June 13 – June 26, 2010

Tuesday June 15 REPAIR Meeting (Restore Programs and Improve intra-community Relations)

Those present: Chris Piparo, Kate Mahoney, John Gomez, Lyn Charibind, Paul Dahan, Alba Burdick, Dan Connor, Janine Gordan, Joanne Coe, Christine Thompson, Minga Cullen, Dr. Harttraft, Delores Wright, Nicky Noscar, Roberta Fleming, and Kim Lundgren

Mr. Piparo provided a PowerPoint handout- it was very brief and covered ground rules, topics, objectives, committee members. Summarized quickly, there are 4 important subject matter: 1) short term budget issues, 2) public perception / communication, 3) getting future school budgets approved, and 4) long term planning issues.

The meeting also included discussion on the following:

1) whether an "educational foundation" is needed to do this type of work rather than the REPAIR committee;

2) a change in public perception is needed;

3) there is a need to publicize the good things the school does with the community, not just for themselves, i.e.: food bank, jeans day for charity- "there is good stuff the school is doing that is not getting across"

4) the town should look for ways to increase the tax base;

5)"this is a bridge year, we are looking for ways to bring back funds and build revenue".

6) work on publicizing the program called CAST: "community and staff working together... another way of asking residents to work lunch and playground duty.

7) there is a successful "artist-in-residency" program; talk of expanding that idea into other careers / hobbies and interests..

There are 2 more meetings scheduled: July 13, and August 17. There were some folks who were invited but were not in attendance. All those present expressed no objection to being named as a REPAIR member. Mr. Piparo did mention that some folks he approached did not want to be part of the committee. The meeting started at 3:30 PM and ended promptly at 5:00pm.

Comments #4 concerning increasing our tax base and #5 about generating revenue are areas where I know I can be the most helpful, so I am looking forward to the next 2 REPAIR meetings to see how we brainstorm on ways to increase our tax base and increase revenue for the school.

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Wednesday June 23 Franklin Land Use Board Meeting

The Board heard 2 zoning applications of which both I had to recuse myself- a proposal to add panels to an existing communications tower, and the second application seeking variances to construct a garage. At the next meeting (July 14), the school board is expected to be in attendance to provide a status update on the school addition.

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Thursday June 24 Township Committee Meeting

Where is everyone? Nothing else better to do on a Thursday night? Come on down to the municipal building- we have air conditioning! We also have a pretty lousy sound system at this time which we hope to remedy soon.

Highlights from the meeting include:

1. Approved 5/27 and 6/10 meeting minutes;

2. Payment of Bills, we are going to look into the Aramark floor rug service- we think it might be not necessary and will give us some additional savings.

3. Public Safety: An emergency drill is scheduled at the township school on Monday June 28.

4. First reading of ordinance 2010-06 authorizing the purchase of a sport utility vehicle for the Dept of Public Safety for $37,000

5. Approved Resolution 2010-51 granting a liquor license renewal for the Quakertown Recreation Club

6. Approved Resolution 2010-52 granting a liquor license renewal for the Clinton Elks Lodge

7. Approved Resolution 2010-26A and 26B granting a liquor license renewal for Clinton Wine & Spirits, Inc.

8. Rich Cavallaro spoke to the Committee about his meeting with the Board of Education in which he discussed having a public park behind the school building. His talk generated comments from those present in the audience.

9. John Demarais of the Open Space Committee gave us a report on ongoing land acquisitions and possible future acquisitions.

10. Land Use Board Chairman Jim Stryker gave us a Land Use Board update, and provided comment on the public park discussion.

11. I announced that the Environmental Commission is going to help prepare an insert about septic maintenance which will be included in the tax bills which go out to property owners annually in July.

12. Plumbing Subcode Official Stewart Doddy announced his retirement effective August 1, 2010.

13. We went into executive session and came out with a publically announced decision: we let go our township attorney Valerie Kimson and hired Anthony Koester as her replacement effective June 25. Mr. Koester is part of the law firm of Dilts & Koester in Flemington. Their website is: http://www.hunterdonlegal.com/. Things just were not working out with Ms. Kimson; I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.