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Borough Council 6-12-10

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BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

June 12, 2010

Notes by Jean Tribulski

 

PRELIMINARIES: Call to Order, Roll Call, Public Meeting Announcement, and Salute to the Flag.

 

PRESIDING: Mayor Suzanne Walters. Mayor Walters announced the passing of former Mayor Woods. He was a Borough Councilman and then Mayor from 1975 to 1981. There was a moment of silence in his memory.

 

MINUTES: The minutes of the May 19, 2010 council meeting and June 1 work session were approved as circulated.

 

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES & OFFICERS:

            Public Safety: Mr. T. Cope reported that the Emergency Lockdown procedure had been reviewed. The first summer Municipal Court will be on June 24 and every Thursday thereafter. Candidates have been interviewed for the potential retirement slots. Fire inspections have taken place on 908 units and during the summer there will be an additional 103 inspections. There were 13 fire calls and 21 EMS calls. The Fire Dept. now has the new ladder truck with state of the art fire suppression by foam rather than water. Four new fireman need to be approved. There were 279 motor vehicle violations 280 parking violations and two accidents. There were 8 violations of Borough ordinances with six adults (2 DUI) and nine juveniles. There were 13 warnings for violations of the Dogs on the Beach ordinance, ten were for off leash and three were for the wrong time. Four of these were called in by citizens and the rest by officers on duty. The dispatchers attended an in-service training and several officers were trained in water rescue for after lifeguard hours.

            Natural Resources: Mr. R. Bauer reported that natural resources is in the Master Plan and an inventory was made of all existing plans for inclusion such as back bay, bird sanctuary etc.

The Natural Resources Committee held discussions on the skimming of land for new homes.

The Bird Sanctuary has three pairs of Night Herons nesting, a Little Green Heron and a muskrat. The For the Birds event had 150 people attending and a thank you was extended to all who helped.

            Recreation: Mrs. J. Davies-Dunhour reported that the winter activities were ending. A Blue and White Day was held at the school. This Friday is the dance at Stone Harbor School for all 5-8th grades from both Avalon and Stone Harbor Schools.

Summer recreation programs are set to begin and the employees all invited for training June 5-8. By June 26 all will be fully trained and the department fully staffed.

Some negative comments were heard concerning the Beach Tag Checkers and this has been addressed. Positive comments were sent regarding the rest rooms and rinsing facilities.

The Beach Opening was covered by Channel 10 news thanks to the efforts of the Tourism director.

The Turtle Trot had 550 participants.

Restaurant Week was a success.

            Utilities: Mrs. J. Kramar reported that there were water and sewer connections completed in the new restrooms. Water was installed for the new path in the Sanctuary. There were 63 mark outs for the month and water samples are being taken weekly.

            Public Works: Mr. B. Mastroangelo reported that the sand fences were being repaired or replaced and a review of all the handicap ramps is taking place.

The tree lights on 96th St. were repaired and 18 planters were installed in the business district. Two lighted cross walks are to be trialed on 96th St.

June 20 begins the summer trash schedule.

            Administration & Finance: Mrs. J. Vaul reported that they are encouraging the Cape May County Library to be very aggressive with the state concerning the Stone Harbor Library plans. State DEP officials will visit the proposed site and Stone Harbor on June 30 to decide whether to revisit their decision.

A compensation study is on-going.

The Construction Office will be increasing their fees. A new phone contract was negotiated that will save the Borough $30,000/year.

The future of the school was also discussed.

            Borough Engineer: Mr. M. DeBlasio reported that the outfall pipes have now been removed from 101st to 111th Sts. The repair of the Public Works building is finishing at this time. The painting of the building is out for bids. The water plant is renovated. Exterior renovations to the Administration building are next. Preliminary assessments are being done for Outfall Pipes – Phase Two. The 99th St. bulkhead needed a time extension because of the back order on the wood needed.

The solar panels are to arrive and be installed on June 25.

Question: Chelsea Place needs base paving.

Answer: It will be done on or before June 30.

            Clerk: Mrs. S. Stamford reported on the receipts and disbursements.

Motion was made and seconded to accept the Committee and Officer’s reports. The motion carried. Approved.

 

HEARING OF THE PUBLIC:

The following spoke:

Mrs. J. Tribulski spoke on the lot skimming and offered the suggestion that some communities required the replacement of two indigenous trees for every tree cut down. Mrs. J. Kramar said that the Shade Tree Committee was aware of such regulations and would be looking at that issue when they were underway. A question was addressed to Mrs. J. Davies-Dunhour about the existence of beach badge number registration for tots and handicapped people that could get lost on the beach. She said she would look into it but doubted whether people would pay for an underage youngster.

Mr. J. Flynn discussed the Dogs on the Beach ordinance and that it was very much a problem with people keeping their dogs on leash. As a NJ Fish and Wildlife person responsible for all the beaches below the canal, he found that owners did not clean up their dogs’ feces and this created a problem for children playing in the sand.

Mr. T. Cope responded to Mr. Flynn that people committing infractions were first given a warning but if the ordinance becomes a problem it is within the sole discretion of the Chief of Police to rescind the ordinance at any time.

Mr. J. Kramer also responded that this the last chance for dog owners. There will be no third chance.

Mrs. J. Vaul asked if the infractions were clustered or spread out?

Mr. T. Cope responded that they were spread out.

Mrs. K. Lane said that the contractors working on First Ave. did a phenomenal job. Russ was most helpful and a big thanks you to him.

As President of the Garden Club she also wanted to thank the Public Works Dept and the Cape May County MUA for all their assistance in establishing the wildflower garden at the south end of town across from the flagpole.

Mr. B. Ashman commented that he was glad to hear that they are working aggressively with the County on the library. When will we know the results? Mrs. J. Vaul responded with a question “When do we buy BP stock again? Possibly months.” Mr. Ashman then asked what is Plan B if we do not hear or are turned down? The County attorney is being pushed and if this doesn’t come to fruition all options will be re-examined.

 

OLD BUSINESS: None.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Ordinance 1361 (Increase Construction Fees) Introduced by Mrs. J. Vaul who stated that they checked surrounding boroughs and the new fees were more in line with others, The feeling was that those who benefited from the services needed to pay for it. PASSED with one abstention.
  2. Resolution 2010-S-111 (Amend Resolution 2010-S-65 – Beach Tag Checkers and Office Staff Salary Range) Introduced by Mrs. J. Davies-Dunhour who said the current resolution did not reflect the new salary ranges. PASSED.
  1. Resolution 2010 -S- 112 (Liquor License Renewal Shelter Haven Hospitality Inc.) Introduced by Mr. T. Cope. PASSED.
  2. Resolution 2010 -S-113 (Liquor License Renewal Harbor Pub) Introduced by Mr. B. Mastroangelo and PASSED.
  3. Resolution 2010-S-114 (Refund Overpayment Utilities) Introduced by Mrs. J. Kramar and PASSED.
  4. Resolution 2010-S-115 (Amend Executive Policies) Withdrawn and renumbering of following resolutions.
  5. Resolution 2010-S-115 (Telecommunications Provider Magellan Hill) Introduced by Mr. B. Mastroangelo and PASSED.
  6. Resolution 2101-S-116 Fireworks Display) Introduced by Mr. T. cope and PASSED.
  7. Resolution 2010-S-117 (Change Order – Paramount) Introduced by Mr. R. Bauer and PASSED.
  8. Motion- Zoning Board Appointment. Introduced by Mayor S. Walters and Passed.
  9. Motion- Four New Firemen Introduced by Mayor S. Walters and PASSED.
  10. Motion- Special Event Meagher Triathlon Introduced by Mayor Walters and PASSED.

 

DISCUSSION: A discussion is needed on what to do with parking meter money.

 

MOTION TO PAY THE BILLS: PASSED.

 

ADJOURNMENT: 5:35 pm.