Pending Ordinances and Resolutions

TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON

COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION 2017-84

COMMENTS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE NJDOT ON THE PROPOSED ROUTE 80 ROCK WALL PROJECT THROUGH THE DELAWARE WATER GAP

WHEREAS, the NJ DOT has plans to install a fence along Route 80 westbound through the Delaware Water Gap; and

WHEREAS, construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2020 and may last two years; and

WHEREAS, the proposed fence will be constructed within the DOT right of way on land owned by Knowlton and Hardwick Townships and the National Park Service; and

WHEREAS, a public meeting regarding the fence was hosted by the DOT at Knowlton Elementary School on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM; and

WHEREAS, the period for submission of comments by stakeholders and the public is now underway.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this Committee authorizes Acting Clerk Shipps to submit the following comments on behalf of Knowlton Township regarding the proposed Route 80 Rockwall Fence:

• The informational meeting on June 14, 2017, lacked detail and was structured so that attendees received varying information from presenters. We hereby request a detailed, sit-down presentation for residents containing the visual slides and information provided to Warren County and the mayors of Hardwick and Knowlton.
• Current DOT plans do not take into account an expedited means for Emergency Vehicles to bypass the construction zone. Since Knowlton’s closest hospital is in Pennsylvania, Knowlton Fire & Rescue must be granted access to shoulders or areas for construction vehicles to allow them to bypass congestion when responding to emergencies.
• Knowlton Fire & Rescue requests the names and phone numbers of project managers and construction supervisors prior to construction beginning.
• The section of Route 80 under discussion is already the site of numerous vehicle accidents, which Knowlton Township Fire & Rescue responds to on behalf of both Knowlton and Hardwick. Each one of those incidents results in the use of costly supplies by Knowlton Fire & Rescue. We hereby request a $10,000 deposit from NJDOT to Knowlton Fire & Rescue for materials and/or supplies used in emergency responses to accidents on Route 80 during the two-year project. Unused funds will be returned.
• No chemical defoliants may be used in or near Knowlton Township land. Discussions with the DOT project manager at the June 14 meeting led to assurances that chemical defoliants would be used “legally.” Knowlton Township Committee received complaints from residents after chemical defoliants were sprayed extensively during the erection of the DOT’s Route 46 fence. We do not grant permission for that to occur again with the Route 80 fence construction. If necessary, manual means of defoliation may be used.
• The area termed a “berm,” which will reach 60 feet in height and resemble a stepped pyramid made of rock, should be landscaped to deter hikers and adolescents from climbing on it.
• Closing Route 80, even for 15-minute intervals, without providing an alternate route is unacceptable. Contact the State of Pennsylvania regarding using Route 611 as an alternate route.
• Trees removed in the construction zone may be replanted on Knowlton Township open space lands on Route 46.
• Information provided at the June 14 meeting indicates Route 80 lanes will be narrowed to 10 feet during construction. State snow plows are 12 feet in width. Reconcile this conflict during snow season.
• The DOT has plans to repave the Route 80/Route 46 interchange in Knowlton Township at roughly the same time as the Rock Wall Project. Stagger the two projects to avoid unnecessary further congestion.

July 10, 2017

Motion:

Second:

Roll Call: Van Horn — , Cuntala — , Farber — , Shipps — , Starrs —

____________________________________

Kristin Kolb Shipps, Acting Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON

COUNTY OF WARREN

RESOLUTION 2017-85

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNIT

WHEREAS, Knowlton Township has determined to provide affordable housing to low and moderate income families, and

WHEREAS Knowlton’s plan includes providing rental units for these families, and

WHEREAS Knowlton’s request for Declaratory Judgment before the Court includes affordable housing rental units at 9 Clinton Street.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Knowlton, County of Warren, State of New Jersey that it hereby accepts and approves of a

one bedroom affordable housing rental unit deed restricted for 30 years at 9 Clinton Street.

BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED that said approval is contingent upon clear title and filing of all required documents with the Township and that a copy of this resolution be provided the

Township counsel.

Dated: July 10, 2017

Motion:

Second:

Roll Call: Cuntala-- , Farber-- , Shipps-- , Van Horn-- , Starrs--

TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON

COUNTY OF WARREN

RESOLUTION 2017-86

CONTI FARM COST SHARE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the State Agriculture Development Committee [SADC] certified a market value [CMV] of $3,750 per acre for the farmland preservation development easement on the Conti Farm, located at, 142 Knowlton Road in Knowlton Township NJ and owned by Natale Conti [Block 61, Lots 10, 22 and 43 – approximately 278 acres with two non-severable exceptions, one of approximately 3.0 acres and another of approximately 2 acres], which farm is contained in Warren County’s 2018 Planning Incentive Grant Program;

Whereas, the cost share from the state is estimated to be $2,650 per acre: and

WHEREAS, based on the Township’s application, the County of Warren will provide a cost share of approximately $550/acre for the acquisition of said development easement, holding title to such development easement; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Knowlton, in the County of Warren, as follows:

1. The acquisition of the development easement on the Conti Farm [Block 61, Lots 10, 22 and 43] is approved.

2. The Township commits to the funding of the acquisition of said development easement on the Conti Farm [Block 61, Lots 10, 22 and 43] of $550/acre or approximately $150,150

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by said Township Committee that the Municipal Clerk of this Township is directed to forward to the Warren County Agriculture Development Board and the State Agriculture Development Committee certified copies of this Resolution as requested and required.

Date: July 10, 2017

Motion:

Second:

Roll Call: Cuntala-- , Farber-- , Shipps-- , Van Horn-- , Starrs--

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Knowlton Township Committee at the meeting held on July 10, 2017

___________________________

Kristin Shipps, Municipal Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION #2017-87

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND ACTING CLERK TO SIGN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT

WHEREAS , Municipal Prosecutor Jim Pfeiffer met with Knowlton Township Committee on June 12, 2017 to discuss an outdated professional services contract.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Acting Clerk are authorized to sign and attest on behalf of the township a current professional services contract.

Date July 10, 2017

Motion:

Second:

Roll Call: Cuntala-- , Farber-- , Shipps-- , Van Horn-- , Starrs--

__________________________________________

Kristin Shipps, Acting Municipal Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF KNOWLTON

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

RESOLUTION #2017-88

RESOLUTION REAPPOINTING ACTING MUNICIPAL CLERK PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A 40A: 9-133

WHEREAS, commencing on July 11, 2016, Kristin Shipps was appointed to serve as Acting Municipal Clerk, with the appointment continuing through July 10, 2017: and

WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A 40A:9-133(c) within 90 days of the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of municipal clerk by reason of the departure of a registered municipal clerk, the governing body may appoint a person who does not hold a registered municipal clerk certificate to serve as Acting Municipal Clerk, for a period not to exceed one year, commencing on the date of the vacancy; and

WHEREAS, Kristin Shipps has the qualifications to serve as the Acting Municipal Clerk, has served as the Acting Municipal Clerk since her appointment, and the Township Committee seeks to extend her appointment.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , by the Township Committee of Knowlton Township in the County of Warren, State of New Jersey, that Kristin Shipps is hereby reappointed to serve as Acting Municipal Clerk commencing on July 11, 2017 and continuing through July 10, 2018.

Date July 10, 2017

Motion:

Second:

Roll Call: Cuntala-- , Farber-- , Shipps-- , Van Horn-- , Starrs--

__________________________________________

Kristin Shipps, Acting Municipal Clerk

I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Knowlton, Warren County, State of New Jersey at a regular meeting held on July 10, 2017.

___________

Kristin Shipps, Acting Municipal Clerk