< Previous Page

September 15, 2009

CAUCUS: 

Review of regular agenda – Mayor Alexander

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Scott M. 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:  Councilmen Tad Fetter, Daniel Haggerty and Lee Wentz, Councilwomen Trish Sheilds, Rosemary Fitzgerald and Kathy Lange and Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner, Esq. 

Motion to approve the minutes from 9/1/09 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members present were in favor with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained due to absence.

The following Committee reports were presented:

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported that the newly formed Senior Citizens Club met today.  Twenty-three people have signed up and we will begin to prepare a schedule for the winter.  At this point they have been gathering at local restaurants at a community table.  Scheduling will be available in the Heights Report.  We received a request from the Garnet Club for the senior citizens tutor. We have a good group and are anxiously awaiting the use of the new Community Center.  Walk in the Woods with borough arborist Steve Dorsey will be held on Saturday, November 14th in the morning.  Information will be available in the Heights Report.  The grant application for Sustainable New Jersey was submitted on September 4th.

Councilman Wentz reported that the Board of Health is scheduled to meet next Thursday and the Drug Alliance meets again on September 21st.

Council President Fetter reported for Fire and Police Departments for August.  Reports are on file with the Borough Clerk.

Councilman Haggerty reported for Municipal Court and discussed the total disbursements to the borough through the past few years.  Court is working very hard.  We are moving forward with the analysis and study regarding the merger.  Meeting was held with Haddon Heights, Haddonfield and Audubon and it went well.  We are in the process of collecting information and will hopeful have a report within the next few months.  Reporting for the Shade Tree Commission, we are looking to have another fall planting as done in the spring.  If anyone is interested please let them know.  Councilman Haggerty addressed issues from last meeting.  Because of the nature of the allegations, he felt he obligated to look into it.  He reviewed the complaint and essentially the complaint was an allegation that the Mayor had made misinterpretation to the bank to allow him to draw on a line of credit.  There is no basis for the Mayor to resign.  He always puts this town first, above his own.  He also proposes a resolution and ethics ordinance that will control future relationships between Council and Solicitor.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported that the School Board met last week and that it was announced that the Strategic Planning Report would be available to the public at the Library and the Schools. 

Councilwoman Lange reported for Parks & Recreation.  She thanked all the sports organizations for their fine cooperation with the fields from all the rain.  The Garnet Youth Football League wants to start a tutoring program to balance the scholar and the athlete.  They are reaching out to several other schools around.  There will be contact information in the Heights Report.  Woodland School in Barrington will probably be the site for practice.  Because of the opening of schools and sports season and rain, she has not been able to meet with Joe Cramp, but they are still trying to get together.  They cannot do anything constructive to the tennis courts right now, as they are in use, but they would like to see what can be done for the spring season. 

Mayor Alexander announced that the Council Agenda is available on the website, as well a public notice link.  Mayor Alexander gave an update on the following Capital Projects: Station Avenue Streetscape Phase 2, 2008 Road Program, Station Avenue Drainage and the Scout Cabin.  A notice from the Borough Engineer will be going out tomorrow regarding volunteers to help with painting/staining the outside of the scout cabin on October 10th and 11th. 

With no further reports to be presented Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.  There were none.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public Hearing and Final Adoption of Ordinance 2009:1322.

Ordinance 2009:1322 – Ordinance Regarding the Technical Amendments to Ordinance 2009:1291

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds.  All members present were in favor.

Motion was made by Council President Fetter to adopt Ordinance 2009:1322, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  All members present were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution 2009:182 – Resolution Cancelling Outstanding Checks in the General Capital Fund (A particular check has been outstanding in the Capital Account for several years and best practices are to cancel it.)

Motion was made by Council President Fetter to adopt Resolution 2009:182, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:183 – Resolution Cancelling Outstanding Balances in the General Capital Fund (We are cancelling several years worth of capital projects balances. The projects have been deemed complete.)

Motion was made by Council President Fetter to adopt Resolution 2009:183, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilwoman Sheilds and Councilman Wentz who voted no.

Resolution 2009:184 – Resolution Approving the Bills and Claims for the 2nd Half of September

Motion was made by Council President Fetter to adopt Resolution 2009:184, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds.  Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor, with the exception of Councilman Wentz who voted no.

Resolution 2009:185 - Resolution Providing for a Meeting Not Open to the Public in Accordance with the Provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-12. (Matters relating to the Employment Relationship)

Motion was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald to adopt Resolution 2009:185, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  All members present were in favor.

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

Councilwoman Lange asked Chief Kinkler about the leash ordinance pertaining to the county parks.

Kathy May, 1320 Chestnut Avenue, asked why we no longer advertise on channel 19.  Mayor Alexander explained that it is a school contract with channel 19 and they decided not to renew the contract.  This is something we are looking at for 2010 budgets.  It may be something we can link to the website; we are evaluating it.  The cost is between $4000-$5000.

David McGee, 301 Fourth Avenue, referred to the September 1st meeting and September 11th Retrospect article regarding certain members of Council not receiving documentations regarding resolutions.  He made reference to information on the NJ League of Municipalities website. Mr. McGee also questioned the position posted for Operations Manager. 

Terre Chepurny, 1643 Sycamore Street, asked Councilman Haggerty about the drafting a proposed resolution he referred to at the beginning of the meeting.  She also referred to the allegations against Mayor Alexander.

Jim Jenkins, 1804 Bryn Mawr Avenue, commented the first time he addressed Council in 2007 and challenged Council that evening to set politics aside and practice good government.  Regardless of party affiliation, Mayor and Council have lives outside of this body and he is personally grateful for all the time they put into this town.  Mr. Jenkins commented on the hiring of the Operations Manager.

Steven Berryhill, 103 White Horse Pike, referred to the complaint against Mayor Alexander and also has a problem with Solicitor Gleaner representing him.  Discussion ensued between Mr. Berryhill, Councilman Haggerty and Solicitor Gleaner.

Karen Errington, 1645 Sycamore Street, referred to the complaint against Mayor Alexander and feels that he should discuss this openly.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald asked where does it stop; where does common decency come into play.

Sandy Merryfield, 406 Lake Street, referred to the complaint against Mayor Alexander.

Jim Jenkins, 1804 Bryn Mawr Avenue, these are the kind of things that keep people from wanting to attain public office; it is an awful thing to have your private life called out in front of other people.  Previous administrations have double digit tax increases for years.   Current administration over the past 2-3 years has made remarkable changes; tax rates being one.  Calling into question the Mayors ability to understand finance and government is really crossing the line and evidence proves otherwise.

Lois Conway, 200 Fourth Avenue, referred to the complaint against Mayor Alexander.

John Rayser, 611 High Street, referred to the complaint against Mayor Alexander and suggested Solicitor Gleaner resign.

John Schmidt, 9 Ninth Avenue, would like to see Councilman Haggerty draft a resolution prohibiting the Solicitor from personally representing a member of the Governing Body.

Annette Castiglione, 210 Fourth Avenue, asked when we will see more information regarding the trees.  Councilman Haggerty commented that it would be sometime, as we need more time regarding private property.

Councilwoman Lange asked for clarification on the procedure for bringing the tree ordinance back to the table.  The Solicitor explained the process to everyone.

Carolyn Di Medio, 106 Kings Highway, commented that she feels very strongly that no one is watching the School Board and that’s where most of our tax dollars are going.  She asked that more residents attend their meetings.  Mrs. Di Medio also commented on the retaining wall at the high school, School Board agendas and check signing procedures.

John Rayser, 611 High Street, commented that the biggest portion of this years’ tax reduction was due to the school portion.  Council President Fetter explained reductions.  Discussion ensued between Council President Fetter, Councilwoman Lange and Mr. Rayser.

Barbara Cortese, 325 Third Avenue, commented that Mayor and Council meeting with the School Board is nothing new and at least the school gives the public a vote regarding the budget.

With no further comments to come before Council, motion was made by Council President Fetter to adjourn into Closed Session, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds.  All members present were in favor.

Closed session: Present were Councilpersons Haggerty, Shields, Wentz, Lange, Fetter and Fitzgerald, Mayor Alexander, Solicitor Gleaner and Deputy Clerk Holcombe.

Discussion ensued regarding matters relating to the employment relationship.  No formal action was taken.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Shields to adjourn the closed session and open the meeting to the public, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  All members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:186 - Resolution Appointing Melissa Bovera to the Position of Deputy Borough Clerk

Motion was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald to adopt Resolution 2009:186, seconded by Council President Fetter.  Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2009:187 - Resolution Authorizing the Operations Manager to Sign Checks in the Extended Absence of the Borough Clerk

Motion was made by Councilman Wentz to adopt Resolution 2009:187, seconded by Council President Fetter.  Under a roll call vote, all members present were in favor.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Shields, seconded by Councilman Wentz.  All members present were in favor.

__________________________________

Marie Holcombe, Deputy Borough Clerk