11 February 2008 - Regular Meeting

(Mark's Comments / Annotations are in Red)

1. CALL TO ORDER - PUBLIC MEETING STATEMENT (7:30 pm)

2. PLEDGE - SILENT PRAYER

3. ROLL CALL (Mayor North, Councillors Alloway, Fields, Waldron, Volkert,  Brunton, Perno all present)

4. PUBLIC HEARING

        PUBLIC

Speakers:

Ms. Deborah Binder.

    1. She spoke about her frustration over cleaning up the details of the "extinguishment" of her easement and the adjustments to the adjacent property lines with the Maple-Chapel redevelopment area.

Mr. Rudolph Celli (Maple-Chapel redeveloper).

    1. Spoke of HIS frustration with the same issues that are frustrating Ms. Binder.

    2. Ms. Binder & Mr. Celli spoke back and forth with each other and Council, then moved off to try to work out how to get the agreement between them signed.

A.    ENGINEER'S REPORT

6. CORRESPONDENCE (none)

7. COUNCIL REPORTS

Ms. Fields:

    Gave Monthly Planning Board report

    Gave Monthly Code & Zoning report

    Gave Monthly EMS report (download)

    NPP is running

Mr. Waldron:

    Shade Tree Commission is working on a new "Top 10" list

        This years marks 30 years for Merchantville as a shade tree city.

    Public Events - Art Fair is being planned; 4 April is Volunteers' night

    Communications / Newsletter - First 2008 edition delivered

Mr. Brunton

    Provided Monthly Highway Department report (download)

Mr. Perno

    Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) elected committee chairman; will get $25,707 this year

Mr.Volkert

    Gave Monthly Fire report - 9 calls for 107 manhours

    Monthly Sewer report was included in Mr. Brunton's Highway Department report

Mr. Alloway

    Provided monthly Police report (download summary)

    Reminded Council that March 1 begins cell phone use in car as primary offense

8. ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

9. OLD BUSINESS

   1. DISCUSSION - COMMUNITY CENTER OIL TANK REMOVAL (Mr. Perno suggested obtaining a HDSRF grant to help cover cost of tank removal / leak mitigation)

   2. DECISION - PURCHASE OF DUPLICATOR (Mr. Brunton has examined duplicator and reported it appears to be in good condition. Borough can purchase unit for $1,000. Richo would service unit. Unanimous decision was taken to purchase unit.)

10. NEW BUSINESS

    1. FINANCIAL REPORTS (report is in order at this time)

    2. PROCLAMATION - WILLIAM B. HOWELL (read by Mayor North - available at Borough Hall)

    3. PROCLAMATION - ARBOR DAY (read by Mayor North - available at Borough Hall)

    4. APPROVAL OF HIRE OF JOANNE LEWIS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE (She is replacing Mary Ellen. Will work in Police Department, one day in court, and with John Dymond - Tax Assessor - and Mayor North. Fourteen hours per week. Rate of pay available upon request. Unanimously approved)

    5. DISCUSSION - AUTHORIZE PAYMENT TO SCHOOL OF CHESTNUT STATION PILOT PORTION ($11,500 approximate amount approved unanimously. Actual amount will be obtained by 31 March.)

    6. DISCUSSION - EXTENSION OF DATES FOR PNC PURCHASE  (Tabled. No action)

    7. DISCUSSION - COAH CERTIFICATION (Certification rules are changing. Letter delineating changes not received yet)

11. PAYMENT OF BILLS (R08-26 - Approved unanimously)

12. ANNOUNCEMENTS

        Fire Company will be obtaining permit to sell wine & beer at Arts Fair

13. PRIVATE SESSION (Topics discussed - Contracts, Personnel, Litigation)

14. (RETURN TO PUBLIC SESSION

        Mr. Perno suggested applying for the following grants (he indicated chances are slim of obtaining them, but they are available):

•             VA HUD                     - $1,000,000 for stormwater management

•             USDOT                       - $1,000,000 for Chestnut Avenue work

•             US Dept of Interior     - $500,000 for Community Center work

        Approved unanimously - Mr. Perno to apply)

15. ADJOURNMENT (Didn't note the time)

AGENDA MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

ONE WEST MAPLE AVENUE, MERCHANTVILLE, NJ 08109

(856) 662-2474

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