February 6, 2008 Minutes

February 6, 2008

The Mayor's 333 Plan can be viewed here.

CAUCUS:

All council members were present. Mr. William Tobolsky, Esq. was filling in for Borough Solicitor who would be arriving at the meeting due to a prior commitment in Magnolia.

Review of regular agenda items – Mayor Scott M. Alexander

American Legion Building: Albert Olizi, representing the members of the American Legion, spoke with council members about the possibility of having the Sons of Italy using the American Legion building as their “home He advised council that the proposed agreement with the American Legion members and the P.B.A. will not be happening as the P.B.A. is looking for another location for their meetings. Olizi said the Sons of Italy will be making approximately $100,000 in repairs to the building, beginning with the basement area that has been troubled with water problems. Mr. Olizi said the building will not be rented out, but would be available to the groups in town.

Mr. Bill Troutman, a member of the American Legion, said this will be an improvement for Haddon Heights and noted that 4-5 groups already meet in the building.

Sam Ross, a long time member of Sons of Italy confirmed their commitment to improving the property located at Kings Highway & West Atlantic Avenue and that the work will be completed utilizing funds raised by the Sons of Italy.

All of council agreed to proceed with the lease between the American Legion and Sons of Italy. Papers will be drawn up by Albert Olizi, Esq. He will also contact the Borough Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano.

Review of 333 Challenge: Mayor Alexander showed a power point presentation of his proposed 333 challenge, explaining that he wants the Borough, School and County not to increase their prospective budgets more than 3% over last year’s. The complete presentation is attached to these minutes.

Review of Recent Assessment Adjustments – Mayor Alexander and Councilman Tad Fetter.

Councilman Fetter presented a power point presentation explaining that 94% of Haddonfield’s properties were inside the expected rate. He said we so go after Professional Property Appraisers (PPA) for damages. He said they did not make 3 attempts to gain access and did not leave cards at the doors where there was no one home at the time of their visit. Mayor Alexander said it is his opinion that we should go back to the 2006 assessments for the 2008 bills. He also said we should have another town-wide re-assessment.

Review of 2008 Budget Process – Councilman Tad Fetter explained to the residents that as the budget stands right now, we are looking at a 1-2 cent per $100 increase. He said that includes an 8.2% increase in expenses. Councilman Fetter asked Police Chief Kinkler how short his staff is at the present time. The Chief said he was down 3 people. Fetter said that if we promote a Captain and hire 2 men for the street would that solve the problem? Chief Kinkler said it would be good moral and will enhance service to the residents.

1. 617 Station Avenue – Councilman Gordon Shopp explained that the building next door to the Municipal Building is being sold and we share a driveway. He said the property line does not leave enough room for anyone to park. Bill Tobolsky, filling in for Solicitor Siciliano, reported that Todd Day of Remington & Vernick and the Solicitor looked at the deed and said that a right of passage could be drawn up in the form of an easement. He noted that a resolution could be done at the next meeting.

2. Communications – Councilman Gordon Shopp said that there was a problem this summer with mailings sent out by the Assessor. He said no one knew about them and feels that council should have been advised. He also said he wants some type of process to follow. Councilman Wentz said he agreed with Shopp, saying, that outside of day to day letters, bulk mailings should be reviewed by council before being sent out. Mayor Alexander said that we should get a list together from the beginning of the year, listing all regular mail that is sent out by each department.

REGULAR AGENDA: 8:20pm

Mayor Scott Alexander opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

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: Lee Wentz, Rosemary Fitzgerald, Donald Witzig, Tad Fetter, Gordon Shopp and Council President Trish Sheilds. Substituting for Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano was William Tobolsky, Esquire.

Motion to approve the minutes from 1/15/08 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members were in favor.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilman Shopp, reporting for Economic Development (EDC) stated that a resolution is on tonight’s agenda appointing Roni Olizi to the committee. She will be filling an expired term of Craig Bickle. Shopp also advised council that he will be talking with the Mayor of Barrington and Councilman Wentz regarding sharing DPW services with Barrington. He said he is interested in the potential and advised council that feasibility grants are available to study the possibility of combining both DPW departments. He said the land where our DPW is situated could possibly be used for another purpose. Regarding the contact by a representative of T-Mobile, feels we should have more information before inviting him to a council meeting.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald asked if the Borough has ever applied for a Brownfields Grant. She was told no. Fitzgerald said the DPW is an old toxic landfill due to the fulling mill that was located there at one time. She then presented an activity report for the Construction Department for January. Report is attached in full to these minutes.

Councilman Wentz, reporting for DPW read the January activity report, which is attached to these minutes in full. He announced that the HH Business & Professional Association is sponsoring an Easter egg hunt on March 15^th. He also announced that there will be a “neighbors Night Out” in May. He noted that the 4^th of Drug Commission is looking for a new timekeeper for the 5K race and announced that Michael Valvardi is the new President of the 4^th of July Committee.

Council President Sheilds reporting for recreation, advised everyone that a new scoreboard is at the 8^th & High Street field thanks to the American Legion and Haddon Heights High School Alumni Association. For public Safety, Sheilds reported that the Police contract will be ratified this evening and that the Fire Department is ready to advertise for sealed bids for the purchase of a fire truck. Sheilds said a representative from the Center of Civic Responsibility will be attending our March 4^th caucus meeting regarding the “Pay to Play” ordinance recently adopted. Regarding the Log Cabin, Sheilds said that Roni Olizi applied for and received a grant for $15,000 for the shoring up the building, chimney and steps. She said that a fire inspection showed several safety issues and is not safe for occupancy at this point. She noted that reports have be made stating that 10-12 cars are parked at the Log Cabin on Friday night and that beer cans are out for collection on Monday morning. She said locks would be changed and no one will be able to use the building until all safety issues are dealt with.

Councilman Witzig read the January activity report for Administration, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Mayor Alexander announced that the 2^nd meeting for the school’s budget is scheduled for February 21^st, 7:00pm at the 7^th Avenue School’s all purpose room and urged residents to attend.

With no further reports to come from council members, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to the public for comments or questions regarding New Business items. There were none.

NEW BUSINESS:

Introduction of Ordinance 2008:1250. Public hearing and final adoption will be held on Tuesday, February 19 at the regular meeting. Advertisement will be in the Courier Post.

Ordinance 2008:1250 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Unfunded Appropriations Balances Heretofore Provided for Capital Improvements and Reappropriating Such Unfunded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects. ($14,732.46 remains after 2 capital projects have been completed, which is being reappropriated for the purchase of turn out gear for the Fire Department.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2008:1250 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:42: Resolution Authorizing a One-Day License for Alcohol Consumption for “Neighbors Night Out” Being Held on May 10, 2008.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:42 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:43 – Resolution Approving Change Order for 2007 Road Program (Glover Avenue and Green Street from 3^rd to 4^th Avenues). (Reason for Change Order: A) Additional concrete work required for curb ramp construction & tree removal. B) Change in scope for tree removal and curb replacement work; resulting in a contract reduction of $16,404.60.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:43 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:44 – Resolution Authorizing a One Day License for Alcohol Consumption for the Memorial Scholarship Fund to Be Held on March 1, 2008.

Motion to adopt resolution 2008:44 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:45 - Resolution Approving Raffle License for Memorial Scholarship Fund

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:45 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:46 – Resolution Approving Raffle License for St. Rose.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:46 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:47 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:47 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:48 – Resolution Appointing Roni Olizi to the Economic Dev. Committee.

During the caucus meeting, resolution was amended to read that Roni Olizi is appointed to fill an unexpired term expiring 12/31/08. All of council agreed with this amendment.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:48 as amended was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2008:49 – Resolution Authorizing Transfers of Appropriation Reserves.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:49 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:50 – Resolution Increasing Temporary Budget appropriations.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:50 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

With no further formal business to come before council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting the public for comments and the following residents came forward:

John Frank, 510 4^th Avenue asked council when the curb cuts will be completed. He was advised that the work should be completed in about 2 weeks. He also asked if there was a cost to the town related to the prescription cards received in the mail. The Mayor said there were no costs to taxpayers.

Carol DiMedio, 106 Kings Highway invited the Mayor and council to attend a meeting of the Homeowner Association on February 28^th, 7PM at the Baptist Church where there will be a speaker on tax reform. She also said that their independent appraiser extended an invitation to talk with the Solicitor and Mayor.

Ricki Roberts, 127 3^rd Avenue, President of Homeowner Association thanked the Mayor for the letter recently sent out. She offered the Mayor congratulations on his 333 Plan and asked him to put it in a letter to the residents. She also said she would like to share his power point presentation with the membership of the Homeowner Association. She questioned the 3-year wait for a re-assessment, saying that is for a normal revaluation – “ours was not normal”. She then asked that the school send budget notices out to all residents, not just to families with kids, noting that notices currently go home in the kid’s backpacks.

Nick Scardino, HH Fire Chief, advised council that his department is not revenue generating, explaining that the Inspection office has to break even with fees versus expenses.

Roni Olizi, 424 3^rd Avenue said she was concerned about curb cuts and noted that the one by her house was poured in 32 degree temperature, which is not good for concrete. She wanted to know who would be responsible, the Borough or Remington & Vernick. Councilman Fetter said he has already seen some of the curb cuts crumbling.

At this point in the meeting, Mrs. Olizi was sworn into her position on the Economic Development Committee.

With no further comments being offered, motion to close the meeting to the public for the purpose of a closed session for the discussion of personnel and negotiations was made by Councilman Shopp, second by Council President Sheilds. All were in favor.

_______________________________________9:25pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk

After the closed session, motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All were in favor.

Motion to ratify the Police Contract was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Under roll call all voted yes.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All were in favor.

_______________________________________11:40pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk