UPPER TOWNSHIP – Upper Township Committee is considering adding a new position – assistant administrator – but that didn’t receive unanimous approval.
At Monday night’s committee meeting, municipal attorney Daniel Young suggested expanding the role of the township administrator, a position held by Scott Morgan. Morgan also is the emergency management coordinator for the township.
With the added responsibilities, Young advised adding the new position in municipal government.
Committeeman John D. Coggins Jr. vehemently opposed the new position.
“As a Republican committee, we believe in small government,” he said, adding that a new position is a waste of money.
Committeewoman Kimberly R. Hayes said that title could be given to a current employee.
Committeeman Mark E. Pancoast said the township is growing and will likely continue to grow, something that could necessitate the assistant administrator job.
The committee decided to create and budget for the new position, but not necessarily fill the job right away. Coggins was the only member opposing the move.
Committee members also discussed whether to change the format of the meetings, holding public comment at the beginning or award presentations at the end.
Hayes noted people attending the meetings for award presentations would be forced to wait until the conclusion of business. It also was suggested separate meetings be held for public comment, but no formal action was taken and it appears the current format will remain in place.
In other news from the meeting:
– Hayes noted Shore Veterinarians is offering a free clinic on Saturday, Jan. 29.
– Municipal Engineer Paul Dietrich said recent storms have greatly eroded the Strathmere beaches, which will need work.
– Deputy Mayor John “Jay” Newman asked about adding stop signs or speed bumps to deal with speeding on Randolph Avenue. Dietrich said because stop signs are difficult to enforce in the township, which does not have its own police force and relies on the State Police, speed humps would be a better option.
– Sean Fenton and Christopher Hohman were appointed to public works positions.
– The committee also approved a no-passing zone on Route 49 between mile posts 50.51 and 52.95.
– Committee authorized the Historical Preservation Society’s use of the train station for holiday-themed train rides, after assurance that they would be held within reasonable hours.
– The committee renewed mining permits for the year, pending the new company acquiring the requisite licenses.
– Hayes said there is a need for new lights on the football field at Caldwell Park because the poles are 40 years old. She also noted that at Caldwell the hockey rink and tennis courts need renovation, as does the Community Center. She suggested delaying work on the pole barn and skate park to allow for funding on these smaller projects.
– The committee discussed the cleaning truck, which is 20 years old and needs major repair work or replacement. Pancoast suggested looking into the viability of leasing a cleaning truck or working out a shared-services agreement with another municipality.
– A resolution authorizing a contract with Tiffany Morissey, PP and Tiffany A. Cuviello, PP, LLC for planning services was tabled to the closed session of the meeting.
– Dietrich provided an overview of the flood damage control ordinance. He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has found many towns in the state are not in compliance with new regulations and are thus ineligible for flood insurance. While new Department of Environmental Protection regulations change little about requirements, they demand updates in the application and presentation process.
Dietrich advised a $10,000 minimum value on renovation jobs to require a flood permit.
– The committee will meet next at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
By KYLE McCRANE/Special to the Sentinel
