MINUTES OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
June 10, 2009
The Work Session of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of West Cape May was called to order by Mayor Kaithern at 7:00 PM. The Open Public Meetings Statement was read by Mayor Kaithern who then led those present in the flag salute. Mayor Pamela Kaithern, Deputy Mayor Peter Burke, and Commissioner Ramsey Geyer answered roll call. Also in attendance: Borough Clerk Elaine Wallace, Deputy Clerk Kate Kilian, Borough Solicitor Christine Cote’, and Borough Engineer Ray Roberts.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS ON CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: None
WORK SESSION
ENGINEER’S REPORT: Ray Roberts reviewed the monthly report.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS
Commissioner Geyer asked how to have someone appointed to the fire company. Mayor Kaithern explained that people are appointed to the fire company by resolution, but fire police didn’t require a resolution. Mr. Geyer asked that resolutions be added to the consent agenda to approve two individuals as volunteer firefighters.
REVIEW OF REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Kaithern reviewed the Consent Agenda and Non-Consent agenda items. Resolutions were added for the fire company appointments and for a temporary emergency for the water/sewer budget.
Mayor Kaithern reviewed changes that were made to the zoning ordinance since they were distributed. Clerk Elaine Wallace passed out the changed pages at the beginning of the meeting.
The Work Session portion of the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 PM and the Regular Meeting convened at 7:53 PM.
PUBLIC HEARING ON BUDGET
Resolution 116-09 Open Public Hearing on 2009 Municipal Budget
On motion of Deputy Mayor Burke, seconded by Commissioner Geyer, the public hearing on the budget was opened.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked for clarification on the costs of having both a CFO and Deputy CFO. Mayor Kaithern explained that the salary ordinance that was previously passed gives a wide range to allow for different possibilities in the future. At this time, the two certified CFOs together are being paid equivalent to what the previous CFO would have gotten with the raise anticipated once the budget is adopted.
Jimmy Labrusciano, 127 Myrtle Avenue, asked what effect not selling the Willow Avenue property had on the budget. Mayor Kaithern explained that the budget was balanced without the money, which would have gone into the surplus. Since the Borough didn’t get a bid that met the assessor recommended minimum, the Board felt it was best not to sell. Commissioner Geyer explained the idea first originated with the revenue committee appointed in 2008 by the mayor. Mr. Labrusciano also asked about the possibility of parking meters or permits to generate revenue. Mr. Geyer explained that the places they had considered putting meters were all County roads, so the Borough didn’t have sole discretion. Mayor Kaithern felt the revenue generated had to be weighed against the cost of maintaining them. When Mr. Labrusciano started asking questions about the proposed zoning ordinance, he was advised that he could discuss that at a different point in the meeting, but not during the budget hearing.
When no one else wished to speak, Commissioner Geyer made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Burke to close the public hearing.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion of Deputy Mayor Burke, seconded by Commissioner Geyer, the following Consent Agenda was unanimously approved on roll call vote.
MINUTES: May 27, 2009 Work Session and Regular Meeting AS AMENDED
June 1, 2009 Special Meeting
ORDINANCES FOR FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION: Scheduled for Second Reading and Public Hearing on July 8, 2009
428-09 ORDINANCE AMENDING WEST CAPE MAY CODE CHAPTER 27-2 (PURPOSE); CHAPTER 27-6 (DEFINITIONS); CHAPTER 27-7 (ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS); CHAPTER 27-15 (C-1 COMMERCIAL DISTRICT); CHAPTER 27-16 (C-2 COMMERCIAL DISTRICT); CHAPTER 27-17 (C-3 COMMERCIAL DISTRICT); CHAPTER 27-18 (P-PRESERVATION DISTRICT); CHAPTER 27-27.3 (PARKING REQUIREMENTS); CHAPTER 27-27.4 (SIGNS); CHAPTER 27-27.8 (BUFFERING); CHAPTER 27-27.14 (BULK REGULATIONS); CHAPTER 27-28 (DESIGN STANDARDS); AND ADDING CHAPTER 27-27.16 (OUTDOOR DINING STANDARDS); CHAPTER 27-30 (NON-CONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS); AND DELETING CHAPTER 27-27.12 (NON-CONFORMING USES)
RESOLUTIONS:
117-09 Opposing Closure of Our Lady Star of the Sea Regional School
118-09 Authorization to Accept the Audit Report for 2008
119-09 Expressing Opposition to Assembly Bill #A-3062 and Companion Senate Bill #S-1303 Regarding “Inherently Beneficial Uses”
120-09 Authorizing Partial Payment No. 2 for Remote Read Water Installation
121-09 Authorizing Change Order #1 for Remote Read Water Meter Installation
122-09 Authorizing an Emergency Temporary Appropriation for Local Budget
122A-09 Authorizing an Emergency Temporary Appropriation for Water/Sewer Budget
123-09 Refund of Duplicate Payment of Real Estate Taxes Paid for Block 55, Lot 1.02, Qualifier C04
124-09 Borough of West Cape May Making Application to the Local Finance Board Pursuant to NJSA 40A:4-45.46 & 40A:4-45.3(ee)
125-09 Bill Payment AS AMENDED
126-09 To Amend Budget
127-09 Appointment to West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company - Sean Stone
128-09 Appointment to West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company - Edward Belski
NON-CONSENT AGENDA:
ORDINANCES FOR SECOND READING AND ADOPTION: None
427-09 Exceed Budget Limit and Establish CAP Bank
Commissioner Geyer made a motion, seconded by Deputy Mayor Burke, to opening the public hearing on the above referenced ordinance.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked for an explanation of the CAP bank. Mayor Kaithern explained that the state allows a municipality that doesn’t exceed the CAP in a particular budget year to bank the remainder to be used later.
When no one else wished to speak, Deputy Mayor Burke made a motion to close the public hearing and adopt ordinance 427-09. Commissioner Geyer seconded the motion which was approved unanimously on roll call vote.
COMMISSIONERS REPORTS:
Commissioner Geyer had nothing more to report.
Deputy Mayor Burke gave kudos to the Public Works Department for the work they did in helping prepare for the Strawberry Festival, especially for taking the initiative to fulfill a request for picnic tables which was received after hours. Mr. Burke also announced that a work party would be held at Wilbraham Park Monday June 15th and volunteers are welcomed. He also thanked Mark Lukas for his help the week before the Strawberry Festival. The Nature Conservancy has an urgent need of volunteers with the Maurice River Bluff preserves the following day; and also they have need for volunteers with their piping plover work at the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge. Anyone interested can contact the Nature Conservancy.
Mayor Kaithern announced the plans for the Farmers Market are shaping up nicely. The Market will begin Tuesday June 30th. Wonderful music has been planned for each week and has been fully sponsored, so all the proceeds will benefit the Shade Tree Commission and Environmental Commission. Mrs. Kaithern reviewed some of the items from the bill list.
PUBLIC PORTION:
Mark Lukas, 119 Myrtle, asked how to get the County to resurface his street, which is in very bad condition. Mayor Kaithern explained the Borough has been working with them for a few years, but no funding was ever approved. Mr. Lukas will write a letter to the County expressing his concerns.
Jimmy Labrusciano, 127 Myrtle, thanked Mr. Burke for getting the County street cleaner out so quickly after the Strawberry Festival. Mr. Labrusciano suggested the Borough put a link on the business association’s website advertising the Farmers Market. Mr. Labrusciano asked if something could be done about the lights at the Wilbraham Mansion, saying they are a nuisance to his guests on that side of the building. Mayor Kaithern explained that the issue has been addressed on several occasions over the last year, at Mr. Labrusciano’s request. At this time, the Wilbraham is in compliance with what they were required to do by the Borough’s Planning/Zoning Board and professionals.
Mike Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, congratulated everyone on the Board for being elected. He further stated t he Taxpayers Association has lost a great asset in Mr. Geyer, but he’s sure to work diligently as a commissioner.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Geyer, seconded by Deputy Mayor Burke, and carried unanimously by the Board of Commissioners to adjourn the meeting at 8:33 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Wallace, RMC
Borough Clerk
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