AGENDA | MINUTES
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
January 27, 2004

• Call to Order and Announcement of Public Meetings (In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of this meeting has been sent to the Retrospect and posted on the bulletin board in the Borough Hall)

• Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Moment of Silence

• Waive reading of Minutes and Approve as Posted

ORDINANCES:

D. Ordinance Creating Special Improvement District As Amended - First Reading

E. Ordinance Amending Ordinances #1841 and #1842 Regulating Dogs - Second Reading

F. Ordinance Amending Ordinance #1661 to Correct Nonconforming Lot Error - Second Reading

G. Ordinance Amending Former Ordinance #1661 Section 135-12 "Zoning Map" - First Reading

RESOLUTIONS:

• Authorization to Pay Vouchers
• Authorization to Pay School Taxes
• Authorization to Cancel Water and Sewer Charges
• Authorization to Issue Checks – Overpayment Taxes
• Authorization to Approve Appointment – Historic Preservation Commission

PROCLAMATION:

School Board Recognition Month-January 2004

PUBLIC COMMENT

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January 27, 2004

A regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield was held on the above date at 8:00 p.m. in room 102 of the Borough Hall, Haddonfield, New Jersey.

A.

Announcement by Mrs. Colombi:

That the Annual Notice has been filed with the Retrospect stating the time, date and locations of all meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

Present: Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi.

B.

Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a Moment of Silence.

C.

Moved that we waive the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting and approve them as written and posted.

D.

An Ordinance by Mr. Tarditi:

FIRST READING January 27, 2004

AN ORDINANCE CREATING SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND DESIGNATING A DISTRICT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION, FOR THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY AS AMENDED

WHEREAS,the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield regards the business community as a vital economic and social force in the Borough; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners created a Business Development Task Force to advise the Commissioners as to whether they should create a Special Improvement District, to be hereafter referred to as the Business Improvement District.

WHEREAS, the Business Development Task Force held a series of meetings to gather suggestions on how to improve the business district, concluded that Haddonfield should have a Business Improvement District, and recommended to the Commissioners that such a District be established; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners deem it desirable to create a Business Improvement District to encourage self-help and self-financing programs within the business community, enhance the commercial viability and attractiveness of the business district and promote growth and employment within the Borough.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, as follows:

As used in this Ordinance.

a) “Borough “ means the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey.

• b) “Commissioners” means the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield.
• c) “District Management Corporation” (also referred to as the “Corporation”) means the “Partnership For Haddonfield, Inc.,” a nonprofit Corporation, created and incorporated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 15A:1-1 et seq. And designated by this Ordinance to receive funds collected by a special assessment within the Business Improvement District as authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:56-65, et seq.
• d) The Business Improvement District a, “Special Improvement District” (referred to as the “District”) means an area within the Borough designated by this Ordinance as an area in which a special tax assessment shall be imposed on properties within the District for the purposes of promoting the economic and general welfare of the District and the Borough.

Section 2. FINDINGS

The Borough Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield thereby find as follows:

a) The business community of the Borough should be encouraged to provide self-help and self-financing programs to meet its business needs, goals and objectives.

b) Certain areas within the Borough, as described in this Ordinance by lot and block number and by street address, will benefit from being designated as a Special Improvement District.

c) A District Management Corporation will assist the Borough in promoting economic growth and employment within the District and will provide administrative and other services to benefit the businesses, employees, residents and consumers in the District. Such services will be in addition to the services already provided to the District by the Borough.

d) A special assessment tax shall be imposed and collected by the Borough in the manner in which all property taxes are collected, together with the regular property tax payment or payment in lieu of taxes or otherwise, and all of the special assessment taxes shall be transferred to the District Management Corporation to exercise the powers given to it by this Ordinance and to effectuate the purposes of N.J.S.A. 40:56-65, et seq. It shall be the obligation of the Borough to turn over to the Corporation all of the funds which have been assessed.

e) It is the best interests of the Borough and the public to create the District and to designate the District Management Corporation pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56-65, et seq.

Section 3. CREATION OF SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Section 4. IMPOSITION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

All of the properties included in the Business Improvement District, as described in this Ordinance, except for those exempted by this Ordinance, shall be subject to having imposed thereon by the Borough a special assessment tax for the purposes of promoting the economic and general welfare of the District and the Borough. Such funds raised by the tax assessments shall be spent on those purposes permitted the N.J.S.A. 40:56-65, et seq., and specified in the annual budget approved pursuant to said statute and this Ordinance.

Section 5. ASSESSMENT

All costs of improvements and maintenance other than the costs of improvements and maintenance ordinarily paid by the Borough of Haddonfield out of general funds, shall be determined and approved pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:56-80 or N.J.S.A. 40:56-85, as determined by the District Management Corporation. The formula for the Special Improvement District assessment is as follows:

a) Each property's assessed value, as determined by the Borough of Haddonfield Tax Assessor for real estate tax purposes, will be multiplied by the appropriate tax rate needed to raise funds to sustain the approved annual budget.

b) The foregoing assessment shall be collected by the Borough as a special assessment against the properties that are within the district as defined in Schedule A.

Section 6. EXEMPTIONS FROM SPECIAL ASSESSMENT

The following properties are exempt from the special assessment and tax of this Ordinance:

Section 7. DISTRICT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

The nonprofit Corporation created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 15A:1-1 known as “Partnership for Haddonfield Inc.” is hereby designated as the District Management Corporation for the District. Said Corporation is hereby designated as eligible to receive and spend funds collected as special assessments within the District. It shall conduct its business in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Law. It shall have no power of condemnation or eminent domain. It shall regularly file copies of the minutes of its meetings with the Borough Clerk in order that such minutes may be conveniently available to the public for inspection, and it shall be subject to the, “Open Public Records Act.”

Section 8. DISTRICT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION - MEMBERS & TERM

The District Management Corporation created pursuant to N.J.S.A. 15A:1-1 et seq. shall be created in compliance with the following:

a) The Board of the District Management Corporation shall consist of Eleven (11) members, one of whom shall be a Commissioner of the Borough of Haddonfield as required by statute.

b) The members of the Board and its chairperson shall be appointed by the Commissioners.

c) The Board shall be composed of the following individuals:

(i) Three (3) individuals who are licensed professionals who practice their profession in the District; however they need not be residents of Haddonfield. (ii) Three (3) individuals who own retail businesses in the District; however they need not be residents of Haddonfield.

(iii) Three (3) Landlords, who own real property in the district, that are subject to the special assessment tax recited herein; however they need not be residents of Haddonfield.

(iv) One (1) Borough Commissioner.

(v) One (1) resident of Haddonfield who does not qualify for appointment under the above subparagraphs 8(c)(i), 8(c)(ii) and 8(c)(iii).

d) The terms of the Board Members shall be for 3 years. However, the initial terms of the following shall be as follows: One (1) licensed professional, one (1) retail business owner, and one (1) Landlord shall serve a one year term. One (1) licensed professional, one (1) retail business owner and one (1) Landlord shall serve a two (2) year term.

e) The Borough Commissioner's term shall be for that Borough Commissioner's term on the Board of Commissioners.

f) The individual appointed as Chairperson shall serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners.

g) All Board Members shall serve without compensation; however, out-of-pocket expenses may be reimbursed.

Section 9. DESIGNATED DISTRICT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

a. The Governing Body of the Borough of Haddonfield hereby designates PARTNERSHIP FOR HADDONFIELD, INC. (“District Management Corporation”), a non-profit corporation, as the District Management Corporation for the District.

b. That the District Management Corporation, in addition to acting as an advisory board to the governing body, shall also have all powers necessary and requisite to effectuate the purposes of this ordinance, including but not limited to:

• Adoption of by-laws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and prescribe rules, regulations and policies for the performance of its functions and duties;
• Employ such persons as may be required, and fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the Corporation;
• Apply for, accept, administer and comply with requirements respecting an appropriation of funds or a gift, grant or donation of property or money;
• Make and execute agreements which may be necessary or convenient to the exercise of the power and functions of the Corporation including contract with any person, firm, corporation, government agency or entity;
• Administer and manage its own funds and accounts and pay its own obligations;
• Borrow money from private lenders for periods not to exceed 180 days and government entities for that or longer periods;
• Fund the improvement of exterior appearance of properties in the district through grants and loans;
• Fund rehabilitation of properties in the district;
• Accept, purchase, rehabilitate, sell, lease, or manage property in the district;
• Enforce the conditions of any loan, grant, sale or lease made by the corporation;
• Provide security, sanitation, and other services in the district, supplemental to those normally supplied by the Borough of Haddonfield;
• Undertake improvements designed to increase safety, attractiveness of the district to businesses which may locate there or visitors to the districts, including, but not limited to parking, litter clean up and control, landscaping, signage, and those improvements generally permitted for pedestrian malls under N.J.S.A. 40:56-66 pursuant to pertinent regulations of the governing body;
• Publicize, promote, and plan for the district and the businesses included within the district boundaries;
• Recruit new businesses to fill vacancies in, and to balance the business mix of, the district;
• Organize special events in the district;
• Provide special parking arrangements for the district;
• Provide temporary decorative lighting in the district; and
• Effectuate the purpose and intent of N.J.S.A. 40:56-66 as amended.

Section 10. NO DISCRIMINATION

The District Management Corporation shall not discriminate against anyone because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, or handicap.

Section 11. FISCAL YEAR; ANNUAL BUDGET; PUBLIC HEARING, AMENDMENT, ADOPTION BY BOROUGH BY COMMISSIONERS .

a. The fiscal year of the District and of the Corporation shall be the calendar year. The Corporation shall submit, no later than November 1 st of the pre-tax, a detailed annual budget for approval by the Commissioners.

b. The budget shall be submitted with a report which explains how the budget contributes to the goals and objectives of the District. The budget shall be reasonably itemized.

c. The budget shall be processed and adopted by the Commissioners in accordance with the following procedures as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:56-84;

(1) The budget shall be introduced, approved, amended and adopted by resolution passed by not less than a majority of the full membership of the
Borough Commissioners. The procedure shall be as follows:

(i) Introduction and approval;

(ii) Public Advertising;

(iii) Public Hearing;

(iv) Amendments and public hearings, if required;

(v) Adoption.

(2) The budget shall be introduced in writing at a meeting of the Commissioners. Approval thereof shall constitute a first reading which may be by title. Upon the approval of the budget, the Commissioners shall fix the time and place for the holding of a public hearing on the budget. The hearing shall be held not less than 28 days after approval of the budget.

(3) The budget shall be advertised after approval. The advertisement shall contain a copy of the budget and shall set forth the date, the time and place of the hearing. It shall be published at least 10 days prior to the date fixed therefore in a newspaper circulating in the Borough.

(4) No budget shall be adopted until a public hearing has been held thereon and all persons having an interest therein shall have been given an opportunity to present objections.

(5) The public hearing shall be held at the time and place specified in the advertisement thereof, but may be adjourned from time to time until the hearing is closed. The budget, as advertised, shall be read at the public hearing in full, or it may be read by its title, if:

(i) At least one week prior to the date of the hearing a complete copy of the approved budget, as advertised:

(a) Shall be posted in a public place where public notices are customarily posted in the Borough Hall; and

(b) It is made available to each person requesting same, during that week and during the public hearing; and

(ii) The Commissioners shall, by resolution passed by not less than a majority of the full membership, determine that the budget shall be read by its title and declare that the conditions set forth in paragraph (5i) above have been met.

(6) After closing the hearing, the Commissioners may adopt the budget by title, without amendments, or may approve amendments before adoption, as provided in subsection (7) below.

(7) The Commissioners may amend the budget during or after the public hearing. No amendment by the Commissioners shall be effective until taxpayers and all persons having an interest therein shall have been granted a public hearing thereon, if the amendment shall:

(i) Add a new item in an amount in excess of 1% of the total amount as stated in the approved budget; or

(ii) Increase or decrease any item by more than 10%; or

(iii) Increase the amount to be raised pursuant to section 16 of P.L. 1972, c. 134 (C.40:56-80) by more than 5%, unless the same is made pursuant to an emergency temporary appropriation only.

(8) Final adoption of the budget shall be by resolution, adopted by the majority of the full membership of the Board of Commissioners, and may be by title.

d. Moneys appropriated and collected on account of annual improvement costs, and costs of operating and improvement costs, and costs of operating and maintaining a Special Improvement District, shall be credited to a special account. Any balances to the credit of the account and remaining unexpended at the end of the fiscal year shall be conserved and applied towards the financial requirements of the succeeding year.

e. The Borough shall pay over funds to the Corporation on a schedule to be agreed upon between the Commissioners and the Corporation.

f. The annual costs of operating, maintaining and improving the District, assessed, collected and appropriated shall be reported to the Commissioners as provided in N.J.S.A. 40:56-80.

Section 12. AMENDMENTS TO THE ASSESSMENT LIST

By December 1 of each pre-tax year, a review of the assessment s list, per Schedule A attached, shall be done as follows:

a) The Borough Tax Assessor shall prepare a list of all benefited and assessable properties in the District. The list will include the block, lot, location, mailing address, preliminary assessment, and the names of the then current owners of such properties, so far as names are available.

b) The assessment list, when so prepared, shall be filed in the office of the Borough Clerk on or before August 1 of the pre-tax year and be available there for inspection.

c) The Commissioners shall annually meet to consider including or excluding certain properties from the District at least 10 days after a notice of hearing has been published once in the official newspaper and mailed to the named owners of all tracts, parcels and lots of property proposed to be included or excluded from the list. The notice shall set forth the time and place of meeting, and set forth the purpose of such meeting, but may refer to the assessment list for further particulars.

d) When the Commissioners shall have approved the amended assessment list, the Borough Clerk shall forthwith certify a copy of the assessment list, with such changes, if any, to the Haddonfield Borough Assessor by no later than December 1 of the pre-tax year.

Section 13. ANNUAL AUDIT

The Corporation shall cause an annual audit of its books, accounts and financial transactions to be made and filed with the Commissioners and for that purpose the Corporation shall employ a New Jersey Certified Public Accountant. The annual audit shall be completed and filed with the Commissioners within four months after the close of the fiscal year of the Corporation and a certified duplicate copy of the audit shall be filed with the Director of the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs within five days of the filing of the audit with the Commissioners.

The Corporation shall, within 30 days of the close of each fiscal year, make an annual report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to the Commissioners.

Notwithstanding the creation of the Special Improvement District, the Borough expressly retains all its police powers and other rights and powers and authority over the area designated as the Special Improvement District.

Any ordinance or part of an Ordinance inconsistent with this or an part of this Ordinance is hereby repealed as to the inconsistent provisions.

This ordinance shall automatically be repealed and be of no legal effect after December 31, 2008.

Section 18. EFFECTIVE DATE

This ordinance shall take effect after final passage and publication as required by law.

The foregoing Ordinance was read in full and approved on the first reading and advertised as required by law and to be read again at a public hearing to be held on February 10, 2004. Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

E.

An Ordinance by Mr. Tarditi:

SECOND READING January 27, 2004

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCES #1841 AND #1842 REGULATING DOGS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD

The foregoing Ordinance was set forth in the minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2004 and was read by title and a public hearing was held thereon. After a public hearing the Ordinance was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, Commissioner Colombi.

F.

An Ordinance by Mr. Tarditi:

SECOND READING January 27, 2004

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #1661 KNOWN AS THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO AMEND SECTION 304 L 2. ENTITLED "GENERAL PROVISIONS NON-CONFORMING LOTS-DESTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES" TO CORRECT ERROR

The foregoing Ordinance was set forth in the minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2004 and was read by title and a public hearing was held thereon. After a public hearing the Ordinance was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

G.

An Ordinance by Mr. Tarditi:

FIRST READING January 27, 2004

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE #1661 KNOWN AS THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF HADDONFIELD, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO AMEND SECTION 302 ENTITLED “ZONING MAP” (TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 135-2 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES)

WHEREAS , the owner of property on North Haddon Avenue between Wayne Avenue and Rhoads Avenue, designated on the Haddonfield tax map as Block 11.09, Lots 11 and 5, also owns Lot 1 which is adjacent to the other lots and fronts on Wayne Avenue; and

WHEREAS , Lots 11 and 5 are fully developed with an office building and parking lot and are in the existing Central Business District (CBD) zone; and

WHEREAS , Lot 1 has been used as a parking lot to support the same office building but was included in the R-7 single family residential zone when the zoning district boundaries were drawn for the June 11, 2002 amendment to the Zoning Map of the Borough of Haddonfield, and such use of said lot is considered to be a pre-existing nonconforming use; and

WHEREAS , Lots 1, 5, and 11 of Block 11.09 have recently been consolidated into a single lot by the owner thereof; and

WHEREAS , it is inconsistent with sound planning, with the intent and purpose of the zone plan of the Borough of Haddonfield, and with Section 303(A) of the Land Development Ordinance of the Borough of Haddonfield to have a single lot divided by a zoning district boundary line, and therefore, the new, consolidated lot, known as Lot 1 of Block 11.09, should be wholly included in the Central Business District (CBD) zone;

THEREFORE , the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, does hereby ordain as follows:

SECTION I:

Section 302 of the Land Development Ordinance,entitled “Zoning Map” (to be known as Section 135-12 of the codified ordinances) is hereby amended to change the zone boundary lines of the zoning map dated June 11, 2002 as previously amended, to include all of the newly constituted Lot 1 of Block 11.09 within the boundaries of the Central Business District (CBD) zone.

SECTION II:

All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with this amending ordinance be and they are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistencies only.

SECTION III:

If any section or provision of this ordinance shall be held unconstitutional or invalid by any court, the remaining sections and provisions shall, notwithstanding such holding, remain and be in full force and effect.

SECTION IV:

This ordinance shall be in effect upon passage and publication according to law.

The foregoing Ordinance was read in full and approved on the first reading and advertised as required by law and to be read again February 10 2004. Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

1. Auth. to Pay Vouchers January 27, 2004

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the semi-monthly list of bills dated January 27, 2004, are approved for payment and are available for public inspection in the Borough Clerk’s office:

ANIMAL CONTROL FUND AMOUNT

Kwik Kopy Printing $ 19.00

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

2. Auth. to Pay School Taxes January 27, 2004

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that TWO MILLION, THREE HUNDRED FORTY SIX THOUSAND, NINE HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($2,346,922.00) be wired from the Current Account, payable to the account of the School District of Haddonfield to pay the eighth installment of the 2003-2004 School Year Tax.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

3. Auth. to Cancel Water and Sewer Charges January 27, 2004

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the following Water and Sewer charges be cancelled.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

4. Auth. to Issue Checks - Overpayment of Water and Sewer January 27, 2004

RESOLVED , by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that a check be drawn on the Current Account in the amount of TWO THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY DOLLARS AND NO CENTS ($2,160.00) for Younghans, Burke & Sahaj at 141 Elmer Street, Westfield, NJ 07091-0340. This represents overpayment of first quarter taxes for 2004 for the property located at 431 Gladstone Ave, Haddonfield. The block is 88 and lot is 9.

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

5. Auth. to Approve Appointments January 27, 2004

RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, that the following appointment be made:

The foregoing resolution was adopted by the following vote: Ayes, Commissioners Colombi, Reisner and Tarditi. Nays, none.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, New Jersey’s public schools serve more than 1.2 million children from Kindergarten through Grade 12; and

WHEREAS, The direction of public education in New Jersey is charted locally by individual school boards, whose 4,800 members serve as advocates for public education as they work with administrators, teachers, parents and local residents; and

WHEREAS, Boards of education provide accountability to the democratic system of governing the schools by communicating the needs of the district to the community while impressing upon administrators the public’s expectations for the school district; and

WHEREAS, School board members receive no remuneration for their services; and

WHEREAS, The Borough of Haddonfield is justly proud of the academic, athletic and social achievements of the students in our community; and

WHEREAS, The New Jersey State Board of Education and the New Jersey School Boards Association have declared January 2004 to be School Board Recognition Month, a time that all residents might acknowledge the contributions made by our local school board members.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Haddonfield does hereby commend the service of the Haddonfield Board of Education and its members to our community and its children;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Commissioners proclaims January 2004 as

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION MONTH

in the Borough of Haddonfield and urges all citizens to join in recognizing the dedication of local school board members, past and present, as we work together to improve educational opportunities for our children.

Letitia G. Colombi, Mayor John H. Reisner, III, Commissioner John J. Tarditi, Jr., Commissioner

GENERAL COMMENTS - Commissioners Meeting – January 27, 2004

Regarding the Improvement District Ordinance, Solicitor Iavicoli noted that the additions are in Italics and the deleted items are lined out. There is no change in substance. Some technical changes had to be made after review by our Tax Assessor. The public hearing will be on February 10, but we welcome comments tonight. Mayor Colombi asked Commissioner Reisner to lead the discussion as he had headed the committee that recommended the creation of the district. The committee included many business people as well as landlords.

Glen Zeitz, 38 Haddon Ave., has a professional office building. He is in favor of the concept of the Ordinance, but feels there will not be much benefit to professional people. He has a problem with Section 9, b., 7) thru 10). The new entity would have the power to buy, sell or lease property. He feels this is an attempt to redistribute wealth. He also feels that only loans, rather than grants, should be allowed. Commissioner Reisner thanked him for taking the time to review the proposal. He noted that Mr. Zeitz had raised some very valid points and said that we would consider his concerns.

Kirk Peterson, 214 Lakeview, mentioned some properties that needed rehabilitation. He also commented on a few listed properties that he says are residential. He asked how public comment will be taken by the Board. He was told that the meetings will be advertised and will be open to the public.

James Leone is a part owner of 35 Kings Highway East, adjacent to the dinosaur. He says that the spirit of the plan is good. He suggested a cap of $200,000 per year, and a three-year trial instead of five years. Commissioner Reisner said that we will review the progress of the program every year. We can stop it at any time.

Herb Hess, Redman Ave., said that as a businessperson he looks at cost versus benefits. He wants to see the town prosper, but thinks the Business Association should be able to promote itself. He mentioned that he and his wife had stopped into a store near closing time. The person behind the counter did not greet them and stayed on the phone the whole time they were in the store. Commissioner Reisner said that we must compete with others such as Sagemore, where each store must contribute to the promotion of the entire center.

Two fourth graders came to the microphone. They were Karen Clark and Laura Falana. Karen said that her father owns a building and only works on the first floor. People live on the second and third floors. Commissioner Reisner said that we felt it was easier to do it this way. We hope it will increase property values for all.

Albert Sandecki, Tanner St. asked Mr. Reisner if it was really too complicated to separate commercial vs. residential. Commissioner Reisner said that we felt this might bog us down with square footage, etc. Mr. Sandecki said that there were square footage figures in the report of the task force, which was done some time ago. He said that it is unfair to tax residential usage in the business district, as there are people doing business from their homes who will not be subject to the tax.

Gerald Levin owns several mixed use properties in town. He feels the district is a good thing and supports it in spirit, but feels it is unfair to tax the residential portion of a building in the business district, just because it would be extra work for the government. He also asked if we were putting the “cart before the horse” by trying to attract new businesses to town before correcting some of the infrastructure problems. The lack of parking is serious. Commissioner Reisner asked Commissioner Tarditi to comment.

Commissioner Tarditi is working with a task force regarding traffic and parking. Mr. Levin is a member of this group. He said that Mr. Levin has a good point. If we attract more business, where are they going to park? Various areas of consideration were discussed. The possibility of multi-level parking was mentioned. We want to market the town and make regulations easier to comply with. We also want to improve the downtown mix. We do not want to delay the process. Mr. Levin said that we have been studying the parking situation for decades. Mayor Colombi said that we did follow the recommendations of the last parking study. We reconfigured several lots to increase the number of spaces and we improved the landscaping and lighting. Mr. Levin said that any prospective tenant will not even look at a property unless there is parking.

Larry Legnola owns 43 Kings Highway East – on the other side of the dinosaur. He has a multi use property and feels it is unfair that the whole building should be taxed when only about one-third of the value of the property is used for retail purposes.

Tim Murtha owns and lives in 221-A Kings Highway East. He also owns 10 Mechanic Street. He feels he will be double taxed for a building in which he lives. He just got a notice regarding a Zoning Variance Application to put apartments above Kings Court. He asked what the tax would be on these as apartments or as condominiums. He also asked about the makeup of the

Board. Commissioner Reisner said that we will appoint people who have the best interests of the community. Mr. Murtha said that someone should be on the Board who is a resident of the business district.

Joe Walters is a realtor from Moorestown. He has a client who is interested in purchasing a property in the business district. This program may encourage people to come into the district. Collingswood is a good example. Regarding funding, he said that you can’t satisfy everyone. He feels that there will be an increase in property values.

Mary Bauer lives on Kings Highway East and owns the houses on Clement Street. She thinks we are giving too much power to the Board. Her property is strictly residential, but she agrees that the owners of mixed-use properties have a valid point. Nick Rauch, 75 Haddon Ave., asked if he would pay the same rate as Kings Highway. He feels it is clearly a benefit to the retail merchants and would not help his dental practice.

The Ordinance was amended, and then tabled to the February 10 meeting. We then began the public hearing on the dog regulations. The change will allow dogs to be off-leash on Saturdays before noon and after 5:00 p.m. This is the same as other days. This is one change made after a series of public discussions. Commissioner Tarditi said that we are still planning to engage a consultant to review all open spaces. We also have provided for the abatement of any regulations when it is deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Parks.

Chris Troiani, Heritage Road, said that the signs are not clear regarding the hours. There should be a large sign at the entrance. He feels that Saturday should be an on-leash day. Dog owners are in a minority. Working adults cannot go to the woods during the hours when dogs must be kept on a leash.

Ann Walters, Avondale Ave. and her daughter Chelsea witnessed an attack by a vicious dog while working in their garden plot. Her son rides his bike on the bike path and could be attacked by a dog coming from the woods. Ann Gaughan, West End Ave., asked if the Request for Proposal was ready. Administrator Schwab said that the environmental people who are working on it said it will be ready this week. Ms. Gaughan feels it is a mistake to say this is dogs vs. people. Herb Hess agrees. There should be the common purpose of what is best. Dogs do need exercise, but we also must enforce the leash laws.

Dr. Charles Tourtelotte, 6 Lane of Acres, was on the Environmental Commission a few years ago when Walter Saladik did the plan for the entire Crows Woods area. The wooded area was to be left as a nature area. The enabling legislation for the Environmental Commission required a survey of open areas each year. He asked if this is being done. He also lives adjacent to the woods and dogs off-leash leave the woods and encroach on his property on a frequent basis. He feels there should be an environmental impact study done. Eloise Douglas, 119 Lafayette Ave., agrees with Dr. Tourtelotte. She is concerned about the safety of the children once sports activities start up. A man in the audience said that Soccer starts the first Saturday in March. Practice will start in Feb.

Doug Frankenthaler, 341 Longwood Drive, said that he recently moved to Haddonfield.

He and his family like small recreational parks with trails for hiking, etc. Dogs were always required to be on a leash in other places. He thinks we should determine what we want Crows Woods to be in the future. If the future is for all people, then dogs should be on a leash. Owners should pick up after their dogs. He feels that dogs should be on a leash all day Saturdays.

Greg Derham, 339 Bellevue Ave., likes the off-leash times. He stated that dogs should not be in the gardens and dogs should not be on the athletic fields. There has been a drop in this improper activity since C.O.L.A. has been actively trying to inform users of the woods about the rules. C.O.L.A. cares about the woods and the nature center. They offered $20,000 per year to contribute to the upkeep of the woods. The “pay to play” theory is a good one. They are willing to work with the Environmental Commission. Sue Derham said that walking with their dogs is something they enjoy, just as others enjoy biking and hiking. She asked that their position be recognized just as they recognize the position of others.

Jamie Horwitz-Fram, Chairman of the Environmental Commission, said that dogs off-leash cannot be kept in the woods. She has walked her dog on-leash and been accosted by dogs off-leash. She wants an alternate site to be found.

Susan Perry, 331 Woodland Ave., said that Crows Woods has never been maintained as a nature area. Improvements have been made by the dog people. The Commissioners have never put money into Crows Woods. There is also no maintenance done at Mountwell. Crows Woods is in better condition because of the dog owners.

Jan Sterling, 44 Birchall Drive, thanked the Commissioners for the Saturday hours. Doug Oswald, Estaugh Ave., said there are many user groups. A survey should be done so the nature area can be preserved. Michael Gross, 20 Euclid Ave., said that the people who are against dogs off-leash are not using the woods. Ms. Horwitz-Fram said that the Environmental Commission says that dogs should be on-leash. Mr. Hess said that dogs need to run.

The public hearing was then closed. The vote was taken. Mayor Colombi voted No and said that she felt there were some safety issues. Commissioner Reisner voted Yes and said that this is a piece of a larger issue and we need to find a balance. Commissioner Tarditi voted Yes and said that we have discussed this for many months. He appreciates the respectful dialogue on both sides.

After many people left the auditorium, the remainder of the agenda was taken up. The other Ordinance items were technical points to be corrected in preparation for our adoption of our new Municipal Code. Joe Haro, Evergreen Lane, asked about a large payment to Bellmawr Truck. It was explained that this covered repairs to several trucks.

Public Comment was invited and Mr. Haro asked about a reported attack on a teacher at the High School by a Bancroft student. He asked why no arrest was made. Police Chief Tsonis said that no criminal arrest was made, but that the victim has one year in which to sign a complaint. Public Safety Commissioner Tarditi said that a meeting was held with Bancroft to see what would be done to prevent problems like this in the future. The Board of Education also does not wish to press charges for damage done to two classrooms. Bancroft will pay to repair any damage done. They have apologized for the incident and agreed to adopt a policy to notify police immediately instead of within one hour, as in the past.

An irate Sandy Zeller, 122 The Mews, said that this explanation was not satisfactory. The police could have filed charges. He stated that there have been other incidents where nothing has been done. He said he really wanted to talk about the zoning application hearing that was cancelled last week on short notice. There was another application in September that was also cancelled at the last minute. He is very angry about this.

Mr. Zeller feels that the Commissioners should implement the McKenzie report from April of 2002. He read from his copy of the report that stated violations of previous zoning approvals. Bancroft has added more office space and Mr. Zeller thinks they should be shut down until they comply. Mr. Zeller the said that he thought all the Commissioners had a conflict of interest. Commissioner Reisner asked him to identify his conflict. Mr. Zeller could not.

Solicitor Iavicoli explained to Mr. Zeller, and other interested neighbors, that the zoning violations were to be addressed during the hearings on the recent application. This application was withdrawn. Mr. Iavicoli said that the Commissioners have instructed him to review all areas of the Bancroft situation. He will give his opinion on what action the Commissioners should take. We should not get into litigation without proper evaluation. Mr. Iavicoli, as a former member of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, explained to Mr. Zeller that unless victims are willing to press charges, it is not worthwhile for the police department to pursue the incident at the High School.

Tom Kenny, 3 Roberts Ave., asked how much we had paid for the McKenzie report. He was given a figure. He said that he had gotten a letter from the High School regarding the attack by the Bancroft student. Joan Clymer, Birdwood Ave., is concerned for the safety of women and children in the area.

Doug Oswald, Estaugh Ave., said that with the recent withdrawal of their application, Bancroft seems to be thumbing their nose at Haddonfield. He also said that there seems to be a history of the Borough not holding Bancroft accountable for their actions. Dave Hunt, Farwood Rd., said that there seems to be a double standard for Bancroft. John DeAngelo, Kings Highway East, said that there seems to be an impulse to protect Bancroft. Fred Matthews, Hopkins Lane, said that Bancroft applies for something, gets what they ask for, and then goes beyond what they were allowed. He is also concerned about the lock-down area of the facility. Bancroft has changed over the years. They are now a big corporation.

Mayor Colombi said that we will accept the recommendation of Solicitor Iavicoli and will take action on this

Meeting adjourned 10:35 p.m.

Janet G. Betley, Borough Clerk