The following agenda and minutes are an unofficial copy and for informational purposes only. Please do not rely on these minutes in making a land use application or for an application for a permit of any kind. Contact the Municipal Clerk for an official copy.
AGENDA FOR REGULAR SESSION MEETING OF
SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. NOTICE OF MEETING
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Regular Session – August 18, 2008
Closed Session – August 18, 2008
5. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
6. MAYOR’S REPORT
7. PRESENTATION
8. DISCUSSION
Open Space Funding
9. PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ACTION ORDINANCES
a) An Ordinance Vacating and Releasing from Dedication and Extinguishing Portions of Court Street
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
a) An Ordinance of the Township Of Bridgewater Amending Chapter 94-3 of the
Township Code Entitled Waiver of Fees
11. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Members of the public wishing to address the Council on any matter will be allowed two minutes to speak, unless there are unusual circumstances.
12. RESOLUTIONS
a) Release of Performance Guarantee and Acceptance of Project for Meadow View Estates
b) Request for Waiver for Fire Permit Fee – Somerset County Round Dancers
c) Request for Waiver of Fire Permit Fee – Bridgewater United Methodist Church
13. REPORTS
14. CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
Revised 9/3/08
MINUTES OF THE BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 4, 2008 COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, convened in a regular session on Monday, August 4, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Municipal Annex, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Council President Norgalis read the following announcement:
In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting was provided on January 7, 2008, by sending written and electronic notice to the Courier News and The Reporter; posting on the Township website and posting on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building and filing with the Township Clerk.
On call of the roll the following Council members were present:
Robert E. Albano
Michael P. Hsing
Matthew C. Moench
Patrick Scaglione
Howard V. Norgalis
Also Present: Patricia Flannery, Mayor
James T. Naples, Township Administrator
Hector A. Herrera, Deputy Township Clerk
Council President Norgalis led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On motion of Councilman Hsing, seconded by Councilman Albano, the minutes for the regular session of August 18, 2008, was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Abstain
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
The closed session minutes of August 18, 2008, was approved.
Councilman Hsing acknowledged the Administration for its improvements to Long Road. He recommended Administration have the Township Engineer look into whether road’s wavy design is normal.
Councilman Albano also acknowledged the Administration for its improvements to Long Road.
Council President Norgalis reported Township Employee Linda Drzewoszewski sent Council a thank you card for its consideration and adopting of an ordinance that permits Bridgewater municipal employees to voluntarily donate a portion of their earned sick leave to other municipal employees who have exhausted their own earned sick time, vacation days and personal days because they or members of their immediate family are suffering from a catastrophic health condition or injury which necessitates that employee’s prolonged absence from work.
Council President Norgalis reported he had a meeting with representatives of the Somerset Raritan Valley Sewerage Authority regarding concerns of effluent from the American Cyanimid Site. He stated the representatives answered his questions and gave him a tour of the SRVSA facility.
Councilman Scaglione reported representatives of the Redwood Inn came before the planning board for a subdivision. Councilman Scaglione reported there is a resolution pending for five residential lots.
Councilman Scaglione reported representatives from the Goldman Sachs site in Bridgewater (formerly owned by Olivetti) are requesting a new plan that move a fence closer to the site’s perimeter. Councilman Scaglione reported many of the neighbors oppose the plan and it will be discussed at future meetings.
Mr. Naples reported Councilman Albano’s company donated a rolling file system for the new Municipal Complex. The donation saved the Township through his efforts approximately $20,000
OPEN SPACE FUNDING
Council President Norgalis stated that current the Municipal Open Space Tax will expire in 2009. He stated it was important to have a discussion on this issue because of the upcoming open space referendum scheduled for the November General Election.
Councilman Scaglione provided a history of the tax. He stated 10 years ago, Council decided to make it a $.04 tax to provide the Township with approximately $1 million of open space funds per year. After the Township reevaluation of property values, the funding for nearly doubled which enabled the purchase of various tracts of land, nearly $20 million worth. The ordinance Council adopted in 1998 authorizing the collection of this tax expires in 2009. He stated the Township is currently collecting approximately $3.5 million in open space tax funds annually. Council has several options on how to proceed:
-
Allow the collection of the tax to expire
-
Adopt an ordinance to continue to collect the tax at the same rate ($.04)
-
Adopt an ordinance to continue to collect the tax at a lesser rate, perhaps $.02
Councilman Scaglione stated, if approved, the upcoming referendum will allow a certain percentage of the funds in the open space account to be used for capital projects on designated open space lands.
Councilman Albano stated was in favor of extending the collection of the tax but at a lesser rate.
Councilman Hsing stated he was also in favor of extending the collection of the tax also at a lesser rate but for a shorter amount of time. He suggested five years.
Councilman Moench stated his preliminary position was to eliminate the tax and budget for any future purchases of open space.
Council President Norgalis stated he was also in favor of extending the collection of the tax also at a lesser rate and for a shorter amount of time.
|
Public Hearing and Final Action Ordinance |
Mr. Savo recused himself from the following.
The Clerk read the ordinance by title:
AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND RELEASING FROM DEDICATION AND EXTINGUISHING PORTIONS OF COURT STREET
Council President Norgalis stated this matter has been discussed in previous meetings.
On the motion of Councilman Hsing, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was opened to the public on this ordinance.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Scaglione, second of Councilman Hsing, the public hearing was closed.
The Clerk complied with all requirements of the statute as follows:
Introduced: August 18, 2008
Posted on the Township Bulletin Board
Copies made available to the general public
Published in the Township Newspaper: August 25, 2008
Planning Board Referral: N/A
Supplemental Debt
Date Received: N/A
Date Endorsed: N/A
Motion: Councilman Albano
Second: Councilman Scaglione
The vote on the forgoing resolution was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-09-04-265 is appended to the official minutes
Mr. Savo returned to the meeting.
|
Introduction of Ordinances |
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER AMENDING CHAPTER 94-3 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE ENTITLED WAIVER OF FEES
Mr. Naples stated, based on a request from the Green Knoll Rescue Squad and supported by the Mayor and Township Council, this ordinance will to extend the Waiver of Fees benefit to any sibling living in the same household as the volunteer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the said pending ordinance be passed on first reading and advertised as required by statute fixing the 15th day of September 2008, at 7:30 p.m. prevailing time on said day as the time and the Bridgewater Township Municipal Annex at 505 Route 202-206 South in said Township as the place for hearing and final action; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Clerk shall forthwith post on the bulletin board in the Township Municipal Building at 700 Garretson Road, a true copy of said ordinance and make copies available to members of the general public and spread the same upon the minutes of the meeting.
On motion of Councilman Hsing, second by Councilman Moench, the foregoing resolution was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-09-04-266 is appended to the official minutes.
On motion of Councilman Albano, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the meeting was opened to the public.
Ketih Browne, a Boy Scout from Troop 88, was recognized. He was working on his Eagle Scout requirements. He was at the meeting to earn his communication badge.
On motion of Councilman Albano, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the meeting was closed for public comment.
RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE AND ACCEPTANCE OF PROJECT FOR MEADOW VIEW ESTATES
Mr. Naples stated this was a three-lot subdivision. He stated all improvements had been made and the Township was accepting the maintenance bond.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Scaglione, the foregoing resolution was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-09-04-267 is appended to the official minutes.
REQUEST FOR WAIVER FOR FIRE PERMIT FEE – SOMERSET COUNTY ROUND DANCERS
REQUEST FOR WAIVER OF FIRE PERMIT FEE – BRIDGEWATER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
On motion of Councilman Hsing, second by Councilman Scaglione, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
Copies of resolutions #08-09-04-268 and #08-09-04-269 are appended to the official minutes.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Hector A. Herrera, RMC
Deputy Municipal Clerk
______________________________
Howard Norgalis
Council President
