City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING July 9, 2024, 6:00PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Mayor Hanson presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hanson 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. He then led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Council President Beach, Councilman Drumm, and Councilwoman Mercado-Miller. Councilman Ludwig was absent with prior notice, Councilman Cerrito will be late due to work, the Clerk has not heard from Councilman Robenolt. Mayor Hanson, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon, and Solicitor Timothy Higgins were also on the dais. PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Hanson advised that the following proclamations will be posted on the bulletin board outside the Mayor’s Office. Korean War Remembrance Day July 27 Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Hanson reported that Council was provided with the minutes of the June 5, 2024, caucus, and the June 11, 2024, council meetings and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. Seeing none, on a motion by Beach, second by Drumm the minutes were approved with all Council members present. Councilwoman Mercado-Miller abstained as she was absent from those meetings. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Hanson advised that the monthly departmental reports were distributed to the governing body, are posted outside of council chambers, and posted on the borough website. If there are no questions on the reports, I will entertain a motion to accept monthly reports. On a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller, the monthly departmental reports were approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Drumm-yes, Mercado-Miller – yes. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION Ord. 1189 Amending Article IX in Chapter 296, Requirements and Controls for Major Developments, in the Code of the Borough of Barrington On a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the second reading of the ordinance was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Drumm-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes On a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller, the public hearing on the ordinance was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller, the ordinance was adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Drumm-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 7-2024-73 Approving Renewal of the New Liquor License Issued to Ordell, LLC 7-2024-74 Authorizing Purchase of Two Ambulances from Borough of Runnemede 7-2024-75 Authorizing a Shared Service Agreement with Camden County Relative to Solar Pedestrian Safety Signs 7-2024-76 Authorizing a Revision to the Cash Management Program 7-2024-77 Authorizing Shared Service Agreements with the Borough of Merchantville 7-2024-78 Appointing Redevelopment Counsel Under a Fair and Open Process 7-2024-79 Approving the July Bill List in the Total Amount of: $1,906,132.93 On a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Drumm-yes, Mercado-Miller–yes PUBLIC PORTION Mayor Hanson 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. On a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Lois Eckmann – disagrees with the tree ordinance; too many loop-holes. She sees it has punitive and nothing that really helps the environment. She loves trees and her suggestion is that all properties should have at least one tree. She does not see this ordinance as proactive. Suggests that if your house is sold you must sell it with a tree in the yard, it is a more positive way to plant trees. We make people fix their sidewalks to sell their home, make them have a tree in their yard. That makes more sense to her. Mayor said they will take that under advisement. He is aware Ms. Eckmann spoke with Councilman Drumm after the last meeting and also to the clerk. He is assuming they made her aware that the ordinance was already passed. We will discuss internally. The Mayor told her he can see her passion for the environment and suggested that she attend a Green Team meeting. Seeing no further comments from the public, on a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN DRUMM – (Mayor Hanson gave the Councilman a birthday shoutout and let him go first.) Stay safe and cool with this hot weather. The Independence Parade and fireworks were great, we received lots of compliments. Congratulations and thank you to Jim Arpino, our fire official, for staying until 1:30am to make sure all was okay. Thanks to all the employees and volunteers who worked hard to make the parade and fireworks happen. COUNCILWOMAN MERCADO-MILLER – echoed what Councilman Drumm said about the parade, fireworks and excitement over the holiday and weekend. Thanks to EMS, Fire, Police and DPW for their work keeping everyone safe. The Board of Health and seniors, please check on your seniors or other neighbors. Camden County has a program to give fans to seniors; if in need reach out to me or the Board of Health. Check the senior Facebook page for upcoming events. The Board of Health met last month with lots discussed. We are looking for individuals who would like to join a subcommittee for the Mayors Wellness Campaign. This is a statewide initiative that helps towns become healthier with Wellness Week in 2025. COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH- thanked fire, police, fire alliance, EMT’s and public Works. A lot goes on with the parade, and fireworks and keeping everyone safe is our main concern and all did a great job. It is summertime and kids are out and about. Our entire town speed limit is 25 mph so please be aware of your speed and the kids riding around town on their bikes. MAYOR HANSON – apologized for their casual looks this evening. The air is not working properly so council was advised by the Mayor to dress casual and comfortable for tonight’s meeting. Mayor echoed above remarks to all departments and Jim Arpino on the great job for parade and fireworks; all was a great success. Summer Rec is underway; thanks to our counselors and director Donnie Lang who is doing a great job with the students. Reminder that National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6, so our August caucus meeting will be Wednesday, August 7. Please join us on the 6th at Wish Upon a Star Park for National Night Out. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Drumm, second by Mercado-Miller, the meeting was adjourned at 6:13 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk