March 21, 2006 Minutes

March 21, 2006

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 3, 2006”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Haven, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Shopp, Hamburger and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the March 7^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members voted yes with the exception of Councilman Hamburger who abstained from voting.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven asked about Resolution 2006:66 asking if the Record Management System was mandated by the State? She was told yes. She also questioned the roadwork and surveillance system. Council President and Finance Director Trish Sheilds said that the road work would be to widen and put curbs from the ballfields to the Rt. 295 overpass and that the surveillance system would be installed in the cell in the Police Department.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety advised everyone that the speed trailer is currently on the East side of town. He also reported that the parking situation at 8^th & Kings Highway has apparently been resolved as there have been no complaints from the area residents. He noted that Captain Griffith makes it a point to drive around the area in the mornings and afternoons to ensure that rules are being obeyed. Councilman Shopp asked Councilman Witzig the status of the proposed merger between the Barrington and Haddon Heights Fire Departments. Witzig said that talks have been ongoing for at least the 4 years he has been on council. He also explained that they are currently training together, responding to fire together and learning about each other’s fire fighting equipment.

Council President and Finance Director Trish Sheilds announced that the public hearing on the 2006 Municipal Budget will be held April 4^th at 8:00pm, where everything about the budget will be fully explained. Regarding Devon Avenue, Sheilds said that Angelo from Pennoni Associates is getting the deed for the property and that work will begin after it is received.

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger asked what was being done on West Atlantic Avenue? Council President Sheilds said that the road is being widened and curbs will be put in.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese said she did not have a report, but wanted to congratulate Councilman Hamburger on his girl’s basketball team who recently won the Colonial Championship.

Mayor Griffith said she received an email from a resident on 8^th Avenue who has been enduring 3-years of construction and noise from the homeowners next to her. She also said they cut down every tree in the back yard including one of hers. She is seeking some kind of relief from the situation. The Mayor asked council to drive by the home and see what they think of the situation.

Mayor Griffith called for remarks from the public on agenda items.

Mr. Greg McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue asked in regards to Ordinance 2006:1212, “How much money is for the soccerfields”? Council President Sheilds told him $200,000. McAdams then asked, “What are they doing”? Sheilds said that unsafe lights were being taken down, and other things. Mr. McAdams told council that that was “ridiculous”, and they have their “priorities wrong”. Councilwoman Haven asked Sheilds about the Soccer Club? Sheilds said that starting this year they would be paying $30.00 per family in order to play on the field, noting that that money will be going toward maintenance. Mr. McAdams said that over the future years, millions would be spent on this area. He was told that 500 kids are signed up to play, and that we have been “band aiding” the field for years and that the fields are unsafe to play on. Councilwoman Cortese told Mr. McAdams that we are not going to pay millions and that it is not fair to say that our priorities are “mixed up. Mr. McAdams said that he had 1000 seniors as members of his Tax Payers group about 15 years ago and their concerns were the amount of their taxes at that time. He said he felt “it was not fair”.

With no further comments on agenda items, Mayor Griffith opened the meeting up to New Business:

Introduction of 4 Ordinances. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on April 4, 2006 at 8:00pm.

Ordinance 2006:1209 – An Ordinance Authorizing a Special Emergency Appropriation to Update the Master Plan in Order to Conform to the Planning Laws of the State. ($20,000 includes finalizing the 02/03 proposed Master Plan, drafting Land Development Ordinance amendments and preparing a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan for the Borough in accordance with new COAH Rules and Regulations. Work will be completed before the end of 2006.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1209 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1210 – An Ordinance Authorizing a Special Emergency Appropriation for the Preparation and Execution of a Complete Program of Revaluation of Real Property for the Use of the Local Assessor. (We have been ordered to perform a revaluation by the State. The cost to comply with State requirements will be $229,200.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1210 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1211 – An Ordinance Authorizing a Special Emergency Appropriation for the Preparation of an Approved Tax Map for the Use of the Local Assessor. (This is being done by the Borough Engineer at the cost of $20,000.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1211 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2006:1212 – 2006 Capital Ordinance. (Includes the purchase of vehicles for the Police, Fire and DPW Departments, computer upgrades, Municipal Building roof repair, tables for the auditorium, Law Enforcement Equipment, surveillance System and records management program for the Police Department, upgrades to fire truck, purchase of water filled barriers for Emergency Management. Improvements to West Atlantic Avenue and improvements to Devon Avenue soccerfields. Total estimated cost is $990,323.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2006:1212 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2006:64 – Resolution Authorizing the Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of March.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:64 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2006:65 – Resolution Amending the Personnel Policy Manual In Accordance with the Municipal Excess Liability Insurance Requirements.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:65 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll all members voted yes.

Resolution 2006:66 – Resolution Approving a Temporary Capital Budget.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:66 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Upon roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2006:67 – Resolution Approving the Location of the Barrington Pavilion.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:67 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. All members voted yes.

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

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street asked for an explanation of Resolution 2006:67. Mayor Griffith said that Barrington’s Mayor John Rink asked permission to install a pavilion at the railroad crossing as part of their streetscape program, noting that the property involved is actually in Haddon Heights. She said the Council members all agreed to give them permission by way of Resolution 2006:67.

Mr. Rayser then asked what is the difference between salaries and wages? He was told that salaried employees receive a specific amount annually and wages are paid by the hour and may include overtime.

Regarding the Adopt-A-Spot, Mr. Rayser said that Trish Sheilds and Beth Ann Haven have volunteered, but more are needed. He asked about the Clean Communities Grant and what the money was used for. Council President Sheilds said she is waiting to get a report from the Treasurer. Borough Clerk Joan Moreland said that brushes for the sweeper and rakes for the men were purchased from the grant in past years.

Mr. Rayser asked about the follow-up from the meeting held at the Library concerning “Main Street”. Councilman Shopp said the Economic Development Committee is looking into, but first they have to determine if “we fit for a Main Street Community”. He then asked the start date for the West Atlantic guardrail project? He was told that as soon as the money is available the project would begin. Lastly, regarding the police vehicles, Mr. Rayser said he feels that the police vehicles look like faded pink and blue and suggested going back to the triangle police logo. He was told that the design of the police vehicles is up to the Chief.

With no further comments to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members were in favor.

_________________________________ 8:35pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk