January 5, 2005 Minutes

January 5, 2005

At 6:05pm Mayor Susan R. Griffith welcomed everyone, including soon to be sworn in, Barbara Cortese and Kenneth Hamburger, to the 2005 Reorganization Meeting and extended warm greetings for the New Year. She acknowledged Senator Wayne Bryant, Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, County Clerk James Beach, Sheriff Michael McLaughlin and Freeholders Thomas J. Gurick, and Joseph Ripa. She also recognized former council members present Joseph Orlando, Ernest Merlino and David McCollum. Mayor Griffith thanked Walter Sandell and Pastor Boyd Fox for taking part in this meeting.

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

Mayor Griffith led everyone in a salute to the flag and then a moment of silence for the many victims of the recent tsunami in Southeast Asia.

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 3, 2004”.

At this point, Mayor Griffith called for the swearing in of Barbara Cortese and Kenneth Hamburger.

Oath of Office was administered by Senator Wayne Bryant to Councilwoman-elect Barbara Cortese who was joined by her son Ben.

Oath of Office was administered by Assemblyman Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. to Councilman-elect Kenneth J. Hamburger who was joined by his brother George.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese said, “it is exciting to be back again serving the community”. She also referred to the number of women on Council along with our Mayor. She encouraged the young women in the audience to consider joining them in years to come!

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger said, “it is an honor to be sitting here” and commended the Mayor and Council for their efforts, saying the process of being on council is not an easy task. He then said is it a privilege to have Senator Bryant and Assemblyman Roberts present tonight and thanked them, along with Holly Cass, Joe Orlando, his brother and family members, for their continued support.

Under Roll Call the following members of council were present: Councilwomen Haven, Wyman, Cortese and Sheilds and Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Mayor Griffith said it was great to have Councilwoman Haven present with us again! (She has been recuperating from hip surgery).

New Business:

Resolution 2005:01 – Resolution Appointing Fire Chief – Curtis Gilbert

Resolution 2005:02 – Resolution Appointing Chief of Ambulance Corps – John Zenuk

Resolution 2005:03 – Resolution Appointing Municipal Arborist – Steve Dorsey

Resolution 2005:04 – Resolution Appointing Court Administrator – Catherine Lawson

Resolution 2005:05 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Court Administrator – Michele Busarello

Resolution 2005:06 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper

Resolution 2005:07– Resolution Appointing the Auditor – Bowman & Company

Resolution 2005:08 – Resolution Appointing Bond Counsel – Parker McCay & Criscuolo, PA

Resolution 2005:09 – Resolution Appointing Borough Solicitor –John B. Kearney, Esquire

Resolution 2005:10 – Resolution Appointing Professional Risk Manager – Hardenbergh Insurance

Resolution 2005:11 –Resolution Appointing A Special Projects Engineer – Schoor DePalma, Pennoni Associates, Inc.

Above resolutions were moved by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members of council voted yes.

Mayor Griffith issued the Oath of Office to the above appointees who were present.

Resolution 2005:12 – Resolution Regarding Rules of Council.

Resolution 2005:13 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Interest and Bonds

Resolution 2005:14 – Resolution Setting Interest Rate for 2005

Resolution 2005:15 – Resolution Concerning Haddon Heights Public Library Fees.

Resolution 2005:16 – Resolution Authorizing Use of a Cash Management Plan.

Resolution 2005:17 – Resolution Concerning Tax Search Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper.

Resolution 2005:18– Resolution Designating Person to Issue Local Improvement Certificates – Joan Moreland.

Above resolutions was moved by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Under roll call, all members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2005:19 – Resolution Confirming the Attached 2005 Appointments.

Mayor Griffith read the names of the appointees, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Above resolution was moved by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. All members of council voted yes.

The Mayor asked each of the appointees to stand and said it is a tribute to Haddon Heights to have so many volunteers who give of their time and services for the residents of our town. They then received a second round of well-deserved applause from everyone present.

Councilman Witzig made a motion to nominate Trish Sheilds as President of Council, motion was seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

Mayor Griffith then read the following Councilmatic Appointments:

2005 COUNCILMATIC APPOINTMENTS

Administration/Personnel - Barbara Cortese, Chair; Andrea Wyman; Kenneth Hamburger

Finance, Budgets & Grants - Trish Sheilds, Chair; Beth Ann Haven; Barbara Cortese

Construction/Zoning - Beth Ann Haven, Chair; Trish Sheilds; Andrea Wyman

Inter-government - Kenneth Hamburger, Chair; Beth Ann Haven; Donald Witzig

Public Safety - Donald Witzig, Chair; Beth Ann Haven; Barbara Cortese

Public Works - Andrea Wyman, Chair; Donald Witzig; Barbara Cortese

Parks/Recreation - Trish Sheilds, Chair; Kenneth Hamburger; Andrea Wyman

Councilwoman Cortese made a motion to approve the above Chairmanships and Councilmatic Committees, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. All members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2005:20 – Resolution Establishing Official Holidays

Resolution 2005:21 – Resolution Designating Flood Insurance Designee – Joan Moreland

Resolution 2005:22 – Resolution Designating Newspapers for Legal Advertising - Courier Post, Haddon Herald and The Retrospect.

Resolution 2005:23– Resolution Authorizing the Designation of Newspapers to Receive All Notices of Meetings as Required Under the Open Public Meetings Act – Courier Post, Haddon Herald and The Retrospect.

Resolution 2005:24 – Resolution Authorizing the Fixing of Charges for Notice of Meetings as Required by the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2005:25 - Resolution Designating the Date, Time and Place of Council Meetings for 2005 in Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2005:26– Resolution Designating Depositories of Funds for Various Accounts

Resolution 2005:27 – Resolution Authorizing the Deputy Municipal Court Administrator to Act on Behalf of the Court Administrator in Her Absence

Resolution 2005:28 – Resolution Authorizing Appointment and Alternate to the Camden County Community Development Board of Directors (Mayor Griffith and Trish Sheilds)

Resolution 2005:29 – Resolution Adopting the 2005 Temporary Budget

Resolution 2005:30 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims

Resolution 2005:31 – Resolution Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate to the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund (Joan Moreland and Mayor Griffith)

Resolution 2005:32 – Resolution Appointing Tax Assessor for Appeals – Christine Wahl

Resolution 2005:33 – Resolution Designating Depositories for Funds

Motion was made to adopt the above resolutions by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Haven.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for remarks from Council members.

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven wished everyone best wishes for 2005 and welcomed Barbara and Ken to council, saying she looked forward to working with them.

Councilman Donald Witzig thanked everyone who came out tonight and the volunteers and employees, saying he appreciated each and everyone one and the jobs that they do for our town.

Council President Trish Sheilds thanked the Mayor and council members for their support. She offered her congratulations to Barbara and Ken, saying, “they both have a lot to offer this wonderful town”. Sheilds then said efforts will continue to improve our business district. Regarding the leaf season, she said that our DPW employees worked diligently to have the leaves cleaned up by the holiday. She then thanked the Borough employees, Police Department, Fire Department, Ambulance Corps and 4^th of July Committee for providing safety to our residents.

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger thanked everyone for coming out tonight and said he looks forward to working on council.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman thanked the “wonderful” volunteers. She also said she was glad to see Councilwoman Haven back with us!

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese thanked the volunteers for their efforts and then wished everyone a Happy New Year.

With no further remarks from council members, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the audience.

Freeholder Thomas Gurick wished the Mayor and Council a Happy New Year and then congratulated Barbara Cortese and Ken Hamburger. He said Haddon Heights is a great community and it is attributed to the many volunteers.

Mayor Griffith called on Pastor Boyd L. Fox, Jr. of the First United Methodist Church to give the benediction.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Hamburger, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members of council voted yes.

___________________________ 6:45pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC