MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

August 28, 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

            Mrs. Lisa Post                                                              Present

            Mr. Walter Urban                                                         Present

            Deputy Mayor Christopher Myers                                Present

            Mayor Scott Rudder                                                     Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Christopher Noll, Township Engineer

           

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session Minutes July 24, 2007

 

            Mr. Myers moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of July 24, 2007.  The motion was seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

            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.    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.

 

 

 

 

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            1. Hartford Road & Route 70

 

            Mr. Noll outlined the conceptional plan which has been drawn up by the state for improvements to the Hartford and Route 70 intersection.  The roadway improvements outlined in this plan are not expected to take place until the year 2012.  Medford Township will proceed with its plan to add turn lanes at this intersection with construction to start in 2008.   

 

            2.  Branin Road  

 

            Mr. Noll advised that the Medford Police Department had conducted a “speed survey” in April and in August of the traffic on Branin Road.  It was determined that there were no excessive speed violations on this roadway.  Mr. Noll stated that based on the residential properties, some areas of Branin Road would qualify to have a thirty-five mile per hour speed limit.  The proposed plan is for a two phase project to correct some deficiencies.  The first phase would be to smooth out the curve in the roadway, and the second phase would be to pipe the ditches. 

 

            Mayor Rudder and Council members expressed their concerns about the safety of the road, and Mr. Noll assured them that he would look into all aspects of improving the safety of the road. 

 

            SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

 

            1.  John Bisbee, 2 Overlook Court, inquired about the status of the footbridge to be constructed in the Centennial Lake area.

 

            Mayor Rudder stated that the work is to be started next week.

 

            Mr. Noll advised that the bridge is pre-built and is awaiting shipment, but the preliminary work will be started with the completion dated to be at the end of September.

 

            Mr. Bisbee has requested a split rail fence be installed at either side of the bridge to prevent vehicles from passing through.

 

            Mr. Noll agreed that some type of barrier will be included during the construction process. 

 

            2.  Bill Stauts, 12 Maine Trail, President of Medford Business Association, stated his concern with the ordinance regarding vendor’s licenses.  Due to the ordinance, the Medford Business Association is having a problem with restaurants applying for the license for upcoming events in the township.

 

            Mayor Rudder agreed that the ordinance is antiquated, and said it is being reviewed to find ways to streamline the licensing process.  Mayor Rudder will grant time extensions if necessary to the local merchants and restaurant owners.

 

             ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-18 “AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF MARTER FARM PROPERTY AT BLOCK 905, LOTS 3.03 & 5 AND BLOCK 907.01, LOT 11”                      

 

            Mrs. Post moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of  September 25, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Mayor Rudder expressed his pleasure in adding this parcel to the open space program.

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-19 “AMENDING  VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TO CREATE MORE USER-FRIENDLY SHED SETBACK PROVISIONS”                       

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of  September 25, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Mayor Rudder stated that this ordinance streamlines the application process and changes the set back requirements for the installation of sheds and out buildings to make it more consumer friendly. 

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-20 “AUTHORIZING TRANSFER OF BLOCK 6602, LOTS 5 & 18  TO RANCOCAS CONSERVANCY”                

 

            Mr. Myers moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of  September 25, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-21 “ORDINANCE APPROPRIATION $3,360.00 FROM THE RESERVE TRUST FUND FOR VILLAGE PARKING”              

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of  September 25, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mrs. Post.

 

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

 

            ORDINANCE 2007-22 “AMENDING CHAPTER 71 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED “FEES AND LICENSES” TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS DURING HOME RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS”               

 

            Mayor Rudder moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of  September 25, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Mayor Rudder looked into a question raised by a resident about the tax implications for adding solar panels to his home.  Mayor Rudder researched this issue and requested this ordinance to address environmentally efficient improvements.

 

            Mayor Rudder is considering measures to make the public more aware of rebates which are offered for the purchase of energy efficient appliances and materials.  Two resolutions addressing this issue are on tonight’s agenda.  Mayor Rudder reported that special containers are available at the Township garage for electronic recycling.  Curbside pick up, for the convenience of the residents, is also being considered for electronic equipment.   

 

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

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

 

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 153-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF MARTER FARM AT BLOCK 905, LOTS 3.03 & 5 AND BLOCK 907.01, LOT 11”

           

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 154-2007 “APPROVING REQUEST FOR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE REDUCTION NO. 2, JOHNSON’S CORNER FARM, SPR-5603”

           

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

 

            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 155-2007 “APPOINTING APPRAISERS FOR PROPOSED OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION”

           

 Mr. Urban moved to table the resolution to allow for further review by the Environmental & Open Space Board, seconded by Mayor Rudder

 

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

 

            RESOLUTION 156-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF DEVELOPER’S AGREEMENT WITH BALLINGER’S RUN ASSOCIATES, LLC”

           

Mr. Myers 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 157-2007 “AUTHORIZE CONTRACT FOR THE PURCHASE OF ONE 2007 EMERGENCY MEDICAL VEHICLE TO BAY HEAD NVESTMENTS, INC.”

           

Mr. Myers 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 158-2007 “CALLING ON THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENT IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENTIAL AND  COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES BY PROHIBITING INCREASES IN PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS FOR SAID IMPROVEMENTS”

           

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

 

            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 159-2007 “ENCOURAGING CONGRESS TO REAUTHORIZE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAX CREDITS”

           

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

 

            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 reminded Council that the council meeting of September 11, 2007 will begin at 8:00 P.M. because of the commemoration of the events of 911.  The commemorative event will be held at Freedom Park at 7:00 P.M.   If there is inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Public Safety Building.

                                               

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

           

            Mr. Myers 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

 

            Mayor Rudder advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss litigation, land acquisition and personnel issues. 

 

            RESOLUTION 160-2007 “AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION”

 

            Litigation – Medford Village East

            Land Acquisition

            Personnel

 

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

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:04 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

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

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Mayor Rudder reconvened the meeting at 8:30 P.M.

 

            He reported litigation, land acquisition and personnel issues had been discussed in Executive Session and that no action had taken place.

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business, Mr. Myers moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:35 P.M., seconded by Mrs. Post with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: September 11, 2007 at 8:00 P.M.