MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

April 8, 2003

7:30 P.M.

           

            Mayor Rudder contacted Deputy Mayor Myers via telephone conference call and the following Medford Township business and action items were addressed.

 

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

           

COUNCIL ROLL CALL

 

            Ms. Pola Ingelsby                                                         Present

            Deputy Mayor Christopher Myers                                Present via telephone conference call

            Mrs. Lisa Post                                                  Absent

            Mr. Walter Urban, Jr.                                                   Present

            Mayor Scott Rudder                                                     Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Alan Feit, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Christopher Noll, Township Engineer

  

 

            MINUTES

 

            Ms. Ingelsby moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of March 25, 2003.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows:  Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Deputy Mayor Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            CHANGE THE ORDER OF BUSINESS

 

            Mayor Rudder called for a motion to change the order of business.

 

            Ms. Ingelsby moved to change the order of business and to move Resolution 60-2003 for action at this point in the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Roll call vote to change the order of business as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Deputy Mayor Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            RESOLUTION 60-2003 “APPROVE 2003 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY BUDGET”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Feit reported that the Temporary Budget only ran until March 31, 2003.  He indicated that before the full budget was heard on April 22, 2003 the gap between the two must be bridged.  This he advised was the purpose of the Emergency Temporary Budget. 

 

            Mayor Rudder explained that there had been a delay in the 2003 budget approval because the Township wanted to include the funds received from the sale of the new liquor license in the budget. 

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Deputy Mayor Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers’ attendance via telephone conference was terminated at the conclusion of action on Resolution 60-2003.

           

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

1.      Fair Housing Month Proclamation/April 2003

 

            Mayor Rudder proclaimed April 2003 “Fair Housing Month” and extended Council’s support for equal opportunities for affordable housing.  He pointed out that the Township embraced all programs that promoted the implementation of the Fair Housing Plan.  Mayor Rudder also encouraged residents and leaders of the community to practice the ideals of affirmative fair housing as it would positively affect residents of the Township. 

 

2.      Enforcement Alert from NJDEP

 

            Due to a recent New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection enforcement alert, Mr. Feit reported that it had become clear that any excess water diversion by the Township would be severely scrutinized.  Mr. Feit explained that the DEP was serious about Medford water customers abiding by the Township’s water restrictions and conserving water.  He pointed out that because the drought conditions within the State had become a serious issue, heavy fines would be imposed for any use other than what was allocated by the State.  Mr. Feit indicated that the odd/even water rationing would be strictly enforced throughout the Township by the Police, Public Works and Utility Departments.  He further explained that it was imperative that word reach Township residents so that they were aware of the situation.

 

            Mr. Urban asked when the Township’s odd/even water rationing would be enforced.

 

            Mr. Feit responded that the ordinance would be enforced beginning May 1, 2003.

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            1.  Stokes Road/Cedar Avenue/Lake Pine Water Main Replacement

 

            Mr. Noll reported that bids would be received on May 6, 2003, for capital improvements to portions of the Township water main.  He explained that work would commence at the conclusion of the school year with completion being expected in July.  He indicated that the County was expected to overlay a portion of Stokes Road sometime in August after these improvements had been completed.

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

                                                                        NONE            

 

            PUBLIC

 

            ”Students Say Stop Speeding”

            Medford Memorial School Student Council Presentation

           

            1.  Joni-Jean Marchio, Student Council advisor, came before Council to explain that this was a community service project that the students had devised to slow traffic in the Township neighborhoods.  The program had been created with the help of the police department and was ready for introduction to the community.  She thanked everyone who had assisted the students in promoting safe driving.

 

             2.  Mimi Lapierre, Student Council President, communicated that the Student Council campaign slogan to slow traffic was “Students Say: “Stop Speeding.”  For the first time publicly, she presented their campaign poster showing their mascot snake “Slow Poke” (AKA Poky).  She indicated that her fellow students were concerned about speeding in small neighborhoods and wanted to target those areas to ensure a safer community.  The students had also created an informational brochure for distribution by the police.  They would also hand the brochure out at schools, stores and adjoining parking lots to address the dangers of speeding. 

 

            Mayor Rudder and Council thanked the students for a great campaign with excellent resource material.

 

            Mayor Rudder declared a two minute recess.

 

           

            ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2003-8 “AUTHORIZING EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY WITH THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL LANDS AND BUILDING LAW”                           

 

            Ms. Inglesby pointed out her membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

 

            Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 13, 2003, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Mr. Feit reported that it had been brought to the Township’s attention that the Odd Fellows Cemetery had been intruding on Township land.  The situation would be remedied by the exchange of land as both parties had found this to be the favorable solution.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, abstain, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

           

            ORDINANCE 2003-9 “AUTHORIZING PUBLIC SALE OF A PORTION OF BLOCK 6505, LOT 6” (Gravelly Hollow Road)

 

            Ms. Ingelsby moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 13, 2003, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            At the direction of Mr. Hunt, Council agreed that the buyer would be required to obtain all necessary minor subdivision approvals and or permits and this would be at the buyer’s expense.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

            ORDINANCE 2003-10 “AMENDING CHAPTER 66 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE, ENTITLED “DOGS TO CREATE AN OFF-LEASH DOG RUN PARK”                                

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 13, 2003, for public hearing, seconded by Ms. Ingelsby.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

           

 

 

            ORDINANCE 2003-11 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT OF SALE FOR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS BETWEEN THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, AS BUYER, AND THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, AS SELLER”                               

 

            Ms. Ingelsby moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 13, 2003, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Mayor Rudder reported that the Township was moving forward and partnering with Burlington County to purchase the development rights for the JCC Camp.  He indicated that the objective of the purchase was to create a forest belt in the southern portion of the Township.  Mayor Rudder pointed out that the purchase of the development rights for this 115 acre parcel would cost $1.8 million dollars with the Township’s share being $450,000.  He thanked the County for partnering with the Township in this most important acquisition.

 

            Mr. Urban communicated his pleasure in including this parcel in the Township inventory of preserved land.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Ms. Ingelsby, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

           

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 57 -2003 “AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNDER THE TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Noll indicated that this resolution would permit the Township to apply for funding for two Township projects.  The funds would be used to complete the Dixontown bike path.  The remainder would be used for the bike lane/bike route to connect major roadways to the village from the southerly portion of the township. 

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 58-2003 “CONSENTING TO PETITION FOR ANNEXATION FROM MEDFORD TOWNSHIP TO THE BOROUGH OF MEDFORD LAKES (BLOCK 4703, LOT 1)  449 TABERNACLE ROAD”

           

            For lack of a quorum, this resolution was tabled until the April 22, 2003 meeting.

 

 Ms. Inglesby moved to table the resolution, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 59-2003 “AUTHORIZING FORECLOSURE UNDER THE IN REM TAX FORECLOSURE ACT AND ESTABLISHING THE TAX FORECLOSURE LIST OF LEINS TO BE FORECLOSED”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Feit reported that upon successful foreclosure on this parcel, it would be added to the Medford Park inventory.  The Township would then partner with the Rancocas Conservatory Group for maintenance of the land, as it is part of the Rancocas Creek tributary. 

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 61-2003 “AWARD PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSE TO MVE RESTAURANTS, L.L.C.”  ($436,000)

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder 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 62 -2003 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AND DEED BLOCK 714, LOT 5”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder 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 63-2003 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDED RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder 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

 

                                                            NONE                                    

                                               

            OLD BUSINESS

 

                                                            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

                                                            NONE

            PUBLIC

           

            1.  Jerald Gray, 14 Holly Drive, questioned the necessity of the land annexation that was being proposed under Resolution #58-2003.  This annexation would allow the land owner of two adjoining lots in Medford and Medford Lakes to combine them and build a home.  Mr. Gray was concerned about the additional traffic that would be generated as preservation was of the utmost concern to him.

 

            Mr. Noll responded that the Medford parcel being considered for annexation was developable under the existing Medford Township boundary.

 

            Ms. Ingelsby 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.

 

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business Mr. Urban moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:10 P.M., seconded by Ms. Inglesby with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                                                       

 

 

Janet K. Ballinger, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for April 22, 2003