Sandyston Township Committee Meeting



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Sandyston Township Committee Meeting
October 2, 2007
MINUTES
This meeting was opened and called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Harper who stated this meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act having been duly advertised.
The clerk was asked to call the roll.
Present were: Committeeman MacDonald, Committeeman Leppert, and Mayor Harper
Also in attendance: Jackie Waldron, Ursula Leo, Melissa Montimurro, Joan Montimurro, Art Bastian, Amy Lobban, Lori Donkersloot, Tom Eberhardt, Ray Loevlie, Doug Hull, Raj Sinha, Art Bastian, Linda Edwards, and Bob Edwards
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes The minutes of the September 4, 2007 meeting were presented for approval. Committeeman Leppert made a motion to approve the minutes seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Tax Collector’s Report The tax collector presented two reports. August total receipts were $968,205.57 and September total receipts were $77,357.65. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the report seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Treasurer’s Report The treasurer’s report was presented with total receipts of $190,035.75 total disbursements of $345,725.35 and ending balance of $567,366.22. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the report seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried.
Payment of Vouchers The vouchers were submitted for approval. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the vouchers seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried.
Departmental Reports The committee reviewed the time sheets and departmental reports. The Road Report requests the Road Supervisor, Mayor Harper, inspect Mountain Trail, Kittatinny Lake due to road deterioration.
Old Business Mayor Harper made a motion to approve change order #1 for the sidewalk project. The motion was seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried. Mayor Harper then signed the change order.
Mayor Harper met with the contractor, Robert Wogeisch Landscape, to review the ball field project. Mr. Wogeisch completed the infield but has been unable to complete the project. The contractor agreed to deduct the $2,275 from his final payment and accept the proposal from Farmside Inc. to finish the project.
Mayor Harper informed the committee of the progress of the Joint Services Committee. After a brief discussion, the committee agreed to not renew the interlocal agreement with Frankford for a Joint Services Administrator/Grant Writer next year. The contract will run out the end of the year.
Mayor Harper made a motion to open the floor to the public seconded by Committeeman Leppert. Jackie Waldron and Urzula Leo, Attorney for Laddey, Clark & Ryan came forward to discuss revisions to the Outdoor Entertainment Ordinance. The intent of revising the ordinance is so that it applies to commercial establishments and not the public ie. graduation party or family party or barbeque. Ms. Leo expressed concern regarding that in most municipalities this ordinance would be applicable to a zoning matter. The ordinance seems to be similar to site plans. In the previous ordinance, the applicant had to notify people within 500 feet. The rough draft ordinance states notification needs to be 200 feet. Ms. Leo continued the application is reviewed by the township committee instead of the zoning official and would it be possible to have a grandfather type provision in this case. Mayor Harper stated the Hotel’s entertainment now perceived to be permitted was once very sporadic. The problem is the frequency and loudness of the events. Ms. Leo stated the ordinance should be consistent in that the application must be forwarded to the fire department, county, police etc. Ms. Leo suggested the committee consider a number 150 or so that triggers an application. Ms. Waldron stated it was difficult to run a business without having these special events. Mr. Doug Hull stated the problem was the sound level not the number of people in attendance. Mr. Hull suggested the ordinance include sound levels. Mayor Harper replied levels in the noise control regulations are established by the state. Mr. Arthur Bastian questioned if the newly proposed draft ordinance was related to businesses only. Mayor Harper replied yes. Mr. Robert Edwards, Gyps Tavern, stated the word gathering frightens him. Currently because of the no smoking laws, patrons will go outside to smoke and throw horseshoes. Mr. Edwards stated in the past when he received a complaint from a resident, he has worked the problem out with them. Ms. Melissa Montimurro stated the real problem is the noise issues. Ms. Montimurro reiterated not wanting the business to shut down but to be more considerate when dealing with the noise concerns. Ms. Montimurro stated Saturday, September 29, the music was loud until 1:15 a.m. Mayor Harper stated that there are procedures that need to be followed such as notifying the Sussex County Health Department for noise complaints and possibly the police for nuisances. Ms. Montimurro stated it’s not the bands, or the presence of the bands, or the hotel making a living, it’s all about the noise, lateness of the hour, and the continuation of the noise. Mr. Tom Eberhart questioned if a small business were to hold a Christmas Party outdoors would this ordinance apply to him. Mayor Harper replied yes. Mr. Eberhardt suggested the ordinance may need to clearly identify businesses holding the events for profit and non profit. Committeeman MacDonald agreed the number of patrons at an event needs to be reviewed. Committeeman MacDonald also suggested to Ms. Waldron, as a courtesy, go outside near the property lines and check how loud the event is to help keep the peace in town. Committeeman Leppert thanked everyone for their comments and reiterated the commitment for a workable solution. Mayor Harper explained that this ordinance is to establish a number of events to be held as well the proper notification to the residents. The draft will be reviewed again in December and all parties in attendance would receive another revised draft of the ordinance in which to make comments on.
Mayor Harper received complaints from some residents regarding, Ordinance 2007-06, well testing notification. A subdivision for twenty homes is currently before the planning board. The builder must contact residents to determine if they are interested in well testing on their property. Some residents were contacted later in the evening and in person and asked to sign a letter stating they were or were not interested in well testing. Mayor Harper requested the ordinance be reviewed by our attorney and notification by certified mail be added to the ordinance. The clerk will contact the attorney for a revision.
New Business Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the agreement with the New Jersey State Police—Tower Site 1606 seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried. Mayor Harper signed the agreement. The agreement will be forwarded to the New Jersey State Police.
The committee reviewed and approved the newsletter. The clerk stated Ms. Lobban was very helpful in assisting with the newsletter. The photos in the newsletter were taken by Ms. Lobban.
Mayor Harper stated when the sidewalk project was originally proposed and bidded, the sidewalk entering into the old municipal building was not included. The clerk requested proposals for this project. Only one request for a sidewalk paver proposal was received, Mayor Harper made a motion to table until next month. Committeeman Leppert seconded the motion and unanimously carried.
A proposal for smoke alarms was presented. Mayor Harper instructed the clerk to contact the Fire Official, Bill Paterson to review the proposal. The clerk will do so.
Sandyston Walpack PTO submitted an application for a wreath raffle #2007-07 to take place November 3, 2007 at the Sandyston Walpack School. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the license seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried.
The clerk informed the committee of a resignation of a member of the recreation committee has been verbally expressed but a written resignation was not received. Mayor Harper made a motion to table until a written resignation was presented seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried.
The committee reviewed the inter-municipal court agreement for Sandyston, Frankford, Montague, Branchville, and Lafayette. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the agreement seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Ordinance 2007-11 an ordinance to establish a municipal court was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the introduction of the ordinance seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried. A roll call vote followed: Ayes: MacDonald, Leppert, Harper Nays: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 The ordinance will be advertised and have a public hearing at the next monthly meeting to be held November 5, 2007.
Resolution R-35-07 a resolution for preliminary approval of Farmland Preservation was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Resolution R-36-07 a resolution to refund overpayment of taxes was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Resolution R-37-07 a resolution opposing the VVPAT Mandate was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Resolution R-38-07 a resolution appointing the inter municipal court prosecutor was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried.
Resolution R-39-07 a resolution appointing the inter municipal court judge was read by Mayor Harper. Mayor Harper made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman Leppert and unanimously carried.
Correspondence The committee reviewed the correspondence.
Open Meeting to Floor Committeeman Leppert made a motion to open the meeting to the floor seconded by Mayor Harper. Ms. Lori Donkersloot came forward to voice concerns regarding the excessive speeding and illegal passing of school buses along Route 560. Mr. Tom Eberhardt requested additional funds be placed in the budget to hire off duty law enforcement officers to ticket speeders. Mr. Eberhardt stated Lafayette, Branchville, and Milford, Pennsylvania have no problems with speeders and police coverage. Mr. Eberhardt suggested the township attorney send a letter to the Dingman’s Bridge reminding them not to tip off the commuters. Mr. Eberhardt questioned if it were possible to hire some type of traffic control person for suggestions on controlling speeders. Mayor Harper replied we have requested additional coverage from the Sheriffs Office. It costs near $80 an hour for coverage. Mayor Harper questioned if it would fair to the residents that don’t reside in town, to spend an absorbent amount of money on something that wouldn’t help all of the residents. Funds are presently not in the budget. Lafayette has a strong State Police coverage as it is a state road they patrol. Milford has their own police department. Mayor Harper continued funding an item in this magnitude is difficult. In the past, Sandyston has requested a flashing sign for the school zone, raised sidewalks, signs informing speeders of their speed, and reducing the speed limits. Mayor Harper suggested a letter writing campaign. Once a number of letters have been received, everyone should attend a Sussex County Freeholder’s Meeting and voice their concerns. The clerk will notify the school to write letters as well as post on the township website. Mayor Harper thanked everyone for their comments. After everyone’s comments were heard, Committeeman MacDonald made a motion to close the public portion of the meeting seconded by Mayor Harper.
Adjourn There being no further business to discuss, Committeeman Leppert made a motion to close the meeting seconded by Committeeman MacDonald and unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,

Betsy M. Cuneo



Municipal Clerk
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