March 16, 2006

7:30 P.M.

Stewartsville, NJ

The Township Committee of the Township of Greenwich held a regular meeting on the above date with the following members present: Mayor William Kanyuck, Committeeman Gregory Blaszka, Committeeman Joseph Gurneak, Committeewoman Elaine Emiliani, Township Attorney Michael DiMarco, Township Engineer Michael Finelli, Township Clerk Kimberly Viscomi. Arriving late: Deputy Mayor Brian Visconti

The Flag Salute was repeated

The SUNSHINE LAW was read as follows: "Adequate notice of this meeting was given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act by: 1. Mailing a schedule of this meeting of the Township Committee to the Express-Times, Newark Star Ledger newspapers 2. Posting a copy thereof on the Township Bulletin Board, and 3. Filing a copy thereof with the Township Clerk".

  • CONSENT AGENDA

"All matters listed below under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine by the Township Committee and will be enacted by one motion in the form listed below. There will not be discussion on these items. If discussion is desired, that item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately".

  1. Approval of Regular Township Minutes: February 16, 2006, March 02, 2006

Executive Session Minutes: February 16, 2006, March 02, 2006

Committeewoman Emiliani spoke with the Clerk regarding revisions to the February 16, 2006 and March 02, 2006 minutes. The Clerk will make the revisions to page (7) regarding the Conservancy Trust on the February 16, 2006 minutes and will go back and include on the March 02, 2006 minutes the information submitted from resident Joe Schiller regarding the firehouse and to include that there is an existing plan regarding the municipal building.

Committeewoman Emiliani made a motion, seconded by Committeeman Blaszka to approve the February 16, March 2 regular and executive minutes.

Voting in favor:Blaszka, Gurneak, Emiliani, Kanyuck

Opposed:None

Absent:Visconti

MOTION CARRIED

  1. Receive, and File Monthly Reports:

Tax CollectorPlanning Board

Municipal CourtTreasurer
Police ReportBuilding Department Report

3. Receive, Charge to Various Accounts, and Pay Monthly Bills

Committeeman Gurneak made a motion, seconded by Committeeman Blaszka to approve the consent agenda.

Voting in favor:Blaszka, Gurneak, Emiliani, Kanyuck

Opposed:None

Absent:Visconti

MOTION CARRIED

  • PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Committeewoman Emiliani made a motion, seconded by Committeeman Blaszka to open the public comment period

Voting in favor:Blaszka, Gurneak, Emiliani, Kanyuck

Opposed:None

Absent:Visconti

MOTION CARRIED

No public comment

Committeeman Blaszka made a motion, seconded by Committeewoman Emiliani to close the public comment period

Voting in favor:Blaszka, Gurneak, Emiliani, Kanyuck

Opposed:None

Absent:Visconti

MOTION CARRIED

TOWNSHIP ENGINEER

  1. STRYKER’S ROAD
  • His office previously completed the design plans for the project, which were submitted, to the NJDOT on June 1, 2005 to meet the deadline, which was placed upon the Township by the NJDOT. It is important to note that since the project will be jointly bid with Warren County in the spring of 2006, he has not done any project specifications at this time. This work will be coordinated with the County prior to the bidding of the project in 2006. He has been in recent contact with the County Engineering Department and will continue to move forward regarding the coordination of the bidding of this project and the preparation of project specifications.
  • Engineer Finelli has been in recent contact with James Harding, NJDOT District I Region Manager, regarding the joint bidding and contractual procedures associated with the Township and Warren County jointly bidding this project. Mr. Harding indicated that the procedure is fairly straight forward and he would be forwarding all the necessary paperwork and supporting documents required by the NJDOT for a jointly bid project. At this time, it appears that the County will be the lead agency from a contractual standpoint. If that is indeed the case, the Township and County will need to enter into an Interlocal Agreement regarding the funding and contractual responsibilities of each entity.
  • It is important to note that the design of the reconfigured traffic signal to facilitate a four-way signal at Dumont Road/Route 519/Rath’s driveway has been completed by Lublanecki Engineering Inc. and his office. The plans for the traffic signal have been previously forwarded to the County for their review and have been approved. The County has recently forwarded the plans to the NJDOT for their approval of the reconfigured traffic signal. He will continue to work with both Walt Lublanecki, P.E. (the Township’s Traffic Engineer who also designed the existing traffic signal for the County) and the County Engineer’s Office regarding this matter. At this juncture, he suspects that we are very near the point at which we will have secured the NJDOT’s approval for the signal.
  • Please note that the current design plan, which was submitted, to the NJDOT includes both a left turn at Stryker’s Road onto CR 519 North and a relocated “exit-only” driveway from Rath’s Deli to a reconfigured four-way traffic signal directly across from Dumont Road. This design was the culmination of numerous meetings and reviews by the Warren County Engineering Department.
  1. WYNDHAM FARM
  • The previous litigation has now been settled and the project and associated improvements are presently covered under the maintenance bond as per the settlement agreement between the Township and MRC. His office is still involved with this project from an overall administrative standpoint with regards to such items as sinkhole remediation, tree replacement and other bonded improvements.
  • To remind the Township Committee, per the settlement agreement with M. Rieder, the maintenance bond for the majority of the site improvements (excluding sinkholes) is set to expire on March 15, 2006.
  • The Township Committee previously authorized his office to perform the maintenance bond release inspections. His office completed the fieldwork and the formal notice to the bonding company regarding the various deficient items discovered during his inspection was sent (via certified mail) on March 3, 2006. All Township Committee Members, Clerk Kim Viscomi and Attorney Michael DiMarco have received copies of the letter and punch lists. As of this date, no response from M. Rieder has been received.
  1. NEW JERSEY STATE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
  • The regulations have been long-since adopted and were effective as of February 2, 2004. The Township had previously received their Municipal Storm water Regulation Program Requirements package from the NJDEP. We have received the approved storm water general permit from the NJDEP. The permit # is NJPDES: NJG0153842/PI ID#: 198015. The Effective Date of Permit Authorization (EDPA) was April 1, 2004.

  • Joe Nalio of his office has been working on the various aspects and details associated with the implementation of the requirements of the storm water management regulations. In that capacity, Joe has developed a manual for the Township DPW’s use in conjunction with their reporting of the various tasks they are responsible for as per the new storm water management regulations. Joe Nalio has met with both Kimberly Viscomi, Township Clerk, and John Howell, DPW Superintendent, in an effort to review the manual and discuss the implementation of the regulations and the Township’s responsibilities for same. They will continue to coordinate with both Kim Viscomi and John Howell as we continue to move forward towards the ultimate compliance with the permit and the new SWM regulations.
  • The Township recently received a Compliance Evaluation and Assistance Inspection Report from the NJDEP. Included within the report was a summary of certain areas of non-compliance and a Notice of Violation (NOV) from the Township’s permit. His office has communicated with Mahboubeh Darian, the NJDEP’s liaison for the permit, regarding their report. It is his understanding that a multitude of NOVs have been issued by the State to a great number of municipalities. His office has previously forwarded a response letter, dated February 14, 2006, to the NJDEP regarding the Township’s efforts and status relative to the overall compliance with the NJDEP’s report and permit. He anticipates and expects no further action from the NJDEP at this time. However, it is important to bear in mind that the Township will need to continue to move forward relative to full compliance with their SWM permit, including the preparation of a build-out analysis and SPPP which are currently being worked on by his office.
  1. NEW FIRE HOUSE
  • His office has completed considerable work on the Site Plan development phase of the project. When he is authorized by the Township Committee to resume work on the project, he will continue to coordinate with Tom Kocubinski’s office regarding the development of the construction drawings and overall project bid package. He is well over 80% complete with the design work associated with the Site Plan development phase of this project. At this juncture, his office has ceased work on the project until the budgetary issues associated with the entire project has been resolved. Based upon the prior action of the Township Committee to reserve a 20 Ac. exception area, the firehouse will be situated within this 20 Ac. portion of the property.
  1. GREENWICH STREET SIDEWALK EXT.: DAY CARE CENTER PROPERTY
  • Engineer Finelli reported that this section of sidewalk was completed as an extension to the Greenwich Street Bike Path, Phase II project as per the Committee’s approval at the November 10, 2005 meeting. The costs for this additional work were included within the vouchers and change orders for the Greenwich Street Bike Path, Phase II project. The Township was to be reimbursed by the property owner for this work. His office has been in coordination with both Skip Kelleher (a rep. of the property owner) and Attorney DiMarco regarding the reimbursement issue of this section of sidewalk. Nevitt Duveneck from his office has spoken on a number of occasions to Mr. Kelleher and as of last week, the matter was resolved and were told that the payment for the full reimbursement of the sidewalk construction cost would be forwarded to the Township. As of this date, he is not aware if payment has been received, but would expect it shortly.
  1. TOWNSHIP RECREATIONAL COMPLEX (HAMLEN PROPERTY)
  • The Township Committee authorized his office to proceed with the design work associated with the new Township Recreational Complex at the August, 2005 Committee Meeting and as per his August 16, 2005 Memo to the Committee. Should any Members of the Township Committee have any questions regarding the scope of work in question, he recommended that they refer to his Memo, dated August 16, 2005, which details and outlines the various engineering design services, including the preparation of contract bid documents in conjunction with this project.
  • His office was working on the design of the subject improvements and had achieved a point of design completion of approximately 50%. Committeeman Visconti had contacted his office and advised to stop work on the project pending the ultimate approval for the future funding of these recreational and field improvements. Once the Township is again in a position to proceed, he will look for authorization and proceed with the completion of the design phase of the project at that time.
  1. TOWNSHIP RECREATIONAL COMPLEX (GREEN ACRES LOAN)
  • Per a request from Committeeman Greg Blaszka, Engineer Finelli performed some research regarding the Township reapplying for a second round of funding through Green Acres on this project. He has recently spoken again with Cecile Murphy at Green Acres regarding the procedure, timing, submission deadline, etc. associated with an additional round of funding.
  • The Township needs to submit a letter of request with some limited additional supporting documentation to secure an additional component of funding. His office will be forwarding a formal request letter to Green Acres, on behalf of the Township, prior to the April 14, 2006 deadline.
  1. PHILLIPSBURG REGIONAL WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (WMP)
  • His office has been requested to partake in a collective and joint venture with the other adjacent sending municipalities (Pohatcong, Lopatcong and Alpha) to develop new and current municipal WMPs. Along with Engineer Joe Pryor, he will be updating and revising the Township WMP to reflect the new wastewater conditions subsequent to the adoption of the new Master Plan. As per the terms of the consent order, the Township has until June 7, 2006 to prepare and submit an “approvable” WMP to the NJDEP.
  • A joint meeting between all parties was held with the NJDEP on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 in Trenton to discuss the details and timeframes associated with the individual municipalities completing their WMPs and subsequently, the Town of Phillipsburg submitting a regional WMP. The Town of Phillipsburg has until March 7, 2007 to submit a regional WMP to the NJDEP. This effort and the tasks in question are somewhat of a continuation of the regional WMP work which was started a few years ago, but was abandoned shortly thereafter.
  1. 20/20 HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
  • His office has been working closely with Kim Viscomi, Chief Guzzo and Fire Chief Mecsey on the development of this plan as required by FEMA. Jim Daley from his office has been the primary contact person developing the various maps and other supporting documents as requested by Ms. Viscomi and as required in conjunction with the development of this plan. His office has recently completed the plan and has forwarded all the final deliverables to Ms. Viscomi for her records and distribution as she sees fit. The plan is quite voluminous and has required a significant effort by his office to complete. The Township should be very satisfied and proud of the final product. He recommended that the Committee see Ms. Viscomi for her to provide you with a final plan and report.
  1. PEDOPHILE FREE ZONE MAP
  • As per the Township’s previous adoption of the ordinance regulating pedophile free zones and the 3,000 ft. boundary line established for this zone, his office has previously forwarded a revised map to the Township Committee Members, Attorney and Clerk with numerous additional copies of the map. The revised map reflects a “future municipal park” located within the Wyndham Farm development at the corner of Yvonne Way and Greenwich Street. The 3000 ft. boundary from this property completely encompasses the Phillipsburg Inn property. The Township should move forward towards the final conversion of this property to a “municipal park.”
  1. TOWNSHIP SANITARY SEWER OPERATION & MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
  • His office attended a bid opening for this contract on February 9, 2006. Only one (1) bid was received from Aqua NJ, Inc. who is the current operator of the sanitary sewer system. The total amount of the bid was $59,324.00 for a contract term of two (2) years with the Township reserving the right to extend the contract for a third year.
  • At the February 16, 2006 Township Committee Meeting, the contract was conditionally awarded to Aqua New Jersey Inc. Subsequent to the meeting, we have received confirmation and concurrence from both Attorney Carney and Engineer Pryor that they took no exception with the recommendation of award to Aqua New Jersey Inc. Therefore, his office has proceeded with a Notice of Award correspondence to Aqua New Jersey Inc. (ref. separate correspondence dated March 3, 2006). As of this date, he is waiting for the executed contract documents from Aqua New Jersey Inc. Upon receipt, he will forward same to the Township Clerk and all other involved parties.
  1. SERVICE ELECTRIC CABLE TV – CONNECTION TO GREENWICH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  • Nevitt Duveneck of his office has been coordinating with both Service Electric Cable TV (SECTV) and a few property owners along Wyndham Farm Boulevard who are being directly impacted by virtue of the proposed installation of the fiberoptic cable which is slated to be connected to the new Greenwich Elementary School. The property owners will need to grant SECTV an easement to allow for the fiberoptic cable to be installed outside of the road ROW. Nevitt Duveneck has also been coordinating this matter with Attorney DiMarco. As of this date, no final agreements have been reached, but progress was being made.
  1. 2004 WARREN COUNTY CONSERVANCY TRUST FUND GRANT
  • Committeewoman Emiliani is a member of the 2006 Warren County Conservancy Committee. Ms. Emiliani has recently advised of an inconsistency relative to the Township’s prior 2004 application to the County Trust Fund Committee which was brought to her attention by another current member of the County Trust Fund Committee. This application was originally prepared by Morris Land Conservancy (MLC). This application was to secure additional funding associated with the Township’s acquisition of the Hamlen property. The inconsistency in question relates to the 20 Ac. exception area where the future fire house and other potential municipal facilities are slated to be located. This 20 Acres is now “cast in stone” as it has been excluded as part of the prior Green Acres application and approval. The total area of the tract is 114 Acres±. The 2004 County Conservancy Grant excluded a 15 Acre portion of the overall parcel for a total acquisition area of 99 Acres. Therefore, the correct area on the application should have been 94 Acres, not 99 Acres.
  • He has spoken with Bob Resker, Director of the Warren County Land Preservation Office, who has suggested that a simple explanatory letter be supplied by the Township. He has also spoken with Ms. Emiliani and relayed the results of his conversation with Mr. Resker. At the February 16, 2006 meeting, the Township Committee authorized him to prepare correspondence to forward to Mr. Resker’s attention for action by the County Conservancy Committee (CCC).

OTHER BUSINESS

Mayor Kanyuck