May 20, 2008

Mayor Scott Alexander opened the caucus meeting at 7:00pm.

Pat Cooper discussed the June meeting options. All council members present voted in favor to cancel the June 4, 2008 meeting.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald discussed the proposed parking plan and stated that the planning board and business association are in favor of the proposal. Councilwoman Sheilds asked how soon the signs would be erected. Chief Kinkler stated they have done an inventory and once the ordinance is adopted the signs would be ordered.

Review of regular agenda – Mayor Alexander reviewed the regular agenda items, there were no questions from council at this time. Mayor Alexander announced Ordinance 2008:1266 will be pulled from the agenda tonight since more work was necessary. It will be introduced 6/17/08.

With nothing further to discuss during the caucus meeting, Mayor Alexander opened the regular meeting.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Alexander opened the regular meeting at 8:40pm with a salute to the flag and moment of silence.

He 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, 2008”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Councilmen Lee Wentz, Donald Witzig and Tad Fetter, Councilwomen Rosemary Fitzgerald and Trish Sheilds. Borough Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano was also present. Councilman Gordon Shopp was absent.

Oaths of Office were given by Mayor Alexander to Marshall Simmons and Michael Valvardi. Mayor and Council congratulated Marshall Simmons on his new position as Captain and Michael Valvardi on his new position as Sergeant.

Resolution 2008:110 – Resolution Appointing Jason C. Volpe to the Position of Patrolman.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Sheilds to adopt the resolution, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All council members present voted in favor.

Oath of Office was given by Mayor Alexander to Jason C. Volpe. Mayor and Council congratulated him on his position of Patrolman.

Motion was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald to approve the minutes from the 5/6/08 meeting with a correction made by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

The following Committee Reports were presented at this time:

Councilman Witzig reporting for Administration spoke of the free rabies clinic held April 26th and gave vital statistic totals.

Councilman Fetter reporting for Finance gave an update on tax appeals. Presently 47 of the 125 appeals filed have been stipulated. He also reported that we should receive approximately $35,000 in restored aid. We lost $244,000.

Council President Sheilds reporting for Public Safety said that was a great night for police department. The new fire truck should be delivered in December. A new application needs to be filed in regards to Devon Avenue soccer fields.

Councilman Wentz reporting for DPW said the recycling is going fine and the guys are working very hard. Everything is on track for the 5K run in July. Sign ups will be available on-line and at the library.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reporting for the Construction/Zoning Office said that the new zoning officer has started and is doing a great job. The construction office is now open all day from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

With no further reports to be presented, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting up to the public for comments or questions on New Business Items.

With no comments to come before council, Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to Old Business:

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearings and final adoption on Ordinances 2008:1263 and 2008:1264.

Ordinance 2008:1263 – An Ordinance fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Represented Uniformed Police Officers in the Police Department for the Calendar Year 2008.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public on Ordinance 2008:1263, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1263 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members voted yes.

Ordinance 2008:1264 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Vehicles and Traffic. (Adds 4 areas to the Parking Prohibited at All Times list: W. Atlantic Avenue East and West at certain locations and Lippincott Lane on both sides from W. Atlantic to Seventh Avenue.)

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public on Ordinance 2008:1264, motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members were in favor. Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1264 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members voted yes.

NEW BUSINESS:

Introduction of Ordinances 2008:1265 and 1266. Public hearings and final adoptions to be held on June 17, 2008, 7:00pm.

Ordinance 2008:1265 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Vehicles and Traffic. (This ordinance establishes 4 15 min. parking areas on Station Avenue and 2-2 hour parking areas on East Atlantic Avenue. It also bans overnight parking in lots at 500 and 600 blocks of Station Avenue and the Atlantic Avenue corridor except for designated overnight parking areas where a permit is required. Also establishes zones for permit overnight parking and 4 hour parking on north side of Municipal lot in 500 block of Station Avenue with 2 hour parking on the Municipal lot in 600 block of Station Avenue.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2008:1265 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call vote all members voted yes.

Resolution 2008:109 – Resolution Authorizing Refund of Tax Overpayment. (Due to refinancing, sale of property or duplicate payments by both the title and mortgage companies, a duplicate payment was received for B 8 – L 16 in the amount of $3,919.65 and has to be refunded to the mortgage company.) Also, refunds overpayment to Weichert Title for overpayment on B 73, L4 $250.00

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:109 was made by Councilwoman Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call vote all members voted yes. Motion passed.

Resolution 2008:111 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 1st Half of June.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:111 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call vote all members voted yes. Motion passed.

Resolution 2008:112 – Resolution Authorizing the Borough of Haddon Heights Tax Collector to Prepare and Mail Estimated Tax Bills In Accordance with NJSA 54:4-66:3.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:112 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. Under roll call vote all members voted yes.

With no further business to come before council Mayor Alexander opened the meeting to the public for comments or concerns.

Ricki Roberts of 127 3rd Avenue said that she has been attending council meetings for the past eleven months and council has still done nothing to correct the problems from the re-assessment. She also spoke of the appeals filed. She reminded council that all of them took oaths to protect the residents’ rights. She stated that she had previously asked Councilman Shopp to establish a committee with the homeowners association and their legal council and council members, and he still has not. She asked Council to put together the committee and stop the political games.

Mr. Troutman, Chestnut Avenue asked for more clarification in regards to Ordinance 2008:1266. Solicitor explained the legal criteria.

Carol DiMedio, 106 Kings Highway asked why Professional Property Appraisers (PPA) cannot come back to fix their faulty job/process. Asked why still nothing has been done to correct the problems.

Mayor Alexander explained that the idea is to get through the appeal process right now. No one is forced to accept a settlement offer. In order to perform another re-assessment the paperwork needs to be filed. PPA is currently assisting with the appeals, by contract, and council can talk with them about their job performance later.

John Rayser, 611 W. High Street thanked Mayor and Council and the residents for their help with Adopt-A-Spot. Mulch was anonymously donated. He also made reference to a speed bump along Atlantic Avenue, that people are finding a way around it.

Chief Kinkler is aware of this and is monitoring that situation.

With no further comments to come before council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Sheilds. All members were in favor.

_____________________________2:17 p.m.

Patricia A. Cooper, Deputy Borough Clerk