|
|
|
TOWNSHIP
MINUTES
APRIL 16, 2008
PDF
Version
|
TOWNSHIP MEETING
APRIL 16, 2008
The regular scheduled meeting of the Mayor and
Committee of the Township of Oxford was held on
April 16, 2008 in the Township Municipal
Building, 11 Green Street, Oxford, New Jersey.
Mayor Riley announced that the meeting had been
properly advertised in compliance with the OPMA
of 1975 and called the meeting to order at
6:07PM.
In attendance were Bonnie
Riley, N. Angelo Accetturo, William Bray,
Michael Lavery, Michael Finelli William
Colantano, and Sheila L. Oberly.
Everyone stood and recited the flag salute.
Mrs. Riley stated that the tax, sewer, and
treasurer’s reports for March 2008 are available
to the public in the back of the room.
Mrs. Riley introduced
James William, Acting Director and Laurel
Napolitani, Chairwoman from the Pollution
Control Financing Authority.
Ms. Napolitani stated that
in 2008, their goal is to visit their neighbors
and insure that everyone maintains a good
working relationship.
She stated that if
there are any questions or issues, please reach
out to them.
Everyone is
encouraged to attend the PCFA meetings that are
held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each
month starting at 3:00 PM.
.
She discussed the extra
traffic that is on Mt. Pisgah Avenue from the
public that is going to the landfill, especially
on Saturday.
Mr. Williams thanked the Township for allowing
them to use the Oxford Police on Saturdays to
get the message out to drivers on Mt. Pisgah
Avenue to slow down when driving to the
Landfill.
Mr. Williams discussed an
upcoming 2008 project, which is the leach ate
pre-treatment plant.
This project has
recently gone out to bid, expect to award a
contract in May and start construction in early
June.
This will be a
twelve-month project, but the goal is to have it
completed by May 2009.
Mrs. Riley thanked them for attending the Oxford
Township meeting and also agreed, the Township
would like to be a good neighbor with them.
The Mayor opened the meeting to the public for
any comments or questions-there being none the
public comment period was closed.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo
and seconded by Mr. Bray to approve the minutes
from February 7th,
20th,
21st,
March 4th
and March 18, 2008 meetings.
William Colantano attended
the meeting to discuss the 2008 budget.
He stated the
objective tonight is to have the public hearing
on the budget, which normally means the budget
would be adopted tonight but the state has
advised the Township to wait until a known
number is presented to the municipality by the
State of New Jersey.
The total amount
cut by the state to the Township is $125,000,
which calculates to five cents on the tax rate.
He stated that by
the end of June, the Township should know if
they will receive any state money from New
Jersey.
He said that the
Committee has maintained the local tax rate by
taking a considerably amount out of surplus to
make up the difference.
When the Township
receives the final state aid number from the
state, the Township will adopt the budget.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo,
seconded by Mr. Bray and passed unanimously on
roll call vote to open the public hearing on the
2008 budget.
Mr. Mulea asked if the
Township would be going month by month, using a
temporary budget?
Mrs. Riley
answered, yes that could be the case, but we are
hoping that the governor will make a decision by
the end of May.
The total 2008 budget amounts:
Total
$2,418,000
2008 Surplus used
$820,000
Approximately amount
surplus left
$400,000
2007 Surplus used
$837,000
On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
close the public hearing on the 2008 Budget.
ORDINANCE 2008-03
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR
SPEED BUMP REMOVAL-PEQUEST ROAD
BY THE TOWNSHIP OF OXFORD,
IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY,
APPROPRIATING $9,600 THEREFORE AND AUTHORIZING
THE ISSUANCE OF $9,000 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE
TOWNSHIP FOR FINANCING THE COST THEREOF
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Committee of the
Township of Oxford in the County of Warren, New
Jersey (not less than two-thirds of all members
thereof affirmatively concurring) as follows:
Section 1.
The improvement described in Section 3 of this
bond ordinance is hereby authorized to be
undertaken by the Township of Oxford, New Jersey
as a general improvement. For the improvement or
purpose described in Section 3, there is hereby
appropriated the sum of $9,600 including the sum
of $600 as the down payment required by the
Local Bond Law. The down payment is now
available by virtue of provision for down
payment or for capital improvement purposes in
one or more previously adopted budgets.
Section 2,
In order to finance the cost of the improvement,
or purpose not covered by application of the
down payment, negotiable bonds are hereby
authorized to be issued in the principal amount
of $9,000 pursuant to the Local Bond Law. In
anticipation of the issuance of the bonds,
negotiable bond anticipation notes are hereby
authorized to be issued pursuant to and within
the limitations prescribed by the Local Bond
Law.
Section 3.
(a) The improvement hereby authorized and the
purpose for the financing of which the bonds are
to be issued is Speed Bump Removal-Pequest Road.
(b)
The estimated
maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued
for the improvement or purpose is as stated in
Section 2hereof.
(c)
The estimated cost
of the improvement or purpose is equal to the
amount of the appropriation herein made
therefore.
Section 4.
All bond anticipation notes hereunder shall
mature at such times as may be determined by the
Chief financial officer; provided that none
shall mature later than one year from its date.
The notes shall bear interest at such rate and
be in such form as may be determined by the
chief financial officer. The chief financial
officer shall determine all matters in
connection with notes issued pursuant to this
ordinance, and the chief financial officers
signature upon the note shall be conclusive
evidence as to all such determinations. All
notes issued hereunder may be renewed from lime
to time subject to the provisions of NJSA
40A:2-8(a). The chief financial officer is
hereby authorized to sell part or all of the
notes from time to time at public or private
sale and to deliver them to the purchasers
thereof upon receipt of payment of the purchase
price plus accrued interest from their dates to
the date of delivery thereof.
The chief financial
officer is directed to report in writing to the
governing body at the meeting next succeeding
the date when any sale or delivery of the notes
pursuant to this ordinance is made.
Such report must
include the amount, description, the interest
rate and the maturity schedule of the notes
sold, the price obtained that the name of the
purchaser.
Section 5. The
following additional matters are hereby
determined, declared, recited and stated:
(a) The improvement
or purpose described in Section 3 of this bond
ordinance is not a current expense.
It is an
improvement or purpose that the Township may
lawfully undertake as a general improvement and
no part of the cost thereof has been or shall be
specially assessed on property specially
benefited thereby.
(b)
The period of usefulness of the improvement or
purpose within the limitation of the Local Bond
Law, according to the reasonable life thereof
computed from the date of the bonds authorized
by this ordinance, is 10 years.
(c) The
Supplemental Debt Statement required by the
Local Bond Law has been duly prepared and filed
in the office of the Clerk, and a complete
executed duplicate thereof has been filed in the
office of the Director of the Division of Local
Government Services in the Department of
Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey.
Such statement
shows that the gross debt of the Township as
defined in the Local Bond Law is increased by
the authorization of the bonds and notes
provided in this bond ordinance by $9,000 and
the obligations authorized herein will be within
all debt limitations prescribed by that Law.
(d) An aggregate
amount not exceeding $2,000, for items of
expense listed in and permitted under NJSA
40A:2-20 is included in the estimated cost
indicated herein for the purpose of improvement.
Section 6.
The full faith and credit of the Township are
hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the
principal of and the interest on the obligations
authorized by this bond ordinance. The
obligations shall be direct, unlimited
obligations of the Township, and the Township
shall be obligated to levy ad valorem taxes upon
all the taxable real property within the
Township for the payment of the obligations and
the interest thereon without limitation of rate
or amount.
Section 7.
This bond ordinance shall take effect twenty
days after the first publication thereof after
final adoption, as provided by the Local Bond
Law.
On motion by Mr. Bray,
seconded by Mrs. Riley and passed unanimously on
roll call vote, to introduce
Ordinance 2008-03
Speed Bump Removal.
0RDINANCE 2008-04
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR
LAKE DOCK AND PLAYGROUND REPAIRS
BY THE TOWNSHIP OF OXFORD,
IN THE COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY
APPROPRIATING $17,600 THEREFORE AND AUTHORIZING
THE ISSUANCE OF $16,700 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE
TOWNSHIP FOR FINANCING THE COST THEREOF
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and Committee of the
Township of Oxford in the County of Warren, New
Jersey (not less than two-thirds of all members
thereof affirmatively concurring) as follows:
Section 1.
The improvement described in Section 3 of this
bond ordinance is hereby authorized to be
undertaken by the Township of Oxford New Jersey
as a general improvement. For the improvement or
purpose described in Section 3, there is hereby
appropriated the sum of $17,600 including the
sum of $900 as the down payment required by the
Local Bond Law. The down payment is now
available by virtue of provision for down
payment or for capital improvement purposes in
one or more previously adopted budgets.
Section 2.
In order to finance the cost of the improvement
or purpose not covered by application of the
down payment, negotiable bonds are hereby
authorized to be issued in the principal amount
of $16,700 pursuant to the Local Bond Law. In
anticipation of the issuance of the bonds,
negotiable bond anticipation notes are hereby
authorized to be issued pursuant to and within
the limitations prescribed by the Local Bond
Law.
Section 3.
(a) The improvement hereby authorized and the
purpose for the financing of which the bonds are
to be issued is Lake Dock and Playground
Repairs.
(b)
The estimated
maximum amount of bonds or notes to be issued
for the improvement or purpose is as stated in
Section 2 hereof.
(c)
The estimated cost
of the improvement or purpose is equal to the
amount of the appropriation herein made
therefore.
Section 4.
All bond anticipation notes hereunder shall
mature at such times as may be determined by the
Chief financial officer; provided that none
shall mature later than one year from its date.
The notes shall bear interest at such rate and
be in such form as may be determined by the
chief financial officer. The chief financial
officer shall determine all matters in
connection with notes issued pursuant to this
ordinance, and the chief financial officer’s
signature upon the note shall be conclusive
evidence as to all such determinations. All
notes issued hereunder may be renewed from time
to time subject to the provisions of NJSA
40A:2-8(a). The chief financial officer is
hereby authorized to sell part or all of the
notes from time to time at public or private
sale and to deliver them to the purchasers
thereof upon receipt of payment of the purchase
price plus accrued interest from their dates to
the date of delivery thereof.
The chief financial
officer is directed to report in writing to the
governing body at the meeting next succeeding
the date when any sale or delivery of the notes
pursuant to this ordinance is made. Such report
must include the amount, description, the
interest rate and the maturity schedule of the
notes sold, the price obtained and the name of
the purchaser.
Section 5.
The following additional matters are hereby
determined, declared, recited and stated:
(a)
The improvement or
purpose described in Section 3 of this bond
ordinance is not a current expense. It is an
Improvement or purpose that the Township may
lawfully undertake as a general improvement, and
no part of the cost thereof has been or shall be
specially assessed on property specially
benefited thereby.
(b)
The period of
usefulness of the improvement or purpose within
the limitations of the Local Bond Law, according
to the reasonable life thereof computed from the
date of the bonds authorized by this ordinance,
is 10 years.
(c)
The Supplemental
Debt Statement required by the Local Bond Law
has been duly prepared and filed in the office
of the Clerk, and a complete executed duplicate
thereof has been filed in the office of the
Director of the Division of Local Government
Services in the Department of Community Affairs
of the State of New Jersey. Such statement shows
that the gross debt of the Township as defined
in the Local Bond Law is increased by the
authorization of the bonds and notes provided in
this bond ordinance by $16,700, and the
obligations authorized herein will be within all
debt limitations prescribed by that Law.
(d)
An aggregate amount
not exceeding $3,500, for items of expense
listed in and permitted under NJSA 40A:2-20 is
included in the estimated cost indicated herein
for the purpose of improvement.
Section 6.
The full faith and credit of the Township are
hereby pledged to the punctual payment of the
principal of and the interest on the obligations
authorized by this bond ordinance. The
obligations shall be direct, unlimited
obligations of the Township, and the Township
shall be obligated to levy ad valorem taxes upon
all the taxable real property within the
Township for the payment of the obligations and
the interest thereon without limitation of rate
or amount.
Section 7.
This bond ordinance shall take effect twenty
days after the first publication thereof after
final adoption, as provided by the Local Bond
Law.
On motion by Mr. Bray,
seconded by Mr. Accetturo and passed unanimously
on roll call vote to introduce
Ordinance 2008-04
Lake Dock and
Playground Improvements.
RESOLUTION 2008-44
REFUNDING OVERPAYMENT OF
TAXES
WHEREAS, there exists a duplicate payment from 4th
quarter of 2007 in the amount of $1,473.07 for
Block 24, Lot 18.02 at 41 Zulauf Lane resulting
from the sale of the property from Pantuso to
Slowik; and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that the first payment
was received from the closing attorney, and the
second payment was paid electronically by First
American Real Estate Tax Service on behalf of
Mr. Pantuso, (the seller) who no longer resides
in Oxford;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township
Committee that the
Township Treasurer is authorized to refund the
amount of $1,473.07 to First American Real
Estate Tax Service of Westlake, Texas for their
further processing.
On motion by Mr. Bray,
seconded by Mr. Accetturo and passed unanimously
on roll call vote to adopt
Resolution 2008-44
Refunding Overpayment
of Taxes.
RESOLUTION 2008-45
REFUNDING TAX SALE
CERTIFICATE #475
THAT WAS REDEEMED
WHEREAS, the
property owned by Jonathan & Angela Templeton
known as Block 34, Lot 47 located at 34 Route 31
had unpaid 2006 sewer service charges and was
sold at a Tax Sale held on April 16, 2007 by the
Oxford Township Tax Collector; and
WHEREAS, Park
Finance, LLC of PO Box 109, Cedar Knolls, NJ
07927 was the successful bidder of the above
stated property; and the amount of the Tax Sale
consisted of unpaid sewer service charges,
interests and other costs, and totaled $764.34
and is represented by Tax Sale Certificate #475;
and
WHEREAS,
Jonathan Templeton paid $2,737.21 on April 7,
2008 to the Oxford Township Tax Collector to
satisfy the outstanding Tax Sale Certificate,
subsequent taxes, and delinquent taxes;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and
Township Committee of the Township of Oxford on
this 16th
day of April, 2008 that the Chief Financial
Officer be authorized to draw a check payable to
Park Finance, LLC in the amount of $2,737.21 for
the redemption of Tax Sale Certificate #475
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Tax Collector be directed to
return the satisfied Tax Sale Certificate to
Jonathan Templeton at 559 Rasley Hill Rd,
Bangor, PA 18013.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo,
seconded by Mr. Bray and passed unanimously on
roll call vote to adopt
Resolution 2008-45
Refunding Overpayment
of Taxes.
RESOLUTION
2008-46
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE
CLICK IT OR TICKET
MOBILIZATION OF MAY 19-JUNE 1, 2008
WHEREAS, a large percentage of the motor vehicle
occupants killed in traffic crashes were not
wearing a seat belt; and
WHEREAS, use of a safety belt remains the most
effective way to avoid death or serious injury
in a motor vehicle crash; and
WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration estimates that 135,000 lives were
saved by safety belt usage nationally between
1975-2000; and
WHEREAS, the State of New
Jersey will participate in the nationwide Click
It or Ticket safety belt mobilization from May
19 – June 1, 2008 in an effort to raise
awareness and increase safety belt usage through
a combination of enforcement and education; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety
has set a goal of increasing the safety belt
usage in the state from the current level of 90%
to 92%; and
WHEREAS, a further increase in safety belt usage
in New Jersey will save lives on our roadways;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that Oxford Township declares it’s support for
the Click It or Ticket safety belt mobilization
both locally and nationally from May 19 – June
1, 2008 and pledges to increase awareness of the
mobilization and the benefits of safety belt
use.
On motion by, Mr. Bray
seconded by Mr. Accetturo and passed unanimously
on roll call vote to adopt
Resolution 2008-46
Refunding Overpayment
of Taxes.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mr. Acceturo
and passed unanimously on roll call vote, to
adopt
Resolution 2008-47
Capital Budget.
Stuart Kellner did not
attend the meeting as scheduled.
The Clerk or Mayor
has not had any correspondence from him.
Mr. Bray said, Mr. Kellner
called him today and told him that the
environmental contractor who is doing the
asbestos abatement, is currently processing the
application, which will be submitted sometime
next week, and as per the EPA, it would take 10
days to process the application.
When the permit is
issued, demolition of the removal of the
asbestos (which is contained in floor tiles, two
bathrooms and a large section of the roofing
material) can begin.
This work is
strictly for asbestos mitigation, once this is
completed, and it is certified, he can move
forward with the actual site clearing and the
actual demolition of the buildings and tower.
Mr. Accetturo estimated
that within twenty days, the permit should be
issued but no indication of when the asbestos
removal will begin after issuance of permit.
Mr. Bray suggested
that a follow-up be done with Mr. Kellner again
next week to insure that the application has
been filed and then again ten days after, asking
if he has heard back on the permit.
By the May 21, 2008
meeting, Mr. Kellner should have the permit.
Mr. Bray asked Mr. Lavery
if the Township could have some representation
from the Township at the meeting when Mr.
Kellner meets with the EPA.
Mr. Lavery will
research this.
He will also write
a letter to Mr. Kellner’s attorney to ask for a
report of what transpired at the meeting with
EPA and submit it to the Township at the May 21,
2008 meeting.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Finelli stated that a
notice has been received that the Township has
been denied the “Centers of Place” application.
He said he also
received notice on the annual New Jersey
Department Of Transportation Trust Fund grant
for road repair.
Mr. Finelli is
working with Lou Accetturo on the application,
which he will submit by June 18, 2008 deadline.
The Mt. Pisgah Project-
everything is in order, going through Morris
County COOP, which saves on the bidding process.
The initial voucher
has been sent to NJDOT for the first 75% of the
grant.
He stated that in a
couple months this project should be completed.
Oxford Lake Dam-inundation maps, inspection
reports, emergency action plan, etc. have come
back, approved and in good shape.
Arsenic Testing- the latest up to date map
distributed showing the results of the water
testing, a final map will be given out as soon
as completed.
Mr. Finelli said he has
received a letter from NJ American Water Company
on the water main extension for Upper Denmark
Road.
This letter
basically states what the cost would be to the
Township, if the Township were going to put in a
water main extension.
The estimate given was
$179,650-to run 1000 foot of 8 inch line, 2 wet
caps, and 1 hydrant including labor.
Mrs. Riley said that 243
bottles for arsenic testing have been returned
and seventeen bottles were picked up and never
returned.
Out of 243 results,
thirty-five tested above in various sections,
with twelve out of the thirty-five, tested above
the state limit.
Mr. Bray discussed the
sewer rates and how the Township should
calculate them.
Mr. Bray suggested
that all properties meter their water usage,
thus the school and businesses downtown should
pay more in sewer fees than a homeowner.
He stated that it
would be a fair way to access all properties for
sewer bills instead of saying that all homes are
equal.
Mr. Accetturo stated what
needs to be done first, is to put something
forward for the downtown section-the commercial
zone.
He said that each
Committee member submit their idea to the Mayor
how they think this billing should be done.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray
and passed unanimously on roll call vote, to
authorize the Mayor to meet with Bill Gleba of
Finelli Consulting to address the sewer and
billing issues for the commercial zones only, at
this time.
Mr. Accetturo stated that Maser Consulting sent
a Brownfields Redevelopment proposal and would
like Mr. Lavery and Mr. Finelli to review and
report back next month if the Township should
execute this proposal.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Lavery said all his correspondences are for
Executive Session.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mr. Accetturo
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
approve Dayton House and Donna Todd for Blue
Emergency Light permits.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mr. Accetturo
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
approve QC Labs contract for 2008 water testing
at the Oxford Furnace Lake.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
excused Bruce Sanwald at 153 Belvidere Avenue
from paying sewer fees to the Township for six
months.
Mr. Bray announced that
the “Click It Ticket” program would start on May
19th
and run through June 1st,
statewide.
The price of the
ticket is $150.00 for not wearing your seatbelt.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Diane Hooper “kudos” to the Oxford Police
Department for their fast response last week
when several cars were parked on Pequest Road
after hours.
The public discussed the speed bumps on Pequest
Road and Mrs. Riley stated that all the speed
bumps would be removed for an amount of
$9,600.00.
Mrs. Arstle stated that on Upper Denmark Road,
there is a resident dumping leaves and brush and
asked if the Township could clean this up and
post a “No Dumping” sign.
Mrs. Riley said that she would have the
Department of Public Works clean up the
property.
Mr. Bray stated that there
has not been any meetings or has he has heard
anything from Oxford Textile in regards to when
the next meeting will be to discuss the
Redevelopment Plan.
End of Public Comment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
WHEREAS,
Section 8 of the Open
Public Meeting Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975,
permits the exclusion of the public from a
meeting in certain circumstances, and
WHEREAS,
this public body is of the
opinion that such circumstances presently exist.
1.
The public shall be excluded from the discussion
of any action upon the hereinafter-specific
subject matter.
2.
The general nature of the subject matter to be
discussed is: two litigation matters, (Oxwall)
and two personnel matters (Police Department and
COAH liaison)
3.
It
is anticipated at this time that the above
stated subject matter will be made public at the
conclusion of the litigation.
The motion carried
with the following roll call vote.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
enter into Executive Session at 9:30 PM.
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr.
Accetturo and passed on unanimously on roll call
vote to enter into open session at 10:30 PM.
The Committee reviewed the
April 2008 Bill List.
The following bills
were held:
Burdges
Auto
$3,194.23
JCP & L
4.66
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr.
Accetturo and passed unanimously on roll call
vote to pay the remaining bills on the Bill
List.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mr. Accetturo
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to
adjourn the meeting at 10:45 PM.
_____________________________
Sheila
L. Oberly, RMC
|
|
