October 4, 2005 Minutes

October 4, 2005

Mayor 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. Borough Solicitor John B. Kearney was also present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the September 6^th meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members voted yes with the exception of Councilwoman Haven who abstained from voting.

Mayor Griffith presented a proclamation proclaiming October as Good Neighbors Month. The proclamation was presented to ____________, a representative of Good Neighbors.

The Mayor than asked Robert Elfreth to come forward while read a Certificate of Achievement. Robert will be representing New Jersey at the 2006 National Summer Games in the sport of golf! He received a well-deserved round of applause.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilwoman Beth Ann Haven reporting for the Construction Office said she had nothing to report but asked that everyone keep Thomas El’s wife in their thoughts. She said she is still in the hospital suffering from rejection after a heart transplant 3 months ago.

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Public Safety said that he has been informed by Sgt. Joe Downs that the bargaining unit will be ready to negotiate the upcoming contract after October 19^th.

Council President Trish Sheilds said that the Fall Festival this past Saturday was fabulous and that she had a good time!

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman thanked the Borough Clerk for her efforts on getting Conrail to preserve the pedestrian bridge.

Mayor Griffith reported that the Captain and Superintendent of Public Works met with an official from Conrail at the pedestrian bridge. After seeing the number of children that use the bridge, he said repairs would be made starting tomorrow. She also announced that we will be receiving a $150,000 grant from NJDOT for work on West Atlantic Avenue.

The Mayor said she did not realize how expensive it would be to do the revaluation that was ordered by the County Board of Taxation. She said the total cost could be about $280,000 and another $20,000 for the tax map revision that has to be done and approved by the State Board of Taxation. She further explained that the costs related to the revaluation can be amortized over a 5-year period. Discussion followed regarding methods of financing the revaluation.

The Mayor then announced that she, along with some of the firemen will be traveling to Emmetsburg, Maryland this coming Sunday for a memorial ceremony where Thomas Conway’s name will be added to the Wall of National Fallen Firemen. Mr. Conway past away last year after falling ill while on duty. Regarding the CDBG project at Joseph I. McCullough Field, the Mayor reported that the handicapped renovations to the bathroom area are just about completed. Lastly the Mayor reported that paperwork regarding the Station Avenue Streetscape Phase II has been forwarded to the Start for approval.

There were no questions or comments from the public on agenda items.

Old Business:

Public hearings on Ordinances 2005:1197, 1198 and 1199.

Ordinance 2005-1197 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to Certain Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2005. (2% increase for the Crossing Guards and Public Defender). Mayor Griffith said that the Chief and Captain have been removed from this ordinance as a result of a closed session meeting of council.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1197 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Haven. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005:1198 – An Ordinance Amending Chapters 125, 288, 393 and 397 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights. (Stormwater regulations).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1198 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members were in favor.

Ordinance 2005:1199 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 450-168.1 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding Zoning Permits. (Permits expire after 1 year, no permit required for replacement or repair of siding, roofing, windows; repair of or replacement of existing steps, replacement or repair of sewer or septic lines; service upgrades, repair or replacement of panels, meter sockets and related internal electrical work not involving multi-meter devices; interior renovations. Also adds no permit fee for construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement or repair of a structure used for the sole purpose to promote accessibility by the handicapped and the guidelines associated with the permit).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2005:1199 was made by Councilwoman Haven, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members were in favor.

Resolution 2005:143– Resolution Supporting Renewal of the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund and Increased Dedication for Local Aid. (All municipalities rely on State Aid for annual road repairs. We have been advised that this item is going to be eliminated, creating an additional financial burden on the taxpayers).

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:143 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call, all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:144 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1^st Half of October.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:144 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:145 - Resolution Awarding a contract to Sullivan & Pigliacelli, Inc. in the Amount of $22,262 for Removal of Architectural Barriers – Station Avenue Accessible Curb Ramp Installation.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:145 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:146 – Chapter 159 for $20,000 Technology Enhancement from Comcast.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:146 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Resolution 2005:147 – Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2005:135.

Motion to adopt resolution 2005:147 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

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

Mr. McAdams, South Park Avenue asked why the Chief and Captain were removed from Ordinance 2005:1197? Council President Sheilds said it was a matter discussed in closed session and therefore could not be made public at this time.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street asked if the $150,000 grant was specific to W. Atlantic Avenue? He was told yes. He also asked about the pedestrian crossing project for 7^th Avenue School area and wanted to know if the flashing light could be put on West Atlantic Avenue? He was told no, because the grant was for a specific area. Council President Sheilds said she would advise Mr. Rayser when this topic is discussed. He suggested recycling every other week to save the money spent on gas and enable the men to get more tree trimming done. He said he feels that we have “bloated manpower on recycling trucks” and asked if Gary could do a study of the cost for weekly recycling versus every other week. Lastly, Mr. Rayser said there is a very old vending machine outside the concession stand and wanted to know who owns it, saying it is an eyesore.

Bill Troutman, Chestnut Avenue told everyone to check with Woodbury, saying they are the ”best at recycling and making money”. He suggested having people patrol the streets when trash is out. Mr. Troutman said that some residents put the trash out very early and then it blows around. According to Mr. Troutman, another area that should be looked at is residents that have landscapers and grass is blown into the street.

David Ragonese, 602 Sycamore Terrace requested that the Governing Body adopt a supporting resolution regarding eminent domain. Mayor Griffith said she received his package but has not had time to read it all. She said she would look it over before the next meeting.