Monday, February 20, 2012

President’s Day, 2012. On December 18, 1999, I attended the 200th Anniversary reenactment of George Washington’s funeral at Mount Vernon http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/154157-1 This reenactment made me think about many of Washington’s virtues, one of his most important in my opinion, being not to make “President” a title for life. Term limits- arguably keeps us from the revolutions you see in countries around the world. Eight years is all you get at the most powerful job in the world. From constitutional musings to my subcommittee reports….. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS I don’t want to jinx the mild winter we have been having, but it really helps our DPW budget so I am going to keep this report short! My comments made at our Feb 9 Committee meeting about the costs related to removing a fallen tree in the Capoolong Creek along Stone Barn Road made nj.com and apparently hit a nerve with some: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/02/franklin_township_officials_be.html#incart_mce Since Feb 9 I learned that the costs also involved sediment removal as a result of the fallen tree. I also learned that we are not required to perform this work, but if we do, we are now aware of the costs that are involved. PLANNING, ZONING, & CONSTRUCTION The Zoning Board is beginning the formal hearings for the township’s first solar farm application. While I am on the Board, I cannot participate in this application because it involves a use variance. It is standard legal operating procedure that the Mayor and Committee member serving on the Zoning Board do not hear use variances because if those decisions are appealed, the Committee hears the appeal. Our Zoning Officer issued 9 zoning permits, and 12 food licenses in January. Our Construction Official reported for 2011 the Building Department received and reviewed 376 applications, resulting in 256 permits issued, and $117,260 in fees collected. POLICE, FIRE, PUBLIC SAFETY, & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Deputy Mayor Polkowitz and I continue to work with Officer in Charge Zeveney and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office on mutually agreeable goals for the police department. From an administrative perspective, we have been able to find savings in routine purchases and services. I welcome George Reichert as our new Coordinator. George has been a Deputy Coordinator for many years so we have had a seamless transition. Thank you George and to our OEM volunteers as well. OPEN SPACE We are working with the SADC (State Agriculture Development Committee) on having our Farmland Preservation Plan approved so we can utilize $1.25 mil in farmland preservation grant funds. For more on the SADC farmland preservation programs, check their website: http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/ HEALTH, RECREATION, & ENVIRONMENT At our February 9 Committee meeting, members of the Environmental Commission requested that we consider keeping the Commission secretary position in the salary ordinance. Presently Township Clerk Ursula Stryker also serves as the Environmental Commission Secretary for $1,316 / year (2011). We asked for a description of the work she does for the Commission and I look forward to seeing it before I make any decision regarding the Commission Secretary position. WHAT ELSE? 1. At our February 9 Committee meeting, we hired a part time township administrator named Jesse Landon. Mr. Landon is the township administrator for Tewksbury and he will be making recommendations to us regarding the administration of our governing responsibilities. I believe Jesse will meet and exceed our expectations of reviewing and revamping our policies / procedures so that we are more time efficient and cost effective. Our employees will work smarter, and not necessarily harder. Jesse is hired for 20 hours per month at $2,000 ($100/hour). This is not an appointed position but a professional services contract which both parties can terminate with 30 days notice. 2. Our Tax Assessor reported that ratio of assessed value to market conditions are between 100-101%. Our total taxable value decreased from 2011 to 2012 ($556,235,018 to $542,255,888). There are 1,141 residential properties with an average value of $428,606 and an annual property tax of $10,127.

January 12, 2012: Township Committee Meeting

12:00 AM and waiting for snow that was supposed to be here by now......


The Township Committee met on January 12, and conducted the following business:

We approved Resolution 2012-13 adopting 2012 salaries of $91,199 for all five police officers covered under the collective bargaining agreement and memorandum of agreement. Resolution 2012-14 was approved which appointed three special officers at $17 / hour for 2012.

We approved Resolution 2012-12 adopting salaries for two public works employees covered under collective bargaining agreement for 2012 at rates of $26.52 / hr, and $32.39 / hr, plus longevity for each.

We authorized our township’s Certified Recycling Professional, Alan Diley, to review Delaware Township’s recycling reports and submit it on be half of their recycling coordinator- an estimated two hours of time spent. Presently Delaware does not have certified recycling professional at the moment.

Our Fair Housing Administrator, Lloyd Wismer, gave a presentation on a proposed accessory apartment application that was recently reviewed by the Land Use Board.

We discussed our situation with the Shared Court and other municipalities who have expressed in sharing their court services with us.

We appointed Nisivoccia LLP as our accountants for 2012 for $21,900. We RFP’d this service and conducted interviews. I am glad they will be working with us on our annual budget and for assistance with our municipal budget as well.

Members of the public voiced their opinion on the Committee’s decision to not reappoint Ken Mandoli (or any one for that matter) as Police Director.

Our next meeting is January 26, 7:30 PM at the municipal building.

January 4, 2012 Reorganization Meeting

Congratulations to Sue Campbell for being Mayor of Franklin for 2012. Congratulations also to Bruce Polkowitz for being sworn in for his 3 year term as Committeeman, and for serving as Mayor Campbell’s Deputy. Speaking of Deputy Mayors, I want to thank former Committeeman Rob McGeary for serving as my Deputy in 2011. He offered his advice and assistance to me during my first year in 2010; Rob’s presence on the Committee will be missed and I wish him the best of luck and the best in life.

At our reorganization meeting, we appointed official banks, newspapers, and various professionals for 2012. We set the interest rate for tax delinquency, and placed a spending limit on Subcommittees. We also adopted a temporary budget from January 1 to the date of the adoption of the 2012 budget (not to exceed 26.5% of the 2011 general appropriations. We established meeting dates, approved mayoral appointments, and appointed Subcommittees.

For 2012 I will be serving on the following Subcommittees:
Department of Public Works
Planning, Zoning, & Construction
Police, Fire, Public Safety, & Emergency Management
Open Space
Health, Recreation, & Environment

I will also be serving as the “Class III” representative to the combined Land Use Board.

In my opinion, the biggest news of the meeting was the elimination of the Police Director title, who was filled for many years by Ken Mandoli. Instead, our Police Department will maintain operational efficiency with an Officer-In-Charge. The 2012 Officer-In-Charge is Dominick Zeveney. I have full confidence that our Officers will adapt well to this new organization plan. I look forward to working
with our Officers on this transition- they have my support.

Ken Mandoli retained the Office of Emergency Management Coordinator- his 3 year appointment continues through 10/1/2013. Ken has done a great job at this capacity in the past and I look forward to working with him as our OEM Coordinator.

Presently we are working on our department budgets and preparing the township’s 2012 budget. I am looking forward to seeing the public at our meetings.

PS: Check out this useful salary comparison website: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/sharedservices.htm