January 5, 2008 Minutes

January 5, 2008

Reverend Lynne Manilla from the First Presbyterian Church offered and led the Invocation.

Council President Trish Sheilds welcomed everyone to the 2008 Reorganization Meeting. She noted several dignitaries in attendance, among them were Honorable Lee A. Solomon, Freeholder Director, Louis A, Capelli, Previous Mayors Beth Ann Haven and Susan A.Griffith. After introductions, Council President Sheilds lead the audience in a salute to the flag and a moment of silence.

She then 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 2, 2007”.

Oath of Office of Mayor was administered by the Honorable Lee A. Solomon to Scott M. Alexander, who was accompanied by his son Andrew, girlfriend Jamie Gregal and son Brian, along with his parents.

Oath of Office was administered by Honorable Lee A. Solomon to both Rosemary Fitzgerald and Tad Fetter, who were accompanied by their families.

Mayor Alexander thanked his family and friends, the homeowners association, fellow residents, Lee Solomon, outgoing Mayor and Councilmember’s, Beth Ann Haven, Tom Ottoson and Barbara Cortese and said it is time for a change. He recapped 2007 and gave an outline for his plan for 2008, which featured People, Process and Assets. He spoke about tax control, how we may manage our expenses and increase revenues. A satisfaction survey is being worked on and will allow residents to make suggestions. Mayor Alexander challenged the County, School and Local entities to keep their budget increases to 3% or under. He will continue to keep the lines of communication open with the county and schools..

Councilwoman Fitzgerald thanked Lee Solomon, her fiancé a former mayor of Mullica Hill, her four sisters who were in attendance along with her children and the Republican Club. Rose’s parents encouraged her to focus on politics and get involved with the town. One of her goals is to keep Haddon Heights desirable for the older residents and newcomers alike. She will work hard to meet those goals.

Councilman Tad Fetter thanked his wife, Joyce for her full support. He stated he grew up as a “navy brat” and that Haddon Heights feels like home. He thanked his parents, who were in attendance, the homeowners association for opening the resident’s eyes and the Republican Club.

Under Comments from Council:

Councilman Shoppe offered congratulations to the new members. He thanked the residents for their attendance and reminded all that participation is needed in order to proceed. He urged all to unite as a community to voice your opinion to solve problems. All views should be encouraged whether for or against an issue. In closing, he urged all to move beyond politics.

Councilwoman Sheilds congratulated the new members of council and stressed a need for unity for the betterment of Haddon Heights residents. She urged Mayor and Council to work together. She will continue to work with respect, integrity and honestly.

The remaining councilmember’s wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Lee T. Wentz, Donald Witzig Gordon Shopp, and Tad Fetter. Councilwomen Fitzgerald and Sheilds were also present.

Under New Business the following items were voted upon:

Resolution 2008:01 – Resolution Appointing Fire Chief – Nicholas Scardino

Resolution 2008:02 – Resolution Appointing Chief of Ambulance Corps – John Zenuk

Resolution 2008:03 – Resolution Appointing Municipal Arborist – Steve Dorsey

Resolution 2008:04 – Resolution Appointing Court Administrator – Catherine Lawson

Resolution 2008:05 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Court Administrator – Michele Busarello

Resolution 2008:06 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper

Resolution 2008:07 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Treasurer – Joan D. Moreland

Resolution 2008:08 – Resolution Appointing Professional Risk Manager-Hardenbergh Insurance

Resolution 2008:09– Resolution Appointing Special Projects Engineer-Pennoni Assoc., Inc.

Motion to Adopt Resolutions 2008-01 through 2008-09 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call, all councilmember’s voted yes for the above resolutions.

Mayor Alexander administered the Oath of Office to the appointees.

Resolution 2008:10 – Resolution Appointing the Auditor – Bowman & Company

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:10 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2008:11 – Resolution Appointing Bond Council – Parker McCay, PA

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:11 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members of Council voted yes.

Resolution 2008:12 – Resolution Appointing Borough Solicitor – Salvatore J. Siciliano, Esq.

Councilwoman Sheilds made a motion to adopt Resolution 2008-12, seconded by Councilman Wentz.

Under roll call, Councilmen Wentz, Witzig and Shopp and Councilwoman Sheilds voted yes, Councilwoman Fitzgerald and Councilman Fetter voted no. Motion carried.

Resolution 2008:13 - Resolution Appointing Borough Engineer – Remington & Vernick

Councilwoman Sheilds made a motion to adopt Resolution 2008-13, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call, Councilmen Wentz, Witzig Shopp and Councilwoman Sheilds voted yes Councilwoman Fitzgerald and Councilman Fetter voted no. Motion Carried.

Resolution 2008-14 – Resolution Regarding Rules of Council

Resolution 2008-15 – Resolution authorizing Payment of Interest and Bonds

Resolution 2008-16 – Resolution Setting Interest Rate for 2008

Resolution 2008-17 – Resolution Concerning Haddon Heights Public Library Fees

Resolution 2008-18 – Resolution authorizing Use of a Cash Management Plan.

Resolution 2008-19 – Resolution Concerning Tax Search Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper

Resolution 2008-20 – Resolution Designating Person to Issue Local Improvement Certificates – Joan Moreland

Councilman Shopp made a motion to adopt Resolutions 2008:14 through 2008-20, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under Roll Call, all members of council voted yes.

Mayor Alexander administered the Oath of Office to the above appointees.

Resolution 2008-22 – Resolution Confirming the Attached 2008 Appointments.

Mayor Scott Alexander read the names of everyone on a committee, including members of the Fire Department and Ambulance Corps. A motion to adopt Resolution 2008:22 was then made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All were in favor.

The Oath of Office was administered to the appointees by Mayor Scott Alexander.

Councilman Witzig made a motion to nominate Trish Sheilds as President of Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Wentz All were in favor.

Freeholder Director, Louis A. Capelli came to the podium to swear in Trish Sheilds as Council President.

Councilwoman Sheilds made a motion to adopt the following Chairmanships and Councilmatic Committees, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members of Council were in favor.

2008 COUNCILMATIC APPOINTMENTS

Administration/Personnel - Donald Witzig (Chair), Rosemary Fitzgerald, Tad Fetter

Finance, Budgets & Grants - Tad Fetter (Chair), Trish Sheilds, Rosemary Fitzgerald

Construction/Zoning - Rosemary Fitzgerald (Chair), Gordon Shopp, Trish Sheilds

Intergovernment - Gordon Shopp (Chair), Donald Witzig, Tad Fetter

Public Safety - Trish Sheilds (Chair), Lee Wentz, Rosemary Fitzgerald

Public Works - Lee Wentz (Chair), Gordon Shopp, Donald Witzig

Parks/Recreation - Trish Sheilds (Chair), Lee Wentz, Tad Fetter

Resolution 2008:23 – Resolution Establishing Official Holidays

Resolution 2008:24 – Resolution Designating Flood Insurance Designee – Joan Moreland

Resolution 2008:25 – Resolution Designating Newspapers for Legal Advertising - Courier Post and The Retrospect.

Resolution 2008:26– 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 2008:27 – Resolution Authorizing the Fixing of Charges for Notice of Meetings as Required by the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2008:28 - Resolution Designating the Date, Time and Place of Council Meetings for 2008 in Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2008:29– Resolution Designating Depositories of Funds for Various Accounts

Resolution 2008:30 – Resolution Authorizing the Deputy Municipal Court Administrator to Act on Behalf of the Court Administrator in Her Absence

Resolution 2008:31 – Resolution Adopting the 2008 Temporary Budget

Resolution 2008:32 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims

Resolution 2008:33 – Resolution Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate to the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund (Joan Moreland and Mayor Scott Alexander)

Resolution 2008:34 – Resolution Designating Depositories for Funds

Motion to adopt the above resolutions was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All were in favor.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Alexander called for remarks from Council. In addition to congratulations and best wishes for the New Year, Councilman Shopp encouraged active participation in government and pledged to work together for the betterment of the town. Councilwoman Sheilds looks forward to working to bring the community back together. Councilwoman Fitzgerald hopes to see all in attendance today at our regular council meetings.

Under Remarks from the Audience:

Ricky Roberts – 127 Third Avenue offered her congratulations especially to newly elected officials. As an active member of the Homeowners Association, she stated the association will continue in partnership with the town. She expressed her concerned that the positions of borough solicitor and engineer were awarded based on politics instead of fiscal responsibility. Councilman Shopp and Councilwoman Sheilds responded council has options to choose another solicitor/engineer if need be to do a specific job.

Carol Di Medio of 106 Kings Highway said the town needs unity and urged all to work together…Council is not in control, the residents are.

Benediction by Father Cornelius Lambert of St. Rose of Lima RC Church.

With all business conducted, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Wentz, second by Councilman Shopp. All were in favor.

To read Mayor Alexander's speech, click here.

_____________________ 1:15 pm

Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk