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
JANUARY 15, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. NOTICE OF MEETING
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Agenda Session – December 11, 2008
Regular Session – December 15, 2008
Closed Session – December 11, 2008
Reorganization – January 5, 2009
5. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
6. MAYOR’S REPORT
7. DISCUSSION
8. PRESENTATION
9. PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ACTION ORDINANCES
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
11. RESOLUTIONS
a) 2009 Temporary Budget – Current Fund
b) 2008 Temporary Budget – Sewer Utility
c) Authorizing Change Order No. 1 in the sum of $54,841.58 for the Eastbrook Road Drainage Improvement Project Increasing the Contract Price from the Original Price of $349,863.31 to $404,704.89 which is a 15.68% Increase
d) Authorizing Change Order No. 1 / Final Change Order, Release of Performance Bond and Acceptance of Maintenance Bond for Road Improvements for Crim Road – Section III Project
e) Award of Contract Audio Video System for the Courtroom/Large Meeting Room, Multi Purpose Room in the Municipal Complex
f) Participation in County Energy Audit Program
12. 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.
13. REPORTS
Clerk Report – December 2008
14. CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
Revised 01/08/08
MINUTES OF THE BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
JANUARY 15, 2009 COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Township Council of the Township of Bridgewater, County of Somerset, State of New Jersey, convened in a regular session on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in the Municipal Annex, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Council President Scaglione read the following announcement:
In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act of New Jersey, adequate notice of this meeting was provided on January 6, 2009, by sending written and electronic notice to the Courier News and The Newark Star Ledger; 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
Howard V. Norgalis
Patrick Scaglione
Also Present: James T. Naples, Township Administrator
Robert Bogart, Director of Municipal Services
William B. Savo, Township Attorney
Linda J. Doyle, Township Clerk
Council President Scaglione led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On motion of Councilman Norgalis, second by Councilman Moench, the minutes for the December 11, agenda session, December 15, regular session, and the January 5, 2009, reorganization meeting were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Abstain
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Norgalis Aye
Council President Scaglione Aye
The closed session minutes for December 11 and December 15, 2008, were approved.
Councilman Hsing bid Happy New Year to everyone and explained he could not attend the January re-org meeting because he was attending his nephew’s wedding ceremony in Taiwan. He also regrets that he had to miss a couple of other Council meetings due to the situation that he needed to stay in Taiwan longer to visit his parents in the nursing home and take care of family business for them.
Councilman Moench reported he attended the Somerset County Governing Official’s Dinner together with Council President Scaglione and Councilman Norgalis. Councilman Moench stated there was a presentation by the Somerset County Food Bank that talked about the need for donations to the Somerset County Food Bank and others throughout the state.
Councilman Moench reported he and Mayor Flannery attended a meeting with Cindy Cullen, President of the Board of Education. Ms. Cullen requested input by the Mayor and offered to meet with he and Patrick Scaglione as liaisons (sub-committee) to the Board of Education in an effort to provide an opportunity for Council’s input in the preparation stage prior to submission of the Board of Education Budget.
Councilman Scaglione said he would entertain meeting with the Board of Education together with Councilman Moench as liaisons to the Board of Education but would not consider rendering any number or approval.
Councilman Moench was in consensus to meet with the Board but also stated he would not endorse for or against their proposal. In addition he added, Ms. Cullen reached out to Mayor Liptak of Raritan to provide additional input.
Councilman Moench asked the Schedule of Council Meetings for 2009 be posted on the website.
Councilman Norgalis reported he attended the Somerset County Reorganization Meeting at the County Courthouse with Mayor Flannery and Mr. Naples. Councilman Norgalis also reported that he attended the Somerset County Reorganization meeting and that the chairs in the old court room are very uncomfortable.
Councilman Albano reported Council will be receiving a developer’s agreement from the Planning Board for consideration from Goldman Sachs for conservation and land acquisition agreement. Councilman Albano stated Goldman Sachs report ably does not want the land or liability of ownership.
Councilman Albano reported the Adult Day Care Center came before the Planning Board as a courtesy, he added the County is the applicant. Councilman Albano mentioned he has concerns because the County being the applicant is exempts them from COAH obligations.
Council President Scaglione reported the presentation on the food bank discussed at the Somerset County Governing Dinner reminds us its imperative to remember there are always people in need within our community and to reach out to local houses of worship and community organizations to help these people with any resources we have available.
Council President Scaglione reported former Bridgewater Councilman Rick Fontana is the new Somerset County Director of Freeholders’.
Mr. Naples reported Mayor Flannery’s photograph was in the Courier News. Mr. Naples said the Mayor attended the New Jersey League of Municipalities Mayor’s Legislative Day in Trenton on January 14. Mr. Naples stated afterwards fellow Mayor’s congratulated her on her question and answer session with Governor Corzine on COAH.
Mr. Naples reported the Governor announced in the State of the State address he has requested a two month delay in the submission of the Municipal Budgets. Mr. Naples reiterated Governor Corzine’s statement that State Aid numbers will most likely be reduced and until those numbers are allocated the submission of municipal budgets will be delayed until February 23.
Mr. Naples stated he and Mayor Flannery also attended the Somerset County Reorganization Meeting.
Council President Scaglione read the following resolutions by title:
2009 TEMPORARY BUDGET of $11,823,516.39 – CURRENT FUND
2009 TEMPORARY BUDGET of $2,590,428.65 – SEWER UTILITY
Mr. Naples stated the Temporary Budget allows the Township to continue operations until the official Municipal Budget is approved. Mr. Naples added the percentage is State approved at 26.25%.
Councilman Moench requested Administration delay any award of contracts that are not time sensitive until the Municipal Budget is presented.
Councilman Hsing asked the resolution be revised to more clearly annotate including the dollar amount for appropriations.
AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 IN THE SUM OF $54,841.58 FOR THE EASTBROOK ROAD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT INCREASING THE CONTRACT PRICE FROM THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF $349,863.31 TO $404,704.89 WHICH IS A 15.68% INCREASE
Mr. Bogart explained the increase is associated with the quantities of various materials needed to match the as-built quantities. Mr. Bogart stated the contractor T&M Associates, the Consulting Engineer based the project off the as-built quantities supplied by the Township, as it turned out they ran into a myriad of conflicts between sanitary sewer laterals other storm drainage pipes and utilities.
Councilman Norgalis requested the resolution be revised to annotate the specifics of the change as reflected in the change order.
AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 - FINAL CHANGE ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,983.73, FOR THE CRIM ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, SECTION III, INCREASING THE CONTRACT PRICE FROM $148,869.69 TO $155,863.42 WHICH IS A 4.69% INCREASE, RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND AND ACCEPTANCE OF MAINTENANCE BOND
Mr. Bogart explained this project was furnished by NJ DOT. Mr. Bogart added there were significant additions including incorporating traffic stripes onto the roadway and the repair of ten inlets that were severely deteriorated.
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO OXFORD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,000, FOR THE AUDIO VIDEO SYSTEM FOR THE COURTROOM/LARGE MEETING ROOM, MULTI PURPOSE ROOM IN THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX
Mr. Naples stated the award of contract to Oxford Electrical Contracting for an amount not to exceed $73,000 and will provide an Audio Video System for the Courtroom/Large Meeting Room/Multi-Purpose Room in the Municipal Complex. The work will include supplying and installing monitors, projectors, cameras, control equipment. The work will allow the operation of the Courtroom for Council Meetings, Planning and Zoning Board Meetings; allow for overflow audience to see and hear the proceedings in the Courtroom Lobby and the Meeting Room. The projectors are to be installed in the Police Roll Call and Training Rooms.
PARTICIPATION IN THE SOMERSET COUNTY ENERGY AUDIT PROGRAM
Mr. Naples explained the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholder’s and County Energy Council offered the Township participation and endorsed submission of an application. Mr. Naples added the program will provide a County Municipal Energy Team primary role will be to provide data, information and access to buildings and facilities to the Energy Audit Firm and assist with implementing improvement measures and other follow-up activities as specified in the attached Energy Audit Program Guidelines.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Moench, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Norgalis Aye
Council President Scaglione Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
Copies of resolutions #09-01-15-028 and #09-01-15-033 are appended to the official minutes.
On motion of Councilman Albano, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the meeting was opened to the public.
No one wished to speak, and the public portion was closed.
On motion of Councilman Albano, seconded by Councilman Norgalis, the meeting was closed for public comment.
Council President Scaglione announced Council will go into a brief closed session and immediately after the Council session will adjourn.
On the motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Norgalis, Council convened closed session at 8:20 p.m.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Bridgewater Township Council that this body will now hold a closed meeting to discuss contract negotiations and litigation
When and if the matters discussed become public record, this will be made known to the public at that time.
The public is excluded from said meeting and further notice thereof is dispensed with all in accordance with Sections 8 and 4a of the Open Public Meetings Act.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Norgalis, Council reconvened in open session at 8:31 p.m.
On motion of Councilman Albano, the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda J. Doyle, RMC
Municipal Clerk
______________________________
Patrick Scaglione
Council President
