1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3.  Invocation– Deputy Mayor McKenzie

4.  Roll Call

4A. Commendation: DeWayne K. Cruse, Housing Authority Director Retirement

Girl Scout Week Proclamation

5.  Approval of Minutes:

2003: Budget Meeting: July 29, 2003
Regular Meeting: October 28, 2003
Regular Meeting: November 13, 2003
Special Meeting: December 17, 2003

2004: Regular Meeting: February 24, 2004
Agenda Meeting – March 2, 2004

6.  Warrants

7.  Ordinances – Public Hearing & Final Adoption

A.  Ordinance #3421: An Ordinance Ame nding the Vehicle & Traffic Code of the Township of Franklin, County of Somerset, New Jersey, to prohibit trucks over four (4) tons from Field Street, Ellen Street, Frank Street, Fuller Street, Pershing Avenue, Chester Avenue, Oak Place, Irving Street, Juliet Avenue, Ray Street, Newport Avenue, South Lawrence Avenue, Prospect Street, Sydney Place, Meister Street and South Dover Avenue.

B.  Ordinance #3434: Ordinance – Amending Chapter 52 – Salaries and Compensation – Section 52-3 (Annual Base Compensation for Elected and Appointed Employees/Officials – Township Clerk and Municipal Judge); Section 52-4 (Annual Compensation and Longevity for Managerial and Exempt Employees – Police Chief, Captain & Director of Engineering & Public Works); Section 52-6 (Annual Base Salaries for Police Sergeants and Lieutenants); Section 52-7 (Annual longevity payments for police sergeants and lieutenants); Section 52-8 (Annual compensation for police patrol officer); Section 52-9 (Annual longevity payments for police patrol officer); Section 52-12 (Hourly Wage Scale for Blue Collar Employees) and Section 52-13 (Annual longevity for blue collar employees).

C.  Ordinance #3431 – Authorizing the acquisition of 0.703 acre portion of Block 34.09, Lot 59.02 – Vliet Road – land under water tower. (Public Hearing held on 2/24/04)

D.  Ordinance #3432 – Capital Ordinance appropriating $65,000 for the acquisition of 0.703 acre portion of Block 34.09, Lot 59.02 – Vliet Road – land under water tower. (Public Hearing held on 2/24/04)

8.  Public Discussion (10 minute limit)

9.  Council Comments

10.  Ordinances – Introduction:

A.  Ordinance 3436, Amended: Ordinance vacating a portion of School House Road and a portion of Parcel 10B on School House Road as a result of the reconstruction of School House Road from Weston Canal Road to Mettlers Road. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing March 23, 2004 .

B.  Ordinance 3441: Ordinances amending Code Chapter 226 – Vehicles and Traffic, Section 226-25 (Bus Stops) by establishing Bus Stops along Route 27. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

C.  Ordinance 3442: Ordinance amending Code Chapter 226, Vehicles and Traffic, Section 226-4, Penalties to increase the assessment of traffic summonses by one dollar ($1.00) for Brain Injury Surcharge effective June 2004. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

D.  Ordinance 3443: Ordinance increasing burial permit fees from $1.00 to $5.00 as a result of the Mandatory Electronic Death Registration System effective March 1, 2004. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

E.  Ordinance 3444: Ordinance amending salary ranges and longevity payments for Blue Collar Supervisors as per July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005 contract. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

F.  Ordinance 3445: Bond Ordinance appropriating $141,000.00 for the purchase of Computer Equipment including Citrix Work Sessions; Computer/Telephone Equipment Room; Information System Security Upgrades, Cable Wiring for Council Chambers and Computer/Information System/GIS Equipment. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

G.  Ordinance 3446: Ordinance amending Chapter 210 – Streets and Sidewalks by amending the definition of “Emergency” and amending Permit for Opening; Exception by including a five (5) year moratorium on newly constructed and reconstructed streets and a three (3) year moratorium on newly overlaid streets. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

H.  Ordinance 3447: Ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance by adding Planned Adult Community (PAC) District (Block 516, Lots 4.01, 6.04 & 15) Publish in accordance with law for public hearing April 13, 2004.

I.  Ordinance 3448: Ordinance amending Zoning Ordinance by changing the zoning of Block 468.08, Lots 1 & 2.01 on Cedar Grove Lane from OP to CR. Publish in accordance with law for public hearing on April 13, 2004.

11.  Consent Agenda:

A.  Appointment of ______________ as Council Member to the Stormwater Management Committee for a one-year term ending 12/31/04.

B.  Appointment of _______________________ to the Human Relations Commission as a Regular Member for an unexpired three-year term ending 12/31/05.

C.  Resolution #04-113 – Authorizing Tax Title Lien Redemptions – Outside Buyers.

D.  Resolution #04-114 – Supporting Assembly Bill No. 647/Senate Bill No. 451 which allow schools to qualify for assistance under the New Jersey Shade Tree and Community Forestry Assistance Act.

E.  Resolution #04-115 – Amending Professional Service Agreement with Schoor DePalma for engineering services in connection with the Kingston Village Pedestrian Access/Laurel Avenue (County Route 603) in an amount not to exceed an additional $5,000.00.

F.  Resolution #04-116 – Authorizing the extension of a contract with Wireless C&E for Maintenance of Police Radios from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005 in an amount not to exceed $25,152.00.

G.  Resolution #04-117 – Authorizing the extension of a contract with Midco Waste System for Recycling Transfer Center from March 1, 2004 to February 28, 2005 in an amount not to exceed $132,765.60.

H.  Resolution #04-118 – Canceling Outstanding Checks.

I.  Resolution #04-119 – Authorizing the release of Plan/Building Review Escrows.

J.  Resolution #04-120 – Requesting the State of New Jersey to amend proposed Six Mile Run Reservoir Site leases between Agricultural Tenants and the State to give the Agricultural Tenants the right to develop and implement a wildlife control element that includes limiting hunting to those approved by the tenant and the ability to conduct hunting.

K.  Resolution #04-121 – Authorizing Mayor and Township Clerk to execute a contract with AFSCME 2426, Blue Collar Supervisors for the period of July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005.

L.  Resolution #04-122 – Affirming the Commitment of the Township of Franklin to the United States Constitution and the Civil Liberties Guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

M.  Resolution #04-123 – Rejecting bids for the Renovations to the Municipal Building Project because they exceeded estimate and budget.

N.  Resolution #04-124 – Awarding Professional Services Agreement to Heyer, Gruel & Associates for planning services in connection with the D&R Canal Redevelopment Area Study in an amount not to exceed $21,750.00.

O.  Resolution #04-125 – Authorizing the Insertion in Budget – NJ Law and Public Safety Child Passenger Safety Grant in the amount of $6,485 (Chapter 159).

P.  Resolution #04-126 – Authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Somerset County Open Space Partnership Grant Program for reimbursement for the purchase of the Scott Farm in the amount of $300,000.

Q.  Resolution #04-127 – Authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Somerset County HOME Program in partnership with Somerset County Action Program for housing rehabilitation for low income homeowners.

R.  Resolution #04-128 – Authorizing the submission of a grant application to the NJ State Department of Agriculture 2004 Jersey Fresh Matching Grant Program for funds to market the Hamilton Street Farmers Market in the amount of $500 with a required $500 match.

S.  Resolution #04-129 – Authorizing the submission of grant applications to the Somerset County Economic Development Incentive Program for funds for the Streetscape Design for Hamilton Street in the amount of $100,000 and for funding for the Special Improvement District in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00.

T.  Resolution #04-130 – Accepting donation of Access Channel Equipment from Patriot Media with an estimated value of $70,000.00.

U.  Resolution #04-131 – Approving Settlement of Tax Court Appeal with Corning Inc., Block 517.02, Lot 19.01, 2200 Cottontail Lane for the years 2001-2003.

V.  Resolution #04-132 – Approving Settlement of Tax Court Appeal with Ron LLC (Holiday Inn), Block 502.02, Lot 37.01, 195 Davidson Avenue for the year 2003.

W.  Resolution #04-133 – Approving Settlement of Tax Court Appeal with United Plastics, Inc., Block 86.02, Lot 3.03, 30 Commerce Drive for the year 2003.

X.  Resolution #04-134 – Authorizing Refund of Tax Overpayments.

Y.  Resolution #04-135 – Authorize Raffle License for Church of St. Matthias for March 27, 2004 from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm.

12.  Adjournment

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