October 3, 2006 Minutes

October 3, 2006

Council President Trish Sheilds 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 3, 2006.

Under Roll Call, the following Council members were present: Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven and Barbara Cortese, Councilman Gordon Shopp, Thomas Ottoson and Donald Witzig. Borough Solicitor, John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from September 17th was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes, with the exception of Councilman Shopp, who abstained.

Council President Sheilds read a Certificate of Achievement, which will be mailed to Richard T. Wells in recognition of successfully producing a fund raiser. Proceeds in the amount of $1,000 were turned over to the drug commission.

Committee Reports:

Councilwoman Haven gave an update on activity in the construction office, the status of the school construction and brought up a possible change to a recent ordinance regarding length of time a seasonal use is permitted.

Councilwoman Cortese expressed her thanks to our inspectors for their help getting the schools in compliance. She also called attention to the fall Haddon Heights Report, which contains information from all departments and fall guidelines from Public Works.

Councilman Witzig announced a meeting concerning police negotiations is scheduled for October 18^th at 7:00 pm. Chief Shute is looking into new requirements for the court and council will be updated.

Councilman Shopp – same as in caucus.

Under comments from the public. – Mr. David Ragonese of 603 Sycamore Terrace regarding Resolution 2006-147 – asked how the money would be used. Council President Sheilds responded it is for remediation of Devon Avenue. This is not a grant with matching funds.

There was no old business.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2006:1224 and 1225. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on October 17, 2006, 8:00pm.

Ordinance 2006:1224 – An Ordinance Regarding the Removal of Graffiti by Property Owner. (Recent state law allows municipalities to set time lines for the removal of graffiti from privately owned property and allows the municipality to charge the owner for the removal if not done by the property owner in a timely fashion.)

Motion to Introduced Ordinance 2006:1224 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. All members of Council were in favor.

Ordinance 2006:1225 – An Ordinance Concerning Age-Restricted Housing Overlay Zone. (Will allow age-restricted housing in any zone, except for those properties fronting the White Horse Pike. Sets property size guidelines, front, side and rear setbacks, maximum coverage and building height.)

Motion to introduced Ordinance 2006:1225 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Ottoson. All members of Council were in favor.

Resolution 2006:146 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayments.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:146 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Upon roll call, all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:147 – Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriation NJS40A:4-87. (Grant from NJ DEP in the amount of $161,291.00 for the Haddon Heights Landfill Site Remediation Project.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:147 was made by Councilman Ottoson, seconded by Councilman Shopp. Upon roll call, all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006:148 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1^st Half of October.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:148 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Upon roll call, all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2006-149 – Resolution Approving a Leave of Absence for Mayor Susan Griffith

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006:149 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2006-150 – Resolution Waiving Permit Fees for the Ambulance Corp

Motion to adopt Resolution 2006-150 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Upon roll call, all members present voted yes.

Comments from the public. Mr. David Ragonese of 603 Sycamore Terrace thanked Council for considering his eminent domain ordinance and asked what council decided, since he was not at the caucus. Council President Sheilds gave an overview of the discussions with council’s conclusion that they would not take any action at this time.

Mr. Ragonese also presented council with another suggested ordinance for their consideration regarding the Fair & Open Process. His has a lower threshold ($10,000) and would include bids from banks the borough would use. In conclusion, Mr. Ragonese asked if the solicitor and prosecutor’s salaries are pensionable. The answer was no.

With no further business to come before council, motion to adjourn was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Shopp.

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Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk 8:20 p.m.