December 18, 2007 Minutes

December 18, 2007

Mayor Beth Ann Haven 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 2, 2007”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Wentz, Shopp, Ottoson and Witzig, Councilwomen Cortese and Sheilds. Borough Solicitor John Kearney was also present.

The Mayor invited Chief Kinkler and his family to come up front. She then said that Richard Kinkler is a Haddon Heights graduate who spent 20 years in the Marines and Army and 15 years on the police force. She also stated he has strong leadership abilities, solid work ethics and the respect of fellow officers and Borough employees. Councilman and Public Safety Director Thomas Ottoson thanked members of the committee. He also said he looks forward to seeing him in town as Chief. At this point Mayor Haven issued the Oath of Office to Police Chief Richard Kinkler. He was joined by his wife Leslie, daughter Grace and son Daniel. The Chief had a large contingency of family and friends attending the swearing in.

Motion to approve the minutes from the November 20^{th meeting} was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All were in favor.

Motion to approve the minutes from the December 4^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All were in favor.

Recognitions: Civic Pride Committee and Recreation Committee. Mayor Haven and Councilwoman Barbara Cortese read the names of volunteers on the Civic Pride Committee and Recreation Committee. No on was present to accept the certificates, but received a round of applause for their volunteer efforts.

Leah Slemmer of the Haddon Heights EMS explained that Audubon Borough and Audubon Park would be joining with Haddon Heights for EMS services for its residents. She explained that this shared service would serve the 3 towns with 24 x 7 coverage and that once it gets going, a Shares Services grant will be applied for. She also explained that Audubon and Haddon Heights would be splitting the cost of gas and that the biggest savings for all 3 towns will in be the Capital Budget. She presented 2 reports which are attached to these minutes in full. The Mayor stated that a survey was done by the State that showed EMS service was lacking and this effort by Leah Slemmer and John Zenuk is a model for other towns. She thanked them for their efforts. Councilman Shopp asked Ms. Slemmer to put more information in her reports for the next 3 years to “make the reports clearer”.

Committee Reports.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Administration, read an activity report, which is attached to these minutes.

Council President Trish Sheilds, reporting for Finance, said all departments have submitted their 2008 budgets and work will begin on the Municipal Budget in January. Sheilds also announced that our Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Ernie Merlino will be retiring as of June 1, 2008 and will be sorely missed. She then advised council that the December Recreation Committee meeting has been cancelled.

Councilman Gordon Shopp, reporting for the Construction Department, said he has received 1 resume to replace Mengste Thomas El, who is retiring as of 12/31/07. The Clerk said the help wanted notice is on the website, Channel 19 and has been forwarded to all Camden County Clerks. She suggested sending it through the Municipal Clerks Association of New Jersey, which will reach every town in New Jersey. Councilman Shopp said he will be asking some professionals in town to help with the interview process. Regarding the 3-year EMS Interlocal, Shopp said he would like the cost agreement spelled out. Councilman Ottoson said the Haddon Heights EMS, along with the Audubon and Audubon Park EMS are independent entities and they have to make an agreement among themselves. Leah Slemmer said the costs will be less by joining forces with Audubon Borough and Audubon Park.

Councilman Thomas Ottoson reporting for Public Safety said everyone is invited to the Station House Restaurant tonight by Chief Richard Kinkler to help celebrate his official swearing in. He also announced that new uniforms will be worn by the Police Department, explaining that they are more comfortable, have more pockets and are about half the cost of the current uniform. Ottoson also reported that the Fire Department Chief and committee are just about finished working on the specifications for a new fire engine with the last meeting scheduled for tomorrow evening. He announced that an Eagle Scout project of refurbishing the cannons at the foot of Station Avenue will be taken on by a scout from Audubon. He noted that the last time this was done was in 1993.

Remarks from the public on agenda items.

Scott Alexander, 217 4^th Avenue said that Councilman Shopp was right – the Interlocal Agreement for EMS services is confusing. He said the 3-year agreement should have a Profit and Loss statement. He also noted that we should be able to cut what the Borough pays. He suggested doing a forecast, show reduction in the Borough’s portion of funding and more details in the Interlocal Agreement.

Leah Slemmer responded that her concern is she has a “bare bones” budget as it is and won’t be able to make payroll if the Interlocal Agreement is not approved tonight. When asked, she did not know the deadline for filing for the grant. Discussion ensued with various council members and Ms Slemmer.

With no further comments on agenda items, Mayor Haven opened the meeting to Old Business.

Public hearings and final adoption of Ordinance 2007:1242 and 1249.

Ordinance 2007:1242 – An Ordinance Regarding “Pay to Play” Law.

Motion to bring Ordinance 2007:1242 back to the table was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All were in favor.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked Council why the changes he suggested were not made, saying “wheeling” is a bad practice – and it was taken out of the ordinance. Council President Sheilds said the ordinance will be revisited in January. She also said that companies will be asked for their record of political contributions before contracts for professional services are awarded. Mr. Ragonese asked all council members why his suggestions were removed. Councilman Wentz said it was decided to wait until January and take time to change the whole ordinance. Mr. Ragonese said “it is a farce”.

Holly Cass, 18 7^th Avenue commented that this ordinance is a model ordinance written by the State and commended council for their efforts.

Hearing or seeing no further comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Wentz.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2007:1242 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Under roll call all council members voted yes with the exception of Councilman Shopp who voted no.

Ordinance 2007:1249 – An Ordinance Authorizing Payment for Inspections and Clerical Work Related to the King’s Run Project. ($35 per inspection and $14/hr for clerical).

Holly Cass, 18 7^th Avenue asked if this ordinance was approving payments to employees or hired people. Solicitor Kearney explained the ordinance which allows payments to Borough inspectors and clerical personnel who had to do extra work related to Kings Run. Cass questioned the reason for extra payment. Mayor Haven explained that it is extra compensation for the extra work load related to the project. She also said that the permit fees more than cover the expense.

Hearing or seeing no further comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. All were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2007:1249 was made by Councilman Ottoson, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all council members voted yes with the exception of Council President Sheilds who voted no.

With no further Old Business to conduct, Mayor Haven opened the meeting the New Business.

Resolution 2007:159 – Resolution Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:159 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon Roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:160 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayment.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:160 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:161 – Resolution Awarding Contract to the Animal Orphanage for 2008. ($4,800 for required animal sheltering services. Contract begins 1/1/08 -12/31/08).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:161 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:162 – Resolution Authorizing the Fire Department to Purchase 2 Pagers and 2 Sets of Turn Out Gear Utilizing State Contracts.

Motion to Adopt Resolution 2007:162 was made by Councilman Ottoson, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:163 - Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for December.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:163 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:164 – Resolution Supporting the Over the Limit Under Arrest 2007 Year End Crackdown. (The program will involve increased impaired driving enforcement during the period of December 7^th through January 2^nd ).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:164 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All were in favor.

Resolution 2007:165 – Resolution Ratifying Resolution 2007:129 Regarding the Removal of the Deed Restriction on Block 82 Lot 13.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:165 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. All were in favor.

Resolution 2007:166 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Winchester Roofing Corp. in the Amount of $78,405 for Replacement of Library Roof.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:166 was made by Councilman Ottoson, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2007:167 – Resolution Authorizing Interlocal Agreement with Borough of Audubon for Emergency Medical Services with Haddon Heights EMS Being the Lead Agency.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:167 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Mayor Haven open the meeting for comments, questions or remarks from the public, at which time several residents came forward.

Mrs. Perrino, 1640 Sycamore Street, first thanked Councilman Shopp for his kindness. She said she has had problems with a natural fence (bamboo) that her neighbor has that has grown to 7 ½ to 10’ high. She said that our Zoning Enforcement Officer told her he would notify the neighbor and give them 10 days to cut the bamboo to the required 6’ height or a court summons would be issued. She said this has not been done. Mayor Haven said she would follow-up with Mengste Thomas El regarding the court summons. Mrs. Perrino said her attorney asked her to come to this meeting tonight to advise council of the situation and “get on record”. Councilman Shopp assured her it would be taken care of. Lastly she said, “you are subjecting yourself to litigation”.

Greg McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue, stated, related to the Pay to Play ordinance just adopted that the “Democrat council does not want to do anything about the political process”.

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Haven asked Council President Trish Sheilds, Councilwoman Barbara Cortese and Councilman Thomas Ottoson to join her up front. They were each presented with a plaque for their service as council members. Councilwoman Cortese served previously at Mayor for 4 years and just completed 3 years as a council member. Councilman Ottoson was appointed to fill a vacancy on council and has completed the unexpired term of Ken Hamburger. Both received a well deserved round of applause from those present.

Council President Sheilds presented Mayor Haven with a plaque for her service in completing the last year of former Mayor Susan Griffith’s term. She also received a round of applause.

With no further comments to come from the public, Mayor Haven announced that council will be going into an Executive Session for the discussion of police negotiations.

A motion to close the meeting to the public was made by Council President Sheilds, second by Councilman Shopp. All were in favor.

_____________________________________________8:50pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk