City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING May 9, 2023, 6:00PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Mayor Harris presiding. CALL TO ORDER The Mayor 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 Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Councilman Beach, Council President Hanson, Councilman Cerrito, and Councilman Robenolt. Councilman Drumm was absent with prior notice; Councilman Ludwig was absent. Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon and Solicitor, Timothy Higgins, were also on the dais. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the April 4, 2023, caucus and the April 11, 2023, council meetings and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the minutes were approved by all council members present with the exception of Beach and Robenolt who abstained on the caucus minutes. PROCLAMATIONS The following proclamations were read by various councilmembers: Brain Cancer Awareness Month, May 15-19 as National Police Week, May 21-27 as National EMS Week, and May 21-27 as National Public Works Week COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the April 2023 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator for March, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all council members present. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION The Municipal Clerk read the following ordinances by title: Ord. 1170 Adding Chapter 52, Community Garden, to the Code of the Borough of Barrington Ord. 1171 Fixing the 2023 Compensation of Certain Officers and Employees of the Borough of Barrington On a motion by Cerrito, second by Robenolt, the ordinances were approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the public hearing was opened on these ordinances. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Hanson, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Beach, Ordinances 1170 and 1171 were adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING The Clerk read the following ordinance by title: Ord. 1172 Bond Ordinance Authorizing the Completion of Various Capital Improvements and Acquisition of Various Capital Equipment in and for the Borough of Barrington; County of Camden, NJ; Appropriating the Sum of $699,000 Therefor; Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds or Bond Anticipation Notes of the Borough of Barrington in the Aggregate Principal Amount of up to $670,050, Making Certain Determinations and Covenants; and Authorizing Certain Related Actions in Connection with the Foregoing Ord. 1173 Amending Chapter 58, Fees, in the Code of the Borough of Barrington On a motion by Cerrito, second by Hanson, the ordinances were approved on first reading with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes These ordinances will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to be held during the June 7, 2023, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 5-2023-56 Authorizing an Amendment to the Shared Services Agreement with the Borough of Runnemede Relative to Emergency Medical Services 5-2023-57 Cancellation of Grant Receivable for Capital Ordinance 1053 5-2023-58 Cancellation of the Unfunded Appropriation Balance for Certain Improvement Authorizations in the General Capital Fund 5-2023-59 Refund of a Tax Payment to a Mortgage Company 5-2023-60 Authorizing Participation in the 2023 Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program 5-2023-61 Authorizing the Budget to be Read by Title at Time of Public Hearing 5-2023-62 Approving the May Bill List in the Total Amount of: $5,965,219.98 5-2023-63 Adopting the 3-Year Cooperation Agreement with the County of Camden On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2023 MUNICIPAL BUDGET Mayor Harris opened the public hearing on the 2023 Municipal Budget stating there is no municipal budget increase this year. Please state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes per person. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris advised that if you have comments or questions, please 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 Hanson, second by Robenolt, the public hearing was closed. 5-2023-64 Resolution to Amend the 2023 Municipal Budget On a motion by Hanson second by Beach, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes 5-2023-65 Resolution to Adopt the 2023 Municipal Budget On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes 5-2023-66 Resolution Appropriating Items of Revenue and Expense for Grants Received On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Robenolt, second by Hanson, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris advised that if you have comments or questions, please come forward and state your name for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes per person. Paul Gross from Tavistock Boulevard said the Clerk sent him a copy of the drainage study but it does not appear to be complete. Gross said the remedies were all the same, clean the pipes, enlarge the pipes, etc. It also said to contact NJDOT and the Turnpike Authority about maintaining their drainage. That was all is said and he hopes we didn’t pay too much for this report. The Clerk said there were a lot more recommendations than that and it sounds like he did not have the full report--she will make sure he has the whole report. Mr. Gross added that the ditch along the White Horse Pike is compromised and is not being maintained by the state. Mayor Harris said we will talk to Mike Ciocco about that and she asked Councilman Beach to discuss with Mike. Terry Shannon – wanted to thank EMS/Ambulance for how fantastic they were when they came to her home to take care of her husband who was in respiratory distress. Even the doctor at the hospital said the EMT’s did a great job. Bob is still in hospital but doing well. Thank you all for a great job. Diane Schreyer – regarding the death of Officer Shisler of the Deptford Police Department, thanks to the Chief and Police for their participation in his remembrance activities. It was good to see a Barrington police were in the lines of those attending, and thank you for representing Barrington. Maryann Perrino - wanted to make it known that Eileen Holcombe and Meg O’Donnell are doing a great job with the seniors, keeping them busy and off the street, maybe even out of jail. This is her first year joining and she thinks it is just great. Maryann also asked when Third Ave repairs will start. The mayor advised that the signs are on backorder till the middle of June and will be scheduled to be installed as soon as they are received; this is the same for Clements Bridge Road. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Hanson, second by Cerrito, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY MAYOR HARRIS - on behalf of Mayor and Council we extend our deepest condolences to the Hawkins and Shisler families. Bobby Shisler, the Deptford police officer who passed away the other day, is the nephew of our police Sargeant Gary Hawkins and grandson of a long-time resident and former employee, Ethel Hawkins. The blue lights and blue ribbons around town are in support of Bobby Shisler. Thank you, Chief for representing the municipality. We know that you were there the last several days, thank you. Reminder that our officers put their life on the line every single day. Thank you, Kate, what a great job EMS does every single day. We are proud that you represent three towns plus municipal aid, we know it is not always easy. Kate is looking for more staff if anyone knows of a person looking for EMT employment. Thanks to Public Works for all their hard work, we will be celebrating Public Works Week. Keep in mind those who have brain cancer or brain tumors like my father. We found out on Memorial Day weekend, and he died by December 7. It is Colon Cancer Awareness and we found out my mother has colon cancer; she had surgery and is doing well. Thank you all for your thoughts and concerns for my family. Thanks to all up here with me today and those not here tonight. We work hard together to do what we do for our borough. Thanks to Denise, Terry, and Eileen and all the staff, thank you for helping us accomplish zero municipal tax for 2023. It is not easy, and a lot goes into managing the budget. We commend all directors and department heads. Thanks Greg Evans, you get grants and do a great job for us. Thanks Mr. Gross, for always keeping us on our toes. You are one of the few who come out to meetings to talk with us. Happy Mother’s Day and see you next month. COUNCIL PRESIDENT HANSON – condolences to the Shisler and Hawkins families. It’s a sad coincidence that we are honoring Police Remembrance Week for fallen officers and our police departments in the local area have an officer this week. We respect and are thankful for all our officers in town. With Brain Cancer and Tumor awareness, we have a local family, the Gibbons Family, who are in DC today in meetings with Congressman Norcross and Senators Menendez and Booker on behalf of the National Brain Tumor Society. Their son Matt Gibbons is also in DC today as his wife Holly had a brain tumor, they do a lot of work for that cause. Thanks to all our departments and borough staff for their help with Student Government Day. The 8th Grade class spent the day in various departments throughout town learning the facets of government and all that goes into running the borough. Little League is having “Family Fun Day” this Saturday from 11-3pm. Brews, Beats and Eats is May 20 at the St. Francis de Sales/Rosebud Academy parking lot from 3-10pm, hosted by the Civic Association. All money raised goes back to town for all the free events that we host throughout the year. The borough Memorial Day service is Monday, May 29 at 10 am; Fire Department services begin at 9am. Summer Rec program registration is open for kindergarten through 8th grades and runs four weeks throughout the summer, information is on our website and Facebook page. Thank you, Denise, for all your work on the budget. COUNCILMAN BEACH – sincere condolences to family, friend, officers, and the Deptford community for the loss of Officer Shisler. Sometimes it takes a tragedy for us to show our appreciation for what you all do. We understand that on a daily basis you put your life on the line for us and we do appreciate it and don’t take you for granted. Speaking for all of us we truly appreciate what you do every day. Public Works is also one of our first responders, more behind the scenes, keeping the town safe and clean. They do a great job. Our senior center is open every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 4pm. There are three special events coming up. On May 18 we have Brunch with the Police and EMS from 11am -2pm, May 25 game day 2-4, evening event with the Singing Angels from 530-8pm, doors open at 5pm. June 1 golf day and lunch to follow with the DPW staff at the Senior Center. Thanks Eileen and Meg, more seniors are attending events and you are doing a great job which is much needed after covid. Thanks Denise and Greg too! Mayor asked Eileen if the June 1 golf is with her at the Camden County Driving Range and she was told yes! COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – echoed condolences for the Sisler and Hawkins families. Many members of the Hawkins family have deep ties to the borough and Barrington Fire Company. Bobs dad was a member of our softball team years ago, the Councilman grew up with Bobby’s mother and this is a tragedy. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. May is also Mental Health Awareness month. If you see anyone struggling, please reach out to them and try to get help, don’t let it go unattended. We have had people in the borough where this has happened. As a friend it doesn’t always end well so reach out and try to get them help. COUNCILMAN CERRITO – condolences and prayers to the Hawkins and Shisler families and their friends. Councilman Beach made such a great point that we put our faith and trust and our children’s safety in the hands of the police. Unfortunately, Officer Shisler made the ultimate sacrifice to defend that in his town. Our Military Appreciation Ceremony for high school seniors entering the Armed Forces will be held at our council meeting on Tuesday, June 13. If you have a child that lives in Barrington, and you would like him or her recognized please reach out to me or our office. Thanks to our Department of Public Works for all their hard work day in and day out put particularly on the Community Garden at 4th and Austin Avenues. Thanks to Terry, the Green Team and all the supporters. Thanks to all involved with the budget, Denise, Terry, the staff, council, and department heads, what a great job not to have an increase in our municipal budget. The Councilman wished Terry’s husband a speedy recovery. Mayor Harris advised that the senior bus is being repaired. We do have a senior bus but it is inoperable at this time, but it will be coming back. We are assured by our mechanic that it will be sound and safe and back on the road. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 PM APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk