September 2011 Township Committee Meeting Minutes-Walpack Township, NJ

Walpack Township
9 Main Street
Walpack Center, NJ 07881
Phone and Fax: 973-948-6861
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Direct Mail to: 16 Old Mine Road, Walpack NJ 07881

The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by Mayor Maglio who stated this meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act having been duly authorized.

Present were: Committeeman Pagano, Committeeman Heigis (arrived at 8:07 p.m.) and Mayor Maglio

Also in attendance: Michelle LaStarza, Louis Chiarolanza, Samuel DeAngelis, Thomas Luciano, and Mike Prisco

The minutes of the August, 2011 meeting was presented for approval. Committeeman Pagano made a motion to approve the minutes seconded by Mayor Maglio and unanimously carried.

Mayor Maglio made a motion to amend the agenda seconded by Committeeman Pagano. Property owner Bernard Handler, Block 1202 Lot 37 located at 12 Flatbrookville Road, has agreed to subdivide a 3.59 acre parcel to Thomas Luciano. Attorney Samuel DeAngelis represented Thomas Luciano in the application for a subdivision. Thomas Luciano wishes to reconstruct the existing home located on the property. The committee reviewed the subdivision map. There will be no change to the footprint of the existing building. Upon suggestion from Samuel DeAngelis the newly created block and lot will be block 1202 lot 37A. The subdivision deed will be forwarded in a few weeks. The committee thanked all for attending and welcomed Thomas Luciano into the neighborhood.

The treasurer’s report was submitted to the committee for review. Michelle LaStarza prepared a surplus analysis. She explained the interest being made on certificates of deposits, state aid figures, and open space funding. The committee thanked her for the report. Committeeman Heigis made a motion to approve the vouchers for payment seconded by Committeeman Pagano and unanimously carried. The following bills were approved for payment:

DATE	CHECK #	PAID TO	AMOUNT	VOID AMOUNT	VOID DATE	REASON
9/27/2011	2298	3 Century Link	63.98
9/27/2011	2299	43 Cuneo, Betsy	893.64
9/27/2011	2300	16 JCP&L	0.65
9/27/2011	2301	1 New Jersey Herald	123.50
9/27/2011	2302	81 Safety Scaffolds	535.00	535.00	9/29/2011	Wrong Amount, Included Tax
9/27/2011	2303	64 State of New Jersey	7.50
9/29/2011	2304	81 Safety Scaffolds	500.00
			------------ 2,124.27
			-535.00	** Voided
			======== 1,589.27

Safety Scaffolding submitted a letter which stated an additional $85 per week would be assessed for use of equipment needed to repaint the municipal building. Due to excessive rain, the repainting of the municipal building has been slower than expected. All agreed what work has transpired on the building is a major improvement.

A website proposal was submitted by Laura Silvero. The domain registration www.twp.walpack.nj.us will cost $18.39 for ten years. Maintenance is billed yearly in the amount of $120. The design fee and miscellaneous fees are $425 initially. The committee would like the website to feature a digital picture that Committeeman Heigis will provide. Laura Silvero will maintain the website. The clerk will forward minutes, resolutions, ordinances, audits, budgets, and important information that may arise to the creator who will then post to the website. Committeeman Pagano made a motion to approve the proposal seconded by Committeeman Heigis and unanimously carried.

The clerk contacted Jack O’Krepky, Township Engineer, regarding the demolishing of the attached garage to the municipal building. His estimate to demolish, disconnect electric, remove block and other materials, add soil, seed and mulch are roughly $6,800. Mayor Maglio will prepare a list of items for the successful contractor to complete.

Due to the record amount of rainfall and unusual wet weeks, the roads providing access to and within the park, have been damaged by erosion. Mayor Maglio has been in contact with our Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Fernalld. The National Park Service has closed by either cones or gates some of the road in the park. These closures have become problematic as residents are having difficultly maneuvering in the area. Emergency vehicles must have direct access to residential homes. Mayor Maglio will contact Scott Garrett and the Office of Federal Lands Highway for assistance. The Office of Federal Lands Highway provides emergency relief for federally owned roads. Funds for the ERFO Program are provided from the Highway Trust Fund. Mayor Maglio will reach out to Blue Ridge Rescue Squad and Blairstown Rescue Squad for mutual aid during this time to ensure that all residents of Walpack receive aid in case of emergency.

Mayor Maglio read the resolution entitled Tax Assessor Appointment. Committeeman Pagano made a motion to approve the resolution seconded by Committeeman Heigis and unanimously carried.

WALPACK TOWNSHIP
RESOLUTION APPOINTING MAUREEN KAMAN
AS WALPACK TOWNSHIP TAX ASSESSOR

WHEREAS, Walpack Township is in need of a Certified Municipal Tax Assessor due to a vacancy in the office created by the resignation of John Dyksen; and

WHEREAS, John Dyksen resigned as Walpack Township Tax Assessor effective October 1, 2011; and

WHEREAS, John Dyksen was originally appointed as Walpack Township Tax Assessor on July 1, 1985; and

WHEREAS, John Dyksen’s seventh four year term as Walpack Township Tax Assessor would have expired on June 30, 2012; and

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:9-148 states in relevant part “vacancies other than due to expiration of term shall be filled by appointment for unexpired term”; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Walpack is desirous of appointing Maureen Kaman to fill the unexpired term of John Dyksen;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the Township of Walpack hereby appoints Maureen Kaman to the position of Walpack Township Tax Assessor with an annual salary of $3,200. The original appointment of Ms. Kaman will expire on June 30, 2012, in accordance with New Jersey Statute.

I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and exact copy of the resolution adopted by the Walpack Township Committee held on September 27, 2011.

___________________________
Betsy M. Cuneo, Municipal Clerk

Mayor Maglio read the following ordinance. Mayor Maglio made a motion to approve the introduction of the ordinance seconded by Committeeman Pagano and unanimously carried. The ordinance will be advertised and have a public hearing at the next regularly scheduled meeting to be held on October 25, 2011.

WALPACK TOWNSHIP
ORDINANCE

ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $10,000.00
FOR THE DEMOLITION OF TOWNSHIP GARAGE

BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the Township Committee of the Township of Walpack, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey as follows:

SECTION 1: The sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) presently located in the General Capital Fund is hereby appropriated for the demolition of Township Garage funded from the General Capital Fund.

SECTION 2: In connection with the amount authorized in Section 1 hereof, the Township makes the following determination:

The purpose described in Section 1 hereof is not a Current Expense and is a purchase the Township of Walpack may lawfully make as a capital purchase.

SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances which are inconsistent with the terms of this ordinance be and the same hereby repealed to the extent of their inconsistency.

SECTION 4: This ordinance becomes effective immediately upon publication after adoption.

NOTICE is hereby given that the above ordinance was introduced and passed upon first reading at a meeting of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Walpack, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, held on the26thth day of September 2011. It will be further considered for final passage after public hearing at a meeting of the Mayor and Committee to be held in the Municipal Building, Walpack Center, in the Township of Walpack, on October 25, 2011, at 8:00 P.M., and during the preceding week copies of the ordinance will be made available at the Clerk's office in the Municipal Building to members of the general public.

The committee reviewed the correspondence.

There being no further business to discuss and no one from the public in attendance, Committeeman Heigis made a motion to adjourn seconded by Committeeman Pagano and unanimously carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy M. Cuneo
Municipal Clerk