EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 the Regular
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EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 The regular meeting of the East Amwell Township Committee was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Mayor Richard Wolfe, Deputy Mayor Mark Castellano, and Committee members Chris Sobieski, Tara Ramsey and John Mills. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, Acting Clerk Krista Parsons announced that this is a regularly scheduled meeting, pursuant to the resolution adopted on January 4, 2021 with a meeting notice published in the Hunterdon County Democrat issue of January 14, 2021. A copy of the agenda for this meeting was forwarded to the Hunterdon County Democrat, Times of Trenton, Star Ledger, Courier News, posted on the Township website, and filed in the Township Clerk’s Office on February 8, 2021. ****************************************************************************** RESOLUTION #34-21 WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, East Amwell Township Committee is of the opinion that circumstances presently exist; and WHEREAS, the governing body of the Township of East Amwell wishes to discuss litigation; and WHEREAS, minutes will be kept and once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then minutes can be made public; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the public be excluded from this meeting. I, Krista M. Parsons, Acting Municipal Clerk, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Township Committee of East Amwell at a regular and duly convened meeting held on February 11, 2021. ____________________________________ Krista M. Parsons, Acting Municipal Clerk ****************************************************************************** AGENDA REVIEW Item C. Discussion of Helistop at The Ridge at Back Brook was added under Special Discussion. SPECIAL DISCUSSION/PRESENTATION Resolution Honoring Michael Rowe for Achieving the Eagle Scout Rank RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION Michael Rowe, Eagle Scout RESOLUTION #35-21 EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 WHEREAS, since the age of six years old, Michael Rowe, a resident of East Amwell Township, has been a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 65, Ringoes, New Jersey; and WHEREAS, on June 12, 2020, Michael achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest and most prestigious rank within the Boy Scouts of America; and WHEREAS, for his Eagle Scout project, Michael planned and lead the construction of a kiosk at the trailhead of, and several boardwalks along, the Rocky Brook Trail, a 1.6 mile trail running along the Rocky Brook from Route 518 to Snydertown Road in East Amwell Township; and WHEREAS, the kiosk displays (i) information to enable people to enjoy their hike along the Rocky Brook Trail, including information regarding the environment and the animals along the Trail, and (ii) flood and hunting warnings; and WHEREAS, Michael also planned and lead the removal of invasive plant species along the Rocky Brook Trail, in order to allow native plants to grow and flourish along the Trail; and WHEREAS, in executing his Eagle Scout project, Michael demonstrated planning, building, communication, leadership and organization skills; and WHEREAS, the residents of East Amwell Township and others who use the Rocky Brook Trail will significantly benefit from Michael’s Eagle Scout project. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of East Amwell Township that, on behalf of itself and the residents of East Amwell, it hereby honors and expresses its sincere gratitude to Michael Rowe for his significant contribution to East Amwell Township and for his outstanding accomplishment of obtaining the Boy Scouts of America's highest and most prestigious rank of Eagle Scout; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on behalf of itself and the residents of East Amwell, the Township Committee extends best wishes to Michael in all his future endeavors. By Order of the Township Committee, ____________________________________ Richard Wolfe, Mayor ****************************************************************************** ****************************************************************************** Interview of Angelo Lovisa for the Planning Board and/or Board of Health Mr. Lovisa was interviewed by the Township Committee for a seat on either the Planning Board or Board of Health. Discussion of Helistop at The Ridge at Back Brook Mayor Wolfe discussed the decision of NJDOT to reconsider the approval of the helistop license EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 that NJDOT granted to The Ridge at Back Brook. Mayor Wolfe stated a copy of the draft budget will be posted on the website. Mayor Wolfe stated there will be a property tax increase this year due to a revenue shortfall due to COVID. Mayor Wolfe also provided an update of the meeting that was held with Congressman Malinowski, Commissioner VanDoren and several other Mayors and other elected officials to discuss why small municipalities in Hunterdon County need federal aid. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. The Municipal Offices will be closed on February 15th in observance of President’s Day. b. Kirkpatrick Church has partnered with several groups within the Village; The Amwell Valley Fire Company Axillary, Athletes in Action and Boy Scout Troop 65 will be distributing bags of food one Saturday per month in their parking lot, starting on Saturday, February 20th from 11am until noon. It will be a contactless process where cars will pull up, open their trunk and the volunteers will load the items in the car. The bags will contain cereal, pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter and jelly, mac n cheese, pasta and sauce, tuna, soup, toilet paper and paper towels. Donations of items are also needed and appreciated. c. Annual Dog Licenses are now due. Late fees will be applied starting March 1st. Please contact the Clerk’s Office for more information. d. Hunterdon County Utilities Authority will hold a Hazardous Waste Collection on March 6th and an Electronic Waste Collection on March 20th from 9am-1pm at the Hunterdon County Complex on Route 12. e. Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 14th. Remember to turn your clocks ahead. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BY THE MAYOR Mayor Wolfe acknowledged the DPW for their hard work during the snowstorm, Mark and Alison Castellano for providing food to the DPW during the snowstorm, our First Responders, Congressman Malinowski and those who have worked on the Farm Project; Tamara Lee, Mike Mills, Krista Parsons, Marianne Busher, Katherine Fullerton and all the farmers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES January 14, 2021 Regular Minutes A motion made by Deputy Mayor Castellano, seconded by John Mills to approve the minutes was unanimously approved by voice vote. EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 January 4, 2021 Reorganization Minutes A motion made by Deputy Mayor Castellano, seconded by John Mills to approve the reorganization minutes was unanimously approved by voice vote. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS There was no business for discussion. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS Quarterly Reports Mayor Wolfe stated all quarterly reports are posted to the website. Acting Clerk Parsons stated reports were not received from the Environmental Commission or the Historic Preservation Committee. Resignation of Board of Health Secretary, Rosemary Georgett A motion made by Deputy Mayor Castellano, seconded by John Mills to approve the resignation with regret was unanimously approved by voice vote. Resignation of Ringoes Village Advisory Committee Secretary, Sara Monus A motion made by John Mills, seconded by Chris Sobieski to approve the resignation with regret was unanimously approved by voice vote. Resignation of Agricultural Advisory Committee and Farmland and Open Space Committee Secretary, Katherine Fullerton A motion made by Tara Ramsey, seconded by John Mills to approve the resignation with regret was unanimously approved by voice vote. Appointment of Diane Harrington to the Board of Health A motion made by Deputy Mayor Castellano, seconded by Chris Sobieski to approve the appointment was unanimously approved by voice vote. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC A motion made by Chris Sobieski, seconded by Tara Ramsey to open the meeting to the public was unanimously approved by voice vote. Patrick Eckard, Chief of Amwell Valley Ambulance Corp- Chief Eckard provided an update on the status of the Ambulance Corps and demonstrated the new COVID breathing apparatus that was provided to them from the Hunterdon County Commissioners. Mayor Wolfe and Kathy Wolfe provided a check to the Ambulance Corps. so they can purchase additional masks for each squad member. Chief Eckard also extended his appreciation to the DPW for assisting in plowing the Ambulance Corps’ parking lot. Alison Castellano 9 Prall Court, Ringoes, NJ- Ms. Castellano thanked the DPW for plowing the East Amwell School parking lot, the Grange for allowing the Girl Scouts to meet at their building and the Rescue Squad for allowing the Girl Scouts to tour their building. Ms. Castellano EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP FEBRUARY 11, 2021 stated the Electronic Recycling Depot was very successful and they are looking into holding a Shredding Day. Ms. Castellano announced events that are currently being held or will be held for the Parks and Recreation Committee as well as spring and summer programs that will be held. A motion made by Deputy Mayor Castellano, seconded by Chris Sobieski to close the meeting to the public was unanimously approved by voice vote. CONSENT