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
AUGUST 17, 2009 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. NOTICE OF MEETING
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Regular Session – August 3, 2009
Closed session – August 3, 2009
5. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
6. MAYOR’S REPORT
7. PRESENTATION
8. DISCUSSION
9. PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ACTION ORDINANCES
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
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) Authorizing Submission of an Application for the 2009 Somerset County Youth Athletic and Recreation Grant in the amount of $15,000 for Improvements to North Bridge Street and Prince Rodgers Park
b) Waiver and Reimbursement of Construction Permit Fees for Emergency Service Volunteer – Dinan Amin
c) Award of Contract to Renda Roads, Inc. for the Country Club Road Improvement Project from the Bridge to the Golf Cart Underpass NJ Municipal Aid Job #8700563 in the sum of $107,500
d) Supporting Participation in the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program
e) Renewal of Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License #1806-33-009-004 – GMRI, Inc.
f) Renewal of Plenary Retail Consumption Liquor License #1806-33-018-007 – Rare Hospitality International, Inc.
13. REPORTS
July Clerk Report
14. CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
Revised 08/12/09
MINUTES OF THE BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
AUGUST 17, 2009 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 17, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in the new Municipal Complex, 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 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 Absent
Michael P. Hsing
Matthew C. Moench
Howard Norgalis
Patrick Scaglione
Also Present:
James T. Naples, Township Administrator
Robert Bogart, Director of Municipal Services
Michael P. O’Grodnick, Township Attorney
Hector A. Herrera, Deputy Township Clerk
Council President Scaglione led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On motion of Councilman Norgalis, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the minutes from the regular session of August 3, 2009 was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Absent
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Norgalis Aye
Council President Scaglione Aye
The closed session minutes of August 3, 3009, was approved.
Councilman Moench reported he together with Councilman Hsing attended the Somerset County Business Partnership Emerging Leaders event. Councilman Moench and Hsing agreed the event brought together many young emerging leaders who demonstrated an interested in participating and growing with the Township and Somerset County areas.
Councilman Moench reported he was asked by a resident whether property owners were permitted to keep certain farm animals including chickens and pigs or whether there were restrictions on livestock.
Mr. Naples stated he would provide an update from the zoning officer on the ordinance regulating livestock within the Township boundaries.
Councilman Norgalis reported he met with Mayor Flannery and Township Attorney William Savo to discuss the draft response to COAH.
Councilman Norgalis reported he attended the police promotion police lieutenant and sergeant as well as new a new Police Officer.
Councilman Norgalis reported he attended the 4-H Fair, he added the inclement weather may have impacted attendance and most likely had an effect on the vendors.
Councilman Norgalis questioned whether Council was required to sign off on the deferred compensation report.
Councilman Norgalis brought up the issue of using eminent domain to address the Mountaintop and Crim Road work project.
Mr. Naples reported Mayor Flannery received an invitation from Goldman Sachs to tour the facility with Township employees, Council and members of the Planning Board. Mr. Naples will forward the invitation to Council.
Mr. Naples reported a change in DEP requirements for reporting remedial activities. As of September 2, property owners within 200’ must be notified.
Mr. Naples reported Council President Scaglione asked for a report on a traffic accident near the Green Knoll Grille which he had prepared and distributed. Mr. Naples stated do to the confidential content he advised any questions be directed to him.
On motion of Councilman Norgalis, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the meeting was opened to the public.
Joe Pranzatelli, 1376 Crim Road, INFOMRED Council there were large cement pipes on the rear of the property located at 732 Hawthorne Avenue.
Jim Schenck, 17 Bujak Court, addressed Council on his objections to the cell tower application being presented for hearing to the Zoning Board. Mr. Schenck stated when he arrived at the zoning board meeting he learned Omni Point had requested a postponement. Mr. Schenck proceeded to ask a question at which time Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney Mr. Vastola became very agitated and instructed Mr. Schenck not to continue as the application was not being heard that evening.
Council President Scaglione explained although all persons should be treated with respect the Zoning Board hears cases and does not necessarily have an open public input portion to those hearings.
S.V. Krishnan, 10 Francis Drive, stated he directed questions relating to the Omni Point application to construct an additional cell tower on Fierro property to Deputy Township Attorney Scott Parente but has not received a response.
Amy Wolfheart, 29 Francis Drive, stated she felt the intersection of Route 22 & Milltown Road was dangerous because it was not staggered where one side had a green light then the other side had a green light. She stated there has been numerous accidents at that intersection and it should be addressed.
Council President Scaglione requested Mr. Naples to provide a report of accidents at that intersection. Council informed Ms. Wolfheart that the intersection is in the jurisdiction of the NJ Department of Transportation because Route 22 is no
t local road.
Council President Scaglione requested Mr. Naples to evaluate the Route 28 & Finderne Avenue intersection.
John Rooney, 653 English Court, asked if the newly paved parking lot at the Bridgewater Library would have parking striping soon. Mr. Bogart informed him the base course of the paving was just completed and the lot would be striped soon.
Mr. Rooney also informed Council residents in the Finderne area were excited to learn about the possible sidewalk grant project .
On motion of Councilman Norgalis, seconded by Councilman Hsing, the meeting was closed for public comment.
Council President Scaglione read the resolutions by title:
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE 2009 SOMERSET COUNTY YOUTH ATHLETIC AND RECREATION GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO NORTH BRIDGE STREET AND PRINCE RODGERS PARK
Mr. Naples stated this authorizes the Township to submit a grant application to Somerset County to purchase bleachers for North Bridge Street Park and an infield tarp for Prince Rodgers Park.
WAIVER AND REIMBURSEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FEES FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEER – DINAN AMIN
Mr. Naples and Council discussed the waiver for Mr. Amin. He added ordinance #04-33 extends the waiver of fees for members of volunteer organizations and their families to include construction sub code fee inspections.
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RENDA ROADS, INC. FOR THE COUNTRY CLUB ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM THE BRIDGE TO THE GOLF CART UNDERPASS NJ MUNICIPAL AID JOB #8700563 IN THE SUM OF $107,500
Mr. Bogart recommends the award of contract to Renda Roads, Inc. to provide improvements to Country Club Road which will include new pavement and incidental work for this section of roadway in the amount of $107,500.
SUPPORTING PARTICIPATION IN THE SUSTAINABLE JERSEY MUNICIPAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Mr. Naples stated Chris Poulsen, Director of Human Services has been selected to serve as the Township’s authorized agent and responsible to complete the Municipal registration on behalf of the Township to support a model of government which benefits our residents now and far into the future by exploring and adopting sustainable, economically-sound, local government practices.
RENEWAL OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LIQUOR LICENSE #1806-33-009-004 – GMRI, INC.
Mr. Herrera advised the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control has issued a special ruling dated July 28, 2009, for renewal of this liquor license for the 2009-2010 license term until a suitable premised is obtained,
RENEWAL OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LIQUOR LICENSE #1806-33-018-007 – RARE HOSPITALITY INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Mr. Herrera advised the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control has issued a special ruling dated July 27, 2009, for renewal of this liquor license for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 license terms until a suitable premised is obtained,
Council was in consensus to vote in consent on the foregoing resolutions.
On motion Councilman Hsing, seconded by Councilman Norgalis, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Absent
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Norgalis Aye
Council President Scaglione Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
Copies of resolutions #09-08-17-223 through #09-08-17-228 are appended to the official minutes.
The Clerk Report for July, 2009 was listed on the agenda for approval.
On the motion of Councilman Norgalis the meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda J. Doyle, RMC
Municipal Clerk
______________________
Patrick Scaglione
Council President
