November 1, 2005 Minutes

November 1, 2005

Mayor Susan R. Griffith opened the regularly scheduled meeting with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

She 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 5, 2005”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Haven, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig, Solicitor John B. Kearney. Councilwoman Wyman was absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from the October 18^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. All members present voted yes.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven reporting for the Construction Office said that the new computers are installed and they now have Email. She announced the Email address is: hhconstruction@comcast.net. Regarding permits, Haven announced that activity for October showed 28 new permits totaling $3,800.

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Public Safety said he has received the Implementation Report from the Haddon Heights EMS and that if anyone wants to review it they should see him after the meeting. He also said he had a full report from the Police Department if anyone was interested. Witzig said he was approached by the Fire Assistant Chief Frank Lafferty regarding using funds left over from the installation of garage doors and that the Ordinance is on tonight’s agenda.

Mayor Griffith called for remarks from the public on agenda items.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked about the resolution supporting eminent domain. The Mayor said there was a miscommunication between her and the Clerk and that it would be on the November 15^th agenda.

Old Business:

Public hearings and final adoptions of Ordinances 2005:1191 and 2005:1200.

Ordinance 2005:1191 – An Ordinance to Amend Chapter 75 Entitled Police Department of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Purpose of Providing a New Section Concerning Off-Duty Employment of Members of the Haddon Heights Police Department. (Will require escrow deposits from contractors on large jobs to cover the cost of having an officer at the job location.)

During the public hearing, David Ragonese of 603 Sycamore Terrace asked that kind of jobs would the police be performing? Mayor Griffith said it would be road detail (traffic control).

Hearing or seeing no further comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All present were in favor.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1191 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005:1200 – An Ordinance Re-Appropriating Funds from One Capital Project to Another. ($40,000 from Street Projects will be replaced next year. The $40,000 will be used to purchase and install a chiller for the aging HVAC system in the Municipal Building).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. All members present voted yes. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1200 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

New Business:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinance 2005:1201 will be held on November 15, 2005 at 8:00 PM.

Ordinance 2005:1201 – An Ordinance Canceling Certain Funded Appropriation Balances Provided for various Capital Projects and Reappropriating such Funded Appropriation Balances for other Capital Projects.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005:1201 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:154 – Resolution Renewing Dental Plan.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:154 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:155 – Resolution Renewing Prescription Plan.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:155 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Upon roll call all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2005:156 – Resolution Authorizing Interlocal Services Agreement by and Between the County of Camden and the Municipality of Haddon Heights for a Recycling Rebate in the Amount of $5,643.29.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:156 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:157 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1^st Half of November.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:157 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:158 – Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation NJS 40A:4-87 – PEOSHA – Immunization of Employees in the amount of $3,237.20.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:158 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:159 – Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2005:103 entitled “Resolution Requesting Approval of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to Establish a Dedicated Trust by Rider for Revenue Received for PEOSHA”.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:159 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:160 – Resolution Canceling Outstanding Checks – Trust Other Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:160 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:161 – Resolution Canceling a Reserve Payroll Account.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:161 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:162 – Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation NJS 40A:4-87 – State of New Jersey Solid Waste Administration – Recycling in the amount of $4,153.62.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:162 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:163 – Resolution Amending the Assessed Value of Block 144, Lot 12.01 from $114,100 to $112,600.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:163 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call all members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before council, Mayor Griffith called for comments from the public.

Seven (7) residents brought their concerns about the proposed Brookfield Academy purchasing the King’s Christian School property to council. Their concerns were about the number of busses that would be in the residential area, the behavioral issues of the students that would attend the academy, parking issues, possible future growth of the school, fumes from busses being parked and left running and the possible affect on their property values. The residents that spoke were: Ninette Swanson, 8^th Avenue, Carol Abernathy, 20 8^th Avenue, Maria Gallara, 30 8^th Avenue, Richard Burns, 8^th Avenue, Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue and Sandra Sheehan, 11 8^th Avenue.

Mr. Troutman said he was on the Planning Board when King’s Christian School was built, he believes it was in the mid 80’s, and said that he believes that only 2 busses were allowed to park at the school. The Clerk was asked by Mayor Griffith to have the Planning Board Secretary look up the minutes and resolution regarding this matter, providing copies for council members and solicitor.

Mayor Griffith told the concerned residents that she has not had an opportunity to contact Mrs. Van Horn, the woman in charge of Brookfield Academy as of yet, but is going to make every attempt to contact her and convey the resident’s concerns. The Mayor also said she understands that students from grades K-8 would be at the school. Residents were pushing for information “sooner rather than later” and the Mayor said she would make every attempt to set up a meeting with the person in charge of Brookfield Academy and concerned residents. She said once it was set up she would contact Mrs. Swanson who could advise her neighbors.

Mr. McAdams, 1006 South Park Avenue questioned the “unanticipated revenues” that were mentioned at the last caucus meeting. Tax Assistant Patricia Cooper said the $69,000 was from the “added and omitted” taxes. Mr. McAdams asked, “What are you going to do with the revenue”? The Mayor said it cannot be spent and will be put into the surplus. Mr. McAdams said he wanted to point out “political propaganda” from last year where it was stated that Council’s goal was to continue to find ways to reduce taxes and control spending. He declared that the statement was not true and that Haddon Heights’ taxes are at their highest! He lastly stated that “regardless of political “party affiliation – council’s obligation to the tax payers is not being met”.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked about the ordinance he suggested regarding the recently adopted State “Pay to Play” law. Mayor Griffith said the topic was discussed fully in the caucus meeting and that the consensus of council members was that they would not support his proposed amendments because they are too restrictive.

Mr. Ragonese then asked council to look at the ADA law – saying that it does not allow discrimination, referring to resident’s comments earlier about the Brookfield Academy. Solicitor John Kearney said that the Federal Law prohibits discrimination, saying we should not seek action due to the type of students being admitted to the Brookfield Academy. He assured everyone that the Zoning Official will check to be sure all zoning laws are followed and the records on the property will also be check.

With no further comments to come before council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. All members present were in favor.

____________________________________ 8:55pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk