City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 14, 2022, at 6:00 PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Mayor Harris presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harris called the meeting to order with the following statement: "This meeting is held in compliance with Chapter 231 of the open public meetings act of 1975 and appropriate notice has been given. Notice of the meeting was filed with the Retrospect and Courier Post and is also posted in the main office of the Borough Clerk where notices are primarily kept. She then led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL The Deputy Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Council President Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, Councilman Hanson and Councilman Robenolt. Councilman Ludwig was absent with prior notice. Deputy Municipal Clerk Denise Moules and Timothy Higgins, Solicitor, were also on the dais. PROCLAMATIONS OF THE MAYOR: A proclamation proclaiming June as LGBTQ Pride Month was read by Mayor Harris, June as Men’s Health Awareness Month was read by Council President Beach, and June 17 as Gun Violence Awareness Day was read by Councilman Hanson Councilman Cerrito, representatives from Congressman Norcross’ office, the NJ Fifth Legislative District and Patricia Egan-Jones from the Camden County Veterans Affairs Office presented awards to Haddon Heights High School graduates who are entering the United States Armed Forces: Jake Bailey, Conner Helmetag, Jackson Ferrante, and Jarrett McCormick. Chief Minardi presented awards to the following police officers for their outstanding actions in the handling of two different incidents: Sgt. Daniel Mulhern and Ptl. Matthew Charlton received honorable service awards. This is because of their actions and perseverance in finding the person responsible for a hit and run. Sgt. Gary Hawkins and Ptl. Zachary Ferguson received honorable service awards and Ptl. Daniel Hunt from the Haddon Heights Police Department received a life-saving award. This was for their actions in helping with an individual who was threatening to jump off the Turnpike bridge. Mayor Harris and her husband Bob Harris were the first to see the person on the bridge and called police. The Mayor talked to the person until police arrived and she and her husband, received Civilian Service Awards. Mayor Harris thanked all the officers involved on both incidents. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the May 3, 2022, caucus meeting and the May 10, 2022, council meeting and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Drumm, the minutes were approved by all members of Council present with Councilman Hanson abstaining on the May 10 council meeting minutes. The Police Officers and the students had to leave so they were thanked by Council for their service. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Deputy Municipal Clerk read a summary of the May 2022 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator report for April, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all members of Council present. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION: The Deputy Municipal Clerk read the following ordinances by title. Ord. 1157 Amending Chapter 120, Vehicles and Traffic (Barrington Ave as no parking) Ord. 1158 Adding Article VI to Chapter 49A, Business Registration (cannabis license fees) Ord. 1159 Amending Chapter 111, Taxation in the Borough Code (cannabis Tax) On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the Ordinances were approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the public hearing was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Beach, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Beach, second by Hanson, the ordinances were adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Deputy Municipal Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 6-2022-76 Appropriating Items of Revenue and Expense for Grants Received 6-2022-77 Approval to Submit a Grant Application and Execute a Grant Agreement with NJDOT for Municipal Aid for Roadway Improvements to Austin Avenue, Phase 3 6-2022-78 Authorizing Purchase of Two Trucks for DPW through the Sourcewell Co-op 6-2022-79 Authorizing Shared Service Agreements with Merchantville for the services of the CFO and the Tax Collector 6-2022-80 Supporting Passage of Bill S-330 which Restores Energy Tax Receipts 6-2022-81 Appointing David Pawling as Emergency Management Coordinator 6-2022-82 Authorization Disposition of Surplus Property 6-2022-83 Authorizing Renewal of Liquor Licenses for the 2022-23 License Term 6-2022-84 Approving the June Bill List in the Total Amount of: $1,491,276.38 On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Beach, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris advised that if you have comments or questions to come forward and state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes per person. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Robenolt, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN CERRITO – congratulations to all officers on an amazing job; also congratulations to Mayor Harris and Bob Harris. Green Team meeting following the council meeting, all are welcome. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – congratulated Chief Minardi on how well the officers did stating that its good leadership from the top down. Having the opportunity to work with police on fire calls they all do an outstanding job. He also commended the students going into the service for their commitment. The Councilman stated that their old fire truck left for Oklahoma yesterday, fully stocked with donations from other fire companies. This was all set up by Chief Baus and former fire fighter Brian Alexander. Chief Baus stated that Oklahoma had lots of storms and their equipment was destroyed, they are in need, and we had the ability to help them. Councilman Robenolt added that New Jersey is very strict on the time limit of using our equipment. Example is a coat we need to take out of service due to regulations is practically brand new to them and can get a new life of several years. Mayor said that is very thoughtful and glad they helped another state. COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH - thank you Chief, Mayor and all officers involved, great job those two incidents mentioned and on a daily basis. For kids going in the military, thank you, a great service to your country and to your family. Public Works hired their four seasonal employees, and they will also hire six high school kids as summer help. The Senior bus is running, and we will pick people up at their homes by request. All schools will be out soon so careful, check crosswalks and be mindful that the kids are out. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – congratulations to all who received awards tonight. Appreciate Mayor and Bob who recognized there was a need to help and stopped. The two towns working together is great, we have always worked well with Haddon Heights. As far as the accident, the officers taking the time to search and find the person responsible is impressive. Following it through is a direct result of the Chief’s leadership. The department is great, thank you all. As Councilman Beach said be aware of the kids, we have had a lot of complaints about speeding in town so please slow down and be careful. COUNCILMAN HANSON – commended the Chief, Lieutenant, and the entire Police Department. Congratulations and thank you to the young men entering the service. Police hosted “Coffee with a Cop” last weekend and it was very successful, besides saving lives they are also engaging with the community. There is a Pride event that the borough is co-hosting with GSA from the high school is a at Chuck Lager on Thursday from 5-8 pm. Independence Day festivities are Sunday July 3 beginning with the parade at 6 pm with fireworks at dusk behind the school. As in the last few years, there will be no public viewing. MAYOR HARRIS – thanks to Police Department on what an outstanding job they did and forever grateful to Ptl. Hunt, Sgt. Hawkins and Ptl. Ferguson. It was something I will never forget. It was quite an ordeal with EMS and Fire also in attendance. Pastor Colwell and all the residents offering support. It was very emotional, and they did an outstanding job. Chasing down the car who hit that young lady, they deserve awards also. Thanks Chief and Lieutenant, you are all doing a great job. Fire, EMS, Public Works thank you all. Thanks Tax Office and Eileen, our secretary, thanks so much, we appreciate and value all of you in every department. The high school graduates on Monday and I am proud to have three of the graduates, Mike will have one as will Shawn. Eighth graduation is tomorrow night, its exciting times for our town. As mentioned, please slow down so we don’t have speeding complaints, it is drive twenty-five in Barrington unless otherwise noted. Happy Father’s Day. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the meeting was adjourned at 6:38 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk