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