The regular meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Lower, County of Cape May, State of New Jersey was held on February 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the Township Hall, 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, New Jersey.

 

The Clerk announced that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and that adequate notice of the meeting had been provided according to law.

 

The following members of Council were present for roll call taken by the Clerk:

 

                                                     Councilmember Thomas Conrad

                                                     Councilmember Wayne Mazurek

                                                     Councilmember Glenn Douglass

                                                       Councilmember Robert Nolan

                                                               Mayor Walter Craig

 

Also present: Rick Andrien, Solicitor and Joseph Jackson, Manager

 

 

                                             Presentation of Certificates of Recognition

 

Mayor Craig presented certificates of recognition the Arrow of Light Award to Matt Camp, Daniel Boutot and Harley Rohman.

 

                                                                 WORK SESSION

 

Review of Consent and Regular Agenda Items

No comments.

 

Consent Agenda

1.                  Approval of Minutes     January 23, 2008

2.                  Resolution #2008-43,   Payment of Vouchers, $3,428,911.49

3.                  Resolution #2008-44,   Authorization for Refund of Taxes (3 properties)

4.                  Resolution #2008-45,   Appointment of Jon Batastini, Conflict Counsel Pursuant to Non-Fair & Open Procedures (Representing Plan. Bd in Ziccardi et al v Achristavest et al)

5.                  Resolution #2008-46.   PetSmart Charities Grant Application (Application for $10,000 Spay/Neuter Grant)

6.                  Ordinance #2008-04,   An Ordinance of the Township of Lower Amending Chapter 7, Traffic, of the Code of the Township of Lower, 1st rdg. (Updating Bus Stop Locations in Township) 2nd rdg & public hrg. Feb. 23, 2008

 

Councilmember Mazurek motioned to adopt the consent agenda items #1-6,  seconded by Councilmember Douglass.  The consent agenda was adopted by the following roll call vote: Councilmember Conrad, “yes”, Councilmember Mazurek, “yes”, Councilmember Douglass, “yes”, Councilmember Nolan, “yes”, Mayor Craig, “yes”.

 

                                                            Administrative Reports

CFO Report for January 2007.

                                                                             

                                                               Council Comments

 

Councilmember Conrad said he meet with the Civic Club and it was a good meeting and hoped to meet with the Federation of Seniors sometime.

Councilmember Mazurek reminded everyone to vote.

Councilmember Douglass said the Diamond Beach project was going well also was Haven House.   He commented he was getting positive feedback on Animal Control.

Councilmember Nolan thanked everyone for attending the meeting and giving their input.

Mayor Craig said he was driving along Ocean Drive Bridge and noticed how the skyline had changed.  He said when the project in Diamond Beach was completed it would be an asset to the Township and tax base.

He said he attended the Villas Fire Company dinner and said there were a lot of young people and what great volunteers they were.

                                                                 Public Comments

 

                                                                 Bennett’s Project

Joe Winters of Florida Avenue commented on the change orders for Bennett’s Project and said Change Order #1 was the gate there was no motor or electric and was the Township paying for it.  Change Order # 2 was a wash and # 3 was for 328 feet of fence and to replace the topsoil with sand.

Manager Jackson said the motor for the fence would be in soon then the electric would be put in.

Mr. Winters asked if the electric was included.

Manager Jackson said no, it had to be ran from the pole.

Mr. Winters said what about the topsoil and sand.

Manager Jackson said that was for along the back of the field it had to tilled and changed.

 

                                                            Sign at Millman Center

Bob Rizzo read a letter from the Gazette Leader showing Mayor Desiderio presenting a check for $3,000 to Seniors in Sea Isle City.  He felt Lower Township should certainly give some to their seniors.   He asked for a new sign at the Millman Center.

Councilmember Conrad said the problem with the sign was that many groups meet at the Millman Center to advertise on the sign.

Mr. Rizzo said it could be done and check for grants.

Councilmember Nolan asked the Manager to check and see if grants were available for signs.

 

                                                                           MUA

Janet Pitts said she was thrilled that Council was going to meet with the MUA.  She read a letter from the Taxpayers Association relating their concerns.  She stated they would like the Township to adopt an ordinance saying the MUA would not be sold or separated unless it was put before the voters. 

Ms. Pitts said they would like to see a commitment from the Township by way of an ordinance and it would put the peoples minds at ease.

Eileen Crossman of the Villas said millions were being spent to manipulate public opinion with the election while many were starving and senior citizens were freezing.

 

                                                                             

Eileen Kreis said April 11th would be the first Lower Township You Think You Have Talent night.  She said to watch the papers and the Township website for more information.

Mr. Winters asked if Council heard from the DRBA.

 

 

 

 

After conclusion of the public portion Councilmember Douglass motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Conrad the meeting unanimously adjourned by verbal “ayes” at 7:22 p.m.

 

 

__________________________                                           __________________________

           Mayor                                                                           Township Clerk

 

 

 

Approved: February 20, 2008