February 21, 2006 Minutes

February 21, 2006

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 3, 2006”.

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

Motion to approve the minutes from the February 7^th meeting was made by Councilman Shopp seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present voted yes with the exception of Councilwoman Haven who abstained from voting.

Mayor Griffith proclaimed March 2^nd as “Read Across America and Read Across America-NJ”.

Presentation of certificates and issuing the Oath of Office to the Student Councils from 7t6h Avenue and Atlantic Avenue Schools. The Mayor asked each group of students to come forward to receive their Oath of Office. Each student was then presented with a certificate for his or her achievements.

The following Committee reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven reporting for the Construction Office reported high permit activity with 20-30 permits a month.

Council President Trish Sheilds reporting for Recreation said that they are still waiting for the results of the soil test for the area behind the tennis courts on Devon Avenue. Regarding finances, she reported that the 2006 Municipal Budget would be introduced on March 7^th.

There were no remarks from the public on agenda items.

Old Business: Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2006:1206.

Ordinance 2006:1206 – An Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a CAP Bank.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All council members present were in favor. Motion to adopt the Ordinance was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinance 2006-1207. Mayor Griffith announced the public hearing and final adoption would be held on March 7^th at 8pm.

Ordinance 2006-1207 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Funded and Unfunded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Various Capital Projects and Reappropriating such Funded and Unfunded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects. (Money will be used for 2 projects – 7^th Avenue Pedestrian Safety Project in the amount of $10,500 and guardrail replacement along East Atlantic Avenue in the amount of $28,360).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006-1207 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:50 Resolution Approving Payment of Bills and Claims for the Second Half of February.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:50 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:51 – Resolution Authorizing a One-Day License for Alcohol Consumption for the Centennial “Neighbors Night Out” Being Held on May 13, 2006.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:51 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. All council members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:52 – Resolution Recognizing the 4^th of July Committee as a Quasi Entity of the Borough of Haddon Heights.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:52 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All council members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for remarks from the public at which time the following residents and business owners came forward:

Business owners of Chocolate Heaven, Jazzi Java, Ralph’s Pizza and Francesca’s Room were all against having to remove their “sandwich board” signs. Each said they were told by the Zoning Officer to remove the signs as they were against an existing ordinance. Connie from Chocolate Heaven said businesses should be told about the signs when they get permits and inspections! Councilwoman Haven said it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure all ordinances are being followed. Borough Solicitor John Kearney said it is part of due diligence on the part of the business owner. The owner of Jazzi Java said she asked about tables and chairs outside and was told it was okay as along as they were taken in at night.

Councilwoman Haven told the owners that the Master Plan is now being reviewed and that this would be a good time to discuss this issue. She offered to meet with them to discuss this further. Haven said she spoke with Kevin Sheehan, Solicitor for the Planning Board who said that the business owners should go to the Planning and Zoning Board meetings.

Connie from Chocolate Heaven asked if it was “safety issue” or what? Mayor Griffith suggested a temporary injunction. Councilwoman Haven said she thought that “sets a bad precedence”.

Discussion followed with council members and business owners. Kathy Villano, owner of Ralph’s and Francesca’s Room said she used sandwich board signs on the front steps to the business, not on the sidewalk. Kathy said, “Town is not business friendly”.

Councilwoman Haven said she would like to run this situation by Tom Ferrese, Chairman of the Planning Board and Kevin Sheehan, stating she needs their opinion, and if okay, then council could pass a resolution allowing a moratorium. Adena T. Sherman-Adams, manager of the Commerce Bank said that this is the 3^rd of 4^th meeting and a resolution is needed at this time. She will provide council a draft resolution for council’s and Planning Board’s review.

Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue suggested seeking the services of Richard Lipko of Pennoni Associates, as he is familiar with Station Avenue from working on the Streetscape Project.

Mr. McAdams, 1006 South Park said he approves of the sandwich board signs, noting he can see what is on the menu that day while driving by! Regarding his remarks at the 12/20/05 and the questions he asked, McAdams said he wanted to know where the money came for the Police Chief’s 16-½ % increase and the Police Captain’s 17-½% raises. He said he read the average salaries for Camden County and compared Haddon Heights’ salaries with other similar sized towns, noting the Chief makes $5,000 - $10,000 more than any Chief in the group and the Captain is $10,000 higher than any Captain in the group. He then asked, “How is the Borough going to fund this?” Mr. McAdams said that the council members who voted for the increase have done “an injustice to the taxpayers”. He also said he was going to file a complaint with the State Ethics Board.

John Rayser, High Street said he supports the Environment Committee. He told council he thinks the avenue is looking a little sloppy with the faux neon signs and yellow banners. He also said that there is always trash sitting out on the White Horse Pike by businesses that are not open on the weekends. Rayser told council that “things have to be tightened and tweaked”, and that he wants to see the curbs and streets kept clean. Mr. Rayser asked about the grant for West Atlantic Avenue work and wanted to know when the work will be done. The Mayor told Mr. Rayser that we did not get the amount we hoped for, but the work will begin in the spring. Mr. Rayser told council that Haddonfield has speed bumps and said he would like to have one installed before the baseball fields on West Atlantic Avenue.

David Ragonese, 602 Sycamore Terrace asked if the Cedar Avenue property was going to be given to the adjacent residents as a gift? John Kearney said, “Yes, it is too small”. He then asked Mayor Griffith about Bowman & Co. not filing a campaign contribution form with the Borough.

With no further comments to be made, motion to adjourn was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp.

_____________________________________ 9:20pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk