May 1, 2007 Minutes

May 1, 2007

Mayor Beth Ann Haven opened the regularly scheduled caucus meeting at 7:00pm. The following council members were present: Council President Trish Sheilds, Councilwoman Barbara Cortese, Councilmen Donald Witzig, Thomas Ottoson, Gordon Shopp and Lee Wentz. Solicitor John B. Kearney was present as was Joan Moreland, Borough Clerk and Patricia Cooper, Deputy Clerk.

The discussion of Resolution 2007:96 for the May 15^th meeting regarding police evaluations centered on the forms to be used. Councilman Ottoson, Public Safety Director will be checking with the Chief to ensure the correct forms will be attached to the resolution and used by the department. Evaluations will be conducted twice a year. Councilman Ottoson was asked to draft an ordinance for May 15^th rescinding all testing requirements for the Police Department.

The Borough Clerk suggested an ordinance regarding barking dogs. She explained that apparently when the Code book was redone, the section regarding this subject was left out. Discussion followed regarding enforcement and the Community Dispute Resolution Committee. An ordinance will be on the May 15^th agenda regarding this matter.

Council President Sheilds review the 7 resolutions from Ernie Merlino, Treasurer, saying that 6 were bookkeeping matters and 1 was as a result of the 2006 audit. Discussion of purchase orders followed. Mayor Haven said this topic has been on the audit report for the past 2 years and must be resolved. The proposed resolution states there will be disciplinary action if the Department Head does not comply.

Under roundtable, the following topics were brought forth by council members:

Councilman Gordon Shopp passed around a report from our Construction Official Mengste Thomas El regarding King’s Run and the estimated amount of funds from permits, hours needed for inspections, etc. John Kearney said that the Division of Community Affairs suggested to him that we set up a Dedication by Rider for this project. He also said that the builder has requested permits for the foundation work and Mr. Thomas El has set up a meeting for this coming Monday. Council President Sheilds said she liked the idea of a Dedication by Rider, but would like to see an outside company being hired for this project so our residents won’t suffer. The Borough Clerk asked about the Secretary, noting there was no additional money set aside for her as there was for the men. Councilman Shopp said he would ask Mr. Thomas El about it.

Councilman Shopp advised council that the next Economic Development Committee meeting would be held on the 4^th Wednesday instead of the 3^rd. He also said the Committee is working on a letter that would be sent to new business owners regarding a use permit and other items that would be helpful to a new owner.

Regarding the recent problems with trash collection, Shopp said the response from the company was that problems have occurred all over the country, but do to the recent storm, our town-wide yardsale and spring cleanup, we had more than the trucks could handle.

Mayor Haven gave an overview of current problems and said that the Solicitor sent a letter to South Jersey Sanitation stated we were not pleased. The Mayor said we have to document the complaints. The Borough Clerk said that Eileen already keeps a running list of problems and that Gary is deducting penalties from the monthly invoices.

Councilman Donald Witzig reported having received attendance records for Administrative employees and it looks like everything is good.

Council President Sheilds advised council that Ernie Merlino, Lisa Donahue from Bowman and her went to Trenton regarding State Aid. She said they were told by Judy Tripodi and Susan Jacobucci that fewer applications were approved and there is less money available. Sheilds said we applied for $450,000. She also explained that a lot of applications were thrown out for various reasons and ours was not one of them.

Regarding the School Budget, Sheilds reported that $70,000 will be cut from the budget.

Sheilds also reported having met with a representative from FCR and our DPW Supt. Gary Geserick regarding possibly using 1 bin for paper, glass and plastic. She also said that computer chips would be on the containers used that would keep track of each household and incentives would be sent to the homeowner in the form of coupons for a certain amount off a local business. She noted that our trucks are older and retrofitting them for this may not be possible. More information will be coming forward on this topic as it becomes available.

Councilman Thomas Ottoson advised council that the Police Chief may be changing towing contractors. Beaverbrook offers 24-hr. gas service and Helmrick’s is cleaner, keeps good paperwork, but is a little further. He recommended changing to Helmrick’s. No action was taken at this time.

Mayor Haven advised council that the Fire Department has applied for a $700,000 grant to purchase a new squirter truck. She said she is not sure if the application will be accepted or not. Regarding Interfaith Caregivers, the Mayor said they are in desperate need for volunteers, primarily drivers, in Haddon Heights and asked everyone to give it some thought or pass the word around.

The Mayor then advised council that a newly formed “Code Enforcement Task Force”, comprised of Ass’t. Fire Chief Frank Lafferty, Police Chief Ronald Shute, Borough Clerk Joan Moreland and Code Enforcement Officer Mengste Thomas El, has been formed in an effort to have a more coordinated approach for code enforcement. She said that she has asked Frank Lafferty to spearhead this committee who will have their first meeting this month.

Council members Barbara Cortese and Gordon Shopp both felt that Frank should come to caucus meetings to inform council of what they are doing.

The Mayor explained that a resolution will be on the next agenda for $35,370 as part of the Streetscape Phase II and requirement of NJDOT.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese said that Gary Geserick was pleased that we did not have major sewer backup problems or flooding as a result of the recent nor’easter storm that passed through Haddon Heights.

At this point the Mayor opened the meeting to the public for comments.

Harry Vincent, 117 E. Atlantic Avenue advised council he received a letter from Mr. Troutman regarding the “take over” of the American Legion building by the Haddonfield, Haddon Heights and Barrington PBA. He read the letter in full to council members and then asked them, “What does this mean?” Mayor Haven advised Mr. Vincent that this topic will be discussed at the June caucus meeting.

Howard Emerson, 5 St. Martins is a member of the Haddon Heights Local Board of Health and asked who will enforce the barking dog ordinance. Solicitor Kearney said anyone can enforce it. Mr. Emerson said it is a fine point between the noise ordinance and baring dogs. Discussion ensued.

Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue, said he saw 2 trash trucks on his street at dusk, and was glad to see they were picking up trash.

With no further comments to come from the public, Mayor Haven opened the meeting to Old Business at which time the public hearing and final adoption for Ordinance 2007:1234 was held.

Ordinance 2007:1234 – 2007 Capital Items. Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All council members were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2007:1234 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. Under roll call all members voted yes.

The Mayor read a proclamation, proclaiming April 29^th – May 5^th as Municipal Clerks’ Week. The Clerk received nice comments from council members showing their appreciation for the work she does.

With no further business to come before council. motion to close the meeting to the public for the discussion of negotiations was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All council members were in favor.

________________________________ 8:10pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk