November 5, 2008

Caucus:

Albert Olizi and Council members discussed the lease and operating arrangement between the Sons of Italy and the Borough for use of the American Legion Building which is owned by the Borough. Mr. Olizi suggested that a “management committee” should be formed and include one person from the borough who would do the scheduling, should someone want to reserve the building. The purpose of this is to ensure the property is maintained and taken care of. The lease Mr. Olizi was presented with today is six (6) years renewable for an additional four (4) years. He feels this is unfair; they have put about $200,000 into the building and have vacated their place at Devon Avenue as a condition of this lease. Discussion ensued between Mr. Olizi and Council members regarding the terms of the lease. Mr. Olizi requested that the original lease be placed on the agenda for the next council meeting.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald has been attending the Business Association meetings. There are currently six (6) vacancies on Station Avenue. The newspaper is something the Business Association feels very strongly about and would like to see an issue in December. Discussion followed between Council members regarding the terms of the contract and editorial process.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald read an award presented to Haddon Heights by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. She showed the award and sign that will be posted at the Conrail site.

REGULAR AGENDA:

Mayor Alexander opened the meeting 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: Rosemary Fitzgerald, Don Witzig, Tad Fetter, Trish Sheilds and Mayor Alexander. Robert Gleaner filled in for Borough Solicitor, Salvatore Siciliano. Lee Wentz and Gordon Shopp were absent.

Motion to approve the minutes from the October 21st meeting with corrections was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present voted yes.

Mayor Alexander gave the voting statistics from yesterday’s election. He congratulated Dan Haggerty and Kathy Lange on their win and also thanked David Cutts and Justin Farmer for their effort and volunteering and hopes they will continue to volunteer their time.

Committee Reports:

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported for Construction. Report is on file with Borough Clerk. Economic Development is still working on the borough website and has received responses for proposals.

Council President Sheilds congratulated Dan Haggerty and Kathy Lange on their win and also thanked David Cutts and Justin Farmer for their effort. Report for EMS and Police Department are on file with the Borough Clerk. Chief Kinkler advised Council that parents have concerns at the Seventh Avenue school. They have given a petition to him asking for a one-way street. Chief Kinkler hopes to meet with the residents before the next council meeting. He will send a notice of the meeting to residents by the school.

Councilman Fetter did not have anything to report at this time.

Councilman Witzig reported for Administration. Report is on file with Borough Clerk. Mr. Witzig thanked the four candidates that ran for council.

Mayor Alexander called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.

There were none.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearing and final adoption of Ordinances 2008:1283, 1285 and 1286

Ordinance 2008:1283 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 213 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Fees. (Increasing late fee from $5 to $10 for payments received after May 1st for dog licenses; increasing cat license fees to: neutered $9.00, unneutered $12.00 and adding late fee of $10 for payment received after May 1st. This increase is due to rising cost of animal control and shelter services which are required by the State.)

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1283 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1283 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members present voted yes, with the exception of Council President Sheilds who voted no.

Ordinance 2008:1285 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2007:1234 of the Borough of Haddon Heights, in the County of Camden, New Jersey. (This ordinance is required to change the Period of Usefulness which was incorrect on Ordinance 2007:1234.)

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1285 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1285 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Ordinance 2008:1286 – an Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2008:1276 Entitled Fixing and Determining the Salaries, Wages or Compensation to be Paid to the Non Contracted Employee of the Borough of Haddon Heights for the Year 2008.

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1286 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1286 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:156 – Resolution Approving the Distribution of the Haddon Heights Newspaper

After brief discussion of Resolution 2008:156 and based on a suggestion made by Robert Gleaner Esquire to discuss the matter further, no motion was made to adopt.

NEW BUSINESS:

Introduction of Ordinance 2008:1284. Public hearing and final adoption is scheduled for December 2, 2008, 7pm at the Municipal Building.

Ordinance 2008:1284 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Entitled Vehicles and Traffic. (Modifies 100:13 regarding parking prohibited at all times, adds stop signs and a residential handicapped parking spot.)

Motion to introduce Ordinance 2008:1284 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:169 – A Resolution Refunding Veteran Deduction to the Mortgage Company

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:169 was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Fetter. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:170 – Resolution Authorizing Payments of Bills & Claims for 1st Half of November.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:170 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:171 – Resolution Approving Purchase by Fire Department Utilizing State Contract. (Thermal imaging camera with accessories – $12,875.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:171 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:172 – Resolution Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations. ($60,494 will be transferred to various accounts from the DPW O/E budget to cover LOSAP audit not included in original scope, promotion and reassignment of Deputy Clerk duties, short term renewal of bond anticipation notes due to delay in permanent financing, short term tax anticipation note, unexpected volume of extensive litigation, cover scope of field inspections for assessment appeals, electronic file conversion and severance/retirement payout.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:172 was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:173 – Resolution Requesting Approval of Items of Revenue and Appropriations (NJSA 40A:4-87). (Revenue received from NJ DEP was not anticipated, or amount not know, at the time of budget adoption. This resolution allows CFO to enter $102,313 into the revenues to offset expenses related to hazardous discharge site remediation at Devon Avenue.)

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:173 was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:174 – Resolution to Adopt the Year 30 Community Development Grant Agreement.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:174 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Council President Sheilds. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

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

Rickie Roberts, 127 Third Avenue, thanked Mayor Alexander for going through the voting statistics and welcomed the new Council members. She reminded Council that the residents will still continue to watch and make sure that members are not voting down party lines. Mrs. Roberts thanked Mayor Alexander for his comments regarding the newspaper and agrees with giving it time and do it right.

Mayor Alexander read the Haddon Heights public schools Strategic Planning Initiative. A copy is on file with the Borough Clerk.

Carolyn DiMedio, 106 Kings Highway, asked Council President Sheilds why she did not vote yes to increasing the dog license fees. Mrs. DiMedio also asked Council President Sheilds about her prior conversation with Ernest Merlino, CFO, as she had previously spoken about at the past two meeting. Mrs. DiMedio said spoke to Mr. Merlino and received conflicting information. She suggested the Mr. Merlino attend the next meeting to discuss.

Bill Lange, 26 First Avenue, congratulated Council and Police Department for the new parking ordinance on Station Avenue; it is very convenient. Mr. Lange commented on re-valuation as suggested last meeting by the Homeowners Association attorneys. Discussion ensued between Mr. Lange and Council members regarding the process and effects of another re-valuation. Councilman Fetter advised Mr. Lange that a meeting will be set up between the Tax Assessor and Homeowner Association attorneys.

With no further comments from the public, motion to go into a Closed Session for the discussion of a legal matter was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Council President Sheilds. All members present were in favor.

Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:175 appointing Elizabeth Garcia as Special Counsel was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Fetter. Under roll call all members present voted yes, with the exception of Council President Sheilds who voted no.

Motion to adjourn was made by Council President Sheilds, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members present voted yes.

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Joan D. Moreland, Borough Clerk