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GREEN BROOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
LOCATION: Middlesex Boro DRAFT
DATE: January 3, 2007
NOTE:
Adequate notice of this meeting was provided informing the public of time and place according to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Law (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975). Adequate notice is also given to provide copies of meeting notice to area newspapers and member municipalities and county governments.
IN ATTENDANCE
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Frank McArdle – No Plainfield John O’Connor – UA ACOE
Theodore Bassman-Scotch Plains George M Ververides – Middlesex Cty
Richard O’Connor-Engineer GBFCC Raymond S Murray – Green Brook
Melonie Marano – Green Brook Anthony Addario - Watchung
John Gausz – Watchung John Sweeney – Boro of Middlesex
Anthony Aversa – Dunellen Alice Tempel – South Plainfield
William Robins – Dunellen Adrian O Mapp –Union Cty Freeholder
Barbara James – for Asmb. Green Jim Koch - Public
Ed Zujkowski – Bound Brook Tom Mineo – Union County
Bill Crosby – No Plainfield Joe Debler - Piscataway
Joe Skupien – Somerset County Eugene Dudley – Plainfield Comm.
Charles Defendorf - NJDEP Frank D’Aversa – Plainfield resident
Frank J Ryan – Mayor, Bound Brook
CORRESPONDENCE
Chairman Debler provided and read the resolution of appreciation to Frank Meeks for the many years of service to the Green Brook Flood Control Commission. The resolution was approved as presented.
A release form from the Township of Piscataway allowing use of their facilities for the June meeting of the GBFCC was forwarded.
A Thank You letter was received from the NJ Alliance for dues paid by the Commission.
A signature change approval from Provident Bank was received to change the signature from Frank Meeks to Ray Murray. Mr Meeks has provided the Commission all financial files in his possession.
Chairman Debler confirmed an agreement sent to Grotto Engineering Associates to extend their services until December 31,2007.
A notice of appointments was received for Middlesex Boro that included Mr Sweeney’s appointment for the next 5 years.
A letter was received from the State of NJ with recommendations of alternatives for the flood protection of Green Brook (Upper Basin scooping study).
TREASURER’S REPORT
Ray Murray provided a summary of expenses & income for 2006 to the commission.
Invoices have gone out to the member communities/counties.
A bill was received from Tina Totten for December mailings that totaled $84.99. Motion was made & approved to pay noted bill for December.
It was noted that a check from Plainfield for 2006 was received in December.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
No report.
FINANCE REPORT
A vote was taken to retain Winning Strategies as a public relations firm for the GBFCC.
Chairman Debler requested a motion to accept the December meeting minutes.
Correction notations to the minutes were noted as follows:
Finance report – (page 2, 2nd paragraph) – titles of “Senators” should be
corrected to read “Congressmen”
1st page – George Ververides affiliation corrected to Middlesex County
Pages – should be numbered
Meeting locations – May should be Legislative Branch
August should be Memorial Svc – 1st Saturday in August
Motion to accept the December minutes as corrected were approved.
It was indicated the address for the GBFCC is being changed on the website to reflect Green Brook Town Hall and dropping Frank Meeks’ post office fax and e-mail address.
There was discussion to determine if 3 or 6 months is enough to maintain minutes, RFP’s, etc on the website. Information will be removed as necessary based on web-storage capacity after 6 months.
Chairman Debler reminded members to provide Tina Totten with their e-mail addresses. He noted the addresses still missing – Scotch Plains, Warren, Dunellen, South Plainfield, Watchung, Middlesex. The addresses will provide Mayors, Council members and other interested parties of the date/location of the GBFCC meetings.
ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
John O’Connor noted that funding for the fiscal year began in October 2006 under a continuing resolution. $5 million in the House & Senate version of the budget will be what is available in 2007. When funds become depleted the work slowly ends.
Conrail Bridge removal
– The contract was awarded December 20, 2006. Work will start in January 2007 and end approximately September 2007. The spur acts as a blockage in Middlesex Boro & So Bound Brook. To build the levee, the spur needs to be removed which would cause no induced flooding in that area. Once the bridge is removed, the necessary permits can be acquired from the DEP to re-develop the structures.
Talmadge Ave Bridge raising
– The contract will be awarded in March 2007. The work will be set up in phases. Beginning with utility re-locations, interior drainage, detention basins, and demolition of some structures. Then the bulk of the work (demolition money) will happen after October 2007 when the budget for 2008 will be available to do the actual demolition of the bridge & place new structures.
Prospect Place
– 18 structures were originally demolished. There was some concern along Rt 28 where some work was left incomplete. It was thought the area could be used by police as a speed trap. Instead it was being used for illegal turns and trucks were using same for parking. They were able to finish the work a few weeks ago by taking out the pavement & cleaning up. The property is being transferred to the State.
Finderne Farm
– 95% of the work is done. Extra money was set aside to complete & will be finished in the spring.
It was questioned the time frame of the projects – since all work that has been done in the past 9 years could be lost by any flooding. Mr O’Connor indicated that the ACOE can only build projects as appropriations are received & they are limited to spending what is received.
Mr Dudley asked what impact this would have on Plainfield. It was indicated there would be none. The actual physical structure has none but lack of funding does. The longer it takes it takes for future projects to be completed.
NJDEP REPORT
Mr Defendorf thanked Middlesex and Somerset County for their cooperation. He noted the ACOE should be thanked for the Conrail project getting done due to the safety hazard. He also noted meeting with hazard cleanup to assure public funds are not being used for a toxic problem & to make sure the responsible parties are doing what is required.
QUESTIONS
Attendees questioned the likelihood of receiving a lump sum amount to complete the entire project. There is little or no chance of obtaining funding in a lump sum for the entire project.
The GBFCC has retained the Public Relations firm to lobby for funding to complete the Bound Brook portion of the project. It is anticipated that this portion will require $30 million.
The GBFCC requests that the member communities and counties pass and transmit supporting resolutions requesting the $30 million figure.
It is noted that the flood control structures in place are at-risk until this portion of the project is completed. The GBFCC is competing for funding with beach replenishment projects, the dredging of NY Harbor and others with a benefit of protection of tourism and commerce industries. It is collectively our job to explain the significance of the protection of lives and property in this region in the event of another flood.
Melonie Marano asked if the resolutions should be re-issued for appropriations. It was indicated that the resolutions should be sent to the GBFCC to make sure they are received by the appropriate Senators & Congressmen. Mr McArdle will provide draft resolutions to be given to the townships concerned.
Chairman Debler expressed appreciation of Middlesex Boro for use of their facility and their support of the GBFCC projects.
Chairman Debler noted the 2007 meeting dates and locations:
February - Watchung, Municipal Bldg
March - North Plainfield, Senior Citizens
April - Dunellen
May - Legislative Lunch
June - Piscataway
July - Scotch Plains – 2nd Wednesday, July 11
August - Memorial Service
September - Green Brook
October - OPEN
November - OPEN
December - Plainfield
Meeting adjourned.
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