Bernadette E. Leonardi

The meeting agenda included several key actions. The Township Committee considered the introduction of a Bond Ordinance (33-2016) for a New LED Electric Street Lighting Project, which was set for a public hearing. Resolutions involved authorizing the payment of bills totaling $991,666.14 and establishing use of facility fees for Michael Debbi Park, MLK Center, and Wilder Hines Parks. The consent agenda included authorizing the settlement of tax appeals for Buena Corp and Poultry Investors, awarding a bid to Cargill Inc. for rock salt, issuing street opening permits to SJ Gas, and supporting efforts to include the names of sailors from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. An executive session was authorized to discuss tax appeals, attorney legal updates, and the Teamsters Local Union No. 676 Contract.

The agenda for this meeting included the introduction of two ordinances: Ordinance 34-2016 regarding the amendment of Chapter 15 (Court, Joint Municipal), and Ordinance 35-2016 concerning a Refunding Bond for Overpayments. Key resolutions involved authorizing the payment of bills totaling $93,855.31. The consent agenda addressed several items, including authorizing street opening permits, authorizing the purchase and installation of LED lighting, awarding bids for the 2017 Municipal Calendar and the 2016 Local Road Program, and awarding a design/build contract for a pole barn. A resolution to authorize an Executive Session was also scheduled to discuss attorney legal updates and employment benefit time accrued.

The Reorganization Meeting included administering the Oath of Office to a newly elected Committeeman, David Turner, for a three-year term. The committee nominated and approved Chuck Chiarello as Mayor/Chairperson and Teresa Kelly as Deputy Mayor/Vice-Chairperson, followed by administering their Oaths of Office. A series of resolutions were adopted, primarily concerning the appointment of various Township officials and counsels, including the Township Solicitor, Auditor, Planner, Bond Counsel, and others for specialized roles. Additionally, resolutions covering the annual schedule for meetings, tax appeal filings, official newspaper designation, cash management plan, temporary operating budget, tax interest rates, bank depositories, and authorizing a tax lien sale were adopted. Finally, numerous resolutions appointed individuals to various sub-committees and advisory boards, concluding with the Mayor's 2018 State of the Township Address and public comment.

The Caucus Meeting agenda for the subsequent Regular Meeting was reviewed with no revisions noted. Discussions included the ongoing search for a replacement grader and an upcoming dinner event at Buena Regional. The Township Clerk noted that Committeeman Williams would attend the Atlantic County Improvement Authority annual meeting on March 12th with the Clerk. A resolution was adopted to authorize the Committee to enter into Executive Session.

The meeting addressed several key items including the presentation of the 2021 Municipal Best Practices results. The Mayor's Report noted the dedication of Saw Mill Park to Chuck Chiarello and plans for a second amendment resolution discussion. Ordinances considered included the authorization for the Sale of Township Owned Land and the fixing and establishing of Wages and Salary Ranges for Officers and Employees. Resolutions adopted authorized the payment of bills totaling $1,166,864.47. The consent agenda included resolutions authorizing the issuance of Street Opening Permits, tax certificate sales, tax cancellation/refunds due to Veterans Exemption, awarding a quote for calendars, and appointing several office managers and laborers. The meeting concluded with Committee Reports and a public comment section before moving into an Executive Session to discuss a separate matter.