Borough Council

COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING October 14, 2020 Page | 1 Mayor Roach called the meeting to order. Sunshine Law - Notice of this meeting has been duly advertised in compliance with the provisions of the open public meetings law. Please be advised that this meeting will be recorded for possible later playback. Flag Salute Roll Call of Council Members Present: DiDomenico, Hess, Jackson, Sinon, Strippoli, and Mayor Roach Excused absence: President Randolph-Sharpe Resolution 2020:174 Executive Session BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the Mayor and Council are now going into closed session to discuss Legal Updates, Personnel, and Contract Negotiations Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilman Jackson that Resolution 2020:174 be adopted as read. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilwoman Sinon to go out of executive session. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilwoman Hess that the Council Meeting for September 9, 2020 and the Council Meeting and Executive Session for September 23, 2020 be adopted as presented. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilman Jackson that all bills that have been properly audited be approved for payment. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. The following reports have been filed and are available in the respective offices for review and will be included in the minutes: a. Tax Collector’s Report (Aug.) $5,788,598.29 b. Sewer Report (Aug.) $ 44,640.77 c. Treasurer’s Report $ 20,124.18 First Reading Ordinance 2020-18 Amend Ordinance 2015-13 Zoning Designation AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING OF PROPERTIES LOCATED AT CHEWS LANDING ROAD AND LAUREL ROAD IN COMPLIANCE WITH CHAPTER 365 SECTION 129 OF THE CODE OF THE BOROUGH OF LINDENWOLD, COUNTY OF CAMDEN, STATE OF NEW JERSEY WHEREAS, the municipal governing body of the Borough of Lindenwold passed Ordinance 2015-13 that changed the zoning in the area of Chews Landing Road and Laurel Road from a B-1 to a B-2, and WHEREAS, the Joint Land Use Board Engineer and Solicitor have reviewed this ordinance and determined that there are two additional properties related to this area that are in need of this zoning change as determined under Ordinance 2015- 13, and WHEREAS, these properties are listed as Block 238, Lots 1.06 and 1.07, and WHEREAS, the municipal governing body of the Borough of Lindenwold wishes to amend the zoning in the area of the additional properties located at the Intersection Properties of Chews Landing Road and Laurel Road to a B-2 Highway Business District which permits all of the B-1 uses, hospitals, animal hospitals, amusements, commercial green houses and nurseries, automobile body repair and painting (with certain conditions), shopping centers, carpet, appliance and furniture sales and related uses, and convenience stores with the sale of gasoline and petroleum products, and WHEREAS, the Block 238, Lots 1.06 and 1.07, existing uses and potential future uses are more aligned with B-2, Highway Business uses than the current zoning designation as OP-1, and WHEREAS, the following is being recommended to the Joint Land Use Board for review as required in Chapter 365, Section 129, and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED by the municipal governing body of the Borough of Lindenwold that the zoning in the area of Block 238, Lots 1.06 and 1.07 be designated as B-2 in alignment with the properties at the intersection of Chews Landing Road and Laurel Road. This ordinance shall take effect upon proper passage and publication according to law. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilman DiDomenico that Ordinance 2020-18 be adopted on first reading, published according to law, with second reading being held at next regular scheduled meeting. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA: The items listed below are considered routine by the Borough of Lindenwold and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no formal discussion of these items. If discussion is desired, this item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered separately. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilwoman Hess that Resolution 2020:175 to Resolution 2020:178 be adopted as read. Roll call vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2020:175 Authorizing Transfer/Cancellation of Various Items, Division of Tax Collections-Sewer BE IT RESOLVED, by the Borough Council of the Borough of Lindenwold in the County of Camden that the Tax Collector is hereby authorized to make the following adjustments to the tax records of the Borough of Lindenwold. IDENTIFICATION: 2020 TAXES ASSESSMENT Block 240 Lot 4.05 Qual C1106 $2,576.22 $55,700 COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING October 14, 2020 Page | 2 ADJUSTMENT: Cancel taxes along with corresponding assessment. Property owner is qualified as a Totally Disabled Veteran and as such is entitled to tax exempt status as ordered by the New Jersey Division of Taxation. RESOLUTION 2020:176 Accept 2019 Audit WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:5-4 requires the governing body of every local unit to have made an annual audit of its books, accounts and financial transactions, and WHEREAS, the Annual Report of Audit for the year 2019 has been filed by a Registered Municipal Accountant with the Municipal Clerk pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:5-6, and a copy has been received by each member of the governing body; and, WHEREAS, R.S. 52:27BB-34 authorizes the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey to prescribe reports pertaining to the local fiscal affairs; and, WHEREAS, the Local Finance Board has promulgated N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5, a regulation requiring that the governing body of each municipality shall by resolution certify to the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey that all members of the governing body have reviewed, as a minimum, the sections of the annual audit entitled “Findings and Questioned Costs” or “Comments and Recommendations, and, WHEREAS, the members of the governing body have personally reviewed as a minimum the Annual Report of Audit, and specifically the sections of the Annual Audit entitled “Findings and Questioned Costs” or “Comments and Recommendations, as evidenced by the group affidavit form of the governing body attached hereto; and, WHEREAS, such resolution of certification shall be adopted by the Governing Body no later than forty-five days after the receipt of the annual audit, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5; and, WHEREAS, all members of the governing body have received and have familiarized themselves with, at least, the minimum requirements of the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey, as stated aforesaid and have subscribed to the affidavit, as provided by the Local Finance Board, and WHEREAS, failure to comply with the regulations of the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey may subject the members of the local governing body to the penalty provisions of R.S. 52:27BB-52, to wit: R.S. 52:27BB-52: A local officer or member of a local governing body who, after a date fixed for compliance, fails or refuses to obey an order of the director (Director of Local Government Services), under the provisions of this Article, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, may be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, in addition shall forfeit his office. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the Borough of Lindenwold, hereby states that it has complied with N.J.A.C. 5:30-6.5 and does hereby submit a certified copy of this resolution and the required affidavit to said Board to show evidence of said compliance. RESOLUTION 2020:177 Halloween Curfew and Trick or Treating Hours WHEREAS, there currently exists a curfew for the Borough of Lindenwold residents seventeen (17) years of age and under, and WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend this curfew for Friday, October 30, 2020 through Sunday, November 1, 2020 for Halloween. WHEREAS, it is also necessary to designate the time for Trick or Treating in the Borough of Lindenwold, and WHEREAS, the hours will be from 2:00 pm until curfew at 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 31, 2020. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the curfew hours for Friday, October 30, 2020 through Sunday, November 1, 2020 inclusive shall be from 8:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. prevailing time each night. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the hours for Trick or Treating be 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. RESOLUTION 2020:178 Renew Liquor License 2020-2021 BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Lindenwold that the following liquor license is hereby approved for the year 2020- 2021: LICENSEE NUMBER Don Tequila Bar and Grill LLC 0422-33-012-016 Mayor Roach opened the meeting to Council: Councilman DiDomenico presented the Police Department for September including 2,146 total calls of service. Councilwoman Hess announced that all public events have been canceled due to COVID. Library personnel have been working for when the Library may open again. Currently, curbside pickup is available by appointment only. Mayor added that a new Wi-Fi will be installed soon. Councilman Jackson reported that Code Enforcement will resume hours on Saturday. Councilman Strippoli presented the September report from Public Works with total collection 781 tons of trash and 106 tons of recycling. No injuries were reported. The Sewer Department report included 168 sewer calls. Councilwoman Sinon informed the residents Caregiver Conference will be held virtually. More information is available on the Camden County website to sign up for these Zoom events. The Board of Health is recommending the flu shots this year. Free shots will be given at the County Complex on October 22, 23, and 24. Finally, she presented tips for wearing masks. Business Administrator provided the 2020 Census update which officially ends October 15. Currently, Lindenwold is at 56.7%. She thanked the Governing Body for their trust and support for this endeavor. She also informed the residents about the 2020 Best Practices Checklist which is due on November 3. Mayor Roach presented the Coronavirus update with deaths at 11 and 588 cases. There have been 31 new cases since the last meeting. He encourages all residents to wear a mask and follow the rules. He read a prepared statement regarding Halloween which will be posted on the Lindenwold website. COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING October 14, 2020 Page | 3 Mayor Roach opened the meeting to the Public. Diane Veteri, resident, asked if buses are still allowed to park on the street. Mayor Roach advised resident to contact Code Enforcement. Trevor Shaw, resident, stated that he had several questions which he started by questioning the agenda format which is the same format that the Borough has been using. Then he asked for the completion date for the Gibbsboro Road traffic light project which has been extended due to equipment delays. He asked about the completion date for the Arborwood Redevelopment and renderings which has been delayed due to the COVID shutdown. Next he questioned the Linden Town repaving project which the engineers had to revise due to unexpected issues that were encountered as well as a delay in funding from the State of New Jersey. He also questioned why important events are not posted similar to the Census signs. Councilwoman Hess advised that events mentioned by resident were sponsored by outside organizations. Finally, he questioned if a diverse town of Lindenwold would be better served with an ADA compliant library and bilingual staff. Mayor thanked the resident for his questions. There being no one else desiring the floor, the Mayor closed the meeting to the public. Motion was made by Councilman Strippoli, second by Councilwoman Hess that the meeting be adjourned. Voice vote was unanimous in the affirmative. Motion carried. DATED: November 4, 2020 ________________________________ Deborah C. Jackson, RMC Borough Clerk