MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

July 24, 2007  7:30 P.M.

           

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

           

COUNCIL ROLL CALL

 

            Mr. David Brown                                                         Absent

            Mrs. Lisa Post                                                              Present

            Mr. Walter Urban                                                         Present

            Deputy Mayor Christopher Myers                                Present

            Mayor Scott Rudder                                                     Absent

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Christopher Noll, Township Engineer

            Stephen Addezio, Director of Public Safety

  

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session and Executive Session Minutes  –  June 26, 2007

 

            Mrs. Post moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of June 26, 2007.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

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

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

           

            1.  EMT AND FIRE TRAINING CLASSES

           

             Mr. Achey noted that the classes for the certification training for Response Teams have been completed.  A graduation ceremony will be held at a later date. 

 

            Mrs. Post attended the classes and recognized Kevin Ellicott and Robert Dovi for their hard work and dedication to the program.  Mrs. Post stated that these classes were to train members of the community who will provide help and augment the services of the Emergency Service Workers, the Fire Division and the Police Department during times of emergencies.

 

            Mr. Steve Addezio, Director of Public Safety, stated there were eighteen or nineteen members trained.  Mr. Addezio wants these people to be actively involved with the groups they will be helping.

 

            2.  TAX BILLS

 

             Mr. Achey advised that the tax bills are being mailed out late, so there will be an extension for payment to August 24, 2007.

 

            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.

 

            RECOGNIZING REBECCA SCOTT

 

            Chief James Steele recognized Rebecca Scott for her outstanding performance in both the class for Emergency Medical Technician and Fire Officer.  Chief Steel remarked that Rebecca had studied very hard and finished first in her class in both courses which she took concurrently.  She is a welcome addition to the team.  Congratulations were extended to Rebecca by Council and all in attendance.  

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Noll requested that Resolution 145-2007, which was to be heard at tonight’s meeting, be tabled to a future meeting so some outstanding issues can be resolved.     

 

            SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Hunt advised that litigation over ownership of a private dam, which was before the Superior Court, has been dismissed.  The township has been released from any further litigation.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            NONE

           

 

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

ORDINANCE 2007-16 “REVISING AMENDED SMART GROWTH REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND ADOPTING AS A SUBSTITUTE THE “2007 ROUTE 70 SMART GROWTH REDEVELOPMENT PLAN” FOR MEDFORD CROSSING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT”

 

            Mrs. Post moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

             Mr. Urban moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye and Deputy Mayor Myers, aye.

           

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

           

ORDINANCE 2007-17 “ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD AMENDING SECTION 604 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FOR SETBACK REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS STRUCTURES FOR THE DISABLED”

 

            Mr. Urban moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

             Mrs. Post moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:  Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye and Deputy Mayor Myers, aye.

           

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

           

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 135-2007 “RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD IN SUPPORT OF STATE LEGISLATION TO AMEND ABBOTT-BURKE FUNDING TO STREAMLINE ADMINISTRATION OF A MORE THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 136-2007 “RESOLUTION FOR RE-APPOINTMENT OF TOWNSHIP CLERK”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 137-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADJUSTMENT OF 2007 PROPERTY TAX, BLOCK: 3202.18, LOT: 30”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 138-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS”

           

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

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mrs. Post stated that this resolution is for a grant for a summer program for youth with disabilities.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 139-2007 “RESOLUTION GRANTING FINAL APPROVAL OF FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATION FOR ADAMS FARM”

           

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

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Hunt stated that having this property go into Farmland Preservation stopped the development of eight residential units.  The township share of the cost for the property is twenty percent (20%).

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 140-2007 “RESOLUTION APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE, FARMERS & MECHANICS BANK, SPR-5477F”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 141-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MEDFORD TOWNSHIP TO APPLY FOR FUNDING UNDER THE 2008 MUNICIPAL ALLIANCE PROGRAM”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 142-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR ATHLETIC FIELD TURF”

           

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

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            Raymond McCarty, 149 Taunton Blvd., advised that he had received a request from the Shawnee students asking for donations from residents who are in favor of the turf field.  Mr. McCarty feels this is a good way to fund other fields where turf may be considered.

 

            Mr. Achey advised that this resolution is for care of the natural grass fields and not turf fields.

 

            Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, questioned if this resolution funds care for the fields used by the MYAA and asked how much they pay to use the fields. 

 

            Mr. Achey responded that they pay in different ways, such as installing fences and paying for lighting.  They also do painting on the buildings.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 143-2007 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF APPPLICATIONS FOR STATE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUNDS UNDER THE MUNICIPAL AID PROGRAM FOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS TO FAIRVIEW ROAD, FROM CANDLEWOOD TERRACE TO BREAKNECK AVENUE; AND IMPROVEMENTS TO HARTFORD ROAD, FROM CHURCH ROAD (COUNTY ROUTE 616) TO STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE 70.”

           

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

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Urban questioned whether the dollars for these improvements are from the state, county or municipal.

 

            Mr. Noll answered that the money is from a state grant and the maximum grant is usually $150,000.  If the cost is more, the township can add funds or scale back the project to meet the amount of the grant received. 

 

            Mr. Noll stated that the Hartford Road project could probably be done with the $150,000 grant.  The Fairview Road project will be broken down into several parts with each part receiving a separate grant.

 

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

           

            RESOLUTION 144-2007 “AUTHORIZING STATE CONTACT PURCHASES”

           

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

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mr. Addezio stated this is a one time purchase for radio and communication equipment which is covered under a state grant.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 145-2007 “APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE WOODSFIELD – SECTION 1, PBC-1271”

           

Deputy Mayor Myers moved to table this resolution per the engineer’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 146-2007 “AUTHORIZING STATE CONTRACT PURCHASES”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 147-2007 “RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THAT THE 2006 TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD AUDIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 148-2007 “ADOPTING A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN FOR THE 2006 AUDIT”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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 149-2007 “APPROVING REQUEST FOR FINAL RELEASE OF PERFORMANCE  GUARANTEE, FRANCK & CHRISTA EUKSUZIAN,

SPR-5437F2”

           

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

 

            Deputy 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. Urban reported that the 911 Ceremony will be held on the same night as the Council meeting, and he has suggested that the Council meeting be moved forward to 8:00 P.M.  A notice will be published for this time change.

                       

                       

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            Taunton Fire Company (Station 252)

 

            1.  Volunteer Fire – James Cuccini

            2.  Volunteer Fire - Laura Agiotis

           

            Mrs. Post moved to accept the application for volunteer firefighters James Cuccini and Laura Agiotis, seconded by Mr. Urban with all members in agreement.     

 

            PUBLIC

           

            1.  Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, questioned Township Engineer, Chris Noll whether the work to be done on Hartford Road would be during the school year.

 

            Mr. Noll responded that the work won’t start until 2008, and that depends on whether the money is available at that time.

 

            Mrs. Palmer inquired about the schedule for the proposed revaluation.

 

            Mr. Achey responded that the tax maps have to be certified before the revaluation can be started.

 

            Mr. Urban moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mrs. Post. 

 

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

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss litigation, Medford Village East and the Paff issue. 

 

            RESOLUTION 150 -2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION”

 

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

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 7:56 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers provided that action may or may not be taken.

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Deputy Mayor Myers reconvened the meeting at 8:35 P.M.  Pursuant to the solicitor’s discussion in Executive Session, the following two resolutions are on the agenda.

 

            RESOLUTION 151-2007 “APPROVING TAX ABATEMENT”

 

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

 

            Deputy 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 152-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A CONSENT ORDER”

 

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

 

            Deputy 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.

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: August 28, 2007