May 4, 2004 Minutes

May 4, 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 Haven, Sheilds and Wyman, Councilmen Witzig, and O’Toole. John Kearney Borough Solicitor was also present. Councilwoman Houser was absent due to the birth of her first grandchild.

Motion to approve minutes from the April 20, 2004 meeting was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. All members of council present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Wyman who abstained from voting.

Mayor Griffith welcomed the Student Council Members from Atlantic Avenue, Seventh Avenue and Glenview Avenue Elementary Schools. Each of the 31 students was presented with a Certificate of Achievement by Mayor Griffith and Council President Anthony O’Toole. Mayor Griffith issued the Oath of Office to the students and they received a well-deserved round of applause from the people in the audience. Dr. Gail Avicoli, Principal of Glenview Avenue School and Jane McGovern, Principal of Atlantic Avenue and Seventh Avenue School, both said that this is the third year that the Mayor has recognized the Student Council and thanked Mayor Griffith for her efforts. Once again the students received a loud round of applause!

Mayor Griffith asked for a motion on Resolution 2004:71, A Resolution Appointing Michael Scardino to the Haddon Heights Police Department.

Motion was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

At this point, Mayor Griffith asked Michael Scardino to come forward and received the Oath of Office. Chief Ronald Shute, Councilman Donald Witzig and Michael’s wife joined him, with family members in the audience.

Mayor Griffith read a Proclamation – Designating Week of May 15 – 22nd as National Tinnitus Awareness Week.

She then read a Proclamation – Designating May 9th – 15th as Police Week and presented it to Police Chief Ronald Shute.

Committee Reports.

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven thanked Remington & Vernick representatives for their presentation on Graphic Information System (GIS). She said that she asked the Borough Clerk to put the Noise Ordinance on the next agenda. Ms. Haven then referred to a letter from Kevin Sheehan regarding the Planning Board and Historic District Review Committee. She explained that the letter refers to a meeting by both boards and has suggestions for changes, based on current practices. The Clerk was asked to provide copies to council members.

Councilman Donald Witzig said he attended a breakfast with the Freeholders last week and was told that there will be grant money for the Police Department to use for new breathalyzers at a $10,000 savings to the Borough. He also said that the police car inventory is in everyone’s box. He then said he spoke with Fire Chief Steve Kinky and that Kinky had no new information on Triad.

Councilman Anthony O’Toole said the first quarterly meeting with Department Heads went well. He asked if anyone has an item they would like to be included in the 2004 Capital Budget to let him know soon. O’Toole said that each department has enough money in their budget to cover the expense of this year’s Employee Appreciation Awards. He reported that the Construction Department is $16,000 ahead of last year in permit fees collected and that the Municipal Court is above what they collected for the same time frame. Councilman O’Toole announced that Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven will be conducting a computer inventory in the upcoming weeks and assessing our needs; a plan for replacing 2 computers a year will be anticipated in upcoming budgets. The Councilman said we are recipients of a $5,000 “Click It or Ticket” Grant. Regarding painting that needs to be done at the Public Works facility, O’Toole said that Gary Geserick will try to utilize people who have been assigned to community service. A copy of the full reports for Public Works and Engineer Meeting are attached and part of these minutes.

Councilman O’Toole said that Gary Geserick is looking into sharing inlet cleaning services with another town that may already have the equipment, noting that the machine needed costs approximately $100,000. There are 144 inlets in Haddon Heights. Regarding street sweeping, he said that quotes will be available at the next meeting. He noted that our sweeper is up and running and to let him or Gary know if you see an area that needs to be done. Lastly, regarding Phase II of the Streetscape Project, Councilman O’Toole asked the Borough Clerk to see if we received a CED form the Phase I.

Councilwoman Trish Sheilds announced that the Soccer Club is replacing sod and fencing at the fields and asked that if anyone sees any vandalism in the area to call the Police so they don’t have to keep making repairs. She then asked about regulations for the skateboard park. The Borough Clerk was asked to provide a copy of the ordinance to council members.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman asked about the status of the personnel manual. The Borough Clerk said that as soon as council makes a decision on the proposed Employee Appreciation Awards, the manual will be updated, copies made and distributed to all employees. Wyman then announced that the sale of tickets for the upcoming Gala is going well.

Mayor Griffith reported the following items: Haddon Heights has been named a 2003 Tree City USA and was proud to host the State Arbor Day Celebration. She said that volunteers planted trees and plants at Hoff’s Park and that there were various activities for the many children who attended the celebration. Mayor Griffith thanked Roni Olizi for her part in having us as the host as part of Haddon Heights’ Centennial celebration. The Mayor also reported that construction of the skateboard park is underway and should be completed by the end of the month, noting that now the kids have to form a committee and get adult volunteers to supervise. Regarding the School Board’s budget, Mayor Griffith said that $210,000 will be cut from surplus as a result of a joint meeting held last night, equaling a 5.25 cent decrease. She noted that we are waiting to hear the final approval from the School Board.

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

Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinance #2004:1170.

Ordinance 2004:1170 – Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, N.J. Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Various Capital Projects and Reappropriating Such Funded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public portion was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. All members present voted yes. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2004-1170 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman O’Toole. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

New Business:

Resolution 2004:69 – Resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, Authorizing Remington and Vernick Engineers to Request an Extension from the Department of Transportation for Awarding the Pedestrian Safety Improvements in the Vicinity of Kings Highway and Eighth Avenue. (Plans for pedestrian safety improvements at 8th Avenue and Kings Highway are being redesigned to eliminate the relocation of a pole, thereby saving $6,642.24).

Resolution 2004:70 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for First Half of May.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:70 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:72 – Resolution Canceling Outstanding Check in Payroll Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:72 was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:73 – Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks in Current Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:73 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:74 – Resolution Authorizing Refund of Tax Overpayment.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:74 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call all members of council present voted yes.

Resolution 2004:75 – Resolution Awarding a Contract for Engineering Services to Remington & Vernick.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2004:75 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. 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. There were none.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman O’Toole, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members present voted yes.

__________________________________ 9:00pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk