Sandyston Township Committee Meeting

May 13, 2008

MINUTES

This meeting was opened and called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Mayor Leppert who stated this meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act having been duly advertised.

The clerk was asked to call the roll and present were Committeeman MacDonald, Committeeman Harper and Mayor Leppert.

Also in attendance were Francis J. Jones (Auditor) of Nisivoccia & Company, LLP, Randolph, NJ, Joe Haggerty, Jr., Amy Lobban, Patte Haggerty Frato, Jackie Waldron, Raj Sinha and Mr.& Mrs. Mark Mullen and son Benjamin Mullen.

The Mayor led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Proclamation: Mayor Leppert acknowledged the outstanding achievements of Eagle Scout Benjamin Mullen a senior at Kittatinny Regional High School. Ben is a resident of Branchville and joined Troop 96 of Hampton Township. He has earned twenty-two merit badges and attended the 2005 Scout Jamboree. He participated in plays with both high school and community theatre groups and volunteered in many projects ranging from community, church, college and high school. The Mayor presented Ben with a plaque containing the proclamation.

Ordinance 2008-09 CALENDAR YEAR 2008: AN ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) was presented for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the floor to the public, seconded by Committeeman Harper. There being no comment from the floor, Committeeman Harper made a motion to close the hearing to the floor, seconded by Mayor Leppert. Committeeman Harper made a motion to adopt Ordinance 2008-09, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Public Hearing and Adoption of the Budget. A motion was made by Mayor Leppert to open the floor to the hearing of the budget, seconded by Committeeman Harper. Mayor Leppert introduced Ben Jones, Township Auditor, who stated the budget did not reflect any state aid. No one wished to be heard and Mayor Leppert moved to close the hearing of the budget, seconded by Committeeman Harper. Mayor Leppert moved to adopt the 2008 budget, seconded by Committeeman Harper. The Auditor read the Resolution setting forth appropriations in the amount of $483,912. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0. Approval of Minutes Committeeman Harper made a motion to approve the Minutes of April 8, 2008, for both the Regular Meeting and the Executive Session, seconded by Mayor Leppert and unanimously carried.

Tax Collector The Tax Collector’s report was presented with total receipts Month-to- Date of $265,918.84. Mayor Leppert made a motion to approve the report, seconded by Committeeman Harper and unanimously carried.

Treasurer’s Report Mayor Leppert presented the Treasurer’s report and stated there was a beginning balance of $616,330.23, total receipts of $309,715.73, total disbursements of $405,895.60 and an ending balance of $520,150.36. In other accounts there were balances in the General Capital account of $1,008,487.79, Animal Control of $17,078.86, Public Assistance Escrow of $3,472.84 and Unemployment Escrow of $31,195.45. Mayor Leppert made a motion to approve the report, seconded by Committeeman McDonald and unanimously carried.

Payment of Vouchers The committee reviewed the vouchers. Comments indicated the price of propane was good. Committeeman Harper made a motion to approve the payment of vouchers, seconded by Mayor Leppert. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Departmental Reports The committee reviewed the departmental reports. Committeeman Harper commended the Time Sheet Reports submitted by Joe (Haggerty) and Roy (McClain) for their detail. Mayor Leppert noted there would be a surplus sale for the DPW trucks and plows.

Old Business Speeding letters/warning light: Mayor Leppert stated he would follow up with the county. Parking lot agreement: Committeeman Harper noted the Outdoor Ordinance would be passed at this meeting which would dovetail with the signing of the parking lot agreement. The parking lot agreement/post office discussion was tabled until the end of the meeting. Ball field benches have been installed.

New Business Mayor Leppert regretfully accepted the resignation of the Clean Communities Coordinator Jo-Anne Williamson who in turn recommended Joanne Dispenziere as her replacement. Committeeman Harper made a motion to appoint Joanne Dispenziere as Clean Communities Coordinator pending the Mayor interviewing the nominee, seconded by Committeeman McDonald and unanimously carried. Boy Scouts of America: pursuant to a written request by the BSA attorney Committeeman Harper made a motion to waive the township fees and notify the Planning Board professionals, but not to waive the escrow amounts, seconded by Mayor Leppert and unanimously carried. Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply: per N.J.S.A. 40A:11-15(32) Acting Municipal Clerk Murphy recommended the term of the contract be changed from 260 revenue weeks to 156 weeks. Mayor Leppert made a motion approving the change, seconded by Committeeman Harper and unanimously carried. Resolution R-21-08: a resolution designating the Month of May as Older Americans Month and Proclaiming Our Senior Citizen of the Year 2007. Mayor Leppert nominated candidate #2 (TBA at Sandyston Day). A motion was made by Mayor Leppert confirming the nomination, seconded by Committeeman Harper and unanimously carried.

Resolution R-22-08: A Resolution Opposing the Closure of New Jersey State Parks was read by Mayor Leppert. Mayor Leppert made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Committeeman Harper and unanimously carried.

Resolution R-23-08: A Resolution to Deem Personal Property Surplus was read by Mayor Leppert. Committeeman Harper made a motion to approve the resolution, seconded by Mayor Leppert. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0. Committeeman Harper made a motion to declare the bigger plow also surplus and sell it with the truck, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Resolution R-24-08: A Resolution Appointing a Certified Municipal Registrar was read by Mayor Leppert. Mayor Leppert made a motion to appoint Jerard J. Murphy as Municipal Registrar, seconded Committeeman Harper and unanimously carried.

Ordinance 2008-04: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XII GROWTH SHARE OF CHAPTER 150 ZONING OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SANDYSTON was presented for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the floor to the public, seconded by Committeeman Harper. No one wished to be heard. Committeeman Harper made a motion to close the floor, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. Mayor Leppert made a motion to adopt the Ordinance, seconded Committeeman Harper. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Ordinance 2008-07: AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE FUNDING OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING LOCATED AT 122 ROUTE 560 BLOCK 1201, LOT13 IN THE LAYTON CENTER IN SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP, SUSSEX COUNTY, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND PROVIDING FOR THE FINANCING OF SAME THROUGH THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND was presented for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the floor to the public, seconded by Committeeman Harper. No one wished to be heard. Mayor Leppert made a motion to close the floor, seconded by Committeeman Harper. Mayor Leppert made a motion to adopt the Ordinance, seconded Committeeman Harper. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Ordinance 2008-08 Chapter 36: AN ORDINANCE REGULATING OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF SANDYSTON was presented for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the floor to the public, seconded by Committeeman Harper. Mr. Raj Sinha questioned the proposed ordinance to which the Mayor replied the Nonprofits were those described as 501(c). No one else wished to be heard and Mayor Leppert made a motion to close the floor, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. Mayor Leppert made a motion to adopt the Ordinance, seconded Committeeman Harper. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Ordinance 2008-10: AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE FUNDING OF A PURCHASE OF TRUCK FOR THE SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP ROAD DEPARTMENT, SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP, SUSSEX COUNTY, STATE OF NEW JERSEY was presented for public hearing and adoption. Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the floor to the public, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. No one wished to be heard. Mayor Leppert made a motion to close the floor, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. Mayor Leppert made a motion to adopt the Ordinance, seconded Committeeman MacDonald. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Parking Lot/Post Office (previously tabled): The lease of the old Municipal Building, 122 Route 560, Layton, NJ 07851 to the United States Postal Service and the method of calculation of the rent was discussed. The Base was determined by multiplying 921 SF by $12.00 per SF yielding $11,052. The Base was then multiplied by (1.03%) percent to calculate the rent for the second year and the process was repeated for each year of the 20-year Lease. Thus, the sum total for the first five (5) years of the lease was calculated and then divided by five (5) to establish a median rent of $11,735.31 per annum for the first five years. The same methodology was used to calculate the rent per annum for the three remaining five-year periods of the Lease: $13,604.45 per annum for years six (6) through ten (10); $15,771.29 per annum for years eleven (11) through fifteen (15); $18,283.25 per annum for years sixteen (16) through twenty (20). Further discussion centered around five major areas of responsibility to include site work, building exterior, building interior, HVAC mechanical/plumbing and electrical. A meeting with representative(s) from H. Pellow & Associates, Augusta, NJ and Chyun Associates, P.A., Hopewell, NJ will be forthcoming to detail these areas of responsibility. A motion was made by Committeeman Harper to sign the Lease with the United States Postal Service, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Harper, Leppert; Nays: 0; Abstain: 0; Absent: 0.

Correspondence The committee reviewed the correspondence. Committeeman Harper noted changes to PERS are due July 1, 2008 and asked that it be put on the next Agenda. The report from Farmside Landscape & Design concerning a diseased Dogwood tree was discussed and a follow-up by the Clerk was requested.

Open Floor to Public Mayor Leppert made a motion to open the meeting to the floor, seconded by Committeeman Harper. Patte Frato presented a picture for hanging in the Municipal Building. She stated she had talked with the NPS about an insurance rider needed so the Historical Society could use the Depue House on Old Mine Road. There will be a dedication of a flagpole in the Hainesville Cemetery to Pvt. Peter S. Hotalen on Sunday, May 25, 2008 and in July of two gravestones for two members of the Shay Family. The Society would like a DVD player and a projector for future use. It was recommended that a proposal be put together and presented to the Committee. Committeeman Harper urged bid specs for the renovation work on the old municipal building be received by the end of May so the contract can be released by mid-June. Discussion followed on the various planning aspects of the renovation. Mayor Leppert officially welcomed the new Acting Municipal Clerk Jerry Murphy to the town. Committeeman Harper suggested the Mayor write a letter officially recognizing the job the former Clerk Betsy Cuneo had done. The Mayor agreed. Mayor Leppert made a motion to close the meeting to the floor, seconded by Committeeman MacDonald.

Adjourn There being no further business to discuss, Committeeman MacDonald made a motion to adjourn at 10:00 a.m., seconded by Mayor Leppert and unanimously carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Jerard J. Murphy Acting Municipal Clerk