26 January 2009 - Regular Meeting

Agenda at Meeting

(click here for the Agenda e-mailed to Council members - 4:57 pm Friday, 23 January, 2009)

(Mark's Comments / Annotations are in Red)

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

2. PLEDGE - SILENT PRAYER

3. ROLL CALL (X = present; blank = absent. Council President Waldron presiding)

4. PUBLIC HEARING

   1. ORDINANCE O9-01 Salary for PD and PWD 2009

   2. ORDINANCE 09-02 Chap 20 amended- Demolition of Property

   3. ORDINANCE 09-03 Chap 125-13 1 amended-Firewood Storage

   4. ORDINANCE 09-04 Amendment to Chapter 86 Vehicle and Traffic

   Ms. Wanda Rotan:

       1.    Ordinance 09-03 (firewood Storage) does not go far enough.

                   - Firewood should be stored in the rear of the house only

               There was some back and forth discussion of this suggestion with Ms. Rotan.

5. PUBLIC

Mr. Kevin Barnett:

    1.    Discussed political affiliation change letter from Mayor North that was posted on the website.

                - Merchantville.com is a private website masquerading as a public website

                - That letter on the website is not acceptable

                - Requests Council to address the idea of a PUBLIC website

                Mr. Brennan responded that Merchantville.com was not appointed as the official website this year [it wasn't in prior years, either - MAB] because the borough will be looking at buying Merchantville.com from the Brennans, including the website, servers, etc. Borough may need to hire an administrator also.

Mr. Tom Evaul:

    1.    Does the borough own MerchantvilleNJ.gov?

            Answer is yes

Mr. Harris:

    1.    Talked about 2009 Arts Festival.

                - Street closings will be the same this year as in 2008

                - Dates are May 16 & 17

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 10.20.08 10.27.08 (Y - Yea, N - Nay, A - Abstain)

                (*Mr. Brennan Abstained; Mr. Brunton abstained on 10/27/08 minutes because of absence)

7. OLD BUSINESS- Ordinance Adoption

   2. ORDINANCE 09-01 Salary for PD and PWD 2009

   3. ORDINANCE 09-02 Chap 20 amended- Demolition of Property

   4. ORDINANCE 09-03 Chap 125-13 1 amended-Firewood Storage

   5. ORDINANCE 09-04 Amendment to Chapter 86 Vehicle and Traffic

   (Adopted on Roll Call Consent Agenda for all four ordinances)

8. NEW BUSINESS

Introduce the following Ordinance

1. ORDINANCE 09-05 Authorizing financing of redevelopment project

ONE WEST MAPLE AVENUE, MERCHANTVILLE, NJ 08109

(856) 662-2474

WWW.MERCHANTVILLE.COM

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Pass the following Resolutions by consent agenda (at the request of Mr. Brunton, R09-27 was Considered separately)

2. RESOLUTION 09-28 - Salaries for Police and Public Works 2009

3. RESOLUTION (R09-27) - Appointing Kevin Patti as paid fireman (there was significant discussion of this resolution prior to voting. Mr. Brennan stated that we only had 30 days to make this appointment. Mr. Alloway said that was not the case, and acting solicitor Mike Joyce also said he did not believe that to be the case. Mr. Alloway suggested not appointing anyone to the position until budgets are assessed and we determine if we have money to pay for the position.)

4. APPROVAL- Use of Wellwood Park for Event (Unanimous approval via voice vote)

5. APPROVAL- Street closing for Arts Fair (Unanimous approval via voice vote)

6. APPROVAL- Public Works employee (Unanimous approval via voice vote)

9. PAYMENT OF PETTY CASH BILLS (no bills presented)

10. ANNOUNCEMENTS

Professional Contracts under review by state - Clerk will report on results

OSHA inspection is being done in Police Station

Friday is "wear red" day for heart association

There is a grant for extension of the bike trail

The census bureau is hiring temporary workers

Elected Officials training

2009 Smart Growth Planning Grants are in process

JARC & New Freedom Grants - $3,241,000 in federal funds is available

10. PRIVATE SESSION (None)

11. ADJOURNMENT (8:22 pm)

AGENDA MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE