September morn
We danced until the night became a brand new day
Two lovers playing scenes from some romantic play
September morning still can make me feel that way
Thanks Neil Diamond for the inspiring and heartfelt lyrics but lately I just don’t feel like dancing; nor do I want to hear Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out Forever.” How about “Back to School Again” by the Four Tops for a change? Now we’re talking.
It’s been a busy couple of weeks as your committeeman. Summer is a distant memory and it’s back to work as I continue to serve the residents of Franklin. Our ongoing school construction project continues to be the most important issue in town; I’ll cover that in my September 13 entry.
Wednesday September 8: Land Use Board
Our meeting was a work session where members gave updates on the various ordinances being worked on for eventual Committee consideration; these ordinances include: tree preservation, lighting, steep slope, riparian buffer, home occupation, solar energy, and wind energy. If you are interested in assisting with the preparation and review of any of these ordinances or have questions please contact me and I can either assist you myself or put you in touch with the right people.
Thursday September 9: Township Committee
Given that two committee members were absent, the meeting was a little shorter than usual:
-We approved the August 12 meeting minutes.
-Franklin Resident Frank Bell gave a presentation and informed us that state grant and federal stimulus money is available to municipalities for energy audits and energy efficient upgrades. More information about the grant can be found at: http://www.njcleanenergy.com/commercial-industrial/home/home I am meeting with Mr. Bell next week to review the grant application. I see this as a win-win situation for the environment and the taxpayers; if you have been to the municipal building the words “energy efficient” aren’t the first that come to mind so I look forward to taking advantage of energy efficient technology and saving the taxpayers some money. East Amwell recently completed a similar project- their experiences can be viewed here: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/09/east_amwell_using_grants_for_e.html
-We paid the bills by approving the check control register covering 8/12/2010 – 9/9/2010. We disbursed $1,503,962; big ticket items included: $801,185 (Franklin Board of Education), $529,748 (North Hunterdon / Voorhees School District), $50,595 (8/27 municipal payroll), $34,815 (8/13 municipal payroll), and $26,880 (August health insurance premium for municipal employees). Our check control register is always public information and is available at the clerk’s office and at the committee meetings; I invite all to review these bills and to ask questions and provide suggestions on how we can reduce our spending.
-We approved Resolution 2010-62 designating an $800,000 bond anticipation note a “qualified tax-exempt obligation”.
-We approved Resolution 2010-61 authorizing the township engineer to submit a grant application to the NJ Department of Transportation for the West Sidney Road Phase 2 Improvement Project. Phase 2 work consists of 1 mile of work from the southwest of Rote 617 (Cherryville Road) to Cherryville Road. The scope of work consists of storm sewer improvements, pavement repairs, minor road widening, roadway leveling, resurfacing, and driveway repairs. The total estimated cost of the project is $303,600.
-We received August reports from the Police Department and Department of Public Works. A special note was made in the police report that the Class II Special Officers volunteered 85 hours of their time in August. In August 189 motor vehicle summonses and 158 motor vehicle warnings were issued compared to July when 149 summonses were issued and only 58 warnings were issued. DPW was busy in August with vehicle and equipment repair / maintenance, and road work, and assisting with moving boxes of files at the municipal building.
-We met as the Board of Health and approved a septic system application at Block 34, Lot 6.
-Mayor Jacukowicz and I gave the Committee an update on the Land Use Board’s September 8 meeting. We had 10 zoning applications in the month of August which included 3 solar array projects, an in-ground pool, and a storage shed. We carried amending the construction fees to the next meeting.
-Mark your calendars: the Halloween Trunk or Treat is being held at the Elks Lodge on October 29 from 6:30 – 9 PM.
Saturday September 11: Quakertown Fire Company BBQ Chicken Event
Being a committeeman wouldn’t be complete without attending a cookout / BBQ and the Quakertown Fire Company BBQ Chicken event hit the spot. Besides indulging in delicious chicken and amazing baked beans, I was able to talk to members of the fire company and township residents. These events are fewer far between in our community and that it is a shame- getting to know each other is what makes small towns special; once you lose the connection and communication with your neighbor you might as well live in a lackluster suburb or unforgiving city. To see pictures from the BBQ check out: http://www.quakertownfire.com/fullstory.php?116567
The QFC is holding an Oktoberfest on October 2, for more information check out http://www.quakertownfire.com/fullstory.php?116570
Monday September 13: Board of Education Meeting
Over 60 people attended this meeting; the BOE provided the public with an update on the construction project. This chart describing the progress made was distributed to the public: http://www.ftschool.org/FTS_HOME/FTS_Home_New_files/FTS%20School%20Construction%20Status%20Report%20v4.pdf Superintendent Harttraft told us the list of items that need to be addressed before a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) can be issued. Board members discussed briefly the types of contingency plans they are considering if the school cannot be occupied on September 27. Plenty of residents had questions and for the most part I felt their questions were answered. The next BOE special meeting is scheduled for September 22, 7:30 PM at the firehouse- that meeting will be important because the BOE will announce whether the building is ready or not and if not, what the contingency plans will be in place.
My commentary: Overall I thought the meeting went well; tempers were in check, and I didn’t get the strong feeling that there was a “blame game” going on. Sure there were complaints about bureaucracy, permitting, lackluster field work, and overbearing inspections but anyone who has ever been involved in a construction project knows first hand that “whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.” As a licensed professional planner I work for the city of Plainfield and part of my job includes working with our construction official with certificate of occupancy inspections. I have inspected many schools and I can attest that the process is tedious because so much is at stake. It is possible for a school to operate and still have the appearance of a construction zone. I visited the school on Saturday the 18th and workers were digging the pits for the water tanks; I happened to meet BOE President Chris Piparo on site and we had an encouraging conversation. I also met with our construction official, mayor, and the school’s general contractor on the 14th to get an update on the permitting process and what is required for a TCO. Going what I have heard and seen, and given my experiences with inspecting schools, I am encouraged and feel that the school could be ready for a TCO by the 27th- it is not impossible, but additional work needs to be done, and it needs to be done quickly and correctly. I am hoping for the best and that our children are able to attend classes in Franklin Township on September 27th.
The media continues to cover our school construction project:
http://www.nj.com/news/local/index.ssf/2010/09/franklin_kids_will_be_in_schoo.html
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/09/franklin_township_school_on_tr.html
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2010/09/school_officials_promise_frank.html
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