Monroe Council Minutes | 1/3/2018

TOWNSHIP OF MONROE

RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING - JANUARY 3, 2018

AGENDA

Call to Order by Township Clerk, Patricia Reid.
Salute to the Flag.
“Star Spangled Banner” sung by Samantha Rasimowicz.
Certification of Election Results given by the Township Clerk.
Oath of Office to be administered to:

Miriam Cohen, Councilwoman-at-Large
Elizabeth Schneider, Councilwoman Ward 1
Leonard Baskin, Councilman Ward 2
Charles Dipierro, Councilman Ward 3

Mayor and Council remarks.

ROLL CALL:

Councilman Leonard Baskin

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen

Councilman Stephen Dalina

Councilman Charles Dipierro

Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider

Patricia Reid, Township Clerk requests Christine Robbins, Deputy Township Clerk to read the SUNSHINE LAWinto the record:

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the Minutes of this meeting that adequate notice has been provided by the following:

Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Building on December 29, 2017 and remains posted at that location for public inspection;

Printed in the HOME NEWS TRIBUNEand CRANBURY PRESSon December 29, 2017;

Posted on the Monroe Township website; and

Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.

NOMINATIONSfor the position of COUNCIL PRESIDENTfor a two (2) year term:

NOMINATION OF: ______________ NOMINATION OF:

NOMINATION BY: _______________ NOMINATION BY:

SECONDED BY: _______________ SECONDED BY:

If no further Nominations, Motion to Close the Nominations.

MOTION:

SECOND:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

ROLL CALL on the Nominations for the position of Council President:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

NOMINATIONSfor the position of COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENTfor a two (2) year term:

NOMINATION OF: ______________ NOMINATION OF:

NOMINATION BY: _______________ NOMINATION BY:

SECONDED BY: _______________ SECONDED BY:

If no further Nominations, Motion to Close the Nominations.

MOTION:

SECOND:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

ROLL CALL on the Nominations for the position of Council Vice President:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

CONSIDERATIONof the following RESOLUTIONS under theCONSENT AGENDA:

R-1-2018-001 RESOLUTION APPOINTING COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

R-1-2018-002 RESOLUTION APPOINTING COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENT.

MOTION:

SECOND:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

OATH OF OFFICEadministered to Council Presidentand Council Vice-President.

Meeting is officially turned over to the Council President.

REORGANIZATION RESOLUTIONSfor consideration under the CONSENT AGENDA:

R-1-2018-003 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2018.

R-1-2018-004 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICIAL TOWNSHIP NEWSPAPERS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018.

R-1-2018-005 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2018 CASH MANAGEMENT PLAN.

R-1-2018-006 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2018 TEMPORARY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS.

MOTION:

SECOND:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

Public Portion.5-minute time limit.

MOTIONto ADJOURN. TIME:

MOTION:

SECOND:

ROLL CALL: Ayes Nays

The Mayor and Council wish to invite everyone to join them with light refreshments.

COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE

MINUTES

RE-ORGANIZATION MEETING - JANUARY 3, 2018

The Council of the Township of Monroe met in the Senior Center, 12 Halsey Reed Road, for the Reorganization Meeting.

The Reorganization Meeting was Called to Order at 7:00 p.m. by Township Clerk Patricia Reid with a Salute to the Flag.

Township Clerk Patricia Reid introduced Samantha Rasimowicz who sang the “Star Spangled Banner”.

Township Clerk Patricia Reid read the results from the November 7, 2017 General Election and administered the Oath of Office to Councilwoman-at-Large Miriam Cohen, Councilwoman Ward 1 Elizabeth Schneider, Councilman Ward 2 Leonard Baskin and Councilman Ward 3 Charles Dipierro; the Mayor and Council congratulated all stating that they are all very honored and privileged to be working together.

Councilwoman Cohen, Councilwoman Schneider, Councilman Baskin and Councilman Dipierro thanked their friends and family for coming out and thanked the Mayor and Council for their continued support as they all look forward to moving Monroe Township forward.

UPON ROLL CALLby the Township Clerk, Patricia Reid, the following members of Council were present: Councilman Leonard Baskin, Councilwoman Miriam Cohen, Councilman Stephen Dalina, Councilman Charles Dipierro and Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider.

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro, Business Administrator Alan Weinberg, Township Attorney Joel L. Shain and Deputy Township Clerk Christine Robbins.

There were approximately seventy-five (75) members of the Public present in the audience.

Township Clerk Patricia Reid requested Deputy Township Clerk Christine Robbins to read the following SUNSHINE LAWinto the record:

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the Minutes of this meeting that adequate notice has been provided by the following:

Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Building on December 29, 2017 and remains posted at that location for public inspection;

Printed in the HOME NEWS TRIBUNE and the CRANBURY PRESS on December 29, 2017;

Posted on the Monroe Township website; and

Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.

The Township Clerk announced Nominations were in order for the position of COUNCIL PRESIDENTto serve for a term of two (2) years.

Councilwoman Schneider nominated Councilman Dalina to serve as Council President for a two (2) year term, Seconded by Councilman Baskin.

The Township Clerk asked if there were any further Nominations, and there being none, she requested a Motion to close the Nominations.

UPON MOTIONmade by Councilwoman Schneider and seconded by Councilman Dipierro, the NOMINATIONSfor the position of COUNCIL PRESIDENTwere closed and a Roll Call Vote was taken on the Nomination of Stephen Dalina to serve as Council President.

ROLL CALL:Councilman Leonard Baskin Aye

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen Aye

Councilman Charles Dipierro Aye

Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider Aye

Councilman Stephen Dalina Aye

The Township Clerk announced Nominations were in order for the position of COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENTto serve for a term of two (2) years.

Councilwoman Cohen Nominated Councilwoman Schneider to serve as Council Vice-President for a two (2) year term, Seconded by Councilman Baskin.

The Township Clerk asked if there were any further Nominations, there being none, she requested a Motion to Close the Nominations.

UPON MOTIONmade by Councilwoman Cohen and seconded by Councilman Dipierro, the NOMINATIONfor the position of COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENTwas closed and a Roll Call Vote was taken on the Nomination of Elizabeth Schneider to serve as Council Vice-President.

ROLL CALL:Councilman Leonard Baskin Aye

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen Aye

Councilman Charles Dipierro Aye

Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider Aye

Councilman Stephen Dalina Aye

UPON MOTION made by Councilwoman Cohen and seconded by Councilwoman Schneider, the following entitled RESOLUTIONSof APPOINTMENTwere adopted as herein below set forth:

RESOLUTIONSas follows:

R-1-2018-001RESOLUTION APPOINTING COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

WHEREAS,the Township Council, pursuant to Article II of the Code of the Township of Monroe, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, elects a President of the Council from among its members to serve for a term of two (2) years or until the election and qualification of a successor;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDby the Township Council of the Township of Monroe in the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey that Councilman Stephen Dalinais hereby elected as President of the Council of the Township of Monroe, Middlesex County, New Jersey and shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until the election and qualification of a successor.

R-1-2018-002RESOLUTION APPOINTING COUNCIL VICE-PRESIDENT.

WHEREAS,the Township Council, pursuant to Article II of the Code of the Township of Monroe, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, elects a Vice President of the Council from among its members to serve for a term of two (2) years or until the election and qualification of a successor;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDby the Township Council of the Township of Monroe in the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey that Councilwoman ElizabethSchneideris hereby elected as Vice President of the Council of the Township of Monroe, Middlesex County, New Jersey and shall serve for a term of two (2) years or until the election and qualification of a successor.

ROLL CALL:Councilman Leonard Baskin Aye

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen Aye

Councilman Michael Leibowitz Aye

Council Vice-President Elizabeth Schneider Aye

Council President Stephen Dalina Aye

Copy of Resolutions Duly Filed.

The Township Clerk administered OATHS OF OFFICEto Councilman Dalina to serve as Council President for a term of two (2) years and to Councilwoman Schneider to serve as Council Vice-President for a term of two (2) years.

The Township Clerk officially turned the meeting over to Council President Stephen Dalina.

Remarks were made by Council President Dalina, Council Vice-President Schneider and Mayor Tamburro.

RESOLUTIONSfor CONSIDERATION under theCONSENT AGENDA:

UPON MOTIONmade by Councilwoman Cohen and seconded by Council Vice-President

Schneider, the following Resolutions were moved for Adoption under the CONSENT AGENDA:

R-1-2018-003 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC

MEETINGS OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2018.

BE IT RESOLVEDby the Township Council of the Township of Monroe, in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey that during the year 2018 the meetings of the Township Council will be held each month at 7:00 p.m.in the Monroe Township Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Twp., New Jersey, as provided in the 2018 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE, attached hereto and made a part hereof.

SO RESOLVED, as aforesaid.

R-1-2018-004 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICIAL TOWNSHIP NEWSPAPERS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018.

BE IT RESOLVEDby the Township Council of the Township of Monroe, in the County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, that the HOME NEWS, CRANBURY PRESSand STAR LEDGERbe and the same are hereby designated as the official newspapers of the Township of Monroe for Year 2018; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDthat the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ are hereby designated as the place where ALLofficial notices are to be posted.

SO RESOLVED, as aforesaid.

R-1-2018-005 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2018 CASH MANAGEMENT

PLAN.

WHEREAS, P.L. 1983, Chapter 8, Local Fiscal Affairs Law; N.J.S.A. 40A:5-2 has been amended to require that each municipality designate a Cash Management Plan for the deposit of each local unit's monies;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVEDthat the 2018 Cash Management Plan, copy attached hereto and made a part hereof, be and is hereby adopted.

SO RESOLVED, as aforesaid.

R-1-2018-006 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2018 TEMPORARY BUDGET

APPROPRIATIONS.

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-19 provides that where any contract commitment or payments are to be made prior to the final adoption of the 2018 Budget, temporary appropriations should be made for the purpose and amounts required in the manner and time therein provided; and

WHEREAS, total appropriations in the 2017 budget, exclusive of appropriations made for interest, debt redemption charges, and Capital Improvement Fund is the sum of $64,476,322.66; and

WHEREAS, 26.25% of the total appropriations in the 2017 budget, exclusive of appropriations made for interest, debt redemption charges and Capital Improvement Fund is the sum of $16,925,034.72;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the following appropriations shall be made and that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for processing:
		TEMPORARY
		APPROPRIATION
ACCOUNT NAME		AMOUNT

GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Mayor
Salaries & Wages		$ 5,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 3,000.00

Council
Salaries & Wages		$ 9,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 4,800.00

Township Clerk
Salaries & Wages		$ 100,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 20,000.00

Elections
Salaries & Wages		$ 4,500.00
Other Expenses		$ 6,000.00

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE:
Administration
Salaries & Wages		$ 105,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 20,000.00

Human Resources
Salaries & Wages		$ 40,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 20,000.00

Transportation
Salaries & Wages		$ 130,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 30,000.00

Citizens Review Board
Salaries & Wages		$ 500.00
Insurance
General Liability		$ 240,000.00
Workers Compensation		$ 134,000.00
Group Health		$ 2,425,000.00
Group Health-Broker		$ 40,000.00
Health Waiver		$ 40,000.00

Public Information and Public Advocate
Salaries & Wages		$ 25,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 15,000.00

Recreation
Salaries & Wages		$ 240,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 65,000.00

Human Relations
Salaries & Wages		$ 1,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 500.00

Parks
Salaries & Wages		$ 60,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 15,000.00

Finance
Salaries & Wages		$ 130,000.00
Annual Audit		$ 39,000.00
Data Processing		$ 20,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 6,000.00

Tax Collector
Salaries & Wages		$ 85,000.00
Tax Sale Cost		$ 500.00
Other Expenses		$ 7,000.00

Tax Assessor
Salaries & Wages		$ 110,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 45,000.00

Ambulance Service
Salaries & Wages		$ 420,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 15,000.00

Police Department
Salaries & Wages		$ 2,300,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 150,000.00

Police Department-911
Salaries & Wages		$ 240,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 5,000.00

Emergency Mgt.
Salaries & Wages		$ 25,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 7,000.00

DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING:
Township Engineer
Salaries & Wages		$ 20,000.00
Maintenance of Tax Maps		$ 61,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 200,000.00

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:
Streets and Roads
Salaries & Wages		$ 500,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 100,000.00

Vehicle Maintenance
Salaries & Wages		$ 65,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 120,000.00

Solid Waste and Recycling
Other Expenses		$ 8,000.00

Landfill
Other Expenses		$ 55,000.00

Building and Grounds
Salaries & Wages		$ 125,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 250,000.00

Community Services Act
Other Expenses		$ 210,000.00

DEPARTMENT OF LAW:
Department of Law:
Salaries & Wages		$ 10,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 300,000.00

Municipal Prosecutor
Salaries & Wages		$ 17,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 100.00

DEPARMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE:
Division of Health Contr.
Other Expenses		$ 90,000.00

Animal Control
Salaries & Wages		$ 45,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 5,000.00

OTHER TOWNSHIP AGENCIES:
Zoning Board
Salaries & Wages		$ 30,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 4,500.00

Planning Board
Salaries & Wages		$ 2,800.00
Other Expenses		$ 40,000.00

Division of Planning
Salaries & Wages		$ 90,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 9,000.00
Open Space and Farmland Preservation Commission
Salaries & Wages		$ 1,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 200.00

Shade Tree Commission
Salaries & Wages		$ 6,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 40,000.00

Environmental Commission
Salaries & Wages		$ 1,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 1,400.00

Cultural Arts Commission
Salaries & Wages		$ 7,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 20,000.00

Historic Pres. Commission
Salaries & Wages		$ 1,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 3,000.00

Senior Services
Salaries & Wages		$ 165,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 12,000.00

Division of Environmental Protection
Salaries & Wages		$ 10,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 500.00

Recreation Advisory Board
Salaries & Wages		$ 1,200.00
Other Expenses		$ 1,200.00

Construction Official
Salaries & Wages		$ 290,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 11,000.00

OTHER TOWNSHIP AGENCIES:
Extended Sick Leave Fund
Salaries & Wages		$ 500.00

Celeb. Pub. Event		$ 20,000.00

Utilities		$ 450,000.00

Central Mailing Equipment		$ 22,000.00

Unemployment Compensation		$ 10,000.00

Defined Contribution Retirement Plan		$ 6,000.00

Social Security System		$ 415,000.00

Storm water Management
Salaries & Wages		$ 55,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 20,000.00

Municipal Court
Salaries & Wages		$ 100,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 4,000.00

Recycling Tax		$ 1,500.00

Public Defender
Salaries & Wages		$ 8,000.00

Shared Services - Recycling		$ 90,000.00

911
Salaries & Wages		$ 45,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 12,000.00

Shared Services - Fire Dist. & Bd.
Other Expenses		$ 30,000.00

Library		$ 900,000.00

Ambulance Service
Salaries & Wages		$ 420,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 200,000.00
Clinical Co-Ord Training-Salaries and Wages		$ 6,500.00
Clinical Co-Ord Training-Other Expenses		$ 4,000.00


Subtotal		$ 13,152,200.00


Capital Improvement Fund		$ 50,000.00

Bond Principal		$ 2,325,000.00

Bond Interest		$ 450,000.00

Green Trust Loans		$ 16,179.00

Middlesex County Improvement Authority Loans-Principal		$ 400,000.00

Middlesex County Improvement Authority Loans-Interest		$ 40,000.00

Middlesex County Improvement Authority-Principal		$ 62,000.00

Middlesex County Improvement Authority-Interest		$ 6,000.00

Subtotal		$ 3,349,179.00

Water-Sewer Operations
Salaries & Wages		$ 900,000.00
Other Expenses		$ 2,800,000.00
Social Security		$ 70,000.00
Bond Principal		$ 1,320,000.00
Bond Interest		$ 980,000.00
NJEIT Loan		$ 55,000.00
Capital Outlay		$ 100,000.00

Subtotal		$ 6,225,000.00

	TOTAL BUDGET	$ 22,726,379.00

ROLL CALL:Councilman Leonard Baskin Aye

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen Aye

Councilman Michael Leibowitz Aye

Council Vice-President Elizabeth Schneider Aye

Council President Stephen Dalina Aye

Copy of Resolutions Duly Filed.

Public:

Prakash Parab, 33 Dayna Dr. – Mr. Parab congratulated all of the Councilmembers.

H asked that the Council continue to keep going Green, and move forward with keeping the Township 50% preserved land and farms.

He requested to widen the bottlenecks within roadways throughout he Township so it is easier to get out.

Pleaded with Council to reduce the housing growth as the schools are getting overcrowded.

Extended his appreciation that the taxes have been kept flat over the last few years.

Asked that the Mayor and Council to keep Monroe Township drug free, as he is concerned

with the legalization of marijuana and wants it to be kept out of the Township.

Patrick Valvano, 192 Diamond Spring Dr. – Mr. Valvano commented that recently Point

Pleasant has banned all marijuana from their town and suggested that this is what Monroe

Township should do as well.

UPON MOTIONmade by Council Vice-President Schneider and seconded by Councilman Dipierro, the Reorganization Meeting was Adjourned at 7:40pm.

ROLL CALL:Councilman Leonard Baskin Aye

Councilwoman Miriam Cohen Aye

Councilman Michael Leibowitz Aye

Council Vice-President Elizabeth Schneider Aye

Council President Stephen Dalina Aye

Patricia Reid

PATRICIA REID, Township Clerk

Stephen Dalina

STEPHEN DALINA, Council President

Minutes were adopted on: February 5, 2018.