April 5, 2005 Minutes

April 5, 2005

Mayor Susan R. Griffith opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

She 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, 2005”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Wyman, Haven, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present. Councilwoman Wyman was absent.

Motion made by Councilwoman Sheilds, second by Councilwoman Cortese to approve the minutes from the March 1^ST meeting. All members present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Wyman who abstained.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven, reporting for the Construction Office said that there were 33 new permits issued. Please refer to full report attached to the minutes. She also said that information regarding the personnel is now posted on the website, along with their pictures.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety said that the Chief and Captain have found 7 candidates in training that would be good for us. He said the 7 people are due to graduate at the end of May and noted that interviews for the position available would begin at that time. In regards to the Planning Board, Councilman Witzig said that the Board is suggesting an appendix to be inserted to the Master Plan. He was asked by the Mayor to give it to the Clerk.

Councilwoman Trish Sheilds announced that the fence around the soccer field is now complete! She advised everyone that flag football will be starting next weekend. Regarding the Finance Department, Councilwoman Sheilds said that this year’s budget is tough. She thanked the Department Heads for their cooperation and the council members for their support.

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger told Councilwoman Sheilds that he would supervise at the skate park from noon – 1pm on Sundays!

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman thanked the Finance Committee for their hard work on the budget and said that the line item increased will be posted.

Mayor Susan Griffith said she received a thank you note from Pat Cooper for the fruit basket sent to her after her recent foot surgery. The Mayor advised council that she will be attending the Blue Mass being held in Camden.

With no further reports to be presented, the Mayor called for remarks from the public on agenda items.

Greg McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue was not pleased with the proposed 18 cent increase in this year’s budget saying it meant a $250 increase per household. He was concerned over the State rebate that was lowered, the surplus amount and the new school debt. Mr. McAdams suggested that a challenge be given to all Department heads to cut 5-10% off their budgets, and that council look at the benefits “employees are demanding”. He also said he has never heard of being allowed to bank unlimited vacation days!

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street asked if there was a minimum allowed for surplus? He was told no. He then asked what bank the Borough deals with. He was told Commerce Bank. He asked why the Borough doesn’t use the 100-year old bank (Haddon Savings)? The Mayor said that Commerce gave us a better rate. The Borough Clerk said that a few years ago when she was responsible for investing the Borough’s funds, she was told by Haddon Savings that their were not interested in town money. Councilman Hamburger said he liked the concept of a “town bank”.

Lynn Dalton, 208 Crest Avenue said she looked up the word “budget” in 4 dictionaries and found it basically means, “Plan, adjusting expenses to income”. Mayor Griffith said that some of the expenses are passed down from the State and some are contractual. Councilwoman Haven said the increase is 17 cents, 8 cents of which is salaries, insurance and LOSAP. She noted that some things have been done to lower expenses, such as changing insurance deductions. Finance Director Councilwoman Sheilds said we wouldn’t know anything until we hear from the State on our application for Discretionary Aid.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street noted that the Mayor and Council are all volunteers, not paid and get beat up this time of year! He asked that they slow down and rethink the budget. He suggested that the Borough stop recycling. Solicitor John Kearney said that recycling is mandated by the State. Councilwoman Wyman said we do make a little money from recycling. Councilwoman Cortese said that in the beginning of this budget process, the increase was 24 cents, now it has been cut to 17 cents with 2% instead of 4% increases to non-contracted employees. Councilwoman Haven said that 1 cent equals $40,000, so you can tell how much has been cut already.

Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue thanked the Finance Committee for their hard work on the budget, but said 2 things bother him: banking vacation days and by-out at retirement. He said it was time for Haddon Heights to change the trend and look at not allowing vacation and sick days to be saved – “use or lose”.

Old Business:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2005-1190.

Ordinance 2005:1190 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding the Police Department. (Eliminates the wording referring to evaluations and extends the promotional list from one year to three).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1190 was made by councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:61 – Resolution Authorizing that the Budget Be Read by Title Only.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:61 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:55 – 2005 Municipal Budget.

Public hearing on 2005 Municipal Budget. Budget synopsis was in the Retrospect on March 24^th and a complete copy of the 2005 Budget is on file with the Haddon Heights Library and the County Library in Voorhees. The residents in attendance made their comments on the budget during the Comments on Agenda Items section. There were no further comments at this time. Motion to close the public hearing on the 2005 Municipal Budget was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members voted yes.

Motion to table the adoption of the 2005 Municipal Budget was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Under roll call all members voted yes.

New Business:

Resolution 2005:65 – Resolution Refunding Tax Overpayments. (Senior Citizen deduction approved for 2004. Resident had paid taxes before deduction was approved, thereby creating an overpayment of $250).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:65 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:66 – Resolution Authorizing a Bus Stop on Route 30 (White Horse Pike). (Bus stop will be located mid-block between Clements Bridge Road and Grove Street on the east side)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:66 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:67 – Resolution Authorizing the Haddon Heights Fire Department to Participate in the State’s Firefighter Certification Program and Appointing the Fire Chief as Authorized Signatory. (This resolution is required in order to participate in CEU programs offered by the State. The lecture only programs will be contacted at our fire station.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:67 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:68 – Resolution Approving Payment of Bills and Claims for 1^st Half of April.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:68 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:69 – Resolution Authorizing Purchases Utilizing State Contracts. (Police Department and Finance Office computer servers and computer equipment and copier for Construction Office.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:69 was made by Councilman Hamburger, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public.

Dan Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked what bank the Borough deals with? He was told Commerce Bank. He said their practice, outlined in a series of articles in the Courier Post, is unacceptable and said it was an opportunity for the Borough to withdraw their money and change banks.

With no further comments to be made, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members were in favor.

_________________________________ 8:40pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk