Category: Stafford Township Meeting Minutes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Manahawkin, NJ - February 3, 2010
Mayor John McMenamin called the Stafford Township Council Meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag and the reading of the Open Public Meeting Statement. TIME: 8:38 AM
OPEN PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT: “THIS SPECIAL MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT. NOTIFICATION AND PUBLICATION OF THIS SPECIAL MEETING WAS GIVEN TO THREE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, THE MANAHAWKIN NEWSPAPERS, THE PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY, AND THE ASBURY PARK PRESS AND POSTING OF SAME ON THE MUNICIPAL BULLETIN BOARD”.
ROLL CALL: Corbett, Fessler, Kusznikow, Rutkowski, Sitek, Spodofora, McMenamin present.
ORDINANCES – SECOND READING & FINAL DISPOSITION
ORDINANCE 2009-53
ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2008-11 ENTITLED “FIXING AND DETERMINING SALARIES AND WAGES OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY” TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSITION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR FOR 2008
Mayor McMenamin opened public comment on Ordinance 2009-53.
Paul Krier, 257 Stormy Road, is absolutely not supporting this ordinance. The township has qualified individuals in the town to have this position. There is no reason for the expenditure of $26,000 and the township already has the manpower. The township is capable of handling emergency management with the current staff. This issue deserved to be entertained at a regular meeting for more public participation. Mr. Krier is questioning what is the motive of creating this position? Mayor McMenamin explained in detail why this position is being created.
Mayor McMenamin, John Spodofora and Stan Rutkowski gave their remarks. Some of the highlights of these remarks were that this position has to be County certified, Officer Fessler, Lieutenant Giberson and Sergeant Guadalupe have the necessary certifications to take on this position and keep it in the Police Department and the governing body should look at the assignment of these individuals on filling this position. The Emergency Management Coordinator is a crucial individual for the township and is the core of Emergency Management. Emergency Management Coordinator needs 100% time dedicated to administrative duties.
Mr. Spodofora notified the State Pension Board over my concerns regarding the hiring of Mr. McNally as Emergency Management Coordinator. A representative from the Pension sent a request for information to the Township. The Pension Board did issue an opinion in a letter dated November 12, 2009. Mr. Spodofora asked for a copy but there was not a copy available. He again contacted the State Pension Board and supplied them with correct information and documentation and they agreed to re-open this investigation.
Mr. Moran remarked on the issue of it being a paid position and Councilman Fessler suggested that the governing body take their time concerning this salaried position.
Mr. Starkey commented that the pension issue is personal to Greg McNally and does not effect the Mayor and Council. The governing body can appoint an EMC salaried position.
Joe Mazzola, Galley Avenue, agrees with comments of Paul Krier. After listening to comments among the Mayor and Council, this person will be placed in this township position regardless. The township has other qualified personnel on the Police Department and is highly against this ordinance but his comments and feelings will have no effect on the vote.
Mr. Kusznikow read a statement and people he spoke to are against this salaried position. Mr. Kusznikow offered to take on this position to get certified for no pay.
Mary Ann O’Neil, Barnegat Bay and also a member of the Emergency Team who is representing residents of Mallard Island. She is comfortable with Lt. Giberson. Greg McNally retired from the township and he can be replaced. She has called here several times and has never received a phone call back.
Joan Williams, 200 Timberlake Rd., is asking the governing body not to adopt this Ordinance.
Mr. Spodofora is requesting the Municipal Clerk for copy of the tape and is asking for minutes verbatim.
Mr. Spodofora and Mayor McMenamin had a lengthy discussion which touched on the fact that Mr. Spodofora asked the Mayor to recluse himself from the vote on the measure because of his relationship with McNally, with which Mayor McMenamin said that he was not by boss, he worked in a different division and as for a personal relationship, the Mayor said that he had more of a personal relationship with Mr. Spodofora than with McNally.
Mr. Starkey at this time gave a clarification of the chairperson’s motion according to Roberts Rules of Order.
After more lengthy discussions regarding the adoption of this ordinance, Mayor McMenamin made the statement that he would be dedicating and donating his 2010 salary to the Emergency Management Coordinator.
There being no further comment on Ordinance 2009-53, Mayor McMenamin closed the public comment.
Motion to adopt was made by Ms. Sitek, seconded by Mr. Rutkowski. RCV: All in favor – aye.
Fessler, Kusznikow, Spodofora, no.
CONSENT AGENDA
“CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED WITH A SINGLE MOTION. ANY ITEMS REQUIRING EXPENDITURE ARE SUPPORTED BY A “CERTIFICATION OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS” BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. ANY ITEM REQUIRING DISCUSSION WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. ALL CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WILL BE REFLECTED IN FULL IN THE MINUTES”
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION 2009-340
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE REDUCTION OF A CASH GUARANTEE FOR THE PROJECT KNOWN AS STAFFORD PARK APARTMENTS, BLOCK 25, LOT 33.02
RESOLUTION 2009-341
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS ACCORDING TO N.J.S.A. 40A:4-58
RESOLUTION 2009-342
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, CANCELING CERTAIN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION BALANCES
RESOLUTION 2009-343
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MOBILE TACTICAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS (SECTION 1) AND FORTRES 101 SOFTWARE (SECTION11) FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO GOLD TYPE BUSINESS MACHINES INC. (GTBM); REJECTING BID PRICES SUBMITTED FOR MOBILE DIGITAL VIDEO SYSTEMS (SECTION111); AND AUTHORIZING THE RE-BID OF SECTION 111
WATER AND SEWER UTILITY DEPARTMENT ACTIONS
RESOLUTION W/S 2009-117
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE WATER AND SEWER UTILITY COLLECTOR TO CANCEL ERRONEOUS CHARGES
RESOLUTION W/S 2009-118
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, CANCELING CERTAIN WATER & SEWER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATION BALANCES
RESOLUTION W/S 2009-119
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROJECT CLOSEOUT DOCUMENTS FOR THE OCEAN ACRES WATER MAIN EXTENSION PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF THE RETAINAGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE
MOTION TO ADOPT THE CONSENT AGENDA OF DECEMBER 28, 2009 WAS MADE BY MR. FESSLER, SECONDED BY MR. RUTKOWSKI. RCV: All in favor – aye.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM FOR APPROVAL:
Dated 12/28/09 from Chief Financial Officer Doug Gannon – sale of BAN Notes
Motion to approve was made by Mr. Rutkowski, seconded by Ms. Sitek. RCV: All in favor – aye.
VOUCHER RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF STAFFORD, COUNTY OF OCEAN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AUTHORIZING THE PAYMENT OF BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,471,869.17
Motion to adopt was made by Mr. Rutkowski, seconded by Mr. Fessler. RCV: All in favor – aye.
A copy of this resolution is annexed hereto and made a part of the minutes.
At this Councilman Steve Fessler thanked Rita Parker for her time in doing the Toys for Tots. He also want letters to be sent to various businesses who donated turkeys for the unfortunate residents who are not employed, etc. These businesses gave generous donations and should be recognized.
A suggestion was made to have Proclamations presented to Rita Parker and other volunteers who were instrumental in the Toys for Tots program. These proclamations will be given out at the January 5th Reorganization meeting.
Mr. Moran gave he official tally of the snow storm from December 19th which was 21 inches. There was more snow in Warren Grove. The expenditure from the December snow was $126,000. Stafford Township has 197 miles of roads which equates to 47 square miles and each road was plowed four times.
Mr. Fessler stated that there was a meeting with Ship Bottom concerning shared services. Mr. Kusznikow, Mayor McMenamin and himself attended. Will keep the remainder of the governing body apprised of the outcome.
Mr. Mazzola, Galley Ave., wanted to thank the DPW who did a wonderful job and dug out the fire hydrants and storm drains. Wanted to convey his appreciation.
TIME: 10:20 AM
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
DONNA L. GINGRAS, RMC/CMC
Deputy Municipal Clerk for
BERNADETTE M. PARK, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk
JOHN MCMENAMIN
Mayor