January 3, 2006 Minutes

January 3, 2006

The 2006 Reorganization Meeting was opened by a welcome from Mayor Griffith. She recognized Senator Wayne Bryant, Freeholder Joseph Ripa and Surrogate Pat Jones in the audience and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

The invocation was presented by Walter Sandell, Chaplain of Haddon Heights Fire Department and Haddon Heights Ambulance Corps.

Mayor Susan R. Griffith led everyone in a salute to the flag.

Mayor Griffith stated, “that in accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, 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 by Mayor and Council, January 5, 2005”.

Oath of Office was administered by Senator Wayne Bryant to incumbent Councilman Donald K. Witzig. Councilman Witzig was joined by his wife Kathy who held a Bible while the oath was issued.

Oath of Office was then administered by Senator Wayne Bryant to Councilman-elect Gordon E. Shopp.

Mayor Griffith asked the newly sworn in Councilmen if they would like to address the public. Councilman Witzig said that “service” is what makes our town, and noted that Haddon Heights needs the service of its paid workers as well as its volunteers. He said that volunteers are responsible for the 4th of July parade and festivities, summer sport programs, as well as fire and ambulance services. Witzig noted that we need volunteers to keep Haddon Heights “as great as it is” and urged everyone to get involved to help the community.

Councilman Shopp said, “we all have something in common, a deep appreciation of community”. He said he appreciates the opportunity to serve the residents of Haddon Heights with unity and determination.

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

New Business:

Resolution 2006:01 – Resolution Appointing Fire Chief – Nicholas Scardino

Resolution 2006:02 – Resolution Appointing Chief of Ambulance Corps – John Zenuk

Resolution 2006:03 – Resolution Appointing Municipal Arborist – Steve Dorsey

Resolution 2006:04 – Resolution Appointing Court Administrator – Catherine Lawson

Resolution 2006:05 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Court Administrator – Michele Busarello

Resolution 2006:06 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper

Resolution 2006:07 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Treasurer – Joan D. Moreland

Resolution 2006:08– Resolution Appointing the Auditor – Bowman & Company

Resolution 2006:09 – Resolution Appointing Bond Counsel – Parker McCay, PA

Resolution 2006:10 – Resolution Appointing Borough Solicitor –John B. Kearney, Esquire

Resolution 2006:11 – Resolution Appointing Professional Risk Manager – Hardenbergh Insurance

Resolution 2006:12 –Resolution Appointing A Special Projects Engineer – Schoor DePalma and Pennoni Associates, Inc.

Motion to adopt Resolutions 2006:01 through 2006:12 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. All members of council voted yes.

Mayor Griffith issued the Oath of Office to the above appointees.

Resolution 2006:13 – Resolution Regarding Rules of Council.

Resolution 2006:14 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Interest and Bonds

Resolution 2006:15 – Resolution Setting Interest Rate for 2006

Resolution 2006:16 – Resolution Concerning Haddon Heights Public Library Fees.

Resolution 2006:17 – Resolution Authorizing Use of a Cash Management Plan.

Resolution 2006:18 – Resolution Concerning Tax Search Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper.

Resolution 2006:19– Resolution Designating Person to Issue Local Improvement Certificates – Joan Moreland.

Motion to adopt Resolutions 2006:13 through 2006:19 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2006:20 – Resolution Confirming the Attached 2006 Appointments.

Mayor Griffith read all of the appointments being made (copy is attached to these minutes)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:20 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All council members voted yes.

Mayor Griffith issued the Oath of Office to the above appointees.

Councilman Witzig made a motion to nominate Trish Sheilds as President of Council, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members of council voted yes. Mayor Griffith said she looked forward to working with Council President Sheilds again this year!

Councilman Shopp made a motion to adopt the Chairmanships and Councilmatic Committees. Motion was seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Mayor Griffith read the committee/chairmanship appointments. All members of council voted yes. The appointments were as follows:

2006 COUNCILMATIC APPOINTMENTS

Administration/Personnel Gordon Shopp (Chair), Barbara Cortese, Beth Ann Haven

Finance, Budgets & Grants Trish Sheilds (Chair), Donald Witzig, Gordon Shopp

Construction/Zoning Beth Ann Haven (Chair), Trish Sheilds, Donald Witzig

Intergovernment Kenneth Hamburger (Chair), Donald Witzig, Gordon Shopp

Public Safety Donald Witzig (Chair), Beth Ann Haven, Barbara Cortese

Public Works Barbara Cortese (Chair), Gordon Shopp, Ken Hamburger

Parks/Recreation Trish Sheilds (Chair), Ken Hamburger, Barbara Cortese

Resolution 2006:21 – Resolution Establishing Official Holidays

Resolution 2006:22 – Resolution Designating Flood Insurance Designee – Joan Moreland

Resolution 2006:23 – Resolution Designating Newspapers for Legal Advertising - Courier Post and The Retrospect.

Resolution 2006:24– Resolution Authorizing the Designation of Newspapers to Receive All Notices of Meetings as Required Under the Open Public Meetings Act – Courier Post and The Retrospect.

Resolution 2006:25 – Resolution Authorizing the Fixing of Charges for Notice of Meetings as Required by the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2006:26 - Resolution Designating the Date, Time and Place of Council Meetings for 2006 in Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2006:27– Resolution Designating Depositories of Funds for Various Accounts

Resolution 2006:28 – Resolution Authorizing the Deputy Municipal Court Administrator to Act on Behalf of the Court Administrator in Her Absence

Resolution 2006:29 – Resolution Authorizing Appointment and Alternate to the Camden County Community Development Board of Directors (Mayor Griffith and Trish Sheilds)

Resolution 2006:30 – Resolution Adopting the 2006 Temporary Budget

Resolution 2006:31 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims

Resolution 2006:32 – Resolution Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate to the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund (Joan Moreland and Mayor Griffith)

Resolution 2006:33 – Resolution Appointing Tax Assessor for Appeals – Thomas Glock

Resolution 2006:34 – Resolution Designating Depositories for Funds

Motion to adopt Resolutions 2006:21 through 2006:34 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Griffith calls for remarks from council members.

Councilwoman Haven wished everyone a Happy New Year and offered congratulations to Don and Gordon.

Councilman Witzig thanked Council and the Mayor for their work this past year and also thanked former Councilwoman Andrea Wyman for her efforts the past 3 years.

Mayor Griffith recognized former Councilman John Blum and former Councilwoman Andrea Wyman.

Council President Sheilds welcomed Gordon. She then told the audience that the decisions that council makes, are not made lightly, but with much consideration. She then asked everyone to keep the minors in West Virginia in their thoughts.

Councilman Hamburger welcomed Gordon and offered congratulations to Don for winning a second term.

Councilman Shopp said he hopes to make strides for the “betterment of the town”.

Councilwoman Cortese thanked the volunteers and the Borough employees for a good job this past year. She then wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Mayor Griffith said 2006 will be a busy year with the Downtown Project, soccerfield renovation and the possible merger of our fire department with Barrington’s. She said she always welcomes comments from the public and said, “We are here to serve you”.

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Griffith called for remarks from visitors.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace said he wanted to comment on the agenda items, but did not have an opportunity to do so. He then asked Councilman Witzig and Councilman Shopp if they know if anyone contributed to their campaign? Both said they did not know. He told them that they should have abstained from voting. He then asked about the Eminent Doman resolution. Mayor Griffith said it is on the January 17th caucus agenda for discussion. Regarding Resolution 2006:27, Mr. Ragonese asked why money was being deposited in Commerce Bank? He asked if they (council) knew that 2 Commerce Bank officials were indicted for threats made in secretly recorded tapes? Councilman Shopp asked Mr. Ragonese to produce the tapes. He also told Ragonese that he would not give an opinion without knowing all the facts and asked Mr. Ragonese to present the facts and evidence. Mr. Ragonese then asked if any contract was awarded over $17,500? Solicitor John Kearney said the contract for Bowman & Company (auditors) was over that amount. Lastly Mr. Ragonese said he found it offensive to have prayers recited at a public meeting.

With no further comments from the public to be made, Mayor Griffith called on Pastor Boyd L. Fox, Jr., First United Methodist Church to offer the benediction.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members of council were in favor.

______________________________________ 6:45pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk