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Last Updated: Jan 11th, 2012 - 11:55:09
COMMISSIONER WORK SESSION OF JULY 21, 2009
The Work Session of July 21, 2009 was called to order at 3:10 p.m. and the open public notice announcement was read by the Borough Administrator. In attendance were Commissioner Colombi, Commissioner Borden and Commissioner Kasko, the Administrator, the Solicitor and the Borough Clerk. Also in attendance was School Board Superintendent Alan Fegley.
No public comments were made.
Alan Fegley advised the Commissioners of a new program approved by the BOE. This program will allow the children of Borough employees to attend Haddonfield Schools, under certain circumstances, at a 50% discount. These circumstances are determined by the number of tuition students attending the various schools. Currently the tuition rates are approximately $11,900 for high school students, $9,900 for middle school students and $8,500 for elementary school students.
The Administrator advised Mr. Fegley of the schedule for road construction on Redman Avenue and Chestnut Street. Various suggestions regarding traffic flow during construction were mentioned.
Resurfacing of the Centennial Field Tennis Courts was briefly mentioned. The work is expected to start on August 10th, which is one week prior to the scheduled use by the High School.
Mr. Fegley left the meeting at 3:25 p.m.
The Administrator reviewed the July 28th Commissioner Meeting agenda. The amendment to the budget was discussed. As the amendment is required because of an over-expenditure in the dog fund, various issues with regard to the reduction in this revenue were discussed. Commissioner Colombi requested that information regarding the 2008 Dog Census be made available at the next work session. Commissioner Kasko announced that he is not 100% sure of this budget, as he has come in at the end of this process. He is unsure of how he should move forward at this time. He pointed out that he had had some questions prior to his election, which were voiced. In the end he decided that he will be voting to adopt this budget. The extension of the tax grace period was specifically reviewed. Each of the resolutions awarding bids were reviewed. The status of the work needed at Centennial Field prior to the resurfacing was provided. The Administrator discussed the four resolutions on the agenda with regards to the bonding in more detail. It was announced that the two change orders for Perna Finnigan are both reductions.
Commissioner Colombi expressed concerns about the summer meeting schedule. She requested that this be reviewed for the 2010 meeting schedule.
The Administrator advised that the Redman Avenue project has started and should be completed in approximately one month. The Chestnut Street project should start next week. The option to close this intersection during the construction which should shorten the time from for the project and allow it to be done before school starts. The Commissioners were advised that detour plans are being worked on at this time and notice will be put up as far in advance as possible. The Station and Pennbrook Avenues projects will have a pre-construction meeting next week.
The current board vacancies were discussed. The first vacancy mentioned was for the Zoning Board. Commissioner Borden suggested discussing this appointment and the Planning Board vacancy in conjunction with each other. After some discussion about the applicants the Commissioners agreed to fill the Zoning Board position with Matthew Wolf and the Planning Board position with Joanne Kennedy. Elizabeth Albert will be appointed to Neighborhood Disputes Mediation Committee. The Commissioners agreed to appoint Wendy Brown-Blau, Gayle Porter and Linda Brees to the Human Relations Commission.
The 2009 appointments for Municipal Alliance were reviewed. The Commissioners agreed to move forward with the resolution as provided at this work session.
Anne Felton of the Civic Association joined the meeting at 4:30 p.m. to review with the Commissioner the Civic Association’s filming the Action Meetings. The Commissioners expressed their concerns regarding the filming of the fourth graders who attend. It was agreed that the camera will be turned off when the children speak. Ms. Felton left the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
At 4:50 p.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Borden to close the meeting to discuss a personnel matter concerning the selection of solicitor. Commissioner Colombi seconded the motion and the Commissioners passed the motion by a unanimous vote.
The Commissioners returned from closed session at 5:00 p.m.
Discussions were then held on small issues with the zoning ordinance. It was decided that the definitions of a professional office and retail use would be amended by the introduction of an ordinance at the July 28th meeting. All of the items would be passed on to the Planning Board for their review and discussion.
A review of the sign ordinance, specifically temporary signs, occurred. A committee of two members of the HPC and two members of the PfH along with Steve Walko will look at the recommendations and make suggestions to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Kasko explained that he would like to create a citizen advisory committee for the Budget and also for Open Space. It was agreed that Commissioner Kasko would move forward with the creation of the budget committee. An ad will be placed in Municipal Matters and on the web. The committee will meet in September and October. Commissioner Borden explained why an Open Space committee was not created before. Commissioner Kasko asked that the Open Space issue be brought back up at another time.
The Administrator reviewed the DEP Green House Emissions Grant application due September 4th with the Commissioners. The Community Development Director and Mark Keener of Brown Keener recently spoke at a recent meeting explaining the visioning process completed by the Borough in 2007. Mr. Keener has proposed a model of reasonable development for the PATCO parking lot area utilizing this grant. He is suggesting this as a way to “test” the form-based zoning ordinance adopted in 2008. Possible issues were raised about the Borough doing this type of work, as well as ways in which would be a good direction to go. The Commissioners agreed to move forward with completing this application, although it will be reviewed as more information is received. Commissioner Kasko asked if there is another project that this grant could be used for that would result in a more tangible outcome. The Administrator explained how this is a good use of this grant.
Commissioner Kasko updated the Commissioners on current BID/PfH items. They will be going out to RFP for Public Relations services in August. A potential vendor to manage the Annual craft fair was discussed. Concerns were raised about how this company handles these types of events and whether or not it would “work” for Haddonfield.
The Administrator advised the Commissioners of a request by the Farmer’s Market to possibly move to the center of the Chestnut Street parking lot on a permanent basis. The Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of moving at this time and the use of that parking lot. They agreed to not allow this move, but it can be requested again for 2010.
The Commissioners agreed to remove the meter poles on Haddon Avenue which have not had meters attached for several years.
The request from a resident on Kings Highway at the last Commissioner Meeting to give him a public parking space because he has no on-site parking was reviewed. The Solicitor advised that the municipality cannot provide parking in this manner. He will provide a letter to the Administrator on this subject.
The Administrator updated the Commissioners on the status of the agreement negotiations with the Borough of Tavistock. The Commissioners agreed to further negotiations that the Administrator has proposed.
The Commissioners agreed to pay the seminar cost for the Administrator to attend the ICMA 2009 Conference.
Commissioner Colombi announced that the Library Board would like to have the Commissioners appoint two new members for them. This will have to be done by ordinance. A draft will be presented at the next work session.
Commissioner Borden updated the Commissioners on the status of items within the Police Department.
Commissioner Kasko asked for the status of the gazebo in Kings Court. The Administrator updated the Commissioners on the suggestions made by the Borough Engineer and Public Works Superintendent.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deanna Bennett
Borough Clerk
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