NORTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DECEMBER 21, 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 with a prayer offered by Wayne Voorhees

ROLL CALL: Mayor Forsyth

Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

Committeeman Doyle

Committeeman Kocubinski

Absent: Committeeman DeBaecke

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: Mayor Forsyth

REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence this evening.

ENGINEER’S REPORT

Engineer Hirsh stated he was awaiting pricing for additional roadway striping on Meany Road. He noted he was finalizing the SPP Plan and Stormwater Infrastructure Map. He noted he would be obtaining updated quotes for the Gazebo in the park. He stated the FY22 LRI grant progress reports were submitted and he requested reimbursement of $ the 50,000-grant amount. He stated he has submitted the FY2024 CDBG grant application. Engineer Hirsh stated the punch list work for the FY22 NJDOT project was completed and he was awaiting the closeout documentation. He also stated he would be submitting a proposal for the FY24 NJDOT project engineering costs.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS FOR OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2023

1. Tax Collector

2. Construction, Zoning & Mobile Homes

3. North Hanover Court

4. Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company

5. Fire Official

6. Police Department

MINUTES FOR APPROVAL

• December 7, 2023 – Regular Meeting

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.

2023-171 Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Fire Company Members Enrollment Into New Jersey Firemen’s Association

RESOLUTION 2023-171

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL OF A FIRE COMPANY MEMBERS ENROLLMENT INTO NEW JERSEY STATE FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION

BE IT RESOVLED, by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover that we hereby approve and authorize the following Fire Company members to enroll in the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association:

Elijah Harris

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township Committee hereby authorized the Township Clerk to certify said membership applications.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the following:

1. Fire Chief

2023-172 Resolution Establishing Revised Fee for Street Excavations Set Forth at Section 19-030.1, J of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of North Hanover

RESOLUTION 2023-172

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING REVISED FEE FOR STREET EXCAVATIONS SET FORTH AT SECTION 19-030.1, J OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

WHEREAS, Ordinance 2001-10 was duly adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover on December 6, 2001, which was further amended by Ordinance 2006-1 adopted February 23, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Section 19-040 of Ordinance 2006-1 permits fees to be charged by the Township for services rendered or licenses or permits issued, as set forth in Chapter 19 from time to time, to be established by majority vote of the Township Committee; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee has determined that the fees for “Street excavations” set forth in Section 19-030.1 J shall be adjusted as follows (deletion has strikethrough; additions are bolded and underlined):

Section 19-030.1

J. Street Excavations 50.00 100.00

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover, County of Burlington, that the fee charged by the Township for Street excavations established in Ordinance 20001-10 and related expenses be and is hereby amended, pursuant to Ordinance 2006-1, Section 19-040, as follows:

Section 19-030.1

J. Street Excavations 50.00 100.00

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution shall take effect immediately.

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NON-CONSENT AGENDA

2023-173 Resolution Authorizing Budget Transfers for the 2023 Budget

RESOLUTION 2023-173

TOWNSHIP OF NORTH HANOVER

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING BUDGET TRANSFERS FOR THE 2023 BUDGET

WHEREAS N.J.S.A. 40A:4-58 states: "Should it become necessary, during the last 2 months of the fiscal year, to expend for any of the purposes specified in the budget an amount in excess of the respective sums appropriated therefor and there shall be an excess in any appropriations over and above the amount deemed to be necessary to fulfill the purpose of such appropriation, the governing body may, by resolution setting forth the facts, adopted by not less than 2/3 vote of the full membership thereof, transfer the amount of such excess to those appropriations deemed to be insufficient"; and

WHEREAS the Chief Financial Officer has recommended that the attached list of transfers, being in compliance with N.J.S.A. 40A:4-58, be made.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of North Hanover, County of Burlington, (not less than 2/3 of the full membership concurring affirmatively) that the 2023 budget transfers be made a permanent part of this resolution, are hereby made and approved.

DISCUSSION

There were no discussion items this evening.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE “COMMENTS”

Committeeman Kocubinski stated it was nice working with the Township Committee. He thanked the Township employees and Professionals for their hard work. He also noted the lack of public attendance at the meetings. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. He also offered congratulations to Mayor Forsyth on his re-election.

Committeeman Doyle also thanked everyone and also expressed appreciation for the current Township Committee. He expressed appreciation for the Township and Professional staff. He wished Mr. Voorhees a Merry Christmas and thanked him for his attendance at the Township meetings. He offered condolences to Committeeman DeBaecke and wished everyone well celebrating their holidays.

Deputy Mayor O’Donnell also enjoys the teamwork among the Township Committee and expressed appreciation for the staff.

Mayor Forsyth concurred with the sentiments. He thanked everyone for their hard work. He noted the Senior Club Christmas luncheon was enjoyable and well attended. He wished everyone a Happy New Year.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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

Mayor Forsyth opened the meeting to the public.

Mr. Wayne Voorhees state he enjoys the non-partisan work the Township Committee does and thanked them for the hard work.

MOTION TO CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT

Proposed By: Committeeman Doyle

Seconded By: Deputy Mayor O’Donnell

EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION

2023-174 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 Potential Litigation Matter, Contract Matter, Personnel and Litigation matters

RESOLUTION 2023-174

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 7:19 pm

Proposed By: Committeeman Kocubinski

Seconded By: Committeeman Doyle

Respectively submitted,

_________________________

Mary Picariello, RMC/CMR/CTC

Township Clerk