June 21, 2005 Minutes

June 21, 2005

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 newspaper provided by Resolution adopted January 5, 2005”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Haven, Wyman, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilman Witzig. Solicitor John B. Kearney was present. Councilman Hamburger was absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from the June 8th meeting was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members present voted yes.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven, reporting for the Construction Office, said that 19 permits have been issued in the past 2 weeks! She informed everyone that the Construction Official will be attending classes to renew his licenses and will be out of the office part of this week and next and that Duane Wallace will be covering for him in his absence.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety, said that Council has approved the Police Chief’s nomination for promotion to sergeant.

Council President Trish Sheilds announced that work will begin after the 4^th of July holiday on the bathroom located at Joseph I. McCullough Fields on Devon Avenue. She further explained that handicapped accessibility renovations will be made through financing by the Camden County Community Development Program (CDBG). Regarding recreation, she reminded everyone that the 5k Firecracker Race will be held on Monday, July 4^th, but the rest of the holiday activities will be held Saturday July 2^nd.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman congratulated all of the 2005 Haddon Heights High School graduates. She then asked about the proposed filming that was supposed to happen. The Clerk said that the advertising firm was in town, did the filming. She reported that a representative from the film company came into the office to thank everyone for being so nice and to comment on what a lovely town we had!

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese, reporting for Personnel announced that our new assessor, Thomas Glock, has started and is available on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.

There were no comments from the public on agenda items.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2005-1192, 1193 and 1194. Public hearings and final adoptions are scheduled for 8:00pm July 19^th.

Ordinance 2005-1192 – 2005 Capital Items. (Computer upgrades, improvements to recreation facilities, library roof replacement, computer equipment for various departments, leafer for DPW, signs, elimination of Kings Highway Pump Station, road improvements, Fire Department roof, boiler replacement for municipal building, 7^th Ave. Elementary School pedestrian safety improvements, and construction of handicap access ramps on Station Avenue.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2004:1192 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005-1193 – An Ordinance Concerning Chapter 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1193 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All council members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005-1194 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2003-1160 Entitled An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2003-2004.

(Assessor’s annual maximum will be $12,000).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1194 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:99 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Set Rite Corporation in the amount of $14,000 for the Purchase and Installation of an Overhead Door for the 3 Bay Apparatus Room at the Fire Station.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:99 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:100 – Resolution in Favor of Assembly Bill 3526/Senate 2144 – “Christopher’s Law”. (Bills will enforce fines and imprisonment, and third degree charges for an unlicensed driver who is involved in an accident that results in the death of another person).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:100 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:101 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of June.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:101 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:102 – Resolution Accepting the 2004 Audit Report.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:102 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:103 – Resolution Requesting Approval of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to Establish a Dedicated Trust by Rider for Hepatitis B Immunization for Emergency Services Personnel.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:103 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:104 – Resolution Approving a Raffle License for St. Rose of Lima. (Quilt)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:104 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:105 – Resolution Authorizing the Haddon Heights Drug Alliance to Apply for Grant Funding from the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:105 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:106 – Resolution Waiving Local Permit Fees for the Ambulance Corps Roof.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:106 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith opened the meeting to the public for comments and concerns.

John Zenuk, Chief of the Ambulance Corps thanked council for waiving the permit fees for the Corps building roof.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace once again urged council to move the Borough accounts from Commerce Bank to another bank in town. He also said that the Borough’s Cash Management Plan requires that the Treasurer obtain 3 quotes for interest rates to be paid to the Borough in exchange for their deposits and said, “You are not in compliance with your own resolution”. Mayor Griffith said she was not familiar with that requirement. Councilwoman Haven said that Councilman Hamburger went around to some of the banks in town and did not find one that would take our deposits. Mr. Ragonese then said he requested information and was told it was not available. Discussion followed and it was determined that he meant the Financial Disclosure Statement, required to be filled annually by Borough officials, which is on file in the Clerk’s office.

With no further comments to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present were in favor.

_________________________________ 8:20pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk