As I am writing this blog entry from my office this afternoon I see a hot air balloon working its way across the horizon. Few yellow and orange leaves remain on the trees after this week’s wind, and as the sun begins its descent I have a sense of comfort and peace living in Franklin Township. Do you feel that way too?
November 2: Election Day
Congratulations to Committeewomen-Elect Vigdis Austad and Sue Campbell. Here is a link to their website which describes who they are, their background and experiences, and what motivated them to run for elected office:
http://www.ftvote.com/Site/Meet_the_Township_Committee_Candidates.html
I look forward to working with Ms. Austad, Ms. Campbell in 2011.
November 10: Land Use Board
A good portion of the meeting was spent discussing the draft Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan (CFPP). The CFPP was prepared through a cooperative effort between the Township Committee, Land Use Board, Agricultural Advisory Committee, Open Space Advisory Committee, the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance, and Franklin resident volunteers. Adoption of the CFPP into our master plan would allow us to apply for and receive funding from the State Agricultural Development Committee (SADC) through state-sponsored Municipal Planning Incentive Grants. It is my understanding from the SADC that we are eligible for $1.25 million in state funding to purchase development easements from qualified farms with no local match required. Adoption of this plan is important if we wish for Franklin to continue to protect its farmland and agriculture. Anyone who wishes to see a copy of the draft can do so in the municipal building, Board Secretary’s office, or email me and I will provide you a PDF copy. The Board discussed the plan and chose to carry the vote to their December 8 meeting.
The Board also reviewed a revised draft of solar / wind power ordinance. At this point I do not anticipate the Committee receiving a finished ordinance in 2010. My message to the Land Use Board and Environmental Commission on this matter is to do your due diligence and prepare the best ordinance possible- it is your job to use your expertise and forward the best ordinance to the Committee. In turn, it is our job to determine how the policy is suitable for the township. Keep us informed of your progress and we will keep communication lines open with you and the public.
November 11: Township Committee
Committeemen McGeary and Tarshis were absent so between Mayor Jacukowicz, Committeeman Tarshis, and myself, we managed to conduct the town’s business in short time. We adjourned from our regular meeting at 8:21- by far the shortest meeting I’ve participated in since I have been on Committee. Kudos for Committeewoman-Elect Austad for being in attendance. Highlights from the meeting included:
1. Adopting the October 28, 2010 work session and executive session meeting minutes.
2. We authorized the payment of bills through November 11, 2010. Big ticket items included: 11/5 municipal payroll ($37,271), and municipal attorney fees ($6,199)
3. Police / Public Safety Director Ken Mandoli gave his October report; highlights included 4 adult arrests, 100 motor vehicle summonses, and 140 motor vehicle warnings. Mr. Mandoli reported 186 cars at the Trunk or Treat event, and he informed us that Class II Special Officers volunteered 43 hours of their time to the township, reducing the need for overtime costs. Mr. Mandoli also provided us with a copy of his 2010 year end report (10/1/09 – 9/30/10) for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The report stated that our Emergency Operations Plan is current through 2014. His report included a summary of events, programs and training that the OEM and our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were involved with during the year. Mr. Mandoli informed us that with the submission of his OEM report to the State Police, the township qualified for a $5,000 grant from the State.
4. We adopted Resolution 2010-70 re-appointing Ken Mandoli to serve as Coordinator of the Office of Emergency Management for a 3 year term, effective October 1, 2010 at an annual salary at $1,266.00.
5. We adopted Resolution 2010-71 to authorize ADR Towing, Ralph Anthony Automotive, Ray Fisher Auto Body, and Superior Towing and Transport to provide towing and storage of motor vehicles for 2011 and 2012.
6. We finally authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement for deer carcass removal services for 2010. Re-authorizing should be much simpler in 2011 now that the legal framework has already been laid out and has passed the smell test… so you don’t have to!
7. We received the Public Works October monthly report. Highlights included budget preparations for 2011, police vehicle service and repair, mounting snow equipment on vehicles, snow fence installation, maintaining the recycling center, and ditch/shoulder/drain/basin work on Baker Road, Old Franklin School Road, and Oak Grove Road. A pre-construction meeting took place on November 19 for phase 1 of West Sidney Road improvements.
8. At 8:00 PM the Committee switched hats and became the Board of Health where we adopted our October 14 meeting minutes then heard a septic system waiver request for Block 135, Lot 23; 207 Cherryville Road. The property owner was requesting a design waiver to allow the septic disposal bed to be located within 12 inches of the regional water table when 24 inches is required. Soil logs demonstrated that the water table is 18 inches below grade. The owner proposes to mound the system so that the disposal bed will still be 24 inches above the water table. Our township engineer reviewed the plans and cited no objection to the design waiver and we subsequently granted the request.
November 17 & 18: League of Municipalities Conference
I attended the 95th Annual League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. I attended 5 sessions and managed to cover the convention floor twice. The sessions I attended were:
“A Review and Discussion of Governor Christie’s Property Tax Relief Toolkit”;
“Pension Reforms- What do They Mean?”;
“Elected Officials Refresher on Budget, Procurement, and Finance Purchasing Issues”;
“Elected Officials Refresher on Ethics, Public Meetings, Open Public Records, and Civility in Public Discourse”; and
“Capital Spending in an Uncertain Economy”
I have attended the Conference since the mid 1990s in different capacities- as a vendor, as a municipal planning board member, as a county planner, as a municipal planner, and now as an elected official. The Conference provides attendees the opportunity to network, learn from their peers, and take back ideas to our communities. From the exhibitors on the convention floor I picked up information on website providers, green products and sustainable energy companies, insurance providers, affordable housing consultants, and public works equipment companies.
Overall the League Conference is a good experience for those involved in government; I recommend that elected officials go at least once while they are in office and that you make the most of your stay. When I was not in workshop sessions I was visiting exhibitors; I would be more than happy to share my notes and brochures with anyone who expresses an interest in getting an up close and detailed report on each of the sessions and exhibitor material.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
October 18 – October 31, 2010
On Wednesday October 20 I met with planners Rick Steffey and Bill Millette of the Hunterdon County Planning Board to discuss the status of farmland and open space preservation in Franklin Township. The County offers to meet with municipalities on a monthly basis to discuss the status of ongoing farmland and open space preservation projects as well as anything else that might pop up during conversation. This was my first meeting with these gentlemen – I was filling in for Mayor Jacukowicz and Open Space Chairman John Demarrais who could not attend. I used the meeting as a fact finding mission for myself and I look forward to attending more of these meetings.
Our county planners are helpful and wiling to offer assistance when they can. As a planner myself, and a former county planner (Union County), I commend the Hunterdon County planners on scheduling these meetings on a monthly basis- open communication is key to cooperation and I am looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity the County has given us. If there are any issues Franklin residents would like me to present to the County please contact me and I will do all that I can to assist.
I missed the October 25 Environmental Commission meeting. My review of their meeting minutes revealed they are working on a tree ordinance, GIS trails mapping, and they want to participate in the review of a recycling ordinance that the Committee has been discussing.
On Saturday October 23 I joined the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in their annual roadside litter patrol. I’ll be honest- picking up litter at 8:30 AM on a Saturday wasn’t the first thing I wanted to be doing but as the morning progressed I found the experience rewarding and downright therapeutic. I got to know more Franklin residents, with two sons I am sure at least one will be interested in scouting, and being able to walk some of our most beautiful rural roads on a crisp, fall Saturday morning while beautifying them by removing trash was rewarding in its own way. Many folks driving by slowed down to thank us for the work we were doing.
I want to thank Jim Foran for accommodating my desire to be part of this project- I was the only non-scout affiliated person in the crowd and Jim made me feel comfortable enough to want to come back the next time the scouts decide to do litter patrol.
Wednesday October 27 was the Land Use Board meeting where we heard and approved an application for a lot line adjustment (minor subdivision) on Block 10, Lot 11. I had to recuse myself from the second hearing of the night involving Block 10, Lot 26. The Land Use Board has a few draft ordinances in the works, in particular I was given a copy of a draft solar / wind power ordinance.
Thursday October 28 was our Township Committee workshop session. Highlights from the meeting included:
1. Adoption of the 10/14 executive session and regular meeting minutes
2. Payment of the bills. The 800 pound gorillas in this check run included: transfer of tax levy to the Franklin Board of Education ($801,185), transfer of tax levy to the North Hunterdon/Voorhees High School ($529,748), 4th quarter county taxes ($425,455), 10/22 municipal payroll ($45,544), 4th quarter county open space tax ($44,187), 4th quarter county library tax ($35,895), December billing for the North Hunterdon Municipal Court ($9,024), and we paid our township attorney $8,161. The check control registry is public information so if you want to see it in its entirety, stop by the clerk’s office.
3. We approved resolution 2010-69 supporting the “Over the Limit Under Arrest 2010 Year End Statewide Crackdown” whereby we pledge to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving; our police officers will exercise increased impaired driving enforcement from December 6, 2010 through January 2, 2011.
4. We discussed a recycling ordinance (again!)…. It was formally introduced and referred to the Environmental Commission for their review. The public hearing on the ordinance will be on December 9, 2010.
5. We approved to spend (an amount not to exceed) $6,500 for a sound system upgrade for the meeting room. The upgrade consists of a digital recording system, wall mounted speakers, new microphones, transcription software package, installation and set up costs. The lowest quote that suited our needs was from Gramco Business Communications. The two other bids received were in the amount of $10,460, and $15,710. This sound system will be used not only by the Committee, but also by the Land Use Board, and any other group that chooses to conduct a public meeting in the municipal building. The system will enable us to have audio files of the meeting available on the township website and we can do away with the cassette tapes.
6. Our zoning officer reported on the zoning applications received year to date. For 2010 our zoning officer has reviewed 63 zoning applications. October’s applications included an equipment shelter and new antennas to the existing monopole at 95 Quakertown Road, and a residential roof mounted solar array.
7. The Committee reluctantly accepted longtime Land Use Board member Kurt Fischer’s resignation from the Land Use Board. I’ve known Kurt since I began on the Land Use Board in 2006; he was a valuable asset to the Board, his knowledge and dedication will be sorely missed and I wish him the best. Mayor Jacukowicz appointed alternate Board member David Dallas to Kurt’s unexpired term.
8. Our township planner gave us an update on the Appellate Court decision on COAH’s Third Round Rules and its impact on Franklin Township’s Third Round Plan. A copy of the document can be viewed here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/40781910/101026-COAH-Update
COAH stands for the Council on Affordable Housing and they are a state agency whose purpose is to ensure that each NJ municipality provides its fair share of affordable housing. The history of COAH goes back to the mid 1970s, it is not my intent to give the background or express my personal opinion about the topic of affordable housing; my purpose here is to keep Franklin residents informed on our legal obligations and the cost to the taxpayer. The Appellate Division invalidated COAH’s third round growth share methodology and directed COAH to come up with a new way to determine each local government’s fair share obligation within 5 months. How does this affect Franklin? Our COAH assigned 65 unit obligation number has now been invalidated; we should get a new number within 5 months. Our township planner’s letter spells out our situation succulently, for now the Committee has chosen to “stay pat” until the rest of the cards fall- once we have a new affordable obligation number to work with we can either contend it or decide to work with it. What upsets me is that all of our work and dollars that went into our first 3rd round report was also invalidated- we are not getting refunded the money we paid to prepare our reports, and as the statewide policy continues to morph, we have to continue paying our consultants to stay on top of the issues or we risk being sued by developers.
9. We received a letter from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection informing us that we stand to lose $137,427 in Green Acres funding. We were awarded the funds in September 2008 and there has been “no movement on the Township’s part to advance a land acquisition project since August 2009”. If we wish to pursue the acquisition of a parcel related to our Open Space Plan we need to inform Green Acres by December 1. The Committee is taking this letter seriously; our finance officer is going to inform us about how much money is in our open space accounts and we will then decide whether it is prudent to proceed with open space purchases at this time. The letter concluded by stating that our decision not to proceed with spending the $137,427 would not jeopardize future Green Acres funding.
My personal commentary on matter: I support open space and farmland preservation- keeping Franklin rural and agricultural is the reason why I first volunteered on the Land Use Board, it is why I am active with Rural Awareness, and it is also one of the reasons why I decided to run for public office. Our audit ending December 2009 states we have $279,881 in our open space account. We are anticipated to collect an additional $280,000 this year. We still need to pay down past open space acquisitions- Summit Manor ($425,000), and we need to start making payments on the $1,122,996 we spent in 2006 on acquiring development easements on a 70 acre parcel on Sidney Road. I understand from the Open Space Advisory Committee that we have $117,000 due from the County open space tax. There are also other opportunities to obtain matching funds for open space acquisition. All this said, I am a firm believer of moving ahead with a “clean slate”- we need to control our debt that has accumulated from past open space purchases. If we have to wait out a round of open space acquisition in order to manage our finances that are already making an impact on our budget that is something we are going to have to do now. While I support open space acquisition it must be done in a way that has minimal impact on our daily operating expenses and if we have outstanding debt that still requires financing I am uncomfortable moving forward and passing on the debt to future Committees because it will be the taxpayers who will get burnt. If I have any of my facts misconstrued I invite your comment; I understand the Open Space Advisory Committee is meeting in early December and I look forward to meeting with them to discuss how we can work together in managing our past debt while planning for the future.
I had the honor to be a judge for the costume contest at the Township Trunk or Treat Tailgate Party held on Friday, October 29, sponsored by the Recreation Commission and the Police Department. The CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) and the Quakertown Fire Department did a great job with vehicle and crowd control. In the spirit of Halloween I arrived in a pretty outrageous costume; I just hope the pictures took don’t come back to haunt me! If you missed Trunk or Treat you missed out on a lot of fun! After the costume contest everyone headed to the tailgate party where I witnessed the talents of our residents who decorated their vehicles in the spirit of Halloween. I grew up in suburban Milltown, New Jersey and when it came to trick-or-treating there were many houses close together and we made out like bandits on Halloween. When my wife and I moved to Franklin one of the things I thought about was “well there goes my children’s chance at trick-or-treating, we will have to drive to Clinton or Flemington for decent trick or treating.” I was pleasantly surprised at the Trunk or Treat turnout, the friendliness of the attendees, and the whole atmosphere at the Trunk or Treat Tailgate Party; now I can rest easy knowing that my children will have fine memories of Halloween in their hometown just as I did.
Our county planners are helpful and wiling to offer assistance when they can. As a planner myself, and a former county planner (Union County), I commend the Hunterdon County planners on scheduling these meetings on a monthly basis- open communication is key to cooperation and I am looking forward to taking advantage of this opportunity the County has given us. If there are any issues Franklin residents would like me to present to the County please contact me and I will do all that I can to assist.
I missed the October 25 Environmental Commission meeting. My review of their meeting minutes revealed they are working on a tree ordinance, GIS trails mapping, and they want to participate in the review of a recycling ordinance that the Committee has been discussing.
On Saturday October 23 I joined the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in their annual roadside litter patrol. I’ll be honest- picking up litter at 8:30 AM on a Saturday wasn’t the first thing I wanted to be doing but as the morning progressed I found the experience rewarding and downright therapeutic. I got to know more Franklin residents, with two sons I am sure at least one will be interested in scouting, and being able to walk some of our most beautiful rural roads on a crisp, fall Saturday morning while beautifying them by removing trash was rewarding in its own way. Many folks driving by slowed down to thank us for the work we were doing.
I want to thank Jim Foran for accommodating my desire to be part of this project- I was the only non-scout affiliated person in the crowd and Jim made me feel comfortable enough to want to come back the next time the scouts decide to do litter patrol.
Wednesday October 27 was the Land Use Board meeting where we heard and approved an application for a lot line adjustment (minor subdivision) on Block 10, Lot 11. I had to recuse myself from the second hearing of the night involving Block 10, Lot 26. The Land Use Board has a few draft ordinances in the works, in particular I was given a copy of a draft solar / wind power ordinance.
Thursday October 28 was our Township Committee workshop session. Highlights from the meeting included:
1. Adoption of the 10/14 executive session and regular meeting minutes
2. Payment of the bills. The 800 pound gorillas in this check run included: transfer of tax levy to the Franklin Board of Education ($801,185), transfer of tax levy to the North Hunterdon/Voorhees High School ($529,748), 4th quarter county taxes ($425,455), 10/22 municipal payroll ($45,544), 4th quarter county open space tax ($44,187), 4th quarter county library tax ($35,895), December billing for the North Hunterdon Municipal Court ($9,024), and we paid our township attorney $8,161. The check control registry is public information so if you want to see it in its entirety, stop by the clerk’s office.
3. We approved resolution 2010-69 supporting the “Over the Limit Under Arrest 2010 Year End Statewide Crackdown” whereby we pledge to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving; our police officers will exercise increased impaired driving enforcement from December 6, 2010 through January 2, 2011.
4. We discussed a recycling ordinance (again!)…. It was formally introduced and referred to the Environmental Commission for their review. The public hearing on the ordinance will be on December 9, 2010.
5. We approved to spend (an amount not to exceed) $6,500 for a sound system upgrade for the meeting room. The upgrade consists of a digital recording system, wall mounted speakers, new microphones, transcription software package, installation and set up costs. The lowest quote that suited our needs was from Gramco Business Communications. The two other bids received were in the amount of $10,460, and $15,710. This sound system will be used not only by the Committee, but also by the Land Use Board, and any other group that chooses to conduct a public meeting in the municipal building. The system will enable us to have audio files of the meeting available on the township website and we can do away with the cassette tapes.
6. Our zoning officer reported on the zoning applications received year to date. For 2010 our zoning officer has reviewed 63 zoning applications. October’s applications included an equipment shelter and new antennas to the existing monopole at 95 Quakertown Road, and a residential roof mounted solar array.
7. The Committee reluctantly accepted longtime Land Use Board member Kurt Fischer’s resignation from the Land Use Board. I’ve known Kurt since I began on the Land Use Board in 2006; he was a valuable asset to the Board, his knowledge and dedication will be sorely missed and I wish him the best. Mayor Jacukowicz appointed alternate Board member David Dallas to Kurt’s unexpired term.
8. Our township planner gave us an update on the Appellate Court decision on COAH’s Third Round Rules and its impact on Franklin Township’s Third Round Plan. A copy of the document can be viewed here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/40781910/101026-COAH-Update
COAH stands for the Council on Affordable Housing and they are a state agency whose purpose is to ensure that each NJ municipality provides its fair share of affordable housing. The history of COAH goes back to the mid 1970s, it is not my intent to give the background or express my personal opinion about the topic of affordable housing; my purpose here is to keep Franklin residents informed on our legal obligations and the cost to the taxpayer. The Appellate Division invalidated COAH’s third round growth share methodology and directed COAH to come up with a new way to determine each local government’s fair share obligation within 5 months. How does this affect Franklin? Our COAH assigned 65 unit obligation number has now been invalidated; we should get a new number within 5 months. Our township planner’s letter spells out our situation succulently, for now the Committee has chosen to “stay pat” until the rest of the cards fall- once we have a new affordable obligation number to work with we can either contend it or decide to work with it. What upsets me is that all of our work and dollars that went into our first 3rd round report was also invalidated- we are not getting refunded the money we paid to prepare our reports, and as the statewide policy continues to morph, we have to continue paying our consultants to stay on top of the issues or we risk being sued by developers.
9. We received a letter from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection informing us that we stand to lose $137,427 in Green Acres funding. We were awarded the funds in September 2008 and there has been “no movement on the Township’s part to advance a land acquisition project since August 2009”. If we wish to pursue the acquisition of a parcel related to our Open Space Plan we need to inform Green Acres by December 1. The Committee is taking this letter seriously; our finance officer is going to inform us about how much money is in our open space accounts and we will then decide whether it is prudent to proceed with open space purchases at this time. The letter concluded by stating that our decision not to proceed with spending the $137,427 would not jeopardize future Green Acres funding.
My personal commentary on matter: I support open space and farmland preservation- keeping Franklin rural and agricultural is the reason why I first volunteered on the Land Use Board, it is why I am active with Rural Awareness, and it is also one of the reasons why I decided to run for public office. Our audit ending December 2009 states we have $279,881 in our open space account. We are anticipated to collect an additional $280,000 this year. We still need to pay down past open space acquisitions- Summit Manor ($425,000), and we need to start making payments on the $1,122,996 we spent in 2006 on acquiring development easements on a 70 acre parcel on Sidney Road. I understand from the Open Space Advisory Committee that we have $117,000 due from the County open space tax. There are also other opportunities to obtain matching funds for open space acquisition. All this said, I am a firm believer of moving ahead with a “clean slate”- we need to control our debt that has accumulated from past open space purchases. If we have to wait out a round of open space acquisition in order to manage our finances that are already making an impact on our budget that is something we are going to have to do now. While I support open space acquisition it must be done in a way that has minimal impact on our daily operating expenses and if we have outstanding debt that still requires financing I am uncomfortable moving forward and passing on the debt to future Committees because it will be the taxpayers who will get burnt. If I have any of my facts misconstrued I invite your comment; I understand the Open Space Advisory Committee is meeting in early December and I look forward to meeting with them to discuss how we can work together in managing our past debt while planning for the future.
I had the honor to be a judge for the costume contest at the Township Trunk or Treat Tailgate Party held on Friday, October 29, sponsored by the Recreation Commission and the Police Department. The CERT (Certified Emergency Response Team) and the Quakertown Fire Department did a great job with vehicle and crowd control. In the spirit of Halloween I arrived in a pretty outrageous costume; I just hope the pictures took don’t come back to haunt me! If you missed Trunk or Treat you missed out on a lot of fun! After the costume contest everyone headed to the tailgate party where I witnessed the talents of our residents who decorated their vehicles in the spirit of Halloween. I grew up in suburban Milltown, New Jersey and when it came to trick-or-treating there were many houses close together and we made out like bandits on Halloween. When my wife and I moved to Franklin one of the things I thought about was “well there goes my children’s chance at trick-or-treating, we will have to drive to Clinton or Flemington for decent trick or treating.” I was pleasantly surprised at the Trunk or Treat turnout, the friendliness of the attendees, and the whole atmosphere at the Trunk or Treat Tailgate Party; now I can rest easy knowing that my children will have fine memories of Halloween in their hometown just as I did.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)