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January 2, 2010

At 11:00AM Mayor Scott M. Alexander welcomed everyone to the 2010 Reorganization Meeting.  He then invited Father Henry Jansma from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church to perform the invocation.

Mayor Alexander led the salute to the flag.

Mayor Alexander 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 3, 2009”.

Oath of Office was administered to Council Member-Elect David McCollum by Camden County Surrogate Patricia Jones.  He was joined by his wife and 2 sons.

Oath of Office was then administered to Council Member-Elect Stephen Berryhill by Camden County Surrogate Patricia Jones.  He was joined by his wife and daughter.

Both new Councilmen received a round of applause and were welcomed by members of council before taking their place on the dais.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present:  Mayor Alexander, Councilman Tad Fetter, Councilman Daniel Haggerty, Councilman David McCollum, Councilman Stephen Berryhill, Councilwoman Kathy Lange and Councilwoman Rose Fitzgerald.  Borough Solicitor Robert A. Gleaner was also present...

New Business:

Resolution 2010:01 –Resolution Appointing Borough Auditor – Bowman & Company, LLP

Resolution 2010:02 – Resolution Appointing Property & Casualty Ins. Risk Manager/Broker – G.R. Murray, Ins.

Resolution 2010:03 -            Resolution Appointing Health Ins. Risk Manager/Broker - Integrity Consulting

Resolution 2010:04 – Resolution Appointing Police Chief Richard Kinkler to Issue Firearms Permits

Resolution 2010:05 – Resolution Appointing Richard Edelen as Shade Tree Project Manager

Resolution 2010:06 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Judith Reiss

Resolution 2010:07 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Frank Lafferty

Resolution 2010:08 – Resolution Appointing Fire Inspector – Thomas Daly

Resolution 2010:09 – Resolution Appointing Fire Chief – Nicholas Scardino

Resolution 2010:10 – Resolution Appointing Registrar of Vital Statistics – Kelly Santosusso

Resolution 2010:11 – Resolution Appointing Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics – Patricia Cooper

Resolution 2010:12 – Resolution Appointing Alternate Registrar of Vital Statistics – Joan Moreland

All Resolution numbers and titles were read by the Mayor.  Motion to adopt Resolutions 2010:01 through 2010:12 was made by councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald.  All members present voted yes with the exception of Councilman McCollum and Councilman Berryhill who both voted no on Resolutions 2010:1-3 inclusive.  Councilman Berryhill explained that he has never heard of the Risk Managers named in Resolution 2010:2 and 3. 

Oath of office was administered to the above appointees by Mayor Alexander.

Resolution 2010:13 – Resolution Confirming Attached 2010 Appointments

The Mayor asked the Borough Clerk, Joan Moreland, to read the list of appointments for various committees and departments.  Each of the people named, most of them volunteers, were asked to stand and remain standing for the Oath of Office.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2010:13 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilman Fetter.  All members of council were in favor.  Mayor Alexander administered the Oath of Office to the appointees.

Councilman Fetter made a motion to nominate Rosemary Fitzgerald to the position of President of Council.  Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Lange.  Upon a roll call all members voted yes with the exception of Councilwoman Fitzgerald who abstained from voting.

Council President Fitzgerald made a motion to nominate the following Directors;

2010 DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS
           

Councilman Daniel Haggerty                                    Director of Police and Fire

Councilman David McCollum                        Director of Inter-Government Communications

Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Fetter.  Councilman McCollum said there were some Directors not mentioned and asked the Borough Clerk to explain why.  Joan Moreland explained that the Directors which were not mentioned are ongoing and that the 2 being voted upon are new or have a change.  He asked about not having a Director for Department of Public Works.  Mayor Alexander said he is in charge of DPW and that will not change for 2010.  Councilman Berryhill said that council should vote on a Director for DPW and noted that he put his name in for that position. 

Upon a roll call vote Councilmembers voted yes with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained from voting and Councilman McCollum who voted no. 

Resolution 2010:14 - Resolution Regarding Rules of Council

Resolution 2010:15 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Interest and Bonds

Resolution 2010:16 - Resolution Setting Interest Rate for 2010

Resolution 2010:17 – Resolution Concerning Haddon Heights Public Library Fees

Resolution 2010:18 – Resolution Authorizing Use of a Cash Management Plan

Resolution 2010:19 – Resolution Concerning Tax Search Clerk – Patricia A. Cooper

Resolution 2010:20 – Resolution Designating Person to Issue Local Improvement Certificates – Joan Moreland
                                                                                   
Resolution 2010:21 – Resolution Establishing Official Holidays

Resolution 2010:22 – Resolution Designating Flood Insurance Designee – Joan Moreland

Resolution 2010:23 – Resolution Designating Newspapers for Legal NOTICES - Courier Post and the
Retrospect.

Resolution 2010:24– Resolution Authorizing the Designation of Newspapers to Receive Notices of Meetings as Required Under the Open Public Meetings Act – Courier Post and The Retrospect

Resolution 2010:25 – Resolution Authorizing the Fixing of Charges for Notice of Meetings as Required by the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2010:26 - Resolution Designating the Date, Time and Place of Council Meetings for 2010 in Accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act

Resolution 2010:27– Resolution Designating Depositories of Funds for Various Accounts

Resolution 2010:28 – Resolution Adopting the 2010 Temporary Budget

Resolution 2010:29 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims

Resolution 2010:30 – Resolution Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate to the Camden County Joint Insurance Fund (Joan Moreland and Mayor Scott Alexander)

Resolution 2010:31 – Resolution Designating Depositories for Funds

Resolution 2010:32 – Resolution Approving Change Order #2 for the Historic Railroad Corridor Enhancement

Resolution 2010:33 – Resolution Authorizing a Shared Services Agreement By and Between the County of Camden and the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Purpose of Providing Animal Control Services.

Resolution 2010:34 – Resolution to Modify the Parks & Recreation Committee.

All Resolution numbers and titles were read by the Mayor.

Motion made to adopt Resolutions 2010:14 through 2010:34 by Council President Fitzgerald seconded by Councilman McCollum.  McCollum asked about Resolution 2010:32, saying that it was table at the last council meeting with another Resolution number.  The Mayor explained the reason for the change order.

Upon a roll call vote all members voted yes with the exception of Councilman Haggerty who abstained from voting on Resolutions 2010:23 and 24 due to a conflict, noting that the Courier Post is a client of his firm.  Councilman McCollum voted no on Resolutions 2010:14 and abstained from voting on Resolution 2010:32.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Alexander called for remarks from council members. 

Councilman Stephen Berryhill said he was a steward of finances and would watch the budget carefully.  He said that while walking around town, he received complaints about services and pledges to take a look at the complaints.  He thanked the Borough staff, Camden County Surrogate Pat Jones, former Council member Trish Sheilds, Freeholders Daniel Fuentes and Donald Norcross.  Berryhill said he has issued with Department of Public Works and not nominating a new solicitor.  He said he went through the Request for Proposals for the Solicitor position and wants to nominate Albert Olizi at a later date.  Lastly he thanked his wife and daughter for allowing him to run for council.

Councilman David McCollum said he was happy to volunteer in this capacity.  He thanked his wife Diane for her support in this endeavor.

Councilwoman Kathy Lange thanked the residents for out today.  She said that civil discourse helps all of us and is an important part of becoming involved.  She welcomed David and Stephen to council and said she looked forward to working together with both of them and congratulated Councilwoman Fitzgerald for becoming Council President.  Lange said she asked for courage, serenity and wisdom last year and said she still needs that.  Lastly she said that improvements will be made where needed and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Councilman Haggerty thanked everyone.  He said the job as Council Members was more difficult that he thought it would be, but more rewarding.

Council President Rose Fitzgerald welcomed Stephen and David.  She said when she was asked to run for Council 3 years ago she spoke with then Mayor Beth Ann Haven about how much time would be involved in being on Council and said she was told “it was up to the individual Council member.  Some Council members just attend Council and never hold or attend a department or committee meeting and some take a leadership role."

Fitzgerald said she took care of the many zoning complaints.  She said that Kathy, with her background in education and athletics was very valuable.  She challenged new council members to take part and help look for grants.  Council President Fitzgerald said that with the many, many volunteers in our town, Haddon Heights has come through the recession!

Former Council President Tad Fetter congratulated Council President Fitzgerald and Councilmen Berryhill and McCollum.  He then announced that he has received a promotion to Director of the company he works for and will be relocating to London, England for 3 years.  He explained that his territory will cover London and South Africa.  He said he was saddened that he will not be able to complete his term on council.  He thanked the Borough employees for their dedication.  Then he went back to the summer of 2007, which he said changed his thoughts and he decided to run for council and hopes the progress can continue to go forward.  He asked the residents present not to trust rumors heard around town and urged them not to speak until they have all the facts – ask questions.  He received a round of applause for all present.

Mayor Alexander called for remarks from visitors; there were none.

Mayor Alexander thanked Councilman Fetter for his 2 years of energy, saying he gave up his family time and saved us money.  He congratulated Council President Fitzgerald, whom he said is a great balance for him.  He also congratulated the 2 newest members of council and urged him to keep town and residents in the forefront.  The Mayor offered his thanks to the employees, all who have exceeded their output with less people and no complaints.  He thanked the vendors who have done a wonderful job for Haddon Heights, naming Pennoni Associates and Bowman & Company LLP.  Mayor Alexander said he wants to build an operation practice that will provide lower taxes and quality of life.  He said Haddon Heights has maintained its A-1 bond rating when, according to Moody’s other towns in New Jersey are not able to maintain their A-1 rating.  Lastly, the Mayor thanked all for their time and effort and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Mayor Alexander asked Father Joseph Byerley, Pastor, St. Rose of Lima RC Church to present the benediction.

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Lange seconded by Councilman Haggerty.

 

____________________________________11:55am
Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk