Council OKs $3M for improvements

The Township Council approved an ordinance to spend $2.5 million from the Capital Improvement Fund for various improvements at its meeting Tuesday, July 23.

The money will pay for road paving; equipment for the Public Works, Parks and Fire Departments; and parks improvements.

The council has allocated the same amount each year for many years, Township Manager James Zepp said. About $1.4 million was spent on roads last year.

The council also approved an ordinance to spend $500,000 from the Water Capital Improvement Fund for various water improvements.

Also approved were ordinances:

• Setting parking requirements for businesses with indoor recreational facilities, such as health clubs, fitness studios, and those with a gym or pool.

• Amending salary ranges for township employees.

Council members introduced a proposed $700,000 bond ordinance to finance construction of an inclusive playground.

The municipal budget includes $200,000 for the project to be built at the Kids Kastle playground at Station Park. The state has approved a grant of more than $500,000 for the project.

Master plan revision

The council voted, 3-1-1, on a proposed ordinance providing an emergency appropriation of $300,000 for a revision of the master plan. Four yes votes were required to approve the ordinance.

Councilman Josh Hertzberg voted no, and Councilwoman Christine Quinn abstained.

The master plan has not been revised for 40 years.

Quinn said she favors revising the master plan but she wanted a different method of financing the process. “I don’t feel like my concerns have been addressed in a timely manner to make a decision here tonight

Hertzberg also favors a discussion of the issue among council and Planning Board members. “If we were part of a discussion, maybe we’d come to an agreement on an ordinance moving forward.”

Deputy Mayor Dean Blumetti said master plan work “is a natural and expected function of our roles as elected leaders.”

“Individuals on this dais should be ready to explain to those we represent - the residents, the voters and their children and grandchildren - why this critical work, which hasn’t been done in 40 years, was blocked.”

Planning Board chairman Ron Day said he is optimistic that a way can be found to fund the master plan revision. ”I’m sure that if we all work together and talk more, we’re going to find a way to get this done.”

Mayor Neill Clark asked the council members who didn’t like the language in the proposed ordinance to provide language that would be acceptable.

Council members approved resolutions:

• Appropriating an additional $50,000 for legal fees because of three lawsuits filed by developers against the Planning Board.

• Extending the deadline for payment of third-quarter tax bills because the county had not released the tax rate by July 23.

Zepp said the state Department of Transportation has awarded grants for improvements of Main Street and Station Road.

A $50,000 grant from the federal American Rescue Plan Act will be used to buy scuba equipment, masks and tanks for the Fire Department.

Can say no to films

Clark said Sparta officials would be able to turn down a proposed film project for any reason under an ordinance declaring the township to be a “film ready” community.

The proposed ordinance is expected to be introduced by the council in August.

Clark also said the owner of Awesome Acres, also known as the sunflower field across from ShopRite, has applied for the state farmland preservation program.

”It’s a way to give the owner fair value for their property but also preserving the property.”

Sparta officials supported the application, he added.

Hertzberg said the Business Development Committee plans to urge the Planning and Zoning boards to impose time limits on public comments.

Some businesses are avoiding Sparta because of the length of the board meetings, which mainly is because of public comments, he said.

Quinn said the Recreation Committee has discussed adding pickleball courts and allowing people to walk their dogs on a leash in one of the township parks.

Councilman Daniel Chiariello said the RevolutionNJ Committee is planning to clean up nine gravesites in Sparta dating from the Revolutionary War.

The committee will begin meeting on the first Monday of each month, starting Oct. 7.

The council presented a proclamation saluting the Sparta Woman’s Club on its 75th anniversary.