September 20, 2005 Minutes

September 20, 2005

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 5, 2005”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilwomen Wyman, Cortese and Sheilds, Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig. Mayor Griffith was absent along with Councilwoman Haven and Borough Solicitor John Kearney. Sherrie Swietzer, Esq. covered the meeting for Mr. Kearney.

Motion to approve the minutes from the September 6^th meeting was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All members present voted yes with the exception of Councilmen Hamburger and Witzig who abstained from voting.

The following Committee Reports were presented:

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Public Safety said that negotiations are ready to get started on the Police Contract. In regards to the study of merging Barrington and Haddon Heights’ Fire Departments, Councilman Witzig said that some members like the idea, others do not. He noted that a final decision would have to be made in the near future after the 2 Public Safety Committees have met.

Councilman Kenneth Hamburger asked about the possibility of sharing a storm sewer truck with Barrington and if the money was budgeted. He was told by Council President Sheilds that no money has been budgeted for that purpose. Councilman Witzig said that DPW could contact the County about having their sewers cleaned.

Councilwoman Andrea Wyman reporting for DPW said that she received man e-mail regarding a recycling program where someone comes in and recycles, then issues a gift card for local businesses. Legal Counsel Sherrie Swietzer said she has heard of a pilot program in Pennsylvania and said she would get more information to Councilwoman Wyman.

Council President Trish Sheilds reported that Robert Elfreth, a resident of Haddon Heights, will be participating in the National Summer Games for Special Olympians in golf.

Remarks from the public on agenda items.

Mr. Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue advised Council to contact Woodbury “because they are the best in recycling”. Mr. Troutman asked council what the term non-contracted employees meant. He was told that they were the employees not represented by a bargaining unit.

New Business:

Introduction of Ordinances 2005:1197 and 1198 and 1999. Public hearings and final adoptions will be held on October 4^th at 8:00pm.

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 Police Chief, Police Captain, Crossing Guards and Public Defender).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1197 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members present voted yes with the exception of Councilman Witzig who voted no.

Ordinance 2005:1198 – An Ordinance Amending Various Chapters of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights. (Required stormwater regulations).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1198 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2005:1199 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 450-168.1 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding Zoning Permits. (Regulations, exceptions and exemptions for ADA improvements).

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2005-1199 was made by Councilwoman Wyman, seconded by Councilman Hamburger. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:139 – Resolution for Fuel Cost Cap Exception. (Currently all municipalities are faced with a 2.5% cap limitation for their Municipal Budgets. This resolution is requesting that Governor Codey grant a one-year exception to the cap rule due to the unexpected increase of the cost of fuel and the fact that the cap limitations could result in service cuts, jeopardizing the public’s safety, safety and welfare. The resolution also requests that the exception is retroactive to July 1, 2005.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:139 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:140 – Resolution Authorizing the Tonnage Grant Application for 2004. (Designates Superintendent of Public Works Gary Geserick as the authorized person to file Tonnage Grant Application with the State for 2004’s activity. Any monies realized from the State for this purpose will be placed into the dedicated recycling Trust Fund to be used solely for the purpose of recycling.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:140 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:141 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2^nd Half of September.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:141 was made by Councilman Hamburger, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2005:142 – Resolution to Remove Deed Restriction. (NJ American Water Company, Block 39, Lot 1 had a parking restriction on the deed dated 11/25/64. A medical center will be moving into the building and has requested that parking be allowed in the front of the building. This resolution removed the long-standing deed restriction.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2005:142 was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilwoman Wyman. All members present voted yes.

With no further business to come before Council the Council President called for comments from the public.

David Ragonese, 603 Sycamore Terrace asked Council about the $350,000 Federal Transportation Act grant to be shared with Barrington. Council President Sheilds said she is not aware of anything regarding this grant. Regarding the upcoming revaluation Mr. Ragonese asked if Tom Glock was the best person for the job? He was informed that Mr. Glock is the Borough’s Tax Assessor and will be handling the process, including the hiring of an outside contractor to actually perform the revaluation. Mr. Ragonese asked if the Borough was going to challenge the order? He was told “probably not”. He asked that the process be “more public”. He then told council that they have to get the budget under control and spoke of Senate Bill 2739, a “bi-partisan” bill amending the redevelopment act so that private property cannot be taken and given to the County for the purpose of building. He said that the Borough’s Solicitor is currently involved in an eminent domain situation in Lindenwold. Mr. Ragonese asked that the Council pass a supporting resolution at the next meeting.

With no further public comments to be heard, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilwoman Cortese, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present were in favor.

___________________________ 8:25PM

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk