Cranbury Township Meeting Minutes - 10-28

[anon-86qr]

The October 28, 2013 Township Committee meeting minutes have been posted.

http://www.cranburytownship.org/TC-Documents/2013/TC_minutes102813.pdf

Three interesting items:

They are investigating boy scout and church car washes:

Ms. Goetz reported the Environmental Commission is concerned with the water runoff from car washings. She stated car washes are a common means of fund raising in Cranbury; however, there is a problem with the runoff going into the Creek. Next week the Environmental Commission is doing a pilot study in the storm water swale by the Fire House to see if it is a suitable place for a rain garden. The idea would be to refocus the water through a rain garden instead of into the Creek so that the runoff water would be filtered before reaching the Creek.

and the new library planning is quite active:

Mr. Kristie Venanzi, President of the Cranbury Public Library Board, reported the Facilities Committee is in the process of speaking with architects for the design of the new Library. She stated a couple of items need to be clarified at this point, including a sight survey which would be important for the architects for their planning process as well as sewer, water and other utility information. She inquired if the parking lot could be started in advance of the Library. She stated they will go to the Planning Board to request a change in location for the Library compared to where it is located on the Master Plan. After the Planning Board meeting, the Committee will report back to the Township Committee after that meeting. The Township Committee stated they did not know the placement of the new Library or the parking lot. Ms. Marabello stated a surveyor would be needed. Ms. Venanzi questioned the location of sewer connections. Ms. Marabello stated an engineer would determine where the Library would connect to the sewer system. Mr. Mark Berkowsky, Facilities Committee, explained it would be helpful to have the location of utilities and the topography of the land before proceeding with the architect, and requested permission to contact the Township Engineer, Bill Tanner. The Township Committee agreed to share any information it has on that property and stated the School may also have some additional information.

and there is consideration paying the volunteer fire fighters:

The Township Committee discussed implementing a Volunteer Incentive Program to attract and retain volunteers for the Cranbury Volunteer Fire Company and the Cranbury First Aid Squad. As background for the public, Mayor Johnson explained the Fire Company had forwarded to the Township Committee some ordinances from other municipalities which provide incentives for volunteers. Mayor Johnson stated in general the incentives included forgiving the some Township fees. The Fire Company requested the Township Committee consider offering incentives in Cranbury. The purpose of the incentives would be to attract and retain volunteers in the Fire Company and First Aid Squad.
Mr. Cook stated Cranbury has a volunteer Fire Company, and stated the budget cost of paying for members would be a financial burden to the Township. Mr. Cook stated the idea is to create an environment to retain existing volunteers and also to bring in new members. Mr. Cook stated fees and possibly a monetary incentive would be discussed as a package. Possible fees to waive would include fees for park rental, dog and cat licensing, construction permits and recreation. He stated the incentives would not just be for new members coming in but for existing volunteers as well.
Mr. Mulligan stated the current incentive is LOSAP, which is $1,585 annually. He stated the goal was to look at how to enhance the incentives. Mayor Johnson stated last year the Committee called municipalities last year to ascertain what they paid in LOSAP. He stated most municipalities pay less LOSAP than Cranbury. Mr. Cook stated he did not know the financial impact of waiving fees for volunteers. Ms. Goetz stated she doubted not having permit fees waived would prevent volunteers from joining the departments. Ms. Marabello explained dog/cat licenses and construction permits have portions that must be paid to the State, and stated $5.80 of every dog license is sent to the State. Ms. Marabello presented the numbers of volunteers who had pets and stated it was minimal. Fees for construction permits would vary depending on when members applied for construction permits. She stated there are currently 31 Cranbury residents in the First Aid Squad and Fire Department. Ms. Marabello stated the volunteers would have to pay the State portion of fees and the Township portion could be waived.
Mr. Cook asked Mayor Johnson if there was a municipality he would like to use as a model for Cranbury. Mayor Johnson stated instead of specifying a menu of free permits and license fees, one municipality reimburses a first responder up to $500 per year. For budgetary purposes in Cranbury, the worst case scenario of every responder using the maximum $500 allowed, $19,000 would have to be reflected as a line item. Mayor Johnson stated probably most of that would not be spent. Ms. Marabello stated that $19,000 would have to be put in the Operating Budget, and volunteers would have to provide receipts to be reimbursed. Mr. Cook asked about offering a lower amount, and Mr. Mulligan suggested $250. Mr. Cook asked if the waived fees would be decided tonight and Mayor Johnson stated all fees would apply except those that cannot be waived (taxes and sewer hook-ups). There was additional discussion on the fees to be waived and the requirements necessary to be eligible. Mr. Mulligan stated waiving fees is a way to retain members, but suggested having something, like a sign-on bonus to attract new members. Ms. Marabello stated she did not see anything about sign-on bonuses from other municipalities.
The Committee decided to start with a $250 allowance for each member and revisit the incentives again in the future. Ms. Marabello stated an Ordinance will be needed. Ms. Goetz inquired if it would be beneficial to speak to the First Aid Squad and Fire Department to see if this was enough incentive.

[anon-558q]

Your comments should be clarified. As you'll note the organizations were not seeking cash payment. The TC decided to go that route. The first responders were looking for the TC to waive certain Twp fees instead of making a cash payment.

Interesting that Mr. Taylor in speaking as a resident argued against the cash payment.

Also interesting that our twp rec board was in favor of cash payment and not offering incentives.

So our tax dollars fund rec, but don't go to helping the town overall. So we'll pay more in taxes.

If our town has to go paid we'll see a huge tax increase. So I fully support whatever program works to get volunteers. Even a flat 250 per volunteer is cheaper multiple times over if it keeps these organizations volunteer.

[anon-558q]

On the car washes, how much will creating a rain garden cost? Considering how many people wash cars in their yard I think there is minimal impact from Boy Scout washes.

[anon-p81r]

Agreed on the car washes this "rain garden" is absolutely ridiculous.