BOROUGH OF CAPE MAY POINT

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MEETING MINUTES

March 26, 2009

 

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT STATEMENT

A meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point was called to order on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room at the Municipal Building located at 215 Lighthouse Avenue.  Mayor Schupp announced that this meeting having been properly posted and advertised, was being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings of 1975 (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6) also known as the Sunshine Law.  The Municipal Clerk took the following roll call vote:

 

ROLL CALL

Commissioner Nietubicz                      PRESENT

Commissioner van Heeswyk               PRESENT

Commissioner Schupp                        PRESENT

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

RESOLUTION NO. 38-09

RECYCLE TONNAGE GRANT APPLICATION

 

WHEREAS, The Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act P.L. 1987, c102, has established a recycling fund from which tonnage grant may be made to municipalities in order to encourage local source separation and recycling programs; and 

WHEREAS, it is the intent and the spirit of the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act; and

WHEREAS, the recycling regulations impose on municipalities certain requirements as a condition for applying for tonnage grants, including but not limited to, making and keeping accurate, verifiable records of materials collected and claimed by the municipality; and

WHEREAS, a resolution authorizing this municipality to apply for such tonnage grant will memorialize the commitment if this municipality to recycling and to indicate the assent of the Borough of Cape May Point to the efforts undertaken by the municipality and the requirements contained in the Recycling Act and recycling regulations; and

WHEREAS, such a resolution should designate the individual authorized to ensure the application is properly completed and timely filed.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Borough Commission of the Borough of Cape May Point, in the County of Cape May and State of New Jersey, that the governing body hereby endorses the submission of the recycling tonnage grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and designates WILLIAM GIBSON to ensure that the application is properly filed; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the monies received from the recycling tonnage grant be deposited in a dedicated recycling trust fund to be used solely for the purposes of recycling.

 

Commissioner Nietubicz made a motion to approve Resolution 38-09 as presented.  Commissioner van Heeswyk seconded the motion and the Clerk took a roll call vote as follows:

Commissioner Nietubicz                      YES

Commissioner van Heeswyk               YES

Commissioner Schupp                        YES

 

RESOLUTION NO. 39-09

AUTHORIZES LIST OF PROJECTS- ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION 

 

WHEREAS, Ordinance 259-87 and Borough Code Chapter 120 establishes certain procedures to be followed by organizations creating, maintaining or designing a project on borough-owned property; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners desires to authorize the following projects proposed by the Lake Committee and presented to the Environmental Commission:

1.       Butterfly garden- open, east side of Lake Lily

2.       Remove English Ivy from trees

3.       Request DEP to reduce Canada geese population in and around Lake Lily

 

WHEREAS, the governing body also authorizes the Environmental Commission to research the following items:

1.       Consult experts to determine correct mix of fish species for lake

2.       Drill deep well to re-supply water level in Lake Lily 

3.       Install filters on storm drains into the lake

4.       Install plantings to act as additional filters

5.       Investigate healthy mix of bottom weeds and methods to control

6.       Plant cattails and/or other beneficial plants

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point, in the County of Cape May And State of New Jersey that the above on-going projects are hereby approved.

 

Commissioner van Heeswyk made a motion to approve Resolution 39-09 as presented.  Commissioner Nietubicz seconded the motion and the Clerk took a roll call vote as follows:

Commissioner Nietubicz                      YES

Commissioner van Heeswyk               YES

Commissioner Schupp                        YES

 

Resolution # 40-09

Establishing a Green Team Advisory Committee

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point strives to save tax dollars, assure clean air and water, improve working and living environments to build a community that is sustainable economically, environmentally and socially; a community, which would thrive well into the new century; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point wishes to build a model of government which benefits our residents now and far into the future with green community initiatives which are easy to replicate and affordable to implement; and

 

WHEREAS, in an attempt to focus attention on “Green” issues, the Board of Commissioners wishes to establish a Green Team Advisory Committee (GTA); and

 

WHEREAS, the governing body wants to begin the process of focusing on “Green” issues by starting with audits of municipality facilities and operations first.

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point has appropriated “seed money” in their 2009 budget to begin the process of making its operations greener, and more environmentally friendly beginning with energy audits of the Borough’s facilities to pinpoint the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption; and

 

WHEREAS, solar-power, changes to fleet purchasing and maintenance, water quality improvements, and operational changes will all be considered as the Borough’s moves to do their share to lessen the environmental impact of its operations.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point that we do hereby establish a Green Team Advisory Committee consisting of ____ members who shall be residents or employees of Cape May Point, appointed annually, but whose initial term of appointment shall be through December 31, 2009.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point that the Mission, Goals and Objectives for the GTA through December 31, 2009 are established as follows:

Mission

The Cape May Point Green Team Advisory Committee will advise the borough commission on ways to improve municipal operations with “Green” initiatives, which are economically and environmentally sound through research and evaluation.

 

Commissioner van Heeswyk made a motion to approve Resolution 40-09 as presented.  Commissioner Nietubicz seconded the motion and the Clerk took a roll call vote as follows:

Commissioner Nietubicz                      YES

Commissioner van Heeswyk               YES

Commissioner Schupp                        YES

 

RESOLUTION 41-09

AUTHORIZATION TO OPEN NEW ACCOUNTS AT

STURDY SAVINGS BANK

 

WHERE AS, it has become necessary to facilitate efficient operations of the Office of the Treasurer, the Borough Commissioners give authorization to close Borough Bank Accounts held at Bank of America,

 

WHERE AS, after reviewing banking proposals, the Board of Commissioners has authorized the Chief Financial Officer to open accounts for the Borough of Cape May Point at Sturdy Savings Bank in Cape May City, New Jersey.

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Cape May Point that the following bank accounts be opened at Sturdy Savings Bank:

           

            General Checking

            Water and Sewer Utility

            Other Trust Fund

            Developer’ s Escrow Account

            Payroll

            Housing Rehabilitation Account

            Dog Damage Account

 

Commissioner van Heeswyk made a motion to approve Resolution 41-09 as presented.  Commissioner Nietubicz seconded the motion and the Clerk took a roll call vote as follows:

Commissioner Nietubicz                      YES

Commissioner van Heeswyk               YES

Commissioner Schupp                        YES

 

Francine Springer reported that due to low interest rate being offered by our current bank- Bank of America, she solicited proposals from several banks.  She stated that Sturdy Savings Bank offered the Borough of Cape May Point  .7 percent interest all monies deposited, which would increase the interest on money earned in the coming year.  She stated that she intended to transfer Borough funds from Bank of American on or around April 1, 2009.  Commissioner van Heeswyk stated that Francine Springer did an excellent job researching different banks and safeguarding Borough funds.

 

VOUCHERS

Commissioner van Heeswyk made a motion to approve the vouchers as presented for

payment. (Bill list attached)  Commissioner Nietubicz seconded the motion and the Clerk took a roll call vote as follows:

Commissioner Nietubicz                      YES

Commissioner van Heeswyk               YES

Commissioner Schupp                        YES

 

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Schupp stated that he is still working on the establishment of the 9-member Planning Board and would have all positions filled for the April 9, 2009 meeting. 

Commissioner van Heeswyk stated that the Borough of Cape May Point Plan Endorsement will not have to include a waste water plan (which was supposed to be   According to Kendra Leli the Council on Affordable Housing should hear Cape May Point’s 3rd Round Substantive Certification application.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Nietubicz stated that he was approached by a taxpayer requesting that and access be constructed to Lighthouse Avenue. He asked the Commissioners to consider the construction of a beach access at Lighthouse Avenue.  The Board agreed to reassess this situation after the proposed deck at Lighthouse Avenue is built.  

Commissioner Nietubicz asked the board to consider approving a new parking configuration for the convent to alleviate the parking problems during the summer months.

The board discussed safety issues around Lake Lily created by plantings.  Commissioner van Heeswyk asked if a small portion of the JIF Safety money could be utilized for the removal of said shrubbery.  The board agreed.  Francine Springer was instructed to use some of the Optional JIF Safety money to pay for the replacement of the shrubbery.

Francine Springer stated that according to Glen Ortman, the 2009 Municipal Budget is ready for final adoption.  She added that the Clean Communities grant of $4,000 has been received and that the 2009 Municipal Budget would be amended to include the grant monies.  The Commissioners discussed the use of the monies.  Commissioner van Heeswyk questioned the purchase the brown leaf bags as homeowners could purchase them at Swains.

Mayor Schupp stated that Judy Bernard has offered to donate trees to be planted along Sunset Boulevard.  He asked the Board for their approval.  The Board agreed to accept this generous donation.

Mayor Schupp suggested that the Board of Commissioners survey residents to see if they are in favor of Cape May Point obtaining natural gas service.

 

REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner van Heeswyk stated that she reviewed and commented on a recent Transfer of Developments Rights Feasibility Study with Leslie Gimeno of Cape May County Open Space.  She stated that this study (as it pertains to Cape May Point) was seriously flawed therefore she asked for numerous changes to the document. 

Commissioner van Heeswyk stated that Stephanie Egger of US Fish & Wildlife came to town to inspect the Alexander Avenue Beach area, especially the new signs erected by our Public Works Department.  Commissioner van Heeswyk stated that Ms. Egger was very happy with the signage and would be using it as an example for other towns with “precautionary zones.” 

   

PUBLIC PORTION

Sally Sachs asked the Commissioners if they have seen the graffiti on the General Store.  She asked if the Commissioners had seen it.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion by Commissioner Nietubicz, seconded by Commissioner van Heeswyk the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 am.                                                                    

                                                                       

                         _________________________________

                                                                        Joe Nietubicz, Commissioner

 

 

____________________ _____________

                                                                        Anita van Heeswyk, Commissioner

 

                                                           

                                                            __________________________________

                                                                    Carl F. Schupp, Commissioner

Attest:

 

 

__________________________________

Constance A. Mahon, Municipal Clerk