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January 20, 2009

CAUCUS:

Review of Regular Agenda - Mayor Scott Alexander

Councilwoman Fitzgerald presented a power point presentation regarding the survey results concerning Construction and Zoning.

Mayor Alexander presented a power point presentation regarding the survey results concerning the Municipality.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Alexander opened the meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

He 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, 2009”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Lee Wentz, Daniel Haggerty, Trish Sheilds, Rose Fitzgerald, Kathy Lange and Tad Fetter.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Council President Fetter to approve the minutes from 12/16/08 and 1/3/09. All members present abstained from 12/16/08 with the exception of Councilman Wentz and Council President Fetter who voted yes. All members present voted yes for 1/3/09 with the exception of Councilman Wentz who abstained.

Mayor Alexander presented an Honorable Services Medal to Patrolman John Whitman, who was accompanied by Chief Kinkler and PBA Representative Michael Scardino. Sergeant Joe Sack is also a recipient of this Medal but did not attend. Mayor Alexander stated that the residents should be honored and reassured knowing these men are on our staff.

Mayor Alexander stated that at the first council meeting of every month, the reports should cover everything of importance from committee meetings.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Council President Fetter reported for the Fire and Police Departments. Full copy of this report is on file with the Borough Clerk.

Councilman Haggerty reported for EMS. Full copy of this report is on file with the Borough Clerk.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported that she will be the School Board Representative. A new track, softball and baseball coach was hired. There is a School Board meeting tonight regarding school violence which she will report to council February 3rd. Councilwoman Sheilds attended the Camden County reorganization meeting and reported that the county will not be increasing taxes.

Motion was made by Lee Wentz to appoint Councilwoman Sheilds as the School Board Representative, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported for Construction. Full copy of this report is on file

with the Borough Clerk. Reporting for Green Initiatives, Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported that 7 people came to the first meeting. She reported that Tom Ottoson is very interested in solar power and will be getting more information together. Ottoson suggested that an energy audit be performed for all Borough buildings. She asked the Mayor to set a recycling challenge to our residents and said she will check out Haddonfield’s recycling program. Fitzgerald said the next meeting of the Green Initiatives Committee will be 2/1/09.

Regarding the Civic Events Committee Councilwoman announced the first meeting will be 2/4/09. She advised council that a professor from Rutgers University will be at their meeting on 3/25/09 to discuss starting your own business and that a bank representative will also be present to advise residents who may be considering starting their own business.

Fitzgerald also reported that she is looking into suggestions about residents starting their own backyard compost file for their mulch and Councilwoman Sheilds suggested she contact Joan Leonard of Collingswood who started one in her town.

Councilwoman Lange commended our CFO, Ernie Merlino for the information he provided her. She reported that since January 3rd she has been looking at Land Use Agreements. She reported attending an HHYA meeting and said she received concerns and comments regarding their recycling not being picked up at the various fields. She reported meeting with Don Hicks of the Soccer Club and representatives of American Legion and set up a meeting with the high school in regards to the fields. She said she is working on setting up a “Buddy Walk” program for people to walk with friends through the County park, saying that weekdays between 9am – 10am and Saturdays at 10am are the times being looked at. Lange also said she is a member of the school Strategic Committee and they will be looking at curriculum and career development. Mayor Alexander suggested that she and Councilwoman Sheilds ask about their recreation program. Lange said that a meeting with the Recreation Committee will be set up in the near future. Lastly, Councilwoman Lange thanked Councilwoman Sheilds for the records she turned over to her tonight.

Councilman Wentz reported that he will be attending the Local Board meeting next month. Regarding the Drug Commission, he reported that they are looking into the 2009 relay race and possible T-shirt contest where prizes will be given for the best designed T-shirt.

Councilman Wentz advised council that he is resigning his position of Director of Public Works, stating that he does not have the time to do the work involved. Mayor Alexander asked him if he could hold the position until the next council meeting so he has time to name a replacement. Councilman Wentz said he would and then gave the DPW report. A copy of the report is on file with the Borough Clerk.

With no further reports to be presented Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.

Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue, questioned if Resolution 2009:43 regarding the PARIS Grant is necessary. Joan Moreland explained. Mr. Troutman also commented on Resolution 2009:48, asking how often the hydrogen sulfide sensor would be used.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2009:1288.

Ordinance 2009:1288 – An Ordinance Moving the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of the Planning Board.

Motion to amend Section 4 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members present were in favor.

Councilwoman Sheilds questioned the Planning Board secretary’s salary, solicitor’s salary and the meeting date.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1288 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under roll call all members present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no.

NEW BUSINESS:

Introduction of Ordinances 2009:1289 and 1290. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on February 3, 2009, 7pm at the Municipal Building.

Ordinance 2009:1289: An Ordinance Determining the Salary for the Position of Acting CFO/Treasurer. ($12,672, 2/1/09 – 12/31/09).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1289 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Council President Fetter. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2009:1290: An Ordinance Amending Chapters 38 and 75 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1290 with amendment was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:43 – Resolution Authorizing Shared Services with Camden County for PARIS Grants Program. (Haddon Heights, along with other towns have entered into a Shared Services program for the purpose of records management, preservation and storage of minutes, ordinances, resolution and other historic documents of the Borough. Our $40,000 and funding from other towns will be leveraged with Camden County to fund inventories of the towns involved and records management projects for all. Currently our minute books dating back to 1904 are being microfilmed as part of the PARIS (Public Archives and Records Infrastructure Support) Grant for 2009-2010).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:43 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2009:44 – Resolution of the Borough of Haddon Heights Authorizing the Mayor to Enter Into an Agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for Federal Aid Agreement #80-DT-BLA-480. ($250,000 to carry out the Historic Railroad Corridor Enhancement Project (Station Avenue, 8th Avenue to White Horse Pike).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:44 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2009:45 – A Resolution Accepting a Grant from the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund Public Entity Program Through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Department of Environmental Protection. ($102,213 for remedial investigation along with report preparation of the Haddon Heights Landfill property located behind the tennis courts on Devon Avenue).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:45 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2009:46 – Resolution to Utilize the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for All Incident Management in the Borough of Haddon Heights. (There are over 50 Federal Grant Programs available which mandate that NIMS be adopted as a prerequisite for obtaining these grants).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:46 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:47 – Resolution Appointing Sharon Smith, CMFO to the Position of Acting CFO/Treasurer for the Borough of Haddon Heights. (Our CFO/Treasurer Ernie Merlino is retiring after serving the Borough of 21 years. The State requires that all municipalities have a CFO and Sharon Smith holds the required State License and the CMFO designation. She worked for 5 years with Bowman & Company and those years of experience in Haddon Heights will prove to be a valuable asset to the Borough).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:47 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2009:48 – Resolution Authorizing the Fire Department to Purchase Equipment Utilizing a State Contract. (One (1) Scott Scout hydrogen sulfide sensor for the portable gas detector instrument at the cost of $144.00).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:48 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2009:49 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1st Half of January.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:49 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under roll call all members present voted yes, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no to the invoices for Art Press Printing, Integrity Consulting and Christine Foster.

Councilwoman Lange asked if Council would be recognizing CFO Ernest Merlino at the next meeting. Mayor Alexander responded that they will at the February 3rd meeting.

Resolution 2009:50 – Resolution Providing for a Meeting Not Open to the Public in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, NJSA 10:4-12.

Solicitor Robert Gleaner explained that this is a form Resolution to use each time Council will be going into a private session so the public is aware.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:50 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:51 - Resolution Awarding Contract to Pennoni Associates, Inc. for the 2008 Roadwork Program.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:51 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under roll call all members present voted yes, with the exception of Councilman Wentz and Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no.

Resolution 2009:52 – Resolution Amending Resolution 2008:49. (Simply takes the one-lined transfer made and separates it into 2 lines (electricity and street lighting).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:52 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting for comments and concerns.

Richard DiRenzo, 415 Second Avenue said he attended the Board of Education meeting and left very disappointed, as Mayor Alexander was shrugged away. He urged residents to attend the School Board meetings because they are out of control.

John Raysor, 611 W. High Street congratulated Councilwoman Lange and Councilman Haggerty. He raised several concerns including: proposed one-way on Seventh Avenue, lights by the fountain not working, graffiti on the Ninth Avenue overpass, adding the two (2) new council members email addresses to the website, contact person to put content into the newspaper, any dollar amounts associated with zoning violations, appearance of Water Company building and the conditions of the soccer fields.

With no further comments from the public, the meeting was adjourned and Council went into closed session to discuss litigation, personnel and a legal matter.

Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:53 approving medical benefits for Pat Johnson upon her voluntary retirement effective March 2, 2009 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Motion to Introduce Ordinance 2009:1291 Amending Chapter 59-1 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights deleting “Oil Burner Inspector” and adding the position of Operations Manager was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present voted yes.

_______________________________ 7:27PM

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk