By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
Bonds acceptable for building fees
The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance March 24 to amend Hillsborough’s code and allow for businesses to post surety bonds for site improvements.
”The value of this to businesses is lowering the fees,” Mayor Frank DelCore said.
With this ordinance, businesses can pay a smaller fee for a bond relative to the cost of a full cash deposit. Then, the businesses will not have to post the cash deposit.
”It will reduce start-up costs for businesses,” Mayor DelCore said. “And this is to make sure improvements are done in a timely fashion.”
Pension plan employees set
The Township Committee unanimously approved an ordinance to establish positions eligible for the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP), as detailed by the state’s Pension Reform Act of 2007.
The DCRP provides benefits to state, county and municipal officials, in particular elected officials, municipal administrator, municipal prosecutor, public defender, business advocate, director of the Building Department, director of Parks and Recreation and director of Social Services.
The position of municipal engineer could be eligible for the DCRP in the future, if the terms of work change to make the employee salaried, rather than an hourly worker.
”These are changes to the pension plan, with lower pension costs for certain citizens,” Mayor Frank DelCore said. “But it only impacts new hires, (not current employees).”
Those positions exempt from the DCRP are certified health officer, chief financial officer, construction code official, licensed uniform sub-coded inspectors, principal public works manager, qualified purchasing agent, registered municipal clerk, tax assessor, tax collector and township planner.
Those workers qualifying for the DCRP contribute about 5.5 percent of their base salaries to a tax-deferred investment account already established by the state with Prudential Financial.
Bonds OK’d for projects
While the township waits to hear about its application to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust (EIT) for 0 percent financing on several projects, the committee unanimously approved the introduction of two ordinances to bond for the projects that have been submitted to the EIT.
In the first ordinance, the township appropriated $1,900,000, and provided for the issuance of $1,900,000 in bonds or notes, for the purpose of road improvements related to the Claremont sewer project.
”This is the authorization of three miles of roadway improvements near Claremont,” Mayor Frank DelCore said. “The bond must be approved as part of the EIT application.”
The road improvements will be made to Anne Street, Sunnyside Lane and High Acre, Onka, Craig, Franklin, Claremont and Theodora drives, among other locations. This work must be done to fix areas where parts of the road had to be cut out to install the sewers.
Current temporary patching will not last long on the roads.
In addition, the committee also approved the introduction of an ordinance to appropriate $400,000, and provide for the issuance of $400,000 in bonds or notes, for the acquisition and construction of a 3,000-ton salt storage facility at the Department of Public Works yard.
With this facility – larger than the current one that holds 664 tons of salt – the township will be able to store more salt, and have it delivered earlier in the season before the first snow falls. The new facility’s price will include costs for electricity and other necessities to keep it running.
Mayor DelCore said the township expects to hear about the EIT financing in June.
”But we are not obligated to do the projects until we hear about that,” he said. “These bonds must be approved as part of the EIT application.”
Public hearing for both ordinances will be held April 28.
Committee expanded
The Township Committee unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance to amend Hillsborough’s code and add two alternate members to the Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Currently, the committee has five members, but a request was made to add the two additional.
According to the ordinance, the alternates must be appointed by the mayor within 60 days of the approval of the ordinance. Appointees will serve until Dec. 31, 2009, and, thereafter, for terms of three years.
Public hearing for the ordinance will be held April 28.
Plumbing official appointed
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to appoint Angelo Pacillo as plumbing sub-code official at an annual salary of $70,000.
The term will begin March 31, and he will serve a four-year term.
Beahm retained for housing plans
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to authorize Jennifer Beahm, of Birdsall Engineering Inc., to provide affordable housing planning consulting services for the third round affordable housing requirements.
The contract is for an amount not to exceed $30,000.
”The Affordable Housing Trust Account pays for this,” Mayor Frank DelCore said. “Ms. Beahm did an outstanding job in submitting our plan before the (Dec. 31 deadline). Now the courts need to approve Hillsborough’s plan, which we are told will take some time.”
Bids accepted for paving supplies
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution awarding bids to several different companies for road maintenance, construction and paving materials for 2009.
Among the approved bids are ones for high temperature joint sealing compound from Micropave, at $0.85 per pound; three-quarter inch road stone from Stavola, for $20.50 per ton; and clean stone from Stavola for $10.10 per ton.
”Everything was awarded to the lowest bidder,” Mayor Frank DelCore said.
TDR study contracted
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to authorize GroupMelvinDesign, of Woodbury, to provide additional planning services for the completion of the Transfer of Development Rights study.
A contract was initially awarded to this company for the study on Nov. 17, 2006. Because of additional information required by the state, more services are needed to complete the project.
The contract is for an amount not to exceed $34,850.
Mayor Frank DelCore said the township had received a $90,000 grant to perform the study, with the requirement that the township match some of the funds.
Lt. McConnell retirement set
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to accept the retirement of Hillsborough Police Lt. James McConnell, effective May 31.
The resolution authorizes Hillsborough Police Chief Paul Kaminsky to begin the promotional process to replace Lt. McConnell.
Surplus cars to be auctioned
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution to authorize several unneeded vehicles to be sold at the 2009 Somerset County Sealed Bid Sale of Surplus.
The vehicles being sold are a 2003 Crown Victoria, a 1999 Crown Victoria, a 1997 Crown Victoria, two 1992 Caprice vehicles, a 1989 Caprice, two 199 F-350 trucks and a 1983 truck.
Shared leave program OK’d
The Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution accepting a request from the AFL-CIO Local 3697-Council No. 73, which represents clerical and professional employees, to allow union and non-union employees to participate in a shared leave program.
The program will benefit technical assistant Lou Walakonis, who is currently battling a severe illness. The employees participating in the program will be able to provide leave days for Mr. Walakonis once he has used up his own sick, personal and vacation time because of his illness and treatment.
Those eligible employees must have at least 100 hours of leave time, with the donation not leaving them under 100 hours, if they wish to be part of the program.
