MEDFORD TOWNSHIP
COUNCIL MEETING
Wednesday April 12, 2006 at 6:00 P.M.

SPECIAL SESSION

The Medford Township Meeting of the above date was convened by Mayor Post at 6:00 P.M. 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 Present
Deputy Mayor Scott Rudder Present
Mayor Lisa A. Post Present

PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

Michael Achey, Acting Township Manager
Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor
Christopher Noll, Township Engineer
Dennis Funaro, Director of Planning and Zoning
Edwin J. Brown, Construction Official

Rutger's University Staff Present

Malay Patel
Sam Guirguis
Kristopher Prebola
Brian Francz
Hassan Kaleen
Carlene Scipio
Catherine Schmitt
Mike Cossidan
Paul Belliveau

The above listed staff from Rutger's University gave a presentation on methods to improve the permitting process between the Construction Office and the Planning and Zoning Office. Surveys have been collected from Medford residents and businesses as to the satisfaction level regarding the services offered the residents. The data collected was reviewed. The approach included:

1. Surveys
2. Benchmarking
3. Interviews
4. Process Flow

Recommendations to Consider:

1. Process Flow
2. Staffing
3. Communications
4. Information Technology

Similar townships were benchmarked and their best practices were incorporated into the key findings:

1. 3rd Party Inspections
2. Process Flow Improvements
3. Communication/Great Teamwork
4. Information Systems Enhancement

The Rutger's Team will do a final presentation at a meeting to be held on April 25, 2006.

There was a break to allow the Rutger's Committee to leave the Court Room.

COUNCIL ROLL CALL 7:30 P.M.

Mr. David Brown Present
Mr. Christopher Myers Present
Mr. Walter Urban Present
Deputy Mayor Scott Rudder Present
Mayor Lisa A. Post Present

MINUTES

Minutes of Joint Meeting with Medford School Board - March 28, 2006
Agenda Minutes - March 28, 2006
Executive Session Minutes - March 28, 2006

Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the Joint Meeting, Public Session and Executive Session minutes of March 28, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

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

MANAGER'S REPORT

1. Amending Land Development Ordinance

Mr. Dennis Funaro, Director of Planning and Zoning discussed amendments to the Land Development Ordinance which would allow for six foot fences on reverse frontage lots. This would allow a buffer from the exposure to the street without residents needing to receive a variance from the Zoning Board. To avoid a negative impact on the surrounding area, the fences would have to be buffered with shrubs and would need to be a certain distance from the roadway. Council was in agreement to accept this change in the Land Development Ordinance.

2. Hardship Sewer Permit

Mr. Michael Achey discussed a hardship sewer request for a property located at 176 Tuckerton Road. The installation of a new septic system is not feasible due to the groundwater and lot size.

Council was in agreement to have a resolution drawn which would grant this hardship sewer permit.

Deputy Mayor Rudder stated his concern with the cutting of trees by PSE&G and has requested Mr. Hunt to investigate what can be done to prevent this cutting.

ENGINEER'S REPORT

Mr. Noll advised that PSE&G has removed the trees along Dixontown Road to allow for the construction of the bike lane.

The engineer also gave a report on the 2005 Road Program which has been completed except for the paving of Norwood Court. The speed humps have been installed on Gulf View Drive, and the soft spots on Cedar Street are scheduled to be repaired.

SOLICITOR'S REPORT

Mr. Hunt reported that a resolution for an agreement with the Birchwood Lakes Colony Club for the special assessment is scheduled for tonight's agenda.

PUBLIC

Patricia Obetz, 102 Old Marlton Pike, stated her has concern with the traffic on Old Marlton Pike and the damage that has been done by cars turning around on her property. She reported that her septic system has been damaged several times. She said this has been a great expense to her for the repairs, and she would like her property to be hooked up to the sewer system.

Mr. Achey advised her that sewer lines are not available to service her property. He will address the issue of the cars using her property for a turn-around.

Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, questioned why speed humps could not be installed on Allen Avenue.

Mr. Noll stated that speed humps are not appropriate for that street because of the bend in the roadway, but he agreed to investigate the situation further.

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

ORDINANCE 2006-5 "AMENDING §71-22 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED: "FEES AND LICENSES"

Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 9, 2006 for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

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

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

NONE

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION 93-2006 "AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT"

Mr. Myers 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 94-2006 "RENEWING CONTRACT WITH VIRTUA HEALTH, INC. AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT"

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 95-2006 "AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD 2006 YEAR MUNICIPAL BUDGET BY THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY, "COPS IN SHOP GRANT"

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 96-2006 "RESOLUTION REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED TRUST BY RIDER FOR STREET OPENING FEES"

Deputy Mayor Rudder 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 97-2006 "AUTHORIZATION TO RE-ESTABLISH CUSTODIANS OF PETTY CASH FUNDS"

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 98-2006 "AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR ONE PALFINGER BULKY WASTE CRANE, MODEL PK-9501, OR EQUAL"

Mr. Myers 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 99-2006 "AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH BIRCHWOOD LAKE COLONY CLUB RELATING TO SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF DAMS AND DREDGING"

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

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 100-2006 "ISSUING PLENARY RETAIL DISTRIBUTION LICENSE TO MEDFORD CROSSING RESTAURANTS, L.L.C."

Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Myers.

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 101-2006 "AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD 2006 YEAR MUNICIPAL BUDGET BY THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY CLEAN COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM"

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 102-2006 "AMENDING THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD 2006 YEAR MUNICIPAL BUDGET BY THE INSERTION OF A SPECIAL ITEM OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATION FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY "EXERCISE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT ACTION GRANT'

Mr. Myers 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.

COMMUNICATION

Mayor Post advised the third annual property tax summit will be held on May 10, 2006.

OLD BUSINESS

NONE

NEW BUSINESS

1. Solicitation on Roadways Permit Application-American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
2. ABC Special Permit for Social Affair-Woodford Cedar Wildlife Refuge

Deputy Mayor Rudder moved to approve the above applications, seconded by Mr. Brown. The motion was affirmatively voted on by all Council present.

PUBLIC

NONE

Mr. Myers 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.

EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING

Mayor Post advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss litigation issues.

Resolution 103-2006 "Authorizing Executive Session"

Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.

The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:25 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted on by all Council present.

Mayor Post provided that action may or may not be taken in Executive Session.

RECONVENING OF MEETING

Mayor Post reconvened the meeting at 9:00 P.M.

She reported litigation issues had been discussed in Executive Session and that action had taken place.

RESOLUTION 104-2006 "AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT OF SALE IN LIEU OF CONDEMNATION WITH MEDFORD VILLAGE EAST ASSOCIATES, LLC AND ADDITIONAL TOWNSHIP AGREEMENTS"

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 on by all Council present.


ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Mr. Urban moved that the meeting be adjourned at 9:08 P.M., seconded by Mr. Myers with all members in agreement.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC
Township Clerk

Next meeting scheduled for: April 25, 2006
6:00 P.M.