Township Council Special Work Session

The Special Work Session of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon was convened at 7:02 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, 2011 in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey with Council President Brian Lynch presiding. The purpose of this Work Session was to amend the Township Code as required by State Statute within 90 days after the new governing body was sworn in on July 1, 2011.

Statement of Compliance

Adequate notice of this meeting had been provided to the public and the press on July 28, 2011, and was posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6.

Roll Call of Members

Present were Council Members Eddie Dunn, Daniel Kadish, Pat Rizzuto, Dick Wetzel, and Council President Brian Lynch. Also present was Mayor Vic Marotta and John Ursin (sitting in for the vacationing Kevin Kelly).

Salute to the Flag

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

Council President Lynch read the title of the proposed ordinance and explained that the Township Code must be revised for the new form of government. He asked Mr. Ursin to lead the discussion.

Proposed Ordinance: An ordinance of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, amending and supplementing Chapter 1 “General Provisions” and Chapter 5 “Administration of Township Government” of the code of the Township of Vernon.

Mr. Ursin advised that his attendance this evening was in the absence of Mr. Kevin Kelly. He explained about the ordinance and that he had distributed it to the Council for review.

Section I and II was reviewed, and the changes made were wording changes.

Section III would replace the existing Chapter 5 in its entirety.

Article I was basic information.

Article II was a general overview and definitions: Resolutions—usually for actions covering a year, are temporary, usually about administrative functions; as opposed to Ordinances—cover longer/more permanent periods, and go into the code of the town, as permanent policy.

Council Member Rizzuto had questions about the general powers and duties of the Council.

The Council President asked about the section on the Mayor’s attendance at meetings.

Mr. Ursin noted where to find the section in the code denoting holding the Municipal election in November.

Council Member Wetzel asked about staggered terms for Boards and Commissions.

The section on official newspapers was discussed.

The term of the Council President was also discussed (1 or 2 years) relative to the positive vs. negative impact for either term.

The starting time of regular Council meetings was discussed and will be so noted in the code.

The various aspects of the Council meeting agendas were looked at, such as who prepares it, deadline for inclusion of items, who determines the content, etc.

Article III was reviewed—various departments in the Township. It was suggested that a blank line should be included at the end of the list in case the Board of Health is returned to the Township. The office of law (the attorney); the Dept. of Recreation; Animal Control; office of the Clerk; Public Safety were those discussed with some thoughts to put some under the authority of others.

Boards and Commissions were looked at. Land Use Board (not Planning Board); Open Space Board; Historic Preservation Commission; Senior Citizen Commission, and the Local Assistance Board. It was explained that ad-hoc committees were not included, and were generally 1-yr appointments (such as the Economic Development Advisory Committee). Ad-hocs, it was noted, are not subject to the Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act, there are no secretaries, and no minutes are required to be kept.

Mr. Ursin advised that the Table of Contents was now set up.

Council Member Dunn asked about the Department/Admin. of Personnel.

Adjournment

Council Member Eddie Dunn moved to adjourn the Special Work Session of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon. Council Member Pat Rizzuto made the second; all were in agreement. The work session was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Susan S. Nelson, RMC, CMR
Municipal Clerk

Minutes approved: August 22, 2011