MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

March 25,  2008  7:30 P.M.

  

The Medford Township Council Meeting of the above date was convened by Mayor Myers, followed by the salute to the flag and reading of the Open Public Meetings Act Statement.

           

COUNCIL ROLL CALL

 

            Mr. Robert Martin                                                        Present

            Mrs. Mary Ann O’Brien                                               Present

            Deputy Mayor David Brown                                         Present

            Mayor Christopher Myers                                            Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Stephen Addezio, Director of Public Safety – for Michael Achey, Township      Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Charles Walton, Township Engineer’s Office

 

            SWEARING IN CEREMONY - NEW COUNCIL MEMBER

           JOSEPH J. LYNN, JR.  

 

            Mr. Richard Hunt, Township Attorney, administered the Oath of Office to Mr. Joseph J. Lynn, Jr. who was accompanied by his wife.   Mr. Lynn was selected to be the new Councilman to replace Mr. Scott Rudder, who is now a member of the New Jersey Assembly.  Congratulations were extended to Councilman Lynn.  

 

            Councilman Lynn thanked Council for the opportunity to serve and expressed his appreciation for the support.  He stated he is looking forward to serving the people of Medford.

 

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session Minutes and Executive Session Minutes of  March 11, 2008

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of               March 11, 2008.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

 

 

           

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

 

            1.  RECOGNITION OF DIVISION OF FIRE

 

            Mayor Myers read a letter of gratitude on behalf of Council, to Chief Steel and Deputy Fire Chief Plowman, recognizing the fine actions of the fire and emergency squads in the suppression of the recent fire at the Sharp’s Run Plaza.  The quick action and appropriate decisions of the emergency personnel resulted in the savings of millions of dollars in additional property damage. A thank you was extended to all involved.

 

            Chief Steel thanked Council, Michael Achey and Stephen Addezio for their support in providing excellent equipment such as the “Quint” to help in times of disaster.

 

            2.  GRANTS AWARDED

 

            Mr. Stephen Addezio announced the receipt of two grants to the township.

 

            The Department of Environmental Protection awarded Medford Township a 2008 Clean Communities Grant of $33,680.78.

 

            The Division of Traffic and Highway Safety awarded a grant of $28,164.00 for seat belt checks, message boards and radar units.

 

            Mayor Myers extended his appreciation to the staff for obtaining these valuable grants.

           

            3.  BILL LIST           

 

Mr. Achey had previously presented the bill list for payment.

 

Mr. Achey had 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

 

            Mr. Hunt requested that Ordinance 2008-11 be tabled for further discussion in Executive Session.  Action may or may not be taken.

 

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

 

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-11 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AND REFERRED TO AS THE COW POINTE PROPERTY AND THE MARTER PROPERTY, APPROPRIATING $12,000,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $12,000,000 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME”

                       

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved to table the ordinance for discussion in Executive Session, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Roll call vote to table as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

          ORDINANCE 2008-14 “ AMENDING CHAPTER 140 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE           ENTITLED: VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC,  LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A PORTION OF BRANIN ROAD”

 

  Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of April 22, 2008 for public hearing, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

ORDINANCE 2008-8 “ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 5-58 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD TO AMEND THE TOWNSHIP’S PURCHASING PROCEDURE”

           

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

             Deputy Mayor Brown moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

           

         ORDINANCE  2008-9 “AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TO MOORESTOWN ECUMENICAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT, INC., A NON-PROFIT CORPORATION”

 

            Mr. Martin moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mrs. O’Brien moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

ORDINANCE 2008-10 “AMENDING §5-79 OF THE CODE OF THE

TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED “DIVISION OF POLICE”, §5-80 ENTITLED

“DIVISION OF FIRE” AND §5-81 ENTITLED “DIVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES”  (Use of

Tobacco Products)

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

 

           

 

 

 

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 84-2008 “Resolution to Rescind Resolution 80-2008”

           

 Deputy Mayor Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 85-2008 “Approving Request for Final Release of Performance Guarantee, Jennings Commons, LLC – SPR-5539F”

           

Mr. Martin moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 86-2008 “Authorizing Execution of a Treatment Works Approval Application for Ramblewood Lane Sanitary Sewer Replacement”

           

 Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 87-2008 “Resolution Opposing S-770 and A-1645 Mandating the Appointment of a Qualified Purchasing Agent and the Attendant Reorganization of Medford Township Purchasing Functions”

           

 Deputy Mayor Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 88-2008 “Approving 2008 Emergency Temporary Budget”

           

 Mr. Martin moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 89-2008 “Authorizing Expenditure up to $180,000.00 from the Medford Township Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Assist in the Construction of a 36 Unit, 100% Affordable Housing Development for Low and Moderate Income Senior Citizens and the Disabled”

           

 Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

            Mayor Myers 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 91-2008 “Approving 2007 Appropriation Reserve Transfers”

           

Mr. Martin moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

            Mayor Myers 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.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

            Mr. Martin praised the Police and Emergency workers who responded to an accident in Medford on Saturday.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown thanked the task force who has been working on the Gypsy Moth Program.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown applauded the Recreation Department for the great Easter egg hunt which was attended by many children.  He stated it was a fun event for all who participated.                             

                                               

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

Friends of the American Cancer Society of New Jersey – Road Permit for May 17th, 2008             Chinese Auction and Raffle – June 21- 22, 2008 – Freedom Park

            Lions Club Medford Lakes Charities – Raffle Permit – May 3, 2008

 

            PUBLIC

           

            1.  Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, wanted to make the public and Council aware of the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever disease that has been discovered in the Medford area.  She stated that her dog had contacted the disease, which she said can be fatal if not treated quickly.

 

            Mrs. O’Brien moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mr. Martin. 

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING

 

            Mayor Myers advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss land acquisition.  Action may or may not be taken. 

 

            Resolution 90-2008 “Authorizing Executive Session”

 

Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Martin. 

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:55 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Mayor Myers reconvened the meeting at 8:10 P.M.

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-11 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AND REFERRED TO AS THE COW POINTE PROPERTY, APPROPRIATING $10,300,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $10,300,000 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME”

                       

Deputy Mayor Brown moved for approval of the ordinance as amended, advertisement and set date of April 22, 2008 for public hearing, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye and Mayor Myers, aye.

           

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business, Deputy Mayor Brown moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 P.M., seconded by Mrs. O’Brien with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: April 8th, 2008