February 3, 2004 Minutes

February 3, 2004

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 newspapers provided by resolution adopted January 3, 2004”.

Under Roll Call the following members of council were present: Councilwomen Haven, Houser, Sheilds and Wyman and Councilman O’Toole. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present. Councilman Witzig was absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from the 1/3/04, 1/6/04 and 1/13/04 meetings was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded Councilwoman Wyman. All other members of council voted yes.

Committee Reports:

Councilwoman Haven reported that the construction department met with finance for budgetary reasons. The wed site will have updated information and updating the zoning and tax maps was discussed with a suggestion that a proposal be sought from the borough engineer.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported that parks and recreation got their wish list – a skateboard park.

Councilwoman Wyman reported from administration that Pat Cooper is receiving help from Marie Holcomb in the absence of Borough Clerk, Joan Moreland with preparing minutes and agendas and she feels that some of the burden is taken off her.

Councilman O’Toole from the Finance Department that a special meeting will be held on 2/10/04 at 6:00 p.m. to introduce the municipal budget. His committee will be looking at the library proposal. He asked for input regarding both fire and ambulance mergers that have been talked about for sometime. Councilman O’toole met with the engineer regarding easements and is waiting for the engineers report. Speaking for the Department of Public Works – the borough may put dumpsters at the Department of Public Works for Spring clean-ups. A Public Works reports is available from Councilman O’toole. Specs for 8th & Kings Highway resurfacing will be ready to go out for bid shortly. Our application for CDBG 2005 is due 3/15/04. Councilman O’Toole asked that any suggestions on how to appropriate the money be e-mailed to him or the mayor. Mayor Griffith suggested handicapped parking be considered at Devon Avenue.

To update everyone regarding possible shared services for a school superintendent between Barrington & Haddon Heights, Mayor Griffith said it is a bit premature and when we’ll revisit at a future date when we have some definite information.

Old Business: Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinances 2004-1164 and 2004-1166

Ordinance 2004-1164 - An Ordinance Establishing Procedures to Adopt Personnel Practices and Authorizing the CEO – Joan Moreland to Implement Said Practices with all Officials, Appointees, Employees, Prospective Employees, Volunteers and Independent Contractors of the Borough of Haddon Heights (Requirement of the Camden County JIF)

Hearing and seeing no comments from the residents in attendance, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Houser, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. All members of Council voted yes. Motion to adopt 2004-1164 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members of Council voted yes.

Ordinance 2004-1166 – An Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Various Capital Projects and Reappropriating Such Funded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects

Hearing and seeing no comments from the residence in attendance, motion to close was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members of Council voted yes. Motion to adopt 2004-1166 as amended was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members of Council voted yes.

New Business: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 2004-1165 – Public Hearing and Final Adoption will be on Tuesday, February 17, 2004 at 8:00 p.m.

Ordinance 2004-1165 – An Ordinance Authorizing the Borough of Haddon Heights to Provide Legal Counsel and Indemnification for Officials, Employees and Appointees of the Borough of Haddon Heights in Certain Actions Brought Against Said Officials, Employees and Appointees

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2004-1165 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:35 – Resolution Adopting Personnel Policies and Procedures (Allows Changes to personnel manual to be made by Resolution in lieu of Ordinance)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:35 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:40 – Resolution Amending Added Assessment (Correcting Assessment on New Construction – Camden County Tax Board)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:40 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:41 – Resolution Canceling Added Assessment (Camden County Tax Board)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:41 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:42 – Resolution Granting Senior Citizen Deduction for 2003 (Deduction was granted after 4th quarter was paid)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:42 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:43 – Resolution Awarding Contract to American Athletic Courts, Inc. for Construction of a Skate Board Park in the Amount of $84,975

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:43 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:44 – Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement Waiver (Between Haddon Heights Borough Police Department and New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:44 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:45 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1st Half of February 2004

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:45 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

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

Mr. Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue commented on the funds for the 4th of July fireworks and also hopes there will be more funding for the Library to operate.

Mrs. Roni Olizi, 612 Sycamore Terrace stated that the concert at St. Rose was wonderful. She would also like Mayor and Council to consider more money for tree planting, as there are no grants from the state this year.

Darren Temel, 1019 Sycamore Street thanked Mayor and Council for taking an interest in their ideas to build this skateboard park. He asked for a meeting with Council members, the engineer and the contractor in regards to the park. Mayor Griffith thanked him and fellow skateboarders for their interest and ideas. They will work on setting up a meeting before construction begins and he will be notified.

Jessica Kuhn, 514 Tenth Avenue would like the borough to find ways to provide mentoring programs for foster children in town. Mayor Griffith said it would be a wonderful opportunity to get involved and maybe Mr. Swanson could put something in the newspaper and possibly get a group together.

With no further business to come before Council motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members of Council voted yes.

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Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk 8:35 pm