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Township Council » Meetings » Minutes: February 22, 2014

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

Minutes: February 22, 2014

A. OPENING OF BUDGET MEETING

1. Call to Order

A budget meeting of the Randolph Township Council was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Mayor Loveys. 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 of this meeting was provided to the Randolph Reporter by emailing them the Budget Meeting Notice on January 28, 2014. The Budget Meeting Notice, which included this meeting date, was advertised in the Randolph Reporter on January 30, 2014.

2. Roll Call

PRESENT:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno (arrived 8:35 a.m.)
Councilman Hirniak
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Veech
Mayor Loveys

Also present: Township Manager Lovell, Mark Caputo, Russ Newman, Darren Maloney, Mike Soccio, and Tom Spring.

3. Mayor Loveys led the Pledge of Allegiance.

B. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

C. BUDGET PRESENTATION

1. Russ Newman—Review of Parks, Recreation, and Parks Capital Improvements and Equipment

Russ Newman gave a report on the Parks & Recreation budget which included:

  1. The demographics in the township have been changing, particularly with the younger grades. There were declines in enrollment last year which that affects both the Recreation Dept. programming and the revenue.
  2. Support of Leagues: the budget breakdown is provided for each program run. There were some programs that grew and some that did not; the budgets are adjusted accordingly for the following year.
  3. Self Sustaining Programs: also included in this is reflected in the salary and wages for staff program facility; those are programs like the day camps, sports clinics, the beach, and Artworks Studios. They have both a supply and equipment costs as well as a salary cost.
  4. There are 4 major revenue sources: support of leagues, self sustaining programs, Brundage Park Playhouse, and miscellaneous revenue throughout the year such as rentals for parks & pavilions, donations for buses, collection for fireworks, etc.
  5. Three major parks: Brundage, Heistein, and Freedom Park. There are 2 staff members assigned to each park. The other two staff members are the “road crew.” The staff members maintain the parks as well as other areas in town such as the municipal complex and VFW facility.
  6. Capital Program explained some of the proposed expenditures including decking repairs at Randolph Park; a couple of projects at Brundage Park, maintenance garage improvements, lighting, and doors and improved security for the shop as well as a new trailer for the Brundage Park Playhouse and repair of the HVAC system before moving onto the Master Plan.

There was discussion on the following issues:

  1. The new programming for the summer camps and the anticipated affect on the budget.
  2. Potential new year-round sports programs as well as educational programs.
  3. The three small pocket parks in town. Russ has met with the community group that is interested in replacing the equipment that was removed from Kiwanis Park. The Recreation Dept. has some money in the budget to redevelop the park, the Kiwanis Club can donate some funding, and the community group is fundraising as well.
  4. Potentially installing security cameras at the three major parks and Randolph Park. It was suggested to put $10,000 per year in the budget for the next few years to start working on this project.
  5. The Brundage Park Playhouse and the possibility of moving productions to the VFW building. It was suggested that a Council workgroup be created to research the possibility. The workgroup will consist of Councilwoman Carey (chair), Councilman Forstenhausler, and Councilman Guadagno.

The Park Master Plan:

  1. Last one was done in 1997-1998. That plan indicated the need for more parks and that led to the construction of Freedom Park.
  2. This will touch on some of the demographic changes in town, the existing facilities, and what the need is and will be for the next 10-15 years.
  3. Manager Lovell explained that the way Master Plans are done today. They, along with the Parks Committee and Council, will put together a survey for the community in which to obtain feedback. They then look at what the town has as well as what other like communities provide. And then an assessment is done of the current facilities and their conditions as well as the ability to access those facilities. They tell you what is needed, what people want, what is absolutely necessary, and what you can actually afford and how best to achieve that goal.
  4. Councilman Guadagno suggested that once the Master Plan has been completed, the information be available for all residents so they are aware of the various parks in town. Manager Lovell stated that the town should be able to get a copy of the Master Plan electronically & that it could be put onto the township website.
  5. Manager Lovell asked for the Council to allow township staff to begin setting up interviews with top firms. He suggested Russ coordinate the interviews, and include the two Council members who are liaisons to the Parks Committee (Deputy Mayor Veech) and the Recreation Committee (Councilman Forstenhausler) as well as the Chairpersons of the Parks Committee and the Recreation Committee.

Some of the Council members felt that the refurbishment of Kiwanis Park should not wait until the Master Plan is completed. They felt there is momentum from the residents with fundraising and anticipation which should not be sidelined. The Recreation Department has also been considering using the grassy area at Kiwanis Park for smaller recreation programs such as Kiddie Soccer.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road stated that the budget has income and expenses separate. She felt that a program budget was needed where income and expenditure are tied together. In the past Russ provided that for some of the budget and she would like to see it again, particularly in the area where fees are waived for those who can’t afford them. In her opinion, residents are getting their value for what is expended for Parks & Recreation, even if they don’t use the parks.

Manager Lovell stated that there is a program spreadsheet that Russ generates each year. Russ also provides the manager every year with a list of fee waivers.

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

2. Mark Caputo—Review of Health, Construction Code Enforcement, and Animal Control

Mark Caputo explained the six Divisions of the Health Department which include: Environmental, Animal Control, Nursing, Registrar of Vital Statistics, Construction, & Health. Exploration continues regarding shared services for all of the local health services.

Construction:

Beginning this year Randolph will share the Construction Official with Roxbury. The Building Sub-Code Official has just a slight bump up to adequately address the increased responsibilities now that the Construction Official will not be in Randolph full time. An increase in construction is anticipated based upon the approval of some larger projects. The existing staff should be able to cover it; however, if additional field inspection help is needed, there is the option of hiring part time inspectors.

Public Health Nursing:

There is one full time Public Health Nurse Supervisor and 2 part time nurses. The adult vaccine participation has nearly doubled since 2012. It is anticipated that this program will continue to grow. The flu vaccination program continues as well as the continued replenishment of private AAI vaccine inventory.

Animal Control:

The Seeing Eye renovation and move is planned for 2014. Randolph provides 24/7 animal control services to five municipalities, with a combined population of over 60,000. There are 2 full-time Animal Control Officers.

Environmental:

Two health inspector vacancies were filled in 2013.

Mark Caputo gave a report on the Health Department budget which included:

  1. Information on the various shared services agreements.
  2. Randolph engages in privatizing services: Blue Diamond has been collecting curbside solid waste; dumpster service contract was just renewed for five years; the Health Educator is a consultant; and the Electrical Inspector for the Health Department is contracted.

There was some discussion on single stream recycling.

Issues/Challenges for 2014:

  1. The transition to the new animal control facility
  2. Development of the two new health sanitarians

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road asked if separation of recyclables at the curb would result in increased revenue for recycling. Mark Caputo explained that it was decided in the past that in order to increase total paper volume, the curbside separation would be dropped.

Mrs. Stewart also suggested that the township publicize more about the cost savings of recycling. Mark Caputo explained that they provide educational programs at the elementary schools as well as the middle school. Mrs. Stewart stated that at the high school there is often a lot of recyclables in the trash cans. Mark Caputo said that he would report this to the high school liaison to the Board of Health.

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

3. Tom Spring—DPW Snow Budget and Capital Equipment, Road Overlays, and Special Projects—Drainage Basins

Tom Spring gave a report on the Department of Public Works budget which included:

  1. Travel/Conference/Education-he needs to renew his certifications every two to three years which requires attending classes for CEU credits each year.
  2. Road Materials covers asphalt, crushed stone, cold patch and the crack seal.
  3. Street Sweeping & Disposal-there is a deal with Sussex County to get rid of the street sweeping. If that arrangement ends, disposal will need to be paid for. The line item in the budget is what it would cost to use the Morris County Co-Op disposal.
  4. Each of the line items was mentioned briefly.
  5. Various pieces of equipment will be replaced and some will be refurbished.

There was discussion on the following items:

  1. Grit and salt being spread on roadways and its effect on the roads and catch basins.
  2. The old equipment and the potential to sell it at auction.
  3. The potential for curbside recycling to be outsourced. The Council committee created in 2013 will research the concept with the anticipated transition January 1, 2015. The Recycling Center will continue to operate.

D. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road asked what can be made available to senior citizens for snow removal on their properties.

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

E. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Deputy Mayor Veech passed out copies of the Budget Trial Balance for 2012 and 2013 which Darren Maloney had prepared for comparison. Mr. Maloney explained the document briefly.

F. ADJOURNMENT

Deputy Mayor Veech made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 p.m. Councilman Guadagno seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

AYES:
Councilwoman Carey
Councilman Forstenhausler
Councilman Guadagno
Councilman Hirniak
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Veech
Mayor Loveys

NAYS: None

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