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
MARCH 17, 2008 AT 7 P.M.
1. NOTICE OF MEETING
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Agenda Session – February 28, 2008
Regular Session – March 3, 2008
Special Session (Road Tour) – March 1, 2008,
5. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
6. MAYOR’S REPORT
Boy Scouts - Opening Flag Ceremony & Proclamation - 98th Anniversary
7. DISCUSSION
8. BUDGET PRESENTATION
a) Police Department
9. PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ACTION ORDINANCES
a) Amending Chapter 4 Entitled “Administrative Organization,” Article XIV Entitled “Department of Police,” Section 4-83 Entitled “Promotions” So As to 1) Delete the Existing Sub-Section D (Miscellaneous Considerations) 2) Add a New Sub-Section D Entitled “Promotion to Captain” Which Shall Delineate the Evaluation Process for Promotion to Captain, and 3) Add a New Sub-Section E Entitled Miscellaneous Considerations
b) Amending Chapter 175 1 Section III B Entitled “Sewers and Sewage Disposal”, Amending Trunk Connection Charges, Tap In Fees and Annual Sewer Use Charges
c) Authorizing a Renew of a Lease Agreement with the Martin Luther King Youth Center of Somerville Manor, Inc. for Certain Real Property Block 515 Lot 1 (Formerly Known as Block 4430 Lots 532, 533 and 542 through 548) Known as 1408 Prince Rodgers Avenue
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
11. RESOLUTIONS
a) Authorizing the Execution of Various Documents in Connection with the Somerset County Improvement Authority’s Somerset Municipal Banc Program
b) New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety Applications for FY2009 Highway Traffic Safety Grants Enabling Resolution – “Aggressive Driving Enforcement”; “Over the Limit Under Arrest”; and “Child Passenger Safety”
c) Appointment of Ruderman & Glickman as Labor Attorney and Award of Professional Service Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $50,000
d) Authorizing Award of Professional Engineering Services Contract to the Maguire Group, Inc. to Perform Professional Engineering Services in Order to Provide Continued Engineering Services for Further Engineering of the Drainage and Roadway Improvements Byrd Avenue Area Drainage and Roadway Improvements Project
e) Award of Contract to Atlantic Tactical for the Purchase of Police Uniforms ($52,705.65), Shoes ($17,977) and Leather Gear ($51,831.44)
f) Award of State Contract for Two Unmarked Police Vehicles in the Amount of $34,922.50
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 – February 2008
14. CLOSED SESSION
15. ADJOURNMENT
Revised 03/12/08
MINUTES OF THE BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
MARCH 17, 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, March 17, 2008, at 7 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, February 22, and March 11, 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 (absent)
Matthew C. Moench
Patrick Scaglione (arrived 7:10)
Howard V. Norgalis
Also Present: James T. Naples, Administrator
Robert Bogart, Director of Municipal Services
Natasha Turchan, Director of Finance
William B. Savo, Township Attorney
Linda J. Doyle, Township Clerk
Hector A. Herrera, Deputy Township Attorney
Rob Dinoff, Scout Leader, of Boy Scout Troop #46 of Martinsville, together with three members presented Council with a Flag Ceremony initiating the Pledge of Allegiance and the Boy Scout Pledge.
Mr. Dinoff gave Council on overview of the troop’s activities of which included rock climbing, back packing through the Appalachian Trail, canoeing on the Delaware River, and sailing in the Florida Keys. He added Troop 46 is very active in Community service providing more than 500 hours of Community Service volunteering with local soup kitchens, leaf raking to aide the seniors and various other community events.
Council President Norgalis read a Proclamation declaring the week of February 2-9, 2008 as Scouting Anniversary Week. He expressed appreciation to the Boy Scouts and their volunteer Scouting leaders for bringing this values-based program to our young people.
On the motion of Councilman Moench, second of Councilman Albano, the agenda session minutes of February 28, 2008, the regular session minutes of March 3, 2008, and the special session minutes of March 1, 2008 were approved.
Councilman Albano remarked on the large amount of pot holes throughout Township roadways that have significantly increased with this season’s weather.
Councilman Moench thanked Mr. Naples and Ms. Turchan for reviewing and discussing together budget issues with him and Council President Norgalis.
Councilman Moench reported he attended the Board of Education Strategic Planning Conference. He stated the Board of Education has implemented a set of meetings to have the public become more involved in the five-year strategic plan. He stated the group created a mission statement for the school district and four general goals which have sub points to them. The third phase will be to recruit members of the public and various community groups to formulate action plans.
Councilman Moench reported the third round COAH requirements, as proposed to include the addition of 980 new homes, would have an impact on student ratio and long-range planning.
Councilman Moench reported the Bridgewater-Raritan School District will host a formal presentation on the proposed School District Budget on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
Councilman Scaglione reported Verizon FIOS analog service will be converted to digital throughout the Township within the next few months.
Councilman Scaglione reported there was lengthy discussion on the new COAH regulations during the Planning Board meeting held the previous week. He added the Planning Board’s responsibility will be to plan for the possibility of the new rules.
Councilman Scaglione informed Council there may be a need to address some of the existing zoning laws to accommodate more dense zoning to fit these additional units in order to meet the obligation proposed. The Planning Board also discussed recommending an ordinance to force developer’s to meet their fair share of the obligation.
Mr. Naples reported Mayor Flannery submitted a letter, on behalf of the Township, to DCA Commissioner Joseph Doria opposing the third-round COAH obligations. It also contained a personal note to the Governor Corzine outlining the negative impact on Bridgewater Township.
Mr. Naples reported he, Mayor Flannery, Chip Mills and Lieutenant Caravela attended another stake holder meeting with the Department of Transportation to discuss the Route 202/206 and Route 22 merge. He reported the DOT agreed to expand the study to include the I-287 and Route 202/ 206 merge.
Mr. Naples reported the Somerset County Freeholder Board has located a temporary facility for the Bridgewater Township Department of Public Works. The site will be at the former E&B site and will be at no charge to the Township. He added the Legal Department is preparing a lease agreement for use of the facility until the new Public Works building is completed at the Stavola property.
Mr. Naples reported he and Mayor Flannery attended the Governor’s update on the budget for communities over 10,000 residents. He stated many of the speakers were upset about the budget cut. Mr. Naples added almost every community received less in state aid but the topic of COAH was also discussed. Mr. Naples stated the communities’ overall message to the Governor was that they have already cut their budgets and it has been the States’ budget that has been bloated in years past.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Richard Borden, Captain Todd Koller, Lieutenant Skidmore, Lieutenant Kish, Lieutenant Goleskie and Sergeant Jurczak provided Council with a presentation of the 2008 Police budget. Chief Borden began the presentation with the Police Mission Statement then reviewed in detail contractual obligations, cost controls, changes in the ranking system as reflected in the organizational chart, shared services, additional training costs, and weaponry. Council discussed buying a different type of vehicle for example the Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala’s. He explained the turn over and costs to maintain the fleet of vehicles. He stated he had considered the use of different practice ammunition however; felt it was in the best interest of the department to utilize the type of ammunition they would use in the field for consistency.
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Public Hearing and Final Action Ordinances |
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 4 ENTITLED “ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIZATION,” ARTICLE XIV ENTITLED “DEPARTMENT OF POLICE,” SECTION 4-83 ENTITLED “PROMOTIONS” OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER SO AS TO 1) DELETE THE EXISTING SUB-SECTION D (MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS) 2) ADD A NEW SUB-SECTION D ENTITLED “PROMOTION TO CAPTAIN” WHICH SHALL DELINEATE THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR PROMOTION TO CAPTAIN, AND 3) ADD A NEW SUB-SECTION E ENTITLED MISCELLANEOUS CONSIDERATIONS
On the motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was opened to the public on this ordinance.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the public hearing was closed.
The Clerk complied with all requirements of the statute as follows:
Introduced: February 14, 2008
Reintroduced for Substantive Change: March 3, 2008
Posted on the Township Bulletin Board
Copies made available to the general public
Published in the Township newspaper: March 7, 2008
Planning Board Referral: N/A
Supplemental Debt
Date Received: N/A
Date Endorsed: N/A
Motion: Councilman Albano
Second: Councilman Moench
The vote on the forgoing resolution was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-03-17-092 is appended to the official minutes
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 175 ENTITLED “SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL”, SECTION III (3) “ANNUAL SEWER USE CHARGES.”
On the motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was opened to the public on this ordinance.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the public hearing was closed.
The Clerk complied with all requirements of the statute as follows:
Introduced: March 3, 2008
Posted on the Township Bulletin Board
Copies made available to the general public
Published in the Township newspaper: March 7, 2008
Planning Board Referral: N/A
Supplemental Debt
Date Received: N/A
Date Endorsed: N/A
Motion: Councilman Moench
Second: Councilman Albano
The vote on the forgoing resolution was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-03-17-093 is appended to the official minutes
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER TO RENEW A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING YOUTH CENTER OF SOMERVILLE MANOR, INC. FOR CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY IN THE TOWNSHIP OF BRIDGEWATER BLOCK 515 LOT 1 (FORMERLY KNOWN AS BLOCK 4430 LOTS 532, 533 AND 542 THROUGH 548) KNOWN AS 1408 PRINCE RODGERS AVENUE
On the motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was opened to the public on this ordinance.
Martin Luther King Youth Center Board President Eva Westley asked Council to reconsider the five-year lease and renew for 10 years. Ms. Westley stated the State often requests a five-year commitment from the Center and the new lease agreement may not ensure their application process. Council President Norgalis added the Center has maintained a thirty-year past commitment and Administration would assist in support if it were needed to present applications for State funding. Council also informed Ms. Westley that a re-negotiation of the lease contract would be possible if the ML King center needed a long term lease, but five years was adequate for its current projects.
Martin Luther King Youth Center Director Rajni Chopra asked what the procedure would be if the Center requested an addition to the building to create more classroom space. Council President Norgalis stated an application should be presented to the Planning Board.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the public hearing was closed.
The Clerk complied with all requirements of the statute as follows:
Introduced: March 3, 2008
Posted on the Township Bulletin Board
Copies made available to the general public
Published in the Township newspaper: March 7, 2008
Planning Board Referral: N/A
Supplemental Debt
Date Received: N/A
Date Endorsed: N/A
Motion: Councilman Albano
Second: Councilman Moench
The vote on the forgoing resolution was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE ORDINANCE WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-03-17-094 is appended to the official minutes
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF VARIOUS DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOMERSET COUNTY IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY’S SOMERSET MUNICIPAL BANC PROGRAM
Mr. Naples stated this is the Township’s third year participating in the Somerset County Improvement Authority’s Municipal Banc program. He added this is a cost effective way to lease to purchase police vehicles because of a beneficial interest rate.
NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY APPLICATIONS FOR FY2009 HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS ENABLING RESOLUTION – “AGGRESSIVE DRIVING ENFORCEMENT”; “OVER THE LIMIT UNDER ARREST”; AND “CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY”
Mr. Naples detailed each of the three separate components of this Safety Grant application. He reported the “Over the Limit Under Arrest:” component last year was successful in arresting 13 drunken driver’s, the Child Safety Grant component is the same and is used to purchase child safety seats, the Aggressive Driving Enforcement component is to offset the costs of officers on patrol while targeting aggressive driving.
Councilman Albano asked Mr. Naples to provide a more detailed analysis to ensure the Aggressive Driving Enforcement component of this resolution only be used to impede those aggressive driver’s.
On motion of Councilman Albano, seconded by Councilman Scaglione a motion was made to table the Aggressive Driving Component of this resolution. The vote to table the Aggressive Driving Component only was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Nay
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Nay
THE MOTION TO TABLE FAILED.
Council President Norgalis removed the foregoing resolution listed on the agenda as 11B from the consent vote.
APPOINTMENT OF RUDERMAN & GLICKMAN AS LABOR ATTORNEY AND AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $50,000
Mr. Naples informed Council Bridgewater Township would continue to utilize Mark Ruderman to negotiate union contracts.
AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES CONTRACT TO THE MAGUIRE GROUP, INC. TO PERFORM PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE CONTINUED ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR FURTHER ENGINEERING OF THE DRAINAGE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS BYRD AVENUE AREA DRAINAGE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Mr. Bogart informed Council this contract will be awarded to Maguire Group, Inc in an amount not to exceed $28,070. Mr. Bogart outlined the need for professional engineering services in order to continue engineering services for the engineering of the drainage and roadway improvements for the Byrd Avenue area. He added those services will include revising the plans previously prepared for the project to provide splitting the project into two bid sets, design of a retaining wall, providing additional investigation of the Mountain Avenue Drainage area, and preparation and follow up of NJDOT highway permits.
AWARD OF CONTRACT TO ATLANTIC TACTICAL FOR THE PURCHASE OF POLICE UNIFORMS ($52,705.65), SHOES ($17,977) AND LEATHER GEAR ($51,831.44)
Mr. Naples stated this award was a rebid. He added the Township QPA William Conniff reviewed the bids and recommends Atlantic Tactical be awarded the contract in an overall amount not to exceed $122,514.
Councilman Scaglione asked the costs for each item in the previous year. Mr. Naples said he would send that information to the Councilmen.
AWARD OF STATE CONTRACT FOR TWO UNMARKED CHEVROLET IMPALA POLICE VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,922.50
Mr. Naples stated this is a State contract awarded to Motors Fleet of Ocean, NJ for the purchase of two 2008 Chevrolet Impala’s to be used as unmarked Police vehicles. The cost for each vehicle will be $17,461.25 for a total of $34,922.50.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Scaglione, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
A copy of resolutions #08-03-17-095 through #08-03-17-099 are appended to the official minutes.
NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY APPLICATIONS FOR FY2009 HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS ENABLING RESOLUTION – “AGGRESSIVE DRIVING ENFORCEMENT”; “OVER THE LIMIT UNDER ARREST”; AND “CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY”
Councilman Albano stated although not opposed to these safety applications, he believes Council was not provided adequate information on the Aggressive Driving Enforcement Program component to make an informed decision. Therefore he will not vote in favor of this resolution.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Moench, the resolution was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Nay
Councilman Hsing Absent
Councilman Moench Aye
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-03-17-100 is appended to the official minutes
On motion of Councilman Hsing, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was opened to the public.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Moench, second of Councilman Scaglione, the public portion was closed.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda J. Doyle, RMC
Municipal Clerk
______________________________
Howard Norgalis
Council President
