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Monroe Council Minutes | 7/27/2015

COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE MINUTES 

AGENDA MEETING -  JULY 27, 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 for Council was Mayor Richard Pucci, Business Administrator Wayne R. Hamilton, Township Attorney Greg Pasquale, sitting for Township Attorney Joel L. Shain and Township Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.  

ABSENT:  Township Attorney Joel L. Shain 

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

 

Council President Tamburro requested the Deputy Township 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.  

 

Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCES for SECOND READING at the MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015 Regular Council Meeting into the record: 

 

  1. ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 122 ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC”. (Remove Stop Sign on Cleveland Ave / Add Stop Signs on River Street and Astor Place) 

 

b.ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE CONVEYANCE OF A DEED OF EASEMENT AND ACCEPTING LAND TO BE DEDICATED FOR PURPOSES OF SANITARY SEWER & WATER EASEMENT AND EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENT IN RENAISSANCE AT MONROE RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION FROM CENTEX HOMES, LLC. 

 

c.ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE CONVEYANCE OF A DEED OF EASEMENT AND ACCEPTING LAND TO BE DEDICATED FOR PURPOSES OF SANITARY SEWER & WATER EASEMENT AND EMERGENCY ACCESS EASEMENT IN RENAISSANCE AT MONROE RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISION FROM PAUL BROTTMAN, MURRAY TORNOPSKY AND ROSALIE TORNOPSKY. 

  

d.A LOAN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ENTERING INTO, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF VARIOUS 2015 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE ACQUISITION AND INSTALLATION, AS APPLICABLE, OF VARIOUS EQUIPMENT WITH AN ESTIMATED COST OF $609,000, THE COST OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT TO BE FINANCED THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF COUNTY-GUARANTEED CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2015 OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY. 

 

e.AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE ENTERING INTO, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LEASE AND AGREEMENT WITH THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF COUNTY-GUARANTEED CAPITAL EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2015 OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY. 

 

Council   President   Tamburro   requested   the   following entitled RESOLUTIONS for CONSIDERATION at the MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2015 Regular Council Meeting be reviewed and any questions will be addressed: 

 

a.RESOLUTION REFUNDING THIRD PARTY TAX LIEN PREMIUM PAYMENT. 

 

b.RESOLUTION REFUNDING TAX OVERPAYMENTS. 

 

c.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT 422 – SECTIONS C3, 31 AND H – “WATER & SEWER SYSTEM APPURTENANCES” TO KENNEDY CULVERT SUPPLY CO. FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

d.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT 422 – SECTIONS A, B, C1, C2, D, F AND G – “WATER & SEWER SYSTEM APPURTENANCES” TO WATER WORKS SUPPLY CO., INC. FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

e.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH CENTER STATE ENGINEERING FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES UNDER THE 2015 CAPITAL PROJECTS. 

 

f.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CENTER STATE ENGINEERING TO PREPARE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR RECEIPT OF BIDS FOR VARIOUS 2015 CAPITAL PROJECTS. 

 

g.RESOLUTION GRANTING ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL OF FINAL CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CEDAR BROOK POND RETENTION BASIN PUMP STATION. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE AND ESTABLISHING A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE FOR STONEBRIDGE – PHASE 1, SECTIONS 5, 6, 7 - PARTIAL STORM SEWER. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REDUCTION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES POSTED FOR ORCHARDS @ MONROE – SOUTH VILLAGE. 
  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING REDUCTION OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES POSTED FOR FOUR SEASONS @ MONROE – VILLAGE NORTH. 

 

k.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF LIQUOR LICENSES FOR THE 2015-2016 LICENSE TERM. 

 

l.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE AND ESTABLISHING A MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE FOR STONEBRIDGE – PHASE 1, SECTION 4 - PARTIAL STORM SEWER. 

 

m.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH BROWN & BROWN CONSULTING FOR GASB 45 ACTUARIAL SERVICES. 

n.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A SHARED SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE AND TOWNSHIP OF EAST BRUNSWICK FOR COMMUNICATION SERVICES. 

 

REPORTS: 

 

Mayor Pucci – No report 

 

Administrator Hamilton –  

  • Resolution 14.n.: Authorizes a Shared Service Agreement with the Township of East Brunswick to have access to their master core radio system.  Our current system is approximately 20 years old.  The parts are getting harder and harder to come by.  There is $3M allotted in the Capital Budget to upgrade the system.  Entering into this Shared Service Agreement is a win/win for both towns, not only providing a significant cost savings to us but also allowing us to have East Brunswick as back-up. 
  • The Bond sale was held last week.  Happy to report 1 year notes = 0.376%, Bonds = 3.17%.  We indicated that we would go to bond sale this summer because we’re afraid of interest rates going up if we wait until the end of this year or beginning of next year.  

 

Engineer Rasimowicz – No Report 

 

 

COUNCIL REPORTS: 

 

Councilman Leibowitz –  

  • Happy our bond rates continue to stay low 
  • Very sad about the accident with the EMT in Spotswood and suggested at our regular meeting we hold a moment of silence in her honor. 

 

Councilman Dalina – 

  • Monroe Township Baseball Association Summer Travel Team has a very impressive 55 game winning streak.  Once the season wraps up will give more details.  

 

Councilwoman Schneider –  

  • In Sundays Home News Tribune there was an article “Best Places to Buy a First Home in New Jersey” and makes me very proud to say Monroe Township came in 1st! 
  • Impressed and proud of baseball team Councilman Dalina spoke about.  

 

Council Vice-President Koppel – 

  • Reiterates what Councilwoman Schneider said and is very excited that Monroe Twp. is #1 in all of New Jersey to buy a first home. 
  • Enjoyed the Afro-Peruvian Ensemble held on July 23rd as part of the Summer Concert Series.  Over 200 people in attendance and the crowd really seemed to have a great time. 
  • July 30th at 6 p.m. in Thompson Park; the N.J. Swing-tones will be performing, which is a tribute to Frank Sinatra.  

 

Council President Tamburro –  

  • Coming in #1 speaks a lot about Monroe.  Thanked Mayor Pucci for his years of service and all he’s done to accomplish that.   

 

PUBLIC: 

 

Marion Beck, 8A Ethan Allen Drive – 13+ year resident.  Thanked the Mayor and Council for all they do that makes Monroe Twp. a great place to live.  Here on behalf of Chabad Jewish Center of Monroe asking Council to approve the settlement agreement in place with Chabad and Monroe Twp. attorney’s, which removes the condemnation of the Chabad’s property.  Urges Mayor and Council to vote to approve the settlement agreement so we can avoid further legalities and be able to build a synagogue for our congregation and the community without incurring any more delays, legal costs and anxieties for the congregation.  Thank you for the opportunity tonight to express my feelings and the feelings of my fellow congregants.   

 

David Holmann, 35 Mayberry Avenue - Proud resident for 21 years.  Thanked the Mayor and Council for giving him the opportunity to speak tonight and for all they do for the citizens of Monroe.  Would like to discuss an issue that affects the members of the Chabad of Monroe as well as the other tax payers and residents of this great Township.  There is a settlement agreement in place between the Township and Chabad to give up all claims of the unlawful condemnation of this property and we hope it can be removed.  All other issues pertaining to the building of this property will be addressed in the future.   

The Council should practice due diligence to all Monroe Twp. residents and tax payers to render this plan effective and to move forward to keep down the costs and the delays that are affecting the Township and Chabad.  Please let’s prevent this by not going into Court in August.  Please vote on this issue at the next upcoming Council meeting to alleviate any further Court fees. 

 

UPON MOTION made by Councilman Leibowitz and seconded by Councilman Dalina the Agenda Meeting was Adjourned at 7:15pm. 

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 September 9, 2015