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Township Council » Meetings » Minutes: February 27, 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 27, 2014

A. OPENING OF BUDGET MEETING

1. Call to Order

A combination budget meeting and work session meeting of the Randolph Township Council was called to order at 5:00 p.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. The time change for this meeting was provided to the Randolph Reporter by emailing them the new time on January 28, 2014. The Special 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
Councilman Napoliello
Deputy Mayor Veech
Mayor Loveys

ABSENT: Councilman Hirniak

Also present: Township Manager Lovell, Ralph Carchia, David Stokoe, Darren Maloney, Michael Soccio, and Ed Buzak and Keli Gallo from the Law Office of Edward Buzak.

3. Mayor Loveys led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Loveys read the Proclamation recognizing Michael Soccio for his years of service.

B. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Judith Stewart of 114 Everdale Road reported that the Board of Education budget meeting was also meeting. She also commended retiring Finance Director Mike Soccio on his professionalism and expertise and thanked him for all that he’s done.

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

C. PRESENTATION

1. Ralph Carchia—Reviewing Water & Sewer and Capital Equipment and Improvements

Ralph Carchia gave a report on the Water & Sewer budget which included:

  1. The township has been very aggressive with its approach to water allocation and water purchases. There has been less than a 5% unaccountable water loss over the last year to year and a half. There has been a leak detection service coming in each year and performs leak detection on the entire water system. The township is aggressive in repairing leaks that are found and water main breaks.
  2. The items in the capital budget were each briefly explained.
  3. The generator at the Meadowbrook Pump Station is about 20 years old and needs to be replaced & upgraded.
  4. Two sewer grinders need to be replaced.
  5. Pump stations operate on a two pump system. There are eight pumping stations in town. If one pump goes down, the station operates on one pump. If one pump gets overused and stressed, there are sewer backups almost immediately.
  6. There is a six person staff including one foreman and a special projects foreman that comes in to help. One person is out on medical leave. There are also some retirements pending. Two part time positions are being added this year to fill gaps in the organization.
  7. Two main projects this year: the water main at CCM and a sewer extension for the new CCM Library and the other two commercial buildings on Route 10 east.
  8. A building on Sunset Drive is currently used for Water & Sewer operations. With equipment, tools, and supplies, the operation has outgrown this facility. The service trucks need to be in from the weather in the winter as they need to be ready to go when an emergency arises. A pole barn structure needs to be built at the Public Works Maintenance Facility on Sussex Turnpike for the operations of the department.
  9. Fire hydrant replacement program includes replacing about 20 old fire hydrants of the 1,100 hydrants in the township.
  10. Water system PRV valve replacement.
  11. Two pickup trucks need replacement.
  12. He just received the professional engineering request for the Water Master Plan update; the last Water Master Plan was in 1999. It will give direction as to improvements. Funding was raised in the last two budgets; there is no funding for this in the 2014 budget.
  13. The contract has been awarded for the Knightsbridge upgrade and the Phase II of the Mount Freedom sewer project.
  14. The project with Dover has to be implemented this year. A meter needs to be installed at Dover’s old booster station.

D. BREAK—OPEN HOUSE 6:00 P.M.

1. Review the County’s Combs Hollow Bridge Project—Conference Rooms

E. PRESENTATION—6:20 P.M.

1. Chief David Stokoe—Police Budget

David Stokoe gave a report on the Police budget which included:

  1. The budget supports 36 officers. The department currently has 34 officers including the two newest officers who will be sworn in tonight. The recruitment efforts continue to obtain two more to reach 36 officers. Over the past 9 months, 9 new officers have been hired. Thirty-six officers allows the department to have adequate staffing levels for patrol, and allows the ability to beef up the detective bureau and support services unit and begin to get back to providing more of a service oriented Police Department.
  2. The focus for this year will be to switch the department over to a county records management system. The current records management system has been in place for 10 years and it’s past its useful life. The solution that the county has to offer is prudent, beneficial and responsible for the department to move into the county records management system. Part of the yearly fee already paid to the county includes the ability to have the records management system. Anticipated to switch over by June 1, 2014. Part of the software that the county handles and they offer for the records management is an e-ticketing solution. Ten to twelve of the vehicles will be outfitted with the e-ticketing software.
  3. The new all wheel drive vehicles have been working out well. Capital budget includes replacing 4 vehicles including one that was involved in an accident.
  4. Upgrade to some of the office furniture that is roughly 20 years old. Hoping to get 4 or 5 offices done this year and other offices done in the next couple of years.
  5. The display was damaged on the speed trailer. A display replacement which can be mounted on the speed trailer is included in the budget. With the new mobile signs, there is the ability to do the traffic counting which avoids using the old method of counting which utilizes the tubes in the road and a box tied to a pole. It will do the traffic surveys, will do the counts, and the information can be accessed through the internet. The information can be downloaded and maintained for a number of years. In addition to replacing the damaged display for the speed trailer, the Chief would like to purchase a Speed Alert Radar Message which has the same capabilities and can be deployed anywhere in town including mounted to a pole.
  6. Records Management System Information Switchover-represents a one-time cost associated with switching over the existing information in the current records management system (10+ years of information) to the county system.
  7. Promotional Exam-there are currently 2 officers in Acting Sergeant positions. It is anticipated by mid-year those positions will be formalized and made permanent through the testing process. The list of officers that pass the exam will be good for a two year period. Three Sergeants are eligible for retirement; however, none has given any indication that he intends to retire.
  8. Uniforms-equipment is recycled when possible. To outfit a new officer completely costs about $5,000.
  9. There are 6 civilian staff members.
  10. The items in the Capital budget were each reviewed: body armor, firearms, tough book MDTs (laptop computers in patrol cars), hand held radar units, the mobile digital video recording system (the video system in patrol cars), and the digital finger print system.

There was a brief discussion on overtime expenses as well as the budgeting for the future upgrade of the digital finger print system.

F. APPOINTMENTS—7:00 P.M.

1. Swearing in Officer Giacomo Greco

2. Swearing in Officer Brian Gallina

G. DISCUSSION

1. Frog Falls Membership

Manager Lovell explained that Frog Falls is the public pool which was built at Picatinny Arsenal. Through a resolution the township can indicated that it would like a membership and residents can apply. There is no financial liability to the township. Membership is administered through Greg Poff in Rockaway Township. The Township Council supported Manager Lovell creating a resolution and including it on the March 6th agenda.

2. Police Promotional Ordinance

Manager Lovell explained that the township had been using an outside firm, McCann Associates, to administer testing. McCann Associates advised the township that they would no longer perform that service. It was decided that the township would follow a process with the State Chiefs of Police, where they come up with an exam system, and they contract to have this service developed and administered. They will perform the oral and written portions of the examination. Manager Lovell, Chief Stokoe, the Lieutenants, and Keli Gallo met to determine what it was they wished to achieve. They wanted to use the formula that McCann Associates had used. The group developed a list and discussed how to rank and evaluate the material in a system that would be fair to all the officers. An Ordinance was created and it is hoped that it will be introduced at the next Council meeting. Once this Ordinance is introduced, it will be shared with the FOP to include them in the process.

3. Ironia Road Bridge Reconstruction

A Council workgroup was formed with Mayor Loveys, Councilman Guadagno, and Councilman Napoliello.

4. Cell Tower/Piercon

Manager Lovell reported that he had shared with the Council the letter he received from Verizon’s consultant indicating their interest in bidding on a new cell tower. If the Council is satisfied, the specification can be drafted and a PSA included on the next agenda. It would be a formal sealed bid process. The Manager suggested that input from someone in the field would be helpful, and suggested Glen Pierson from PierCon.

5. Review and Discuss March 6, 2014 Meeting Agenda

There was discussion on the vacation of Ridge Street and a final decision on the status of the Ordinance will be made.

H. COMBINED ACTION RESOLUTIONS

Councilwoman Carey made a motion to accept the Combined Action Resolutions. Councilman Guadagno seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Hirniak

1. Raffle License, Tricky Tray, Nixon Elementary PTA on April 4, 2014 at St. Andrew Church, 1447 Sussex Tpke., Randolph, NJ from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

2. Social Affairs Permit, Eleventh Hour Animal Rescue on May 1, 2014 at the Meadow Wood Manor, 461 Route 10 E, Randolph, NJ from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

3. Raffle License, 50/50, Randolph Rotary Club on May 3, 2014 at the Randolph Middle School from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

4. Raffle License, Merchandise, Randolph Rotary Club on May 3, 2014 at the Randolph Middle School from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

5. Raffle License, Tricky Tray, Friends of Randolph Animal Pound Inc. on April 12, 2014 at 1345 Sussex Tpke. from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

I. UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Randolph PTO—Ladies Night Out Fundraiser at the Hanover Marriott, Friday March 14, 2014.

J. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

K. COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilwoman Carey reported that she, Councilman Forstenhausler, Councilman Guadagno, Donna Luciani, and Ralph Carchia toured the VFW building and Brundage Park Playhouse. The consensus of the Council members was to move forward with the proposed budget. They asked Russ Newman to be sure Brundage Park Playhouse was included in the Parks Master Plan.

Councilman Forstenhausler recommended a new HVAC system for the Brundage Park Playhouse and hold off on the new trailer for now. He suggested budgeting money to turn the trailer into an addition in the future. He also suggested including the trailer space in the HVAC system should it be enclosed in the future. He was pleased with the use of the VFW building, more activities took place there than he realized. However, they are limited in the use since it is not handicapped accessible. Councilman Forstenhausler was in favor of the proposed budget spending with possibly more money for the Brundage Park Playhouse trailer for the HVAC system.

Councilman Guadagno suggested the Fire Inspectors stop by more frequently at the VFW building. He recommended replacing the air conditioners. He suggested leaving the money in the budget this year and adding to it next year. He felt the VFW building was a solid building and he would be in favor of spending more money on the building to fix it up; however, it would not be a good facility for the theater.

Councilman Forstenhausler commended the initial crew of the Fire Department for a fantastic job in keeping damage to a minimum at the fire on Openaki Road. He complimented his peers in the fire department and Chief Dunn on their response.

Manager Lovell reported that the Wildlife Advisory Committee met. The deer count was down this year, about half of what it was last year. Car collisions with deer were also down this year. The student member provided a program on removing beavers from Heistein Park. The member also spoke of his efforts to trap coyotes and foxes in the town; he is working to get a special permit to trap beavers. If he gets the permit, he has offered to work with both CCM and Randolph Township. The committee is looking into the next generation of developing rules and regulations as a result of a complaint from a resident. It is felt that a system needs to be developed, similar to the yellow card system for recreation, to deal with hunters who do not follow proper guidelines. Once developed, the Wildlife Advisory Committee will present them to the Council. The number of deer taken from the Clyde Potts Reservoir was low again. The committee is going to look to open up the properties the township has purchased along the water shed to allow more Randolph hunters greater access.

L. EXECUTIVE SESSION

WHEREAS, Section 8 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975 (N.J.S.A. 10:4-12) permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of Randolph, in the County of Morris, and State of New Jersey, as follows:

1. The public shall be excluded from the following portion of the meeting.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is as follows:

Kushner Sewer Contribution Negotiations

3. As nearly as now can be ascertained, the matter or matters to be discussed at this time will be disclosed to the public at such time and under such circumstances as are prescribed by law.

4. At the conclusion of the Executive Session, the Council may reconvene in public session for the purpose of taking formal action.

Deputy Mayor Veech made a motion to move into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. Councilman Forstenhausler seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Hirniak

Deputy Mayor Veech made a motion to return to Open Session at 8:40 p.m. Councilman Guadagno seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Hirniak

M. ADJOURNMENT

Councilman Napoliello made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Councilman Guadagno seconded the motion, and the following roll call vote was taken:

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

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Councilman Hirniak

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