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March 2, 2010

Council President Rosemary Fitzgerald opened the Caucus meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

She then read, “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 2, 2010”.

Under roll call the following council members were present:  Council President Fitzgerald, Councilman Daniel Haggerty, Councilman David McCollum, Councilman Stephen Berryhill and Councilwoman Kathy Lange.  Solicitor Richard A. DeMichele was also present.  Mayor Scott M. Alexander was absent.

The meeting was opened to the public by Council President Fitzgerald for comments on business items from residents.

Joe Orlando, 1412 Prospect Ridge Blvd. said that in accordance with NJSA 40:32-110 b., the Sons of Italy lease cannot be discussed in closed session, noting that the Open Public Meetings Acts (OPMA) excludes litigation.

With no other comments to come before council, motion made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty to close the public session this part of the meeting.  All were in favor

2.  Business Discussion:

a. Motion to approve minutes from the February 2nd Caucus Meeting was made by Councilman McCollum, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  Upon discussion, there was a disagreement as to what the Mayor’s response was as noted on page 1, 5th paragraph, last sentence.  Since there was no tape to refer to, the Clerk will check her notes and advise council as to whether the comment was correct or incorrectly stated.  McCollum and Haggerty removed their motion from the table.  A motion to table the approval of minutes until the next caucus meeting was then made by Councilman Berryhill, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  All members were in favor. 

b. Resolution 2010:64 – Resolution Approving Payment of Bills and Claims for 1st Half of March.

Motion was made by Councilman McCollum, seconded by Councilwoman Lange.  Upon discussion, Councilwoman Lange said she was against approving the $2,300 items to the HH Bd. of Ed. because she felt the program did not meet the requirements of the grant program.  Discussion followed about the power lifting program, feeling it did not fit the scope of the program.  After a further discussion ensued among council members, a roll call vote was taken and all members voted yes.

Resolution 2010:65 – Resolution of the Borough Council of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Up to $53,840 of Special Emergency Notes of the Borough of Haddon Heights; Making Certain Covenants to Maintain the Exemption of the Interest on Said Notes From Federal Income Taxation; and Authorizing Such Further Actions As May Be Necessary or appropriate to Effectuate the Issuance and Sale of the Notes.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2010:65 was made by Councilman McCollum, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  Upon a roll call vote, all members voted yes.

Resolution 2010:66 – Resolution Appointing Marie Holcombe to the Position of Temporary Chief Financial Officer (CF0) for the Purpose of Signing Checks in the Absence of CFO Sharon Smith.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2010:66 was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  Under a roll call vote, all members voted yes.

The following items were discussed by council members:

c. Recreational Program Administrator – Councilwoman Lange

Councilwoman Lange read the job description for Recreational Program Administrator and explained the reason for hiring someone partime with the qualifications to work with children, develop programs, etc.

Councilman Berryhill said this is not a good time to do this, with the economy the way it is.  Councilwoman Lange said she looked to the Mayor for a list of job descriptions to see if this could be done by a current employee or volunteer.  She explained that the position will cover programs for senior citizens (exercise, art, wills, etc.) and that there will be many programs for all ages.  Berryhill said he doesn’t see people asking for this.  Council President Fitzgerald said she has been working with the seniors very successfully with approximately 50 participating.  She noted that a lot of programs were handled by the High School (adult school offered many programs), which they stopped offering in 1995 when their budget was defeated. 

Councilwoman Lange said that the survey results showed that sports and recreation programs came in next to the lowest ratings.    Councilman Berryhill commented that from the State Government on down are cutting programs!  Councilman Haggerty said that the program registrations will pay for the expenses.  Council President Fitzgerald asked Lange if she had a budget.  Lange said yes, but didn’t know how much it was.  Councilman Berryhill said he was opposed until he sees what it is going to cost.  Councilwoman Lange said she investigated many towns and noted that Evesham has a fulltime program administrator with 7 assistants and that they are service oriented.

Councilman McCollum said that we could use programs offered by other towns such as Audubon and Voorhees.  Councilman Berryhill said he would rather see us work with the churches in town, noting it was not the right time to spend money.  Lange was asked where the person would be located and she said in an office in the Community Center.  Berryhill suggested organizing retired seniors who could use our Community Center, vote for officers and have their own organization.  Council President Fitzgerald said the seniors have already volunteered to do the next town mailing.

Summing up, Councilwoman Lange said she will find out, 1) hourly rate; 2) number of hours; and 3) who it would benefit.

d. Kenka Foundation and Field Fees – Councilwoman Lange

Mrs. Kenka was Megan Kenka’s mother and fought for “Megan’s Law”.  The Kenka Foundation’s goal is to prevent child molestation.  Councilwoman Lange explained that the Foundation has offered to cover all the costs involved with having background checks done on volunteer coaches who work with children.  The cost is $26.95 per volunteer.  She said that HHYA is looking into the program with its members.  Fingerprint results will be provided to the volunteer only and any appeals would be between the volunteer and Police Dept.  Lange said she received a letter today that funding for this year is running out so time is of essence.  She noted that this would be the second year we missed out on funding for this project.

Regarding an ordinance that would be needed requiring background checks on volunteers who work with children, Councilman Haggerty asked, “what period of time would the ordinance be good for”.  The Solicitor said, “until it is repealed”.

Councilwoman Lange asked Police Chief Kinkler about his opinion.  He said that strong bylaws would be needed, that kids who get dropped off and picked up by family are safer, where older travel teams who are transported by coaches – coaches should be checked. 

Councilwoman Lange said that 100% participation is required – all or nothing regarding getting funding for fingerprints.  The Chief said that if money is available for this purpose – we should do it.  Someone asked about the Borough’s liability if it is not done.  The Borough Clerk will check with our Risk Manager David Balken.

Regarding fees for field use, Councilwoman Lange advised council that Garnet Flag Football and Girls Field Hockey were new last year and fees were not charged.  Councilman Haggerty suggested that the 2 new groups work with HHYA.  Lange suggested a $50 per use charge for both groups.  Haggerty asked Lange, “What is the fair going rate”?  Discussion of fee for occasional users followed.

Discussion went to the backstop at the Cervino Field by HHHS and American Legion Teams.  She said it is badly in need of repairs.  Conner Strong (CC Joint Insurance Fund Safety Coordinator) will be adding it to our list of safety problems.  She said costs to replace the backstop range $16,000 to $17,000 and $7,000 for repairs.  Discussion about capital money set aside for recreation might still be available (Ord. 2009:1314).

3. Remarks from the Public:

Terry Chepurney, 1643 Sycamore St., said that money is being spent for Project Garnet, while the generator for the Fire House is still on hold.  She said it seems like cosmetics is put in place of safety.  Regarding the surveys, she said 2,700 were sent out with only 900 responses – “not overwhelming”.  She noted that per an OPRA request, she found out that results from the survey were destroyed by the company who was hired to compile the results!

John Rayser, 611 W. High complimented Councilman Berryhill’s request to have the caucus meetings taped, Pledge of Allegiance before the start, etc. saying he did an excellent job.

Tom Ottoson, 307 3rd Avenue, addressing Councilman McCollum, asked if he investigated Project Garnet.  McCollum responded that he did, and had the results with him tonight and invited anyone one interested to stay after the meeting and he would share his findings.  Councilman Haggerty suggesting putting Project Garnet on for a separate caucus meeting.

Council President Fitzgerald said she received a letter addressed to her and the Mayor about items he wanted on the agenda for discussion.  Berryhill asked when the “appropriate agenda be”?  Councilman Haggerty said that Councilman Berryhill’s mirror his and that is why he suggested a full caucus for Project Garnet.   Discussion followed on the actual costs of Project Garnet, which is not at $2.5 million.  Solicitor Richard DeMichele said that the Mayor is not here tonight and that he did intend to speak about the agenda.  Discussion followed.

Terry Chepurney said that Project Garnet has not been spoken about since January.

David McGee, 301 4th Avenue said he was glad to see the tape recorder on.  He then asked the Solicitor not to text during a meeting.  McGee then read the Borough Clerk’s response to an OPRA request he submitted regarding the surveys.  He said that “based on the survey” was mentioned twice tonight and only 35% - 40% wanted the Senior Center – noting that too much money is being spent.  He then brought up the minutes from the February 2nd caucus meeting where he believes there is an error in the part where the Mayor did know that Richard A. DeMichele was head of the GOP. 

Bill Lange, 21 1st Avenue said that ABC News’ lead story was that 700 sex offenders live within 2 miles of schools and told council that if they can get the money, then move forward!  Regarding the Fulltime vs. Partime Recreation Director, money was spent to build a retaining wall around a flag pole and money could have been used toward the backstop.  He also said that the Board of Education can use their money for repairs.  Regarding the survey, he said that letters were sent around town asking people not to fill it out.

Barbara Cortese, 3rd Avenue, said she felt it was a good thing to get people fingerprinted, but questioned that if only the volunteer gets the results, then what good will it do?  Councilwoman Lange said a copy of the fingerprint report would have to be submitted with each application.  Cortese asked council, “Why duplicate services when close towns offer programs a mile from our homes”?  She noted that the auditorium and kitchen were done with CDBG money for seniors and that most groups do their own programs.

Howard Emerson, 5 St. Martins Avenue, in regards to Ordinance 2010:1336, said adding 6’ equals not much more than 1 parking space.  He said pedestrians now have to cross between cars, which has made a bad situation worse – suggesting that at least move down passed the doors on Kenny’s Dollar World.

Greg McAdams, 1006 S. Park Avenue said he objects to Councilman McCollum giving a presentation without full council present.

Tom Ottoson said that items have been asked to be put on the agenda, with no results.

With no further comments to be made, motion to close the meeting to the public was made by Councilman McCollum, seconded by Councilman Haggerty.  All were in favor.  

Resolution 2010:67 – 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.    

Motion to adopt Resolution 2010:67 was made by Councilman Haggerty, seconded by Councilwoman Lange.  All were in favor.

During the Closed Session litigation was discussed.  No formal action was taken by the Governing Body.

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

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Lange, seconded by Councilman Berryhill.  All were in favor.

______________________________9:40pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk