Monday, July 12: Environmental Commission
I attended the monthly Environmental Commission meeting; they didn’t have a quorum so no official actions were taken, but those present didn’t waste a good night out so they discussed the flyer they are working on to educate people about their septic systems. This flyer is piggy-backing the annual tax bill being sent out to all property owners in August.
The Commission members also discussed the idea of having a “Night of Environmental Issues for Homeowners” which would be an open to the community workshop covering topics like recycling, well testing, septic maintenance, invasive species, and lot management.
A grant opportunity from ANJEC (Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions http://www.anjec.org) will present itself in early 2011 and it is never too early to start thinking of environmental projects which we could receive a 50% cash match. In 2008, ANJEC contributed 50% of the costs for the preparation of our Natural Resources Inventory, which can be seen here: http://www.franklin-twp.org/NRI-Inventory.html. Any ideas from the armchair environmentalists out there? Familiarize yourself with the ANJEC website and contact the Environmental Commission. http://www.franklin-twp.org/EC-main.html
Tuesday, July 13: Emergency Meeting of the Township Committee
This meeting was called for “discussing possible funding to do permanent repairs at Hamden Road to alleviate erosion”. The meeting was held at 4:45PM and I was not able to attend but I did read the meeting minutes. FEMA is willing to pay 75% of $160,000 worth of repairs along the stream bank that is eroding Hamden Road. FEMA will cover 75% of the costs and 25% will be paid jointly between the township, the county, and the NJ Water Authority. The Committee voted to commit funds to the project. Our support is conditioned on the others to commit their share of funding, and for the County to be the lead agency. Do the math; our costs are minimal and we have leveraged our money in outstanding fashion.
Tuesday, July 13: Board of Education sponsored REPAIR Meeting
Here is the report I submitted to the Township Committee:
Please accept this report on the REPAIR committee meeting which took place 7:00 PM on July 13. Fifteen persons were present including two members of the Recreation Commission (Mark Mroz and Kevin Suydam).
Dr. Harttraft gave an update on the construction work- they are on schedule to open on September 8. There is still some demolition work that needs to be done.
The topic of the meeting was the sports program. BOE President Chris Piparo said the sports program was included in the first wave of BOE cuts; sports were a victim. He is looking for dialogue and suggestions. All present agreed that sports assists with positive school spirit, community, and builds social friendships. There are approximately 75 athletes in the school. Last year’s sports budget was $29,000 broken down as follows: $15,000 teacher stipends for coaching, $7,000 transportation, and $7,000 for officials.
A discussion ensued over coaching- many parents who are certified and wiling to volunteer as coaches. Mr. Piparo said coaching jobs first have to be offered to the teachers first as per the union contract. Those present cited no objection to cutting transportation from the budget- let parents work out transportation issues.
The discussion shifted to the idea of a “pay to play” program. One person thought parents would be willing to spend $100 per person per sport. There are costs that come from being in a conference. There was discussion about having an activity fee which would include other activities for students besides sports, similar to a lab fee in high school / college. Dr. Harttraft mentioned the possibility of charging a facility fee once the school addition is complete.
Recreation Commission members Mark Mroz and Kevin Suydam were asked what the Recreation Commission could do to help the situation. Mr. Mroz explained the RC’s basketball program and how it operates and the costs involved. When asked if they could contribute financially to the school sports program Mr. Mroz said their budget is tied to the municipal budget which was just approved for 2010.
Additional conversation occurred concerning technology and the role of computers in the classroom.
The next meeting is scheduled for 8/17/10; the topics will include the property in the back of the school, the long term viability of the district, and what about the possibility of construction delays.
Two of the three REPAIR meetings are now in the rear view mirror- so what’s my take? I am encouraged by the discussions and think it is a good thing that we all talk about what the issues are- whatever they may be- at least we are talking about them to each other face to face in an atmosphere that is not “charged” the way public hearings can be. Between the ongoing school building construction, adjusting to the new school budget, and preparing for next year’s budget- these are three great reasons why we should continue to meet, perhaps on a quarterly basis.
Wednesday, July 14: Land Use Board
This was out last meeting for the summer- no new business for the second meeting of the month, and the Board traditionally takes the month of August off. We had two new business items on the agenda.
Representatives of the School were present to give the Board an update on the school construction and to respond to the Board’s 5/12/10 review letter of the school construction project. Overall the discussion went well, the construction is running on time, and it was pleasant to see that the School representatives were receptive to the Board’s comments, one even helped save the school money!
The second new business item was a discussion with Shop Rite about a proposed expansion of about 6,400 square feet. They want to expand where the pet store, former postal annex, and dry cleaner are located. The additional space will be used for dairy and frozen food as well as the Shop Rite from Home Internet Department. The expansion will have no impact on parking or traffic; no site work is proposed and there is no requirement for increased parking.
Friday, July 16: Out and About
I chose to spend half of my vacation day doing township business. I met with our engineer Rick Roseberry of Maser Consulting and a property owner on a site, I met with our Public Safety Director Ken Mandoli and got a tour of the police department, I visited the summer recreation program that was in full swing when I stopped by, and I met with our employees at the Public Works Department on Locust Grove Road.
To me, how I felt on Friday is what being on the Township Committee is all about. Besides the public meetings every other Thursday there are so many other things “in play”. The tax payers who expect a certain level of service, our children who take part in community recreation programs, and the employees of the town who dedicate themselves to their job and do their very best- all of these things made a tremendous impact on me today. It was one of those days I will always remember as a committeeman.
Thursday, July 22: Town Committee Meeting
Pretty busy meeting- there were only 3 of us present so we had to extra duty in making motions and giving reports. We occupied ourselves with the following business:
-We adopted the meeting minutes from July 8 and July 13.
-We conducted the 1st public hearing for Ordinance 2010-07 “Establishing Fees, Special Service Charges Under the NJ Open Public Records Act”. The second hearing is scheduled for August 12.
-We authorized payment of the bills including big ticket items like $529,748 for the North Hunterdon / Voorhees School District, and $9,024 for the Municipal Court of North Hunterdon.
-We approved the 2009 audit prepared by William Colantano, Jr., CPA.
-We joined the Municipal Alliance for year 2011. The Municipal Alliance provides substance abuse prevention programming to the schools and community. There is no out of pocket cost to be a member of the Alliance.
-We are preparing a Local Aid grant application to the NJ Dept. of Transportation for funding of the West Sidney Road repairs, Phase II. Phase I was partially funded with state grant money so we are intending to make the August 13 deadline so we can begin the second phase of repair work.
-We are ready to release the performance bond for site work (removal of a barn structure) related to Block 39, Lot 9; we should have the resolution ready for the next meeting.
-I updated the Committee on the July 12 Environmental Commission meeting and July 14 Land Use Board meeting.
-Representatives from the Hunterdon Land Trust (http://www.hlta.org) were present as well as Open Space Committee representative John Demarrais to discuss possible land acquisitions.
Saturday, July 24: Public Safety / D.A.R.E Day
My wife and two sons joined the Franklin Police Department for their 6th Annual Public Safety / D.A.R.E Day at the Clinton Elks Lodge. While it was a little on the hot and humid side, plenty of folks came out to support our police department and D.A.R.E program. Many other law enforcement agencies were in attendance, including a state police helicopter.
