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
APRIL 17, 2008 AT 7:30 P.M.
1. NOTICE OF MEETING
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Closed Session – April 7, 2008
5. TOWNSHIP COUNCIL REPORTS
6. MAYOR’S REPORT
7. 2008 MUNICIPAL BUDGET
a) Budget Amendment
b) Public Hearing
c) Final Adoption (tabled)
8. CLOSED SESSION
Contract Negotiations
9. PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL ACTION ORDINANCES
10. INTRODUCTION OF NEW ORDINANCES
11. RESOLUTIONS
a) Authorizing Award of Professional Engineering / Surveying Inspection Services Contract to TAD Associates, LLC, D/B/A De Muro Associates for Mountain Top Road – West Foothill Road Improvement Project in the Amount of $38,200.00
b) Authorizing Acceptance of the Project, Final Change Order, Release of Performance Bond and Acceptance of Maintenance Bond for MilltownRoad/Vanderveer Road Sidewalk Improvement Phase I Project
c) Award of State Contract for Six Ford Police Vehicles in the Amount of $130,890
d) Authorizing Execution of Collective Bargaining Contracts BMEA
e) Authorizing Execution of Collective Bargaining Contracts BPWA
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
14. ADJOURNMENT
Revised 04/15/08
MINUTES OF THE BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
APRIL 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 Thursday, April 17, 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 (absent)
Patrick Scaglione (arrived 7:37)
Howard V. Norgalis
Also Present:
James T. Naples, Administrator
Robert Bogart, Director of Municipal Services
Natasha Turchan, Director of Finance
Mark. S. Ruderman, Labor Counsel
William B. Savo, Township Attorney
Linda J. Doyle, Township Clerk
Council President Norgalis led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On the motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Hsing, Council convened closed session at 7:30 p.m.
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Bridgewater Township Council that this body will now hold a closed meeting to discuss contract negotiations.
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 Hsing, Council reconvened in open session at 7:45 p.m.
The closed session minutes for April 7, 2008, was approved.
Councilman Scaglione requested a formal policy be set in place for street lighting. Council was in consensus to have Administration prepare a policy for public record to apply as an instrument in assessing non-essential street lighting in residential areas to conserve energy and cost savings.
Council President Norgalis reported he and Mayor Flannery attended the K. Hovnanian ground breaking. He stated these units are for sale and will not be used for rental properties.
Council President Norgalis reported Bridgewater Baseball’s Opening Day ceremony was held on Saturday, April 12. He stated it was a fun event and there were more than 1,500 children involved in the program.
Council President Norgalis reported he attended the Sanofi-Aventis walk through. He stated he was not able to stay for the entire tour but appreciated the courtesy extended to him by Sanofi-Aventis.
Council President Norgalis reported William Savo’s mother in law recently passed away. He stated there will a service on Saturday, April; 26.
Council President Norgalis stated he left the Sanofi-Aventis tour to meet his new grand daughter, from China, adopted by his son and wife. He added she is his fifth grandchild and is doing well.
Mr. Naples reported Mayor Flannery read a proclamation at the Bridgewater-Somerset County Library to the staff and public recognizing Library Appreciation Week.
Mr. Naples reported Chief Borden, Captain Koller and he attended a ceremony held at the Prosecutor’s Office to recognize the service of retired Lieutenant Jill Delin for her work with domestic violence victims.
AWARD OF STATE CONTRACT FOR SIX FORD POLICE VEHICLES IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,890
Council, Chief Borden, Captain Koller, Lieutenant Goleskie and Sergeant Jerzak held a discussion on an analysis on Crown Victoria police cars in comparison to other make and models.
Lieutenant Goleskie the three options for police vehicles in state contract included the Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Impala and Ford Crown Victoria. Lieutenant Goleskie stated the police department looked into alternative vehicles but is convinced the Crown Victoria affords the most inexpensive initial cost, history of reliability, lowest continued maintenance and the most room for occupants.
Council and Lieutenant Goleskie discussed alternate options available from state contract.
Council stated it would have appreciated if one of the six police vehicles that will be purchased had been an alternative model so that a real comparison could be done in the future.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Hsing, the foregoing resolution was approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Absent
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED.
A copy of resolution #08-04-17-118 is appended to the official minutes.
Mr. Naples stated he received the suggested amendments from Council President Norgalis and Councilman Moench. He stated that he and Ms. Turchan are reviewing the suggested cuts and will provide Council with additional information.
Council President Norgalis stated final action on the budget will be tabled until Councilman Moench is available for input. He added further discussion and a public hearing on the proposed amendment is scheduled for this session.
Ms. Turchan outlined the requirements for adoption of budget amendments. She informed Council of the impact of tabling the currently proposed amendment to implement the newly suggested cuts. She added each suggested amended line item will need to be evaluated whether they will be required to be reintroduced, require a public hearing and republished.
On motion of Councilman Scaglione, seconded by Councilman Albano, Council opened the public hearing on the 2008 Municipal Budget Amendment.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Hsing, seconded by Councilman Albano, the public hearing on the 2008 Municipal Budget Amendment was closed.
Council President Norgalis stated he and Councilman Moench reviewed each line item and identified areas that should be readdressed.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Scaglione, the budget amendment was tabled. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Absent
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE 2008 BUDGET AMENDMENT WAS TABLED.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Hsing, final action on the 2008 Municipal Budget was tabled. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Absent
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE 2008 MUNICIPAL BUDGET WAS TABLED.
Council was in consensus to vote in consent for the following resolutions:
AUTHORIZING AWARD OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING / SURVEYING INSPECTION SERVICES CONTRACT TO TAD ASSOCIATES, LLC, D/B/A DE MURO ASSOCIATES FOR MOUNTAIN TOP ROAD – WEST FOOTHILL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $38,200.00
Mr. Naples stated the award of contract to De Muro Associates will include the following services: analyzing the existing drainage and existing roadway pavement; determining and recommending the construction remedy; identifying any and all easements and permits needed; preparing easement maps and descriptions; submitting construction cost estimates and preparing plans and specifications for the Mountain Top Road – West Foothill Road Improvement Project.
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROJECT, FINAL CHANGE ORDER, RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE BOND AND ACCEPTANCE OF MAINTENANCE BOND FOR MILLTOWNROAD/VANDERVEER ROAD SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PHASE I PROJECT
Mr. Naples stated there was a reduction in the quantities of various materials needed which resulted in a final contract price reduced from $99,130 to $85,691 in the amount of $13,439 or 13.56% lower than the contract amount based on an adjustment of estimated quantities to match as-built quantities. The Township Engineer recommends acceptance of this project.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Scaglione, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Absent
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
Copies of resolutions #08-04-17-120 and #08-04-17-121 are appended to the official minutes.
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONTRACTS BMEA
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING CONTRACTS BPWA
Mr. Naples stated the above resolutions authorize execution of collective bargaining unit agreements for both the BMEA and BPWA as reviewed and discussed with Mr. Ruderman.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second by Councilman Scaglione, the foregoing resolutions were approved. The vote was as follows:
Councilman Albano Aye
Councilman Hsing Aye
Councilman Moench Absent
Councilman Scaglione Aye
Council President Norgalis Aye
THE RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED.
Copies of resolutions #08-04-17-121 and #08-04-17-122 is appended to the official minutes
On motion of Councilman Hsing, second of Councilman Albano, the meeting was opened to the public.
No one wished to be heard.
On motion of Councilman Scaglione, second of Councilman Albano, the public portion was closed.
Councilman Scaglione asked Council to consider the Public Comment portion of the meeting be listed on the agenda after the ordinances and before the resolutions.
Council President Norgalis stated the public portion of the meeting is flexible however; Council was in consensus to have the Public Comment title listed on the agenda before the resolutions. l
Councilman Albano asked Mr. Naples in consideration of the increase in co-payments does the Township offer flexible spending accounts for employees. Mr. Naples stated he will look into the benefits of the flexible spending program with the Township insurance administrator.
On motion of Councilman Albano, second of Councilman Scaglione, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda J. Doyle, RMC
Municipal Clerk
______________________________
Howard Norgalis
Council President
