September 16, 2008

Caucus:

Regular Agenda:

Councilwoman Sheilds opened the 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, 2008”.

Under Roll Call the following council members were present: Lee Wentz, Rosemary Fitzgerald, Don Witzig, Tad Fetter, Gordon Shopp and Trish Sheilds. Mayor Alexander was absent. Borough Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano was present.

Motion to approve the minutes from the September 2nd meeting was made by Councilman Wetnz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes with the exception of Councilman Shopp who abstained.

Committee Reports:

Councilman Witzig had no new information to report.

Councilman Fetter reported that he has had a preliminary meeting with DPW. The changes at DPW have increased efficiency, flexibility and capacity. They are doing a phenomenal job. Extra projects should be controlled and communicated to Councilman Wentz. Some projects will need to be added into their budget. Councilman Shopp asked to see the reports, with a year to date analysis.

Councilman Wentz reported that a major clean up has been going on at Devon Avenue. DPW is doing a fantastic job. Crosswalks have been repainted, no parking signs installed and has done some tree work. Environmental Commission is looking into solar issues and will schedule a meeting soon.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald reported that the court case is still on-going.

Councilman Shopp reported that Economic Development will meet tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. Part of the discussion will be the proposed parking ordinance on W. Atlantic Avenue.

Councilwoman Sheilds reported for EMS and Police Department. Reports are on file with Borough Clerk. The 5K run/walk for Michael Miller will be held on October 25th. The run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk will start shortly after.

Solicitor Salvatore Siciliano has items to discuss in closed session regarding legal and personnel matters.

Councilwoman Sheilds called for remarks from the public on New Business agenda items.

There were none.

OLD BUSINESS:

Public hearings and final adoptions of Ordinances 2008:1281 and 1282.

Ordinance 2008:1281 – An Ordinance Amending Chapter 100, Section 14.1 of the Code of the Borough of Haddon Heights Regarding Parking. (New section being added to Chapter 100 entitled No Parking Without a Permit for Delivery Vehicles).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public present, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1281 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1281 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Roll Call Vote: Councilman Wentz-Yes, Councilwoman Fitzgerald-Yes, Councilman Witzig-Yes, Councilman Fetter-Yes, Councilman Shopp-Yes, Councilwoman Sheilds-Yes

Ordinance 2008:1282: Ordinance of the Borough of Haddon Heights, County of Camden, New Jersey Canceling Certain Funded and Unfunded Appropriation Balances Heretofore Provided for Capital Improvements and Reappropriating Such Funded and Unfunded Appropriation Balances for Other Capital Projects. ($12,447.40 from a closed project is being transferred to the Road Improvements program).

Hearing or seeing no comments from the public present, motion to close the public hearing on Ordinance 2008:1282 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. All members present voted yes.

Motion to adopt Ordinance 2008:1282 was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilwoman Fitzgerald. Roll Call Vote: Councilman Wentz-Yes, Councilwoman Fitzgerald-Yes, Councilman Witzig-Yes, Councilman Fetter-Yes, Councilman Shopp-Yes, Councilwoman Sheilds-Yes

NEW BUSINESS:

Resolution 2008:148 was tabled at the September 2nd council meeting.

Resolution 2008:148 – Resolution Awarding a Contract to Special Projects Engineer Pennoni Associates, Inc. for the 2008 Road Program Project. (Contract amount will be $42,457 and includes all engineering and inspections related to the project).

Motion to RETURN Resolution 2008:148 to the table was made by Councilwoman Fitzgerald, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All members present voted no, with the exception of Councilwoman Fitzgerald and Councilman Fetter who voted yes.

Resolution 2008:154 – Resolution to Cancel a Receivable and Appropriation Balance in the Grant Fund.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:154 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Witzig. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Resolution 2008:155 – Resolution Authorizing Payment of Bills and Claims for 2nd Half of

September.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:155 was made by Councilman Wentz, seconded by Councilman Fetter. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

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

Motion to TABLE Resolution 2008:156 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present voted yes with the exception of Councilwoman Fitzgerald, Councilman Witzig and Councilman Fetter who voted no. Vote was tied and with the Mayor not being present, the motion died.

Councilman Shopp said the whole newspaper idea has been rushed and Council needs to establish an assurance that this would never be used for political purposes. Councilman Shopp asked how we would ensure that there is an editorial process in place and who will make decisions if Mayor and Council President do not agree; they do not work well together. He has no reason to believe political content would not be in there. The editorial process is very important and he is looking out for the best interest of the residents.

Councilwoman Sheilds said it’s a great idea but there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Council needs to be more informed. She said “she spoke to Sherry Soreth and information is still unclear”. Council members should have been notified first. They have not seen documents or know who will receive the revenue.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald stated that Mayor Alexander did request three (3) quotes. He received no response from one and The Retrospect declined. Taxpayer money will not be used for this. This is only a change in format of the newsletter.

Bob Hunter explained the content of the newspaper. This will continue as the Mayor and Council report, owned by them. Employees have worked on borough time and their own time to make this a success. The merchants are very interested in advertising with us; it would be going to the residents of Haddon Heights.

Councilman Shopp asked how other towns review the content in their newspapers. He stated that agenda items that council members suggest are sometimes removed; they can’t even review agenda. He has not been involved in this whole process.

Councilwoman Fitzgerald asked Bob Hunter if there would be enough time for him to piece together the traditional Heights Report, since this resolution was tabled. Mr. Hunter said yes.

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

Business Association President Paul Ciervo questioned why Resolution 2008:156, regarding the newspaper, was being tabled. Mayor Alexander spoke at the Business Association meeting last week and made it very clear that the paper had not been approved yet. The businesses are very excited about it; we do not have a local newspaper in town to go to the residents. He would like to see this resolution pass, with the holidays coming up. Mr. Ciervo asked council to pass resolution so that the October newspaper can go to print, and then work out any issues that council members have.

Rickie Roberts, 127 Third Avenue, commented on the newspaper. She appreciates Councilman Shopp’s comments. News and editorials are different things. Mrs. Roberts suggests forming an editorial board, no one from council, to decide what gets published. She also offered her assistance.

Joe Schiavo, 122 W. Atlantic Avenue, commended Councilman Shopp on his decision to table the newspaper resolution. He asked how there can be a contract if council has not seen anything.

Joan Moreland, Borough Clerk, reminded all that she received the contract today and will forward to Sal Siciliano for review. Mr. Siciliano explained the procedure. Councilwoman Sheilds asked that Mrs. Moreland give the contract to Mr. Siciliano to review and then he will report to council.

Barbara Cortese, 325 Third Avenue, questioned the newspaper. She stated that it is not a Mayor’s letter and suggested that the borough spend money on The Retrospect or Haddon Herald for all residents. She does not need another newspaper to recycle.

Councilman Fetter stated that this is just a format change, which will provide more information to the residents. No taxpayer money would be used; the money would come from advertising.

Holly Cass, 18 Seventh Avenue, loves the idea of the newspaper, but process is important. Mayor and Council should pursue the process appropriately. Mrs. Cass asked if the community clubs would be involved. Joan Moreland explained that public organizations have already been notified and quite a few have already submitted articles.

Mike O’Brien, 310 Crest Avenue, questioned Councilwoman Sheilds why Crest Avenue is the only street on that side that is not ADA compliant. His wife is handicap and he would like to see something done. Councilwoman Sheilds told Mr. O’Brien that his street would be done when they do curb cuts again.

David McGee, 301 Fourth Avenue, asked the purpose and cost of the cat and dog census. Joan Moreland explained that $2,000 was paid for the state required survey (census) of dogs. It is required to be done annually. Cats were also done because many in town are not registered and we are losing revenue. They need rabies shots too. We are meeting the state guidelines.

Robert Hunter, Vice President of the Business Association, thanked council for their support in the Fall Festival.

Ted Kitchmire, representing HHYA, asked if the dugout at Jefferson Field would be replaced. Borough Engineer, Todd Day, explained that Kings Run was required to install a sidewalk along there, but he was not sure why the dugout was removed. Rich Edelen said it would be put back in and the fences around the field will be repaired. He expects a quote tomorrow for the fencing.

William Troutman, 1509 Chestnut Avenue, thanked council and Public Works for cleaning up the brush and debris at Devon Avenue. He suggests that the fence at Jefferson Field not be installed and used for parking instead.

Motion to adjourn the public meeting was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All members present were in favor.

Motion to close the meeting to the public for the discussion of personnel was made by Councilman Fetter, seconded by Councilman Shopp. All members present were in favor.

After the closed session was completed, motion to open the meeting to the public was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Wentz. All present were in favor.

Resolution 2008:157, “A Resolution Allowing Payment to Solicitor for Services Rendered for $10,8512, After Approval by the Mayor, by September 19th Unless An Item is Disputed”.

Motion to adopt Resolution 2008:157 was made by Councilman Shopp, seconded by Councilman Wentz. Under roll call all members present voted yes.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Councilman Witzig, seconded by Councilman Fetter. All present were in favor.

_______________________________________9:15pm

Joan D. Moreland , Borough Clerk