Our numbers have grown since November 27, 2007 when we packed the municipal building with 300 residents who were against the solid waste utility. We attended both high school meetings on November 30 and December 1 and eighty (80) of us spoke out against the solid waste utility during the two days to deaf ears. By the time the petition to repeal the ordinance was delivered to the Township clerk on December 14, there were over 1,400 people against the ordinance and who showed their support by signing the petition. On March 11, 2008 when the vote went to referendum, the No Vote grew to 2,467 against the mandatory utility. As time is passing we are gaining momentum and our numbers are increasing.
For all of you who can't understand why we are so dedicated in our cause and you really would like to understand us, you need to experience what we experienced during the seven (7) hours at the high school. You can do this by buying "a CD copy of the FTR Gold System, Windows WAV Format for Nov. 30 and Dec.1 High School meetings" from the Township clerk for only $1. Please take the time and listen to the arrogance of our Township leaders and the pleas and reasons of the people there, asking, no begging, the council to reconsider their position and take more time to get a better deal which included an opt out provision. That would have satisfied everyone. Those of us that were there and united to fight this cause were always looking for the best deal for all Sparta residents. We don’t mind if those of you who want it, can save money or get better garbage service. We just did not want it for ourselves.
In our campaign to get the "No" vote out to the residents of Sparta we spent less then $200 towards our advertising campaign and lost the "No" vote by 414 people. On the other hand the Township along with Blue Diamond spent over $14,000 some of which was taxpayer money to promote the yes vote. The Township sent a biased newsletter on March 6th to every resident, promoting the yes vote and also placed a flyer around Town. They promoted the yes vote on the Township web page and promoted the yes vote in local newspaper articles. By doing this, they may have violated Election Laws.
Furthermore, Blue Diamond put a full page ad in the NJ Herald on March 10th and 11th saying "VOTE YES." They also advertised on radio stations 102.3 and 103.7 on March 10th and 11th, promoting that Sparta residents would be only paying $240 for three years for garbage service. This $240 amount is between the Township and its residents and is not for Blue Diamond to promote. By doing this they also may have violated Election Laws.
As some of you have read, we filed notices of intention for recall on all three councilmen with the Township clerk several times starting on January 29, 2008 and they all were denied before our last attempt was approved. In all it took eight (8) attempts for the notice of intention on Michael Spekhardt to be approved, seven (7) attempts on Manny Goldberg and six (6) attemps on Brian Brady. The clerk stated that we failed to meet state statutory requirements, but the simple truth is that the Township attorney was doing his job by advising the Township manager along with the Township clerk on the art of stone walling our effort and violated our civil rights in the process, under the First Amendment, to Petition against the government for redress of grievances. Welcome to Sparta.
At the same time we were involved with the garbage issue we started the recall drive. There was no way we could have expressed to the public in 200 words the reasons why we are recalling the three councilmen. As you can see and as you will read further down the page on this website we needed at least 3,000 words to tell Sparta residents the truth about the three councilmen’s actions during the past two years. That's right! Our reasons for recall are not based solely on how they voted for the garbage ordinance. Also looking at other recalls around New Jersey, it is typical that no reasons are given by the committee to recall.
The Law States “at the option of the recall committee, a statement, not in excess of 200 words, of the reasons for the recall shall be given. No statement of reasons or grounds for the holding of a recall election or for the recall at such an election of an elected official shall be required in connection with the preparation or circulation of a recall petition, with the transmittal of any notice required under the provisions of this act.”
To take on such an undertaking of recalling the three councilmen requires passion and dedication. We have both. It is no small task to collect 3,125 signatures in 160 days, for each of the recall petitions but we have many people who are dedicated to this cause and we will collect those signatures and pass that number. We do this because we are so tired of being spoon-fed the garbage the three councilmen are force-feeding us. We had enough of their lies, arrogance, and disrespect. The seven hour charade that they put on for us at the high school meetings put the spotlight on all five councilmen and the Township manager who was applying at the same time for a job in Florida. This made us look into the minutes of the past council meetings where we found case after case of improprieties on three councilmen. Their improprieties started way before we got involved with the garbage issue.
The recall election for all three of the councilmen will be held on the same day/time based on a Tuesday between July 8, 2008 and September 30, 2008. The Committee’s to Recall the three councilmen will decide which Tuesday the election will be held on based on when we submit the recall petition to the Township clerk. The cost to run this recall election will be approximately $17,000 for all three councilmen; this information comes from the board of elections. This cost is miniscule in comparison to the money the council and manager are wasting on a daily basis. To put this in perspective it cost less then 70 cents per resident to have any election in Sparta Township.
Our aim is to recall the three councilmen. We would like to see any other candidates replace them. Once we have new people in the council, our aim is to have Henry Underhill fired from the position of Township manager by the majority vote of the council. The residents of Sparta had enough of him and most of the Township employees can not stand him. Go ahead take some time and go to the municipal building and ask them how they feel about the Township manager. They are afraid to tell you the truth in fear of losing their jobs. If you can find some one brave enough to open up to you, you will learn what a horror it is to work under him.
Currently we are filing several complaints with several governmental agencies in New Jersey about the improprieties of our Township leaders. It took over a year of investigation by the prosecutor of Sussex county to find enough evidence to file charges against the Township manager of Vernon Township, who is currently awaiting trial while sitting in jail for corruption. Who knows where our research/information and complaints will lead.
On March 18, 2008 the Township clerk received 69 separate petition forms with 643 signatures to initiate the following Sparta Township ordinance. The required amount of signatures needed to initiate an ordinance in Sparta is 385 signatures. Once again we handed in more then necessary. The Township clerk has 20 days to certify it to the council at their next council meeting on April 8th. We the 2,467 people who voted "No," will not give up on our efforts to have an Opt Out clause in this so called "mandatory utility." By having an Opt Out clause, it will protect even those of you who voted Yes. When the price increases and the service declines, you too can Opt Out if you choose too.
The ordinance is as follows: “Pursuant to the fact that 46 percent of the voters voted “no” on March 11, 2008 to creating a solid waste utility and setting forth the method of calculation and collection of service fees for same, and pursuant to the fact that a significant percentage of Sparta Township residents provide for their own garbage disposal through more cost effective measures, this petition is to initiate an ordinance to provide an opt-out clause for Sparta Township residents who do not wish to participate in the township-wide solid waste utility.”
On April 4, 2008 the Committee of Petitioners recieved a certified letter from the Township clerk stateing: The language contained in the Petition to Initiate a Sparta Township Ordinance is not the "full text of the proposed Ordinance" as required by N.J.S.A. 40:69A-186, which states "all Initiative Petition papers shall contain the full text of the proposed Ordinance." The clerk writes at best, the language is a request for the adoption of an Ordinance"...to provide an opt-out clause for Sparta Township residents who do not wish to participate in the township-wide solid waste utility." There is no Ordinance language for the Township council to consider and if the request for the Ordinance is rejected by the Township council, there is no Ordinance language to be specifically voted upon by the voters of Sparta Township. Therefore, I am rejecting the Petitioner's Petition because it does not contain the full text of the proposed ordinance.
As you can read above, the Township clerk once again is stone walling our efforts, this time, to initiate the opt-out ordinance with the advise of the Township attorney. The following would be the language to be specifically voted upon by the voters of Sparta Township. So what is she talking about?
Are you in favor of an ordinance to provide an opt-out clause for Sparta Township residents who do not wish to participate in the township-wide solid waste utility.
Are you against an ordinance to provide an opt-out clause for Sparta Township residents who do not wish to participate in the township-wide solid waste utility.
It is not too late for you to join us and help us in cleaning up our town. We can always use more help and would be grateful in receiving your help or your contributions. It’s time for change; it’s time to get ready for the recession and hard times that are coming soon to our country. It’s time to stop the endless spending of our Township leaders. Join us in this cause. We take up this cause not for power, not for money and not for fame. We do it because it is our calling to help our community.
“Our Agenda” is simply to fire the Township manager after we have removed the three councilmen from office due to and let me quote the Mayor here “Gross incompetence, serious ethical misconduct in office and failure to perform official duties by law.” As far as the felony conviction, we leave that up to the prosecutor of Sussex County to find evidence. The feeling of fellow residents uniting in this grassroots movement is so rewarding and fulfilling that everyone should experience it at least once in their life time. Come join your neighbors in this campaign!
Petition Organizer, Jesse Wolosky
Showing posts with label Garbage issue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Garbage issue. Show all posts
20080520
20080318
Solid Waste Utility Ordinance
http://sparta.cit-e.net/documents/ordinances/solid%20waste%2011-07.-2doc.pd
AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SPARTA STATE OF NEW JERSEY CREATING A SOLID WASTE UTILITY AND SETTING FORTH THE METHOD OF CALCULATION AND COLLECTION OF SERVICE FEES FOR SAME.
Whereas the Township Council of the Township of Sparta desires to create a solid waste utility to provide the mechanism to award a municipal solid waste collection contract, and
Whereas, NJSA 40A:4 –34 through 40 A: 4 –36 provides for the establishment of a dedicated utility fund, and
WHEREAS a bid has been prepared and bids received for the provision of solid waste collection services in accordance with applicable state law.
Now therefore be it ordained by the Township Council of the
22-3. Solid waste utility.
| A. | A solid waste utility is hereby created to transact the collection and disposal of solid waste, as provided by law. |
| B. | Said solid waste utility shall be self-liquidating with a dedicated budget as provided by N.J.S.A. 40A:4-34 through 40A:4-36. |
22-3.1. Recovery of costs; fees.
The costs associated with the collection and disposal of solid waste shall be recovered as may be provided in the contract or contracts made by the Township for such services, plus uniform fees fixed from time to time by the Township Council and collected from the property owners to whom the service is available.
22-3.2 Service charge.
There is hereby established a solid waste service charge to be imposed annually upon the owners of those properties for which solid waste collection and disposal service is made available by the Township. The funds so collected shall be paid into the dedicated Solid Waste Utility Fund of the
22-3.4. Computation of service charge.
The solid waste service charge for residential properties served, unless and until nonresidential properties are served, shall be computed by dividing the approved annual budget of the Solid Waste Utility by the number of residential units to which the service will be made available by the Township.
22-3.-5. Payment of service charge.
| A. | Upon approval of the annual service charge by the Township Council, the Township Manager shall bill the owner of each property to which the service is available, based upon the number of residential units therein, during the first 30 days of each year or as soon thereafter as is practical. The annual solid waste service charge shall be paid in two equal installments, the first being due on February 1 and the second on August 1 each year. |
| B. | The charges hereby imposed shall be payable to the Township, and each payment shall draw the same interest as taxes upon real estate beginning 30 days after the due date and shall be a lien upon the property to which service was made available until paid. The Township shall have the same remedies for collection of the charges hereby imposed, with interest, costs and penalties, as it has by law for the collection of taxes on real estate. |
C Owner occupants of residential units served by the solid waste utility who are age 65 and older and who qualify for a NJ senior citizen property tax credit may apply for an annual $25.00 credit against the annual solid waste utility billing. Said applications must be in writing on a Township provided form and must be updated as per NJ property tax requirements.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that the above ordinance was introduced and passed at first reading at a meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Sparta held on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 65 Main Street, Sparta, NJ and will be considered for final passage at a meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at which time and place all persons interested therein or affected thereby will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning the same.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE
MUNICIPAL CLERK
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that the above entitled ordinance was introduced and passed at a meeting of the Township Council of the
20080312
20080309
TITLE 40A
TITLE 40A 
MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES
40A:1-1. Definitions
"local unit" means a county or municipality;
"municipal public utility" means any water, sewer, electric power or gas system, or any combination thereof, or any public parking system, or any other utility, enterprise or purpose authorized to be undertaken by a local unit from which it may receive fees, rents or other charges;
Final Garbage Bulletpoints
Vote NO on March 11th
Don’t give up your First Amendment rights! Keep your freedom of choice!
Why should the less fortunate homeowners subsidize the more affluent ones?
Why wasn’t an OPT OUT clause offered?
Say what? How much? $5.5 million Town Hall, $3.3 million Firehouse, $1.45 Million White
It’s time to say “No More.” Let’s take back our town!
1,400 people voiced opposition to the creation of this ordinance.
There is NO LIMIT on what the Township can charge for this Utility in the future.
When has government done something better and cheaper than free enterprise?
We’re a community! Vote no! Make the council revisit the garbage issue in the future and include an OPT OUT clause. Then everybody can be a winner.
Let your voice be heard! Vote NO on Garbage.
Vote No on Garbage-Newsletter
VOTE NO on GARBAGE March 11th
The facts the Mayor of Sparta does not want you to know!
1. Township Manager Mr. Henry Underhill is a hired employee of the Township and receives a compensation package well over $215,000 a year; this information is from Mr. Underhill’s current Employment Agreement with the Township. Comprised of $150,096 annual salary, car allowance of at least $350 per month, health benefits, life insurance, pension contributions, holidays, sick days, personal days, and 20 vacation days, membership dues and travel, conservatively estimated at $65,000 per year. But nevertheless on September 27, 2007 Mr. Underhill applied for the position of City Manager in Naples, Florida, and waited for the final hiring decision on October 23, 2007, which would have had the new city manager taking the position by year-end. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/27/61_apply_naples_city_manager_job/ After seven years as Township Manager Mr. Underhill is still a renter in Sparta Township and does not have a vested interest in our town. HOT off THE PRESS: February 1st, 2008 Islamorada, Florida “Village Council narrowed the pool of 24 semifinalists down to five to be interviewed for the village manager position.” Mr. Underhill will be interviewing for the job the third week in February. Someone is trying to leave in a hurry. http://www.keynoter.com/articles/2008/02/02/news/news06.txt
2. Over two years ago after September 7th, 2005 when the “Uniform Bid Specifications on Solid Waste” from Waste Management was bid on, and introduced to the Council Members, the Township Manager Mr. Underhill was directed by the former Mayor and past Council Members not to pursue a garbage contract without an opt out clause. This information is from the minutes of the Council meetings in 2005. He completely ignored this request and conveniently welcomed a new Mayor and two new Councilmen and sold them the idea that a Mandatory Garbage Utility was a great thing. Bid Specifications were received by October 2nd, 2007 only by Waste Management and Blue Diamond.
3. Under New Jersey Law, Title 40A:1-1 “Definitions” states that any municipality in creating a utility may: “receive fees, rents or other charges.” This is evident with the current water utility bill that we are being charged a service fee to maintain the water utility. If you have a ¾ inch water line meter, you are paying .24 cents per day or $89.22 per year in Service Charges. If you have a newer home and have a 1-inch water line meter, you are paying .67cents per day or $244.55 per year in Service Charges. This information is from the Sparta Township water utility. As far as the garbage utility is concerned, according to the Township notice of 12/20/2007 on page 1, “a quarterly payment structure is being considered for the garbage utility.” Even if the current administration chooses not to apply service charges today, New Jersey Law will allow the current or the future administrator to add “fees and other charges” when ever they choose to do so; without your approval.
4. The following information is from OPRA requests from the Township Clerk of e-mails between Mr. Underhill and the Council Members on November 27th 2007. “We would anticipate evaluating a pay as you throw system for the next contract bid in 3 years. This would allow the system to vary costs based on amount of weight disposed rather an across the board fee.” And “This final version will pour gasoline on the fire. Almost all of your explanation is value-added. Stick to the facts! You simply have to state the intent of the bid, the bid responses, a comparison with the previous bid and the fact that the Statute require the bid be awarded by the Governing Body within 60 days unless (1) it is rejected, (2) by mutual consent between the Owner and Bidders the award may be held open for an agreed upon time.” And “The agenda includes a resolution to award the contract. I recommend approval of the resolution. Remaining items to discuss should the resolution be approved is the exact amount of the annual fee, a start date and number of payments per year.” And “The Township used a reverse 911 system to leave a phone message at each residence. The poll was active for approximately 6 weeks and was turned off when it appeared residents had stopped voting.”
5. The contract between Blue Diamond and Sparta Township states on page 2, article 4 under “Payment” that Sparta Township will pay in the first year $120,000 each month to Blue Diamond ($1,440,000 per year). Because the Township will be paying in advance Blue Diamond $120,000 each month and will not send out bills until the end of the quarter, Sparta will lose around $4,500 in interest income per quarter, (4X $4,500=$18,000 of lost interest income per year) at the current rate of 4.5% by withdrawing funds out of it’s “State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund Account.” (All Municipalities use this type of higher interest account). Since the contract rate increases $60,000 the second year to ($1,500,000 per year) and another $60,000 the third year to ($1,560,000 per year), this loss of interest income will grow accordingly.
6. We keep reading in the Township notice of 12/20/2007 on page 1 and in The Sparta Independent dated January 3rd, 2008 on the front page “The Fact is that residents would pay $240 a year for the next three years, no more, Mayor Spekhardt said.” By the way Spekhardt on June 13th 2006 received only 1,252 votes at the run off Election, which was 10.3 % of the total registered voters at that time. Only 10.3% voted for him. (6,000X $240=$1,440,000) Realize that in actual fact, the contract increases to $250 the second year (6,000X $250=$1,500,000) and $260 the third year (6,000X $260=$1,560,000) based on 6,000 single family residential properties and always with the potential of add-ons and gas surcharges. (Waste Management charges a 13% fuel and environmental charge). As of January 2008 Waste Management rates are as follows: (1X week =$379.14 per year and 2X week =$503.75 per year total price) As of January 2008 Blue Diamond rates are as follows: (1X week =$300.00 per year total price, no 2X week service is offered). If you would like to save $79.14 per year, on your 1X week Garbage service then contract directly with Blue Diamond and try them out, Freedom of Choice.
7. Also in the contract, page 4, article 10 under “Liquidated Damages.” “Due to the uncertainty in determining the specific damages The Township would incur as a result of the contractors failure to collect solid waste on the days and times specified by the contract, the contractor agrees to pay as liquidated damages the sum of $50 per dwelling for which it fails to collect the solid waste on the collection schedule agreed to by the parties.” This money is designated to go to The Township not to the individual who would be burdened with having to retrieve their garbage and store it until the next scheduled pick up. Under a private system, any credit for failed service would automatically go directly to the resident.
8. Less than two miles from the Sky View Golf development and the Sussex Mills development, Diamond Chip Realty, LLC mailing address P.O. Box 252, Succasunna on January 30, 2007 purchased 68 acres at 33 Demarest Rd. (Sparta Ready Mix) Block 32, Lot 12 for $1.75 million. This area is zoned industrial and affords a 900-foot frontage along the railroad tracks. Their 2007 property taxes are $25,575.00. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22diamond+chip+realty%22
9. Township notice of 12/20/2007, page 2, under the section, “Why did the Sparta Township Council decide to form a Waste Utility?” they stated, “in terms of Township planning, there is a need for a Township solution if the current solid waste facility is eventually shut down.” This is more evidence that something is brewing behind the scenes. Such as a Sussex County Transfer Station and Recycling Facilities right here in Sparta.
10. Blue Diamond, in addition to the possible 6,000 future Sparta customers’, serviced in 2006 the following towns 3,041 customers in Byram, 2,100 in Green, 160 in Cliffwood Lake and 450 in Wantage this information is from the uniform bid specifications that Blue Diamond submitted to Sparta Township in October, 2007. This represents an additional 5,751 plus customers’ whose household garbage will possibly be coming to the 68-acre track of land (Sparta Ready Mix) either for sorting or storage until loading and removing via trucks or onto train service. This will create greater truck traffic within the area and diminish the air quality substantially. There is a possibility that it will be come the transfer point of all Blue Diamonds future garbage depository from Morris County and all other Sussex County Towns. At this time Diamond Chip Realty, LLC or Blue Diamond Inc. have not applied to the Solid Waste Advisory Council in Newton.
11. Grinnell Recycling Inc. at 482 Houses Corner Road, Sparta has become the first Solid Waste Transfer Station in Sussex County. Grinnell applied for its permit on October 7, 2003 and the DEP issued the permit on November 7, 2007. The Facility Type will be a Solid Waste Transfer Station/Material Recovery Facility. This information is from The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Program. Grinnell has a 54-acre track of land. Their 2007 property taxes are $94,425.00.
12. A Township Utility has the same consequences as Property taxes. If you are late with your payment by one day you will be charged up to 18% annually, in rare cases up to 24% annually. If you do not pay your bill by year end, your property will go to tax sale the following year and lien holders will bid at the tax lien sale to win the tax lien certificate on your property. By doing so they obtain the Same Rights as you have to pay your taxes and utility bills if you are delinquent. After a two-year period of owning the tax lien certificate, the lien holders can start the foreclosure process on your property. Some of the information is from page 5 of the Sparta Township Informational Brochure and Directory of Services. Or ask our tax collector.
13. The following is the ordinance that was passed on December 1st, 2007 advertised in the NJ Herald on December 5th, 2007 and was written on our Petition, “An Ordinance of the Township of Sparta State of New Jersey Creating a Solid Waste Utility and Setting Forth the Method of Calculation and Collection of Service Fees for Same.” As you can clearly read, the ordinance mentions “Service Fees.” When this Ordinance is put to Referendum on March 11th, 2008 and if it is passed, you will be forced to pay for it, forever, just like Property Tax. You will be voting whether you are in favor of it or against it.
14. To my fellow Sparta residents, I am a thrifty minded person. If there were any value to this garbage fiasco, I would be first in line to sign up. Look at the bigger picture. Too many things are happening behind closed doors. Something is being planed for our town’s future and if we don’t wake up by March 11th and vote NO, we will smell garbage in our back yard. If it sounds too good to be true, it most be trash. If you are against this Ordinance and want to Support the Cause, then e-mail your name, address and tel. # to noongarbage@yahoo.com to join us.
Vote NO on March 11th.
Petition Organizer, Jesse Wolosky
The facts the Mayor of Sparta does not want you to know!
1. Township Manager Mr. Henry Underhill is a hired employee of the Township and receives a compensation package well over $215,000 a year; this information is from Mr. Underhill’s current Employment Agreement with the Township. Comprised of $150,096 annual salary, car allowance of at least $350 per month, health benefits, life insurance, pension contributions, holidays, sick days, personal days, and 20 vacation days, membership dues and travel, conservatively estimated at $65,000 per year. But nevertheless on September 27, 2007 Mr. Underhill applied for the position of City Manager in Naples, Florida, and waited for the final hiring decision on October 23, 2007, which would have had the new city manager taking the position by year-end. http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/sep/27/61_apply_naples_city_manager_job/ After seven years as Township Manager Mr. Underhill is still a renter in Sparta Township and does not have a vested interest in our town. HOT off THE PRESS: February 1st, 2008 Islamorada, Florida “Village Council narrowed the pool of 24 semifinalists down to five to be interviewed for the village manager position.” Mr. Underhill will be interviewing for the job the third week in February. Someone is trying to leave in a hurry. http://www.keynoter.com/articles/2008/02/02/news/news06.txt
2. Over two years ago after September 7th, 2005 when the “Uniform Bid Specifications on Solid Waste” from Waste Management was bid on, and introduced to the Council Members, the Township Manager Mr. Underhill was directed by the former Mayor and past Council Members not to pursue a garbage contract without an opt out clause. This information is from the minutes of the Council meetings in 2005. He completely ignored this request and conveniently welcomed a new Mayor and two new Councilmen and sold them the idea that a Mandatory Garbage Utility was a great thing. Bid Specifications were received by October 2nd, 2007 only by Waste Management and Blue Diamond.
3. Under New Jersey Law, Title 40A:1-1 “Definitions” states that any municipality in creating a utility may: “receive fees, rents or other charges.” This is evident with the current water utility bill that we are being charged a service fee to maintain the water utility. If you have a ¾ inch water line meter, you are paying .24 cents per day or $89.22 per year in Service Charges. If you have a newer home and have a 1-inch water line meter, you are paying .67cents per day or $244.55 per year in Service Charges. This information is from the Sparta Township water utility. As far as the garbage utility is concerned, according to the Township notice of 12/20/2007 on page 1, “a quarterly payment structure is being considered for the garbage utility.” Even if the current administration chooses not to apply service charges today, New Jersey Law will allow the current or the future administrator to add “fees and other charges” when ever they choose to do so; without your approval.
4. The following information is from OPRA requests from the Township Clerk of e-mails between Mr. Underhill and the Council Members on November 27th 2007. “We would anticipate evaluating a pay as you throw system for the next contract bid in 3 years. This would allow the system to vary costs based on amount of weight disposed rather an across the board fee.” And “This final version will pour gasoline on the fire. Almost all of your explanation is value-added. Stick to the facts! You simply have to state the intent of the bid, the bid responses, a comparison with the previous bid and the fact that the Statute require the bid be awarded by the Governing Body within 60 days unless (1) it is rejected, (2) by mutual consent between the Owner and Bidders the award may be held open for an agreed upon time.” And “The agenda includes a resolution to award the contract. I recommend approval of the resolution. Remaining items to discuss should the resolution be approved is the exact amount of the annual fee, a start date and number of payments per year.” And “The Township used a reverse 911 system to leave a phone message at each residence. The poll was active for approximately 6 weeks and was turned off when it appeared residents had stopped voting.”
5. The contract between Blue Diamond and Sparta Township states on page 2, article 4 under “Payment” that Sparta Township will pay in the first year $120,000 each month to Blue Diamond ($1,440,000 per year). Because the Township will be paying in advance Blue Diamond $120,000 each month and will not send out bills until the end of the quarter, Sparta will lose around $4,500 in interest income per quarter, (4X $4,500=$18,000 of lost interest income per year) at the current rate of 4.5% by withdrawing funds out of it’s “State of New Jersey Cash Management Fund Account.” (All Municipalities use this type of higher interest account). Since the contract rate increases $60,000 the second year to ($1,500,000 per year) and another $60,000 the third year to ($1,560,000 per year), this loss of interest income will grow accordingly.
6. We keep reading in the Township notice of 12/20/2007 on page 1 and in The Sparta Independent dated January 3rd, 2008 on the front page “The Fact is that residents would pay $240 a year for the next three years, no more, Mayor Spekhardt said.” By the way Spekhardt on June 13th 2006 received only 1,252 votes at the run off Election, which was 10.3 % of the total registered voters at that time. Only 10.3% voted for him. (6,000X $240=$1,440,000) Realize that in actual fact, the contract increases to $250 the second year (6,000X $250=$1,500,000) and $260 the third year (6,000X $260=$1,560,000) based on 6,000 single family residential properties and always with the potential of add-ons and gas surcharges. (Waste Management charges a 13% fuel and environmental charge). As of January 2008 Waste Management rates are as follows: (1X week =$379.14 per year and 2X week =$503.75 per year total price) As of January 2008 Blue Diamond rates are as follows: (1X week =$300.00 per year total price, no 2X week service is offered). If you would like to save $79.14 per year, on your 1X week Garbage service then contract directly with Blue Diamond and try them out, Freedom of Choice.
7. Also in the contract, page 4, article 10 under “Liquidated Damages.” “Due to the uncertainty in determining the specific damages The Township would incur as a result of the contractors failure to collect solid waste on the days and times specified by the contract, the contractor agrees to pay as liquidated damages the sum of $50 per dwelling for which it fails to collect the solid waste on the collection schedule agreed to by the parties.” This money is designated to go to The Township not to the individual who would be burdened with having to retrieve their garbage and store it until the next scheduled pick up. Under a private system, any credit for failed service would automatically go directly to the resident.
8. Less than two miles from the Sky View Golf development and the Sussex Mills development, Diamond Chip Realty, LLC mailing address P.O. Box 252, Succasunna on January 30, 2007 purchased 68 acres at 33 Demarest Rd. (Sparta Ready Mix) Block 32, Lot 12 for $1.75 million. This area is zoned industrial and affords a 900-foot frontage along the railroad tracks. Their 2007 property taxes are $25,575.00. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22diamond+chip+realty%22
9. Township notice of 12/20/2007, page 2, under the section, “Why did the Sparta Township Council decide to form a Waste Utility?” they stated, “in terms of Township planning, there is a need for a Township solution if the current solid waste facility is eventually shut down.” This is more evidence that something is brewing behind the scenes. Such as a Sussex County Transfer Station and Recycling Facilities right here in Sparta.
10. Blue Diamond, in addition to the possible 6,000 future Sparta customers’, serviced in 2006 the following towns 3,041 customers in Byram, 2,100 in Green, 160 in Cliffwood Lake and 450 in Wantage this information is from the uniform bid specifications that Blue Diamond submitted to Sparta Township in October, 2007. This represents an additional 5,751 plus customers’ whose household garbage will possibly be coming to the 68-acre track of land (Sparta Ready Mix) either for sorting or storage until loading and removing via trucks or onto train service. This will create greater truck traffic within the area and diminish the air quality substantially. There is a possibility that it will be come the transfer point of all Blue Diamonds future garbage depository from Morris County and all other Sussex County Towns. At this time Diamond Chip Realty, LLC or Blue Diamond Inc. have not applied to the Solid Waste Advisory Council in Newton.
11. Grinnell Recycling Inc. at 482 Houses Corner Road, Sparta has become the first Solid Waste Transfer Station in Sussex County. Grinnell applied for its permit on October 7, 2003 and the DEP issued the permit on November 7, 2007. The Facility Type will be a Solid Waste Transfer Station/Material Recovery Facility. This information is from The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Solid & Hazardous Waste Management Program. Grinnell has a 54-acre track of land. Their 2007 property taxes are $94,425.00.
12. A Township Utility has the same consequences as Property taxes. If you are late with your payment by one day you will be charged up to 18% annually, in rare cases up to 24% annually. If you do not pay your bill by year end, your property will go to tax sale the following year and lien holders will bid at the tax lien sale to win the tax lien certificate on your property. By doing so they obtain the Same Rights as you have to pay your taxes and utility bills if you are delinquent. After a two-year period of owning the tax lien certificate, the lien holders can start the foreclosure process on your property. Some of the information is from page 5 of the Sparta Township Informational Brochure and Directory of Services. Or ask our tax collector.
13. The following is the ordinance that was passed on December 1st, 2007 advertised in the NJ Herald on December 5th, 2007 and was written on our Petition, “An Ordinance of the Township of Sparta State of New Jersey Creating a Solid Waste Utility and Setting Forth the Method of Calculation and Collection of Service Fees for Same.” As you can clearly read, the ordinance mentions “Service Fees.” When this Ordinance is put to Referendum on March 11th, 2008 and if it is passed, you will be forced to pay for it, forever, just like Property Tax. You will be voting whether you are in favor of it or against it.
14. To my fellow Sparta residents, I am a thrifty minded person. If there were any value to this garbage fiasco, I would be first in line to sign up. Look at the bigger picture. Too many things are happening behind closed doors. Something is being planed for our town’s future and if we don’t wake up by March 11th and vote NO, we will smell garbage in our back yard. If it sounds too good to be true, it most be trash. If you are against this Ordinance and want to Support the Cause, then e-mail your name, address and tel. # to noongarbage@yahoo.com to join us.
Vote NO on March 11th.
Petition Organizer, Jesse Wolosky
No On Garbage-Bullet Sheet
THE
· - ON DECEMBER 1, 2007 THE
· -THE SPARTA COUNCIL HAS DEFINITELY ENGAGED BLUE DIAMOND DISPOSAL AS IT’S ONLY MEANS OF HAULING WASTE FROM YOUR SINGLE-FAMILY HOME.
· -BLUE DIAMOND “LOW-BALLED” ITS QUOTE BY $800,000.
· -YOU HAVE NO CHOICE.
· -IF YOU DO DECIDE TO USE OTHER MEANS OF DISPOSAL, YOU WILL STILL OWE THE TOWNSHIP AN ANNUAL FEE OF $240.
· -IF YOU REFUSE TO PAY, YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE AT RISK.
· -THOSE WHO DECIDE TO NOT PAY FOR ANY REASON WILL BE SUBJECT TO A LIEN ON THEIR PROPERTY.
· -IF A LIEN IS PLACED ON YOUR PROPERTY THEN ANOTHER PERSON MAY PURCHASE THAT LIEN.
· -OVER 300 TOWNSPEOPLE CAME TOGETHER TO OBJECT TO THE ORDINANCE.
· -THE COUNCIL VOTED AGAINST THEIR WISHES BY A VOTE OF 3 IN FAVOR OF THE ORDINANCE AND 2 AGAINST.
· -COUNCIL NAMES APPROVING THE ORDINANCE ARE SPEKHARDT, BRADY & GOLDBERG.
· -COUNCIL NAMES AGAINST THE ORDINANCE ARE MURPHY & SEELAGY.
· -BY SIGNING THIS PETITION YOU WILL BE AIDING IN THE OVERTURNING OF THE ORDINANCE.
Notice of Referendum Election- Garbage Utility
NOTICE TO VOTERS OF THE
AN ELECTION WILL BE HELD IN THE
Shall the ordinance adopted by the Sparta Township Council on December 1, 2007 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF SPARTA, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, CREATING A SOLID WASTE UTILITY AND SETTING FORTH THE METHOD OF CALCULATION AND COLLECTION OF SERVICE FEES FOR SAME” be ratified?
YES
NO
A “YES” vote will authorize the
A “NO” vote will repeal the Ordinance and cancel the authorization to the
_______________________________________________________________________
VOTING REQUIREMENTS
THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE REFERENDUM ELECTION IS FEBRUARY 19, 2008. In order to vote in
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
Registration of voters will be conducted at the office of the Sussex County Board of Elections, 83 Spring Street, Suite 305, Newton, New Jersey, weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or at the office of the Municipal Clerk in Sparta Township weekdays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Evening registration will be available at the office of the Sussex County Board of Elections, 18 Church Street, Newton, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on February 19, 2008. Registration forms are also available at the Division of Social Service, Motor Vehicles Commission, and Division of Developmental Disabilities.
REGISTRATION BY MAIL
Anyone wanting to register by mail may do so by requesting forms from the Sussex County Board of Elections, telephone 973-579-0950, or from the Sparta Township Municipal Clerk, telephone 973-729-4493, or by downloading the form at www.sussex.nj.us. Click on “Departments”, then the “Board of Elections” page.
WHO MUST REGISTER
You must register to vote in
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Any voter who is registered to vote in Sparta Township and moves to another address within Sparta Township should transfer his/her registration to the new address by February 19, 2008 to assure that he/she will be able to vote in the proper election district without being required to take additional steps. This is accomplished by notifying the Board of Elections in writing. Such notice must be signed by each voter and must include the voter’s prior address, the name of the road on which the voter now resides and correct mailing address (if different from the residence address). Change of residence forms are available by calling 973-579-0950 or from the Municipal Clerk in
VOTER’S BILL OF RIGHTS
A Voter’s Bill of Rights, which includes the date and time of the election, instructions for the use of the voting machine and alternate ballots, and instructions on how to contact the appropriate officials if your right to vote has been challenged or violated will be posted at each polling location and may be obtained by calling the Board of Elections or may be viewed by logging on to www.state.nj.us/lps.elections.
ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Persons unable to vote at the polling place due to permanent or temporary physical disability may request an absentee ballot application by telephoning the office of the
The polling places to be provided for the conducting of the Referendum Election are as follows:
District #1
District #2 Fire Headquarters,
District #3
District #4
District #5
District #6 Alpine Elementary School,
District #7 VFW Memorial Post #7248, 66 Main St
District #8
District #9 Fire Headquarters,
District
District #11 Fire Headquarters,
District #12
District #13 VFW Memorial Post #7248, 66 Main St
District
THIS ADVERTISEMENT CONSTITUTES OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE ELECTION TO THE VOTERS OF THE
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