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Monroe Council Minutes | 5/27/2015

COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE MINUTES 

AGENDA MEETING -  MAY 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 Township Clerk, Sharon Doerfler, the following members of Council were present: Councilman Michael Leibowitz, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, Council Vice-President Leslie Koppel and Council President Gerald W. Tamburro. 

ABSENT: Councilman Stephen Dalina and Business Administrator Wayne R. Hamilton. 

ALSO PRESENT for Council was Mayor Richard Pucci, Township Attorney Joel L. Shain and Township Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.  

There were approximately fifteen (15) members of the Public present in the audience. 

 

Council President Tamburro requested the 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 ORDINANCE for SECOND READING at the WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 Regular Council Meeting into the record: 

 

a.ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 39 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ENTITLED “FEES”. 

 

Council President Tamburro read the following entitled ORDINANCES for INTRODUCTION at the WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015 Regular Council Meeting into the record: 

 

a.BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS 2015 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BY AND IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY; APPROPRIATING $5,895,000 THEREFOR AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $5,611,700 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COSTS THEREOF. 

 

 

 

 

b.BOND ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS 2015 WATER AND SEWER UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS BY AND IN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, STATE OF NEW JERSEY; APPROPRIATING $5,275,000 THEREFOR FROM THE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY OF THE TOWNSHIP AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $5,275,000 BONDS OR NOTES TO FINANCE THE COST THEREOF. 

 

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

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND TOWNSHIP CLERK TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH THE CONCORD ENGINEERING GROUP TO CONDUCT AN ENERGY AUDIT FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY CENTER. 

 

b.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE FROM THE TREE ESCROW ACCOUNT. (Maintenance of trees at the Memorial Park on Prospect Plains Road) 

 

c.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE FROM THE TREE ESCROW ACCOUNT.  (Maintenance of the Monroe Oak located at the corner of Prospect Plains and Applegarth Road) 

 

d.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DEDICATION OF THE MONROE TOWNSHIP SOFTBALL FIELD #3 AT THE THOMAS L. ALLEN SOFTBALL COMPLEXIN MEMORY OF ELLEN SCARPARI. 

 

e.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) (Clean Communities Program Grant - $92,182.10) 

 

f.RESOLUTION REFUNDING THIRD PARTY TAX LIEN PREMIUM PAYMENT. 

 

g.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MONROE AND CROSS RIVER FIBER, LLC FOR USE OF THE TOWNSHIP’S PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES. 

 

h.RESOLUTION REFUNDING A DUPLICATE CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEE. 

 

i.RESOLUTION APPOINTING A DEPUTY REGISTRAR OF VITAL STATISTICS.   (Christine Robbins to fill the unexpired three (3) year term of Elaine Slabinski, said term ending on 12/31/2017) 

 

  1. RESOLUTION PROVIDING ADVICE AND CONSENT TO THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER TO THE OPEN SPACE AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION COMMISSION.  (Lori Zimmerman) 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBORDINATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIEN. 

 

  1. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE LOAN REPAYMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT. 

 

m.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXTENSION OF CONTRACT NO. 427 “PATCH PAVING AND CONCRETE REPAIR” WITH P.A. CONTRACTORS, INC. FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

n.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)   (Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Grant - $6,375.91) 

 

o.RESOLUTION REFUNDING TAX OVERPAYMENTS. 

 

p.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT NO. 431 – “WELL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICES” TO A. C. SCHULTES COMPANY FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

q.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT NO. 441 – “ION EXCHANGE SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE” TO LAYNE CHRISTENSEN CO. FOR THE MONROE TOWNSHIP UTILITY DEPARTMENT (“M.T.U.D.”). 

 

r.RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ACCELA LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT. 

 

Referencing Item #7.i. on the Agenda – “Resolution Appointing a Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics”, Vice President Koppel states that while we are going to miss Elaine Slabinski who will be retiring, she requests a little background on her replacements qualifications.   

 

Township Clerk Sharon Doerfler states her replacement is Christine Robbins, and she is a Certified Municipal Clerk and a Certified Vital Registrar. 

 

Council President Tamburro, regarding Item #7.r. on the Agenda – “Resolution Authorizing Award of Contract to Accela Legislative Management”, this will allow us to come into the 21st century and the Council will be working towards putting all our Agendas on-line and Accela has a program to allow us to move forward with this.   

 

Mayor Pucci – No Report 

 

Administrator Hamilton – Absent 

 

Engineer Rasimowicz – No Report 

 

 

Council Reports: 

 

Councilman Michael Leibowitz – Commends DPW for setting up everything for the Memorial Day ceremonies.  

 

Councilwoman Schneider – No Report 

 

Council Vice-President Koppel – Tickets available for the Yankee vs Phillies game on Wednesday, June 24th.  This trip leaves from the Senior Transportation Office.   

Today in the Senior Center our Congresswoman, Bonnie Watson-Coleman came to visit Monroe Twp.  She spoke about putting Outreach personnel in the Senior Center and Library for constituent services; so anything on a federal level, for example Social Security benefits, Medicare, etc., they will be there to answer questions directly.   

 

Council President Tamburro – Spoke about the program we have with the County Surrogate’s Office, providing staffing at the Senior Center and allowing township residents that need the services, to not have to go to New Brunswick.  Pleased that Congresswoman Coleman is trying to provide the same services for us and the entire district so people can get things done on a federal level quickly, without having to go to Washington.   

Spoke about the Memorial Day events he attended.  

 

PUBLIC: 

 

Mark Klein, 7 Crenshaw Court – Moved to Monroe 13 years ago, having lived previously in East Brunswick.  During election time the amount of signs scattered around looked terrible.  Noticed when he moved to Monroe there were limitations for signs.  Stated that when he ran for the School Board and put his signs out, placement mistakes were brought to his attention.  Following the guidelines, along with Mr. Levy, they placed signs out for Mr. Tamburro.  Those signs have been removed; someone is taking down all our signs, while the opponent’s signs are being left up. 

 

Council President Tamburro stated we don’t deal with political issues here at a Council meeting.   

 

Mr. Klein asked if there an Ordinance being proposed regarding the placement of signs and is it stated anywhere in the Ordinance about an opponent taking down everyone else’s signs? 

 

Council President Tamburro relayed his understanding of the current Ordinance. 

 

 

UPON MOTION made by Council Vice-President Koppel and seconded by Councilwoman Schneider the Agenda Meeting was adjourned at 7:13pm. 

 

ROLL CALL: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