October 12, 2007

GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!

Dear NJGCA Member:

I recently received a phone call from a Member with an employee problem. A worker was pocketing cash and the owner deducted the missing funds from the employee?s paycheck. We have all heard similar stories.

Information obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) stated that an employer is allowed to deduct these monies, as long as the total withholdings did not collectively dip below the State's minimum wage. If this is not possible, then deductions can be made across a few paychecks.

New Jersey DoL officials, however, claims this action is prohibited by state law.

We have an obvious contradiction from two "reliable" resources.

The bottom line: Please be sure to check your sources before deciding a course of action. DO NOT permit misinformed or confused government bureaucrats from affecting your small business. To prevent headaches and problems, always get it in writing.

Please attend your local Fall Member Dinner Meeting! See the calendar below for upcoming times and locations.

Regards,
Sal Risalvato,
Executive Director

IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

• Corzine toll road plan still shrouded in secrecy
• Crude oil prices drop over $2 per barrel; dollar rises
• State proposes Gas Tax Hike to pay for bridge and road repair

DIESEL FUEL BULLETIN FOLLOW-UP

• Online resource on diesel fuel regulations

INSPECTION TIP

• Do you know what kinds of vehicles PIFs are allowed to inspect?

ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN

• Two year check-up: Did you complete your Biennial Certification?

UPCOMING EVENTS

NJGCA Fall Member Dinner Meetings:
10/16/2007: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex & Somerset Counties
10/23/2007: Monmouth & Ocean Counties
10/24/2007: Essex & Union Counties

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

10/09/2007:
Corzine toll road plan still shrouded in secrecy
With state assets and billions in public funds at stake, the Corzine Administration has continued to ignore calls to make a completed report on a toll road sale public before the November election.

10/08/2007:
Crude oil prices drop over $2 per barrel; dollar rises
For the first time in two months, crude oil prices dropped more than $2 per barrel as the strength of the dollar rose against the Euro. Prices are expected to continue to decline if the value of the dollar rises in coming months.

10/07/2007:
State proposes Gas Tax Hike to pay for bridge and road repair
Noting that New Jersey has the 3rd lowest gasoline tax in the nation, the Governor and key Legislators continue to push for a tax increase as the only way to pay for needed road and bridge repair. Any gas tax increase could prove to be disastrous for retailers and consumers alike.

DIESEL FUEL BULLETIN FOLLOW-UP

Last week we cited important information on how diesel pumps are to be labeled or face costly fines.

For additional facts, please see a list of Commonly Asked Questions HERE or visit www.clean-diesel.org for more details.

INSPECTION TIP

Recently, "undercover" vehicles have visited random Private Inspection Facilities (PIFs) to ask for inspections on unauthorized vehicles and diesel vehicles over 10,000 lbs. They also have tried to pass off insurance cards that are over 14 months old.

Among the most common deceptions has been school-transportation vehicles that are required by law to be inspected by Central Inspection Facilities (CIFs). At times these vehicles may appear quite ordinary such as a full-sized van or minivan and can easily be mistaken for an approved vehicle.

To spot these traps by "undercover" MVC officials, inspectors should recall that school-transportation vehicles have S1 or S2 license plates (an easy tip-off) or observe proper documentation procedures.

Review MVC protocols for all procedure on necessary documentation and what kinds of vehicles CAN or CANNOT be inspected.

They are listed in the MVC PIF manual starting on page 72.

ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN
DEP Classification Exception Area-Biennial Certification

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) does periodic site evaluations on locations that have had a gasoline spill in the past. In some cases, DEP has not required active ground water remediation but the site does not possess an NFA (No Further Action).

In such situations, a Classification Exception Area (CEA) is established for these gas stations. An evaluation, called a Biennial Certification, is required every 2 years from the date the CEA was originally established. A Biennial Certification must be submitted to NJDEP until groundwater contaminants are below established Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS).

If you have a CEA and have not completed this Biennial Certification, and you received a letter, contact your environmental consultant for assistance in filing the appropriate forms. There are fines involved if you have not completed the required evaluation.

An Enforcement Alert can be found HERE with further information on this initiative HERE.

A list of Biennial Certification Requirement Violators can be found HERE on the DEP website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Please attend our Fall Member Dinner Meetings:

Next 3 Fall Member Meeting dates and locations:

Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex & Somerset Counties
Tuesday October 16 @ 7 PM

Freddies
12 Railroad Ave
West Trenton, NJ 08628
(609)-882-9845

Contact:
(Hunterdon) Frank Stewart frank@njgca.org (973) 459-0782
(Mercer, Somerset) Phil Apruzzi phil@njgca.org (732) 693-2656
(Middlesex) Henry Darden henry@njgca.org (908) 247-2992

Monmouth & Ocean Counties
Tuesday October 23 @ 7 PM

Kelly?s Corner Tavern
43 Laird Rd (Rte 35 south)
Neptune, NJ 07753
(732) 775-9517

Contact:
(Monmouth) Phil Apruzzi phil@njgca.org (732) 693-2656
(Ocean) Jack Leli jack@njgca.org (732) 995-1637

Essex & Union Counties
Wednesday October 24 @ 7 PM

Cryan?s Beef and Ale House
24 First Street
South Orange, NJ 07079
973-763-7114

Contact:
(Essex) Eric Hayes eric@njgca.org (973) 986-7135
(Union) Henry Darden henry@njgca.org (908) 247-2992