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Last Updated: Jan 11th, 2012 - 11:55:09
GENERAL COMMENTS – Commissioner’s Meeting – March 9, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Borough Hall. The announcement of Public Meetings was read by Commissioner Colombi. After the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, roll call was taken. Commissioner Colombi, Commissioner Borden and Commissioner Kasko were present along with the Borough Administrator, Borough Solicitor and Borough Clerk.
Commissioner Borden made a motion to waive the reading of the minutes from the February 23, 2010 meeting. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Kasko and was passed with a unanimous vote.
The Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the police department appointments/promotions for one Lieutenant, one Sergeant and two Corporals.
Police Chief Banning introduced Lieutenant Gary Pearce, Sergeant Brian Trippel, Corporal George Custer and Corporal Jose Ortiz to the Commissioners so that they could be sworn in individually to their new positions.
Ordinance 2010-03, which adds a new ordinance entitled Raffles Licensing Law, was announced for first reading. Commissioner Borden explained that this ordinance will allow the Borough to put a ballot question on the November General Election ballot asking Haddonfield residents if they want to allow games of chance within the town. This will allow veterans, charitable, educational, religious or fraternal organizations, civic and service clubs, volunteers fire companies and first-aid or rescue squads to hold, operate and conduct games of chance for the purposes of raising money for their organizations. Commissioner Colombi announced that the public hearing for this ordinance will be held at the regularly scheduled Commissioner Meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Kirk Peterson, 214 Lakeview Avenue, asked if this must be put on the ballot. Commissioner Borden replied that it must be done this way by State Statute. Mr. Peterson then asked if the same would have to be done if it was decided to allow the sale of liquor in Haddonfield. Commissioner Borden replied that it would be the same for alcohol.
As there were no further questions asked, the Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on first reading.
Once the Resolution 2010-03-09-046 was introduced, which authorizes the payment of vouchers, Mr. Peterson asked about three payments made to three different churches: 1) $2,715.00 to the First Presbyterian Church, 2) $4,000.00 paid to the First Baptist Church, and 3) $1,997.40 paid to the Religious Society of Friends. The Borough Administrator replied that the $2,715.00 was for snow plowing expenses in the parking lot, the $4,000 is per an agreement with the church for parking spaces for 2009 and 2010, and the $1,997.40 was returned as an overpayment on the water and sewer account. This last amount was approved at the last meeting, but the check was just cut. Commissioner Borden pointed out that the majority of the parking lot behind the mini-mall belongs to the First Presbyterian Church, but that in exchange for the cost of upkeep the parking lot is opened up for use by the Borough as public parking.
Commissioner Colombi, Commissioner Borden and Commissioner Kasko voted affirmatively to pass the following resolutions with no questions asked:
2010-03-09-047 Authorization to Cancel Water & Sewer Charges
After Resolution 2010-03-09-048 was introduced authorizing the award of a contract for asphalt street patching and miscellaneous concrete replacement work within the Borough, Mr. Peterson commented that there is a utility/manhole patch on Lincoln Avenue by the Central/Middle School property that needs to be fixed. The Borough Administrator explained that patches require a temporary patch first, which must be allowed to settle before a permanent patch can be applied. She will let the Directory of Utilities know of the issue so that he can review what needs to be done there.
Commissioner Colombi, Commissioner Borden and Commissioner Kasko voted affirmatively to pass the following resolutions with no questions asked:
2010-03-09-049 Authorization to Award Contract – Tree Inventory Services
2010-03-09-050 Authorization to Appoint an Animal Control Cruelty Investigator to so Act as an Officer for Detection, Apprehension and Arrest of offenders of the new Jersey Animal Cruelty and Control Laws Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.16(b)
2010-03-09-051 Authorization to Release Performance Bond – 149 Allen Avenue/76 Euclid Avenue – Kulzer & DiPadova, P.A.
2010-03-09-052 Authorization to Revoke a Permit for Outdoor Marketing Graphic Display – Beaute Ange
The fourth grade students from Elizabeth Haddon School were asked to stand, introduce themselves, as well as ask any questions they had. In attendance was Brian Jones, 42 Warwick Road; Bauer Fichter, 61 Euclid Avenue; Julia Sky, 445 Westminster Avenue; Sam Hoffman, 67 Euclid Avenue; Charlie Foley, 210 Redman Avenue; and Connor Peck, 451 Elm Avenue. No questions were asked.
Commissioner Colombi opened the public comment portion of the meeting.
Mr. Peterson directed the following comments to Commissioner Kasko in reference to the Budget Review Committee: First, maybe the Borough should consider charging a fine to those people/ businesses whose alarm systems are repeatedly being activated. This could potentially distract the police from being able to respond to someone else who is having trouble. Commissioner Borden replied that the Borough is looking into this possibility, but there are concerns about people not reporting something because they are worried about being charged a fine. The second item is that in 2009 the Borough donated $7,000 to the Celebrations Committee for the fireworks that are held in July. He feels that the Borough should possibly cut this amount back to $1,000 to $2,000 in light of the other cost increases the Borough is experiencing. Commissioner Kasko replied that all budget line items are being reviewed on an individual basis. The Borough needs to find a balance between what is currently being done and what should be done moving forward. Lastly, Mr. Peterson asked if there are potential reductions in personnel and equipment that can be made in the Public Works Department. He understands that the Borough is planning on going out to bid for trash services in 2010. Additional money could be brought in by auctioning off any equipment that would no longer be needed. The Borough Administrator replied that the Commissioners authorized the advertisement for bids on trash services at the last meeting. She also pointed out that the Commissioners are looking at the jobs performed by all borough employees, not just those in public works.
Commissioner Colombi commented that the Celebrations Committee does try a number of times every year to get donations to help pay for the fireworks within the Borough. One of the reasons that the event is held on July 3rd rather than the 4th is because that also cuts the cost. She feels that the presentation of the fireworks adds a great deal to our town. It was acknowledged that Celebrations may have to start charging residents for viewing the fireworks as a last resort.
Commissioner Colombi also announced that the Haddonfield Memorial High School Girl’s Basketball team is in the South Jersey Championship games, for which there is a game to be played tomorrow night, March 10th.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deanna Bennett
Borough Clerk
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