April 1, 2008 Minutes

April 1, 2008

CAUCUS:

1. Review of Regular Agenda - Mayor Alexander reviewed the regular agenda with no questions or comments from Council Members.

2. Explanation of School Budget – Dr. Nancy Hacker, Superintendent of Schools gave an overview of the 08-09 budgets. The budget contains the lowest increase in years. They received a 2% increase in state aid and are going to be experiencing a savings due to attrition. She went into detail regarding the need for more teachers, and a longer day for students. Haddon Heights students ranked 7^th out of 18 for SAT scores. In closing, Dr. Hacker stated the school met the Mayor’s challenge and asked for council’s support in voting for the budget.

Council President, Sheilds asked the status of moving the entrance to the high school from the front to the side in hopes of alleviating some of the traffic problems. Dr. Hacker responded it is in the capital budget and will be considered along with lighting costs.

In response to a flier that has been circulating, Mayor Alexander read his statutory duties pertaining to his office, as well as that of Council members.

3. Tax Sale Discussion – Mayor Alexander - The subject of the power point presentation was the annual tax sale and what impact the re-evaluation has on the number of delinquencies we are experiencing. The full presentation is on file with the Borough Clerk.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Scott M. Alexander opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence for the Borough’s auditor Lisa Donahue who is suffering with cancer.

He then stated, “In accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board designed for that purpose and notice was mailed to the official newspaper provided by Resolution adopted January 5, 2008”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Lee Wentz, Donald Witzig, Tad Fetter and Gordon Shopp, Councilwomen Rosemary Fitzgerald and Trish Sheilds.

Motion to approve the minutes from 3/18/08 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members were in favor with the exception of Councilwoman Fitzgerald who abstained from voting.

The following committee reports were presented:

Councilman Fetter reported today (4/1/08) was the deadline to file a tax appeal. We are aware that 120 forms were filed. If the county agreed with these reductions in value, it would equate to 6 million less in revenues. That is a significant concern with a dramatic impact on our finances. Councilman Shopp asked if we should be looking at a new reval? The Mayor responded the new assessor would like to try to rectify the problems locally.

An announcement that the woman’s club donated $500 to the police department for vests was made by Council President Sheilds. Also resident and founder of Adopt-a-Spot, John Rayser is looking for donated perennials for the downtown area. He can be contacted for further information.

Mayor Alexander thanked the Centennial Committee and, in particular, Roni Olizi for their efforts in obtaining a $264,000 Grant from NJDOT. The Money will be used to enhance the railroad corridor.

Councilman Wentz read a report from DPW and said that Superintendent Gary Geserick has retired with Richard Edelen named as temporary superintendent.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported that six people have been interviewed for two positions within the borough. She explained that there have been numerous complaints about zoning issues and lack of enforcement. In addition, the office is planning on being open all day. Rose also spoke of “green town”, a movement that Haddon Heights could join. It would encourage walking (kids with parents) with the intention of cutting down on gasoline.

Councilman Shopp reiterated the EDC Meetings are held the 3^rd Wednesday at 7:00 monthly.

Remarks from the public on New Business agenda items:

Mr. Troutman, 1509 Chestnut asked for explanations for Resolution 2008:84 and 88. Regarding 2008:84, Councilman Fetter said we are attempting to pay the bills that were approved in the Capital Budget last year. In response to Mr. Troutman’s question on 2008:88, Joan Moreland, Borough Clerk explained that the CC Joint Insurance Fund requested that a formal Safety Committee be formed. She explained that the Department Heads have been meeting for years, discussing various safety issues for the employees, workmen’s compensation cases and how future accidents could be avoided. The committee will consist of Borough Clerk, Fire Department representative, Police Chief, Ambulance Chief, Court Administrator, Library Director, DPW Superintendent, Construction Official and Council President and is under the direction of Assistant Fire Chief Frank Lafferty.

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution 2008:82 – Resolution Authorizing Emergency Temporary Appropriations.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:82 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:83 – Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks in the Current Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:83 was made by Councilmen Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:84 – Resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Up to $161,520 of Special Emergency Notes of the Borough of Haddon Heights; Making Certain Covenants to Maintain the Exemption of the Interest on Said Notes From Federal Income Taxation; and Authorizing Such Further Actions and Making Such Determinations as May be Necessary or Appropriate to Effectuate the Issuance and Sale of Notes.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:84 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:85 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1^st Half of April.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:85 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:86 – Resolution Amending Resolution 2008:65. (Contract with First Due Emergency Supply Company will be increased by $352.10 due to adding the names of firefighters on the back of the turn out coats, which was inadvertently omitted.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:86 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:87 – Resolution Supporting the Click It or Ticket Mobilization of May 19 through June1, 2008.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:87 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:88 – Resolution Establishing Safety Committee as Required by the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund and Municipal Excess Liability Fund. (Committee will be made up of Coordinator, Borough Clerk, Construction Official, Police Chief, Fire Chief, EMS Chief, Library Director, DPW Superintendent, Court Administrator and Parks & Recreation Director.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:88 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:89 – Resolution Authorizing Mayor and Borough Clerk to Sign the Interlocal Services Agreement By and Between the County of Camden and Borough of Haddon Heights. (Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse grant $10,574.)

Motion to adopt 2008:89 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to the public.

Jim Young, 514 4^th Avenue said he was asked to come to this meeting to dispel rumors circulating. He said he was asked by a Council member to go over the equipment and personnel in DPW as the former Superintendent; he would be familiar with the department’s jobs and needs. He said he is not looking for a job. In light of Gary Geserick retirement announcement, Mr. Young recommended Rich Edelen and Frank Spadea, Jr. to fill in as Superintendent and Assistant. Mr. Young said the town has money problems and is trying to spare the taxpayers of any additional burden. Councilman Shopp thanked Mr. Young for his efforts. Council President Sheilds said that Gary welcomed his input. Mr. Young congratulated Rich Edelen and Frank Spadea, Jr.

Terry Chepurney, said that a notice could have been put in the newsletter that the prescription cards were available, with less fanfare and cost to the residents, and time for employees. Ms. Chepurney said she was upset to read that the Mayor supports tax appeals, noting that a small majority has applied, equal to 2%. Regarding the proposed cuts in DPW, she said that Haddon Heights is not comparable to Barrington as the Mayor suggests. Lastly she asked council if they considered the unemployment insurance cost. Overtime to cover items that come up? She said she feels that the state is bloated – not the town.

Carolyn DiMedio, 206 Kings Highway said that she has had 88 people complete the appeal forms in her home. She said that none of them were laid off and that they were all middle-aged with middle income.

Ken Funkhouser, 414 2^nd Avenue, said he was not in favor of making 1^st and 2^nd Avenues one way streets, instead, he suggested that the police enforce drop offs and parking, and more use of the circular driveway.

Audrey DiRenzo, 415 2^nd Avenue said the school has to police traffic around the high school! She said she will be at the next School Board meeting regarding the bus problem and back up of cars dropping off children.

Joyce Burns, 308 2^nd Avenue, advised council that the School Resource Officer used to be outside in the mornings and afternoons to keep traffic clear.

Roni Olizi, 424 3^rd Avenue said she was glad that the Mayor and Council support the appeal process.

Carolyn DiMedio, 206 Kings Highway said she has so much anger and noted that the Homeowner Association hired a private assessor to address inequities and he received 64 phone calls.

Dan Phifer, DPW employee, asked if it was true that 8 out of 15 DPW employees were going to be laid off. Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano responded that due to current negotiations with AFSCME, he could not respond to the question. Mr. Phifer walked out of the meeting before the Solicitor finished his statement.

A resident from 625 Keswick said she was against privatizing DPW.

Mr. Troutman, 1509 Chestnut said there is a rumor that DPW is going to move to the NJ American Water Co. building and he felt it was too near a school and ballfields. Regarding Devon Avenue, Mr. Troutman said soil has been dumped there over the years and is causing dirt to run into the creek. Council President Sheilds said it has been an ongoing problem with landscapers dumping over the years. Lastly, he asked about the truck parked on the former Rittmayer property on Kings Highway.

Barbara Hoff Robinson, 1342 Chestnut said that DPW has done a lot of work at Hoff’s Park, removing obscenities immediately, repairs to equipment, etc. She said they would be sorely missed. Lastly she said she does not have a problem with the traffic on 1^st Avenue.

John Rayser, 611 High Street asked if other towns gone private and then changed back? He asked if the speed trailer could be placed on West Atlantic Avenue and Chief Kinkler said he would handle it. He then advised council of the trash near Kings Run and Council President Sheilds said they are just about done and will be cleaning up the area. She also said that the guiderail will be replaced next week.

John Alvarez, DPW employee, asked the Mayor how he got the information for the article in the Retrospect. The Mayor said he did an analysis based on quotes we’ve gotten before and information provided by the CFO and other towns. He asked if that included the sale of equipment and then asked about the money for the fire truck and police contract. He wanted to know, “why DPW was taking the brunt of this”.

With no further business to come before council, a motion to go into Closed Session for the discussion of personnel matters was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members were in favor. The Mayor announced that formal action may be taken once meeting is opened again to the public. Council was in closed session from 9:40PM-Midnight.

After the closed session, motion was made to open the meeting to the public by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members were in favor. The following items were considered:

Resolution 2008:90 – Resolution Authorizing Layoffs. (8 employees from DPW to be laid off from lowest in seniority up.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:90 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Under roll call Council members Fitzgerald, Fetter and Shopp voted yes. Councilman Wentz and Witzig abstained from voting and Council President Sheilds voted no. Motion passed.

Resolution 2008:91 – Resolution Appointing David Watson to the Position of Certified Public Works Manager (CPWM).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:91 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members were in favor.

With no further business to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members were in favor.

_______________________________________12:03am

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk