June 19, 2007 Minutes

June 19, 2007

Note: This regularly scheduled meeting was moved to the 7^th Avenue School’s all purpose room due to the fact that the Mayor and council members heard that many people were planning to come to the meeting to express their feelings on the estimated tax bills which were mailed last Friday. Haddon Heights has gone through a revaluation and residents are not happy with the results.

Mayor Beth Ann Haven opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

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 2, 2007.

Under Roll Call all council members were present as was John Kearney, Solicitor. Lisa Donahue from the auditing firm Bowman & Company LLP, Andrea Penny, Tax Collector, Thomas Glock, Assessor and Ernest Merlino, CMFO/Treasurer were also present at the Mayor’s request.

Approval of minutes for the May 15^th and June 6^th meetings. Motion to approve the minutes from the May 15^th meeting was made by Council President Trish Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Donald Witzig. All were in favor. Motion to adopt the June 6^th meeting minutes was made by Councilman Lee Wentz, seconded by Councilman Donald Witzig. All were in favor.

Committee Reports were not presented due to the number of people present, in an effort to give them time to express their concerns.

Remarks from the public on agenda items. There were none at this time.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2007:1235.

Ordinance 2007:1235 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 125, Article II of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled “Nuisances”. (Barking dogs)

During the public hearing on the above ordinance, a resident from 1627 Sycamore Avenue said her neighbors have 2 dogs that bark a lot. She said she has contacted the neighbors with no luck. She was in favor of the ordinance.

Hearing to see no further comments regarding Ordinance 2007:1235, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All were in favor.

Motion to adopt the ordinance was made later in the evening.

At 7:25pm the Borough Clerk was notified by Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Inspector Frank Lafferty that the room was filled to capacity. She then informed the Mayor and Solicitor. Solicitor Kearney announced that the meeting was being closed due to the fact that there were more people in the room than was allowed and the fact that a lot more people were outside wanting to get in, noting it is a safety issue at this point. He also said it was in violation of the Open Public Meetings Act as there were people who were not allowed in the meeting once the capacity was met.

Mayor Haven, Solicitor Kearney, Borough Clerk Joan Moreland and council members discussed another location. Councilman Tom Ottoson and resident Fred Missimer suggested St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Monsignor Frey was contacted and approval was given to have the meeting move to the church.

The Solicitor made the announcement and asked everyone to proceed to the Kings Highway location. The Mayor said the meeting would resume at 8:15pm.

At 8:15pm, Mayor Haven resumed the meeting. At this point there were approximately 400 people present. She said she would forgo the rest of the agenda and have the public portion first to accommodate the residents in attendance.

Many residents came before council expressing their displeasure with the high revaluation amounts placed on their homes and large increase in taxes, and wanting the Mayor to do something about it. One resident wanted to get a petition sent around to have the current revaluation results “thrown out” and have them redone by another company.

Lisa Donahue, from Bowman & Company explained the process of formulating the estimated tax rate for the purpose of the tax bills recently mailed out. The Assessor explained the revaluation process. Both attempted to answer the many questions posed to them throughout the evening. Mayor Haven and Council President Trish Sheilds also fielded many questions and comments. Solicitor Kearney stepped in at one point to bring the group of residents to order in an effort to have everyone who wanted to speak, heard.

After approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, no further comments from the public were presented. Kearney said he would talk with Mrs. Burns about wording the petition so it meets the resident’s meaning. The Mayor said another meeting will be scheduled, possible next Tuesday and that the information of location, date and time will be posted on Channel 19 and the newsletter being mailed soon.

At this point in the meeting, residents were beginning to leave the building and the Mayor addressed the items remaining on the agenda.

OLD BUSINESS:

Ordinance 2007:1235 – public hearing was held and closed at the beginning of the meeting. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2007:1235 was made by Councilman Gordon Shopp, seconded by Councilwoman Barbara Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

NEW BUSINESS: Resolutions were voted on in one motion. Solicitor Kearney read each of the following Resolutions by title. A motion was made by Councilman Thomas Ottoson, to adopt Resolutions 2007:102, 2007:103, 2007:104, 2007:109, 2007:110 and 2007:111, seconded by Councilman Gordon Shopp. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2007:102 – Resolution Certifying that the Governing Body Has Reviewed Certain Portions of the 2006 Audit Report. (All council members must have read the Schedule of Findings & Questioned Costs OR Schedule of Findings and Recommendations).

Resolution 2007:103 – Resolution Approving the 2006 Audit Correction Action Plan.

Resolution 2007:104 – Resolution Amending Resolution 2007:100 Regarding a $70,000 Reduction of the School Budget. (To correct the tax levy incorrectly stated in original resolution).

Resolution 2007:109 – Resolution Requesting Approval of the Director of the Division of Local Government to Establish a Dedicated Trust by Rider for a Donation Received to Cover the Cost of a Memorial Bench Dedicated to Daniel White, Sr., Pursuant to NJSA 40A:5-29.

Resolution 2007:110 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills & Claims for June.

Resolution 2007:111 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., in the amount of $231,376 for the Reconstruction of West Atlantic Avenue.

With no further business to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Barbara Cortese, seconded by Councilman Thomas Ottoson. All were in favor.

______________________________________________10:45pm

Joan D Moreland, Borough Clerk