MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

September 25, 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

            Charles Walton, Township Engineer’s Office

           

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session Minutes  –  September 11, 2007

            Executive Session Minutes – July 24, 2007

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of September 11, 2007 and the Executive Session Minutes of July 24, 2007. The motion was 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.

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

1.   Tanker Spill Update

      

      Mr. Achey discussed the gas spill that occurred on September 18 on Route 70 when a tanker overturned.  Mr. Achey commended all the workers who responded to this emergency.  Among these were:

 

Jeff Wagner, Emergency Management Coordinator

Stephen Addezio, Public Safety Director

James Kehoe, Chief of Police

Ryan Willets, Utility Department

 

      Mr. Achey said he cannot say enough about the quick, efficient response from the Emergency Management Team. Mr. Achey also thanked all the volunteers, residents and support teams from surrounding communities stating that they had done a phenomenal job.          

 

            Mayor Rudder recognized Mr. Achey, Township Manager.  Mayor Rudder witnessed the clean up efforts and admired the professionalism of all involved.  Mayor Rudder thanked all involved in the efforts of the clean-up.

 

            Residents in the area were notified immediately and both the staff and volunteers were credited with doing a remarkable job.

 

      2.  Permit Deposits for One-Day Events

 

           Mr. Achey stated the hardship on residents and organizations who are required to pay the deposit for one-day events held on township property.  He stated that there has never been an occasion when it was necessary to retain these deposits.  He is petitioning Council to withdraw the requirement for a deposit.

 

            Mrs. Post suggested the use of a credit card, so the township would have some type of collateral for liability in case it was needed. 

 

            Mr. Achey agreed to look into this suggestion.

 

      3.  Proclamation in Memory of Bob Hoffman

 

          Mayor Rudder read a proclamation honoring Bob Hoffman for his civic contributions to Medford as a founding member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Board.  The senior tennis tournament is now being renamed to honor Mr. Hoffman who was instrumental in establishing the tennis team for seniors.

 

          Mr. Hoffman’s son, Gary, and his daughter, Crystal, were present to receive this proclamation honoring their father. They were accompanied by their cousin Gabriel.

 

          Gary Hoffman expressed his appreciation to Council, and stated that his father would have been very pleased to be remembered in this way.

 

4.  Letter of Thanks to Recreation Department

 

The Bethlehem Babe Ruth League sent a letter thanking the Recreation Department and Beth Richmond for hosting the 13 Year Old Babe Ruth Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament.

 

 

 

5.  Letter of Thanks to Recreation Department

 

A letter of thanks from the Lake Pine community was sent to the Recreation Department thanking them for their support of the 67th Annual Lake Pine Day parade and carnival.

 

6.  Bill List

 

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

 

            NONE                        

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Hunt advised that there will be no need for an Executive Session tonight.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2007- 24 “ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY CANCELING CERTAIN FUNDED APPROPRIATION BALANCES HERETOFORE PROVIDED FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL PROJECTS AND REAPPROPRIATING SUCH FUNDED APPROPRIATION BALANCES FOR OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS”                  

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of October 23, 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- 25 “AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE  OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, SECTION 203, DEFINITIONS, SECTION 412 ENTITLED “PI PLANNED INDUSTRIAL” AND SECTION 602 CONDITIONAL USES TO ALLOW CEMETERIES AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE PI ZONING DISTRICT”            

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of October 23, 2007, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            Mr. Achey stated that this property is in the northwestern corner of the township off of Fostertown Road and east of the Flying W Airport.

 

            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 2007-26 “AMENDING CHAPTER 140 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE ENTITLED: VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A PORTION OF BRANIN ROAD”                       

 

            Mr. Myers moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of October 23, 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.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

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 adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

             Mr. Myers moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder stated that this acquisition assures that another seventy-four acres of land are protected from development.

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

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

 

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

 

            Mrs. Post stated that this is another part of the overall review to help the planning process become more user 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 AND 18 TO RANCOCAS CONSERVANCY”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

             Mr. Myers moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Brown.

 

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

           

            Mayor Rudder said this is more that will now be protected.  The land is at the end of Jackson Road.

 

            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 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, APPROPRIATING $3,360.00 FROM THE RESERVE TRUST FUND FOR VILLAGE PARKING”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

            Mayor Rudder advised that these funds will be used for signage in the village.

 

             Mr. Brown moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Myers.

 

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

           

            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”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            Mr. Ralph Avallone, President of National Green Energy Council, discussed Global Warming and the beneficial assets of this ordinance being introduced tonight.  He stated that he was hopeful other communities would follow the lead of Medford in this area.  He further stated that global warming is too dangerous to ignore, and that smart energy solutions have to be introduced to the general public.

 

            Mayor Rudder said he had acted on this ordinance after speaking to a resident who had concerns whether he would have a tax increase if he added solar panels to his home.  Currently, all improvements to homes are taxable.  The legislature will be petitioned to extend the income tax credits for residents adding alternative energy conservation measures to their property.

 

            Earl Stahl, 25 Fostertown Road, congratulated Mr. Avallone for his powerful statements regarding energy conservation.

 

            All Council members thanked Mayor Rudder for his quick action in initiating this ordinance and bringing this issue before them.

 

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

 

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

 

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

           

           

 

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 161-2007 “AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF PLENARY RETAIL CONSUMPTION LICENSES OF MVE RESTAURANTS, L.L.C.”

 

Mr. Myers 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.

 

            RESOLUTION 164-2007 “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE BURLINGTON LEASE BANK PROGRAM”

 

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.

 

            Mrs. Post asked for a further explanation of this resolution.

 

            Mayor Rudder stated it makes the loan process for municipalities easier and less timely.

 

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

 

COMMUNICATION

 

            Mr. Myers advised that he had recently attended a fund raiser for the Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Association.

           

            Mr. Brown announced that there would be a meeting regarding Gypsy Moth on October 12, 2007 in the Public Safety Building at 7:30 P.M.    

                       

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

 

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

           

            1. Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, stated her concern with basketball nets which are installed on cul-de-sacs and the problem they cause for the school busses.  She questioned whether busses should be allowed to go onto cul-de-sacs.

 

            Mayor Rudder requested the traffic division to look into the situation.

 

            Mrs. Palmer also has concerns with the safety of several of the rental properties in Medford and asked if anything could be done about these properties.

 

            She was advised that if complaints come from neighbors, they are checked into, and the owners are held accountable.  

 

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

 

            The motion to close the public portion of meeting 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 8:20 P.M., seconded by Mr. Brown with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: October 9, 2007