MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

March 13, 2007  7:30 P.M.

 

 

            A motion was made by Mr. David Brown to appoint Mrs. Lisa Post as acting Mayor to conduct tonight’s meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Walter Urban with all present in agreement.

           

            The Medford Township Meeting of the above date was convened by Acting 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

            Mrs. Lisa Post                                                    Present

            Mr. Walter Urban                                               Present

            Deputy Mayor Christopher Myers                      Absent

            Mayor Scott Rudder                                           Present (by Telecommunication)

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Charles Walton, Township Engineer’s Office

  

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session and Executive Session Minutes of February 27, 2007

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the Public Session and Executive Session minutes of February 27, 2007.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows:  Mr. Brown, aye, Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

      1.  Swearing In Ceremony

 

    Swearing in of Lieutenant Thomas Switick, Sergeant Robert Zane, Patrolman

     Ronald Henry and Patrolwoman Gina Sambucci.

 

Chief Kehoe welcomed everyone present for a ceremony for the promotion of Lieutenant Thomas Switick and Sergeant Robert Zane and the swearing in of two new Police Officers, Patrolman Ronald Henry and Patrolwoman Gina Sambucci.

 

Chief Kehoe spoke of the many accomplishments of Lieutenant Switick and Sergeant Zane.  Chief Kehoe also welcomed the two new officers, and stated he is confident  they are capable to fulfill their new duties. 

 

The oath of office was issued by Acting Mayor Post.

 

 Lieutenant Thomas Switick was accompanied by his wife, Mary, three sons, parents and mother-in-law.

 

Sergeant Robert Zane was accompanied by his wife, Tara and daughters Abigail and Catherine.

 

The parents and two sisters of Patrolman Ronald Henry were present to witness his swearing in ceremony.

 

Patrolwoman Gina Sambucci, was accompanied by her parents.  

 

Many Police Officers, family and friends were in attendance to extend congratulations to these officers. 

 

2.  Annual Report from Cultural Arts Committee

 

      Anthony Femiano, of the Cultural Arts Committee, gave a brief report to Council  on the activities the committee had organized during the past year.  Several of the activities included:

 

The Navy Band Concert

Young Artist’s Concert

Arbor Day Program

911 Ceremony

Visions of Pinelands

 

Mr. Urban, who is the Council liaison to the group, expressed his thanks to Mr. Femiano and the committee for their dedication and hard work. 

 

3.  Bill List 

 

Mr. Achey presented the bill list for payment.

 

Mr. Achey had previously entertained and answered questions with regard to the payment of the bills.  There being no further questions, the bill list was approved for payment as presented.

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            NONE

                                               

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-5 “ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 140 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE ENTITLED “VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of April 10, 2007 for Public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-6 “ORDINANCE TO CREATE MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE BOARD

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of April 10, 2007 for Public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

 

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 66-2007 “RESCINDING RESOLUTION 43-2007 AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES

           

Acting Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Acting 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 67-2007 “APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE, CHRIS BRADLEY, PBC-1327F

           

Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Acting 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 68-2007 “APPOINTING THE CONSTRUCTION CODE OFFICIAL

           

Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Acting 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 69-2007 “APPROVING CHANGES TO PURCHASE ORDER FOR PIERCE LADDER TRUCK AND PUMPER

           

 Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Acting Mayor Post.

 

            Acting Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            Steven Addezio, Public Safety Director, advised Council that with the remaining funds set aside for this equipment, additional features were added.  The truck is expected to be delivered in early May.  Representatives will offer training on the equipment to selected fire department personnel who will then train the other firefighters.  A weekly pictorial update has been provided to the township, so the progress on the construction of the equipment could be tracked.

 

            The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            RESOLUTION 70-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE BURLINGTON COUNTY SHARED SERVICES FORUM

           

Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Acting Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Urban stated that looking into shared services has been a priority, and is a means to save tax payer’s money.

 

            The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            RESOLUTION 71-2007 “DECLARING THE GYPSY MOTH A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND AUTHORIZING A GYPSY MOTH PROGRAM

           

 Acting Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Acting Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Urban questioned if a response had been received regarding funding from the state for this spraying project.

 

            Mr. Achey has not had a response.

 

            Mr. Achey said there is a small window of time when the spraying can be done.  He stated that it depends on the size of the leaves and caterpillars and also the weather conditions.

 

            The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

            Mr. Brown extended congratulations to the Shawnee High School Boy’s Basketball team on winning the Group 3 Division title.   

                                                           

 

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            Union Fire Company  (Station 251)

 

            1.  Volunteer Junior Firefighter Application – James F. Noel

 

            Mr. Brown moved to accept the application for the Junior Fighter, seconded by Mr. Urban with all members of Council in agreement.

 

            Medford EMS (Station 258)

 

            1.  Appointment Nadine Bonomo

            2.  Appointment Antonio Lowther

 

            Mr. Brown moved to accept the application for the EMS applications, seconded by Mr. Urban with all members of Council in agreement.

 

            Acting Mayor Post expressed her thanks to the new volunteers for their service to the residents.

 

            PUBLIC

           

            1.  Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, stated her concerns with the traffic on Cherry Street exiting from St. Mary’s School.  She is worried because of the numerous children in the area and the high rate of speed of many of the drivers using the Cherry Street exit.

 

            Mr. Steven Addezio agreed to look into the situation.

 

            Mr. Urban moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mr. Brown. 

 

            The motion to close the public portion of meeting was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING

 

            Acting Mayor Post advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss litigation and land acquisition.  Action will not be taken.

 

            RESOLUTION 72-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown. 

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:18 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            Acting Mayor Post provided that action will not be taken in Executive Session.

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Acting Mayor Post reconvened the meeting at 8:48 P.M.

 

            She reported litigation and land acquisition issues had been discussed in Executive Session and that no action had taken place.

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business Mr. Brown moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 P.M., seconded by Mr. Urban with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: March 27, 2007