625 Station Avenue
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
Mayor Scott M. Alexander welcomed everyone to the 2009 Reorganization Meeting. He noted several dignitaries in attendance, among them were Congressman Robert E. Andrews, former Councilman Jack Merryfield and previous Mayors August Longo and Susan R. Griffith. After introductions, Mayor Alexander led the audience in a salute to the flag and a moment of silence.
He then stated, “That in accordance with Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 231, 1975, notice of this meeting was posted on the bulletin board designed for that purpose and notice was mailed to the official newspapers provided by resolution adopted by Mayor and Council, January 5, 2008”.
Oath of Office was administered by Edward R. Murphy, Esquire to Kathy Lange, who was accompanied by her family.
Oath of Office was administered by Mayor Scott M. Alexander to Daniel Haggerty, who was accompanied by his family.
After receiving the Oath of Office, Councilwoman Lange and Councilman Haggerty joined their fellow council members.
Please refer to the complete copies of speeches presented by Councilwoman Lange, Councilman Haggerty and Mayor Alexander attached to these minutes.
Congressman Robert E. Andrews wished everyone a Happy New Year and thanked Mayor Alexander for his invitation to be here today. Congressman Andrews expressed how grateful he and his family are to live in this community and is honored to serve this area in the House of Representatives. He expressed his deepest appreciation to the many volunteers in this community and appreciates the service that Mayor and Council gives to the town.
“It is the darkest before dawn” said Congressman Andrews. He then said, “These are very difficult times right now and we must be optimistic. To survive, we must have faith and look further than ourselves”. Congressman Andrews stated that all should be inspired by the Fire and EMT volunteers and to also look at Council for true volunteers. They have made a choice and we should be grateful they did. Congressman Andrews wished all a very Happy New Year and received a round of applause from those in the audience.
Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Daniel Haggerty, Trish Sheilds, Rose Fitzgerald, Kathy Lange and Tad Fetter. Lee Wentz was absent.
Under New Business the following items were voted upon:
Resolution 2009:01 – Resolution Appointing Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner, Esq.
Resolution 2009:02 – Resolution Appointing Borough Engineer – Pennoni Associates, Inc.
Resolution 2009:03 –Resolution Appointing Borough Auditor – Bowman & Company, LLP
Motion to adopt Resolutions 2009:01 through 2009:03 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all Council members present voted yes for the above resolutions, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no to Resolution 2009:01.
Resolution 2009:04 – Resolution Appointing Property & Casualty Risk Manager – Hardenbergh Ins.
Resolution 2009:05 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Borough Clerk – Marie Holcombe
Resolution 2009:06 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Court Administrator – Michele Busarello
Resolution 2009:07 –Resolution Appointing Police Chief Richard Kinkler to Issue Firearms Permits
Resolution 2009:08 – Resolution Appointing Richard Edelen as Shade Tree Project Manager
Resolution 2009:09 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Judith Reiss
Resolution 2009:10 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Frank Lafferty
Resolution 2009:11 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Thomas Daly
Resolution 2009:12 – Resolution Confirming Election of Thomas Daly as Fire Chief
Resolution 2009:13 – Resolution Appointing Court Reporter – Susan Lewis
Resolution 2009:14 – Resolution Appointing Kimberely Kluchnick, Esq. as Prosecutor and Back Up Borough Solicitor
Resolution 2009:15 – Resolution Appointing Public Defender – Gregory De Michelle
Motion to adopt Resolutions 2009:04 through 2009:15 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under roll call, all Council members voted yes for the above resolutions.
Oath of Office was administered to the above appointees who were present by Mayor Scott M. Alexander.
Resolution 2009:16 – Resolution Establishing a Community Wellbeing Committee
Resolution 2009:17 – Resolution Establishing a Civic Events Committee
Resolution 2009:18 – Resolution Establishing a Capital Projects Committee
Resolution 2009:19 – Resolution Dissolving the Economic Development Committee
Resolution 2009:20 – Resolution Establishing a Green Initiatives Committee
Resolution 2009:21 – Resolution Establishing the Parks and Recreation Committee
Motion to adopt Resolutions 2009:16 through 2009:21 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call, all Council members voted yes for the above resolutions.
Introduction of Ordinance 2009:1288. Public hearing and final adoption scheduled for January 20, 2009, 7pm at the Municipal Building.
Ordinance 2009:1288 – An Ordinance Moving the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of the Planning Board
Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1288 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call, all Council members voted yes.
Resolution 2009:22 – Resolution Confirming Attached 2009 Appointments
Borough Clerk read the names of everyone on a committee, including members of the Fire Department and Ambulance Corps.
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:22 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All council members present voted in favor.
Oath of Office was administered to the above appointees who were present by Mayor Scott M. Alexander.
Councilwoman Fitzgerald made a motion to nominate Tad Fetter as President of Council, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All council members present voted in favor.
Resolution 2009:23 – Resolution Establishing the Duties of Directors
Councilman Haggerty made a motion to adopt Resolution 2009:23, seconded by Councilwoman Lange.
All council members present voted in favor.
Council President Fetter made a motion to nominate the following Directors, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald.
2009 DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS
Councilman Tad Fetter (Director of Police & Fire, Director of Finance & Budgets)
Councilwoman Rosemary Fitzgerald (Director of Construction & Zoning)
Councilman Daniel Haggerty (Director of Legal, Court & EMS/Amb. Corps)
Councilwoman Kathryn Lange (Director of Parks & Recreation)
Councilman Lee Wentz (Director of Public Works)
Councilwoman Trish Sheilds (Director of Inter Government)
Resolution 2009:24 - Resolution Regarding Rules of Council
Resolution 2009:25 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Interest and Bonds
Resolution 2009:26 - Resolution Setting Interest Rate for 2009
Resolution 2009:27 – Resolution Concerning Haddon Heights Public Library Fees
Resolution 2009:28 – Resolution Authorizing Use of a Cash Management Plan
Resolution 2009:29 – Resolution Concerning Tax Search Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper
Resolution 2009:30 – Resolution Designating Person to Issue Local Improvement Certificates – Joan Moreland
Resolution 2009:31 – Resolution Establishing Official Holidays
Resolution 2009:32 – Resolution Designating Flood Insurance Designee – Joan Moreland
Resolution 2009:33 – Resolution Designating Newspapers for Legal Advertising - Courier Post and the Retrospect.
Resolution 2009:34– Resolution Authorizing the Designation of Newspapers to Receive All Notices of Meetings as Required Under the Open Public Meetings Act – Courier Post and The Retrospect
Resolution 2009:35 – Resolution Authorizing the Fixing of Charges for Notice of Meetings as Required by the Open Public Meetings Act
Resolution 2009:36 - Resolution Designating the Date, Time and Place of Council Meetings for 2009 in Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act
Resolution 2009:37– Resolution Designating Depositories of Funds for Various Accounts
Resolution 2009:38 – Resolution Adopting the 2009 Temporary Budget
Resolution 2009:39 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims
Resolution 2009:40 – Resolution Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate to the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund (Joan Moreland and Mayor Scott Alexander)
Resolution 2009:41 – Resolution Designating Depositories for Funds
Resolution 2009:42 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Animal Orphanage for the Purpose of Providing Animal Shelter Services
Motion was made to adopt Resolutions 2009:24 through 2009:42 by Councilwoman Sheilds seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all Council members present voted yes for the above resolutions, with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained from voting on resolutions 2008:34 and 35, due to a conflict of interest.
With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Alexander called for remarks from Council.
Councilwoman Fitzgerald read a letter from St. Paul the Apostle and stressed the importance of family and friends. A copy of her speech is attached in full to these minutes.
Councilwoman Sheilds welcomed Councilwoman Lange and Councilman Haggerty. She thanked them for volunteering and offered to help them.
Councilman Fetter’s speech is attached in full to these minutes.
Mayor Alexander then called for remarks from the public.Ricki Roberts, 127 Third Avenue – 2008 was a year of politics. She is very pleased with what Mayor Alexander, Councilwoman Fitzgerald and Councilman Fetter have accomplished and is very excited for the newly elected officials.
Bill Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue – Wished Mayor and Council a Happy New Year. He commented Ordinance 2009:1288 combining the planning and zoning boards. Mr. Troutman feels it is better to keep them separate. He also questioned what constitutes a quorum and can it be increased. Borough Clerk explained Roberts Rules of Order, stating that we have 7 council members and the majority consists of 4 which can either be the Mayor and 3 council members or 4 council members without the Mayor.
Reverend Father Tanh Pham, Parochial Vicar, St. Rose of Lima Church offered and led the Benediction.
With all business conducted, a motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All Council members present were in favor.
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Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk