SALEM COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS
SEPTEMBER 15, 2004 MEETING MINUTES
At 7:32 PM, Director Charles R. Sullivan opened the meeting with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Director Sullivan stated the meeting was in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.
On roll call, the following Freeholders were present: Lee R. Ware, Beth E. Timberman, R. Benjamin Simmermon, Jr., C. David Sparks, Jr., Susan A. Bestwick and Charles R. Sullivan. Bruce L. Bobbitt was absent. A quorum was present.
Motion was made by Mr. Ware that the reading of the Minutes of September 1, 2004 meeting be dispensed with and that the Minutes be received, approved and recorded in the Minute Book. Mr. Sparks seconded his motion. The motion to accept the minutes carried by hand vote of 6/0.
Motion made by Mr. Ware to waive the rules, which was seconded by Mrs. Timberman. The motion was carried by a hand vote of 6/0.
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Proclamation Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Alloway Township Ambulance Corp., Inc. was read.
Citation Honoring the National Guard Unit, Company I, 114th Infantry was read.
Citation Honoring Monsignor Rocco A. Continillo Upon his Retirement from the Priesthood was read.
CORRESPONDENCE
GENERAL
Frank J. Cianfrani, Chief, Regulatory Branch, US Army Corps of Engineers – Public Notice to solicit comments and recommendations concerning issuance of a Department of the Army permit for work located at the following areas:
Hyde Run, Brandywine Spring County Park, New Castle County, DE
Robert J. Ruch, Lieutenant Colonel, Corps of Engineers, District Engineer, Department of the Army – letter concerning the emergency dredging at the mouth of the Salem River where it meets the Delaware River
Devon Brown, Commissioner, Department of Corrections – copy of the annual report of the County Work Release Programs for calendar year 2003
James A. Crawford, Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Authority – copy of the September 4th agenda
Timothy G. Chelius, Executive Director, South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization – copy of the agenda and resolution for the September 10th phone conference
Lisa Jackson, Assistant Commissioner, Compliance and Enforcement, Department of Environmental Protection – notice of additional grant to support a dedicated position to perform underground storage tank related responsibilities
Charles F. Morgan, Jr., Manager – NJ Restructuring, Conectiv – notice of a public hearing in the matter of the provision of basic generation service for year three of the post-transition period so that members of the public may present their views
Ron Rukenstein, PP, AICP, Ron Rukenstein & Associates – additional information in support of the Carney’s Point Township’s request to include designated agricultural land within the Salem County Agriculture Development Area
Ada N. Jackson, Office Manager, First Managed Care Option – copy of the August report
Robert Andrews, Superintendent, Special Services School District – copy of a letter from Richard Cooke of his resignation from the Special Services Board of Education
Amy Thomas, Director, Salem County Board of Social Services – copy of a letter from Rose Maurice of her resignation from the Board of Social Services
Salem County Association of Local Government – copy of the May 27th Minutes and notice of the September 23rd meeting
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
For the Month of August
Adjuster
Emergency Services
Shelter of Hope Population Report for Salem & Gloucester Counties
Veterans Services & Interment
Weights & Measures
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION MINUTES
Cumberland/Salem Workforce Investment Board July 28th Minutes
Inter-Agency Council September 1st General Membership and Board Minutes
Office on Aging Advisory Council June 15th Minutes and September 21st Agenda
Motion was made by Mr. Ware that the Correspondence, Departmental Reports, and Committee/Commission Minutes be received and filed with Mrs. Timberman seconding his motion. The motion was carried by a vote of 6/0.
PAYMENT OF BILLS & CLAIMS
Motion was made by Mr. Ware that all Bills and Claims, when properly signed and audited, be paid and charged to their respective accounts. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Timberman, which was carried by a hand vote of 6/0.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Motion was made by Mr. Ware that the Treasurer’s Report be received, filed and made available to the public. Motion was seconded by Mrs. Timberman, which was carried by a hand vote of 7/0.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE – Sullivan, Ware, Bobbitt
R.2004-371 Finance Resolution Cancellation of Checks (Check # 36752)
Mr. Ware moved for adoption of this resolution with Mrs. Timberman seconding his motion. On roll call, the motion for adoption of the foregoing resolution carried a vote of 6/0.
The Freeholder Director read a prepared statement. Mr. Sparks objected to the reading of the report as a point of order. Discussion ensued. The Clerk of the Board/Administrator updated the Freeholder Board on the draft Employee Policy and Procedure manual being forwarded to County Department Heads on September 30th for review and comment. The Clerk of the Board/Administrator said a nepotism and ethics policy were included in the draft manual.
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS COMMITTEE – Sparks, Sullivan, Simmermon
No business came before the board from this committee.
COUNTY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE – Simmermon, Bestwick, Timberman
R.2004-372 Resolution for the Appointment of a Member to the Special Services School District Board of Education (Thomas McHugh)
Mr. Simmermon moved for adoption of this resolution with Mrs. Bestwick seconding his motion. On roll call, the motion for adoption of the foregoing resolution carried a vote of 6/0.
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE – Bestwick, Timberman, Ware
R.2004-373 Resolution Authorizing a Contract for the Provision of Linen Services for the County of Salem Nursing Home (HCSC Laundry, Inc.)
R.2004-374 Resolution Authorizing a Contract with Summit Services Group to Provide Supplemental Janitorial Services to the Salem County Nursing Home
R.2004-375 Resolution for the Appointment of a Member to the Salem County Board of Social Services (Evelyn Jones)
Mrs. Bestwick moved for adoption of the three resolutions with Mrs. Timberman seconding her motion. The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolutions carried a vote of 6/0.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE – Ware, Bobbitt, Simmermon
R.2004-376 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2005 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor for the County of Salem Prosecutor’s Office (Winner Ford)
R.2004-377 Resolution Approving the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan for the Prosecutor’s Office
Mr. Ware moved for adoption of the two resolutions with by Mr. Simmermon seconding his motion. The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolutions carried a vote of 6/0.
PLANNING & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – Timberman, Sullivan, Sparks
R.2004-378 Resolution Awarding Contracts for Real Estate Surveys for Farmland with Preliminary Approval for Easement Purchase for the County of Salem (Fralinger Engineering, J&B Engel, and Sickels and Associates)
R.2004-379 Resolution Authorizing Subordination of Mortgage Held by the County of Salem to Secure Finance Loan
Mrs. Timberman moved for adoption of the two resolutions with by Mr. Sparks seconding her motion. The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolutions carried a vote of 6/0.
ROAD & BRIDGE COMMITTEE – Bobbitt, Sparks, Bestwick
R.2004-380 Resolution Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement for Database Management Services to Update the "Geographic Information System (GIS)" for the County of Salem (Civil Solutions, Inc.)
Mr. Sparks moved for adoption of these two resolutions with Mr. Ware seconding his motion. The motion for adoption of the foregoing resolutions carried a vote of 6/0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - No business came before the board.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Bestwick read a statement and requested consideration of three policy resolutions. The statement by Mrs. Bestwick: "I am presenting to the Board of Chosen Freeholders tonight three Resolutions that will signal Salem County’s adherence to strong ethics and integrity on the part of its public officials, both elected and appointed.
These Resolutions address nepotism, honorariums, and acceptance of gifts.
I believe it is necessary that we adopt these Resolutions to gain the public’s trust and faith in how we do business in Salem County. I come to you this evening having every reason to believe that we can put political differences aside and do what is right by unanimously adopt these ethics policies. These companion Resolutions are modeled after ethics policies adopted by other Boards of Chosen Freeholders – both Republican and Democrat majorities.
Like you, I have been disturbed by the public corruption indictments and guilty pleas involving state government, the ethical lapses that have been revealed in the governor’s office, and the on-going investigations by the U.S. Attorney. These events led me to examine Salem County’s ethics policies, and I found that we do not have good standards, specific current-day guidance in these matters." End of statement.
The Director posed a point of order on presentation of resolutions for consideration. Discussion ensued. Mr. Sparks presented the three resolutions from the floor by seconding them. The three resolutions are identified as:
R.2004-381 Resolution on Ethics
R.2004-382 Resolution on Nepotism
R.2004-383 Resolution on Solicitation
Mrs. Timberman requested time to review the resolutions and for all seven Freeholders to be present. County Counsel believed the resolutions had merit but that she hadn’t had time to review them against the Federal and State statutes. County Counsel requested more time for review. The Director said that review important in that civil service and discrimination laws must be obeyed. Mr. Sparks discussed points of order leading to a motion to adopt the three resolutions. The motion failed by only receiving three affirmative votes (Bestwick, Sparks, Simmermon) with three votes nay (Ware, Timberman, Sullivan). Discussion continued with Mr. Ware saying the County Solicitor needed time for review. County Counsel said Labor Counsel needed to review the three resolutions. Mrs. Bestwick said that the Board had already passed another equal resolutions. Mr. Simmermon said that the Board all agrees the issue should be addressed in that New Jersey is a laughing stock and was willing to table the same resolutions for two weeks. Mrs. Timberman said that the issues were timely being in the news, but the County also needs well thought out policies such as FMLA and EAP.
Mr. Simmermon said that Emerson Eisele’s presence reminded him about creation of a water pollution resolution to prompt the districts State representatives to assist. The Director requested Mr. Sparks and Mr. Bobbitt to inquirer about monies available.
Mr. Sparks said that Camp Crocket would benefit from grass eating carp but needs coordination with other authorities. He said the fish were sterile.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Liz Ware of Carneys Point read a prepared statement stating she was clarifying and responding to some comments made by Kathy Boehlert at the August 18, 2004 Freeholder meeting concerning the quality of the Salem County Humane Society.
Mr. Jim Kates of Quinton Township said that he was the Carneys Point construction code official and that he agreed with Liz Ware’s statement that the Salem County Humane Society was well run. Mr. Kates mentioned an upcoming FOP fundraiser.
Mayor William Cobb of Alloway suggested a countywide shelter with the County assessing each municipality for the operation.
Emerson Eisele of Upper Pittsgrove said that the NJDEP was lowering the number of cattle requiring permitting to thirty. He said he still suggests no livestock be allowed in waters.
Discussion was held that Auburn Road had been under reconstruction for a long time. Mrs. Bestwick said the vendor found clay and wanted to adjust the bid. She said progress was being made now.
CLOSED SESSION
R.2004-384 Resolution Authorizing the Exclusion of the Public from a Meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Salem.
Mr. Ware moved for adoption of this resolution at 8:23PM with Mrs. Timberman seconding his motion. On roll call, the motion for adoption of the foregoing resolution carried a vote of 6/0.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Mr. Sparks moved for adjournment of the meeting, with Mr. Ware seconding his motion. With the motion properly moved and seconded and approved by all six members, the meeting adjourned at 08:33 PM.