March 2, 2004 Minutes

March 2, 2004

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 newspapers provided by resolution adopted January 3, 2004”.

Under Roll Call the following members of council were present: Councilwomen Haven, Houser, Sheilds and Wyman Councilmen O’Toole and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the February 17, 2004 meeting was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded Councilwoman Sheilds. Councilwoman Wyman abstained. All other members of council voted yes.

Mayor Griffith invited the family of Richard Foster to the dais. He was a long-time resident, who recently passed away, an ambulance corp volunteer and former dispatcher in the Police Department. The Ambulance Squad presented a pin to his daughters, representing 40 years of service to the squad and a plaque. Mr. Foster’s daughter, Pat Walker, presented an American flag to the Ambulance Squad to display in his memory.

Committee Reports:

Councilwoman Haven reported that the engineer is working on updating planning and zoning maps.

Councilwoman Sheilds reminded all of a School Board meeting tomorrow at 7:00 pm at the Seventh Avenue School regarding their budget and what alternatives they are faced with.

Councilman O’Toole made available the monthly report from Public Works. Diseased trees were taken down at the Barr Complex. They have also been working on preventative maintenance on the sewers.

Mayor Griffith reminded everyone of the March 23rd re-enactment of the first council meeting from 1904.

Old Business: Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinance 2004-1167

Ordinance 2004-1167 - An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Police Chief, Police Captain and Crossing Guards of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2004.

Hearing and seeing no comments from the residents in attendance, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members of Council voted yes. Motion to adopt 2004-1167 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Houser. All members of Council voted yes.

New Business: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 2004-1168 – Public Hearing and Final Adoption will be on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 8:00 p.m.

Ordinance 2004-1168 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, NJ Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Various Capital Projects and Reappropriating Such Funded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2004-1168 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:51 – Resolution Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the CDBG Project Description Form for the Year 26 (2004/2005) Updating Bathrooms at Borough Hall and Making Handicapped Accessible.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:51 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:52 – Resolution to Correct Resolution 2003-146 with Reference to Police Purchases – State Contract (Correcting Amount on Original Resolution)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:52 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:53 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayments (Due to refinancing, both old and new mortgage companies paid, etc.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:53 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:54 – Resolution Authorizing Emergency Temporary Appropriations

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:54 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:55 – Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills and Claims for the First Half of March 2004

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:55 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Houser. Under roll call all members of Council present voted yes.

There were no comments from the public.

Borough Solicitor, John Kearney discussed costs of the State Early Retirement Program with Borough Treasurer. Consensus was to have a resolution for the next meeting stating that the Borough of Haddon Heights declines to participate in the program. Mr. Kearney also spoke in reference to Teleview with cable. Mr. Hunter will gather information and make a presentation to Council. Information on these items will be ready for the next Council meeting.

With no further business to come before Council motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Houser. All members of Council voted yes.

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Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk 8:35 pm