JACKSON TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 27, 2003
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surprised that a former mayor is relying upon newspaper articles for information instead of calling up the Administrator or the CFO and asking if any money has been allocated for this. She is content to rely on newspaper articles and that is shameful for a former mayor.
COMMITTEEMAN REILLY: He began by asking Mr. Starkey what has been done with this. Are there wetlands delineation, are their engineering reports or architectural renderings, what exactly has been done? What do we have conceptually? He stated that he would like to make a motion that when we do have a recommendation that comes from the Recreation Committee that we place it on the ballot for referendum. He said he just wants to open up the process. He later added that he suggested this because he doesn’t have the information he should have. Mr. Starkey stated that he would have to refer him to the Administrator. He is not a planner by trade. He thinks some work is done but it is in the conceptual stages. What you have identified tonight are things that need to be done. I think at the moment its open for discussion. Before you get to the stage your talking about such as applications, etc., you need to know where your going to go and what your going to do. He said his understanding is they haven’t gotten to the point yet such as engineering concepts. You wouldn’t get to that until you decide what is going to be put into the center. Committeeman Giblin stated what they have is the presentation that was made several weeks ago. He told Mr. Reilly that he was sitting in the audience and he didn’t say anything then. Committeeman Grisanti stated the money that was spent so far was for the engineering on the land. They would have done this whether they put a recreational center there or a municipal building. As far as the recreational center itself they haven’t engaged an architect. He asked if the Recreation Commission comes back with a recommendation that we should not put in a swimming pool, should we still put it out as a referendum? He then said that he can’t second a motion when he doesn’t even no if there will be a need for a referendum. He explained that he takes his position on the Township Committee very seriously and the voter puts their trust in the elected officials to make decisions that they think are the best on the public’s behalf. If we have a referendum every time we have to make a tough decision then we are not fulfilling our position as elected officials. He told Mr. Reilly to contact the Administrator or Bob Ryley and get the information he needs. Don’t come to every meeting and say you don’t have the information. Committeeman Broderick said it sounds like Mr. Reilly doesn’t want to answer the tough questions and just put everything on a ballot. We are opening the process by giving it out to the public by way of the Recreation Commission. He then asked Mr. Reilly if he was aware of the petition with over 600 signatures?
GARY BLACK, 76 LEWIS LANE: He questioned something that Mr. Ryley said regarding taking the slant off the table and then we wouldn't get the ratables. He explained that he has been involved in Municipal Government since the 1970s. Never forget this is why he advocates the National Land Trust Fund, you cannot have ratables without expense. You have Police, Fire, garbage pick-up, etc. The reason why we are running out of space to build is because we are running out of infrastructures to put it in. Preserving land not only makes sense but it makes dollars and cents. A question was asked of Josh Reilly whether he knew of the petition. My question to the other three of you is did you know about Mitch Leigh's plans before it went public?
GENEVA CLAYTON, 569 BURKE ROAD: She began by saying that she agrees with Bob Ryley, which is very difficult to say. She thinks there should be answers to questions, but she agrees that we can't put the cart before the horse. She explained that she is talking about the Town Center, which has been a campaign issue for many years. It was a wonderful idea until all of a sudden it is down to the wire. Now the pool issue, she thinks with 600 signatures they should take this very seriously. You are the voice of the people. I think the people are saying they want to know these things before you make a decision on them. If it takes a referendum what are they afraid of? You want what is best for the Town. In closing, she told them to remember they are the voice of the people and she thinks they may have forgotten that.