MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

COUNCIL MEETING

May 13, 2008 7:30 P.M.

  

The Medford Township Council Meeting of the above date was convened by Mayor Myers, 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                                            Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Katherine Burger, Acting for Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

            Charles Walton, Township Engineer’s Office

           

            MINUTES

 

            Public Session Minutes  – April 22, 2008

 

            Mr. Martin moved for approval of the Public Session minutes of April 22, 2008.  The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

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

 

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

1.    Bill List           

 

Ms. Burger presented the bill list for payment.

 

Ms. Burger 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

 

            Orlando Caceres, 39 Eayrestown Road, stated his concern about the double line on Eayrestown Road.  He advised that the line stops right at the bend, and he is requesting it be continued. Mayor Myers has asked Stephen Addezio, Director of Public Safety to look into the matter.

 

            Jean Chong, 20 Somerton Square, discussed several issues she has with the builder of her home.

 

            After hearing the complaints and learning that the Police Department was not able to help her, Mr. Hunt responded that he feels these are private contracts, and he suggested she take the issues to small claims court.

 

            Mrs. Chong responded that she had done this and that the court said she did not have a case.  She would like to consult with Mr. Cavallo of the attorneys’ office.  Mr. Hunt agreed to advise Mr. Cavallo of the situation.

 

            Aniko Somogyi, 66 Chairville Road, came before Council to express her concern regarding the farmers in her area using pesticides on the fields.  Ms. Somogyi has done research on pesticides and stated the reasons she is requesting this practice be discontinued.  She is especially concerned because of the schools in close proximity to the fields.  She would like Council to consider having the Township lease these fields and not have them leased to farmers to be planted.   Mr. Hunt will check into the crops that will be planted in these fields.

 

             ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

ORDINANCE 2008-18 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN

THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL

IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED EXPENSES IN AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP,

APPROPRIATING $4,890,026 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF

$4,503,026 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO

FINANCE THE SAME”.

 

            Mr. Martin 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, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

ORDINANCE 2008-19 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED EXPENSES IN AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP, APPROPRIATING $569,000 THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $569,000 IN GENERAL IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME”.

 

            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, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

ORDINANCE 2008-20 “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, IN THE

COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, PROVIDING FOR VARIOUS UTILITY

IMPROVEMENTS AND RELATED EXPENSES FOR PHASE II OF THE SEWER PLANT

UPGRADE PROJECT IN AND FOR THE TOWNSHIP, APPROPRIATING $7,051,172

THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $7,051,172 IN GENERAL

IMPROVEMENT BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP TO FINANCE THE SAME”.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown 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, Deputy Mayor Brown, aye, and Mayor Myers, aye.

 

            ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

           

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 109-2008 “Authorizing Adjustment of 2008 Property Tax, Block        2203, Lot 18”

           

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

 

            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 110-2008 “Approving Request for Final Release of Performance         Guarantee, Jewish Community Center Camp Additions, ESL-91”

           

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

 

            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 111-2008 “Amending 2008 Budget of the Township of Medford,        County of Burlington”

           

 Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

            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 112-2008 “Approve 2008 Emergency Temporary Budget”

           

 Deputy Mayor Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Martin.

 

            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 113-2008 “Approve Temporary Capital Budget”

           

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

 

            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 114-2008 “Authorizing the Township Council to Call   Performance Bond posted by Rita’s Garden Center, SPR-5502F”

           

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

 

            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 115-2008 “Resolution of the Township of Medford, in the County       of Burlington, New Jersey, Authorizing an Application to the Local Finance             Board Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:2-26(e) For Approval of a Non-Conforming      Maturity Schedule”

           

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

 

            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 116-2008 “A Resolution Authorizing the Township of Medford           to Execute an Agreement with Burlington County for Cooperative Participation in             the Community Development Act of 1974.”

           

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

 

            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 118-2008 “Appointing Pension Law Specialist”

           

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

 

            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

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown advised that the spraying for gypsy moth will be occurring soon and the residents will be made aware of the dates.  The schools will also be notified.

 

            Mayor Myers said that the car show will be held on Saturday.

                                   

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            1.  Social Affair Permit – Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown moved to accept the permit for the social affair, seconded by Mr. Martin with all members in agreement.

 

            2.  James Wells – Volunteer for Union Fire Company #251

           

            Mrs. O’Brien moved to accept the application for the volunteer fire company applicant, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown with all members in agreement.

 

            PUBLIC

           

            NONE

           

            Mr. Martin moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mrs. O’Brien and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING

 

            Mayor Myers advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss potential litigation and that no action will be taken. 

 

            Resolution 117-2008 “Authorizing Executive Session”

 

Mr. Lynn moved for approval of the resolution to adjourn to Executive Session, seconded by Deputy Mayor Brown.

 

            The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:08 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.

 

            RECONVENING OF MEETING

 

            Mayor Myers reconvened the meeting at 8:32 P.M.

 

            He reported potential litigation had been discussed in Executive Session and that no action had taken place.

 

            ADJOURNMENT

 

            There being no further business, Deputy Mayor Brown moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:34 P.M., seconded by Mr. Martin with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for:  May 27, 2008