Green Township Committee adopts EverGreen Park pavilion fee change, approves court and traffic-sharing agreements and multiple infrastructure items

The Green Township Committee on Dec. 16, 2024, adopted an ordinance to revise EverGreen Park pavilion rental fees and approved a package of routine administrative and public-works resolutions, including interlocal agreements intended to save the township money and to expand traffic enforcement coverage.

The committee adopted Ordinance 2024-12 after a public hearing during which no members of the public spoke. The ordinance sets pavilion rental fees at $0 for residents and $75 (half-day) / $100 (full day) for non-residents. James DeYoung moved to close the hearing and adopt the ordinance; the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The pavilion at EverGreen Park is a commonly used community asset; the fee change clarifies the township's cost structure for residents and non-residents and is effective on adoption. The meeting also included multiple votes with budget and operational implications for township services and capital projects.

Court consolidation and traffic enforcement

The committee authorized a five-year Interlocal Services Agreement with the Town of Newton to continue consolidated municipal court services from Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029. Mayor Margaret "Peg" Phillips said the prior arrangement had been approximately $49,000 and that the renewal originally sought $50,000 but was negotiated down to $30,000. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote.

The township also approved a shared-services agreement with Andover Township under which Andover will provide traffic enforcement services in Green. The contract specifies roughly 300 hours annually (about six hours per week, inclusive of required court time) and caps the township's cost at $30,000 per year. The agreement allows for scheduling flexibility, requires Andover officers to appear in Green Township Municipal Court as needed and provides for indemnification and insurance protections.

Public works and capital items

The committee accepted final work on resurfacing projects for Pequest, Sutton and Mackerley Roads and later accepted final improvements to Henry Road, including approval of associated change orders and the release of retainage where appropriate. The township also authorized a $4,706 archaeological survey for embankment improvements on Hunts Road and approved the renewal of the Township's application to the State Agriculture Development Committee's Municipal Planning Incentive Grant program to support farmland preservation activities.

Employee handbook revision

After a closed session for attorney-client discussion, the committee approved Resolution 2024-198 to revise Section 5 (Standards of Conduct — Breaks) of the Employee Handbook. The revised language clarifies that full-time office employees (unless covered by another agreement or law) will have a paid 30-minute lunch when the municipal building is closed (12:00–12:30), a 30-minute working lunch (12:30–1:00) during which they must remain in the municipal building, and two paid 10-minute breaks (one morning, one afternoon) scheduled by the Clerk/Administrator. The resolution requires that unused breaks be forfeited and that any changes to scheduled lunches or breaks be approved by the Clerk/Administrator.

Public comments and small-scale operations

During the second public comment period resident Linda Kabis said she enjoys EverGreen Park with her seeing-eye dog but reported a high-speed drone sighting in early November and urged clearer signage stating "Drones Prohibited" and more frequent emptying of pet-waste containers along the trail. Mayor Phillips said residents should notify State Police for drone incidents and that the DPW would order new signs. Superintendent of Public Works Jason Miller reported DPW work including the removal of 60+ hazardous trees, winterization of the park pavilion, equipment maintenance following storms, lighting repairs at Town Hall, and staff CDL training updates.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2024-12 (EverGreen Park pavilion fees): Adopted. Motion: DeYoung; second: Raffay. Vote: DeYoung, Qarmout, Raffay, Rose, Mayor Phillips — Ayes unanimous. - Resolution 2024-195 (Interlocal agreement — municipal court consolidation with Town of Newton): Adopted. Motion: Qarmout; second: Raffay. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-196 (Appoint Risk Management Consultant — Skylands Risk Management, Inc.): Adopted. Motion: DeYoung; second: Rose. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-197 (Appoint Statewide Insurance Fund Commissioner — Mark Zschack; alternate Patty DeClesis): Adopted. Motion: Qarmout; second: Raffay. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-199 (Renew Municipal Planning Incentive Grant application): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: DeYoung. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-200 (Final acceptance — Pequest, Sutton, Mackerley resurfacing): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: Raffay. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-201 (Bills list 11/21/2024–12/12/2024): Adopted. Motion: Qarmout; second: Raffay. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-202 (Developers escrow trust disbursements): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: DeYoung. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-203 (Change order/payment — Henry Road line striping): Adopted. Motion: Qarmout; second: Raffay. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-204 (Release of escrow — Block 113, Lot 3): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: DeYoung. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-205 (Authorize bid advertisement — wireless communications tower lease at 93 Airport Rd): Adopted. Motion: Raffay; second: Qarmout. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-206 (Authorize archaeological survey — Hunts Road): Adopted. Motion: DeYoung; second: Rose. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-207 (Interlocal agreement with Andover for traffic enforcement services): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: DeYoung. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-208 (Vacation carryover — Clerk Mark Zschack): Adopted. Motion: Raffay; second: Qarmout. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-209 (Final acceptance — Henry Road improvements): Adopted. Motion: Raffay; second: DeYoung. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-210 (Support amendment to Fair Housing Act per NJILGA proposal): Adopted. Motion: Rose; second: Qarmout. Vote: unanimous. - Resolution 2024-198 (Revision to Employee Handbook — Breaks): Adopted after executive session. Motion: Qarmout; second: Rose. Vote: unanimous.

What to watch next

The Township will advertise for bidders on a lease for a wireless communications tower at 93 Airport Road and will move forward with the archaeological monitoring plan for Hunts Road. The committee also directed the Personnel Sub-Committee and the Township Clerk to search for a municipal housing liaison with a recommended stipend; formal action on that appointment is expected in January 2025.

Quotes

Township Clerk Mark Zschack on the proposed housing-liaison stipend: "It is my recommendation that a $2,000 to $3,000 stipend be offered and we will move forward unless we hear otherwise."

Mayor Margaret "Peg" Phillips on court consolidation costs: "The prior agreement was for approximately $49,000, the renewal was $50,000, which was renegotiated down to $30,000."

Superintendent Jason Miller on DPW work: "Over the past month the Department of Public Works and Tree King have successfully removed 60+ trees that were either hazardous or in need of removal for safety reasons."

(Ends)