September 4, 2007 Minutes

September 4, 2007

At 7:00PM Mayor Beth Ann Haven welcomed everyone and opened the caucus meeting.

The Mayor introduced Fred Neary from FCR who explained the Camden County Single Stream Recycling Program. He advised council that the idea came from a request submitted from several towns. Mr. Neary further explained that single stream recycling has a lower value, but saves towns money in manpower and $61.00 a ton for each ton not put in the trash stream as well as use/maintenance of vehicles. He also advised council that our DPW Superintendent, Gary Geserick has already been working on this over the past few weeks and has seen that the men were available for other tasks. Everyone on council seemed to agree with changing to single stream recycling through the Borough. Notice will be in the upcoming newsletter.

Mayor Haven then invited Fire Chief Nick Scardino to come up to the microphone and give council an explanation of a squirter vehicle with a squirt device. Chief Scardino explained that the 1975 Ladder Truck and 1981 Pumper will be replaced by a new vehicle on which the squirter device would be installed. He advised council that the reasoning behind this purchase is that with services being provided by surrounding towns, a new ladder truck was not needed because Barrington has one and Haddonfield has a pumper truck; the squirter device will be an important addition that will benefit all surrounding towns where mutual aid it performed.

The Chief further advised council that the purchase of a used squirter vehicle with a squirter device is being purchased for $18,000, and the chassis is going to be utilized by DPW, possible as a leafer. The squirter device will be refurbished to “new condition” and will be installed on a new vehicle. He explained that the Resolution is on for tonight because of the high demand for this piece of apparatus.

Councilman Ottoson, Director of Public Safety explained that the squirter device boom has a telescoping arm that can manipulate around utility lines, trees, etc, placed into a burning building to “squirt” water directly onto the fire, without a fireman entering the building. Both Ottoson and Chief agreed it is safer for the firemen.

At this point in the caucus meeting, Mayor Haven reviewed the following items that will be on the September 18^th agenda:

Ordinance 2007:1239 – An Ordinance Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation To Be Paid to the Non-Contracted Employees of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the year 2007

Ordinance 2007-1241 – A Bond Ordinance. (This is a re-appropriation Ordinance for Acquisition of Signs for the Department of Public Works in the amount of $3,621.64 This will come from Ordinance 2004-1177E balance (Acquisition of Trash Truck) included in this amount is the legal and advertising costs.)

Resolution 2007:130 – Resolution Authorizing the Refund of Tax Overpayments

Resolution 2007:131 – Resolution Cancelling an Outstanding Check

Resolution 2007:132 – Resolution Cancelling Reserves

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Beth Ann Haven asked the Borough Clerk to call the roll. All members were present with the exception of Council Gordon Shopp. Borough Solicitor John Kearney was present.

The Mayor opened the meeting to New Business for the following two (2) items:

Introduction of Ordinance 2007:1240. Public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for September 18^th, 7:00pm.

Ordinance 2007:1240 – A Bond Ordinance for the Additional 2007 Road Work in the amount of $60,000. (Funding from capital ordinances that had balances after purchases were made or work was done.)

Motion made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz to introduce Ordinance 2007:1240. Under roll call all members present were in favor.

Resolution 2007:133 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Company Two for the Purchase of a Used Fire Apparatus Squirt Vehicle with Squirt Device.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2007:133 was made by Councilman Ottoson, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members present were in favor.

With no other formal business to come before council, Mayor Haven called for comments from council. (Roundtable).

Councilman Lee Wentz, reporting for the Drug Commission said that meetings will resume this month.

Councilman Donald Witzig reporting for Administration said that a Department Head meeting will be held this coming Thursday at 10am.

Council President Trish Sheilds reported receiving a letter from the Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund that requested a raffle license be issued for a raffle being held at the Haddon Heights Fire Department. She noted that the department was honored to be chosen this year for the fundraiser that helps families of fallen police and firefighters. She also advised council that copies of a resolution regarding “Pay to Play” is in everyone’s box and asked council to review it for future action.

Councilwoman Barbara Cortese, reporting for DPW said she was excited about the single stream recycling we will be starting. She read a report of activity for the month of August. A copy of the complete report is attached to these minutes.

She said that because there seems that nothing will be done about our reval, a task force should be formed to contact the other towns who have had the same problem. She mentioned that she and Councilman Shopp would be glad to get something going.

Councilman Thomas Ottoson, reporting for the Department of Public Safety announced that Patrolmen Bob Long and Mike Scardino will be receiving a special award for their efforts involved with two separate incidents. Presentations will be made at the September 18^th meeting. He advised council that there is nothing new to report in the arbitration efforts with the Police. Councilman Ottoson asked about how to sell/auction 2 cruisers and a DPW van. He was advised that you cannot use the vehicles as a trade-in. Ernie Merlino, CFO/Treasurer said he would contact Joe Valenti from the State and seek his advice and options available.

Councilman Ottoson said the McCall’s were here regarding the parking problems faced by Sycamore Terrace residents and asked Mrs. McCall to come forward and address council. She said she was pleased with the cleanup and with the work being done along West Atlantic Avenue. She asked council if they had jurisdiction over the parking area. She was advised by the Solicitor that it is Conrail’s property and they won’t allow it. Mrs. McCall said she has seen people parking there for months at a time. A discussion followed between Mrs. McCall, her father and several council members. Mayor Haven asked that Councilman Ottoson to get a schedule for the speed trailer and continue with looking into speed humps. She asked the Solicitor to contract Conrail regarding the parking problems.

Councilman Ottoson continued with his report as this point. He advised council that discussions have been ongoing about combining the police and EMT and that they are looking for a place to house them. He said he has contact an appraiser, Tim Keenan, from town to get a cost appraisal for the Water Company building on West Atlantic Avenue. Discussion followed between council members with no outcome.

Regarding the Library’s roof, Ottoson said there will be some changes in the specifications in the hopes of coming in within the budget. He also said the Municipal Building roof does not drain properly and necessary corrections will be specified. Ottoson said he hope to have the specifications for both roof done soon so advertisement for bids can be started.

Lastly, Ottoson reported that he will be going to a Solar Power meeting at the end of this month and will report his findings next month.

With no further reports to be made, Mayor Haven asked Roni Olizi to come forward to discuss the grant for the Log Cabin.

Mrs. Olizi said she originally applied for an Historic Grant, but was advised we could only get the grant if it was turned back to the original condition. She said $15,000 was offered to repair some of the items not in code and that would cover the necessary repairs to the chimney before winter. Discussion followed. Mrs. Olizi was basically given the approval to proceed with securing quotes for the chimney repairs.

At this point in the meeting, Mayor Haven opened the meeting to the public for comments and concerns.

Mr. Greg McAdams, 1106 South Park Avenue said that he and a few others have been looking at the railroad corridor situation. He reported that some of the cars parked along the railroad have flat tires and registrations that expired a year ago. He also said that other towns along the railroad have been contact to see how they handle the problem; Stratford gave him Mr. Enright’s name as the attorney for Conrail. In Magnolia, Mr. McAdams was advised that the Historic Committee convinced the borough to buy the land turn it over to the Historic Committee with no further involvement from the council. Barrington reported starting a project and being told by Conrail to remove the soil placed on their property. Mr. McAdams said that Congressman Robert Andrews has offered to help. He lastly advised council that our town is the worst looking town along the railroad.

With no further comments to be made, Mayor Haven called for a motion to close the public portion of this meeting, announcing that council would be going into a closed session for the discussion of personnel matters and if formal action was taken, the meeting would be opened to the public. Motion to close the meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese at 8:55pm. All present were in favor.

After the closed session, motion to open the meeting to the public was made at 9:50pm by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All were in favor.

Discussion on the sample letter provided by John Kearney and Assessor Tom Glock, to be sent to the 407 residents who met with Professional Property Appraisers. Discussion followed. All seemed to agree that the letter should come from the Assessor and that the wording should be changed. Kearney said he would work on it.

With no further business to discuss, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Cortese. All present were in favor.

_______________________________________10:00pm

Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk