North Hanover Township approves police ordinance

A public hearing concerning police salaries was held during the last North Hanover Township Committee meeting.

The township committee adopted the ordinance which covers the contract terms encompassing 1998 through 2001.

North Hanover Township and the North Hanover Township Police Association entered into a contract on February 17. Police salaries are retroactive. Bills were approved.

In correspondence, the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) received an application form the Limm farm (approximately 225 acres). The application was for a fee simple acquisition. The SADC notified the township of this application. The contractor, MECO, for the Ellisdale-Arneytown Road improvement project began work on March 6. According to a letter from MECO, it will take one week to complete. Lanes will not be closed if possible. The street will be open during construction.

There is on applicant for the Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition. This statewide scholarship competition focuses upon the them "serving your local community." The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and North Hanover Township Committee have teamed up to offer three $500.00 scholarships. This statewide competition is open to all high school juniors and seniors throughout the-State. The deadline for this competition is April 1. Garden State Cable is also offering a $300 scholarship. For more information regarding the scholarships, contact the municipal building.

The township committee approved Barbara Sprowl (Chief Financial Officer for NH) and Gene (Purchasing Agent) to attend purchasing agent workshop in Mt. Holly on April 18. The cost is $25 per person. The township committee also approved Barbara Sprowl and Mary A. (tax collector) to attend workshop in Dearwood at no cost on March 9.

REDI and REAP Information Notice and application was received. REAP is Regional Efficiency Aid Program. This program is a new state program that provides tax relief in local government units that entered new-shared services agreements after July 1, 1997. Tax relief will be directed towards "reducing property taxes owed by homeowners and landlords." It will be a "negative tax" in calculation. Some of the shared services of North Hanover include court and recreation.

The township committee discussed trash contracts. It seems that bids have not been denied as of the March 2 meeting. The township is waiting for Solicitor's recommendation and, upon the recommendation, mailing correspondence. Longview, the trash collector for the township, had a cost of $129.00 in the latest bid.

Construction of the additions to the municipal building was discussed. Reynolds, the contractor, did not have the contracts to this construction (at that time). Township and Solicitor will have to call and confirm. The township would like to have a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction.

The committee has sent a letter to 30th District Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R) requesting funds. The township listed numerous needed items including a second used ambulance for the Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company, two defibrillators for the fire company, one defibrillator for the police department, backup generators (for the fire company and the municipal building), and a four wheel drive vehicle for the police.

The letter mentioned that North Hanover's state aid has decreased by $91,000.

The next meeting of the North Hanover Township Committee will be held on Thursday, March 7 at 7:45 p.m. It will be located in the municipal building.