MEDFORD TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

August 14, 2008  6:00 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 (By telecommunication)

            Mayor Christopher Myers                                Present

 

            PROFESSIONALS PRESENT

 

            Michael Achey, Township Manager

            Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor

                       

            MANAGER’S REPORT

 

  NONE

 

            ENGINEER’S REPORT

 

            NONE                        

 

SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

            Mr. Hunt is prepared to answer any questions on Resolution 164-2008 and

Resolution 165-2008 when they are presented for adoption.

 

            PUBLIC

 

            NONE

 

             Mayor Myers stated the reason for this meeting is to adopt a resolution challenging the 3rd Round COAH numbers.  He feels to burden the township with unfunded mandates is invalid under the New Jersey Constitution.  He stated that the available land listed for COAH projects, which included school property and airport runways, has been miscalculated.  Mayor Myers strongly opposes these changes. 

 

 

 

ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION

 

NONE

           

            ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

 

NONE

           

            RESOLUTIONS

 

            RESOLUTION 164-2008 “AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A COMPLAINT WITH THE COUNCIL ON LOCAL MANDATES AND RELATED ACTION ON BEHALF OF MEDFORD TOWNSHIP, CHALLENGING COAH’S THIRD ROUND REGULATIONS AND ASSEMBLY BILL A-500, AMENDING THE FAIR HOUSING ACT, FOR IMPOSING UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNFUNDED MANDATES ON MEDFORD TOWNSHIP.”

           

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.

 

            Mrs. O’Brien stated that she is happy the township is acting on this mandate.

 

            Deputy Mayor Brown also said he is tired of unfunded mandates.

 

            Mr. Martin expressed that he too has a difficult time understanding how the state can issue these unfunded mandates.

 

            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.

           

            RESOLUTION 165-2008 “RATIFYING THE PLEDGE OF CONTRIBUTION TO THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES IN CONNECTION WITH AN APPELLATE CHALLENGE TO COAH REGULATIONS.”

           

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.

 

            This resolution pledges $500.00 from Medford to enable the township to join in the League of Municipalities law suit challenging the New COAH regulations.

 

           

 

            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.

           

            RESOLUTION 166-2008 “AUTHORIZING AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR RENOVATION TO CRANBERRY HALL.”

           

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.

 

            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.

           

            COMMUNICATION

 

            NONE

                                               

            OLD BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            NEW BUSINESS

 

            NONE

 

            PUBLIC

           

            NONE 

           

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

 

            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 6:15 P.M., seconded by Mrs. O’Brien with all members in agreement.

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                               

 

Joyce F. Frenia, RMC

Township Clerk

 

Next meeting scheduled for: August 26, 2008