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Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
October 2, 2001, 9:00 a.m
Vineland City Hall
DRAFT
Board Members present were: Sheriff Michael Barruzza, Officer Michael Bernard, Liberty Harshaw, Linda Grund Krsnak, Richard Mulvihill, Mary Padden, and John Wolfram. Others present were: Teresa Thomas.
Teresa Thomas opened the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Correspondence
Letters regarding Route 55 extension legislative action were presented. Teresa explained that the SJTPO Policy Board had just approved the FY 2002 Study and Development Program with the Route 55 Completion Project ranked No. 1.
On-Going Business
Final Purchases - Teresa informed the Executive Board that she is finishing up the last purchases for 2001. Received so far are 500 BUCKLE UP key chains. Drafts of the Back To School posters were reviewed. Changes were recommended and the final products will be available for School Bus Safety Week, October 22.
Follow up of Senate Bill No. 2311, requiring DOT to identify unsafe crossing between railroads and public highways, and to request money from Transportation Trust Fund to make the safety improvements. Teresa reminded the Executive Board that this bill was on the previous agenda and that she had been instructed to find out if there was a specific incident that spurred this bill or what the motivating factor was. She informed them that both Senators are concerned with rail safety issues and sponsored a package of three bills and that 2311 was one. The Board reviewed the two other bills (2312 and 2313). No action was taken.
Crash Data On-Line - Teresa informed the Board that the crash data from 1997 to 2000, from the State, was on line at www.state.nj.us/transportation/index.htm.
New Business
ACTION - The Executive Board approved 2002 Meeting Dates. They are:
General Membership Executive Board
February 26 January 8
May 28 April 9
August 27 July 9
November 26 October 1
ACTION - The Executive Board approved the August 21st Meeting Minutes.
ACTION - The Executive Board approved the Year 2002 Highway Safety Grant Application totaling $30,000.00. The draft budget was reviewed and discussed, although it is not part of the formal application.
ACTION - The Executive Board approved theYear 2002 Child Passenger Safety Grant Application totaling $6,300.00. The draft budget was reviewed and changes were suggested. It includes orange vests for CPS Technicians to wear during Check Up events and Inspected Stickers for seats.
Teresa informed the Board that she had prepared formal resolutions for the Chairman to sign. Sheriff Barruzza then signed both. She went on to explain that full application packets will be forwarded to the South Jersey Transportation Authority for endorsement and signatures, and then forwarded to the NJ DHTS for review and approval.
ACTION - The Executive Board approved both a 30 second and 60 second version of a Public Service Announcement to be done with CN8.
DISCUSSION - The Executive Board also reviewed the Saved By The Seat Belt Program reinstituted by the NJDHTS. Many ideas about how to institute it were discussed but not was decided. Although the idea will be to hold press conferences to give out the hats and certificates and hold annual gatherings.
DISCUSSION - The Executive Board also reviewed the possibility of HERO Campaign signs (2x8 billboard size) in Cumberland and Salem Counties. Teresa will look into corporate sponsorship for signs. She will also work with Bill Elliott to create a poster endorsing and promoting the Campaign.
Preliminary Agenda Review and Legislation
The Board approved presentations by William Garrison, Project Director for the Cumberland County Traffic Safety Program and Dan Shine, NJDHTS, Make It Click.
There were no legislative item presented for review.
Other
Teresa explained that she thought those that participated in the 2000 Needs Assessment Survey should somehow be informed of what happend with that information. Upon a discussion with Tim Chelius, SJTPO Executive Director, the SJTPO will publish a newsletter outlining the specific locations/intersections that were included in the 2025 Regional Transportation Plan.
ACTION - The Executive Board voted to ask Alliance members if they think 5 points for Following Too Close, Title (39:4-89), was too much and if it did indeed keep officers from enforcing it and writing tickets. This was a specific traffic safety problem identified in one of the Needs Assessments submitted.
If it is a problem the Alliance can then work on seeking a change.
ACTION - The Executive Board authorized Teresa to contact Atlantic County Engineer, regarding the intersection of Jimmie Leeds Road (CR561) and College Drive. This was an intersection submitted in a Needs Assessment along with copies of letters to the Engineer and crash data. There is a left hand turn lane problem, but since College Drive is a State road, the entire intersection is probably the responsibility of the State.
Teresa showed the Board the copy of the Video and Educational Program - STONED COLD. This is a complimentary copy from the Hackensack Trauma Unit, the creators. Liberty Harshaw, Wildwood High School took it with her to use immediately.
For Your Information
CPS Technician Update October 18th.
2001 Item Request Spreadsheet.
August and September Progress Reports.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM.
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
July 24, 2001, 9:30 a.m
Vineland City Hall
Teresa Thomas opened the meeting at 9:40 a.m.
Board Members present were: Sgt Donald Chafin, Officer Michael Bernard, Linda Grund Krsnak, Richard Mulvihill, Sheriff James Plousis, and Mary Padden. Others present were: Teresa Thomas.
NJDHTS Executive Board Appointment
Teresa introduced Mary Padden as the newest and final Executive Board Member appointment. Mary is a nurse at Salem County Hospital. She is also in charge of staff development and education at the hospital. She has been working with Teresa and the Perionatal Cooperative to schedule two seminars specifically designed for nurses and medical professionals regarding child passenger safety seats. She is a certified technician, sits on the Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection Committee, and has been active with that campaign. Most recently, through her efforts, the hospital has been approved to be SAFE KIDS chapter.
New Business
ACTION - The Executive Board completed a Satisfaction Survey for the luncheon event at the Buena Vista Country Club. Specifically, the club received a very satisfied rating for atmosphere, cleanliness, service, and price/value and a satisfied rating for food.
They went on to discuss the lack of attendance compared to the reservations. Board members recommended Teresa contact Buena Vista for an official head count to compare to the sign in sheet.
ACTION - The Executive Board approved the minutes of the May 15th General Membership Meeting, held at the Canale Training Center.
ACTION - The Executive Board reviewed a letter from the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, requesting the Alliance to consider endorsing the extension of Route 55 to the Garden State Parkway. The board agrees that it is a safety issue and voted to recommend endorsing the project as well as supporting the senate and assembly resolutions that urge the complete of Route 55.
Board members reviewed letters Teresa has sent to various corporations for support and sponsorship. It was suggested that the Alliance look into hosting a breakfast or lunch event for possible sponsors and partners to introduce our programs, goals, and needs. A Recruitment Committee will be formed to work on this for 2002.
Preliminary Agenda Review and Legislation
Teresa informed the Board that Martha Conlin, AARP 55 Drive Alive Program, had to cancel due to personal reasons. She suggested that Bill Elliott be contacted to talk about the Hero Campaign. Sheriff Plousis mentioned that the Attorney Generals office had just adopted the program and we would start to see it statewide.
Teresa went on to update the Board on the Pedestrian Engineering Project between NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety and Cape May County. She pointed everyone to the July 5th Meeting Minutes at their seats. The grant project will provide money for Cape May County to purchase 2 Thermoplastic Applicators and materials for submitted intersections. The machines lay reflective material for crosswalks. Four municipalities will be contacted to submit potential locations. Cape May County will house the units and materials, similar to the radar unit program.
Al Tindall, NJDHTS, will explain the grant project, while Dale Foster, Cape May County Engineer, will review the SJTPO study that prompted the project.
ACTION - Senate No. 2311 - Requires DOT to identify unsafe crossings, between railroads and public highways, and to request money from Transportation Trust Fund to make the safety improvements.
The Board requested I contact the sponsor to find out what the driving force was behind this legislation. Was there a specific accident, if so, where and when. Linda Krsnak pointed out that DOT does rankings on projects and safety is the #1 criteria, so she questioned why this would need to be done.
On-Going Business
Budget Review - With a balance of $1,700.00, Teresa noted that there was not enough money available to pay for the reflective halloween bags as originally approved. The Board discussed the possibility of bumper stickers that are not permanent. They could be designed as part of an educational program along with posters. Teresa was instructed to look into that for back to school safety, the Fall Activity.
It was also suggested that the Alliance come up with a power point presentation that could be sent to the various schools with free cable access stations. Apparently, if you can give them the presentation they will put it in rotation.
Billboards were also talked about. Teresa informed the Board that the grant money cannot pay for time and space. Teresa will find out if we can pay for the production of a billboard and get time and space donated.
Teresa informed the Board that NJDHTS has verbally approved the CPS Grant. She was working on quotes for car seats and supplies to submit as soon as she received the written approval.
ACTION - The Board approved the draft letter, to Ed OConnor, requesting a 2002 CPS Grant Application. The idea for 2002 is to purchase a Dial-A-Seat etc for educational seminars and presentations. Ed even suggested a trailer to house the equipment so that when someone wanted to borrow the stuff they could just hook up the trailer and go.
The meeting originally scheduled for June 29th, with Sharane Orendas, Gary Poedubicky, SJTA and myself, had to be cancelled. The topic is the 2002 Commodities Grant and the possibility of allowing SJTA to manage it for the Alliance. It will be rescheduled.
The Board discussed possible future presentations, including SAFE - Stay Alive From Education, by Virtua Health, Plotting Crashes by Type, Matt Rabbai, Vineland PD, Make It Click, Dan Shine, NJDHTS and gathering crash data in general.
For Your Information
Teresa reviewed the 2001 Item Request Spreadsheet she is using to document what items are being given in what quantity and to what organizations. It will be useful for purchasing in the future and helps keep track of what is in stock.
Teresa acknowledged that both May and June Progress Reports, required for the grant, were included in the meeting packets for their review.
Upcoming Seminars included the two CPS on School Buses, which each had 45 people registered. The CPS for Nurses, August 17th at Shore Memorial and an Update Seminar for Certified Technicians, September 20th.
Inspection Events scheduled include: Margate City, Friday, August 24, Market Street Day, Salem County, Saturday, August 25, Erma Day, Salem County, Saturday, August 25, Lower Township, CMC, Saturday, September 22
Other
Officer Mike Bernard volunteered to be the Agricultural Liaison to the Board. He informed the Board that as of June 1, 2001, any vehicle over 80" wide is to be properly covered with reflective taping. Most agricultural equipment is over the 80" but with farmers struggling to make a living, they do not have the money to buy enough of this stuff and that suppliers were back ordered. He was wondering how the Alliance could help, knowing that we cannot spend our grant money for this tape.
Officer Michael Bernard, Lower Alloway Creek, agreed to reach out to the NJ Farm Bureau to discuss the possibility of joining forces and having a rep either attend our meetings for get together with the Board to discuss possibilities.
Sgt Don Chafin, Pennsville PD, asked if anyone knew of anyone who might like to be a driving instructor for S&L Driving School. Teresa acknowledged that she had gotten his letter and would include it as a hand out at the next meeting. Sgt Chafin agreed to take 5 minutes at the next meeting to explain the program and ask if anyone has anyone who would be a good match.
Teresa thanked everyone for their participation and a great meeting with lots of new ideas.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 AM.
Minutes of Executive Board Meeting
April 3, 2001, 9:00 a.m
Vineland City Hall
Teresa Thomas opened the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Board Members present were: Sheriff Michael Barruzza, Sgt Donald Chafin, Officer Michael Bernard, Linda Krsnak, Richard Mulvihill, Sheriff James Plousis, John Wolfram and Barry Wythe. Others present were: Liberty Harshaw, Sgt Richard Washart, and Teresa Thomas.
Part I - Executive Board Business
Teresa introduced Liberty Harshaw and Sgt Washart and explained that they understood their appointments were not official until the General Membership voted on May 15th, but that she had invited them so they could be part of the selection committee and award luncheon business.
The board voted to approved the revised By-Laws. Teresa pointed out the changes they had agreed upon at the previous meeting and that they would be on the General Membership Agenda for their approval.
The board voted to approve the Executive and General Membership Meeting of February 20th.
Teresa presented a copy of the proposed letterhead with the stop sign. She explained that the traffic light would be too costly to print because it has four colors whereas the stop sign and text could be all red. She went on to explain that one of the board members had voiced there concerns about the stop sign denoting the negative action of stop whereas the traffic light conveys operation. The entire board agreed and requested the traffic light be our logo. Teresa said someone had suggested she have the letterhead printed without the traffic light and that she print it as she did letters. The board agreed.
Liberty Harshaw suggested Teresa look into using a different font than Times New Roman so that the body of letters would look different that the header etc.
The board also approved business cards with board members names of the back.
The board approved the newsletter and preliminary agenda for dissemination.
Teresa showed the board the helmet reflector systems she wanted to purchase. She had gotten the vendor from the NJ Division of Highway Safety. They purchase the motorcycle systems. They are both similar to the Alliances Emergency ID Stickers except that the glue is supposedly approved and will not deteriorate the helmets. The only problem is that they are no custom printing but Teresa suggested we use the same clear stickers that were used on the snap action bands. The board approved the purchases.
Examples can be viewed on the vendors website www.meds.org
Teresa explained that a gentleman from The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks had come to see her. He requested the Alliances support and asked us to become a member. A list of New Jersey Coalition Members and National Coalition Members was distributed along with general information. After reviewing the information the board voted to not join the Coalition but to allow them to send us information and updates and we would act accordingly. Teresa was instructed to send a letter to that effect.
Teresa distributed a letter from Lt Mario Terruso regarding the Aggressive Driving Campaign. At its previous meeting the board had decided to ask Lt Terruso to join Chief Turner at a Chiefs Association meeting to round up support and participation. In his letter Lt Terruso stated that only three departments in the Alliance region had aggressive driving grants from the NJDHS and questioned any departments willingness to use their funds for this program if they were not seeking grant money for it. The board thought maybe a more position spin on the campaign, like NJDHSs Drive Friendly, would be more appropriate but no final decisions were made. Lt Terruso will continue as usual.
The board approved the 2001-2003 Strategic Plan for the Alliance. She explained that it was created in an effort to support a request to the NJDHS for additional grant money. To justify the increase she needed to prove we had a plan with goals.
Teresa announced that the website was up sjtsa.org.
Part I closed at 10:30 am.
Part II was a closed session of the selection committee to review nomination ballots. Other awards luncheon business was discussed.
Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
February 20, 2001, 9:00 a.m.
FOP Lodge, Rt 49, Pennsville
Sheriff Barruzza opened the meeting at 9:15 a.m.
Board Members present were: Sheriff Michael Barruzza, Sgt Donald Chafin, Officer Michael Bernard, Vince Jones, Linda Krsnak, Lou Ranisewski, and John Wolfram. Others present were: Sharane Orendas and Teresa Thomas.
Reorganization
John Wolfram nominated Sheriff Michael F. Barruzza for Chairman and Sheriff James T. Plousis, Vice-Chairman. The motion was seconded by Linda Krsnak and unanimously approved.
Upon review of the By-Laws, Executive Board Members discussed how Executive Board Members are elected. It was decided that Article VI, Section 1, Appointments, should include language that gives the Executive Board the ability to make recommendations for any positions not filled within 90 days.
Article VI, Section 5, Resignation or Removal, should include language identifying any letters of resignation be sent to the appointing agency and copied to the Alliance.
Correspondence
Teresa referenced the correspondence from NJDOT regarding additional signs to be erected at Rt 140 & Auburn Road (CR551), Carneys Point, Salem County. The response was a result of Sgt Chafin and Lt DiTeodoro voicing their concern to the Alliance who forwarded a letter to NJDOT.
The other piece of correspondence highlighted was a letter from Sharon Schultz, Director, Meals on Wheels of Salem County, thanking the Alliance (Sgt Chafin and Officer Bernard) for participating in the Great Pumpkin Carve.
Minutes
Teresa referenced the Legislative Committee Meeting Minutes and the Awards Committee Meeting Minutes, as well as the Nomination Ballot in their packets.
On-Going Business
Teresa brought the Executive Board Members up to date on the projects below.
- A Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection Campaign. The kick-off event at Canale Training Center Friday, January 19th, checked 34 seats. 28 were installed incorrectly, 5 installed correctly, 1 new installation and 1 worn seat handed in for disposal.
- The final numbers for Friday's event in Ocean City were not in yet, but preliminary numbers show 28 seats checked in 19 cars. There were six technicians, 3 from Ocean City and 2 from other departments. Teresa thanked Chief Turner for allowing Officer Phil Trout to participate in the event.
- She also presented them with an updated list of certified technicians in the region.
- Results of the Year 2000 Safety Needs Assessment Survey. Teresa asked the question, what do we want to do with this information. It was decided that a survey should go out asking what programs are already being done and requesting volunteers for a subcommittee.
- 2001 Aggressive Driving Countermeasure Campaign. The Board agreed that this is an important program to continue for 2001. For more participation from local police departments, Chief Turner agreed to approach the Chiefs Association on behalf of the Alliance.
- Awards Luncheon. Nomination Ballots will go out in the next two weeks. Since the Executive Board is the Selection Committee, copies of the submissions will be mailed to the Board one week prior to a review meeting. That meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, the date corresponding with the separate Executive Board meetings to be discussed later.
- Purchased Items thus far include Emergency ID Stickers, 2 8 foot banners and snap action wrist bands. Teresa reviewed the new procedures for receiving purchased items, they will no longer automatically given to the County Point People for distribution. A form will need to be sent to Teresa outlining no only what item and how many but what program they will be distributed through. This is for accounting purposes and for justifying to the State why they should continue to fund this organization. A letter, with a form and list of items available, will be sent to all Chiefs of Police and Sheriff's in the four counties.
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New Business
- Separate Executive Board Meetings. The Executive Board agreed that there are too many items on the agendas to be covered in one hour before the General Membership meetings. They have agreed to meet Tuesdays, April 3, July 10, and October 2 to review preliminary agendas, newsletters and legislation. The meetings will be at 9:00 am at the Vineland City Hall or at the SJTPO offices in Vineland.
- Proposed Spending Plan for 2001. Teresa presented the Board with a proposed budget. It was decided that the reflective dots would be deleted for more Halloween bags, and to increase the traffic safety inspector badges to 10,000. See approved budget attached.
- Strategic Plan and Budget. Teresa presented the Board with a draft Strategic Plan and Budget. The Plan covers 2001, 2002, 2003. Members are to submitt comments as soon as possible.
- Safety Bowl. Teresa explained the concept and the Board approved it. A committee will eventually be formed to get the program up and running.
- 2001 National Highway Safety Awards. Teresa informed the Board she will be nominating the SJTPO and SJTSA for effectively integrating safety into Metropolitan and State Planning processes.
Legislation
Teresa informed everyone that the Legislative Committee had met and the minutes were in their packets. She outlined what they were recommending to the Executive Board. They agreed.
Board Member Comments - none
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
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SJTSA
