Township Council Work Session

The Work Session of the Township Council of the Township of Vernon was convened at 7:33 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2013, in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey. The purpose of this Work Session was to discuss a proposed fiber optic network going though Vernon.

Statement of Compliance

Adequate notice of this work session had been provided to the public and the press on February 8, 2013 and was posted in the Municipal Building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6.

Salute to the Flag

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

Roll Call of Members

Present were Council Members Eddie Dunn, Daniel Kadish, Brian Lynch, Dick Wetzel, and Council President Patrick Rizzuto. Also in attendance was Kevin Kelly, Township Attorney.

Public Comments

Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to open the meeting to public comments at this time.
Moved: Brian Lynch
Second: Eddie Dunn
All were in favor.

Gary Martinsen, Vernon resident and business owner, asked if there would be another Open to the Public section later, after the discussion. Mr. Martinsen was concerned that the Council would take action without public input. The Council assured him that more than likely no action would be taken this evening and that he could say anything he wanted to say at this time.

Closed to Public Comments

No one else wished to speak at this time, and Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to close the public comment portion of the meeting.
Moved: Brian Lynch
Second: Eddie Dunn
All were in favor.

Discussion on Proposed Fiber Optic Network Going through Vernon

Presenters

Mr. Fred Brody, Business Developer
Mr. Mike Sevret, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer of Cross River Fiber

Mr. Brody gave an overview of his company, what it does and who it services, which is commercial users.

Mr. Sevret, gave a brief synopsis of this company, how the dark fibers system works and how his company leases out space in the lines. Cross River Fiber’s customers include banks, hospitals and schools. Their services are also starting to be used in condo communities as well.

The Council asked whether or not this company would receive any preferential treatment as far as quicker response time to repair lines after a bad storm. Mr. Sevret said they do not.

Council Member Kadish posed the question if it would be more beneficial for the lines to run underground instead of utilizing aerial lines. Mr. Sevret responded that it could be worse since these lines can be dug up inadvertently by other entities.

The Council expressed their concerns about long-term lease agreements.

Public Comments

Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to open the meeting to the public for questions and answers at this time.
Moved: Eddie Dunn
Second: Dan Kadish
All were in favor.

Gary Martinsen, Vernon resident and business owner, questioned what would happen if this company goes defunct. It was explained to Mr. Martinsen that the BPU would step in and find a provider to take over.

Closed to Public Comments

No one else wished to speak at this time, and Council President Rizzuto asked for a motion to close the public comment portion of the meeting.
Moved: Eddie Dunn
Second: Dick Wetzel
All were in favor.

Adjournment

There being no further items of business to be conducted at this work session, a motion for Adjournment was made by Council Member Lynch. Motion seconded by Council Member Wetzel, with all members voting in favor. The work session was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Bates
Deputy Municipal Clerk

Minutes approved: August 26, 2013