May 3, 2005 Minutes

May 3, 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, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the April 19^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All were in favor with the exception of Councilwoman Haven who abstained from voting.

Mayor Griffith then read a proclamation designating May 15 - 21, 2005 as Police Week.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven, reporting for the Construction Department said that “construction is going through the roof”, with 42 new permits last month.

Councilman Donald Witzig, reporting for Public Safety, explained that the speed trailer has not been out because it runs on solar power and is therefore stored during the winter months. He announced that the next Planning Board meeting is in 2 weeks.

Council President Trish Sheilds said she was unable to attend the fireworks symposium due to a child being sick, but will plan to attend if an evening meeting is scheduled.

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger said he stopped by Rose Fitzgerald’s in response to a letter she sent to Mayor and Council regarding naming streets after John Norcross and Jack McLaughlin; however she was not in at the time so he left a message with her children. He noted that our meetings are not listed in the Courier Post. He reported that he filed an application for Open Space Funding with the County for the area where a developer plans to build 7 homes.

With no further reports to be presented, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public on agenda items.

Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue, regarding the radar detector said the Police should be issuing tickets to drivers on Station Avenue.

Kevin Spaeth, 801 St. Martins Avenue thanked the Mayor and Council members who attended the Planning Board meeting and thanked Councilman Hamburger for filing the Open Space Funding application.

Bill Petzold, 1102 Sylvan Avenue noted that Glover Avenue was resurfaced and since has been patched. He said he has asked Gary (Superintendent) to fill in the hole that is the size of 2 bathtubs. The Mayor asked Councilwoman Wyman to contact Gary Geserick regarding this matter and then said that we have to wait for the budget to be approve before spending money on capital projects. Councilwoman Haven said that Gary has prepared a list of streets to be repaired and Glover is on the list. On another matter, Mr. Petzold said that he feels the Department of Public Works needs an over-haul, asking why 3 men are needed in a dump truck. He also wanted to know why they work a 7-hour day when everyone else works 8 hours. Councilwoman Wyman said she would discuss the matters with Gary Geserick.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace congratulated Council on their good management of debt service. He then asked if the budget could be cut, suggesting they look for ways to cut expenses. Councilwoman Cortese, a member of the Finance Committee, told Mr. Ragonese that the original budget, that he did not see, called for a 24-cent increase, but it was reduced to a 16-cent increase. Mr. Ragonese said he felt that the salaries for Administration was too high, suggesting that 1 employee be let go. He also suggested cutting personnel in DPW and the Library, adding that Council should “slash and cut”. He also said that the Library should only be funded by the people who use it. He then asked about his suggestion at the last meeting to change banks and was told that we are actually saving money by dealing with Commerce Bank.

New Business:

Resolution 2005:79 – Resolution Approving The Public Display of Fireworks.

Motion made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman to adopt Resolution 2005:79. All council members were in favor.

Resolution 2005:80 – Resolution Approving the 2005 Environmental Services

Program (ESP) Matching Grant submitted by the Haddon Heights Environmental

Commission for the project “Devon Avenue Landfill Redevelopment Planning and

Water Quality Testing in the amount of $2,500.00.

Motion made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Witzig to adopt Resolution 2005:80. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2005:81 – Resolution reducing the Haddon Heights School Budget by

$40,000.00.

Motion made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman to adopt Resolution 2005:81. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2005:82 – Resolution Approving Payment of Bills and Claims for 1st of May.

Motion made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman to adopt Resolution 2005:82. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

Resolution 2005:83 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to USFilter Davis Products in the amount of #20,967.41 for the Purpose of Installation of Chemical Feed Systems for the Maple Avenue and Kings Highway Pump Stations.

Motion made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds to adopt Resolution 2005:83. Under roll call all members of council voted yes.

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

____________________________________8:30pm

Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk