MINUTES OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
April 22, 2009
The Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of West Cape May was called to order by Mayor Kaithern at 1:04 PM. The Open Public Meetings Statement was read by Mayor Kaithern who then led those present in the flag salute. Mayor Pamela Kaithern, Commissioner Dick Rigby, and Commissioner Peter Burke answered roll call. Also in attendance: Borough Clerk Elaine Wallace, Deputy Clerk Kate Kilian, Borough Solicitor Christine Cote’ and Borough Auditor Leon Costello.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: None
WORK SESSION
OLD BUSINESS
Street Lights: Commissioner Rigby followed up with Atlantic Electric and was advised that a replacement schedule has not been set, but was assured all 133 street lights will be changed this year to energy-saving, high-pressure, sodium lights.
Bus Routes along Myrtle: Commissioner Rigby previously wrote NJ Transit to reroute buses onto Perry from Myrtle. He recently wrote asking to have the summer express buses follow the same route. By copy of the letter he asked that the DRBA and Lion Tours also use Perry instead of Myrtle. He received a response that DRBA buses already use Perry Street and will advise Lion Tours to do the same; Lion will operate the ferry shuttle this summer.
NEW BUSINESS - None
REVIEW OF REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Kaithern reviewed the Consent Agenda and Non-Consent agenda items.
The Work Session portion of the meeting was adjourned at 1:14 PM and the Regular Meeting convened at 1:16 PM.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion of Commissioner Burke, seconded by Commissioner Rigby, the following Consent Agenda was unanimously approved on roll call vote.
MINUTES: April 8, 2009 Work Session and Regular Meeting
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION: None
RESOLUTIONS:
85-09 Expressing Support of Continued Funding of Jersey Fresh
86-09 Authorizing Use of Borough Hall by the William J. Moore Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
87-09 Refund Overpayment of Real Estate Taxes
88-09 Refund of Farmers Market Fee - Joseph Paruta
89-09 Release of Unexpended Escrow Fees –Garrison Enterprise, Inc.
90-09 Release of Unexpended Escrow Fees – Jeremiah O’Leary
91-09 Release of Unexpended Escrow Fees – Mitchell Nichols Enterprises, Inc.
92-09 Bill Payment
Proclamation: Loyalty Day – May 1, 2009
NON-CONSENT AGENDA:
ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION:
424-09 Amending Chapter 19 of the Revised General Ordinance of the Borough of West Cape May
Commissioner Rigby made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Burke, to open the public hearing on the above ordinance.
Joan Hodges, 5 Pond Creek Lane, asked how the Board arrived at 6,000 gallons as the base charge, fearing that it was too low and would cause young families to have to move out of the community. Mayor Kaithern and Leon Costello explained a formula was used and different combinations were tested to determine what would have the most equitable impact. Since many users consume less than 6,000 gallons, Mayor Kaithern felt the smallest users would be less likely to subsidize the higher users. She also felt it would give people more control over their water savings and possibly encourage conservation. Mr. Costello also explained that after some experience, if the proposed structure isn’t working, it could be changed. However, at this time, a shortfall of $210,000. 00 must be recovered.
Bud McDonough, 135 Third Avenue, agreed with Ms. Hodges about the 6,000 gallon minimum, which would cause people who use 10,000 gallons to pay $38 extra each quarter over what they would pay if the minimum was kept the same. Mayor Kaithern explained that if the minimum was kept at 10,000 gallons, then the minimum charge would have to be increased even more to compensate, then the smaller users would be getting penalized more than higher users. Leon Costello explained that if the increase was done evenly across all user accounts, the average user would have to pay an additional $272 per year. As proposed, the average increase would be $158 more, with the highest users paying the biggest increase.
Ramsey Geyer, 5 Pond Creek Lane, suggested the Borough monitor the water/sewer system every year to determine if adjustments need to be made, avoiding the type of emergency situation that currently exists. By having steady increases each year, a surplus would exist to help in times of emergency.
Jim Labrusciano, 127 Myrtle Avenue, expressed concern over the impact the increase would have on his business and asked the Board to consider businesses when making decisions in the future. Mayor Kaithern explained water charges are based on usage and people need to be educated about conservation of natural resources.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, felt increasing the base charge and simultaneously decreasing the base quantity created a double hit that was not originally clear, so the public is unaware of just how much higher their bills will be.
Bud McDonough, 135 Third Avenue, suggested charging just the per gallon rate so everyone pays for exactly what they use. Leon Costello explained that type of system would put an unfair burden on full time residents versus part time residents, who wouldn’t use enough water to pay their fair share of the system upkeep costs.
When all who wished to speak had been heard, Commissioner Burke made a motion to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 424-09. Commissioner Rigby seconded the motion which was carried unanimously on roll call vote.
425-09 Establishing Rates for the Furnishing of Municipal Sewage Disposal Services by the Borough of West Cape May
Commissioner Burke made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rigby, to open the public hearing on the above ordinance.
Ramsey Geyer, 5 Pond Creek Lane, asked what the Borough is assessed by MUA per year. Mr. Costello did not have the exact figure, but estimated it at $280,000. Sewer flow is not metered, so the sewer rate is a flat charge per user.
When all who wished to speak had been heard, Commissioner Rigby made a motion to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 425-09. Commissioner Burke seconded the motion which was carried unanimously on roll call vote.
- Amending the Borough of West Cape May’s Salary Ordinance (#360-06) Establishing Salary Ranges for the Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Commissioner Rigby made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Burke, to open the public hearing on the above ordinance. Mayor Kaithern explained that the current CFO is leaving and by creating the position of Deputy CFO in the salary ordinance, the Borough would have greater hiring flexibility. When no one from the public wished to speak, Commissioner Burke made a motion to close the public hearing and adopt Ordinance 426-09. Commissioner Rigby seconded the motion which was carried unanimously on roll call vote.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS:
Commissioner Rigby announced there will be an Artist and Studio tour in West Cape May on Sunday, April 26th from 1 – 4 PM cosponsored by MAC and the West Cape May History Committee. The cost is $20 and a trolley will leave from Washington Street Mall in Cape May.
Commissioner Burke announced the Environmental Commission had a clean-up last Saturday along the entire length of Sunset in West Cape May. He also announced that the Shade Tree Commission’s clean-up of Wilbraham Park, originally scheduled for last Monday, would be rescheduled. The Shade Tree Commission will be holding a ceremony in Wilbraham Park Friday, April 24th at 10AM to dedicate trees that have been donated and to recognize those who have contributed. Mr. Burke announced that information from the County Mosquito Control Commission on pesticides they will be using this year will be available in Borough Hall. Lastly, he invited everyone to the Cape May County Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 25th at the County Park Zoo from 10 am to 4 pm.
Mayor Kaithern received notification from Lower Township they will be doing Gypsy moth control program in two areas of North Cape May. She also encouraged people to attend the Loyalty Day celebration on May 1st at noon in Wilbraham Park. In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be held at Borough Hall. Mrs. Kaithern reviewed the largest items from the bill list. Lastly, she announced the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders will be holding the 2009 Tourism Conference on Tuesday, May 5th from 10 am to noon in the County Administration Building.
Mayor Kaithern reported on the Farmer’s Market, saying that planning is well under way and there has been increased oversight by the committee initiated earlier this year. There will be more advertising, planned displays and demonstrations, and earlier booking of bands, which will all add to the Market’s success.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Joan Hodges, 5 Pond Creek Lane, Chair of Shade Tree Commission announced the first $21,000 of the CSIP grant will be received within a few days. The remainder of the grant will be provided at the completion of the project which will be in 2010. Commissioner Burke personally thanked Ms. Hodges for all the hard work she did to obtain the grant for the Borough and the Shade Tree Commission.
Bud McDonough, 135 Third Avenue, announced the Fire Company will hold an open house on April 25th and 26th. Mr. McDonough asked what the William J. Moore Foundation does in Borough Hall. Mayor Kaithern explained that the group meets to discuss award of scholarships to local students, stating it’s a great organization with volunteers from inside and outside our community.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked for clarification on how the “add-on tax” for trash service is calculated. Leon Costello explained that once the referendum was passed, the cost of the trash contract became part of the budget, so there is no “add-on tax”, rather the general tax rate increased to accommodate the new service. Mr. Costello also explained that the wording of the referendum was a sample of what the contract could be, and the cost of the actual contract is much lower than what was used as an example in the referendum. Mayor Kaithern took the opportunity to explain that a large portion of the cost of trash collection is tipping fees for the actual tonnage of trash collected. She suggested that people hold their larger items for disposal during the two free bulk trash days, because there is no tipping fee charged, thereby saving money.
Bud McDonough, 135 Third Avenue, asked if the May bulk pick-up is scheduled after the Borough-wide yard sale. Mayor Kaithern explained that the Borough scheduled them regularly for the first Tuesday in May and October. The Environmental Commission organizes the yard sale and doesn’t want to hold it the first Tuesday because it would conflict with large events in other towns.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Rigby, seconded by Commissioner Burke, and carried unanimously by the Board of Commissioners to adjourn the meeting at 2:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Wallace, RMC
Borough Clerk
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