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November 17, 2009

 

CAUCUS: 
 
Mayor Scott M. Alexander reviewed the regular agenda items. 
 
REGULAR AGENDA:
 
Mayor Alexander opened the regularly scheduled 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: Tad Fetter, Daniel Haggerty, Trish Sheilds and Kathy Lange. Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner and Deputy Clerk Melissa Bovera were also present. Council members Rose Fitzgerald and Lee Wentz were not present.
 
Resolution 2009:214 – Resolution Appointing Stephen J. Papaycik, III to the Position of Patrolman for the Haddon Heights Police Department. (Appointment will be effective January 13, 2010)
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:214 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Council President Fetter. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.
 
Oath of Office was administered by Mayor Alexander to Stephen J. Papaycik, III, who was accompanied by his family.
 
Mayor Alexander presented Chief Kinkler with a proclamation supporting the “Over the Limit Under Arrest 2009 Year End Statewide Crackdown”.
 
Motion to approve minutes from the October 20th council meeting, with corrections, was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.
 
The Mayor called for Committee Reports at which time the following reports were presented:
 
Mayor advised the board to discuss questions and answers in regard to Project Garnet. He mentioned an article that he read in the Courier Post that focused on Extraordinary Aid and Fiscal Responsibility. The Mayor read the article aloud and discussed that one of the main points of Project Garnet is to increase our cash surplus.
 
Councilman Tad Fetter also mentioned some important aspects in regard to the newspaper article. He discussed surplus and extraordinary aid and compared the results from previous years. Councilman Fetter stated that he would make the article from the Courier Post available considering it was a great reference.
 
Councilman Haggerty discussed the court analysis study and said that hopefully the results will be gathered before the end of the year. Councilman Haggerty also added that the courts are still functioning at a very high level.
 
Councilwoman Sheilds had no comment.
 
Councilwoman Lange discussed Parks and Recreation. She informed us about the bleacher survey and told us that six sets of legal sized bleachers will be replaced in the spring. Councilwoman Lange made us aware that she would be attending the League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City and will be participating in workshops for Parks and Recreation.
 
Councilwoman Fitzgerald was not at the meeting. She was at the League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City.
 
Mayor stated that the Holiday Parade will take place on November 27, 2009 at 6 p.m.
Mayor Alexander reminded all that the Holiday Parade will be held November 27th at 6:00 p.m.
 
With no further reports to be presented, Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.   
 
David McGee, 301 Fourth Avenue asked for clarification of Ordinances 2009:1325 and 1329.
 
NEW BUSINESS:
 
Introduction of Ordinances 2009:1325, 1328 and 1329. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on December 1, 2009 at 7:00pm.
 
Ordinance 2009:1325 – Ordinance Amending Bond Ordinance 2008:1262, As Amended by Ordinance 2009:1234, and Bond Ordinance 2008:1280 of the Borough of Haddon Heights, in the County of Camden, New Jersey.
 
Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1325 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Council President Fetter. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.
 
Ordinance 2009:1328 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Vehicles and Traffic. (Adds “T” intersections to Green Street at 3rd, 4th Avenues and West Atlantic Avenue, Garden Street at Crest Avenue and West Atlantic Avenue, Lippincott Lane/West High Street at 7th Avenue, Maple Avenue at St. Martins Avenue, West High Street at Guyer Drive, 11th Avenue at Glover Avenue, 3rd and 4th Avenues at High Street, Green Street at North Park Avenue Lippincott Lane at West Atlantic Avenue, Sylvan Avenue at Glover Avenue and West Atlantic Avenue at Green Street.)
 
Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1328 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Council President Fetter. All members present were in favor.
 
Ordinance 2009:1329 – An Ordinance Regarding Amendment to Chapter 393-4 Unlawful Dumping. (Adds brush, leaves or grass clippings to the items in which it will be unlawful to dump on any vacant lot, street, alley, driveway, sidewalk, curbing, parkstrip or any other public or private property.)
 
Solicitor Robert Gleaner gave clarification on the section to be amended.
 
Motion to introduce Ordinance 2009:1329 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Council President Fetter. All members present were in favor.
 
Resolution 2009:207 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Wittman Construction Co., in the Amount of $770,693 for Renovations of Community Center and Services Operation Facility. (Wittman Construction Co. was the lowest, most qualified bidder of the 13 companies who presented a sealed bid. Contract is for Base Bid plus Alternates 2, 3 & 4.)
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:207 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no.
 
Resolution 2009:208 – Resolution Appointing Kevin Sheehan as Special Counsel for Affordable Housing
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:208 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained.
 
Resolution 2009:209 – Resolution Extending Recycling Contract with Republic Services for an Additional Six Months. ($76,187.58 for 21 additional pickups at the current rate.)
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:209 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.
 
Resolution 2009:210 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills & Claims for November.
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:210 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Council President Fetter. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained.
 
Resolution 2009:211 – Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation NJS 40A:4-87. ($11,219.06 received for Recycling Tonnage Grant which was not known at the time budget was adopted. By adopting this resolution an appropriation can now be set up.)
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:211 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.
 
Resolution 2009:212 – Resolution Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations.
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:212 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds who voted no.
 
Resolution 2009:213 – Resolution Awarding a Professional Contract Change Order to Pennoni Associates, Inc. in the Amount of $3,500 for the Construction Phase of the Historic Railroad Corridor Enhancement.
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:213 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.
 
Resolution 2009:215 - Resolution Authorizing Closed Session for the Discussion of a Legal Matter.
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:215 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. All members present were in favor.
 
Resolution 2009:216 – Resolution Appointing Gene Mariano as Special Counsel for Litigation
 
Motion to adopt Resolution 2009:216 was made by Council President Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Lange. Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained.
 
With no further business to come before Council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to the public for comments or concerns.
 
Bill Troutman – 1509 Chestnut Avenue – Mr. Troutman urged the board to recognize the men working who do not pick up trash and recyclables and to stop them from throwing containers around. Mr. Troutman shared pictures with the board. Rob Gleaner, Solicitor, wrote the address on the pictures. Councilwoman Lange suggested that the men turn the trash cans upside down after emptying them so that the homeowners would know that they’re trash was picked up. Mayor Alexander stated that he would include fines in the contracts of the workers for next year.
 
David McGee – 301 Fourth Avenue – Mr. McGee questioned the Ordinance 2009:209. Mayor Alexander and Councilman Fetter answered his questions and clarified. Mr. McGee also had questions in regard to Special Meetings. Mr. McGee stated that council has been going out of their way to schedule special meetings. Mr. McGee proceeded to read definitions to council and he distributed copies of advertisements from the newspaper in regard to the special meeting dates.
 
Thomas Ottoson – 307 Third Avenue – Mr. Ottoson had several questions concerning Project Garnet. He addressed the issue of cost and wanted to know where the numbers came from and he also had questions about locations/properties in regard to Project Garnet.
 
Roni Olizi – 424 Third Avenue – Ms. Olizi commented on green space and on Mr. Ottoson’s comments. She also stated how she felt about Mr. McGee and how “he continues to come up to the microphone and puts a spin on transparencies.” Ms Olizi expressed her concerns about the appointment of Kevin Sheehan and wanted to know if his appointment was done through a RFP (request for proposal). Mayor Alexander told her that Mr. Sheehan was not appointed through a RFP.
 
James Jenkins – 1804 Bryn Mawr Avenue – Mr. Jenkins stated that he has been following the state extraordinary aid for years and he applauds the borough and council. He also commented that Mr. Ottoson was respectful and had good questions for the board in regard to Project Garnet. Mr. Jenkins then asked chief Kinkler if there was anything that could be done at the Atlantic Ave. and Station Ave. intersection because he rides his bike to work sometimes and since it is a four lane highway he is afraid he may get hit by a car.
 
Chief Daly – Chief Daly commented on Jim Jenkins’ request about tightening up the roadway. He stated that if the passageway gets narrowed that we have to keep in mind that the fire trucks will need enough room to get through in case of an emergency.
 
Lynn Dalton – 208 Crest Avenue – Ms. Dalton asked if we already purchased a building and that she read in the newspaper that there is a ten year plan taking place in order to help the town make a comeback financially. She asked the board that they please do their best in regard to research and to keep the residents of Haddon Heights informed.
 
With no further comments to come before Council, motion was made by Council President Fetter to adjourn into Closed Session, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.
 
Closed Session: Present were Councilpersons Fetter, Haggerty, Sheilds, Lange and Mayor Alexander. Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner and Deputy Clerk Melissa Bovera were also present.
 
Discussion ensued concerning a legal matter. No formal action was taken.
 
Motion was made by Councilwoman Lange to adjourn the closed session and open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilman Haggerty. All members present were in favor.
 
There were no public present.
 
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor.
 
Melissa Bovera, Deputy Borough Clerk