TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
May 8, 2006
The regular meeting of the Township
Committee of the
In
accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby
announced and shall be entered into the minutes of this meeting that adequate
notice of this meeting has been provided:
(1)
Posted
on December 7, 2005 on the Bulletin Board of the Municipal
Office at 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, New Jersey and
remains posted at that location.
(2)
Communicated
to the Cranbury Press, Home News Tribune and
(3)
Was
filed on December 7, 2005 with a Deputy Municipal Clerk at the Cranbury
Municipal Office, 23-A North Main Street, Cranbury, New Jersey and remains on
file for public inspection, and
(4)
Sent
to those individuals who have requested personal notice.
Regular
Committee Minutes of April 17 & April 24, 2006
Closed Session Minutes of April 17 &
April 24, 2006
On motion
by Mr. Stout, seconded by Mr. Stannard and unanimously carried (with Mr.
Wittman abstaining) the regular and closed session minutes of April 17, 2006
were adopted.
On motion
by Mr. Wittman, seconded by Mr. Stout and unanimously carried (with Ms. Stave
abstaining) the regular and closed session minutes of April 24, 2006 were
adopted.
Reports and Communications
--Mayor
Mayor Panconi
reported on April 26, 2006, he had filmed two spots on Comcast’s “Newsmakers” show.
Mayor Panconi had discussed the Township’s bike patrol and the pumper/rescue
truck purchase. On April 28, 2006 Mayor
Panconi had attended the Arbor Day Celebration with Judy Dossin, where he read
a proclamation and assisted with a tree planting. Also on the 28th, the Personnel
subcommittee held a staff meeting at Town Hall and reminded the staff the
public expects professional and courteous service at all times. The
subcommittee indicated they would be reviewing all personnel files for Township
staff and the goal was to have in the folders the following information--individual’s
job description, compensation package and clearly defined work hours and in
addition those work hours would be posted on the Township’s web site. The subcommittee also pointed out, recently, glass
had been installed in the doors of the Clerk’s and Tax Collector’s Office to
ensure key municipal officials are readily accessible to the public and announced
a policy was now being put into place that when the Township Administrator is
out, the Clerk will be the Acting Administrator. On May 4, 2006, Mayor Panconi performed his
first wedding ceremony for friends of his in
Reports and
Communications (Continued)
---Mayor
in to discuss Library issues with him. Mayor Panconi also performed a wedding
ceremony at Town Hall.
---Members of Committee
Mr. Stannard reported he had spoken
with Bobbie Marlowe, Chairperson for the Historic Preservation Commission, who
indicated Ms. Kate McConnell would be leaving the Commission. Mr. Stannard indicated the H.P.C. was down to
four members, creating a need for one regular member and two alternates. Ms.
Marlowe was going to try to come up with some names and the Clerk indicated she
would put a notice on the web site.
Mr. Wittman reported the Barn
subcommittee had met on the 26th and had another meeting tentatively
scheduled for Wednesday, May 10th.
The subcommittee would be discussing whether it would be able to get all
the paperwork together to meet the deadline for the management grant
application. Mr. Wittman also reported
he had attended a meeting on May 1, 2006 with Cranbury Housing Associates and
Mr. Richard Preiss, Township Planner, Cathleen Marcelli, Township Engineer,
Alan Kehrt and Tom Harvey, Planning Board Chairman, to discuss the new R-ML-II
Zone for the Township’s affordable housing site at the KHov development. Mr. Harvey requested there be a joint meeting
with the Planning Board and Township Committee on May 18, 2006 to resolve the
issues. A notice will be sent out by the
Clerk for a Joint Meeting on May 18, 2006.
Mr. Stout reported he, Tom Witt, Cathleen Marcelli and
another representative from Hatch Mott MacDonald had met earlier in the evening
to discuss the proposed Public Works Storage Building on the former landfill site
on
Agenda Additions/Changes
The Clerk indicated under Ordinances
First Reading, there could be an Ordinance introduced, 05-06-13, under Second Reading,
Ordinances #’s 04-06-09 and 04-06-10 were adjourned until the Township
Committee meeting of May 22, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., due to the Planning Board reviewing
the ordinances and under Closed Session, the second item would be considered
first and the first item second.
Ordinances
First
The
Township Attorney, Ms. Waterbury, asked that Ordinance # 04-06-10, which had
been referred to the Planning Board, and was to be carried over to the May 22nd
meeting (see paragraph above) be withdrawn and in its place, the following
Ordinance be introduced:
A motion was
made by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stannard, to introduce on First Reading,
Ordinance # 05-06-13 and withdraw # 04-06-10, which had already been introduced
and referred to the Planning Board:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
(Continued)
Nays: (None
Public
Hearing: May 22, 2006
An Ordinance entitled, “Cranbury Township Ordinance #
05-06-13, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY CONCERNING LAND DEVELOPMENT AND AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF “OPEN SPACE”
IN SECTION 150-7 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY”, was
introduced for first reading. On motion
by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stannard, the Ordinance was passed on first
reading by vote:
WHEREAS, Chapter 150 of the Code of
the Township of Cranbury (“Code”), the “Land Development Ordinance of Cranbury
Township” (“LDO”), regulates land use and development in the Township; and
WHEREAS, section 150-7 of the LDO contains
a definition of “open space” that limits the use of open space to agriculture
and passive recreation only; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the regulations
promulgated by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green
Acres Program, parkland or open space may be used for active recreation as well
as for passive recreation and conservation; and
WHEREAS, in order to best meet the needs of
its residents, the Township wishes to allow active recreation in addition to
passive recreation and conservation in certain of its residential zones;
NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED
by the Township Committee of the
1. The
definition of “open space” set forth in section 150-7 of the Code of the
Township of Cranbury (“Code”) is hereby amended to read as follows (additions
are underlined; deletions are in [brackets]):
OPEN SPACE --- Any parcel of land or
water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated, designated or reserved
for agricultural uses or passive recreation. In the Residential-Light Impact
(R-LI ) and Residential-Low Density 3 (RLD-3) zones, any Township-owned
property that meets the above definition of open space may also be used for
active recreation or for any other purpose allowed by the New Jersey State
Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program, subject to the
prior approval of the Cranbury Township Planning Board.
2. A copy of this ordinance will be
referred to the Cranbury Township Planning Board for review following its
introduction on first reading.
3. This ordinance shall take effect upon
its passage and publication and upon the filing of a copy of said ordinance
with the Middlesex County Planning Board, as required by law.
Ordinances
First
An
Ordinance entitled,” Cranbury Township Ordinance # 05-06-11, AN ORDINANCE OF
THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, AMENDING CHAPTER 150 OF
THE CODE OF THE
RESIDENTIAL
MT. LAUREL II ZONE”, was introduced for first reading. On motion by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr.
Stannard, the Ordinance was passed on first reading by vote:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
Nays: (None
Public
Hearing: May 22, 2006
WHEREAS, Chapter 150 of the Code of the
Township of Cranbury (“Code”), the “Land Development Ordinance of Cranbury
Township” (“LDO”), regulates land use and development in the Township; and
WHEREAS, the Township’s third round
affordable housing plan and land use element calls for the construction of
affordable housing on property located on Old Cranbury Road and designated as
Block 20, Lot 10.01 on the Cranbury Township Tax Map; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to create
appropriate zoning and bulk standards for the construction of said housing;
NOW
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED
by the Township Committee of the
1.
Chapter
150 of the Code of the
§ 150-25.1 Residential—
A. Permitted
uses. All those uses permitted in the
R-ML Zone.
B. Area and bulk
regulations.
(1)
Minimum
lot area: two acres.
(2) Minimum lot width: 200 feet.
(3) Minimum lot depth: 150 feet.
(4) Minimum front yard depth: 15 feet.
(5) Minimum side yard width: 20 feet.
(6) Minimum rear yard depth: 40 feet.
(7) Maximum building height: 35 feet or two
stories.
(8)
Maximum
gross density: 10 dwelling units per acre.
C. Other
requirements.
(Continued)
(1)
Infrastructure.
All residential units shall be served by public sewer and centralized water systems.
(2) Off-street
parking. All off-street parking shall be
located a minimum distance of 15 feet from any property line and shall be
screened from view from adjacent properties.
(3) Dwelling units design features. All dwelling units shall be designed in such
a manner as to provide maximum security and visual privacy from adjacent
dwelling units, nonresidential uses and streets.
(4) Site
plan review. During site plan review,
the following criteria shall be given consideration:
(a) The function and visual relationship between dwelling units and
adjacent existing developments.
(b) Orientation of buildings so as to take advantage of passive solar
heating and summer breezes while minimizing exposure to winter winds.
(c) Pedestrian walkways which are linked to off-site walkway
networks.
(d) Minimization of glare, noise and visual intrusion of parking
lots to external roadways and adjacent properties through grading, berms and/or
plantings.
2. A copy of this ordinance will be
referred to the Cranbury Township Planning Board for review following its
introduction on first reading.
3. This ordinance shall take effect upon
its passage and publication and upon the filing of a copy of said ordinance
with the Middlesex County Planning Board, as required by law.
Ordinances
Second
An
Ordinance entitled, “Cranbury Township Ordinance # 04-06-08, A BOND ORDINANCE
PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY, IN THE
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING THE ISSUANCE OF
$486,993
BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE PART OF THE COST THEREOF”, was
introduced for second reading and final adoption. The Ordinance was published in the Cranbury
Press, posted on the Township Bulletin Board and copies were available to the
public. The Mayor opened the public
hearing on the Ordinance. Ms. Connie
Bauder,
(Continued)
one else present
wished to speak, so the hearing was declared closed. On motion by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stout,
the Ordinance was adopted by a vote:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
Nays: (None
Public
Hearing: May 8, 2006
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF
CRANBURY, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, NEW
The several
improvements described in Section 3 of this bond ordinance are hereby
respectively authorized to be undertaken by the
$25,632 as
the several down payments for the improvements or purposes required by the
Local Bond Law. The down payments have been made available by virtue of
provision for down payment or for capital improvement purposes in one or more
previously adopted budgets.
In order to
finance the cost of the several improvements or purposes not covered by
application of the several down payments, negotiable bonds are hereby
authorized to be issued in the principal amount of $486,993 pursuant to the
Local Bond Law. In anticipation of the
issuance of the bonds, negotiable bond anticipation notes are hereby authorized
to be issued pursuant to and within the limitations prescribed by the Local
Bond Law.
The several
improvements hereby authorized and the several purposes for which the bonds are
to be issued, the estimated cost of each improvement and the appropriation
therefor, the estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued for each
improvement and the period of usefulness of each improvement are as follows:
Amount of Bonds or
Appropriation Notes
and Estimated Period of
Purpose ___Cost___ Usefulness
a) The acquisition of various equipment
for different departments, including a
radar unit, a traffic monitor unit, VCR-
DVD recorders, a projector, CPR
Mannequins, AED pads, and a mower
and snow blower for the police station
and further including all related costs and
expenditures incidental thereto. $ 14,125 $13,418 5 years
b) The installation of a security gate
at
the Department of Public Works
yard and a fuel tank, including all
(Continued)
Amount of Bonds or
Appropriation Notes
and Estimated Period of
Purpose ___Cost___
Usefulness
work and materials necessary therefor
and incidental thereto. $ 20,000 $ 19,000 10
years
c) The acquisition of a Cranbury Brook
Pump Station concrete lid and a
Grinder
pump for the wet well,
Including all related costs and
Expenditures incidental thereto. $ 120,000 $
114,000 10 years
d) Preliminary planning expenses in
Connection with the affordable
Housing-3rd round obligations,
Including all related costs and
Expenditures incidental thereto. $ 50,000 $
47,500 15 years
e) The acquisition of equipment for
the storage barn, including
all related costs and expenditures
incidental thereto. $ 300,000 $ 285,000 15
years
f)
The
Hydrologic Study. $ 8,500 $
8,075 15 years
TOTALS $
512,625 $ 486,993 15
years
The excess
of the appropriation made for each of the improvements or purposes aforesaid
over the estimated maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued therefor, as
above stated, is the amount of the down payment for each purpose.
All bond
anticipation notes issued hereunder shall mature at such times as may be
determined by the chief financial officer; provided that no note shall mature
later than one year from its date. The
notes shall bear interest at such rate or rates and be in such form as may be
determined by the chief financial officer.
The chief financial officer shall determine all matters in connection
with notes issued pursuant to this ordinance, and the chief financial officer’s
signature upon the notes shall be conclusive evidence as to all such
determinations. All notes issued
hereunder may be renewed from time to time subject to the provisions of the Local
Bond Law. The chief financial officer is
hereby authorized to sell part or all of the notes from time to time at public
or private sale
and to deliver
them to the purchasers thereof upon receipt of payment of the purchase price
plus accrued interest from their dates to the date of delivery thereof. The chief financial officer is directed to
report in writing to the governing body at the meeting next succeeding the date
when any sale or delivery of the notes pursuant to this ordinance is made. Such report must include the amount, the
description, the interest rate and the maturity schedule of the notes sold, the
price obtained and the name of the purchaser.
(Continued)
The
Township hereby certifies that it has adopted a capital budget or a temporary capital
budget, as applicable. The capital or temporary capital budget of the Township
is hereby amended to conform with the provisions of this ordinance to the
extent of any inconsistency herewith. To
the extent that the purposes authorized herein are inconsistent with the
adopted capital or temporary capital budget, a revised capital or temporary
capital budget has been filed with the Division of Local Government Services.
The
following additional matters are hereby determined, declared, recited and stated:
(a) The
purposes described in Section 3 of this bond ordinance are not current
expenses. They are all improvements that
the Township may lawfully undertake as general improvements, and no part of the
costs thereof has been or shall be specially assessed on property specially
benefitted thereby.
(b) The
average period of usefulness, computed on the basis of the respective amounts
of obligations authorized for each purpose and the reasonable life thereof
within the limitations of the Local Bond Law, is 14.52 years.
(c) The
Supplemental Debt Statement required by the Local Bond Law has been duly
prepared and filed in the office of the Clerk, and a complete executed
duplicate thereof has
been filed
in the office of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in
the Department of Community Affairs of the State of
(d) An
aggregate amount not exceeding $95,000 for items of expense listed in and
permitted under N.J.S.A. 40A:2‑20 is included in the estimated costs
indicated herein for the purposes or improvements.
Any grant
moneys received for the purposes described in Section 3 hereof shall be applied
either to direct payment of the cost of the improvements or to payment of the
obligations issued pursuant to this ordinance.
The amount of obligations authorized but not issued hereunder shall be
reduced to the extent that such funds are so used.
The chief
financial officer of the Township is hereby authorized to prepare and to update
from time to time as necessary a financial disclosure document to be
distributed in connection with the sale of obligations of the Township and to
execute such disclosure document on behalf of the Township. The chief financial officer is further
authorized to enter into the appropriate undertaking to provide secondary
market disclosure on behalf of the Township pursuant to Rule 15c2-12 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Rule”) for the benefit of holders and
beneficial owners of obligations of the Township and to amend such undertaking
from time to time in connection with any change in law, or interpretation
thereof, provided such undertaking is and continues to be, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized bond counsel, consistent with the requirements of the
Rule. In the event that the Township
fails to comply with its undertaking, the Township shall not be liable for any
monetary damages, and the remedy shall be limited to specific performance of
the undertaking.
The full
faith and credit of the Township are hereby pledged to the punctual payment of
the principal of and the interest on the obligations authorized by this bond
ordinance. The obligations shall be
direct, unlimited obligations of the Township, and the Township shall be
obligated to levy ad valorem taxes upon all the taxable real property within
the Township for the payment of the obligations and the interest thereon
without limitation of rate or amount.
This bond
ordinance shall take effect 20 days after the first publication thereof after
final adoption, as provided by the Local Bond Law.
Resolutions
Consent Agenda
On motion
offered by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stannard, the following Consent Agenda
Resolutions were adopted by vote:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
Nays: (None
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the
RESOLUTION
OF THE
A RESOLUTION AWARDING A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTING SERVICES TO RONALD A. GHRIST,
CPA, RMA
WHEREAS,
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-71(b) authorizes the Township of Cranbury (Township) to
employ, contract for and fix the compensation of its experts and staff as it
deems appropriate for the period January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006; and
WHEREAS, Township wishes to contract
for the services of a professional accountant to prepare un-audited financial
statements required to be submitted to the Division of Local Government
Services, to assist the Township with the preparation and submission of its
2006 municipal budget, and to provide any and all other independent accounting
services as may be mutually agreed to, without a “fair and open process” as
defined by P.L. 2004, c. 19, the “Local Unit Pay-to-Play Law”; and
WHEREAS, Ronald A. Ghrist, CPA, RMA
(Contractor) has offered to provide the above-referenced professional services
in accordance with the rates and costs set forth in the contract attached
hereto; and
WHEREAS, Contractor has completed
and filed with the Township a Campaign Contributions Affidavit as required by
N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.2 et seq. certifying that Consultant has
not made
any prohibited contributions to a candidate committee or municipal committee
representing the elected officials of the
WHEREAS, the Local Public Contracts
Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq., authorizes the award of this Contract
without public or competitive bidding on the basis that it is a professional
services agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Cranbury Township Chief
Financial Officer has certified that sufficient funds are available for this
purpose.
(Continued)
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of
the
1. The
January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006, as set forth in more
detail in the attached agreement.
2.
The
Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to enter into a Professional
Services Agreement with Consultant pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey
Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1, et seq. This contract is being awarded without
competitive bidding as a Professional Services Contract under the provisions of
the aforementioned law because a service will
be rendered or performed by a person or persons authorized
by law to practice a recognized profession and whose practice is regulated by
law.
3. A
copy of this Resolution, the Certification of Contract Value, the Campaign
Contributions Affidavit, and the executed Agreement shall be placed on file in
the office of the Township Clerk.
4.
A
brief notice of this action shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation
in the
CERTIFICATION
I, Kathleen R. Cunningham, RMC, Clerk of the
Kathleen R. Cunningham, Clerk
A RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A MAINTENANCE BOND FOR SUDLER-HESS FARMHOUSE
WHEREAS, by letter dated April 14, 2006, Sudler has requested the release of their
Maintenance Bond previously posted with the Township in accordance with
Planning Board approval; and
WHEREAS, the Township Engineer has, in a letter dated April
17, 2006 (attached hereto as ”Exhibit A”) recommended that the remaining
$4,293.75 cash maintenance bond be released;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of
the
1. It has reviewed, agrees with and
hereby accepts all recommendations of the Township Engineer as set forth in
“Exhibit A”.
2. The Township hereby accepts the
public improvements, if any so designated pursuant to the Planning Board’s approval.
BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution, certified by the Township
Clerk to be a true copy and forwarded to each of the following:
(Continued)
(a)
Township
Engineer
(b)
Township
Chief Financial Officer
(c)
Steven
Spinweber, Sudler
(d)
Township
Attorney
CERTIFICATION
I,
Kathleen
R. Cunningham Clerk
WHEREAS, the Construction Official has determined that
certain permits were calculated incorrectly
WHEREAS, the Construction Official has recommended that the
following Permit fees be refunded:
Name
Permit # Block
A & R
Construction
06-097
26
29.18 $100.00 (Ck 2788)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of
the
CERTIFICATION
I, Kathleen
R. Cunningham, Township Clerk of the
__________________________
Kathleen R. Cunningham, Clerk
RESOLUTION
PROVIDING FOR THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE IN THE MUNICIPAL
BUDGET OF THE
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-87 provides
that the Director of the Division of Local Government Services may approve the
insertion of any special item of revenue in the budget of any County or
Municipality when such item shall have been made available by law and the
amount thereof was not determined at the time of the adoption of the budget,
and
WHEREAS, said Director may also
approve the insertion of an item of appropriation for equal amount,
(Continued)
Section 1
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that
the Township Committee hereby requests the Director of the Division of Local
Government Services to approve the insertion of an item of
revenue in
the budget of the year 2006 in the sum of $741.61 which item is now available
as a revenue from the State of New Jersey pursuant to the provision of the
statute, and
Section 2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy
of this Resolution, certified by the Township Clerk to be a true copy forwarded
to each of the following:
(a)
Director
of the Division of Local Government Services
(b)
Township
Auditor
(c)
Township
Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION
I, Kathleen
R. Cunningham, Clerk of the
_________________________
Kathleen
R. Cunningham, Clerk
RESOLUTION
TO CONFIRM THE WORK HOURS OF MUNICIPAL BUILDING PERSONNEL
WHEREAS,
the Personnel Subcommittee has recommended that the Township Committee adopt a
resolution confirming the work hours of municipal building personnel so that
members of the public and municipal employees can be appropriately informed of
that information; and
WHEREAS,
the Township Committee has determined that it is in the public interest and in
the interest of the Township's employees to follow the aforesaid
recommendation;
NOW
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the
(Continued)
CERTIFICATION
I,
Kathleen R. Cunningham, Clerk, hereby certify this is a true copy of a
Resolution, which was adopted by the Township Committee on May 8, 2006.
_________________________
Kathleen
R. Cunningham, Clerk
Attached
Schedule:
CRANBURY TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT/STAFF
HOURS
Part-time
employees’ hours to be set by direction of Township Administrator and
Department Heads
ADMINISTRATOR
As directed
by the Township Committee
CLERK
Clerk 8:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Deputy
Registrar – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
CONSTRUCTION
Construction
Official - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Staff Hours
by Department (Continued)
Building
/Fire Inspector – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Technical
Assistant – 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
FINANCE
Chief
Financial Officer – Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Assessing
Clerk – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Sewer
Collector – 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mon, Tues, Wed., Friday
Accounts
Payable Clerk – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Tax
Collector – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Tax
Assessor – 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon –Wednesday
1:00 p.m.
to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon – Friday
PLANNING
AND ZONING
Administrative
Officer – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
PUBLIC
WORKS
Public
Works Secretary/H.P.C. Administrative Officer – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Forman –
7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
All other
employees – 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Reports from Township Staff and Professionals
Ms. Marcelli, Township Engineer, gave
an update on the Route 130/Half
Ms. Stave asked if the Consent
Agenda Resolution # R 05-06-072, released Sudler from any responsibilities of
the Hess farmhouse and/or barn. Ms.
Marcelli responded the release of the Performance Bond did not pertain in any
way to the farmhouse and/or barn and Mr. Witt indicated he had received a
telephone call from Ms. Wagner, Township Historian, regarding her concerns with
the barn being in disrepair. Mr. Witt
then contacted Mr. Steven Spinweber of Sudler.
Mr. Spinweber indicated, even though Sudler was not required to do so,
they would paint the barn and repair the broken windows.
Mr. Witt reported, on April 26th,
he had attended a meeting in
Mayor Panconi asked the Township
Attorney’s advice concerning overgrown bushes and/or trees obstructing the
sidewalk on
Reports
from Township Boards and Commissions
There were no reports.
Work
Session
a. Update from Police Chief Jay Hansen on Police Department (Chief
Jay Hansen).
Police Chief Jay Hansen gave his
monthly report on the Police Department.
Chief Hansen reported there had been 71 summonses issued the previous
month, 29 having taken place in the Village area of the Township, 23 on Route
130 and 19 East of Route 130. Of the 29
in the Village area, 12 were for speeding, three (3) for speeding on Route 130
and one (1) for speeding East of Route 130.
Chief Hansen stated the overtime had been less than previous months and
he had put the bike patrol in operation whenever the weather permitted. Chief Hansen reported the bike patrol had
been out at least 20 times since the beginning of April, patrolling the
village’s parks as well as streets in the village area. Chief Hansen reported
he had previously had a meeting with the Mayor concerning the traffic flow
problem at the end of
Work Session (Continued)
a.
Update from Police Chief Jay Hansen on Police Department (Chief Jay
Hansen)
the traffic consultant previously
hired to alleviate the traffic problem at the School intersection and stated the
entire situation was becoming increasingly worse. Mayor Panconi indicated an issue had arisen as
to what time an officer should be at the intersection. Chief Hansen indicated
an officer would be present at 8:00 a.m. every morning. Ms. Stave indicated the
Traffic subcommittee would meet with the Township Engineer, Traffic Consultant and
Police Officers who normally direct the traffic and would report back to the
Township Committee.
B Progress report on
Steve Benner, Tax Assessor, updated the Township Committee
on the progress of the Township’s revaluation and also discussed implementing a
new open space tax rate. Mr. Benner stated the inspectors had inspected
approximately 344 homes and had indicated they would be concentrating on the
homes first and then concentrate on the farms.
Ms. Connie Bauder,
c. Discussion
of the Transportation Trust Fund Grant Program (Cathleen Marcelli, Township Engineer
Ms. Marcelli, Township Engineer, discussed
with the Township Committee, the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Grant
Program and its impact on
Work Session (Continued)
c.
Discussion of the Transportation Trust Fund Grant Program (Cathleen
Marcelli, Township Engineer (cont’d)
question, to prioritize the projects
they would like. Township Committee authorized Ms. Marcelli to apply for the
grants she had presented and Ms. Marcelli indicated she would
report back to the Township
Committee on the bike paths. Ms.
Marcelli added the grant application deadline is June 30, 2006.
d.
Discussion of an outdoor dining ordinance
Mr. Stannard explained several
restaurants in the Village area had outdoor dining. Mr. Stannard explained a
proposal had been made a while ago to draft an outdoor dining ordinance that would
codify the intention of the Township and makes it more equitable to all the
restaurants in the Township. Mr.
Stannard reported about a year ago, the Planning Board had recommended the
Township Committee adopt an ordinance, to alleviate the Planning Board having
to determine with each application whether or not to grant outdoor dining. Mr. Stannard indicated he would be making a
recommendation that outdoor dining would be allowed to an applicant based on
the available space (on a percentage basis) and not just a number of
spaces. Ms. Waterbury, Township
Attorney, recommended the Township Committee at the next meeting, schedule a discussion
to review the Ordinance and then if in agreement, introduce the Ordinance on
First Reading. The Township Committee
agreed with Ms. Waterbury’s recommendation and indicated they would list the
Ordinance under the Work Session on the May 22, 2006 agenda.
e. Discussion of various changes to
The Township Committee discussed amending
the Cranbury Township Code, Chapter 46, Alarms. Mayor Panconi stated the
Apparatus Report, prepared by Mr. William Peters, for the Fire Company, had made
reference to the issue and many alarm systems throughout the Township had been
going off, causing the Fire Company to go out on many unnecessary false alarm
calls. The Township Committee discussed
and determined Chapter 46: Alarms, would need to be amended, increasing the
penalties (from $100 to $250) for false alarms, if a testing firm failed to
notify the Township Police Department of testing or repair of a system, $250
fine, number of occurrences for false alarms before being fined, reduced from
six (6) to three (3), fines for delinquency, $250. The Township Committee
agreed the Ordinance would be introduced on First Reading at its next meeting,
May 22, 2006. Mr. Wittman asked how the
Ordinance would be communicated to individuals. Mayor Panconi responded the
Fire Official would be distributing the Ordinance to offenders and mail out a
notice to businesses as well.
Public Comment
The Mayor opened the meeting to public questions and
comments on those items not on the agenda.
Mr. Dietrich Wahlers,
Mayor’s Notes
Mayor Panconi announced on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 12:00
Noon, there would be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Cranbury Business and
Professional Association at the Hot Wok Café.
Mayor Panconi reported he had received two invitations; one from the
Girl Scouts for “Women of Distinction” on Sunday, May 21, 2006 from 2:00 – 5:00
p.m. and the other from Congressman Rush Holt for a “Newly Elected Officials Day”,
in Washington, D.C. on
Mayor’s Notes (Continued)
Tuesday, May 23, 2006.
Mayor Panconi stated if anyone was interested in either event they
should contact him.
Resolution
On motion
offered by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stannard, the following resolution was
adopted by vote:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
Nays: (None
RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING TO THE
PUBLIC
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township
Committee of the
The general nature of the subject to
be discussed in this session is as follows:
---Litigation: Update on Danser v.
---Land Acquisition:
Discussion of Route 130-D site.
It is unknown at this time precisely
when the matters discussed in this session will be disclosed to the
public. Matters involving contract
negotiations or the acquisition of land will be disclosed upon conclusion of
the negotiations or upon approval of the acquisition. Matters involving personnel will be disclosed
when the need for confidentiality no longer exists. Matters concerning litigation will be
announced upon the conclusion of trial or settlement of that litigation of when
the need for confidentiality no longer exists.
Date: May 8, 2006
On motion
by Mr. Stannard, seconded by Ms. Stave and unanimously carried, the meeting
returned to Open Session:
Ayes: (Panconi Abstain: (None
(Stannard Absent: (None
(Stave
(Stout
(Wittman
Nays: (None
On motion by Ms. Stave, seconded by Mr. Stannard and
unanimously carried, the meeting adjourned at 10:16 a.m.
_________________________
Kathleen
R. Cunningham, Clerk