Mr. David Brown Absent
Mr. Christopher Myers Present
Mr. Walter Urban Present
Deputy Mayor Scott Rudder Present
Mayor Lisa A. Post Present
PROFESSIONALS PRESENT
Michael Achey, Acting Township Manager
Douglas Heinold, Township Solicitor's Office
Christopher Noll, Township Engineer
MINUTES
Public Session Minutes - April 12, 2006
Executive Session Minutes - April 12, 2006
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the Public Session and Executive Session minutes of April 12, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Myers.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
MANAGER'S REPORT
1. Arbor Day Proclamation
Mayor Post read the proclamation which set aside a special day for the planting of trees. Medford has been honored as a "Tree City" for twenty-seven years.
2. Water Conservation
Mr. Achey advised that the Department of Environmental Protection sent a message referencing a drought watch. A water conservation plan is required for each township. Medford Township's plan of even and odd days for watering goes into effect on May 1, 2006 for homes on public water. Those on wells are requested to voluntarily conserve water.
3. Rutger's Studies
Mr. Achey addressed the two phase study done by Rutger's University which reviewed the workings of the Planning/Zoning and Construction Departments. The second session held dealt with a marketing study. Some of the recommendations of the committee are being reviewed and will be addressed.
Deputy Mayor Rudder would like to see an on-line permit application initiated to make the process more accessible to the residents.
Under the marketing study, signage was one of the issues reviewed. A new sign
ordinance is being looked into.
4. Water Rate Increase
Mr. Achey gave a brief review of the need for a rate increase for water service. An ordinance will be prepared for introduction at the meeting in July with the public hearing to be held in August. The new rates will go into effect in October.
5. 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.
6. Gypsy Moth Spraying
Mr. Urban inquired as to the status of the spraying for gypsy moths.
Mr. Achey responded that it had begun today, May 9th. The wind conditions dictate the days suitable for spraying.
ENGINEER'S REPORT
Mr. Noll reported that the 2005 Road Program and the top paving of Cedar Street have been completed.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT
Mr. Douglas Heinold advised Council that a RFQ/RFP is available for the position of special assessor for the Birchwood Lakes Development.
PUBLIC
Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, questioned if the cow tunnels under Route 70 could be made available for use by the children. She stressed safety concerns in crossing Route 70.
Mr. Achey said there might be issues because it is the confined space entry laws. Lighting could be another issue to consider. Mr. Achey agreed to look into the situation.
Mrs. Palmer also expressed her concern regarding a shortage of equipment for the firefighters, especially pagers. She was advised that new equipment has been ordered. Mr. Achey will attempt to have the orders expedited.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
ORDINANCE 2006-6 "ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN INTERLOCAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BOROUGH OF MEDFORD LAKES FOR SEWER RENTALS SERVING BLOCK
4806, LOTS 2, 4, AND 8".
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set
date of June 13, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Myers.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy
Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE 2006-7 "ORDINANCE AMENDING LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE BY AMENDING
SECTION 513F AND SECTION 203".
Mr. Myers moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of June 13, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE 2006-8 "ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXEMPTION OR ABATEMENT FROM
TAXATION IN AREAS IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT".
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of
June 13, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mr. Urban stated this sets the guidelines for the "pilot program" for Medford Crossing North and South.
Mr. Heinold gave a brief explanation of the pilot program.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE 2006-9 "ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED EXPENSED IN AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP, APPROPRIATING $5,476,749 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $4,876,336 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME".
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 23, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Myers.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE 2006-10 "ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED EXPENSED IN AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP, APPROPRIATING $1,665,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,581,750 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME".
Mr. Myers moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 23, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE 2006-5"AMENDING §71-22 0F THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED: "FEES AND LICENSES"".
Mr. Urban moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
Mayor Post opened the meeting to the public.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Myers moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr.
Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy
Mayor Rudder, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION 105-2006 "AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENT OF 2006 PROPERTY TAX, BLOCK
3010, LOT 4".
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. 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 106-2006 "APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE
GUARANTEE, MANCINI CREATIVE, SPR-5474".
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 107-2006 "AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF EVESHAM TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY PUBLIC SEWER AND WATER LINES TO SERVICE SCOTTO SUBDIVISION (BLOCK 901, Lot 1)".
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 108-2006 "AUTHORIZING SALE OF HARDSHIP SEWER CONNECTION PERMIT (BLOCK 3201, Lot 30)".
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mayor Post. 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 109-2006 "MEMORIALIZING MOTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF EMERGENCY
CONTRACT".
Deputy Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Myers.
Mr. Achey advised that during the emergency investigation of the sewer line,
three breaks were discovered and all were repaired by the Mount Construction
Company.
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 110-2006 "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".
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 111-2006 "CERTIFYING 2006-2007 MEDFORD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL TAX
LEVY".
Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Mr. Myers expressed his views on the school budget issue. He stated that the Abbot School districts receive an inequitable distribution of funds, leaving the other districts without adequate funding. He also mentioned the many programs which are state mandated, but unfunded by the state.
Mr. Urban said that in 1988 the school budget was funded by the state at 44% and at present it is only funded at 12%.
Deputy Mayor Rudder stated that there are billions of dollars which are unaccounted for in the Abbot School funding.
Mr. Bryan McGair thanked Council for their cooperation during the budget process.
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 112-2006 "LENAPE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TAX LEVY REDUCTION
CERTIFICATION RESOLUTION".
Mr. Myers 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 113-2006 "AUTHORIZING THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD TO EXPEND FUNDS
FROM THE MEDFORD TOWNSHIP LAND PRESERVATION TRUST FUND FOR THE HISTORIC DR.
JAMES STILL PARCEL".
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 114-2006 "AUTHORIZING REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO AWARD
CONTRACT FOR HARTFORD ROAD PROJECT".
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. 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 115-2006 "APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE
GUARANTEE, DIAMOND POOLS, SPR-5573F".
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.
COMMUNICATION
Mr. Urban requested to have a proclamation to recognize the Shawnee Jazz Ensemble
at the June 3rd. meeting of Council.
Mayor Post announced that a plaque recognizing Open Space Acquisition will
be awarded on June 3rd. at the Rancocas Conservatory.
OLD BUSINESS
Mr. Urban advised Council that he will be working as a liaison between Council and the Senior Citizen's Organization.
NEW BUSINESS
NONE
PUBLIC
Janet Law Clancy, 16 Tybourne Court, inquired to the status of the application
procedure for the permanent manager position.
Mayor Post advised her that it would be advertised in the summer with the position
to probably be filled around September.
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
legal issues.
RESOLUTION 116-2006 "AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION"
Mr. Myers moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Rudder.
The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:13 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon 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 8:48 P.M.
She reported legal issues had been discussed in Executive Session and that no action had taken place.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Urban moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:51 P.M., seconded by Mr. Myers with all members in agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce F. Frenia, RMC
Township Clerk
Next meeting scheduled for: May 23, 2006