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Monroe Council Minutes | 10/26/2015

COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE MINUTES 

AGENDA MEETING - OCTOBER 26, 2015 

  

The Council of the Township of Monroe met in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, for an Agenda Meeting. 

The Agenda Meeting was Called to Order at 7:00 p.m. by Council President Gerald W. Tamburro with a Salute to the Flag. 

 

UPON ROLL CALL by Deputy Township Clerk, Patricia Reid, the following members of Council were present: Councilman Stephen Dalina, Councilman Michael Leibowitz, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, Council Vice-President Leslie Koppel and Council President Gerald W. Tamburro. 

ALSO PRESENT:  Mayor Richard Pucci, Business Administrator Wayne R. Hamilton, Township Attorney Joel L. Shain, Township Engineer Mark Rasimowicz and Deputy Township Clerk Christine Robbins. 

There were approximately ten (10) members of the Public present in the audience. 

 

Council President Tamburro requested the Township Deputy Clerk to read the following SUNSHINE LAW into 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 of this meeting has been provided by the following: 

1.Posted on January 2, 2015 on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza and remains posted at that location for public inspection; 

2.Printed in the HOME NEWS TRIBUNE and CRANBURY PRESS on January 2, 2015;  

3.Posted on January 2, 2015 on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;  

4.Posted on the Monroe Township website; and 

5.Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice. 

 

In accordance with Chapter 3, Section 17 of the Monroe Township Code, Public Comment shall be limited to five (5) minutes unless further time is granted by the Council President. 

Mayor’s PROCLAMATION presented honoring Rafael Breitowich, Grand Chancellor, Knights of Pythias, in the Township of Monroe. 

Council President Tamburro presented the Proclamation to Rafael Breitowich, honoring him for all the charitable work done for Cystic Fibrosis, MS Society and the American Cancer Society.  This is the only fraternal organization authorized by Congress.  

Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCES for SECOND READING at the WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015 Regular Council Meeting into the record: 

  1. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 33 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ENTITLED, “DOGS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS”. 
  1. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 39 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ENTITLED, “FEES”.   (Construction Fees)  

 

  1. BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCCER COMPLEX AND TENNIS COURTS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP, ALL LAWFUL AND PUBLIC PURPOSES, BY AND IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY (THE “TOWNSHIP”); APPROPRIATING $2,500,000 THEREFOR (INCLUDING A GRANT RECEIVED OR EXPECTED TO BE RECEIVED FROM THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000) AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,427,700 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COSTS THEREOF. 

 

Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCE for INTRODUCTION at the WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015 Regular Council Meeting: 

 

  1. ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE CONVEYANCE OF DEED IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION AND A UTILITIES EASEMENT FROM WHITING SHOPPING CENTER ASSOCIATES, LLP, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF PERRINEVILLE ROAD AND PROSPECT PLAINS ROAD a/k/a COUNTY ROUTE 614.  

 

Council   President   Tamburro   requested   the   following entitled RESOLUTIONS for CONSIDERATION at the WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015 Regular Council meeting be reviewed and any questions will be addressed: 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF CASH MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE POSTED FOR W&S 1097, LUCILLE DiPASQUALE, AVENUE J – BLOCK 119, LOT 11-13 PB#1112-12 WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF CASH PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE POSTED WITH THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”) FOR W&S 1132, ANNE WILCZEK – AVENUE “E”, BLOCK 138, LOT 8. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION AND EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX AND TOWNSHIP OF MONROE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016 FUNDING OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. 

 

d.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT WITH AETNA INSURANCE FOR HEALTHCARE INSURANCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016. 

 

e.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR TO PREPARE SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR A STREET SWEEPER FOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. 

 

f.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) VEHICLES FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION UNDER THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. 

 

g.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SHAIN, SCHAFFER & RAFANELLO, P.C. TO HANDLE THE MATTER OF WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. v. WILLIAM STERN, II, ET AL AS EXTRAORDINARY LITIGATION. 

 

h.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF A GARRETT PD-6500i METAL DETECTOR WITH A MAGNA DOLLY TO THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST BRUNSWICK. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSFER OF LIQUOR LICENSE ISSUED TO NCGG, LLC. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SHAIN, SCHAFFER & RAFANELLO, P.C. TO HANDLE THE MATTER OF TOWNSHIP OF MONROE v. SAFECO INSURANCE OF AMERICA AS EXTRAORDINARY LITIGATION.   

 

  1. RESOLUTION REFUNDING THIRD PARTY TAX LIEN PREMIUM PAYMENTS. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION REFUNDING TAX OVERPAYMENTS. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF BID FOR INSTALLATION AND LEASE FOR A SMALL CELL TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWER AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. R-10-2015-255 REGARDING THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) VEHICLES FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS UNDER THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE IN THE BUDGET PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-87  (CHAPTER        

159, P.L. 1948).  (Body Armour Replacement Fund Program - $5,046.48) 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE AND MONROE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE RESTORATION OF TENNIS COURTS. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REDUCTION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES POSTED FOR CHABAD HOUSE OF MONROE. 

 

 

REPORTS: 

 

Mayor Pucci – No report  

 

Administrator Hamilton –  

  • Working on some additional items for the November 4th Agenda: 
  • Budget transfers – the last two months of the year the municipality can transfer funds from one operating department to another. 
  • Resolution to enter into contract with Aetna for 2016 healthcare insurance will be on the Agenda.  The rates have remained the same for the last three years, however this year the price is inclusive of a 5% increase. 
  • Another item being worked on is whether or not we are renewing with the Middlesex County Joint Insurance Fund.  We are looking into two other JIF’s, essentially to see who provides the best coverage and premium expense.  If not ready for the November 4th meeting it will be on the December meeting Agenda.  

 

Engineer Rasimowicz – No report 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

 

Councilman Leibowitz –  No report 

 

Councilman Dalina –  

  • The Youth Advisory Committee met last Wednesday and in attendance was Councilman Dalina, Business Administrator Wayne Hamilton and the Assistant Director of the Library Leah Wagner; they went over some procedural work, as well as starting to craft the Mission Statement. There will be more to report on next week. 
  •  Council President Tamburro added he was impressed with the appearance of the students and he thought the resumes he saw were outstanding and added that we have a great bunch of kids coming through our school system.  

Councilwoman Schneider –  

  • Attended Rossmoor’s 50th Anniversary.  
  • Also attended the Octoberfest which she described as a beautiful day for families and the community.  
  • Yesterday, attended DECA’s Classic Car Show and was able to pick for the Mayor’s Cup the beautiful 1952 Oldsmobile Model 88. 

Council Vice-President Koppel – 

  • Made an announcement from the Cultural Arts Committee that the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, on Saturday, November 7th at 7pm will be having an event at the Marasco Center for Performing Arts. There will be free parking and students are free. Refreshments are reasonably priced as well. Also, Broadway Boys will have a performance on Saturday, December 5th at the Marasco Center for Performing Arts.  

 

 

Council President Tamburro –  

  • Reported that he was also in attendance at the Octoberfest and was fascinated by the young children who were doing rudimentary cheers, being very enthusiastic about it when they have only been walking for about a year or so. 
  •  Mentioned that next Saturday, there will be a Halloween Parade at the Rec Center.  

 

 

PUBLIC: 

 

Audrey Cornish, Schoolhouse Rd.  – Question about the traffic expert and when they state that this will not interfere with the flow of traffic, what does the Council look for in that explanation.  

 

Council President Tamburro answered that this is testimony that is provided before the Planning Board and asked that the Township Engineer address what the standards are for that.  Engineer Rasimowicz explained that the traffic engineer, who is providing the testimony, is the one who did the traffic report and the traffic report is based on the data that they have collected at the intersection and it’s analyzed by that traffic engineer and compared to the International Transportation Society Manual and in his opinion, based on that data, as to what the impact of the traffic is going to have in the particular intersection or roadway network that he is analyzing.  

 

Council President Tamburro asked for further explanation as to if there are standards such as failing or passing; Engineer Rasimowicz answered “yes”, that is what they are referencing in the manual and compare all of the numbers to and analyzing against those standard recommendations that are provided by the manual. 

 

 Ms. Cornish clarified that her question is that when someone stands before the Planning Board and the traffic expert states that this will not interfere with the flow of traffic, yet after the project is finished, the speed limit is changed, the direction in which the flow of traffic is changed, traffic lights are put up; to her when someone says that this will not interfere with the flow of traffic, that means it is not going to interfere with the people who drive that road continuously, so she is just wondering what the Council is looking for in that and if there is a book that she can look at to see the standards. 

 

She added that since Parker House has been put on Schoolhouse Road, they have changed the speed limit, island and put a traffic light on Mt. Mills Road and on the other side of Regency there is another traffic light; she feels like if they say this is not going to interfere with the flow of traffic that that means it will not interfere with the way traffic was before, as well as after. She asked if she was incorrect in her assumption, to which, Council President Tamburro answered that there is another option and that is it improves the flow of traffic by adding traffic lights and how it is redesigned. He asked if she feels there is more traffic; Ms. Cornish answered “no”, but she feels like the flow of traffic has been changed with the speed limit and intersection changes and that it cost the town money to put in two more traffic lights; Council President Tamburro answered that it did not cost the township any money but that Toll Brothers paid for everything, including the legal fees.  

 

Ms. Cornish stated that she felt better knowing that because when that statement is made by the traffic engineer, she feels we should not be paying a price for it afterwards.  

 

 

UPON MOTION made by Councilman Dalina and seconded by Councilwoman Schneider, the Agenda Meeting was Adjourned at 7:18pm. 

ROLL CALL:Councilman Stephen DalinaAye 

Councilman Michael LeibowitzAye 

Councilwoman Elizabeth SchneiderAye 

Council Vice-President Leslie KoppelAye 

Council President Gerald W. TamburroAye 

  

Sharon Doerfler 

SHARON DOERFLER, Township Clerk 

 

Gerald W. Tamburro 

GERALD W. TAMBURRO, Council President 

 

 

 

 

Minutes were adopted on December 28, 2015