May 17, 2005 Minutes

May 17, 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 members of council were present: Councilwomen Haven, Wyman and Sheilds and Councilman Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was present. Councilwoman Cortese and Councilman Hamburger were absent.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Sheilds to approve the minutes from the May 3rd meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All present were in favor.

Mayor Griffith asked Ambulance Chief John Zenuk and 1st. Lt. Leah Slemmer to come forward while she read a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week. After the Mayor read the proclamation, they received a round of applause. Mayor Griffith then mentioned that Leah Slemmer was on television with representatives from Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital promoting Emergency Medical Services Week and she did a great job of representing Haddon Heights and its volunteers.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven said that she agrees that the Ambulance Corps does a great job! Reporting for the Construction Office, Haven said that forms are now on the website for permits and can be downloaded. She announced that the Construction Official will be on vacation and that Mr. Wallace will be handling anything that comes up. Councilwoman Haven reported that permits have really increased from last year, noting that in the last 2 weeks 27 applications totaling $4,500 in fees have been filed, representing $264,209 in value. She also mentioned that Channel 19 can be viewed from the Haddon Heights website.

Councilman Donald Witzig thanked the Ambulance Corps, Police Department and Fire Department for helping our citizens.

Council President Trish Sheilds, reporting for Parks and Recreation said that a tree fell, knocking down part of a fence along the soccer field – but that is where they wanted to put an opening anyway, so it worked out well! She announced that 400 kids are registered for soccer so far this season. The Soccer Club contacted her about putting up an 8’ x 4’ trailer that is being donated by PSE&G for equipment storage. She asked if Council would mind? Everyone present seemed to agree with the donation.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman, reporting for Public Works said that the pothole situation is being worked on with a hot mix. She explained that once the mix was purchased, it had to be used within a certain period of time to be effective. Councilwoman Wyman said that the Business Association as asked that a parking study be done. Mayor Griffith said that the Planning Board was also asked about it. She also reported that DPW is working to replace parking signs along Station Avenue.

Mayor Griffith announced that a revaluation would have to be done effective 2008. She said we will receive official notice in a few months. The Mayor then reported that she received a call regarding the pending resignation of Anthony O’Toole, saying he us unable to meet his responsibilities on the Zoning Board and will have to resign. She noted that she has not received his official resignation letter as of yet. Mayor Griffith then reported on our newest business, Kunkels Seafood & Steakhouse, located on Kings Highway. She said the food was excellent and that they will be a great asset for Haddon Heights.

With no further reports to be presented, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the Public on Agenda Items. There were none.

New Business:

Resolution 2005:84 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayments. (Overpayments have occurred due to refinancing, sale of a property and/or a duplicate payment made by the title company and mortgage company).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:84 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:85 – Resolution Authorizing Restricted On-Line Banking Services. (Restricted for the use of Treasurer and Payroll/Finance Clerk only. Will allow them to get bank statements online, issue stop payments and transfer payroll funds).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:85 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:86 – Release of Restrictive Covenant.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:86 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2005:87 – Resolution Authorizing that the Borough of Haddon Heights Enter Into a Shared Services Agreement with Bellmawr, Brooklawn, Gloucester City, Mount Ephraim and Runnemede for the Purpose of Purchasing a Critical Incident Team Response Vehicle. (Each town is putting $22,000 from the 2005 Domestic Preparedness Grant for the purchase of this vehicle. A tactical team is comprised of a member from each of the Police Departments and has been in operation/training for a few years. The vehicle will be used for response to critical incidents in any of the member towns.).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:87 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:88 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Coastal Land Contractors, Inc. for the Barrier Free Bathroom Renovations at Joseph I. McCullough Field in the Amount of $32,400. (CDBG funds).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:88 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members of present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:89 – Resolution Authorizing Change Order #1 for the Third Avenue Resurfacing Project. (Lowers the contract by $2,494.20 due to as-built quantities versus estimated quantities of road material used for the project).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:89 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:90 – Resolution in Support of a Permanent and Constitutionally Guaranteed 30% Reduction in Property Taxes.

Motion to TABLE Resolution 2005:90 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes. This resolution will be considered again at the next council meeting.

Resolution 2005:91 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2nd Half of May.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:91 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:92 – Resolution Approving the Year 27 Community Development Grant Agreement. (Funding in the amount of $34,000 for curb cuts around town and $2,000 for senior transportation).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:92 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:93 – Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Purpose of Trash Removal to South Jersey Sanitation Company.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:93 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

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

John Gemmell, 1843 Sycamore Street said that at the last Planning Board meeting and last Council meeting, he expressed his desire to have Augie Longo step down. He repeated information previously stated at the last council meeting. Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven said she was unclear as to what his issue is, saying she is aware of what the problem is, but asked, “What is he alleging against Mayor Longo”? Mr. Gemmell said it “has to do with variances being circumvented”. Solicitor John Kearney said “there is nothing that can be done now for something that happened 13 years ago!” Mayor Griffith said she appreciates his opinion, but they (Mayor and Mr. Gemmell) do not agree. Solicitor Kearney agreed to look through all of Mr. Gemmell’s information.

Greg McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue asked about Resolution 2004:86. Solicitor Kearney explained that a title company advised us of a covenant that was on the record, regarding duplexes, since 1960 that has no bearing now.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street asked about his concern about the parking situation at the Atlantic Avenue ballfields. Councilman Witzig said he has asked the Chief to look into it and get back to Mayor and Council. Mr. Rayser asked about the traffic counter and it if the information was available regarding number of vehicles and speed. The Chief said the information is available and noted that studies can be done wherever there is a need. Mr. Rayser said that W. Atlantic Avenue, from Sycamore down to the ballfields would be helpful. Chief Shute said he would get it set up. Mr. Rayser then asked about the Barrington and Haddon Heights Fire Department merger, wondering if it was still going on. The Mayor said the consultants are still working on the study and assured him that the study would not cost more than the $5000 each town has already obligated for that purpose. Lastly, Mr. Rayser asked how much the Homeland Security Grant was? He was told that we requested $190,000, but have not heard how much we will actually received as of yet.

John Gemmell, 1843 Sycamore Street asked the Mayor to have her secretary type a letter stating that she will investigate and advise him of the outcome.

Greg Solly, 1641 W. High Street said the man arrested for child pornography lives behind him and said that he wouldn’t have known anything about it if he wasn’t in his back yard while the helicopter was overhead as the arrest was happening. He asked Chief Shute when he was notified by the FBI that this was going down? Chief Shute said he was notified about 24 hours before the arrest. He said his child brought a letter home from the school. He was told that all of the schools sent a letter home, not just Glenview Avenue School. Mr. Solly said there are a lot of kids in the area, including his own, and he felt as though more should be done to warn people.

John Gemmell said he went on the Megan website and asked how often it is updated. The Captain informed him that the website is maintained by the State Police.

David Ragonese, 602 Sycamore Terrace said that the Tax Collector should be congratulated on her 99% collection rate, saying that is great! He suggested to council that the consider revising the code and start issuing liquor licenses as a new source for revenue, explaining that there is the initial revenue plus annual renewals. Mr. Ragonese again asked council to consider changing banks, saying that Commerce bankers have now been convicted. He said it was not embezzlement, but corruption of public funds. He advised council that he made an Open Public Meeting Request and complimented how thoroughly it was handled in a timely fashion. He referred to a copy of a letter from the file in which Hudson Bank offered to pay a certain percentage of interest on Borough funds that would realize a $4,800 savings over what Commerce Bank paid. He said the letter also said it would donate $5,000 annually for any cause in town. Mr. Ragonese asked that the Mayor and Council at least explore our options with other banks in town and make a move before something else happens. Mayor Griffith said the Borough has had nothing but good service from Commerce Bank and that she feels they are good for the town, but offered to revisit prior to the reorganization meeting.

With no further comments to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All present were in favor.

___________________________________ 9:00pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk