March 18, 2008 Minutes

March 18, 2008

CAUCUS:

1. Review of regular agenda

Mayor Alexander reviewed the regular agenda with no questions or comments from Council members.

2. Coin Toss Regulations

Council President Sheilds asked council to look at the current regulations. She said she would like to see a limit of 1 coin toss per year, per organization with the location being picked by the Chief of Police.

3. Health Benefit Statistics of Residents

Mayor Alexander presented a power point presentation, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

4. Discussion of DPW

Councilman Fetter presented a power point presentation, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Scott M. Alexander opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

He 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, 2008”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Lee Wentz, Donald Witzig, Tad Fetter and Gordon Shopp, and Council President Trish Sheilds. Borough Solicitor Salvatore J. Siciliano was also present. Councilwoman Rosemary Fitzgerald was absent.

Resolution 2008:76 – Resolution Appointing Sgt. Salvatore Giambrone to the Position of Detective Sergeant of the Haddon Heights Police Department.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:76 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members of council present were in favor.

Resolution 2008:77 – Resolution Appointing Ptl. Bruce Koch to the Position of Sergeant of the Haddon Heights Police Department. Oath of office to be administered by Mayor Alexander.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:77 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members present were in favor.

Mayor Alexander issued the Oath of Office to both officers, who were each joined by their families.

Motion to approve the minutes from 3/4/08 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

The following Committee Reports were present:

Councilman Shopp reported that the Economic Development Committee is looking into parking issues and grant funds to perform a study. He also said that they are looking into the possibility of parking meetings.

Councilman Wentz reported that the Drug Commission is still looking for a vendor for the 2008 4^th of July 5K race. He reported that a 3-on-3 basketball tournament was sponsored by the Drug Commission last week. Regarding DPW, Wentz said he is looking to place trash cans in high traveled areas and around the parks to alleviate littering.

Council President Sheilds offered congratulations to the two officers who were promoted tonight. She reported that she sat in on a meeting with the Fire Chief and members of the Fire Department as they were comparing the bid submitted by the apparent low bidder with the specifications. She said they have made a great effort in the preparation of specifications to purchase a new fire truck. She advised council that 200-250 children were at last weekend’s egg hunt.

Councilman Fetter said he had nothing to add to his presentation made during the caucus meeting.

Councilman Witzig announced that interviews seeking a new assessor are now complete.

Fire Chief Nicolas Scardino gave council members the background of the process to purchase a new fire truck to replace a 33 year old one. He said work on the specifications started two years ago. The Chief said the two bids received were competitive. He then explained that once the order is placed, the new truck would be ready in 300 days. Mayor Alexander asked Chief Scardino to provide council with ongoing reports of the progress. The Chief said that Pierce Fire Apparatus will provide weekly reports and photos of the progress and he will share them with council members.

Mayor Alexander Asked Borough Clerk Joan Moreland to read the Bid Report for the purchase of a new fire truck. The bids received on March 12^th were: 1) Seagrave Emergency Products, Inc., $558,905 and 2) Pierce Fire Apparatus $480,828. The Clerk reported that both packages were complete.

Resolution 2008: 80 - Introduction of 2008 Municipal Budget. Public hearing will be held 4/15/08 after Caucus meeting.

Motion to introduce Resolution 2008:80 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call, all members present voted yes.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearings of Ordinances 2008:1251 through 1257.

Ordinance 2008:1251 – Calendar Year 2008 Ordinance to Exceed the Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and to Establish a CAP Bank (NJSA 40A:4-45.14).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1251 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1251 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2008:1252 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding Handicapped Parking.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1252 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All council members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1252 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2008:1253 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Represented Uniformed Police Officers in the Police Department for the Calendar Year 2006.

Gregory McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue asked council for a summary of the new police contract. No one on council had the figures with them. Council President Sheilds, Director of Public Safety said she would get the information requested for him.

Hearing or seeing no further comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1253 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All council members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1253 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2008:1254 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Represented Uniformed Police Officers in the Police Department for the Calendar Year 2007.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1254 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1254 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2008:1255 – An ordinance Amending Chapter 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Police Department.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1255 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1255 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members present were in favor.

Ordinance 2008:1256 – An Ordinance Requiring that all Buildings with Elevators in the Borough of Haddon Heights Install Key Securing Equipment.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1256 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1256 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members of council present were in favor.

Ordinance 2008:1257 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Funded and Unfunded Appropriations Balances Heretofore Provided for Capital Improvements and Reappropriating Such Funded and Unfunded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects. (Using balances from completed capital projects toward the reconstruction and restoration of the masonry walls at the Borough Library in the amount of $29,469.85.)

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public on Ordinance 2008:1257, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1257 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business Items. There were none at this time.

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution 2008:70 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayment. (Overpayment due to refinancing, sale of property or duplicate payments made by the title and mortgage company. Amount to be refunded is $2,582.49)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:70 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:71 – Resolution Appointing Judith Bitner to the Position of Registrar of Vital Statistics and Joan Moreland to the Position of Alternate Registrar of Vital Statistics. (Reassigning of duties in Administration.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:71 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members of council present were in favor.

Resolution 2008:72 – Resolution to Adopt the 3 Year Cooperation Agreement with the County of Camden. (July 1, 2009 through June 20, 2012. No funding is attached to this agreement as it is a cooperation agreement stating that Haddon Heights plans to participate in the CDBG and HOME programs for the next 3 years.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:72 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members of council present were in favor.

Resolution 2008:73- Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of March.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:73 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council president Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:74 – Resolution Certifying an Additional Fire Department Volunteer Who Has Qualified for the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) Benefits for 2007.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:74 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:75 – Resolution Awarding a Contract in the Amount of $480,828 to Pierce Fire Apparatus for the Purchase of a Fire Truck.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:75 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call vote all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:78 – Resolution Appointing Ptl. Michael Valvardi to the Position of Sergeant of the Haddon Heights Police Department.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:78 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members of council present were in favor.

Resolution 2008:79 – Resolution Appointing Sgt. Marshall Simmons, Jr. to the Position of Captain of the Haddon Heights Police Department.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:78 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members of council present were in favor.

With no further business to come before council Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to the public for comments or questions and the following residents came forward:

Ricki Roberts, 127 3^rd Avenue asked about the timing of the budget. Council President Sheilds explained that we have to wait at least 28 days from the date of introduction and public hearing. The Clerk advised her that copies would be made available to the public, free of charge. Director of Finance, Councilman Fetter explained the changes in the budget. Mrs. Roberts then asked about a new assessor. She was advised that this will be discussed this evening in a closed session. Lastly she asked if council was working on getting the “assessments straightened out”. She was advised that the new assessor will be working on this along with council.

Mrs. Perrino, 1640 Sycamore Street asked council how to handle the new neighbor if they let the bamboo grow too tall. Councilman Shopp explained the process. She also asked if there is a procedure were people who don’t get animal licenses, saying it is lost revenue.

Joyce Burns, 308 2^nd Avenue asked if rumors about changing the direction of traffic around the high school was true. Councilman Wentz said yes, that it is being looked at after receiving a complaint. He also said that a meeting with the affected residents is being planned.

John Franke, 510 4^th Avenue said he noticed tickets on 5 cars for parking overnight and then said why not have police cars in the area to catch speeders. Police Chief Richard Kinkler said that a traffic study will be conducted by placing a traffic counter at various locations.

Marge Howardell, Representative of AFSCME Local 3869 read a prepared statement from its membership. The main concerns were job cuts in DPW while hiring 2 police officers and a nuisance officer. She asked council how they were saving money. Borough Solicitor Siciliano explained that comments from council will not be made due to ongoing negotiations with AFSCME. A complete copy of the statement read is attached to these minutes.

Mr. Troutman 1509 Chestnut Avenue said he was glad to see the overhead screen being used.

Stan Howard, no address given, asked about a new construction official. He was advised that it is in process. Mr. Howard gave his phone number to the Borough Clerk who was asked to contact John Szczerbinski, Acting Construction Official to call Mr. Howard.

Jim Mercurio , 301 Highland Avenue asked about stump removal. He was advised that we don’t have the machinery to remove stumps and that a contractor will be hired.

Elizabeth Gunther, 417 3^rd Avenue, concerned about traffic around the high school asked if council has given any consideration to limiting student vehicles?

Motion to go into Closed Session for the discussion of personnel matters was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor. Mayor Alexander announced that council may return to an open session for formal action.

Motion was made by Council Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds to open the meeting to adjourn the closed session and open the meeting to the public. All present were in favor. The following items were then addressed:

Introduction of Ordinance 2008:1258. Public hearing and final adoption will be held 4/1/08.

Ordinance 2008:1258 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2007:1239, Entitled an Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salary, Wage or Compensation to be Paid to the Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2008.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2008:1258 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:81 – Resolution Appointing Thomas J. Colavecchio to the Position of Assessor.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:81 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig.

______________________________________10:35pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk