HARVEY CEDARS, NJ July 21, 2009
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. Commissioners Gerkens and Garofalo were present.
The Mayor asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Mayor stated that pursuant to the applicable portions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice of this meeting has been given. The schedule of this meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Harvey Cedars is listed in the notice of meetings posted on the bulletin board located in the Borough Hall, posted on the Municipal website and was published in the Beach Haven Times on December 24, 2008.
Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, June 30, 2009, was made by
Commissioner Gerkens, seconded by Commissioner Garofalo.
The Mayor read the following ordinance by title and number and stated that proof of publication is on hand and the ordinance has been posted.
Commissioner Gerkens stated there were non-substantial changes to the introduced ordinance, which did not require a second publication: the due dates were being changed from the 15th of the month to the 25th of the month in order to have extra time to process the meter readings and print bills; meters will be read on the 1st of the month.
Prior to the public discussion, Commissioner Gerkens explained to the standing room only crowd a short history of this ordinance (and to clarify the flyer sent to property owners regarding the new utility rates). The State mandated the installation of meters and Harvey Cedars is the first town on the Island to implement the change (from fixture counts to metered billing). The State also required a graduated scale of water rates to encourage conservation. The Commissioners worked with the auditor using a full year of meter readings from 90% of the properties to determine the scale and a base rate.
Commissioner Gerkens, along with Commissioner Garofalo, explained the 2009 “catch-up” fee, a fee to make up the difference not collected in the first part of the year as well as to help make up a deficit in the budget. Several factors led to the fee as follows:
· Long Beach Township has been using approximated 43% of our water, but only paying for about 25%. A new contract is being negotiated for 2010 that will rectify this by having the Township pay its fair share according to usage.
· Commercial properties’ percentage of usage was more than what they were paying. With the new rates, commercial bills are anticipated to double; some paying over $10,000 a year.
· Surplus was being used and rates were not being raised. Knowing the rate structure was going to be changed by metering, a decision was made to not raise the water rates at that time. The last rate increase was in 2007 just for the larger water fixtures (such as pools, hot tubs and sprinklers).
· The budget year runs from January to December, but utility bills were collected annually in June. Since the new billing system would collect only for half a year, applying a catch-up fee for this year only was necessary to provide for the revenue from the first part of the year.
A motion was made by Commissioner Garofalo to open public discussion, seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
A question and answer period lasting over one hour included the following members of the public: Richard and Lona LeSchander, 35 Cedars Ave., Irene Giordano, 13 Cedars Ave., Peggy Davis and Mr. Davis, 8 East Salem Ave., John Imperiale, 8 East 82nd Street, Marianne McGarrity, 4 West 76th Street, Barbara Lehman, 6303 Long Beach Blvd., Bob Mitchell, 7 E. Sussex Ave., Reg Smith, 13 E. 77th Street, Doug Simpson, 30 Lange Ave., Charles Gaver, 4 E. Mercer Ave., Richard Potts, 5616 Holly Ave., Saul Ellman, 9 E. 82nd Street, Herb Frank, 13 E. 85th Street, Lisa Hill, 8109 Bay Terrace, Erma Metz, 67 Cedars Ave., Laird Minor, 28 Maiden Lane, Susan Lewis, 10 E. 83rd Street, Tony Cannizzo, 45 Cedars Ave., Armen Kachoogian, 42 Buckingham Ave., Sue Ellen Rifkin, 5 W. 77th Street, Larry Murphy, 8006 Bay Terrace, Ken Whitfield, 77th Street, John Imperiale, 8 E. 82nd Street, Nancy Kunz, 8 W. 76th Street, Fred Schragger, 7 E. Salem Ave.
Comments and opinions were made against and for the rate structure and the additional fee for 2009. The following is a synopsis of the public discussion:
· It is possible to have a separate meter for the sprinkler systems, which would not be included in the sewer charge.
· As in the past, duplexes will be charged two base rates. The catch-up fee will be per property.
· The objective is to collect what is needed to run the utility. While waiting to apply a new rate structure, there has been a deficit for the last 3 years. The new rate structure will provide for enough revenue to operate the utility; the new rate structure will also generate more revenue than what was collected in the previous year.
· The new revenue has been projected from the meter readings taken over the last year.
· Residents may contact the Clerk to get their water usage for last year.
· If 14,000 gallons were used in the quarter, the usage charge is $18.75.
· Although Long Beach Township will be bonding for meter pit installation, Harvey Cedars opted to have each property owner responsible for their own repair or installation rather than having everyone pay for each property owner’s repairs through bonding since some properties did not require a new meter pit. Long Beach is also applying for stimulus funding, an option not available at the time for Harvey Cedars.
· To come up with the catch-up rate, the anticipated revenue was subtracted from the total expenses and the shortfall was divided by the number of properties. Everyone is assessed the same amount.
· Long Beach Township has agreed to also pay a catch-up fee regardless of the existing contract to help our revenue this year.
· The first quarterly bill will cover June, July and August.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gerkens, seconded by Commissioner Garofalo, to close public discussion.
Motion to adopt with abovementioned amendments: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Gerkens, Garofalo
A copy of the ordinance with amendments is attached hereto and the full ordinance as adopted is filed in the ordinance book.
The Mayor read the following ordinance by title and number and stated that proof of publication is on hand and the ordinance has been posted.
Motion to open public discussion: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Lisa Hill asked if West 81st Street was included in this ordinance. The Commissioners will amend this ordinance to include all the side streets on Bay Terrace. Bob Raimo asked if a handicap ramp can be designated on West 81st Street to include trailers. Chief Preiser said the handicap spot could be designated, but a separate ordinance would be needed for the boat trailer. A brief discussion was held on the use of the ramp and neighborhood safety.
Motion to close public discussion: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
A motion was made by Commissioner Garofalo to adopt the ordinance with amendments to include all side streets off of Bay Terrace.
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Garofalo, Gerkens
A copy of the ordinance with amendments is attached hereto and the full ordinance as adopted is filed in the ordinance book.
The Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to adopt.
CHAPTER 159 ITEM OF REVENUE INSERTION IN THE SUM OF $6,000.00 –
“OVER THE LIMIT – UNDER ARREST” 2009 STATEWIDE CRACKDOWN
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 THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
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 approve the bills for payment.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
The Mayor introduced Ron Ott, son of a Public Works employee and Fire Company member, to present to the Board his Eagle Scout project. Ron handed out to the board copies of his project which would install reflectors on all the fire hydrants in Harvey Cedars. The reflectors would enhance the hydrants for ease of location at night and overcast days. Ron must raise funds to purchase the reflectors that cost approximately $30 per hydrant.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR –
Fred Schragger informed everyone about the Blue Pages, a free publication regarding what we can do to save the bay. There is also an interactive CD available at the LBI Foundation for a fee. The Mayor said we could put something in one of our mailings and/or on the website to help get the word out. A display can be put at the next craft show.
Larry Murphy asked what the cost of the concerts is this year. Commissioner Gerkens said just under $10,000 including the sound system. The concerts are paid by funds collected from craft shows and donations.
Sue Ellen Rifkin stated that she missed having the dogs on the beach in the mornings and afternoons. She asked if a payment for the privilege of allowing dogs on the beach can be created, perhaps $100 or $200 dollars, and/or a concept of odd/even days to be used for dogs. The Mayor said they will look at these options.
Motion to adjourn: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
Meeting adjourned at 6:15pm.