COUNCIL MEETING
January 24, 2006
7:30 P.M.
The Medford Township Meeting of the above date was convened
by Mayor Post, followed by the salute to the flag and
reading of the Open Public Meetings Act Statement.
COUNCIL ROLL CALL
Mr. David Brown Present
Mr. Christopher Myers Absent
Mr. Walter Urban, Jr. Present
Deputy Mayor Scott Rudder Present
Mayor Lisa A. Post Present
PROFESSIONALS PRESENT
Michael Achey, Acting Township Manager
John Crafchun, Consultant
Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor
Douglas Heinold, Esquire
Christopher Noll, Township Engineer
Mayor Post requested that the agenda items Resolution
56-2006, Appointing Acting Manager and Resolution 57-2006,
Contract for Consulting Services be heard at this time.
RESOLUTION 56-2006 "Appointing Acting Manager"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution appointing Michael Achey as acting manager, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Council welcomed Mr. Achey to this position.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye,
Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post,
aye.
RESOLUTION 57-2006 "AWARDING CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING SERVICES"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution awarding a contract for consulting services to John Crafchun, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
PUBLIC
Christine Balentine, La Rue Lane, inquired as to the cost of the contract for the consulting services.
Deputy Mayor Rudder responded that it is not to exceed $15,000.
Council welcomed Mr. Crafchun as a consultant.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
MINUTES
Public Session Minutes - January 10, 2006
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of January 10, 2006, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
MANAGER'S REPORT
1. Used Rescue Equipment
Mr. Achey stated a request had been made to Captain Kehoe by Tabernacle Township to purchase used rescue equipment no longer needed by Medford Township. The offer was for one thousand dollars, $1000.00 and this sale is agreeable to Council.
2. Bill List
Mr. Achey presented the bill list for payment.
There being no questions, the bill list was approved for payment as presented.
ENGINEER'S REPORT
Mr. Noll outlined the agreement on tonight's agenda which authorizes an agreement between the New Jersey American Water Company, Mount Holly Water Company and the Township of Medford. This agreement will supply water to the 529 Senior Citizen units to be built at Jenning's Mill. It authorizes the township to purchase 75,000 gallons of water per day at the commodity rate. The water will come through Lumberton and enter the township at Bende Park.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT
Mr. Hunt stated that as the result of the resolution with Jennings Mill, the township will benefit by receiving two million dollars, ($2,000,000), for upgrades to the sewer plant and additional sewer connection fees. Mr. Hunt advised that the water from the American Water Company will benefit the township as well as serving the Jenning's Mill Development.
The ordinance on tonight's agenda is to vacate of a portion of Chairville Road to service the Medford Crossing Development.
Mr. Urban questioned if the improvements for the water lines will be paid for by the developer. He also asked the source of the water.
Mr. Hunt replied, "Yes".
Mr. Noll responded that some of the water will come from wells owned by the American Water Company and some from their plant which treats water from the Delaware River. The water will meet federal and state guidelines.
PUBLIC
Marlene Lieber, 2 La Rue Lane, stated that the state has passed a new statute to regulate Pay to Play. She is hopeful the township will take advantage of this statute.
Mrs. Lieber questioned how the connection to the American Water Co. might affect the local water bills.
Mr. Noll advised that the rates will be re-evaluated, but there is no plan to raise the rates at this time.
Mr. Achey stated the rates are in the middle of the township rates, so the rates should blend with the current rates.
Christine Balentine, La Rue Lane, stated she felt Mr. Feit had been a good manager and hated to see him leave. She inquired how much Mr. Feit's contract would cost the township.
Mr. Hunt stated the terms of Mr. Feit's contract would be honored and will be available to the public.
Ms. Balentine questioned the political association between MYAA and council member, Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown responded that his only concern is for the welfare of the children in the recreation programs and not for political reasons.
Ms. Balentine questioned the number of employees in the Recreation Department.
Mayor Post answered that two employees in the Recreation Department were replaced with one qualified person.
Peter Cohen, 10 Cove Lane, asked for a status report
of the pending Ordinance
2006-2 which allows for the re-organization of the Department
of Public Safety.
Mr. Hunt explained that because of recommendations from the Police Department, Fire Department and EMS, amendments to the ordinance will be necessary. He stated a public hearing and second reading will be held on February 14, 2006. A public notice will be published in the Central Record advertising the public hearing.
Diane Rappisi, 5 Boswell Court, stated she is very disappointed to have Alan Feit leave the township. She felt Mr. Feit had a vision for the township, and thanked him for guiding the township through the Samost project and the Open Space acquisitions.
Mayor Post asked for a motion to close the Public Portion of the meeting.
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved to close the public portion, seconded by Mr. Brown.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and
affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
ORDINANCE 2006-3 "VACATING A PORTION OF CHAIRVILLE ROAD"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of February 28, 2005, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye,
Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post,
aye.
ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Mr. Douglas Heinold from the Township Solicitor's office handed out copies of Ordinance 2006-2 to the public. Mr. Heinold outlined the amendments that will be added to the ordinance because of numerous comments from the police, paid fire, volunteer fire and EMS.
ORDINANCE 2006-2 "AMENDING ARTICLE XII, SECTION 5-78 OF CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED "DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved to hold the public hearing on the ordinance after the amendments are added, seconded by Mr. Brown. The public hearing will be scheduled for the council meeting of February 14, 2006 and will be re-advertised in the Central Record.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye,
Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post,
aye.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION 40-2006 "Municipal Joint Insurance Fund
Resolution Appointing Fund Commissioner"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 41-2006 "Authorizing Execution of a
Settlement Agreement"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution,
seconded by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 42-2006 "Authorizing Medford Township
to Co-Sign Documents for Restoration of Birchwood Lakes
Dam"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 43-2006 "Resolution Requesting Approval
of the Director of the Division of Local Government Services
to Establish a Dedicated Trust by Rider for Recreation
Fees, Pursuant to PL 1999 c.292"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution,
seconded by Mayor Post.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
PUBLIC
Marlene Lieber, La Rue Lane, asked for an explanation of this resolution.
Mayor Post stated this sets up a separate fund for recreation fees.
Mr. Crafchun replied that the fees used to go into the general fund, but now a separate account will be established for the recreation fees.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 44-2006 "Resolution Implementing the
National Incident Management System"
Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 45-2006 "Resolution Approving Participation
with the State of New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage
Control Program, Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws
State Block Grant Program"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 46-2006 "Resolution Authorizing Medford
Township to Co-Sign Loan Documents for Restoration of
the JCC Dam"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution,
seconded by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 47-2006 "Awarding Sale of Block 707,
Lot 10 & Block 709,
Lot 4"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively
voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 48-2006 "Authorizing Commodity-Demand
Regional Water Sales Agreement By and Among New Jersey-American
Water Company, Inc., Mount Holly Water Company and the
Township of Medford"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution,
seconded by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
PUBLIC
Bill Stauts, Maine Trail, inquired if the water will be metered when it enters the township.
Mr. Noll responded that it would.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 49-2006 "Authorizing Execution of Deed
of Easement with New Jersey-American Water Company (Block
203, Lots 7.02 and/or 7.03)"
Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 50-2006 "Authorizing Execution of Contractual
Agreement with Medford Township Police Officers' Association"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 51-2006 "Authorizing Extension of Contractual
Agreement with Medford Township Superior Officers' Association"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 52-2006 "Authorizing Adjustment of Redemption
Amount for Tax Sale Certificate #200517, Block 304, Lot:
4.04"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 53-2006 "Approving 2005 Appropriation
Reserve Transfers"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 54-2006 "Amend 2006 Temporary Budget"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
Public
Marlene Lieber, La Rue Lane, inquired why there is a temporary budget.
Mr. Crafchun responded that this is a means of allowing money to be spent until the 2006 Budget is adopted in March.
Tracy Hessinger, inquired if this temporary budget is amending the one introduced two weeks ago.
Mr. Crafchun stated that a ten thousand dollar, ($10,000.), item had to be added to the temporary budget so it was necessary to amend the temporary budget to include this item.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 55-2006 "Ratifying Creation of Subcommittees
for "Transition Subcommittee" and "Budget
Subcommittee"
Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
RESOLUTION 56-2006 "Appointing Acting Manager"
This resolution was acted on by Council at the beginning of the meeting.
RESOLUTION 57-2006 "Awarding Contract for Consultant
Services"
This resolution was acted on by Council at the beginning
of the meeting.
RESOLUTION 58-2006 "Authorizing Continuation of Public
Safety Subcommittee"
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution,
seconded by Mayor Post.
The subcommittee consists of Councilmen Christopher Myers and David Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
PUBLIC
Kevin Rhoades, 1358 Stokes Road, asked if this is the same as the Public Safety Advisory Board.
Mr. Hunt answered that it is not, but it is a subcommittee of Council for the Public Safety Department Review process.
Mr. Rhoades will address his questions during the public
session at the end of the meeting.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively
voted upon by all Council present.
COMMUNICATION
Mayor Post advised Council of "Read Across America", a program scheduled for March 2006. She would like a proclamation recognizing this program to be presented to a representative from the school district at the Council meeting of March 2, 2006.
OLD BUSINESS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
EMS Application - Paul O'Connor
EMS Application - Jack Dvorscak
EMS Application - Carl Flavell
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved to accept the applications for the EMS candidates, seconded by Mr. Urban with all members present in agreement.
PUBLIC
1. Kevin Rhoades, 1358 Stokes Road, inquired why the Public
Safety Advisory Board information isn't available on the
web as are other board's agenda.
Mr. Rhoades also requested that the meetings be made available to the public. As a township employee of the EMS, he is exempt from serving on the board, but has an interest in attending the meetings.
Mayor Post said this will be looked into and rectified.
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mr. Urban.
The motion to close the public portion of meeting was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
Mayor Post stated the Federal Communication Committee has a notice of proposal regarding Verizon vs. cable companies that the League of Municipalities requests be supported. Mayor Post advised that the township will not lose the money from the cable company. Council agreed to support this proposal.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Brown moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:23 P.M., seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder with all members in agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce F. Frenia, RMC
Township Clerk
Next meeting scheduled for February 14, 2006