The regularly scheduled meeting of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Oxford was held on February 7, 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 6:05 PM.

In attendance were Bonnie Riley, N. Angelo Accetturo, William Bray, Michael Finelli and Sheila L. Oberly.   

Peggy Hissim, Captain of the Oxford Township Emergency Squad asked if the Township could increase the squad’s appropriation of $40,000.00 to $50,000.00.  This would be the first increase in eight years that the squad has requested.  The $10,000.00 would be put aside into a building fund each year to cover a mortgage payment on a new squad building.  She stated that she is going to ask White Township to match the amount.

Ms. Hissim sated that the squad is having trouble-obtaining diesel for the squad vehicles.  Mr. Accetturo stated that he discussed this with Lou Accetturo and the possibility of using the diesel tanks at the Department of Public Work garage for fire, squad and DPW.  Mr. Accetturo told Peggy to talk to Lou and between the two of you, come back to the Committee with a good plan.  In the meantime, they can use the Busy Bee for fuel.

Mr. Colantano and the Committee discussed the 2008 budget.  He distributed worksheets to the Committee.  He explained that this year is unique-that there are two CAPS- Budgetary CAP-amount of money you are allowed to increase the operating budget inside a second CAP- State of New Jersey put on a tax CAP of four percent.  There are exceptions on both. 

He will put the figures for the budget together-apply the appropriate revenues-determine at that time where the Township stands and bring it back to the Committee.  The Committee will make a decision at that time either to go with it, modify it or start all over.  The Committee reviewed the worksheets and expenditures from 2007 and went line by line adjusting the figures to be budgeted for 2008.   

On February 21, 2008 at 4:00, Mr. Colantano will bring the modified budget back for review by the Committee. 

At 7:00 PM, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Rocky Richards, Mike Serfes, Mark Herzberg, and Bob Gallagher made a presentation in reference to the arsenic situation in the Township. 

Mr. Richards explained a water sample would be taken from the well.  The first sample can be taken by the homeowner and sent to a Lab. If that reading would be over the State limit of .00500, a person authorized by the DEP would come to the home and take a second sample.  If this sample is also high, the homeowner would qualify for the Spill Fund.   The number and name of the person to call is Heather Melnick at (609) 777-3597 for any questions on the Spill Fund.  If DEP agrees a treatment system is required in the home, they will receive the bill, not the homeowner.  As of today, no homeowner in Oxford has filed a claim for the Spill Fund.  This claim must be filed within a year of when the arsenic was found in the well water 

In order to eliminate the problem of arsenic in the well water, there are two long-term solutions-a water treatment system or running a water line and being hooked to public water.  If NJDEP decides that it would be more beneficial and cost effective to run a water line-the Township would be required to pass an ordinance stating that it is mandatory to hook up to the water line.  The residents would not have a choice of keeping their well or paying for public water.  The homeowner would be required to seal their wells, which the State of New Jersey would also reimburse.  The State of New Jersey will also maintain the treatment system for each homeowner over a period of at least twenty years.  DEP will work with the elected officials of Oxford to evaluate the problem and agree on what solution would be the most beneficial to the Township.  

Melissa Nichols from Marcia Karrow’s office attended the meeting.  She said that she would be happy to answer any questions or take any comments or questions back to Assemblywoman Karrow.    She stated that Assemblywoman Karrow is ready to do anything that your Committee or Mayor needs to be done to help Oxford Township resolve this arsenic problem.  She distributed a copy of an amendment she sponsored to Senate Bill 2937 which asks for money to be appropriated to Oxford Township to help finance a water supply treatment project.

Mrs. Riley thanked the Department of Environmental Protection for coming to Oxford and explaining to the public the steps that are being taken to remedy the arsenic problem.

On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mrs. Riley and passed unanimously on roll call vote to authorize the Mayor to sign the Municipal Alliance Contract for 2008 in the amount of $3,485.00 that goes toward drugs, medication awareness.

The Committee received a letter from Northface Properties in reference to the Township   purchasing Block 2, Lots 12, 14, & 18.03, on Jonestown and Furnace Lake Roads.  Mrs. Riley will write a letter to Rafael Sharon, Northface Properties, LLC stating that the Township does not have any desire to purchase said property and never gave any indication of it. 

Mr. Finelli gave the Committee two revised maps.   The one map is the new updated arsenic location map.  The blue color shows where tests were taken and no arsenic was detected.  The red shaded areas shows the location where the tests were over the state limit and yellow shows a slight trace of arsenic was detected but under the state limit.  The second map shows areas of public water service and other means of water services-examples resident wells, public wells, etc.

The Committee and Mr. Finelli discussed the Municipal Plan Endorsement Guidelines and timetable that is required.  The Mayor will call Dave Roberts of CMX to ask him to attend the Oxford Township Workshop meeting scheduled for February 19, 2008 at 6:00 PM to explain the outline, timeline and the cost of this requirement.

On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray and passed unanimously on roll call vote to appoint Bonnie Riley, Recycling Coordinator for 2008.

Mr. Bray discussed the different sewer rates being charged and how each homeowner is being charged a flat fee for public sewer.  He stated that he is investigating the cost to each homeowner to connect a water meter to their residential well-each individual that is on sewer but has their own well.  With this meter, everyone would pay a different fee for sewer because the water used would be measured and then calculated for your sewer bill.  He stated that a water meter for a typical residential home with a battery powered radio unit, which send out signals to a hand held unit to receive the meter reading would cost the homeowner approximately $450.00.    By using this unit, no one would enter the home to read the meter.

On motion by Mr. Accetturo, seconded by Mr. Bray and passed unanimously on roll call vote, to adjourn the meeting at 11:05PM 

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Sheila L. Oberly, RMC