HARVEY CEDARS, NJ July
6, 2007
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of
Harvey Cedars, NJ was called to order by Mayor Oldham at 4:30pm who stated to
the best of his knowledge all requirements of the State Sunshine Law had been
met. Commissioners Gerkens and Garofalo
and Board Attorney John Cerefice were present.
The Mayor asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion to
approve the minutes of the previous meeting, June 19, 2007, was made by
Commissioner Gerkens, seconded by Commissioner Garofalo.
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt:
Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Vote:
Oldham, Gerkens, Garofalo
The Mayor read the following
ordinance by title and number and asked for a motion to introduce.
(2007 Road Project – William Street & West Salem
Ave.)
A copy of the full ordinance as introduced is attached
hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Garofalo, Gerkens
The Mayor read the following
ordinance by title and number and asked for a motion to introduce.
(Supplement Activity Committee fees)
A copy of the full ordinance as introduced is attached
hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Garofalo, Gerkens
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
(William Street shared costs)
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt:
Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
ADOPTION OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF THE BOROUGH OF HARVEY CEDARS
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt:
Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
AUTHORIZING
CHANGE ORDER #1 FOR THE 2007 WATERMAIN PROJECT - LAFAYETTE UTILITY CONSTRUCTION
CO.
(Decrease in project amount)
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt:
Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt:
Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
The
Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to
adopt.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to approve the bills for payment was made by Commissioner
Garofalo, seconded
by Commissioner Gerkens.
A motion
to approve the request to use Hudson Ave. beach to Jeremy DeFilippis and the
Jetty Clothing Company for a surf contest on Saturday, October 6, 2007
(raindate October 13, 2007) from 7am to 8pm was made by Commissioner Garofalo,
seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
The request
to use the 82nd Street beach to George Velesko for the filming of a
student production from 9am to 5pm on the following dates:
Monday July
30th to Wednesday August 1st
Monday August 13th
to Wednesday August 15th
was discussed by the
Board with comments from the public. Prior
to approval, the Board requested the Clerk to invite Mr. Velesko to meet with
them regarding the project.
A motion
to approve the request to use the Sunset Park gazebo to Tara Olmeda for a
wedding ceremony on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 3pm was made by Commissioner
Garofalo, seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR –
Mr. Averell Eisner, 6 East 72nd Street, suggested having more signs on the Boulevard informing pedestrians to walk against the traffic. The Mayor said this has been discussed in the past and will bring it up again with the Police.
Mr. Eisner said he received an estimate for the repair of his water meter pit for $2,000.00, which in his opinion was excessive. Commissioner Gerkens said she will have the Superintendent inspect the pit to determine exactly what is needed, and that Mr. Eisner should get another quote. Mr. Eisner and the Board further discussed meter pits and the following points were explained:
· Location of meters – per discussions with the Superintendent and the Borough Engineer, the meter location will be in the Borough right-of-way at the curb, not at the house. The DEP requires the Borough to account for all water usage; if meters were installed at or under the house, water usage from a leak between the street and the house would not be metered. Also, many homes are shut off in the winter and there is a higher chance of the meter freezing under the house than in the meter pit.
· Responsibility of meters – if the new meter freezes, the Borough will be responsible for it the first time; the cause of the freeze will then be determined and will have to be rectified (i.e. shallow meter pit). Batteries for the remote-read are expected to last 10 to 14 years and will be replaced by the Borough.
· Leak detection – the Borough is mandated by the State to acquire new leak detection equipment.
· Goal of installation – problem meter pits must be rectified by the end of the year and all meters will be installed by June 2008.
· Meter reading billing – after installation, all meters will be read for approximately one year for the Borough Auditor to determine rates. Metered billing will begin in June 2009.
· All of Long Beach Island will be mandated to install meters, except for Surf City. Surf City did not exceed the State’s water allocation usage.
Mr. Stan Feeley, 6311E
Long Beach Blvd., voiced his concerns regarding the condition of the beach in
his section of town. He said that it is
the narrowest part of the Island and is vulnerable. He said something must be done to maintain the beaches regardless
of the property owners who have not signed their easements. He suggested having the dozer work in the
mornings to fix the beaches. Mayor Oldham
explained Public Works focuses on the most critical areas first and that sand
has been pushed all winter long. The
Borough is looking into getting another bulldozer. The Mayor had hoped the
beach project would have moved along. The tides play a big part in the timing
of when the beaches can be dozed; also beach goers are a concern. The Mayor spoke with property owners at the
south end of town to give them the option of temporarily closing their beaches to
bulldoze. This could also be done with
other beaches.
Mr. Feeley asked the
status of the beach project. Mayor
Oldham said the House (U.S.) has marked up the Energy and Water Bill and
usually would have some type of report on what was earmarked for the
project. The Mayor received notice the
other day that the Senate, specifically Senator Lautenberg, was very helpful
marking up the Senate part of the bill for the 2008 budget. This was encouraging; the Mayor was very
concerned that any money spent in the ’08 budget would have been spent for the remediation
of Surf City beaches, but they earmarked money for the beach project. Beach Haven is working hard on their
easements and so is Harvey Cedars. Once
the money becomes available, whatever town gets their easements first, will get
the project. Mr. Feeley asked if only a
percentage of the easements was needed.
The Mayor said that Surf City had at least 66% signed easements, but
they were contiguous (geographically).
Harvey Cedars’ are intermittent.
Mr. Feeley asked if eminent domain could be used. John Cerefice said it could work, but it
would be costly even though property would not be taken; the legal fees and the
unknown value of what a view would be worth could conceivably cost a couple of
million dollars.
Mr. John Gilfillan, 6311B Long
Beach Blvd., stated that he and his entire street are in favor of the beach
project and supported Mr. Feeley.
Lena Nerrie, 9 Olsen Ave.,
asked what the Board’s position is on supporting two (local) schools and
importing students for tuition of $2,500 versus the cost per student of $19,000
and referred to the article in the newspaper.
After a brief discussion on the cost of maintaining 2 schools, the cost
per student, and the declining percentage of students, the Mayor said a study
should be done by those who know education and a recommendation should be given
to the School Board as to when one of the schools should close.
Tony Cannizzo, 45 Cedars
Ave., referred to Woods Island and asked if it could be saved (from erosion). Commissioner Gerkens said a few years ago
she and the Borough Engineer went to Trenton to find out how it could be done. She said the requirements to put the island
back to its natural state would cost at least a million dollars. The State would not allow bulkheading and
dredge spoils were not an option. Green
Acres funding and the Community Development Block Grant could not be used for
this type of a project. The Mayor
suggested that Mr. Cannizzo could research at the State to see if there are any
new options available.
Motion to adjourn: Commissioner
Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Meeting
adjourned at 5:24pm.