SPECIAL
WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
The
West Amwell Township Committee met on the above date at
In
compliance with the Public Meetings Act, Mayor Shapella announced that this
Special Meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public
Meetings Law. Notices of this meeting
were faxed to the Lambertville Beacon, the Hunterdon County Democrat and the
Trenton Times on
The
meeting was not recorded.
BUDGET WORKSHOP:
Mrs.
Luhrs presented two spreadsheets. The
first was the requested increases together with the resulting new salaries and
percentages over the prior year. The
second was documentation for her specific salary increase request and for
additional hours, duties, and rate increase for the Assistant Treasurer. The former is tied to the Audit comment about
certain work having to come back to the Township. The Auditor has reduced his fees somewhat due
to this mandated reallocation. The
latter was briefly discussed as to how this would be handled, time-wise.
A
brief overview of the other percentage increases was made and discussion ensued
over salary increases in line with the statute.
It was determined that as along as the four statutory positions received
the same underlying raise, there could be positions that received more. Construction fees were discussed in line with
how they can be used. Mrs. Luhrs
explained that there are two ways: A
dedicated trust where fees are collected to pay office expenses or where
construction activity is funded through the budget. A brief overview of the budget to surplus
process and the need to replenish surplus used was given. As for how the current budget cycle is
looking, Mrs. Luhrs explained that revenues are down and no big unanticipated
revenues were received. Appropriations
can be cancelled to surplus if unused and re-used in the next cycle.
The
preferred order of budget work is Salary & Wage, Capital and finally
Operating. This does not have to be but
the order does preclude making cuts on the backs of the employees. Mrs. Luhrs stated that the Committee should
look at the value of the employees first as it builds morale and seems to be a
fair way to deal with the issue. She
also noted that the police contract calls for a 4% increase this year.
The
position of Municipal Housing Liaison was questioned as to where the funds
would come from. This position is paid
out of the Housing Trust funded with money received through the provisions of the
developer fee ordinance. It is not a
budgeted item but the position needs to appear in the Salary and Wage Ordinance
and subsequent resolution. It does not
affect the tax rate but a spending plan is developed each year for eligible
activities. Mrs. Luhrs also explained
that the Dog account should operate in the same fashion with the fees covering
the salary. However, there are not
enough dogs in the Township so this has to be covered in the budget. There is also additional expense with the
kennel fees.
Mrs.
Luhrs was requested to prepare a spreadsheet showing what the total dollar
figure would be on a 4% increase for all positions. Individual requests would then be reviewed.
Sean
Pfeiffer addressed the Committee for a part-time administrator for Open Space
paperwork. This is not an urgent request
as several committee members work at home
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and are
available during the day. However,
looking forward to the future, having a secretary to do day-time work would
enable other persons to serve. The
number of hours needed would depend on the membership. He noted that Open Space is a different
entity than Planning Board where the members get a packet and attend the
meeting. With Open Space there are phone
calls and meetings during the day thereby making a large segment of the
population unable to participate. A
question if this position could be funded out of administrative fees or the
trust fund was raised. This is not likely
but could be investigated. Mr. Pfeiffer
offered to prepare a job description, if there was interest in such a
position. Mr. Corboy indicated that the
Committee will look at all requests for staffing noting that the needs may not
be the same for all positions requested.
Mr. Bleacher stated that it would be worthwhile to have a job
description prepared as well as an estimate of time involved. Level of expertise due to complicated PIG
applications, State processes and requirements were also noted. A copy of the
Steve
Bartzak addressed the Committee on his request for two additional
officers. Of primary concern is
ESC. The situation there is getting
worse and its not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when.’ He reviewed the types of activities that are
being encountered—knives, drugs, gang infiltration—and the clientele. There is no in-house
security personnel. Lt. Bartzak will try
to meet with the Board of Directors about the use of metal detectors and
security issues. His primary concern is
having an officer respond to a call with no available backup. A search for grants to help fund more
officers has not been fruitful. The
sentiment of the Committee was that the school should be supplying its own
security personnel and that the Township should not be putting up with their
problems, although there would be no problem in being back-up. A brief discussion about a similar school
situation ensued with a possible meeting arranged with ESC officials to explain
procedures used in that facility. Turning
back to staffing numbers, Lt. Bartzak indicated that a couple more officers
would help with the over time situation.
The availability of recent alternate route graduates from the Academy
was broached. This will be investigated
further and discussions held with academy staff as to possibilities.
The
Construction Office salary requests were briefly discussed. Mr. Rose indicated in a recent e-mail that
the numbers were reviewed with the staff members involved and they are on
board. Mr. Shapella was curious if the
fees would defer the cost of the construction salaries. Ordinances increasing fees have recently been
adopted for this purpose. The Fire
Sub-code fees have also recently been looked at and an ordinance is up for
adoption to increase these fees as well.
It’s been many years since this has been done.
Mr.
Corboy noted that there is no fee for the Zoning Official and wondered how
costs would be covered for review work on various items. He will check on fees in other
municipalities.
Mrs.
Olsen related that the increase in Board of Health salary is a projection to
bring that salary in line with other Boards.
The number of regular and special meetings held over the past several
years was reviewed. The suggestion is to
set more regular meetings and eliminate the specials as there are increasing
waiver requests due to new ordinance rules.
Lonnie
Baldino reviewed his salary request and was asked about zoning officer
fees. A discussion about stormwater
review and mechanisms for payment ensued.
Escrows are established for sub-divisions but there is no provision for
single lot work. Concerning the doubled
salary request, Mr. Baldino relayed that he’s putting in over 4 hours a
week. A ledger of contact, calls and
questions is kept. The voice mail system
is working great and allows him to deal more with the person. Mr. Baldino inquired about the parameters of
the job—office only, patrolling for violation compliance, etc. This needs to be discussed in more detail;
however, if something is seen, checked and found to be in violation or if
reported by a resident, follow-up is required.
Anonymous complaints will be not acted upon. Mr. Baldino addressed his OE line, explaining
that
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there
is money for class work, supplies, stamps, and various forms. The latter is something he would like to
implement and is reaching out to other municipalities for samples of various
forms. Money for mileage reimbursement
is also included. Access to a computer
is needed so that he can prepare his own letters. No need for a secretary at this time. Mr. Shapella requested that a monthly zoning
report of activities be submitted to the Clerk for inclusion in the meeting
packets. As for the salary request, Mr.
Shapella noted more work, hours, and responsibilities for the position were
envisioned from the beginning. Mr.
Baldino expressed his willingness to get second opinions and to reach out for
available resources in the course of his employment.
Mrs.
Olsen requested a higher hourly rate for the Deputy Clerk more line with
current offerings and her increasing ability.
A salary for her work as Deputy Registrar was also requested as
certification has been achieved and has been beneficial to vital statistics
work. A brief discussion about the
number of hours that can be worked before invoking overtime pay ensued as the
Deputy Clerk and Assistant Treasurer positions are not exempt positions. A request was made for a part-time Office
Assistant and a subsequent realignment of duties. Mr. Corboy requested that a plan be devised
for hours, duties and what is to be accomplished. A request by the clerk for compensation for
duties outside those defined in NJSA 40A:9-133 was distributed.
A
couple of miscellaneous items were touched on.
The first was funding levels for the Temporary Budget. A good number for the legal line is needed
and it was requested that land use ordinance review funds be made available up
front. It was determined that the
Committee will negotiate as a whole with Comcast and that Tom Allibone be asked
to join them. A date after the first
week in January will be discussed with Mr. Mallon and Attorney Faherty
contacted about the parameters of a closed session. Nancy Wolfe of the BPU will also be contacted
about whether Comcast has a right to say no to an open session franchise
renewal negotiation.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no
further business, a motion was made by Bleacher, seconded by Corboy, and
carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________
Lora
L. Olsen, RMC
Township
Clerk