2009-03-23 Council Agenda Session Minutes
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Ewing Township, NJ2009-03-23 Council Agenda Session Minutes
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Ewing Township, NJMARCH 23TH, 2009 - AGENDA SESSION
President Wollert called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm and read the Open Public
Meetings Statement:
The notice requirements provided for in the “Open Public Meetings Act” have
been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly given in a notice which was
transmitted to the Times of Trenton and the Trentonian, filed with the Clerk of the
Township of Ewing and posted in the Ewing Township Municipal Complex, all on
the 2nd day of January, 2009.
ROLL CALL
Mr. Cox – Present Jack Ball, Mayor
Mr. Murphy – Present Michael Hartsough, Attorney
Mr. Steinmann – Present Stephen Elliott, Clerk
Mr. Summiel - Present
President Wollert - Present
DISCUSSION
1. Rental Registration Ordinance – Attorney Hartsough provided a revised
ordinance for discussion. It provided for Certificate of Occupancy (CO)
inspections every 5 years or upon change of tenancy, and for the Municipal
Clerk to provide administrative review in cases where licenses were subject
to suspension or revocation.
Mr. Summiel and other council members felt strongly that annual inspections were
important. Council directed the Clerk to place Ordinance 09-01 on the agenda for
second reading at the next Council meeting.
President Wollert then noted that the State had adopted legislation allowing for the
deferral of pensions costs for the current budget year. Requests for the deferral had
to be to the State by March 25. After discussion is was agreed by Council and the
mayor that the Township would not apply for the deferral.
CONSENT AGENDA:
President Wollert read the Consent Agenda.
1. Authorization for the Chief Financial Officer to pay Township bills in the
amount of $447,373.48.
2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of March 9, 2009 (Agenda) and March
10, 2009 (Regular).
3. A Resolution authorizing a Cancellation, as recommended by the Tax
Collector in the amount of $986.21 for February 1, 2009 tax quarter, for
property owner Hertz Rent A Car for Block: 373: Lot: 5.03, Qual: S02, also
known as 1100 Terminal Circle Drive due to recommendations by Tax
Assessor and Special Tax Counsel.
4. A Resolution authorizing a Cancellation and a Refund, as recommended by
the Tax Collector. A REFUND in the amount of $986.21 and a
CANCELLATION in the amount of $986.21 for February 1, 2009 tax
quarter to Budget Car Rental c/o R. E. Tax Dept., 6 Sylvan Way,
Parsippany, NJ 07054 for property owner Budget Car Rental c/o R.E. Tax
Dept. for Block: 373, Lot: 5.03, Qual: S01 also known as 1100 Terminal
Circle Drive due to recommendations by Tax Assessor and Special Tax
Counsel and Refund to property owner.
5. A Resolution authorizing the conduct of a Casino Night sponsored by St.
Ann’s Catholic Church to be held on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at Mountain
View Golf Course.
6. A Resolution approving Matthew C. Commiso as a member of the
Pennington Road Fire Company.
7. A Resolution approving Mark E. Potent as a member of the Pennington
Road Fire Company.
8. A Resolution approving Chantell J. Wilson as a member of the Pennington
Road Fire Company.
9. A Resolution approving Khilif J. Fox as a member of the Pennington Road
Fire Company.
10. A Resolution approving Carol A. Ciemiengo as a member of the Pennington
Road Fire Company.
11. A Resolution authorizing Buddy’s Shamrock to hold a block party/road
closing on April 25th, 2009 with all proceeds being donated to the American
Cancer Society.
12. A Resolution authorizing Palmer Lane/Lower Ferry Road Civic Association
to hold a block party/road closing on May 25th, 2009.
13. A Resolution authorizing bus stop relocation on Stuyvesant Avenue.
14. A Resolution authorizing a performance guarantee release for Everest Realty
– Ewing Square Shopping Center (Block 478, Lot 33) – Ewing Engineers
CMX Project #04 01468 03 – 06.
15. A Resolution authorizing a performance bond reduction for S.O.L.D.
Enterprises, Inc. (Block 423.04, Lot 12 & Block 552, Lots 1 and 2) – Ewing
Engineers Alaimo Group File No. #A-0190-0016-000.
16. A Resolution consenting to the appointment of members to the Rent Control
Board.
After questions about several checks on the bills list, the Consent Agenda was
approved for action.
ORDINANCE(S) FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION
President Wollert presented three ordinances for introduction.
1. AN ORDINANCE REAPPROPRIATING $100,000, INCLUDING $95,000
PROCEEDS OF OBLIGATIONS NOT NEEDED FOR THEIR ORIGINAL
PURPOSE, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF AN
AMBULANCE AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ANIMAL SHELTER
IN AND BY THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING, IN THE COUNTY OF
MERCER, NEW JERSEY (2009)
2. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL
ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO REVISE THE
NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE EWING TOWNSHIP ARTS
COMMISSION (2009)
3. AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL
ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING TO AMEND NOISE
REGULATIONS (2009)
Attorney Hartsough described the ordinance for the reallocation of bond monies for
the purchase of a fire truck and for the animal shelter. He also noted that the
amendment of the noise ordinance was in response to NJ Department of
Environmental Protection regulations.
The ordinances were then approved for action.
NEW BUSINESS
President Wollert then presented the New Business Agenda for review.
1. A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2007-2008 ANNUAL AUDIT.
2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AWARD OF A NON-FAIR AND OPEN
CONTRACT FOR ACCOUNTING SERVICES TO JOSEPH P. MONZO.
3. A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TAX COLLECTOR TO ENTER INTO
AN INSTALLMENT PAYMENT AGREEMENT AND TO REDEEM THE
MUNICIPAL LIEN HOLDS BY THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING.
4. A RESOLUTION OF NEED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE
HOUSING UNITS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF EWING AT 1460 PARKWAY
AVENUE.
All items were approved for action.
STATEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Kate Tuttle (8 Locke Ct) asked about the status of the budget. President Wollert
noted that once the budget goes to Community Affairs, the Township is at its mercy.
It is the responsibility of Administration to make sure that the budget it presents for
introduction is valid and will withstand DCA scrutiny. She further noted that in
discussions with DCA personnel she had been told that there are significant
problems with the budget that need to be addressed.
Charles Green (979 Bear Tavern Rd) asked who in the Township had signing
authority for checks and about the provision of budget trial balances to the Council
and the public at meetings.
Richard Smith (56 Federal City Rd) asked about the status of TNR policy for stray
cats. President Wollert stated that it was not going to be on Councils agenda.
There being no further business, President Wollert asked for a motion to adjourn.
Mr. Steinmann so moved, seconded by Mr. Murphy. The meeting was adjourned at
7:55 pm.
________________________________ _______________________________
Kathleen Wollert, Council President Stephen W. Elliott, Municipal Clerk
