Lebanon Township Committee approves $337,000 bond note, telecom contract and $1.2M bill list

The Lebanon Township Committee on July 19 approved several fiscal and procurement measures, including designation of a $337,000 bond anticipation note as a qualified tax‑exempt obligation, the award of a two‑year hosted VoIP PBX contract to Monmouth Telecom, and the July bill list totaling $1,225,116.18.

The actions came during a regularly scheduled meeting called to order by Mayor Beverly Koehler at 7:00 p.m. Committee members present were Mike Schmidt, Thomas McKee, Brian Wunder and Abe Abuchowski. The minutes of the July 5, 2023 Regular and Executive Session meetings were approved before substantive business began; that motion was moved by Committee member Abe Abuchowski and seconded by Committee member Mike Schmidt.

The Committee unanimously adopted Resolution No. 89‑2023 to designate a bond anticipation note dated July 21, 2023 and payable July 19, 2024, in the principal amount of $337,000 as a "qualified tax‑exempt obligation" under Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Committee member Abe Abuchowski introduced the resolution and Committee member Mike Schmidt seconded the motion. The resolution directs municipal officers to take actions necessary to preserve the federal tax exclusion for interest on the Township's obligations.

The Committee also awarded a two‑year hosted VoIP PBX contract to Monmouth Telecom of Red Bank, N.J., at a cost of $462.00 per month, with a Township option to extend for an additional year at the same price and terms. The award followed solicitation of two proposals and was described in the resolution as the most advantageous proposal, price and other factors considered. The action was adopted by unanimous roll‑call vote.

Under unfinished business, the Committee approved Webb Appraisal to perform three appraisals required by Green Acres for Block 49, Lot 75 at a cost of $1,700, Webb having been the lowest responsible proposer. The Committee also authorized electrical upgrade work at Fire Station #2, accepting the lowest of three quotes from Hope Electric LLC; quoted ranges presented to the Committee ran from $5,449.20 to $7,565, and the work was funded from ARP allocations in the capital budget.

The July 19 bill list totaling $1,225,116.18 was approved by roll call. Committee members Mike Schmidt, Thomas McKee and Abe Abuchowski voted in favor. Mayor Beverly Koehler abstained from voting on purchase order PO 23000679 only; Committee member Brian Wunder abstained from voting on purchase order PO 23000680 only. Committee members provided descriptions of vouchers exceeding $1,000 during the presentation of vouchers.

The Committee also adopted Resolution No. 91‑2023 and convened in executive session at 7:14 p.m. to discuss matters that included pending or anticipated litigation (listed in the resolution as Township of Lebanon v. Yuhas), contract negotiations and personnel matters; the public meeting reconvened at 8:23 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Minutes (July 5, 2023): motion to approve moved by Committee member Abe Abuchowski, seconded by Committee member Mike Schmidt. Vote — Ayes: Mike Schmidt, Thomas McKee, Abe Abuchowski, Beverly Koehler; Abstain: Brian Wunder (motion carried).

- Resolution 89‑2023 (designate $337,000 BAN as qualified tax‑exempt obligation): moved by Committee member Abe Abuchowski, seconded by Committee member Mike Schmidt; outcome — approved (unanimous roll‑call).

- Resolution 90‑2023 (award hosted VoIP PBX services to Monmouth Telecom at $462/month): moved by Committee member Thomas McKee, seconded by Committee member Abe Abuchowski; outcome — approved (unanimous roll‑call).

- Webb Appraisal (Block 49, Lot 75 appraisal, $1,700): moved by Committee member Mike Schmidt, seconded by Committee member Abe Abuchowski; outcome — approved (unanimous roll‑call).

- Hope Electric LLC (electrical work, Fire Station #2): moved by Committee member Thomas McKee, seconded by Committee member Brian Wunder; outcome — approved (unanimous roll‑call). Funding source identified as ARP funds in the capital budget.

- Bill list (July 19, 2023) — $1,225,116.18: moved by Committee member Mike Schmidt, seconded by Committee member Thomas McKee; outcome — approved. Ayes: Schmidt, McKee, Abuchowski; Mayor Beverly Koehler abstained on PO 23000679 only; Committee member Brian Wunder abstained on PO 23000680 only.

What this means

The actions approve near‑term financing, routine municipal contracts for telecom and facility maintenance, and a large disbursement of approved vouchers. The designation of the bond anticipation note as a qualified tax‑exempt obligation is intended to preserve the federal tax treatment of interest on that short‑term obligation. The executive session was used to address litigation and personnel matters; no public decisions from that session were disclosed after reconvening. The Committee listed a Friends of Memorial Park Fall Fest for Sept. 23, 2023 and received a museum curator's report during correspondence.

(Reporting based on the Township Committee minutes and motions read into the record; direct quotations were not recorded in the minutes.)