior Center and Municipal Building

RESOLUTION 2023-161

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

authorizing submission of aN APPLICATION for

FY2024 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING

FOR EXTERIOR accessibility improvements

at the JEANETTE BOWERS senior center and municipal building

whereas, improvements to the community that benefit all members of the community are desirable projects of the Township; and

WHEREAS, the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) allows for funding of projects which benefit all members of the community; and

WHEREAS, the CDBG allows for projects that improve Senior Centers, including the North Hanover Township Jeanette Bowers Senior Center and the Municipal Building, where both buildings require improvements to construct handicap accessible ramps and automatic door openers; and

WHEREAS, the CDBG allows for projects that remove architectural barriers and improve senior community facilities; and

WHEREAS, the above listed project(s) are eligible projects for the application for construction funding for the improvements, the soft costs related to the project shall be borne by the Township of North Hanover.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the North Hanover Township Committee that they intend to file an application with the Burlington County Department of Economic Development through the Community Development Block Grant Program for the funding of exterior accessibility improvements to the Jeanette Bowers Senior Center and Municipal Building.

be iT further resolved by the North Hanover Township Committee that Joseph R. Hirsh, PE, Township Engineer be authorized to represent the Township in all matters relating to the submission of this application.

DISCUSSION

• Best Practice Inventory – Clerk Picariello noted the inventory was complete and North Hanover achieved the appropriate score. There will be no aid withheld.

• Potential Shared Services Agreement – Burlington County Board of Commissioners – Clerk Picariello noted the draft agreement. Attorney Roselli discussed his concerns with the draft agreement. The Township Committee directed Attorney Roselli to seek clarification.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE “COMMENTS”

Committeeman DeBaecke wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He noted the trunk or treat was a big success and expressed his appreciation for the Recreation Advisory Committee.

Deputy Mayor O’Donnell noted two new employees started and wished them well.

Mayor Forsyth also wished the new employees well and stated the trunk or treat was great and had a large turnout. He expressed appreciation for the Recreation Advisory Committee’s work.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Questions, comments or statements from members of the public in attendance.

Mayor Forsyth opened the meeting to the public. There were no public comments this evening.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Committeeman DeBaecke

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION

2023-162 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; Contract Matters, Personnel and Litigation matters

RESOLUTION 2023-162

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 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.

TABLED INDEFINITLEY

MOTION TO ADJOURN 7:24 pm

Proposed By: Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

Seconded By: Committeeman DeBaecke

Respectively submitted,

_________________________

Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC

Township Clerk