MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

April 22, 2008 7:30 P.M.

  

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

           

COUNCIL ROLL CALL

 

            Mr. Joseph J. Lynn, Jr.                                     Present

            Mr. Robert Martin                                                        Present

            Mrs. Mary Ann O’Brien                                               Present

            Deputy Mayor David Brown                                         Present

            Mayor Christopher Myers                                            Absent

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Christopher Noll, Township Engineer

           

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session and Executive Session Minutes  – April 8, 2008

 

            Mr. Martin moved for approval of the Public and Executive Session minutes of               April 8, 2008.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Lynn.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows:  Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

1.  Proclamation – May – “Motorcycle Awareness Month”

     

Mr. Martin read a proclamation supporting May as Motorcycle Awareness Month in New Jersey.  Present to receive the proclamation were members of “ABATE”, an acronym for “American Bikers Advocating Training and Education”.  The members included Mr. Bob Hicks, Ms. Janet Garrison and Mr. Biff Crossley.  Many members of ABATE as well as several township official arrived at the meeting on their bikes.

 

      Mr. Biff Crossley presented a banner from the awareness committee to the township

 

 

2.  Proclamation – “National Volunteer Week”

 

Deputy Mayor Brown read a proclamation proclaiming April 27th. – May 3rd 

as National Volunteer Week.  He thanked the many volunteers who work for different causes in Medford.

 

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

 

            Mr. Noll outlined three different issues that are before Council.

 

            1.  Ordinance 2008-16  Mr. Noll considers this ordinance a housekeeping measure which changes the Land Development Code by the addition of the Highway Management Zone. 

           

            2.  Ordinance 2008-14  lowering the speed on a portion of Branin Road will be referred to the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  Once approval has been received from them, the speed limit changes will be put into place.

 

            3.  Resolution 108-2008  deals with a change order for the turf field project at Bende Park.  Additional funds of $2,586.00 are needed for the completion of this project.

 

            SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Hunt advised that Ordinance 2008-17 will streamline the process for obtaining a permit for special events in Medford, if the events and persons responsible for these events are the same as on prior applications.  This makes the process less onerous to the businesses as well as to the Police Department.

 

            Mr. Hunt stated that this ordinance was researched and discussed in length by Chief of Police, James Kehoe, Director of Public Safety, Stephen Addezio, Janet Jackson Gould and George Morris, Esquire before being drawn.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            1.  Lillian Butler, 120 South Main Street, came before Council to express her frustration with the speed of traffic passing by her residence. She advised that her cars had been hit twice, with mirrors being torn off, and more recently her car had been totaled while parked in front of her residence. She would like consideration to have the speed limit lowered and more enforcement of the speed limit in this area of the village.

 

            Mr. Addezio advised that this street is regulated by the County Highway Department.  He will check into the situation.

 

            2.  Tracy Hessinger, 13 Jennings Road, said she had witnessed the speeders while she was walking on Main Street.  She suggested that pedestrian walkways might be a way to curb the speeding drivers and could be a reminder for drivers to slow down.

 

            3.  Tim Kearns, 126 South Main Street, was at Council to show his support for his neighbor, Lillian Butler.  He would like a commitment from the authorities to have something done to enforce the speed limit in that area of Main Street.

 

            4.  Jean Chong, Somerton Square, came before Council with some suggestions she would like Council to consider.

 

            One item she suggested was that the speed limit on Jackson Road be constant, rather than changing.

 

            She expressed concern about the poor use of water resources and would like more emphasis placed on the use of solar energy and geo-thermal energy.

 

            Mrs. Chong stated that she been a Master Gardener and would like to be considered for one of the township committees, such as the Shade Tree Committee. 

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown suggested she contact Mr. Achey, Township Manager regarding her suggestions for these issues.  Deputy Mayor Brown also said Beth Richmond, Recreational Director, might be able to advise her of different programs offered to Seniors.

             

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-16 “AMENDING SECTION 611 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD”

                       

            Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 27, 2008, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-17 “AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED “PEDDLING AND SOLICITING” TO CREATE AN ANNUAL PERMITTING PROCESS FOR SPECIAL EVENT PERMITTING”

                       

            Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of May 27, 2008, for public hearing, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye, and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

             ORDINANCE 2008-11 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FOR OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION AND REFERRED TO AS THE COW POINTE PROPERTY, APPROPRIATING $10,300,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $10,300,000 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME”

 

            Mr. Martin moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting to the public.

 

            Public

 

            1.  Terry Palmer, Allen Avenue, questioned whether this ordinance is for the Cow Pointe property only, and if homes would be built on the site.

 

            Mr. Hunt advised her that it is for the Cow Pointe property, and that one house could be built on each parcel.

 

            2.  Tim Kerns, South Main Street, questioned what portion of the property is considered wetlands.

 

            A percentage figure wasn’t available at this time, but will be obtained for Mr. Kerns.

 

             Mr. Martin moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-13 “AMENDING CHAPTER 75 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD ENTITLED “FIRE PREVENTION” AND CHAPTER 71 ENTITLED “FEES AND LICENSES”

 

            Mr. Lynn moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There was no public comment.

           

             Mr. Martin moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye

 

            ORDINANCE 2008-14 “AMENDING CHAPTER 140 OF THE TOWNSHIP CODE ENTITLED: VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT ON A PORTION OF BRANIN ROAD”

 

            Mrs. O’Brien moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting to the public.

 

            There was no public comment.

           

             Mr. Lynn moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows:         Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

           

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 104-2008 “RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE BURLINGTON COUNTY SHARED SERVICES FORUM”

           

Mr. Martin moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye

 

            RESOLUTION 105-2008 “AUTHORIZING STATE CONTRACT PURCHASES”

           

Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye

 

            RESOLUTION 106-2008 “APPROVING REQUEST FOR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE REDUCTION NO. 1, HAYNES RUN SELF STORAGE, SPR-5565F”

           

 Mrs. O’Brien moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Lynn.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye

 

            RESOLUTION 107-2008 “AUTHORIZING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY/RELAY FOR LIFE OF MEDFORD, PERMISSION TO SOLICIT AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF TAUNTON ROAD/HARTFORD ROAD, TAUNTON ROAD/TUCKERTON ROAD, TUCKERTON ROAD/JACKSON ROAD AND SKEET ROAD/DIXONTOWN ROAD”

           

Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye

 

            RESOLUTION 108-2008 “APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NUMBER 2 – FINAL, THE LANDTEK GROUP, INC., BOB BENDE SYNTHETIC TURF FIELD PROJECT”

           

Mr. Martin moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown opened the meeting for public comments.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

            Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Lynn, aye, Mr. Martin, aye, Mrs. O’Brien, aye and Deputy Mayor Brown, aye.

 

            COMMUNICATION

           

            NONE

                       

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            1.  Raffle Permit – Medford Historical Society, December 13, 2008, at Medford                            Historical Society, 275 Church Road

            2.  Raffle Permit – Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, June 14, 2008 at                        Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

           

            Mrs. O’Brien moved to approve the applications for the above listed raffle permits, seconded by Mr. Martin with all Council in agreement.

 

            PUBLIC

           

            NONE

 

            Mrs. O’Brien moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mr. Martin. 

 

            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, Mr. Lynn moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:20 P.M., seconded by Mr. Martin with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for:   May 13th, 2008