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.