This Month's Minutes ATF Report - November 2011 PAGE 2011- 46 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ALLAMUCHY TOWNSHIP COUNCIL HELD NOVEMBER 15, 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,
Councilman Sloane and Councilman Young. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: a. Regular Meeting October 18, 2011 as corrected: Page 2011-42 4 a should read ABSTAIN Mayor Cote (Mayor Cote
was not in attendance at the September 20, 2011 Township Council Meeting). Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Councilman Sloane and
approved on roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Schultheis, Ochwat,
Young and Mayor Cote. 5. Mayor Cote advised that he had received a phone call from Pam Fales of USA
Track and Field. She will be at the December workshop meeting to present a
check to the Township Council. The Township will receive approximately $ 2,000.00
for hosting the Shades of Death Half Marathon and the Fire Department
will receive $200.00. Mayor Cote stated that Ms. Fales is seeking approval to have another Shades of Death
Run in October, 2012. She needs to get the event publicized. It is expected that the
participation will double in size next year.
Mayor Cote believes that this event was beneficial to the Township and would like
to promote it for 2012. Councilwoman Schultheis stated that it definitely impacted Harvest Fest. It was
difficult to get volunteers from the fire department and recreation commission with
the two events being held back to back.
Mayor Cote suggested that the Harvest Festival portion of the event be held on the
same day as the half marathon. The Township will have nothing to do with the run.
The run will be handled by USA Track and Field. Councilman Ochwat stated that the Township Council needs to determine if Harvest
Festival will be held in 2012. There are also financial issues that need to be addressed.
He suggested that the final revenue figures be received to see where the Township
stands before committing to an actual date.
PAGE 2011-47
Councilman Young concurred with Councilman Ochwat and recommended that
all the financial data is received before any decisions are made. Councilwoman Schultheis stated that she would be in favor firming up a date
for the Shades of Death Run and deal with the Harvest Festival at a later time. Councilman Sloane stated that he feels it was premature to commit to a date for
October, 2012. There is not enough information available for a decision to be
made. Motion by Councilwoman Schultheis, seconded by Mayor Cote, carried to commit
to October 13th or 14th for the Shades of Death Run Half Marathon. Roll call vote: AYES Councilwoman Schultheis and Mayor Cote; NAYES
Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat and Young. 6. APPROVAL OF ENGINEERS REPORT/ACTION LIST: a. Watermain Replacement Project Approve Partial Payment No. 6 to P.M.
Construction in the amount of $73,848.86. Motion by Councilman Young, seconded by Councilman Sloane, and approved
on roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Schultheis, Sloane
and Mayor Cote. 7. ATTORNEYS REPORT: a. Attorney Wacks advised that he had received a report from Nicki Cumisky
regarding the fireplaces at the Village of Old Farm. The cost to service each unit
would be $115.00 each for all twenty two units. Councilman Sloane advised that two other quotes need to be obtained The
question is whether to proceed with the service or cap off the gas to the units.
Attorney Wacks stated that he feels there is a safety issue so the issue should be
pursued to check out the fireplace units and have them serviced. b. SMSD and Eaglet Glen Attorney Wacks advised that all the letters have been
signed and the SMSD could now move forward to eliminate Eaglet Glen as a district
The reserve funds will be returned to the six residents with conditions contained in
Attorney Wackss letter. Attorney Wacks stated that the Township Council should have an ordinance
for introduction with final approval in February removing Eaglet Glen as a
district. PVPOA will need to approve the ordinance before The Township Council
could introduce it. PAGE 2011-48 8. PUBLIC SESSION:
a. Frank Hafner, Emergency Management Coordinator, was present and stated
that he would like to discuss a few issues with the Township Council. The
first issue was the use of the Fire House as a shelter. Mr. Hafner stated that he understood that there was an issue regarding the
firehouse being used as a shelter. There was an issue that came up regarding
Hurricane Irene and there were a few people displaced during this storm.
These people were located to shelters of their choice whether it was with
family or friends. Mr. Hafner stated that as Emergency Management Coordinator he made sure
generators were available and that the firehouse was setup so it could be utilized as a
shelter. The last snow storm knocked out all electrical and phone service. He
received a phone call regarding a resident in the Township who could not get her
generator to work.
Mr. Hafner called Red Cross and the National Guard and no services were available
from these agencies. Mr. Hafner advised that he also called his deputy who was
staying at the firehouse and she agreed to stay with this individual. The conference
room was cleared out and there was a couch that could be turned into a bed. Mr. Hafner stated that a female was with this woman at all times. The next day
she left and went home. At the last firemans meeting he received a phone
call and the issue was raised regarding allowing this person to invade the firemans
portion of the firehouse. There was a concern that bedbugs or lice would be brought
into the firehouse. Mr. Hafner stated that this was ridiculous and he was not going to scan a
taxpayer of the township for bedbugs or lice. The fireman go into all types of
conditions and they could become contaminated. Everyone that would come into
the firehouse would need to be decontaminated. Mr. Hafner felt that he had done everything right as Emergency Management
Coordinator. The facilities are upstairs and he just wanted to make sure that the
Office of Emergency Management does not get a bad name because a certain
section of the firehouse was used.
Mayor Cote stated that he felt that as EMC the situation was handled appropriately
as the firehouse is the property of the Township. The building should be used
accordingly for emergency situations. The Mayor commended Mr. Hafner for
handling the situation as described. Councilman Sloane stated that the firehouse was designated as a shelter. There
was no mention of any restrictions as to what sections of the firehouse should be
used for what purposes.
PAGE 2011-49
Mr. Hafner stated that his next concern was the back gate. There is not an
alternative exit for the entrance or exit out of Panther Valley.
Mr. Hafner advised that PVPOA would not provide an answer as to when the
back gate would be repaired. If an evacuation was necessary for the residents
of Panther Valley in another emergency situation there would be a problem
with only one exit. Mr. Hafner questioned Attorney Wacks as to where does the Township stand
with PVPOA since the State Police stated they have no jurisdiction. Attorney Wacks stated that the State Police has limited jurisdiction. As EMC,
the EMC has a right to protect the safety of the residents. At the SMSD
meeting held this evening the commissioners authorized the use of road repair
reserves to be able to move the fix of the roadway along. PVPOA and Baker
will still be arguing as to who will fix the road but the funds are available.
Mr. Hafner stated that in nine days the road was repaired. It took eleven and a
half weeks to get this repair done.
Attorney Wacks stated that in most developments there is alternate ingress and
egress routes. Since Panther Valley was approved a long time ago this was not a
consideration back then. Attorney Wacks suggested that Mr. Hafner submit a report to the Township
Council of possible locations for an emergency exit. The Township Council
would then need to address the report and act on the recommendation. Councilman Ochwat stated that PVPOA was trying to improve the back gate
but the issue was who was going to pay for it. Mr. Hafner stated that he owns a single family home and he has a load of
debris on his property . PVPOA will not service single family homes. He pays
taxes but the Township does not maintain the roads in Panther Valley. Councilman Young stated that when he was on the board he had proposed
that leaf and debris removal be provided to the single family home owners at
least twice a year. Councilwoman Schultheis that approximately 8 years ago a survey was
done and people signed up and were willing to have this service provided.
Attorney Wacks stated that the SMSD clearly has a provision for debris
collection and this cost would get passed on to the homeowner. The residents
outside of Panther Valley do not have debris collection other than trees that fall
across township roadways. Mayor Cote stated that the residents in Panther Valley have full use of the
roads outside of Panther Valley. The people outside of Panther Valley do not
have debris removal provided to them by the Township. PAGE 2011-50 Councilman Ochwat again requested that Mr. Hafner provide a report to
the Township Council expressing the need for an emergency exit out of Panther
Valley. He wanted to reiterate the need for such a report so the Council could take
this issue under consideration. Mr. Hafner stated that he will prepare a report and submit it to the Township
Council. Mr. Hafner stated that the last issue he wanted to discuss with the Township
Council is the gas issue at the firehouse. He feels that the Township should
not be paying to correct this issue. This matter should have been picked up
by the engineers who designed the system. Attorney Wacks stated that the statue of limitations is 6 years from the time the
defect is discovered. If six years is close then the Township needs to move on
this matter. b. Marcus Hoff, Alphano Road, congratulated Councilman Sloane and
Councilman Young for a successful election win. He questioned if an auction would be held on the old lawn mower that the
township is replacing. The Municipal Clerk advised that the Township is not getting rid of the mower
and no auction will be held. Mr. Hoff questioned the township offering debris removal services at least for
emergency situations. Councilwoman Schultheis stated that she looked into this matter and it
was very expensive to provide such a service such as debris removal or
to build a composting facility. Mr. Hoff stated that he had received a campaign letter from Councilman Sloane and
Councilman Young which mentioned dealing with flood conditions in farm areas. Councilman Sloane stated that the Township cooperates with State and County
authorization in dealing with the flood areas along the Pequest River. Mr. Hoff questioned how the dam in Panther Valley could be approved and
if making the Lake larger heading eastward towards Route 80 would be a possibility.
Councilman Sloane stated that the Township has no jurisdiction over Lake
Eagle Rock. Mr. Hoff questioned if the Township could move forward and correct the problem
as a committee. He wants to keep the problem current as the problem is not going
to go away. PAGE 2011-51 c. Ric Henderson, President of the Allamuchy Senior Citizens Club, was present
and stated that the seniors were looking for a place to warm up and charge up
their cell phones. He questioned if a place could be opened up for the seniors
to get warmed up. The Township Council suggested that Mr. Henderson consult with Mr.
Hafner to establish some procedure for handling emergency situations for the
senior citizens. Mr. Henderson stated that the other issue was whether the roads were opened
up to get to the firehouse. There was no way to even get to the back gate. Mr. Hafner stated that the sleeping facilities need to be improved at the
firehouse. He would need to purchase more cots but there is a kitchen that
could be used. He would need to know ahead of time so volunteers could be
brought in. Mr. Henderson stated that food would not have been an issue more like
getting warm and charging cell phones. Mr. Hafner stated that he has the personnel manpower through CERTS
(Civilian Emergency Response Team) to handle people who need emergency
assistance.
9. 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
liens are hereby cancelled: Block 203 Lot 1 2007-3, 2008-2, 2009-3, and
2010-1 - $58,160.74. b. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of
Allamuchy, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, that the following tax
liens are hereby cancelled Block 801 Lot 7 2006-03 - $15,077.34; Block
801 Lot 7 2008-02 and 2009-04 - $8,674.95. c. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of
Allamuchy, County of Warren, State of New Jersey, that the following
Water Lien is hereby cancelled 7 Rainier Court - $1,168.59. Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, and approved
on roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat, Schultheis, Young
and Mayor Cote. 10. OTHER/NEW BUSINESS: a. Water Credit Request 24 Grosbeak Drive John Massaro credit for
1000 gallons of water used after a water main break - $7.18. PAGE 2011-52 Councilman Sloane stated that it has been the policy of the Township to not
reimburse residents for flushing out their system. Attorney Wacks stated that the Township Council has two options approve
this request and establish a policy that this will not happen again or say no.
This request could be held until a further date. The Township Council could also
give a credit towards so many allowable gallons. Councilman Sloane recommended that this matter be held until it is
determined whether a policy is in place. Attorney Wacks suggested that the Water Department be consulted to see what the
normal gallonage would be to run the water after a water main break. 11. PAYMENT OF BILLS AND ADD-ON LIST (ATTACHMENT 1).
Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Schultheis, and
approved on roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Schultheis,
Ochwat, Young and Mayor Cote. 12. Mayor Cote stated that at this time he is tendering his resignation effective
December 14, 2011. He stated that he enjoyed working with the Township
Council and thanked everyone for their support (ATTACHEMENT 2). Attorney Wacks stated that the December workshop meeting should be
advertised for action so the Republican Committee could submit three names for
the position of Mayor and the Township Council could act on their submission. 13. ADJOURNMENT 8:20 P.M. Motion by Councilman Sloane, seconded by Councilman Ochwat, carried to
adjourn at 8;20 P.M. Roll call vote: AYES Councilpersons Sloane, Ochwat,
Schultheis, Young and Mayor Cote.
Respectfully,
Anne Marie Tracy, Municipal Clerk
James H. Cote, Mayor
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