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Township Council » Meetings » Minutes: April 24, 2008

All meeting minutes posted on the township website are unofficial minutes. Official copies of minutes may be obtained from the township clerk.

Minutes: April 24, 2008

A Council work session of the Randolph Township Council was called to order at 8:00 p.m. by Mayor Napoliello. This meeting is held pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act. Adequate notice of the meeting has been provided by posting written notice of the time, date, location and, to the extent known, the agenda of the meeting in Randolph Township. This notice was posted on the Bulletin Board within Town Hall, it was filed with the Township Clerk, and it was provided to those persons or entities requesting notification. Notice was also provided to the Morris County Daily Record and the Randolph Reporter on December 11, 2007, by emailing them the annual resolution adopted by the Council on December 6, 2007. The annual resolution, which included this meeting date, was advertised in the Randolph Reporter, the official newspaper of the Township of Randolph, on December 20, 2007, and in the Morris County Daily Record on December 27, 2007.

PRESENT:
Councilman Algeier
Councilman Alpert
Councilwoman Mitsch
Councilwoman Price (via telephone)
Deputy Mayor Metz
Mayor Napoliello

ABSENT: Councilman Obremski

Also Present: Township Manager John Lovell and Township Attorney Edward Buzak

Mayor Napoliello led the Pledge of Allegiance.

PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Napoliello read the following proclamations into the record:

(1) VFW Buddy Poppy Sale

WHEREAS, the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States has been officially recognized and endorsed by governmental leaders since 1922; and

WHEREAS, VFW Buddy Poppies are assembled by disabled veterans, and the proceeds of this worthy fundraising campaign are used exclusively for the benefit of disabled and needy veterans, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans; and

WHEREAS, the basic purpose of the annual sale of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 391 of Mine Hill is eloquently reflected in the desire to “Honor the Dead by Helping the Living.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Allen Napoliello, Mayor of the Township of Randolph, do hereby urge the citizens of this community to recognize the merits of this cause by contributing generously to its support through the purchase of Buddy Poppies from May 1 through May 31, 2008, which are symbols of appreciation for the sacrifices of our honored dead.

FURTHER, I urge all patriotic citizens to wear a Buddy Poppy as mute evidence of our gratitude to the men of this country who have risked their lives in defense of the freedoms which we continue to enjoy as American citizens.

(2) Randolph Concert for a Cure Day

WHEREAS, every five minutes someone new is diagnosed with a blood cancer, and every ten minutes someone dies; and

WHEREAS, leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of twenty; and

WHEREAS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training is the world’s largest endurance sports training program, providing training to run or walk marathons and half marathons around the United States; and

WHEREAS, a benefit concert is being sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training at Randolph High School on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at 7:00 p.m., with all proceeds being donated to the Society to support their noble mission to find a cure for blood disorders; and

WHEREAS, longtime Randolph resident Lori Sperber has been helping to organize the event, which will raise over $30,000.00 for desperately needed research to find a cure.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Township Council of the Township of Randolph, County of Morris, in the State of New Jersey, that the Township of Randolph hereby formally recognizes the importance of supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s fundraiser concert on Saturday, May 10, 2008, and proudly designates that day as “Concert for a Cure Day.”

(3) Mar Thoma Church—Silver Jubilee

WHEREAS, the Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York was divided into four parishes, one of which was located in New Jersey, and held its first meeting at the Peace Hall, Lutheran Chapel in Teaneck; and

WHEREAS, over the next several years, the Mar Thoma Congregation met at various churches throughout New Jersey, however the members strongly desired to have a place of their own; and

WHEREAS, on January 31, 1997, the Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey purchased the Church and Parsonage at 790 Route 10 West in Randolph and held their First Communion Service on March 2, 1997; and

WHEREAS, the Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey is a community of believers which has grown into a congregation that includes 94 families who are united by faith in Christ and His love.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Allen Napoliello, Mayor of Randolph Township, Morris County, New Jersey, on behalf of the Randolph Township Council and our residents, do hereby recognize and celebrate the 25 Year Silver Jubilee of the Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey.

Councilman Algeier noted the three diverse groups being recognized this evening. The Council is always pleased to award proclamations to deserving organizations in the community.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Judith Stewart, 114 Everdale Road, believes the township should do a better job of recycling to set a better example for others in the township to encourage recycling.

Seeing no one further, the public portion was closed.

COUNCIL AND MANAGER REPORTS

Councilwoman Mitsch distributed preliminary findings from the Environmental Commission on the current leaf program. She asked the council to review the information and pass any comments or suggestions to her for forwarding to the Environmental Commission. While at the Environmental Commission meeting, Councilwoman Mitsch discussed with them the recent presentation regarding COAH and how that interplays with the Highlands issues.

Manager Lovell noted that the Township Clerk and Township Attorney have completed a review of Executive Session minutes and will be releasing them to the public at the May 1 meeting. Another batch of Executive Session minutes will be reviewed and released in July. Manager Lovell also noted that the Assistant Township Manager is coordinating staff training through the MEL/JIF and invited the council members to attend the training sessions. The Manager provided a copy of a letter he sent to the Executive Director of the Highlands outlining his frustration on various issues.

ORDINANCES

A. Second Reading and Public Hearing

(1) Ordinance #2-08: To Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and Establish a Cap Bank

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “CALENDAR YEAR 2008 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40a:4-45.14)” be read by title on second reading and a hearing held thereon.

Manager Lovell stated that this ordinance will allow the township to bank up to 3 1/2 percent in appropriation dollars above and beyond the 2007 levels in line with the limits established by the State of New Jersey.

The Mayor opened the meeting to the public for a hearing on the ordinance. Seeing no one, the public portion was closed.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “CALENDAR YEAR 2008 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40a:4-45.14)” be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Final Passage of said Ordinance be published in the official designated newspaper according to law.

Councilwoman Mitsch made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Councilman Alpert seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilman Algeier
Councilman Alpert
Councilwoman Mitsch
Councilwoman Price
Deputy Mayor Metz
Mayor Napoliello

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Obremski

(2) Ordinance #11-08: Amend Land Use and Development Ordinances—Solid Waste and Recyclables

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 15-73, SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLABLES, OF THE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH, NEW JERSEY” be read by title on second reading and a hearing held thereon.

Manager Lovell stated that this ordinance was required to bring Randolph into compliance with the Morris County MUA’s solid waste management plan.

Township Attorney Buzak noted that this ordinance was submitted to the Morris County Planning Board and received by them. The Randolph Township Planning Board has recommended adoption of this ordinance and has found it to be not inconsistent with the master plan.

The Mayor opened the meeting to the public for a hearing on the ordinance. Seeing no one, the public portion was closed.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 15-73, SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLABLES, OF THE LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH, NEW JERSEY” be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Final Passage of said Ordinance be published in the official designated newspaper according to law.

Councilwoman Mitsch made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Deputy Mayor Metz seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilman Algeier
Councilman Alpert
Councilwoman Mitsch
Councilwoman Price
Deputy Mayor Metz
Mayor Napoliello

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Obremski

(3) Ordinance #12-08: Amend and Supplement Chapter 42—Solid Waste Management

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 42, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH, NEW JERSEY” be read by title on second reading and a hearing held thereon.

Manager Lovell noted that this ordinance is a companion ordinance to the one just adopted. This ordinance deals with regulations that govern recycling throughout Randolph Township as well as solid waste collection.

The Mayor opened the meeting to the public for a hearing on the ordinance.

Judith Stewart, 114 Everdale Road, would favor an increase in the fines and expressed her hope that the township actively enforces the regulations contained in the ordinance.

Seeing no one further, the public portion was closed.

Manager Lovell noted that the fines included in the ordinance were adopted by the Morris County MUA.

BE IT RESOLVED that an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND SUPPLEMENT CHAPTER 42, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT, OF THE REVISED ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF RANDOLPH, NEW JERSEY” be passed on final reading and that a Notice of Final Passage of said Ordinance be published in the official designated newspaper according to law.

Councilwoman Mitsch made a motion to adopt the ordinance. Deputy Mayor Metz seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilman Algeier
Councilman Alpert
Councilwoman Mitsch
Councilwoman Price
Deputy Mayor Metz
Mayor Napoliello

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Obremski

RAFFLES

Deputy Mayor Metz made a motion to approve the raffles. Councilman Alpert seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilman Algeier
Councilman Alpert
Councilwoman Mitsch
Councilwoman Price
Deputy Mayor Metz
Mayor Napoliello

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Obremski

(1) Off-Premise 50/50, Employment Horizons, 10 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, at the Meadow Wood Manor, October 16, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

(2) On-Premise Tricky Tray, Employment Horizons, 10 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls, NJ, at the Meadow Wood Manor, October 16, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

DISCUSSION

(1) 2008 Budget

Manager Lovell noted that he met with Deputy Mayor Metz and Mayor Napoliello to discuss further reductions to the budget. The Manager summarized those changes to the budget, which include:

  • Surplus—an additional $98,000.00
  • Recreation Fees—an additional $931.00
  • Assessment of Tax Maps—reduction of $3,000.00
  • Legal, Expert Witnesses—reduction of $5,000.00
  • Municipal Court, Salary and Wages—reduction of $2,000.00
  • Engineering, Salary and Wages—reduction of $10,000.00
  • Buildings and Grounds, Overtime—reduction of $600.00
  • Utilities, Heating—reduction of $4,500.00
  • Recycling, Leaf Hauling—reduction of $20,000.00
  • Snow Removal, Rock Salt—reduction of $50,000.00
  • Recreation, Self-Sustaining Programs—reduction of $14,000.00
  • Municipal Alliance, Salaries—reduction of $5,400.00
  • Group Insurance—reduction of $10,000.00
  • Capital Outlay, Records Preservation—reduction of $15,000.00
  • Capital Outlay, Carpet Replacement—reduction of $15,000.00
  • Reserve for Uncollected Taxes—reduction of $7,596.00

These reductions add up to $261,927.00, which accounts for .9 cents on the tax rate. This brings the tax rate to 3 cents, which was the desire of the council.

Mayor Napoliello commented that the three cent tax increase is a result of what Trenton has done to municipalities by taking state aid and requiring towns to pay for the pension system.

Manager Lovell responded that this year the State of New Jersey has transferred their tax burden to the townships’ shoulders.

Councilman Algeier noted that he read an article saying that budget cutting in Trenton is a myth and what’s really happening is cost shifting. He believes the Council is doing a good job, although it is very painful. There were several things cut out of the budget that he never thought he would agree to cut, such as DPW expenditures, however their duty is to the taxpayers to keep the quality of life in this community at the level people are used to while keeping the expenditures as low as possible. The Councilman believes they were able to strike a good balance.

Mayor Napoliello agreed that a good balance has been struck and he was also not happy cutting some of the items from the budget.

Deputy Mayor Metz noted that a lot of time and effort went into the preparation of the budget by Mike Soccio and John Lovell, as well as the council members. He believes more ratables are needed in Randolph to improve the revenue situation. The Deputy Mayor noted that the budget that was created will pass on to the taxpayers of Randolph only the tax increase that was created by the State of NJ. In actuality, the Randolph budget was cut in order to keep the increase at only the state-imposed level.

Manager Lovell summarized some of the staffing changes that have taken place in Town Hall as a result of the council’s desire to reflect the changing community over the past several years.

Councilman Algeier asked the Manager to prepare a summary regarding personnel staffing and the costs of those staffing changes.

Manager Lovell will prepare such a summary document. He noted that he would like to introduce the proposed 2008 budget next week and hold the public hearing in June.

Councilman Algeier noted that, if there had been any ideas for either cutting the budget or doing something totally different than what the council is doing, nobody has brought those ideas forward in any of the meetings that have been held. There has been a lot of publicity about the budget. One member of the public thought the increase was too steep, but that person never showed up at any other meeting or brought any ideas to the table. Now would be the time to come forward with ideas, because once it gets introduced and it goes through the expense of advertising, it’s harder to change things than when it is at the discussion stage.

Council expressed approval to introduce the budget on May 1.

(2) Open Space Tax Draft Referendum Question—Proposed Resolution

Manager Lovell provided the council with a document prepared by Township Attorney Buzak’s office. He asked the council to study the document and provide comments or questions to him. Mike Soccio suggests the process of appropriating funds from the trust in the future by individual ordinance as opposed to implementing percentages. The proposed resolution will be presented to the Open Space Committee, the Parks Committee, and the Recreation Committee. The deadline for getting the referendum on the ballot is August.

Councilman Algeier asked if the percentage approach were used and it turned out that incorrect numbers were specified, how could the ordinance be changed.

Township Attorney Buzak responded that it would have to back out to referendum.

Councilman Algeier believes the percentage approach is not desirable because it could cause friction between committees. He suggested reviewing the question as a council, make any revisions necessary, and then forward it to the various committees after those changes have been made. The Councilman further suggested sending it to Barbara Davis and Harry Gerken for their review and support.

(3) Proposed Cancellation of May 15 Council Meeting

Council approved canceling May 15 meeting.

REVIEW AND SET PROPOSED AGENDA FOR MAY 1, 2008 REGULAR MEETING

Manager Lovell summarized the proposed agenda for the council.

OPEN TO PUBLIC

Judith Stewart, 114 Everdale Road, suggested that the council should not anticipate any monetary give-back from the library as that money will be used for renovations. Regarding programs run by the Recreation Department, since tax dollars are used to fund those programs, everyone should be able to participate and scholarships should be offered to those families in need of assistance. Mrs. Stewart believes that the council should not provide tax money to fund a senior trip to the Monmouth Park Race Track as it could be seen as encouraging gambling.Council approved canceling May 15 meeting.

Seeing no one further from the public, the public portion was closed.

COUNCIL AND MANAGER COMMENTS

Councilman Alpert stated that he would like council to be made aware of any events or occurrences in town before the press and other media releases the information.

Manager Lovell agreed to be more aware of informing the council and will copy them on any emailed press releases.

Councilwoman Price echoed Councilman Alpert’s sentiments.

Mayor Napoliello suggested creating another council liaison position regarding media and communications.

Deputy Mayor Metz volunteered to be the liaison.

Councilman Algeier suggesting getting the budget information to the public, perhaps as part of their tax bills or information statements. He believes that very often, people don’t realize the impact of county and board of education taxes and how they greatly impact their municipal taxes, and people should be educated about where their tax increases are coming from.

Manager Lovell responded that he will prepare a 2008 budget message summarizing the budget. Copies of the budget will be available on line, at the library, and at Town Hall.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no Executive Session.

ADJOURNMENT

The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.

Donna Marie Luciani
Township Clerk

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