MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

November 27, 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  –  November 11, 2007

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of  November 11, 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, abstain.

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

      1.  DOT Presentation

 

      The following men gave a presentation to Council on the proposed improvements being considered for the Route 70 and Hartford Road intersection by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

 

      William P. McGarrigel, PE, Project Manager

      Ishuamnala Kortula, Project Engineer

      William Newkirk, Principal Regional Coordinator

      Lewis K. Branins, Principal Regional Coordinator

 

      A feasibility study has been performed and the initially preferred alternative is being considered.  This plan should improve the safety and congestion of the Hartford Road and Route 70 intersection.  Because of the right-of-way issues and funding considerations, this state project is expected to take up to three years for completion and at a cost of seven million dollars.

 

      Medford Township will be going out to bid shortly for a contract for construction of left turn lanes from Hartford Road onto Route 70.

 

      Mr. Urban questioned if there are any issues with wetlands. 

 

      Mr. Kortula said wetlands would be a minor issue.

 

      A resident inquired if these plans account for growth when a supermarket and new development of homes proposed for the area is constructed.

 

      Mr. Noll stated that future growth had been considered when the plans were initially proposed.

 

      Mayor Rudder said the impact on the current gas station and bank should be minimal because of the row-of-way that was already present during their construction.

 

      Tracy Hessinger, asked if the widening of the road would be only at this intersection.

 

      Mr. Noll answered that there could be further widening of additional sections as funds permit.

 

      Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, inquired when the left turn lanes would be completed for the Hartford Road and Route 70 intersection.

 

      Mr. Noll said they would be completed this coming summer.

 

      2.  Honorable Mention Certificate – 46th Annual Municipal Public Information 

           Contest

 

     Mr. Achey stated that an Honorable Mention Certificate had been received from Rutgers University, Center for Government Services for the municipalities, “Medford Messenger”.

 

      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.

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            NONE                                    

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

ORDINANCE 2007- 29 “AMENDING CHAPTER 5-80 GOVERNING “DIVISION OF FIRE”

 

            Mr. Brown moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of December 11, 2007, for public hearing, 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.

 

ORDINANCE 2007-32 “AMENDING SECTION 409 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD TO PERMIT AFFORDABLE AGE-RESTRICTED AND DISABLED HOUSING IN THE PPE ZONE NORTH OF UNION STREET BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND JONES ROAD”

 

            Mr. Urban moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of December 11, 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 2007-33 “AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD TO REQUIRE THAT MAJOR SUBDIVISIONS PURCHASE PINELAND DEVELOPMENT CREDITS FOR A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF UNITS”

 

            Mrs. Post moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of December 11, 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 2007-34 “CANCELLATION REAPPROPRIATION ORDINANCE”

 

            Mr. Myers moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of December 11, 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  2007-27 “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. Brown moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Urban.

 

            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.

 

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

           

            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 2007-28  “BOND ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THE REPAIR, RECONSTRUCTION AND/OR RESTORATION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY DAMAGED BY FLOODS IN TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY; APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $1,200,000 THEREFORE; AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OR BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY IN THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF UP TO $1,140,000; MAKING CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS AND COVENANTS;  AND AUTHORIZNG CERTAIN RELATED ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder 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. Brown, aye, Mrs. Post, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, Deputy Mayor Myers, aye, and Mayor Rudder, aye.

           

            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 2007-30 “AMENDING CHAPTER 71 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED “FEES AND LICENSES” AND CHAPTER 900 OF THE MEDFORD TOWNSHIP LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ENTITLED “FEES”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

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

 

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

           

            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 2007-31 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY

OF BURLINGTON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ESTABLISHING MINIMUM AND

 MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE

 TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD”

 

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

 

            Mayor Rudder opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There were no public comments.

 

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

 

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

           

            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 189-2007 “Authorizing Participation in the

Burlington County Cooperation Agreement for Mutual Law Enforcement Aid”

 

 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 190-2007 “Authorizing Contract with Commerce Risk Control Services to Coordinate Alcohol and Drug Testing Services”

 

 Mr. Brown 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 191-2007 “Approving Request for Final Release of Maintenance Guarantee Cranberry Lakes – Section 1, PBC-1293F1”

 

 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 192-2007 “Approving Request for Final Release of Maintenance Guarantee Cranberry Lakes – Section 2, PBC-1293F2”

 

 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 193-2007 “Approving Request for Performance Guarantee Reduction No. 1, St Anthony’s Coptic Orthodox Church, SPR-5526”

 

 Mr. Brown 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 194-2007 “Awarding Contract for Consultant Services for Emergency Medical Services”

 

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

 

            Mrs. Post advised Council that she had spoken with a former Council Member Richard Moser, and reported he is doing well after being involved in an accident.

 

            Mr. Brown reminded residents of the upcoming “Dickens Festival” which will be held on Saturday, December 1st.

           

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

            NEW BUSINESS

           

            Volunteer Firefighter – Taunton Fire Company (Station 252) – Brian Dixon

 

            Mr. Myers moved to approve the application for the volunteer firefighter, Brian Dixon, seconded by Mr. Brown with all Council in agreement.

 

            Raffle Permit - Shawnee 3 Pt. Club

 

            Mrs. Post moved to approve the application for the raffle permit, seconded by Mr. Brown with all Council in agreement.

 

            PUBLIC

           

            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

 

            RESOLUTION 195-2007 “Authorizing Executive Session”

 

            Litigation:   Medford Village East

            Property Acquisition – Eni

            Personnel

 

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

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:17 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Mayor Rudder reconvened the meeting at 8:50 P.M.

 

            He reported legal 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 8:52 P.M., seconded by Mr. Brown with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: December 11, 2007