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TOWNSHIP
MINUTES
August 5, 2009
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TOWNSHIP MEETING
AUGUST 5, 2009
The regular scheduled meeting of the Mayor and
Committee of the Township of Oxford was held on
August 5, 2009 in the Township Municipal Building,
11 Green Street, Oxford, New Jersey.
Mayor Lazorisak announced that the meeting had been
properly advertised in compliance with the OPMA of
1975 and called the meeting to order at 5:07 PM.
In attendance were Alex Lazorisak, Bonnie Riley,
William Bray, (arrived 5:15 pm),
Howard Vex and Sheila L. Oberly.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak and seconded by Mrs.
Riley to enter into Executive Session.
Motion was rescinded by Mr. Lazorisak and seconded
by Mrs. Riley.
RESOLUTION 2009-65
GOVERNING BODY CERTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT
WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A: 5-4 requires the governing
body of every local unit to have
made an annual audit of its books, accounts and
financial transactions, and
WHEREAS, the Annual Report of Audit for the year
2008 has been filed by a Registered Municipal
Accountant with the Municipal Clerk pursuant to
N.J.S.A. 40A: 5-6, and a copy has been received by
each member of the governing body; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 52:27BB-34 authorizes the Local
Finance Board of the State of New
Jersey to prescribe reports pertaining to the local
fiscal affairs; and
WHEREAS, the Local Finance Board has promulgated
N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5, a regulation
requiring that the governing body of each
municipality shall, by resolution, certify to the
Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey that
all members of the governing body have reviewed, as
a minimum, the sections of the annual audit entitled
“Comments and Recommendations; and
WHEREAS, the members of the governing body have
personally reviewed, as a
minimum, the Annual Report of Audit, and
specifically the sections of the Annual Audit
entitled “Comments and Recommendations, as evidenced
by the group affidavit form of the governing body
attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, such resolution of certification shall be
adopted by the Governing Body no
later than forty-five days after the receipt of the
annual audit, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5; and
WHEREAS, all members of the governing body have
received and have familiarized
themselves with, at least, the minimum requirements
of the Local Finance Board of the State of New
Jersey, as stated aforesaid and have subscribed to
the affidavit, as provided by the Local Finance
Board; and
WHEREAS, failure to comply with the regulations of
the Local Finance Board of the
State of New Jersey may subject the members of the
local governing body to the penalty provisions of
R.S. 52:27BB-52, to wit:
R.S. 52:27BB-52: A local officer or member of a
local governing
body who, after a date fixed for compliance, fails
or refuses to
obey an order of the director (Director of Local
Government
Services), under the provisions of this Article,
shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not
more than
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for
not more than
one year, or both, in addition shall forfeit his
office.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Oxford
Township
Committee of the Township of Oxford, hereby states
that it has complied with
N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5 and does hereby submit a certified
copy of this resolution and
the required affidavit to said Board to show
evidence of said compliance.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak and seconded by Mrs.
Riley to adopt Resolution
2009-65.
RESOLUTION 2009-66
REFUNDING TAX SALE CERTIFICATE #498
THAT WAS REDEEMED
WHEREAS, the property owned by Donald Dezelic, also
known as Block 33.02,
Lot 22, located at 24 Olde Forge had unpaid 2007
sewer service charges and was sold at a Tax Sale
held on July 21, 2008 by the Oxford Township Tax
Collector; and
WHEREAS, Frank Gallagher was the successful bidder
of the above stated
property; and the amount of the Tax Sale consisted
of sewer service charges, interests and other costs,
and totaled $781.44 and is represented by Tax Sale
Certificate #498; and
WHEREAS, Indymac Bank paid $987.08 on July 20, 2009
to the Oxford
Township Tax Collector to satisfy the outstanding
Tax Sale Certificate;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and
Township
Committee of the Township of Oxford on this 5th day
of August 2009 that the Chief
Financial Officer be authorized to draw a check
payable to Frank Gallagher in the amount
of $987.08 for the redemption of Tax Sale
Certificate #498 and forward such check to the Tax
Collector for further processing.
RESOLUTION 2009-67
REFUNDING TAX SALE CERTIFICATE #540
THAT WAS REDEEMED
WHEREAS, the property owned by John C Occhipinti,
also known as Block 38,
Lot 14, located at 7 Axford Ave had unpaid 2008
taxes and sewer service charges and
was sold at a Tax Sale held on April 6, 2009 by the
Oxford Township Tax Collector; and
WHEREAS, there were no bidders for this parcel, it
was struck off to the
Township of Oxford; and such certificate was later
assigned to John LaFlamme of 9 Lisa Ct, Oxford, NJ
07863 at a meeting of the governing body held on
June 3, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn Occhipinti paid $9,489.03 on July
27, 2009 to the Oxford
Township Tax Collector to satisfy the outstanding
Tax Sale Certificate;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and
Township
Committee of the Township of Oxford on this 5th day
of August 2009 that the Chief
Financial Officer be authorized to draw a check
payable to John LaFlamme in the amount of $9,489.03
for the redemption of Tax Sale Certificate #540 and
forward such check to the Tax Collector for further
processing.
On motion by Mrs. Riley and seconded by Mr.
Lazorisak to adopt Resolution 2009-66
and Resolution 2009-67.
RESOLUTION 2009-68
EXTEND THIRD QUARTER 2009
PROPERTY TAX PAYMENT GRACE PERIOD
WHEREAS, the Warren County Board of Taxation did not
strike the 2008 Oxford
Township property tax rate until July 27, 2009
resulting in the delay of billing Oxford
Township taxpayers last half of 2009 and first half
of 2010 property taxes; and
WHEREAS, bills needed to be printed, stuffed, and
mailed to homeowners and
financial institutions as soon as possible and were
so sent on July 30, 2009; and
WHEREAS, NJSA 54:4-64, Delivery of Tax Bills,
provides that bills must be mailed
or delivered no less than 25 days prior to the end
of the grace period:
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and
Township Committee
of the Township of Oxford on this 5th day of August
2009 that the Tax Collector be
authorized to set the deadline of the extended third
quarter 2009 tax payment grace period to August 24,
2009.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak and seconded by Mrs.
Riley, to adopt Resolution 2009-68.
The Warren County Garden Club asked for permission
to use the Oxford Township
Municipal Building on September 24, 2009 from 1:30 –
3:30 PM. The Committee voted to table this request.
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: one contractual
matter- (police merger), and one potential
litigation- (Lawsuit).
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. Lazorisak, seconded by Mrs. Riley
and passed unanimously on roll
call vote to enter Executive Session at 5:15 PM.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak, seconded by Mrs. Riley
and passed unanimously on roll
call vote, to enter into open session at 6:30 PM. No
Official action was taken.
Mayor Lazorisak asked everyone to stand for the flag
salute.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley and
passed unanimously on roll call
vote to pass Resolution 2009-17 Salary Resolution.
Bill Colantano reviewed the 2009 audit report with
the Committee and distributed
paperwork explaining the recommendations that was
included in the audit. Mr. Lazorisak suggested that
Mr. Colantano and Dawn Stanchina (CFO) set up a
meeting to review all the recommendations listed and
correct them for 2009.
The Committee discussed the Warren County Garden
Club’s request to use the meeting room on September
24th. Mrs. Riley suggested that the Township should
require that all outside organizations submit a
certificate of liability and a small fee to cover
the cost of use of the building. Mr. Lazorisak
stated that there should be something in writing
stating the rules and regulations. Mr. Bray also
suggested that a deposit be submitted
with the request. Mr. Lazorisak said he would work
on rules to follow for all outside
organizations to follow.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak, seconded by Mr. Bray and
passed unanimously on roll call vote to turn down
the Warren County Garden Club’s request at this
time.
Mrs. Riley explained that Sharon Cooper, Brown &
Brown Insurance called her to notify
her that the Oxford Furnace Summer Festival’s
Liability Insurance should be covered
under the Township’s liability policy. This
insurance would not increase the Township’s
insurance premium.
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr. Bray and
passed unanimously on roll call
vote to cover Oxford Furnace Summer Festival’s
liability insurance under the
Township’s insurance plan.
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr. Lazorisak
and passed unanimously on roll
call vote to pass the one-day social affairs permit
for the Oxford Township Fire
Department to be used at the Oxford Furnace Summer
Festival.
Mrs. Riley stated that the Oxford Emergency Squad
would be holding a Cardboard Boat Regatta and Flea
Market, to be held at the Oxford Furnace Lake on
September 12th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
On motion by Mrs. Riley, seconded by Mr. Lazorisak
and passed unanimously on roll
call vote to advertise for two crossing guards for
the 2009-2010 school year.
Mrs. Riley said she has received grass-cutting
ordinances from Independence,
Phillipsburg and Pohatcong Townships, showing fees
to be charged to the
homeowner/mortgage company/bank to mow grass for a
bankruptcy, foreclosure or other properties that
weeds and vegetation is high. She will call Mr.
Lavery to write an
ordinance to be introduced on first reading at the
September 16th meeting
Authorizing the Department of Public Works or bid
out the job to mow such properties.
Mrs. Riley stated that there has been a second
illegal dumping outside the DPW garage and the
Oxford police were notified. Mr. Lazorisak made a
recommendation that the police director follow up
with the Lt. Lilly.
The Township Committee received a letter from Warren
County Freeholders in regard to share services,
charging a fee to be paid for equipment and operator
by the Township. Mr. Lazorisak will speak to other
Mayors for their feedback and will call County
Administrator/Freeholder Clerk, Steve Marvin.
Mr. Lazorisak said that the Committee has received a
proposal from Robert Venitelli,
CES for investigation and Phase I assessment at 50
Wall Street for the amount of
$2,500.00. Mr. Lazorisak said he spoke to Mr.
Finelli and the proposal amount is very
reasonable.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley and
passed unanimously on roll call
vote to authorize the Mayor to sign the proposal.
Mr. Bray asked about the grate issue on Henderson
Street. Mrs. Riley said that the grate is all
rebuilt and it will be blacktopped on the next warm
day, which will complete the project. The second one
in front of the school will be completed before
school begins on September 3, 2009.
Mr. Bray said he is looking into getting a better
rate on the employee Health Insurance
Plan for the Township. He has spoke to three
individuals, one that has saved money for the Oxford
school, another individual referred to him by Sharon
Cooper of Brown and Brown and a third person
referred to him to speak to.
Mr. Bray said that he has calls into Trenton about
stimulus money available to be used
toward the water main extension on Lower Denmark
Road and also he has not heard back from NJ American
Water with their revised figures.
Mr. Lazorisak stated that he would open the meeting
to public comment but at this time since there is an
investigation going on involving the Oxford Police
Department, the
Committee will not discuss or answer any questions
regarding the investigation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Diane Hooper asked about the police coverage for the
Township since there are only
three officers working. Mr. Bray answered her by
explaining that the other officers are
working over-time to cover the officer’s shift.
Mr. Riethmueller asked about the “Goose Hunt” in
September. The Committee discussed the dates and
times to schedule the hunt. The Committee decided to
hold the goose hunt on September 15th – September
30th from dawn to noon. At the August 19th, township
meeting, a “Goose Hunt” resolution will be put on
the agenda.
Asia Calabrese asked about the police contract. Mr.
Lazorisak stated that the contract
was finalized tonight and is being written up and
action will probably be taken at the next Township
meeting.
Mr. Lazorisak said he had a meeting with Chief
McDonald of Washington Township this
past week to go over the merger agreement and has
forwarded it on to Mr. Lavery for
attorney review. Also, Mr. Lazorisak said that the
Committee is talking to Belvidere in
regards to a merger with that police department. He
said the Committee is looking at all options at this
point.
Bruce Doyle of the Oxford Fire Department stated
that the fire department is suffering
from the economic situation and is working hard to
meet their budget. He requested to the Township to
receive the money that was appropriated in the 2009
budget. Mrs. Riley stated that she sent a letter to
the fire department explaining that the Committee
needed a financial statement for 2008 showing all
income and expenses and a signed voucher with the
dollar figure requested.
Public Comment closed at 8:00 PM.
Mrs. Riley said that she received a call from
Habitat for Humanity asking for preferably
free land to build houses. She stated that
Washington Township and Harmony has
donated land by foreclosing on land and selling it
to them for one dollar. The Committee will discuss
this with Mr. Lavery, Township Attorney.
On motion by Mr. Bray, seconded by Mrs. Riley and
passed unanimously on roll call
vote to pay all bills listed on the August 5, 2009
Bill List.
On motion by Mr. Lazorisak, seconded by Mr. Bray to
adjourn the meeting at 8:18 PM.
______________________________
Sheila L. Oberly, RMC |
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