May 18, 2004 Minutes

May 18, 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 newspaper provided by Resolution adopted January 3, 2004”.

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

Motion to approve minutes from the May 4, 2004 meeting was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. All members of council present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Houser who abstained from voting.

Committee Reports.

Councilman Donald Witzig reported that he was given a report from the Police Department regarding the computer problems. The Borough participated in a trial county run program in the event of an emergency and found the borough hall is in need of a generator. The finance committee will discuss further. Chief Shute held a successful reunion breakfast for previous officers.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported that the soccer fields have new grass.

Councilwoman Wyman reported that Zoning Officer Tim Daly is resigning as of May 21, 2004. Councilwomen Wyman and Haven are working on various options for filling the position.

Councilman O’Toole reported Superintendent Geserick received bids for street sweeping services. Apparently, the lowest bid was from the Borough of Haddonfield. However, Councilman O’Toole had some questions he hoped would be cleared up so a resolution can be on the next agenda. The Finance Department will address the memo regarding the generator. He also suggested we get high school students to help with some basic computer problems instead of paying our hardware vendor for troubleshooting and computer updates.

Mayor Griffith reported that Judy Bitner completed the registrar’s certification course and offered her congratulations. On June 7, 2004 the 4th of July Committee will be doing their town walk for contributions. Mayor asked Councilman Witzig if he has had any feedback regarding the new officer’s duties. Councilman Witzig responded that Chief Shute said officer Scardino will work for 6 months and then sent to school. DMV will be covered during their operating hours. Regarding the Skateboard Park, the fence was put up today and the equipment will be put in soon. The Mayor would like to get together with the Skateboard Park Committee for a meeting. She also asked for an update from Councilman Witzig on the fire department merger. Councilman Witzig responded that the fire chief’s job and hours had changed. The Mayor suggested we work around his schedule to get the project moving.

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

Introduction of Ordinances #2004-1171 and 1172. Public Hearings and final adoptions are scheduled for 8:00 pm June 15, 2004. Legal advertisement will be in the Haddon Herald.

Ordinance 2004-1171 – Noise Ordinance. (Establishes prohibited hours for creating noise related to construction, landscaping, painting and sound/video equipment).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2004-1171 was made by Councilwoman Houser and seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon role call all members of council present voted yes.

Ordinance 2004-1172 – Capital Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey, Appropriating Certain Moneys in the General Capital Fund Balance (Surplus) for the Payment of the Costs of the Acquisition and Installation of Computer Equipment for the Borough’s Police Department.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2004-1172 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. Upon role call, all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:76 – Resolution Authorizing Application for State Aid Under the Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program and Designating the Mayor to Sign the Application. ($8,468 is the amount we are requesting).

Motion to approve Resolution 2004:76 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon role call, all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:77 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2nd Half of May.

Motion to approve Resolution 2004:77 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by. Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call, all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:78 – Resolution Reducing the Haddon Heights School Budget by $210,000. (The $210,000 will come from fund balance (surplus).

Motion to approve Resolution 2004:78 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. Upon roll call, all members of council present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Houser, who abstained.

Resolution 2004:79 – Resolution Authorizing Emergency Temporary Appropriations. (Fire Department received a grant in the amount of $33,093. The Borough’s portion of the match is $3,678.00. This resolution authorizes that the amount of $3,678 be included in the budget and therefore made available to the Chief for the purchase of equipment).

Motion to approve Resolution 2004:79 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon roll call, all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:80 – Resolution Amending Job Description for the Position of Zoning Enforcement Officer. (Correctly describes all the duties of that position).

Motion to approve Resolution 2004:80 was made by Councilwoman Houser, 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 remarks from the public in attendance.

Roni Olizi – 610 Sycamore Terrace – said the Centennial Committee is very excited about the upcoming gala (5/22/04). All monies now being collected are profit. She thanked Solicitor Kearney for his generous donation. But, went on to say she was very sad and disappointed that certain council members, who are on the Centennial Committee and the council liaison, have not attended meetings, did not buy tickets and, in general, failed to support the gala. Heated discussions went on between those council members and Mrs. Olizi. Mayor Griffith asked for closing statements.

Former Councilman and Centennial Committee member, Jack Merryfield – 406 Lake Street said this is a “once-in-a-lifetime event”…. wonderful for the town. Put political differences aside!

Jacki Parisi, Treasurer of the Centennial Committee (506 Eleventh Avenue) thanked all council members who did support the gala. In response to Councilman Witzig who could not attend due to a disc problem that made him unable to stand for long periods of time, she replied that she is in charge of special needs and accommodations could be made for reserved seat, by just calling her.

A resident from Ninth Avenue mentioned there have been several Centennial celebrations since the beginning of this year. Back in March, several choirs performed at St. Rose Church and no one from Council, with the exception of Beth Haven attended.

On another subject, she asked for the status of the sale of the water company to a developer, who would turn the property into townhouses. She heard the builder withdrew because he was told by a town official that he would never get approval for townhouses. Solicitor Kearney responded that no developer approached council. As far as anyone knows, neither the planning or zoning boards were contacted.

With no further business to come before council, Councilwoman Sheilds made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman.

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Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk 8:40 pm