This Month's Minutes
PAGE 2011-20
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
HELD MAY 11, 2011 AT 6:30 P.M.
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 P.M. by Councilwoman Schultheis.
2. Councilwoman Schultheis advised that this meeting was held in accordance with
the Open Public Meetings Act as prescribed by State Statute. 3. Present: Councilman Ochwat, Councilwoman Schultheis, Councilman Sloane
and Councilman Young; Absent Mayor Cote. 4. RESOLUTION: a. Budget Self Examination (ATTACHMENT 1). Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved
on roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Young and Schultheis;
ABSENT - Mayor Cote. 5. APPROVAL OF RAFFLE APPLICATIONS: a. Jersey Off-Road Bicycle Association Event to be held June 18, 2011 at the
Waterloo Concert Field. Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Young, and approved on
roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Young and Schultheis.
ABSENT- Mayor Cote. 6. The Municipal Clerk advised that a letter was received from the Warren County
Planning Department regarding the State Strategic Plan. The State Strategic Planning
Process is a cabinet level effort that will result in a set of recommendations that will
transform the existing statewide framework for land use planning into one that
prioritizes and supports sustainable economic growth. Councilman Young stated that he would be able to attend this meeting on May 17th. Councilwoman Schultheis advised that she will contact Suzanne Chamberlin so a
representative of the Land Use Board could attend. 7. APPROVAL OF THE SPECIAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES DISTRICT
BUDGET FOR VILLAGE IX AND THE CREST AS SUBMITTED. Motion by Councilman Ochwat, seconded by Councilman Young, and approved on
roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Young and Schultheis;
ABSENT Mayor Cote.
PAGE 2011-21
8. PUBLIC SESSION: There were no comments or objections from the public and the public session was
closed. Attorney Beilin advised that he had spoken with the Chief Financial Officer and
there is an issue regarding the compliance with the Local Public Contracts Law.
This is a major concern and there needs to be some form of bid process in place to
allow for repairs to water mains, road repairs, etc. Emergency repairs are handled
differently. Mr. Kozimor, CFO, was present and stated that the current bid threshold is
$17,500.00. If there is a Qualified Purchasing Agent the bid threshold is $36,000.00
and the quote threshold is $5,400.00.
Mr. Kozimor stated that he is a Qualified Purchasing Agent and received the
certification for the same. If the Township was to create the position of a
QPA this could eliminate some of the problems the Township is running into
regarding having to obtain bids and quotes for certain projects. He would have the
jurisdiction of making the determination of expending township funds on accordance
with general accounting principals. Attorney Beilin suggested that and ordinance be prepared to create the position of
a Qualified Purchasing Agent. This ordinance should be introduced at the May 24,
2011 regular meeting. A resolution could be adopted after the ordinance is
adopted designating Mr. Kozimor as the QPA. The Township Council authorized Attorney Beilin to prepare the QPA Ordinance for
introduction at the May meeting. 9. ADJOURNMENT 6:55 P.M. Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, carried to adjourn
at 6:55 P.M. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Young and
Schultheis; ABSENT Mayor Cote.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anne Marie Tracy, Municipal Clerk
PAGE 2011-22
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP COUNCIL HELD MAY 24, 2011 AT 7:00 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Cote. 2. Mayor Cote advised that this meeting was held in accordance with the Open Public
Meetings Act as prescribed by State Statute which was followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance. 3. Present: Mayor Cote, Councilman Ochwat, Councilwoman Schultheis and Councilman
Young; Absent Councilman Sloane. 4. Approval of Minutes: a. Regular Meeting April 20, 2011 as submitted. Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved on
roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 5. ADOPTION OF THE 2011 MUNICIPAL BUDGET: Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Young, carried to adopt the
2011 Municipal Budget and to approve the following resolution (ATTACHMENT 1). At this time, the meeting was opened to the public. There were no public comments or objections and the public hearing was closed. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 6. VEHICLE USE POLICY (ATTACHMENT 2). Motion by Councilman Ochwat, seconded by Councilwoman Schultheis, carried to
adopt the Vehicle Use Policy as submitted. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons
Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote; ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 7. APPROVAL OF ENGINEERS REPORT/ACTION LIST:
There were no items that required action by the Township Council. 8. ATTORNEYS REPORT: a. Attorney Wacks advised that he had prepared an ordinance to create the position of
a Qualified Purchasing Agent. This appointment would be beneficial to the Township
with regard to the financial rules and regulations of the State of New Jersey.
PAGE 2011-23
b. Attorney Wacks stated that the Development Fee Ordinance was reviewed by the Council
on Affordable Housing and approved. The Township Council should review the ordinance
in preparation for introduction at the June 21, 2011 Township Council meeting. c. Attorney Wacks advised that the proposed Flood Ordinance was sent to Trenton for
review. This ordinance could be introduced at the June meeting. d. Attorney Wacks advised that there are two additional Coah units which have been
reverted to fair market rental rates. One tenant requested a pool permit but because
the tenant is on a month to month lease he does not feel that the tenant should be
eligible for a pool permit. These units do not have a current lease in place. The Township Council agreed with Attorney Wacks and a pool permit should
not be issued for the tenants who are on a month to month basis or residing in the
unit without a current up to date lease.
9. Councilwoman Schultheis stated that she wanted to remind everyone that June 3, 2011
is the playground dedication ceremony at the site. The Township Council will have their
pictures taken next to the fundraising sign.
10. Susan Allen, Allamuchy Township Recreation Commission, was present and provided the
Township Council with a report on the repairs and upgrades required at the Green Acres Park. Ms. Allen advised that there are a few fence issues which need to be addressed. The fence, in
a few locations is curled over at the bottom or the edges are sharp and could pose a
danger. Ms. Allen stated that there is a need for clay to be placed on the fields. The clay needs to be
delivered while the ground is frozen and spread out in the Spring. A few repairs have been
made by parents such as repairs to the batting cage. Councilman Young stated that he was of the understanding that there is a specific type of
clay that is used. The clay is expensive but it provides a certain amount of bounce and
texture.
Ms. Allen advised that she will contact Independence Township to see what type of clay
they use. The clay needs to be absorbable so it does not puddle. Councilwoman Schultheis stated that if the Recreation Commission is short on volunteers
then an article should be prepared for The Panther and The Allamuchy Messenger. The
article should outline the programs, the number of students in the various recreation
programs and the type of volunteers that are being sought. Councilman Ochwat questioned if the fees for the programs were raised to be more uniform
with surrounding municipalities. Ms. Allen advised that the fees have been raised. The program seems to be balancing out
with what is being collected and what is being disbursed. The school does not charge for
the use of the facilities. The only item of expense if custodian costs. PAGE 2011-24 The Township Council authorized Ms. Allen to have the fence repaired and to obtain
prices for the clay. Ms. Allen stated that she will obtain quotes on the clay and report back to the Township
Council. She will also call someone to repair the fence where needed. 11. PUBLIC SESSION: a. Carol Averell, 9 Purple Martin Drive, was present and stated that she has been before the
Township Council to speak about the Glass-Steagall Bill. A new bill has been introduced
in April, 2011. The new bill is much more comprehensive and worth while then the
first bill. She strongly recommended that the Township Council pass a resolution
supporting this bill so the housing industry could hopefully begin to recover. Ms. Averell stated that this bill has to happen for the sake of the housing industry in
the United States. She requested that the Township Council take a look at this legislation
and pass a resolution reinstating Glass-Steagall. If the safeguard is not reinstated then
the housing crisis will occur again. 12. ORDINANCES FIRST READING: a. # 2011-06 ORDINANCE DESIGNATING THE POSITION OF PURCHASING
AGENT. Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, carried to
introduce Ordinance # 2011-06 on first reading. Second reading to take place on June 21, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote.
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 13. ORDINANCES SECOND READING: a. # 2011-05 ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY
APPROPRIATION OF $200,000 PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-53
FOR THE PREPARATION AND EXECUTION OF A COMPLETE
PROGRAM OF REVALUATION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR THE
USE OF THE TOWNSHIP TAX ASSESSOR D IN AND BY THE
TOWNSHIP OF ALLAMUCHY, IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN,
NEW JERSEY. Motion by Councilman Ochwat, seconded by Councilwoman Schultheis, carried to adopt
Ordinance # 2011-05 on second reading. At this time, the meeting was opened to the public.
PAGE 2011-25 There were no comments or objections from the public and the public hearing was
closed.
Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. b. # 2011-02 BOND ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $300,000 AND
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $285,000 OF BONDS
AND/OR BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES FOR THE PURPOSE OF
IMPROVEMENTS TO SHADES OF DEATH ROAD AUTHORIZED
TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN AND BY THE TOWNSHIP OF
ALLAMUCHY, IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY Motion by Councilman Young, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, carried to adopt
Ordinance # 2011-02 on second reading. The public hearing was held on April 20, 2011 and there were no comments or
objections. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 14. RESOLUTIONS: a. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of Allamuchy,
County of Warren, State of New Jersey that the following tax lien is hereby
cancelled Block 301 Lot 7.04 - $20,585.56.
b. Authorizing Administrative Fees and Costs for Providing Emergency Services in
conjunction with the Cash for Crash Ordinance (ATTACHMENT 2). Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved on
roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. c. Special Emergency Resolution Sale and Issuance of Special Emergency Notes
for Revaluation (ATTACHMENT 3). Motion by Councilman Young, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved on
roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote.
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 15. OTHER/NEW BUSINESS:
a. Approval of the Adopt a Senior Program as revised by the Municipal Attorney
(ATTACHMENT 4).
b. Approval of Project Graduation Request - $500.00
c. Approval of Junkyard Application Allamuchy Foreign Car, LLC (Gibbs Road).
d. Approval of New Firemen Applications Andrew Rubin and Matthew Malejko. Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved on
PAGE 2011-26 roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote;
ABSENT Councilman Sloane. 16. James Kozimor, Chief Financial Officer was present and addressed the issue of accepting
credit cards for payment of taxes and water and sewer payments. The Township has to pass
on the processing fee to the payer. The average processing fee could be 2.50% which
could get expensive on a $2,000.00 tax payment. Mr. Kozimor feels that this is quite expensive and the credit card machines will sit idle.
He wanted to pass this information on to the Township Council as the service fee for
using a credit is costly to the individual using the card. Mr. Kozimor advised that he will explore other options and report back to the Township
Council. The Township Council agreed with Mr. Kozimor that the fee would be costly and suggested
the he explore other method of collections by the municipality. 17. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND ADD-ON LIST (ATTACHMENT 5). Motion by Councilman Young, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved on roll
call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote; ABSENT
Councilman Sloane. 18. ADJOURNMENT 7:45 P.M. Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, carried to
adjourn at 7:45 P.M. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Schultheis, Ochwat, Young
and Mayor Cote; ABSENT Councilman Sloane. Respectfully Submitted,
Anne Marie Tracy, Municipal Clerk
James H. Cote, Mayor
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