MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

April 24, 2007  7:30 P.M.

 

           

            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

 

            Mr. David Brown                                               Present  (via Telecommunication)

            Mrs. Lisa Post                                                     Present

            Mr. Walter Urban                                                Present

            Deputy Mayor Christopher Myers                       Present  (via Telecommunication)

            Mayor Scott Rudder                                            Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Christopher Noll, Township Engineer

  

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session Minutes  – April 10, 2007

 

            Mrs. Post moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of April 10, 2007.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

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

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

1.  Annual Report by Rich Bittner of the Shade Tree Committee

 

      Mr. Richard Bittner, Chairman of the Shade Tree Committee, gave the yearly presentation regarding the workings of the committee.  The committee consists of six members and a secretary.  Mr. Bittner stated that most of the committees work is done in the spring and fall months.  Their activities include the Arbor Day Celebration and making application for the “Tree City USA Award” each year.  This year twenty-nine (29) new trees were planted.  The committee also assists residents with questions regarding their trees.  It also works in an advisory capacity to the Planning and Zoning Department and to the Public Works Department.

 

      Council thanked Mr. Bittner for his dedication to the committee.

 

2.  Proclamation for “National Safe Kids Week”

 

      Mayor Rudder read a proclamation setting aside April 28th thru May 6th as National Safe Kids Week. 

 

      Mr. Urban asked Mr. Steven Addezio, Director of Public Safety, to intensify the HAPPY Program during the National Safe Kids Week.  This program encourages children to adhere to safety regulations while riding bicycles.

 

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.

 

Mr. Achey spoke of the excellent job done by all the departments during the extensive rain storm and flooding.  Medford is one of the towns recognized by FEMA for relief.  Mr. Achey advised that there are several areas where pipes need to be replaced due to extensive wash outs. 

 

Mr. Myers and Mr. Brown left the meeting at this time. (7:45 P.M.)

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            1.  Mr. Noll advised Council that the slurry project for Jackson Woods is scheduled for the middle of May.

 

            Mr. Urban inquired when the plans for the Hartford Road/Route 70 project would be available.

 

            Mr. Noll responded that the plans should be available for the next Council meeting.                                           

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Hunt advised that Resolution 89-2007 and Resolution 94-2007 will be discussed in Executive Session with action to follow once the meeting is resumed.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

 

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-12 “AMENDING THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD CHAPTER 109 THEREOF, ENTITLED “PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS”

 

            Mrs. Post moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 22, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-13 “CALENDAR YEAR 2007 “CAP” ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45:14)”

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 22, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

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

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

           

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 85-2007 “AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT RECYCLING TONNAGE GRANT APPLICATION TO NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION”

           

Mrs. Post 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 86-2007 “DESIGNATING OFFICIAL NEWSPAPERS”

           

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

           

            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 87-2007 “APPOINTMENTS TO MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE BOARD”

           

Mrs. Post 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 88-2007 “AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL BILLING SERVICES”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Addezio stated that doing this billing in-house requires additional personnel and computer hardware. He feels the contract will pay for itself with the increased recovery expected by using a billing service. 

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 89-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS IN ROLLBACK TAX APPEAL”

           

 Mr. Urban moved to hold action on this resolution till after discussion in Executive Session, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

            The motion was affirmatively agreed to by all Council present.

 

            RESOLUTION 91-2007 “RESOLUTION FOR DEFERRED 2006 LOCAL SCHOOL TAXES”

           

 Mrs. Post 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 92-2007 “INTRODUCTION TO THE 2007 MUNICIPAL BUDGET”

           

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mayor Rudder announced that there will be no Municipal tax increase for 2007.  Some mandatory expenses have increased, but have been offset with reduction of other costs due to the implementation of shared services and outsourcing.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 93-2007 “APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 1, FINAL FOR CARDINAL PAVING CO. FOR THE 2006 ROAD PROGRAM”

           

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

 

            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 94-2007 “APPOINTING APPRAISERS FOR PROPOSED OPEN SPACE ACQUISITIONS”

           

Mr. Urban moved to hold action on this resolution till after discussion in Executive Session, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

            The motion was affirmatively agreed to by all Council present.

 

            RESOLUTION 95-2007 “REQUIRING CERTAIN ROLLBACK TAXES TO BE USED FOR TAX RELIEF THIS YEAR UPON RECEIPT”

           

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

 

            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 96-2007 “APPROVE 2007 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY BUDGET”

           

Mrs. Post 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 98-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDED STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS”

           

Mrs. Post 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

 

            Mr. Urban stated the “Welcome Home Ceremony” for Gerry Brinkmann who returned from a tour of Iraq was a heartwarming event.

                                               

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Inc.

 

            1.  Application for Raffle License

            2.  One Day Social Affair Permit

 

            Mrs. Post moved to accept the above two applications for Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, seconded by Mr. Urban with all members in agreement.

 

            PUBLIC

           

            NONE

 

            Mrs. Post 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 Rudder advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss legal issues. 

 

            Resolution 97-2007 “Authorizing Executive Session”

 

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

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:00 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

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

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Mayor Rudder reconvened the meeting at 8:40 P.M.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 89-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT AND RELATED DOCUMENTS IN ROLLBACK TAX APPEAL”

           

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

 

            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 94-2007 “APPOINTING APPRAISERS FOR PROPOSED OPEN SPACE ACQUISITIONS”

           

Mrs. Post 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.

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business Mr. Urban moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 P.M., seconded by Mrs. Post with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: May 8, 2007