March 15, 2005 Minutes

March 15, 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, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present. Councilwoman Wyman was absent.

Motion made by Councilwoman Cortese, second by Councilwoman Sheilds to approve the minutes from the March 1^ST meeting. All members present voted yes.

Mayor Griffith asked resident Mark Swanson and his son to join her up front as she read a proclamation proclaiming April 2005 as Autism Awareness Month. The Mayor said autism is a widespread condition that has affected her family and Mark’s and hopes the proclamation will bring awareness to everyone.

The Mayor called for Committee Reports and the following were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven, reporting for Zoning and Construction departments said that the staff is continuing to work on the backlog, noting that $4,000 has been collected so far. She also reported that inspections are being done within 24 hours of the request. Haven then said that the Construction office and Planning and Zoning Board office will be coordinating their filing efforts by filing everything by block and lot, noting that anyone wanting to see what has been done to a certain property will only have to look in one place.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety, said that permission has been given to the Police Chief to promote and hire an officer to replace an officer that retired as of the end of 2004. He noted that an ordinance was being introduced tonight to have testing results remain valid for 3 years instead of 1.

Council President Trish Sheilds, reporting for Recreation said that the fencing on Devon Avenue has begun. She also said that there is interest in a flag football league; announced that April 9^th is Opening Day for baseball. Sheilds announced an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the County at the McLaughlin-Norcross Dell will be held on March 19^th. Regarding Finances, Sheilds announced the public hearing on the budget will be held on April 5^th.

Councilman Ken Hamburger reported that he has been gathering information on several Borough departments, namely the Library and Ambulance Corps.

With no further reports to be given, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the Public on agenda items. There were no comments made at this time.

Old Business:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2005-1189.

Ordinance 2005-1189 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Various Capital projects and Reappropriating Such Funded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects. (Using money left from a completed project to fund the purchase of 2 new servers for the Administration and Police Departments. Estimated cost for both is $12,000).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2005-1189 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005-1189 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinance 2005-1190. Public hearing and final adoption will be held on April 5, 2005 at 8:00pm.

Ordinance 2005-1190 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding the Police Department. (Eliminates the wording referring to evaluations and extends the promotional list from one year to three).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1190 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:62 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Interlocal Services Agreement Between the County of Camden and the Borough of Haddon Heights in Conjunction with the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. (Grant is in the amount of $10,574).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:62 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:63 – Resolution to Adopt the 3-Year Cooperation Agreement with the County of Camden. (Agreement will allow Haddon Heights to enter into Interlocal Agreements with the County for qualified CDBG and HOME projects for the next three years as funding allows).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:63 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:64 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of March.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:64 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for public comments.

Richard Lipko, Treasurer of the Haddon Heights Business and Professional Association said that parking problems in the 500, 600 and 700 block of Station Avenue continue, but don’t seem as bad as they were. He said that the Association is working with Chief Shute on a solution. He said that the letter sent out critizing the Police Department was not sent by the Association and that the Association has always worked well with Chief Shute.

Presentation to the Borough by the Centennial Committee

Roni Olizi, Chairperson of the Centennial Committee said they we are approaching the end of our 100^th year and that the Committee planned a lot of activities for the year-long celebration. She said the Committee wanted to make a presentation to the Borough in honor of its first 100 years. She then asked the following Committee members to join her: Jack Merryfield, Dan Replogle, Jackie Valvardi (secretary), Rich Lipko (who is not even a resident, but worked endlessly for the Committee), John and Jackie Parisi (treasurer), Patty Mayer (ran Valentine’s Day party), Andrea Zowalki (beer garden organizer), Sherrie Collings, Amy Jo Haven-Reynolds, Ted Reynolds, John Shields, Steve DeBaiso, Ann McAdams, Joan Moreland, Mayor Griffith, Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven, Mike Valvardi and Bob Hunter (historian). The group received a well-deserved round of applause from everyone present!

At this point, Mrs. Olizi asked if council members would please step down from the dais. She then said that it was Councilwoman Haven’s idea to present a gift to honor the Centennial. Mayor Griffith and Councilwoman Haven unveiled a beautiful oil painting of historic homes, the railroad station, World War II monument and Public Safety monument that will hang on the wall behind the dais for years to come. Upon the unveiling, there was a loud and long applause by all present!

The painting was done by renowned artist Dot Bunn of Red Stone Farms in Pennsylvania. Ms. Bunn has been the recipient of many awards for her artwork, some from the Philadelphia Art Museum. Everyone present was in awe at the beautiful artwork that makes you feel you could actually walk among the homes and down the railroad tracks!

A bronze plaque is hung next to the mural displaying the names of people involved with the Centennial Committee.

After some time Council members returned to the dais to close the meeting. Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All present were in favor.

The Centennial Committee prepared refreshments for all to enjoy.

__________________________________ 8:20pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC

Borough Clerk