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TOWNSHIP
MINUTES
February 18, 2009
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Version
TOWNSHIP MEETING
FEBRUARY 18, 2009
The regular scheduled meeting of the Mayor and
Committee of the Township of Oxford was held on
February 18, 2009 in the Township Municipal
Building, 11 Green Street, Oxford, New Jersey.
Mayor Angelo Accetturo announced that the meeting
had been properly advertised in compliance with the
OPMA of 1975 and called the meeting to order at 6:
05 PM.
In attendance were N. Angelo Accetturo, Bonnie
Riley, William Bray, Michael Finelli, Michael Lavery
and Sheila L. Oberly.
Everyone stood and recited the flag salute.
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr. Bray and
passed unanimously on roll call vote to approve the
meeting minutes of January 7th and January 21st,
2009.
ORDINANCE 2009-01
AN ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAP
LAW
NJS 40A:4-45.1 et seq TO THREE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT
OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S FINAL APPROPRIATIONS
WHEREAS, the Local Government Cap Law NJS 40A;4-45.1
et seq., provides that in the preparation of its
annual budget, a municipality shall limit any
increase in said budget to two and one-half percent
(2.5%) unless authorized by ordinance to increase it
to three and one-half percent (3.5%) over the
previous year’s appropriations, subject to certain
exceptions: and
WHEREAS, NJSA 40A:4-45.15a provides that a
municipality may, when authorized by ordinance,
appropriate the difference between the amount of its
actual final appropriation and the three and
one-half (3.5%) percentage rate as an exception to
its final appropriations in either of the next two
succeeding years; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township of
Oxford in the County of Warren finds it advisable
and necessary to increase its 2008 budget by up to
three and one-half (3.5%) over the previous year’s
final appropriations, in the interest of promoting
the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Governing Body hereby determines that a
three and one-half percent (3.5%)increase in the
budget for said year, amounting to $17,936.55 in
excess of the increase in final appropriations
otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law,
is advisable and necessary.
WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township of
Oxford hereby determines that any amount authorized
hereinabove that is not appropriated, as part of the
final budget shall be retained as an exception to
final appropriation in either of the next two
succeeding years.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, by the Governing Body
of the Township of Oxford, in the County of Warren,
a majority of the full authorized membership of this
governing body affirmatively concurring that, in the
2008 budget year, the final appropriations of the
Township of Oxford shall, in accordance with the
ordinance and NJSA 40A:4-45.14 be increased by 3.5%,
amounting to $62,777.93 and that the 2008 municipal
budget for the Township of Oxford be approved and
adopted in accordance with this ordinance; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that any amount authorized
hereinabove that is not appropriated as part of the
final budget shall be retained as an exception to
final appropriation in either of the next two
succeeding years; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of
this ordinance as introduced be filed with the
Director of the Division of Local Government
Services within five (5) days of introduction; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that a certified copy of
this ordinance upon adoption, with the recorded vote
included thereon, be filed with said Director within
five (5) days after such adoption.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the above entitled
ordinance was approved on first reading at a meeting
of the Township Committee of the Township of Oxford
held on February 18, 2009 at the Oxford Township
Municipal Building at 11 Green Street, Oxford, New
Jersey. Public Hearing concerning the same will be
held at a regular meeting of the Mayor and Committee
on March 18, 2009 at or near 6:00 PM at the Oxford
Township Municipal Building at which time all
persons both for and against shall be given the
opportunity to be heard concerning the same.
ROLL CALL-INTRODUCTION (February 18, 2009)
AYES: NAYS: ABSTAINED: ABSENT:
N.Angelo Accetturo
Bonnie Riley
William Bray
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley and
passed unanimously on roll call vote to introduce on
first reading Ordinance 2009-01 To Increase the
Local Government CAP Law.
Ordinance 2008-02 Amending the Oxford Town Center
Redevelopment Plan to Rescind Ordinance 2006-17
Reducing the Time Allowed for Rehabilitation From
Five Years to Two Years was read by title on second
reading and opened for public comments. There being
no public comments, the comment period was closed.
On motion by Mr. Bray and seconded by Mrs. Riley,
Ordinance 2008-02 was adopted. Mr. Accetturo
abstained.
Mayor Accetturo proclaimed May 1, 2009 “Silver
Banner Day.”
PROCLAMATION
SILVER BANNER DAY
WHEREAS, the Township of Oxford has always honored
the sacrifice of the men and women in the Armed
Forces and
WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America was
formed to make sure we remember the blood sacrifice
of our wounded and ill by designing and
manufacturing a Silver Star Banner and Flag and
WHEREAS, to date The Silver Star Families of America
has freely given thousands of Silver Star Banners to
the wounded and their families, and
WHEREAS, the members of The Silver Star Families of
America have worked tirelessly to provide the
wounded of this Township and Country with Silver
Star Banners, Flags and care packages, and
WHEREAS, The Silver Star Families of America's sole
mission is that every time someone sees a Silver
Star Banner in a window or a Silver Star Flag
flying, that people remember the sacrifice made for
this City, State and Nation and
WHEREAS, the people and Mayor of Oxford wish that
the sacrifice of so many in our Armed Forces never
be forgotten
NOW THEREFORE, I, N. Angelo Accetturo, MAYOR OF THE
TOWSHIP OF OXFORD do hereby proclaim
My appreciation of The Silver Star Families of
America and honor their commitment to our wounded
Armed Forces members. I hereby declare May 1st
“SILVER STAR BANNER DAY” the permanent and official
day to honor the wounded and ill Soldiers of the
Township of Oxford.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the
Township of Oxford in the State of New Jersey this
18th day February 2009.
ENGINEER’S REPORT
The Highlands Plan Conformance Project-He has
submitted an application to the Highlands Council
asking for the grants that is offered with no
strings attached and no matching funds. These grants
would cover any professional fees incurred and by
doing this the Township is moving forward with
Module One of Six in the Highlands Plan Conformance
Progress.
Module One is one of the largest and more important
modules. This is verification of existing conditions
and a build out analysis, which in essence is a lot
of data entry; a lot of confirmation of features and
actually it is parcel by parcel. A disc is given to
the Township by the Highlands; the Township utilizes
this data, corrects the data and returns that
information to the Highlands for them to access.
This information will potentially impact the COAH
numbers when Oxford submits the Housing Element Fair
Share Plan if we opt in. At this time, there is no
obligation to opt in even if Oxford Township gets
awarded the grant money.
The Wastewater Management Plan-Mr. Finelli has
submitted RFP’s for the Wastewater Management Plan
and have not received them back. At next months
meeting, March 18th, he will evaluate the proposals
from the consultants with the Township Committee.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT:
Mr. Lavery stated that he received a call from Lloyd
Tubman, Attorney for Oxford Textile. She would like
to attend our next Township Meeting on March 18,
2009, to request a two-year extension on the
Redevelopment agreement because of the state of
economy and the market.
Mr. Lavery informed the Committee that Donna
Lomonaco and himself has spent a lot of time on OPRA
requests for one law firm in Phillipsburg, which has
requested a lot of information in regard to the
police department.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Joan Mulligan asked that the Committee review each
line item on the 2009 Budget and cut back on
expenses as much as possible.
There was a question about state police coverage for
Oxford Township.
Mr. Accetturo explained that a letter was written to
the State Police Troop B Headquarters Commander
asking for coverage during the hours that Oxford
does not have a police officer on duty. They
forwarded the letter to the Attorney General and the
Township received a letter stating that they would
not cover Oxford during the hours requested.
Mr. Bray stated that Oxford Township spent $100,000
over the budgeted amount for police overtime wages
in 2008. Mr. Bray said that in 2008, the Committee
budgeted $335,000 for police salaries and wages, and
spent over $380,000. That is over twenty-five
percent of the entire municipal tax levy just for
police overtime salaries. He said the Committee is
anticipating some proposals from Mansfield Township
and Washington Township, the nature and details not
to be determined at this time. All proposals will be
discussed with the Committee and the public when the
information is received.
Mr. Bray explained the timeline on the clean up of
the Oxwall at 50 Wall Street.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley to
send a letter to Stuart Kellner’s attorney to have
him attend the March 18th Township Meeting to give
an update on the status of the benchmarks of the
site clean-up and to have an agenda item placed on
the March 18th agenda to authorize, to advertise for
bids for demolition companies. Mr. Accetturo
abstained.
Public Comment Closed.
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: attorney/client privilege on a
potential litigation from an attorney’s office, and
letter received from State Police on State Police
coverage and personal matter-DPW about their union.
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 and seconded by Mrs.
Riley to enter into Executive session at 7:00 PM.
Entered into open session at 7:15 PM on motion by
Mrs. Riley and seconded by Mr. Bray. No Official
Action was taken.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley and
passed unanimously on roll call vote to approve all
bills listed on the February 18, 2009 Bill List.
On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mrs. Riley
and passed unanimously on roll call vote to adjourn
the meeting at 7:30 PM.
______________________________
Sheila L. Oberly, RMC
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