RANDOLPH TWP. —The council introduced several ordinances allocating funds received from the American Rescue Plan during the Tuesday, Sept. 14 Township Council meeting.
The first ordinance introduced allocates $75,000 for improvements to the stormwater outfall system. The second ordinance allocates $500,000 to paint the township’s water tank. The third ordinance allocates $150,000 to retrofit and improve the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems in township facilities.
“It’s great we are able to get these done with federal funding and save local taxpayers the additional expense and put funds to good use,” Mayor Mayor Mark Forstenhausler said.
The ordinances were introduced unanimously. The second readings and public hearing, for all three, will be held on at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sep. 23.
The township also introduced an ordinance establishing a new mid-block crosswalk across Doby Road.
The ordinance was passed unanimously. The public hearing will also be held on Thursday, Sep. 23.
The council adopted an ordinance, on second reading and public hearing, to allocate monies from the capital improvements fund to conduct an emergency repair of the Meadowbrook Pump Station.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously, with no public comment.
Community Relations Committee
The council discussed creating a community relations committee. The committee would be “dedicated to advancing an environment of understanding and acceptance of all individuals to further strengthen Randolph Township as a safe, welcoming, and exceptional place to live, work, and grow,” according to the mission statement.
“The Mission of the Randolph Township Community Relations Advisory Committee is to facilitate the following objectives: explore opportunities to improve community relations regarding diversity and inclusion within the Randolph Township; facilitate educational and cultural programs through networking with other entities including, but not limited to, County College of Morris, Township Library, Interfaith Council, and Morris County Human Relations Commission and to create a platform for residents to continue the discussion with respect to community relations.”
Among the committee’s charges, it would conduct a yearly review of public records available from the police department regarding bias incidents and crimes; review other municipality, county, state and other websites for ways to enhance and promote inclusive initiatives and create a Randolph Township municipal specific digital brochure with Randolph diversity and inclusion information.
That would include including, among other things, mental health resources, bias reporting, information for seniors and persons with disabilities, etc. The committee would also be charged with making sure it is available and marketed to all residents. The committee would also be tasked with suggesting ways to enhance the relationship between the community and the police department and report to the Township Council at least annually.
“Meetings are to be held once a month, must be open to the public, and determined by this committee,” according to the mission statement.
Committee members are to include: one chairperson appointed by council; one council liaison, non-voting; one police liaison, non-voting and eight members of the public who are Randolph residents. Each member would have a one year term.
Councilwoman Joanne Veech suggested that two students, perhaps a sophomore and junior should be included in the committee as well.
Ultimately, no decision was made, and the council will continue discussion on the formation of the committee at future meetings.
Parks Committee Update
Councilman Lou Nisivoccia, liaison to the parks committee, said the committee has installed holographic tape to park benches and trees to keep the Canadian Geese away from the benches and the trees.
“It is a simple, but effective fix,” Township Manager Stephen Mountain said.
Nisivoccia said the tape had to be replaced twice because township residents thought it was litter and threw it away.
“We actually had to put up a sign that said it wasn’t litter, and to please not remove it,” Nisivoccia said.
Spotted Lanternflies
Councilwoman Veech asked if the township had a plan to combat the growing population of spotted lantern flies, which are deadly to trees.
“The state has not issued anything, other than reporting and suggesting to kill the lantern fly,” Mountain said. “The impact for residents, from the lantern fly, is primarily a nuisance as the lantern fly is more of a crop threat to farmers and they are spraying and taking care of their crops. I haven’t seen anything, anywhere, from a state level on talking about a concern from a public health level. I’ve looked around and most towns aren’t doing anything but passing along the state information,” he said.
On another topic, Mountain said road paving projects have been delayed due to supply shortages.
The Randolph Rotary Country Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the municipal building, 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph. Council members will be available at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to give tours of the municipal building and to meet with members of the community to get to know them, and let them know a bit about the council and their duty to the community.
The next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 in the council chambers of the municipal building located at 502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph.
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