Lebanon Committee adopts fee and ethics rules, approves capital purchases and $3.64 million bill list

The Township Committee of the Township of Lebanon unanimously adopted a package of ordinances and resolutions at its Nov. 6, 2024, regular meeting, including code amendments, ethics rules, capital purchases and budget transfers.

Ordinance No. 14-2024, which amends inspection-fee language and the township fee schedule, was adopted following a public hearing in which no members of the public spoke. Mayor Beverly Koehler opened the public hearing and Committeeman Jay Wojcik moved for adoption; the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call. The committee also introduced Ordinance No. 15-2024, a first-reading capital ordinance appropriating $125,000 from the 2024 Capital Improvement Fund for municipal building improvements; the public hearing on Ordinance 15 is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2024.

The committee reinstated and adopted a previously tabled Code of Ethics and Conduct for elected and appointed officials (Resolution No. 158-2024). Township Attorney Mark Roselli advised the committee that the adopted document is binding upon passage.

Financial and procurement actions approved included:

- Redemption of Tax Sale Certificate #20-3 for 282 Rocky Run Road (Block 30, Lot 43), authorizing a $47,418.44 check to the certificate holder (Resolution No. 170-2024). - Purchase authorization for one 2025 Kenworth T480 Series truck from Gabrielli Kenworth under Sourcewell Co-Op Contract #060920-KTC for up to $284,969.49, to be charged to the 2024 Capital Improvement Budget (Resolution No. 172-2024). Committee member Brian Wunder spoke to the need for the truck; the motion carried 5-0. - Award of a contract to Micro Enterprise Solutions (MES) for meeting-room recording equipment and installation in the amount of $12,712.14 (Resolution No. 174-2024). - Continuation of two per diem positions at the Bunnvale Library for 90 days at $15.30 per hour, not to exceed 20 hours per week (Resolution No. 173-2024). - Acceptance and insertion of a $2,600 special revenue item from the County of Somerset to the 2024 budget under the “Drunk Driving Fund” (Resolution No. 175-2024). - Authorization of budget transfers totaling $38,050 among specified line items for the 2024 budget year (Resolution No. 176-2024). - Grant of a fully disabled veteran exemption and authorization of a tax overpayment refund of $1,552.76 to Adam Clark for property at 23 Anthony Road (Resolution No. 177-2024).

The committee approved the bill list and vouchers for the meeting: Township bills totaling $3,638,749.45 and a Developer’s Escrow payment of $1,492.00. The motion to approve the vouchers passed unanimously.

New-business items included preliminary discussion of a Comcast fiber upgrade for municipal facilities and authorization for Mayor Koehler to sign an American Tower letter approving equipment-only modifications at a local cell site requested by Verizon; the authorization covered equipment changes only, not new structure or location changes.

The meeting recessed into executive session at 7:45 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining, pending or anticipated litigation (including matters described as cell tower, school lights, audit services and banking proposals) and personnel matters related to a CFO position; the committee reconvened at 9:28 p.m. and adjourned the meeting.