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[quote="Guest"]TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 19, 2008

"Cranbury Township Ordinance 04-08-10

A motion to enter an Ordinance entitled, “Cranbury Township Ordinance 04-08-10, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY AMENDING “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES, WAGES AND BENEFITS FOR VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CRANBURY PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER OF PAYMENT THEREOF, AND RATIFYING SALARIES AND PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES AND OFFICIALS PREVIOUSLY PAID”, was presented for second reading and final adoption. The Ordinance was published in the Cranbury Press, posted on the Township Bulletin Board and copies were available to the public. The Mayor opened the public hearing on the Ordinance. Ms. Smeltzer stated in prior years the Township’s Salary Ordinance was placing the amount of salaries for a position in the Ordinance and this year the Township wanted to provide a range for different positions. A Salary Study was performed in preparing the Ordinance. Mayor Stout stated the new system provides a more meaningful employee evaluation process as well and will benefit both the Township and employee. Mr. Wittman stated this year, as was the case the previous year, the Township Committee members had elected not to take the increase in their respective salaries. Ms. Linda Scott, 109 North Main Street, asked why both full-time and part-time positions are listed for the Tax Collector and Accounts Payable/Purchasing Clerk. Ms. Smeltzer responded there is a possibility the positions may become part-time and in order to facilitate same, has to be reflected in the Salary Ordinance. Mayor Stout added, “for flexibility”. No one else present wished to speak, so the hearing was declared closed. On motion by Mr. Stannard, seconded by Mr. Wittman, the Ordinance was adopted by a vote:
...
POSITION
HOURLY RATE

Mayor
$ 7,436.52

Township Committee
$ 5,949.58

Township Clerk/Registrar
$ 76,284.26

Tax Assessor
$ 50,612.64

Tax Collector - Hourly
$32.45 per hour

Tax Collector - Salary (effective June 1, 2008)
$ 33,748.00

Chief of Police
$ 120,767.30
...
Work Session

a. Discussion on possible acquisition of former PNC Bank Building and Lot located on North Main Street.

The Township Committee discussed and took comments from the public concerning the possible acquisition of the former PNC Bank Building, located on North Main Street. Following is a summary of comments which were made by various residents:

Mayor Stout led the discussion stating at this time the discussion is not about a Library; it is to determine if the Township wants to move forward in the acquisition of the former PNC Bank Building or end the process now.

Ms. Stave reported she had checked on putting a referendum on the ballot to ascertain the sentiments of the voters and the approximate cost to do so would be approximately $16,000 (the cost of the Primary Election). Ms. Stave stated at a recent Planning Board Meeting, the Township Planner had made the remark the Township should not buy the bank building without a purpose. She disagreed, referencing the Township’s purchase of the West Property many years ago without a purpose.

Mr. Nick Kafasis, 29 Scottsdale Court, spoke in favor of purchasing the building and to keep the parking for the merchants in the Village area.

Mr. Jack Ziegler, 9 Prospect Drive, spoke in favor of purchasing the building and recommended not using County or State monies to do so.

Kirstie Venanzi, 18 Brainerd Drive, urged the Township to maintain the nature of the Village area and keep parking available. Ms. Venanzi stated by purchasing the property it would control development in the downtown area, adding the purchase would end up costing a family approximately $40/year to buy the property.

Spencer Warren Perrine, Plainsboro Road, stated he was in favor of buying the property. He suggested that part of the space could be rented out and bring in income to the Township.

Robert Dreyling, 32 Old Cranbury Road, stated there are two (2) issues: bringing in traffic to the downtown business area and parking. Mr. Dreyling stated when he had served on the Planning Board, any applicant applying for approval had to provide a plan for parking and many times business owners would look to have parking in their backyards. Mr. Dreyling stated a library or community center would not bring people to Cranbury’s downtown area.

Karen Finigan, North Main Street, stated she was a former resident of the Township and had just moved back. She recommended the Township have a vision of the Town (as referenced in the Master Plan) on how to solve the parking issue. Ms. Finigan recommended the Township take a prompt and proactive approach to complete the due diligence toward the purchase without a specific or proscribed use for the building and stated the Township Committee should consider the cost/benefit of the parking lot as a viable way to fulfill the long existing need for additional public parking.

Jack Frohbiebter, 34 Cranbury Neck Road, stated he was opposed to the purchase as it would serve no purpose and would expand government.

Betty Wagner, 158 North Main Street, stated the building is in the center of our State and National Historic District, surrounded by many, many preserved historic buildings. The original bank building built in 1890, still stands as part of the current bank building and even today has served as a focus in the community. Ms. Wagner explained before PNC acquired the building, it was owned by Midlantic Bank and, as such, served as the focus for the United States Bicentennial Celebration in 1977. At that time, after appropriate speeches, etc., a Time Capsule, containing Township records, records of the various Cranbury organizations, photographs and an aerial view of the Town circa 1977, and other memorabilia of Cranbury was placed in the building—to be opened on July 4, 2022, which will be the 325th anniversary of the town’s founding, and the 150 anniversary of Cranbury’s incorporation as a Township. In addition, in 1997 a Northern Red Oak, the State tree of New Jersey, was planted at the front of the then Midlantic parking lot and is commemorated by a marker on the site. Ms. Wagner added, the property is worthy of the Township’s favorable decision to acquire it, and, hopefully, to preserve it in the tradition of Historic Cranbury.

Kevin Fox, 19 Liedtke Drive, recommended the Township continue to look at the purchase of the building and further stated if the building is owned by the Township, it can control its use.

David Cook, North Main Street, spoke in favor of the purchase and also recommended the Township look at various opportunities for its use.

Jason Stewart, 6 Cubberly Court, stated the threat of the new proposed COAH rules should be considered before the Township pursue such an acquisition. The Township should be investing dollars to buy open space and not a building. He stated this was not the right time to invest in such an acquisition and the Township’s debt level is not enough to cover its COAH obligations. Mr. Stewart stated the question should be put to the voters and asked just how essential the purchase is to the Township. He stated 100% of the Township’s focus should be on saving money, should the new COAH rules not go in favor of the Township.

Mayor Stout reminded the residents, everyone was here as a community for a discussion to discuss an opportunity; nothing more, nothing less.

Brian Deverin, 64 Cranbury Neck Road, asked if a show of hands could be demonstrated as he could not determine from the remarks made how many were for or against the acquisition of the building. Mr. Deverin then stated he had determined 80% for and about 20% against. He stated the current downtown district flavor be preserved.

Frank Marlowe, 11 North Main Street, stated he was not in favor of purchasing the building for an unspecified purpose. If the Township were to purchase the building it should be for a “lofty purpose”, such as a library and stated the layout of the building is very similar to the existing library. Mr. Marlowe also stated it would be worth a public investment to move the adult section from the current library to the bank building thus freeing up space in the School and at whatever the price now the investment would be a bargain.

Florence Kettelkamp, 26 Labaw Drive, stated she is worried about the Township’s debt and recommended the Township be more prudent. Ms. Kettelkamp stated the building will still keep its historic look even if the Township does not purchase the building.

Winthrop Cody, 8 Adams Drive, stated the Township should define the problem first, then find a solution and then define the cost and recommended the Township get input from its residents.

Richard Kallan, 10 Wynnewood Drive, stated he was not in favor of purchasing the building as items always cost more money than originally thought.

John Ritter, Plainsboro Road, stated the Township could not make a good decision without knowing the final asking price for the bank and the costs of renovating the building for its potential uses and recommended the Township go forward and negotiate and get a detailed understanding of what the costs would be to renovate the building versus building from scratch from property that is already owned by the Township.

Mark Berkowsky, North Main Street, stated without knowing the buildings use the cost to purchase the building is not what the Township needs. Mr. Berkowsky stated the Township should not be in the business of buying up real estate. In addition, he stated it would cost approximately $1,000,000 to renovate the building and to make it into a library, over $1,000,000. The Township will be burdened with Affordable Housing costs should the new COAH rules go into effect.

Art Hasselbach, Route 130, stated he was concerned with the costs the Township would be incurring should it purchase the building. The Township has COAH obligations and most likely will need to acquire land to meet those obligations. Mr. Hasselbach also stated should the building be purchased for use as a library, there would be renovation costs, heating/air conditioning costs and double staff costs.

Bob Finigan, North Main Street, stated the Township needs to get more facts before making such a decision. The Historic Preservation Society will control the look of the building even if the Township does not buy it. Mr. Finigan stated he is concerned about losing the parking spaces the Township now has at the site.

Linda Cody, 8 Adams Drive, stated she was not in favor of the acquisition of the building. Ms. Cody stated the Township should optimize its existing space. The purchase would not be a good idea due to unknown renovation costs and the economic situation at this time.

Dan Dreyling, 32 Old Cranbury Road, stated he was very concerned with the COAH issue and the Township would be very short sighted to put money into a new building and urged the Township to focus on the COAH issue instead.

Kelly Lehman, 60 Old Cranbury Neck Road, stated she also is very concerned about the COAH issue, however, urged the Township not to make a decision not to purchase the building just because of the COAH issue.

James Taylor, 13 South Main Street, stated even if the Township should decide not to pursue the purchase of the building, any business that does buy the building would most likely allow the Township to continue to utilize the existing parking spaces.

Connie Bauder, Petty Road, stated the Township needs to make a business decision, however, without a purpose for the bank building, it cannot. She also stated she is against having a free-standing library at the site.

William Kanawyer, 20 Brainerd Drive, stated he felt the Township should continue with the process as the property is unique and is worthy of consideration. He urged the Township to gather information and then present the information to the public. He also stated he is in favor of having a free-standing library at the site.

Nancy Kietlinski, 82 South Main Street, stated she felt the Township is trying to keep up with other towns such as Plainsboro, who is in the process of building a new library. Ms. K urged the Township to watch its spending and stated without a plan the Township should not purchase the building.

Nick Kafasis, 29 Scottsdale Court, stated the Township should continue on in the process and he felt the building should be used as a library. Mr. Kafasis noted the School has expanded twice since he moved here in the ‘70s and enrollment has gone from 270 children to over 600 now. Having a library at the site would free up space for classrooms in the School.

Mayor Stout concluded the discussion and thanked everyone for attending.

Township Committeeman Wayne Wittman stated he is not in favor of pursing the acquisition or purchasing the building because of his concern with the upcoming COAH issues.

Township Committeeman Richard Stannard stated he recommends studying further the facts and recommended forming a subcommittee to look at several of the issues raised this evening by residents and the issues with COAH should not scare the Township not to.

Township Committeeman Thomas F. Panconi, Jr., stated he was not in favor of the acquisition because of the upcoming COAH issues. He projected COAH could very well cost the Township $68-million.

Mayor Stout stated there are not enough Township Committee members in favor of the acquisition to bond for the monies. He further explained to adopt a bond ordinance, two-thirds (2/3) of the full membership is needed (4 members) and therefore the Township would not be pursuing the acquisition.
..."

http://www.cranburytownship.org/TC_minutes051908.pdf[/quote]

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