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Politics & Government

Township Committee Proposes $646,300 in Capital Purchases

Committee also approves new zoning regulations for buffers, rehired laid-off police officer.

The township committee voted unanimously Tuesday to consider spending $646,300 for capital improvements and to approve a new zoning ordinance that will define what is allowed in buffer areas.

The capital improvements include $286,000 for a new Department of Public Works truck; $130,000  for upgradfe to computers in the police department; $90,000 for a new ambulance chassis; $80,000 for upgrades to police radios; $50,000 for remediation of contamination from underground tanks at the former DPW site on East Mountain Road; $5,700 for two dashboard radar units for police cars and $4,600 for two defibrillators for police vehicles.

The committee introduced the ordinance that would allow the improvements during its Tuesday meeting. A public hearing and vote on it will occur at the committee's Aug. 23 meeting.

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Mayor Gloria McCauley said the projects had been ranked by the township’s Capital Improvement Committee. The projects do not required additional taxpayer money because of the township’s “pay-as-you-go” policy.

The township committee also approved an ordinance, endorsed by the township planning board, to clarify what may be allowed in buffer zones that separate development from neighboring properties.

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Township Planner Robert Ringelheim said the ordinance covers issues such as screening and light and noise spillage.

Conservation easements will also be utilized to protect buffers, Ringelheim said.

The buffer issue arose when a plan to construct a Sonic fast-food restaurant on Route 206 near Hillsborough Road generated neighborhood opposition.

The proposal was withdrawn in March because of concerns about wetlands and buffers on the site.

In other business on Tuesday,  the township committee appointed Pamela Borek to the position of deputy township clerk at annual salary of $45,000.

”We’re lucky to have her,’’ Mayor Gloria McCauley said.

Committeeman Township Anthony Ferrera said the appointment was “well-deserved.”

Nancy Horvath was appointed deputy municipal court administrator at an annual salary of $40,000. Horvath had been working part-time in the municipal court office since February and now fills a full-time vacancy.

Christopher Giraldi was appointed a township police officer effective Aug, 1 at an annual salary of $66,675. He fills a position that was created by a retirement. Giraldi was among the three officers laid off in May, when the Township Committee and Policeman's Benevolent Association Local 205 failed to reach a contract agreement by the township's budget deadline.

Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Township Committee voted and approved several capital projects. It has been corrected to reflect that an ordinance allowing the projects has been introduced and will be up for a vote on August 23.

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