October 18, 2005 Minutes

October 18, 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 members were present: Councilwomen Haven, Wyman, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the September 20^th meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members voted yes.

Mayor Griffith presented a Certificate of Recognition to 5-year old Christopher Knapp for his unselfish gesture of asking guests of his birthday party to bring a donation to the American Red Cross instead of a gift for him. $150 was raised!

The Mayor and Council President Sheilds then issued Certificates to the Student Councils from Atlantic Avenue School, Glenview Avenue School and Seventh Avenue School. Each group took the oath issued by the Mayor. All 54 students received certificates for their part in each school’s Student Council. The Mayor said she was proud of the student council representatives for setting an example for all students.

The Mayor then read the following proclamations: October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month and October – National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven reporting for the Construction Office said that so far this month 19 permits have been issued. She also reported that the new computers have been installed and that E-Mail will be up and running soon.

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Public Safety said that he received a thank-you from the Ambulance Corps for Council’s support in allowing them to become independent. He also reported that the Police Department has received a $2,000 Grant for Seat Belt Safety.

Council President Trish Sheilds, reporting for Finance said that all Departments have been notified by the CFO that their 2006 budgets are due now.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese reported that tax bills for the added and omitted have been sent out and will bring in an additional $69,500.

Mayor Griffith asked why the Ambulance Corps was still under the Borough’s JIF Insurance plan. Kearney said because they are volunteers. She also reported that the Centennial Committee wants to hold a beef and beer event in the spring, noting that the cost will be considerably lower than the tickets for the Gala. There was no response from Council. The Mayor said she received a memo from the Captain that Kings Christian School has been sold to Brokkfield Academy. The Academy expects to be up and running by January 2006 with 35 special education students and 18 workers. Regarding the property on Cedar Avenue owned by the Borough, she said that John Kearney will be doing a letter to the adjacent property owners to see if they are interested in assuming the ownership of the property. Lastly the Mayor said that our Assessor, Tom Glock, will be checking with Remington & Vernick regarding the proposal they submitted to revise the Tax Map, noting that our CFO said we have paid them for revisions the past several years.

There were no remarks from the public on agenda items.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2005:1191 and 1200. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on November 1^st, 8:00pm in the Borough Hall.

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.

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005:1191 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under 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).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005:1200 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:148 – Resolution Refunding Over-Billed Amount. (Owner of home not completed as of yet was billed in error).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:148 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:149 - Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of October.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:149 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:150 – Awarding a Contract to A.A. Duckett in the Amount of 39,625 for the Purchase and Installation of a Chiller for the Municipal Building. (Replaces a 17-year old unit that quit working with a more efficient, quieter unit).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:150 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:151 – Resolution Accepting “Buckle Up South Jersey” Grant and Authorizing the Mayor and Treasurer to Sign Grant Acceptance Conditions. (This $2,000 grant will pay for Police Officers to work overtime to conduct a zero tolerance safety belt enforcement campaign and to educate and encourage the public on the benefits of safety belt and child passenger safety seat restraint use).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:151 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:152 – Resolution Setting the Hours for Halloween Trick or Treating and Curfew Hours for Mischief Night and Halloween Night.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:152 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:153 – Resolution Awarding a Contract for the Purchase and Installation of a Boiler for the Municipal Building.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:153 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. Under roll call all members voted yes.

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

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked the Mayor about the resolution regarding eminent domain. The Mayor said it will be placed on the November 1^st agenda for consideration. Mr. Ragonese suggested adopting our own ordinance regarding the most recent Pay to Play law. He gave each council member a sheet comparing the law with his suggestions for an ordinance.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street said he observes Haddon Township police officers using a radar gun near the high speed line everyday and asked if our speed trailer was being used? He then asked if he could request copies of reports dealing with the number of tickets issued on Station Avenue. Mr. Rayser asked that the speed trailer be placed on West Atlantic Avenue again. Councilman Witzig said he would advise the Chief.

Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue said he does not think Station Avenue is the place for people to make U-turns. Everyone on council agreed. He said he chased 2 kids out of the skateboard park and noted that they were not from Haddon Heights, and asked if the police could issue tickets. The Mayor said that an ordinance has to be in place setting the fines. She also said that this topic would be discussed at the November 1^st caucus meeting.

With no further comments from the public, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All were in favor.

________________________________ 8:55pm

Joan D. Moreland, CMC, Borough Clerk