December 20, 2005 Minutes

December 20, 2005

Mayor Susan R. Griffith opened the last meeting of the years 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 and Cortese and Council President Sheilds and Councilman Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present. Councilwoman Haven and Councilman Hamburger were absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from the December 6^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Mayor Griffith asked Christine Babcock, Amber Bean, Andrew J. Betz, Patrick R. Shaner and Timothy W. Taylor to come up and receive a Certificate of Achievement. The 5 Haddon Heights High School students were chosen to attend the Girls State and Boys State sessions by the Hoyle-Butcher American Legion Post 149. The 3 young men were present and each said that being chosen to attend the 5-day session out of state was an experience they will remember always. They all seemed to agree that they learned a lot about how government works and getting along with people who have different opinions than theirs. They also agreed that the experience of being away from home for a week makes going away to college a little easier! Christine Babcock and Amber Bean were unable to attend the meeting due to a basketball game that one played in and the other cheered! Mrs. Pia Troutman said she would see that the girls received their certificates. Pete Hill, Secretary for the Hoyle-Butcher Legion said that this program has been going on for 60 years.

At this time Mayor Griffith asked Councilwoman Andrea Wyman to come forward. She then presented the Councilwoman with a plaque for her 3 years on council. This was Councilwoman Wyman’s last meeting.

Committee Reports:

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety said that a full monthly report of police services would be on file with the Borough Clerk if anyone wishes to review it. Regarding the traffic situation at 8^th Avenue and Kings Highway, Witzig said that the Police Captain would provide more patrols of that area until it is resolved.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman, reporting for Public Works said that she has been contacted about which way the Christmas wreaths on Station Avenue are facing. She asked that if anyone has an opinion, to call Public Works and let them know if they like them facing the street or sidewalk so changes can be made next year.

With no further reports to be made, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public on agenda items at which time the following residents came forward:

Greg McAdams, 1006 South Park Avenue said he has questions about Ordinance 2005-1202. He said that the Chief and Captain received 4% raises in August and wanted to know why they were getting more now. Solicitor Kearney informed Mr. McAdams that they were removed from that ordinance and noted, “these raises reflect all the raise they will get his year”. Mr. McAdams asked for justification of the 12% - 13% raise. Kearney explained that they are low on the list of County Chiefs and Captains and that their men make more than them. Mr. McAdams said he did not agree with the increase noting that other employees only received 2%. He also noted that the total impact on pensions is $6,200 a year for the Chief and $6,234 for the Captain equaling $373,000 if they both lived another 30 years! McAdams said that council is “padding pensions” and that he was upset about how the numbers were put out to the public (Sunday Courier Post). Lastly Mr. McAdams said that the people in town most concerned with the fiscal management are unaware of this increase and called it “obvious pension padding”.

Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue said he agrees with what Mr. McAdams said and suggested that council table the adoption of Ordinance 2005-1202 giving more time for people to look it over. He also said he agrees with the “pension padding” idea.

Mrs. Ann McAdams asked where the money was coming from? She was told by Kearney that it was in the budget. She said there are a lot of small things that could be done with the $22,000, such as planting flowers, cleaning out the gardens, etc.

Old Business:

Public hearings and final adoptions of Ordinances 2005-1202 and 2005-1203.

Ordinance 2005-1202 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be paid to the Police Chief and Police Captain of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2005. (Chief $88,673, Captain $83,293).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1202 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call, all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005-1203 – An Ordinance Concerning the Haddon Heights Skate Park and Tennis Courts. (No wheeled vehicles will be allowed. Fine not to exceed $1,000, up to 6 months in jail, forfeiture of the vehicle or device illegally used at either location and the cost of damage as a result of illegal use of vehicle or device).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1203 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

New Business:

Resolution 2005:178 - Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks in the Payroll Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:178 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:179 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of December.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:179 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:180 – Resolution Approving Change Order in the Amount of $2,080 for the Curb Cuts Along Station Avenue. (CDBG funds will cover the change order, which is necessary due to the County’s new requirements for curb cuts that were not known at the time of the bid).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:180 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

There were no comments from the public at this time.

Motion to adjourn the last meeting of 2005 was made by Councilwomen Wyman, seconded by Council President Sheilds.

_________________________________ 8:30pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk