Tuesday June 1 was the monthly Recreation Commission meeting. A quorum was not present so no official business could be conducted. Summer Program Director Joanne Hyland was in attendance and she presented the Summer Recreation program being held July 12-23. For more information on the summer program check out:
http://www.franklin-twp.org/Franklin_Township_Recreation_registration_school.pdf
I learned that at the May 27 Township Committee meeting, resident Richard Cavallaro was appointed to the Recreation Commission. Welcome aboard Richard, thank you for volunteering your time to Franklin Township.
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Tues June 7: the Board of Education meeting.
The Hunterdon Democrat filed two reports on the meeting- one on the impacts of the school board budget, and the second- a presentation on ideas for a public park.
First, the school budget:
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/06/franklin_township_school_offic.html
I attended the meeting, and while the impact of the budget is substantial, I was encouraged by Minga Cullen- a teacher at the school and head of the teacher’s local union. As the paper reported, she told parents to “try to get some sleep, and things will work out”. Listening to Ms. Cullen I was given the impression that the teachers are ready to perform under the new budget and are ready for the challenge of a new teaching plan.
Here is Superintendent Dr. Chrys Hartraft’s latest update (June 11) on the school budget and building addition:
http://www.ftschool.org/FTS_HOME/FTS_Home_New_files/parent%20ltr%206-11.pdf
Second, the Idea of a Public Park:
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/06/franklin_twp_school_build_a_pa.html
Richard Cavallaro spoke to the Board about the possibility of building a park on a 20.8 acre parcel the school owns- behind the school abutting Locust Grove Road. I am glad the topic of an active recreation park is being discussed, the concept is something that I support but I am not sure if this location is the best for the township. All options should be explored, beginning with hearing from residents of the pros and cons of a park in the township and an inventory / cost and benefit assessment of potential park locations. This isn’t something that is going to happen overnight; I want to hear from you what- if any- park you envision for Franklin. I am a land use planner and I have some ideas but I want to hear from you too. A few side notes / commentary about the presentation by Mr. Cavallaro: 1) Rich was just appointed to the Rec Commission- so recently that he hasn’t yet to be formally introduced to them - that should happen at the July meeting. Rich and I discussed this and he went into the meeting not as a Rec Commission representative, but as a resident. While the Rec Commission discusses what their role should be- if any- with the park, I ask that the Land Use Board look into preparing a Recreation Element to the master plan.
This June 15 I will be attending the first meeting of a community group called REPAIR- Restore Programs and Improve intra-community Relations. The group will include teachers, school board members, members of the Township Committee, and citizens. I am eager to come up with some workable solutions to reinstating the programs that were cut and to generate new channels of communication and relations.
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Tues June 8: the Primary Election
Congratulations to Susan Campbell and Vigdis Austad for winning the Republican primary for Township Committee (3 year term). Get to know them at their website
http://www.ftvote.com/Site/Meet_the_Township_Committee_Candidates.html
Should there be no challenges in the General election this November, I look forward to working with Ms. Campbell and Ms. Austad on the Township Committee in 2011.
Congratulations also to elected County Republican Committee members Scott Sautner & Laura Gilmore (District 1), Martin Bercaw & Susan Blew (District 2), and Mike Innella & Matt Peterson (District 3). To learn more about the newly elected Republican Committee members, check out their bios at:
http://www.ftvote.com/Site/Meet_the_County_Republican_Committee_Candidates.html
Susan Blew is not listed on the above website, but here is some info on the farm Susan and her family own and operate:
http://www.ftschool.org/fourth/historic.farms/oak.grove/oak.grove.index.html
I am eager to meet with the Republican Committee members; they all play an important role in choosing candidates to run on the Republican Party platform here in town, and they also vote at county Republican functions. I think it would be great and would welcome and applaud the move to put together a website to inform the public with what the Republican Committee does, when they meet, etc.
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Thursday June 10 was the Township Committee meeting. A quick rundown of our actions:
1. We approved meeting minutes for May 18 (Special and Executive Session).
2. We approved Ordinance 2010-02 which amended the “Police Department” Chapter 75 of the Code book. The changes were “house cleaning” in nature- deleted the title “Director of Public Safety, and replaced it with “Police Director”. The notice was printed in the Hunterdon Democrat on June 3 and is now available at the Clerk’s Office for review.
3. We approved Bond Ordinance 2010-04 authorizing the improvement of West Sydney Road- a $350,000 job. Our bond down payment is 10%, or $35,000. The NJ Department of Transportation is contributing $150,000 towards the project.
4. We approved Ordinance 2010-05 authorizing the replacement of an Alamo boom mower head for the Dept. of Public works at a cost of $12,000- the funds coming from the Capital Improvement Fund. http://www.alamo-industrial.com/products/productview.asp?childcategoryid=9&parentcategoryID=4&productid=59
5. Tax Collector Linda Swackhamer reported for May 2010 we collected $2,053,555 in taxes.
6. We paid the bills. Of note: $2,080 paid to Ardito & Co. for the school budget audit$1,140 to Kasper Disposal for May household cleanup, and $22,250 to Stephen F. Smith, Jr., retired judge who was the hearing office for the Wahba matter.
7. Police Director Ken Mandoli gave his May 2010 monthly report which included 193 motor vehicle summonses, 158 motor vehicle warnings, 8 adult arrests, and 4 juvenile arrests.
8. Dept. of Public Works Supervisor submitted his May 2010 monthly report.
9. We passed Resolution 2010-48 certifying that the monies we received from a recycling tonnage grant are deposited in a dedicated recycling trust fund to be used solely for the purpose of recycling.
10. We passed Resolution 2010-49 which accepted bids for 2010 roadway maintenance and repair materials- we combined purchasing power with Delaware and Kingwood Townships to help get the best prices. Of the 4 bidders (Stavola, Flemington Bituminous, Trap Rock Industries, and Garden State Asphalt), Stavola was the winning bidder.
11. We approved a 39 month, $153 / month copier lease for our Cannon Image Runner 3245 copier.
12. We approved Resolution 2010-46 re-appointing Township Clerk Ursula Stryker as municipal clerk for June 14, 2010 – June 14, 2013. You do a great job Ursula, congratulations!
13. We authorized a professional services agreement with John O’ Reilly, Esq. for a single matter pertaining to Wahba litigation in an amount not to exceed $20,000. For more information on the Wahba matter, go to the Hunterdon County Superior Court in Flemington and ask to see docket # L-287-10. You will have access to everything the Town Committee has, and you can draw your own conclusion.
14. Our Township Zoning Office submitted his monthly report for May 2010- six zoning applications.
15. We approved Resolution 2010-44 agreeing to hire George Reichert as Construction Official on an as-needed basis for $25.00 per inspection.
16. We approved Resolution 2010-45 agreeing to hire Phillip Izzo as substitute inspector (Building Dept.) for $25.00 per inspection.
17. We approved Resolution 2010-41 setting the open space tax rate at 5 cents per $100 of assessed value.
18. We approved Resolution 2010-47 agreeing to a construction and maintenance agreement for common access to Lots 1.03, 1.04, and 1.02 in Block 25 with the condition that the existing driveway be relocated within 60 days or less and that the area of the previous driveway be restored to grass.
19. We approved Resolution 2010-50- a “resolution of appreciation” for the following volunteers that ensure that the Township newsletter reaches residents in a timely manner: Joan Boyd, Carol Fox, Dottie Hartsell, Beverly Hockenbury, Helen Ihling, Karen Mullen, and Dot Ruggerio. Thank you ladies, your work is not unrecognized.
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