Minutes: August 16, 2018

Call to Order

The regular meeting of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority (VTMUA) of the Township of Vernon was convened at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2018 in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

Statement of Compliance

Adequate notice of this meeting had been provided to the public and the press on February 15, 2018 and was posted on the bulletin board in the municipal building in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6.

Roll Call

Roll Call of Professionals

Executive Director John Scerbo and attorney James Moscagiuri were also present. Engineer Peter Kocsik was present for Ceren Aralp, who is out of the country on a family matter.

1. Presentation to Gloria Frato Gallo

Former VTMUA commissioner Gloria Frato Gallo was present to receive a plaque in gratitude for her service to the VTMUA from 2011 to 2018. She was on the VTMUA since the onset of the establishment of the utility commission in 2011. Her term expired in February 2018. Ms. Frato Gallo said it was an honor to serve.

2. Open the Meeting for Public Comments

Edward Snook moved to open the meeting for public comment.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.
All were in favor.

No one came forward

3. Close the Meeting to the Public

Seeing no one come forward, Edward Snook moved to close the meeting to the public.
Paul Kearney seconded the motion.
All were in favor.

4. Consent Agenda

Resolution 18-41: Authorizing the Payment of Bills for July 19, 2018 and August 18, 2018

Kristin Wheaton moved to approve the payment of bills.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Snook, Edward Segar, Paul Kearney, Kristin Wheaton, and John Perry
Nays: None

5. Approval of Minutes

Regular Meeting of June 21, 2018

Edward Seger moved to approve the June 21, 2018 minutes.
Paul Kearney seconded the motion

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Segar, Paul Kearney, Kristin Wheaton, and John Perry
Nays: None
Abstention: Edward Snook

6. Resolutions

None

7. Correspondence

None

8. Auditor’s Report

None

9. Attorney’s Report

Attorney James Moscagiuri said he would give his report in executive session.

10. Engineer’s Report

A. New applications

Peter Kocsik reported a new application came in for 322 Route 94 for a Magic Carpet store, but he said the application was incomplete. Mr. Scerbo said it also happens to be one of the last properties from Phase 1 to be connected. The owner of the property passed away, and the property had been held in trust. The property was then sold. He said it used to be a store before it was a home, and now it is going back into retail.

B. Status of Asset Management Loan Application

They received a phone call from the NJDEP to make sure everything was in order, and the closing date for the loan is expected in September.

11. Executive Director’s Report

Mr. Scerbo discussed a letter from Mayor Shortway to the executive director of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) concerning the Asset Management Plan (AMP) loan. The letter confirms the township’s commitment to proceed with the application previously submitted by the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority with regard to the AMP loan. The township requested that NJIB change the name of the loan applicant from the VTMUA to the township. The township also confirmed in the letter its intent to be the applicant, the borrower, and the obligor/payee of the AMP loan. Mr. Scerbo said the loan is expected to close on September 18 in the amount of about $120,000 to do the Asset Management Plan. The proceeds from the loan will be put into a township account earmarked for the asset management plan.

Mr. Scerbo also said the VTMUA’s new truck arrived. It is a Ford 350 with automatic lock capability on all the compartments. The vehicle is registered and they are awaiting municipal plates.

Mr. Scerbo said there is a personnel mater he wants to discuss during executive session.

12. Commissioners’ Comments

None

13. Chairman’s Comments

None

14. Executive Session

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 permits the exclusion of the public in certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority of the Township of Vernon as follows.

1. The public shall be excluded from discussion of and action upon the hereinafter-specified subject matter.

2. The general nature of the subject matter to be discussed is litigation and personnel.

Edward Snook moved to go into executive session at 7:15 p.m.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Snook, Edward Seger, Kristin Wheaton, Paul Kearney, and John Perry
Nays: None

15. Close Executive Session

Edward Snook moved to close executive session at 8:02 p.m.
Paul Kearney seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Snook, Edward Seger, Kristin Wheaton, Paul Kearney, and John Perry
Nays: None

16. Return to Public Session

Edward Snook moved to return to public session at 8:02 p.m.
Edward Seger seconded the motion.

Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Edward Snook, Edward Seger, Kristin Wheaton, Paul Kearney, and John Perry
Nays: None

Adjournment

No action was taken after Executive Session.
Edward Snook moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m.
Dave McDermott seconded the motion.
All were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

The next meeting of the VTMUA will be on September 20, 2018 at 7 p.m.

Transcribed and submitted by Jessica Paladini
Vernon Township MUA Secretary