Delaware Township Planning Board, Hunterdon County, NJ
February 7, 2017, page 1
The Regular meeting of the Delaware Township Planning Board was held on February 7, 2017 in the
Delaware Township Municipal Building, 570 Rosemont Ringoes Road (County Rt. 604),
Sergeantsville, New Jersey. Assistant Secretary Westlake opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
STATEMENT
Ms. Westlake read a statement noting that the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act have
been satisfied. Notice of this meeting was properly transmitted to the Hunterdon County Democrat,
Trenton Times, Courier News, and Star Ledger, posted on the Delaware Township bulletin board and
filed with the Township Clerk all on January 4, 2017.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Class I
Class II
Class III
Class IV
Charles Herman (7:45 p.m.)
James Borders
Joseph Vocke
Dave Bond, Larry Coffey, Kathy Katz, Richard Kiselewsky,
Kristin McCarthy, Rosalind Westlake
Alternate
Joan Bailly, Russell Crespolini
Advisor
Charles Cline, Liz Gilbreath
Administrator Kathleen Klink, Administrative Officer
Attorney
Steven Goodell, Esq., not needed
Engineer
C. Richard Roseberry, P.E., not needed
APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE MEETING of January 3, 2017
Member Katz made a motion to approve the minutes from the noted meeting. Member Kiselewsky
seconded the motion, and members unanimously approved the minutes as written, with an abstention
by Member Borders.
BILLS – none received
• Membership to New Jersey Association of Planning and Zoning Administrators - $90.00
(Possible split between Boards)
There was a discussion about the noted membership. Board of Adjustment Liaison Cline was present.
He stated that this membership has been paid by the Planning Board in the past, with no contribution
from the Board of Adjustment. He further noted that the Board of Adjustment has made no allowance
for such a cost in the 2017 budget.
Member Crespolini made a motion to approve payment for the noted membership dues. Member
Borders seconded the motion.
Roll Call Vote
Aye: Herman, Borders, Vocke, Katz, Kiselewsky, Westlake, Crespolini
Nay: None
Absent: Bond, Coffey, McCarthy, Bailly
Delaware Township Planning Board, Hunterdon County, NJ
February 7, 2017, page 2
•
Class – Financial and Records Management for Planning and Zoning Offices - $249.00, possible
split between Boards
Administrative Officer Klink explained that part of her duties with her new job is go through files and
see what items can be removed. She noted that she has worked with the Board of Adjustment for
nearly forty years and understands the record keeping of that Board. She noted that she is not as
familiar with the Planning Board and would like to take this class for proper review of the Planning
Board files, especially the accumulated files from the past.
Members discussed this proposal. It was suggested that the same request be made the Board of
Adjustment and then return to this Board for financial approval.
Member Borders made a motion to make a similar request of the Board of Adjustment. Member Katz
seconded the motion, which was approved by voice vote.
CORRESPONDENCE
Sidewalk Grant, presented by Township Committee Member Alan Johnson.
Mr. Johnson was present. He stated that a Pedestrian Safety Committee was organized in 2016 to
work on a comprehensive sidewalk plan for Sergeantsville. He noted that the 23 cent/per/gallon gas
tax increase has created grants for safety, connected to transportation. He noted that the goal is to
complete a sidewalk from Delaware Township School to the blinking light in Sergeantsville.
Mr. Johnson explained that the Fire House building is the evacuation facility for the school. He noted
that the students must walk along the roadway of Route 604 to access the Fire House. He noted that
there has been a sidewalk plan in place for ten years endorsed by the Township Committee and the
Planning Board. He noted that this grant request would institute the plan developed at that time.
Mr. Johnson noted that in the past there has been a lack of money and that obtaining federal grant
money is difficult, including an added expense – an inspector on site for the entire length of
construction.
Mr. Johnson stated that the new grant is State run, with less requirements. He noted that about
$160,000 of costs would be borne by this grant, but that some additional costs would not be covered.
Some costs not covered, as follows (not a complete list):
Acquisition of easement right of ways
Relocation of water shut offs and fire hydrants
DTMUA is a private operation, so any cost to them must be borne by the project.
Mr. Johnson noted that there would be costs of about $30,000, that would not be recoverable from the
grant, but would be borne by the Township.
There was a discussion about the Route 604 right-of-way. It was noted that the width of this r-o-w is
variable, so the County does not own it.
There was a discussion about maintenance. It was noted that the Township is responsible for the
maintenance once constructed, and that the homeowner does not have responsibility unless she/he
harms the sidewalk. Mr. Johnson noted that the responsibility for shoveling would be with property
owner, with an ordinance to support such snow-removal.
Delaware Township Planning Board, Hunterdon County, NJ
February 7, 2017, page 3
Member Kiselewsky asked about the rehabilitation of existing sidewalk portions. Mr. Johnson noted
that this is part of the project.
There was a discussion about the spur path through the Township-owned property currently housing
the Farmers’ Market and other gatherings. There was a discussion about the type of material to be
used for this sidewalk. Mr. Johnson noted that there is a 30 foot drainage easement through this entire
lot that is held by the County, which could affect the placement of this sidewalk.
There was a discussion about meeting the needs of the historic district. Member Borders noted that
there once was an ordinance about this; he also noted that the designation usually applies to
government action.
It was noted that there would probably be no impact on the busses.
Liaison Cline asked about impervious surface. Mr. Johnson noted that these calculations would be
done by Township Engineer Rick Roseberry. Liaison Cline also expressed his concern about flooding
in the village.
Member Borders noted that this request assumes an agreement by property owners and questioned
what if some say no. Mr. Johnson stated that such a contingency is to be determined.
Member Herman stated that this proposal is the recommendation of the Pedestrian Safety Committee.
Liaison Cline noted that the original proposal is more than ten years old, as prepared by Peter Turek.
He noted that this proposal is similar but also noted that the Jurgensen property portion has been done.
There was a discussion about the estimate and how long it is good for. Mr. Johnson noted that the
construction would not be done this year and does not expect that estimate should change drastically.
It was noted that any money needed beyond the grant would become the responsibility of the
Township budget.
Members discussed the letter of support. Member Borders asked that the safety issue be included.
Member Katz asked that mention of the sidewalk plan from the Master Plan be included.
There was more discussion about auxiliary costs, such as relocation of a fence and a retaining wall.
There was a question about what to do if the sidewalk cannot be done. Mr. Johnson noted that the
back-up plan is to repair Sanford Road.
Member Borders asked about the political activity needed to get the grant. Mr. Johnson noted that the
gas tax is not popular and these types of grants will ameliorate that cost.
Member Herman noted that there are certain class trips made to the Township Building and to the Fire
House from the school and that completion of this sidewalk would provide greater safety.
There was a discussion about crossing areas. It was noted that these details will need to be worked out
when the sidewalk grant is accepted. It was also noted that this is a new program and that such
programs were in the control of transportation professionals in the past. It was noted that this grant is
now more of a political process and that letters of support help in that process.
Delaware Township Planning Board, Hunterdon County, NJ
February 7, 2017, page 4
Member Katz made a motion to submit a letter of support for this Sidewalk Grant. Member
Kiselewsky seconded the motion which was adopted by voice vote. A copy of said letter follows the
minutes.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Subdivision and Site Plan Review Committee - Kiselewsky
Members: Bailly, Crespolini, Kiselewsky, Vocke
No applications
Agricultural Advisory Committee – Coffey
Members: Bond, Coffey, (Novak, Spayd)
Not present
Master Plan Committee – McCarthy
Members: Coffey, McCarthy, Westlake
Nothing new to report
Open Space Committee – Borders
Members: Borders, Coffey, alternate Westlake
Member Borders reported that the Reimer project is moving along with revised surveys and deeds due
to a bridge easement for the County. He noted that the monetary breakdown is as follows: County,
about $500,000; Green Acres, about $675,000; the Township, about $175,000 to $180.00.
Ordinance Review Committee – Coffey
Members: Coffey, Katz, Westlake
Nothing to report
Quarry Compliance Committee – Borders (Board Representative)
There is an upcoming meeting.
Stormwater Management Committee – (as needed)
LIAISON REPORTS
Board of Adjustment – Cline
Liaison Cline discussed the cell tower application on Locktown School Road. He noted that there was
more testimony and cross examination from the environmental expert and the planner. He noted that
there is another lot available, Lot 7.02 owned by Mr. Mundy, that is environmentally sensitive. He
noted that the Board has no regular applications.
Environmental Commission – Katz
Member Katz thanked the Planning Board for its approval for using its 2016 remaining money to
support a new NRI, Natural Resource Inventory. Secretary Klink noted that the price negotiated was
up to $7,000 and that Banisch Associates have already started the work.
Member Katz noted that the EC is Adopting-a-Highway, Route 29.
Member Katz noted that the School Environmental group has agreed to re-map the wetlands on the
Township owned property adjacent to the school and to the Jurgensen development.
Delaware Township Planning Board, Hunterdon County, NJ
February 7, 2017, page 5
Historical Advisory Committee – Vocke
Nothing new
Shade Tree Commission - Coffey
Secretary Klink stated that at the meeting, Township Arborist Willey talked about the bleak outlook of
ash trees due to the invasion of the emerald ash borer. EAB
RESOLUTIONS – none
APPLICATIONS- none / NEW BUSINESS
Meeting opened to the Public for Comments or Questions
There were no comments or questions from the public.
Meeting opened to the Board of Comments or Questions
Member Kiselewsky asked about the progress concerning the Wescott house. As reported by members
of the Township Committee, it was noted that there has been no resolution to date and that the
Township Committee is trying to set up a meeting with the County. It was noted that there has to be an
Administrative Transfer of Title between the County, State and the Township. It was further noted that
the Township is trying to avoid demolition by neglect.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:20 p.m.
It was moved, seconded, and unanimously carried to adjourn at the noted time.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen E. Klink,
Administrative Officer