Township Council Special Work Session

The Special Workshop Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon was convened at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2015 in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey with Council President Patrick Rizzuto presiding.

Statement of Compliance

Adequate notice of this meeting had been provided to the public and the press on February 12, 2015, and was posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-7.

Salute to the Flag

Council President Rizzuto led the assemblage in the salute to the flag.

Roll Call of Members

Present were Council Members Dan Kadish, Brian Lynch, Jean Murphy, Dick Wetzel and Council President Rizzuto. Also present were Township Administrator Bill Zuckerman who was also serving as acting Mayor, CFO Elke Yetter and Special Township Attorney Robert McBriar.

There was no Executive Session.

Public Comment

Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to open the meeting for public comments.
Motion: Brian Lynch
Second: Dick Wetzel
All members were in favor.

There were no public comments.

Closed to Public Comments

Seeing no members of the public wishing to speak, Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to close the public portion of the meeting.
Motion: Brian Lynch
Second: Dick Wetzel
All members were in favor.

Items for Discussion: Department Budget Presentations

Police Department

Council President Rizzuto asked if Chief Randy Mills and Lt. Dan Young would please come forward. Chief Mills explained that the salaries are contractual and reviewed the expenses of the department. Chief Mills explained that with promotions also came increases in uniform allowances. The Council discussed the E-ticket program. The Council also discussed personnel and the promotions within the department to return each squad to a full compliment of officers. The Council also discussed the funds set aside for the Office of Emergency Management and the license plate reader. The Council discussed longevity in the contracts and how it had been negotiated out of the contracts but was returned by arbitration. The Council discussed the 9-1-1 radio frequencies and that the Township had established a shared service with Wantage.

Tax Assessor

Council President Rizzuto requested that Lynn Schweighardt please come forward. Ms. Schweighardt discussed the various expenses in her budget, including various computer services, tax maps and technology. The Council discussed the trend for tax appeals. Ms. Schweighardt noted that Vernon properties were currently selling over value.

Animal Control

Council President Rizzuto asked that Tom Maellaro come forward. Mr. Maellaro thanked the Council for the new Animal Control building, noting that the place looks wonderful. Mr. Maellaro discussed the various lines in his budget. Mr. Maellaro highlighted that the long time veterinarians the Township had been using had retired and that he was hopeful that their replacements would continue to provide the township with discounts for services. The Council discussed the rabies program and the number of cats and dogs that were licensed last year.

Council President Rizzuto asked for any further discussion. No members of the Council indicated they would like additional discussion at that time.

Council Comments

There were no comments.

Adjournment

There being no further items of business to be conducted on the agenda, a motion for Adjournment was made by Council Member Lynch, seconded by Council Member Kadish with all members voting in favor.

The meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon was adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Lauren Kirkman, RMC CMR
Municipal Clerk

Minutes approved: March 23, 2015