MINUTES OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
WORK SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
December 12, 2007
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, Commissioner Dick Rigby, and Commissioner Peter Burke answered roll call. Also in attendance: Borough Clerk Elaine Wallace, Deputy Clerk Kate Kilian, Borough Solicitor Jennifer Russo-Belles, and Borough Engineer Ray Roberts.
WORK SESSION
OLD BUSINESS
Liquor Licenses: Nothing new at this time.
Court Consolidation: Nothing new at this time.
Solar Panels: Nothing new at this time. Once the bond ordinance is effective, the contract can be awarded.
Park Boulevard Bike Lanes: Ray Roberts informed the Board the crosswalks would have to be done as part of Phase II of the project because all the intersections coincide with a driveway into the shopping center. It would be unsafe to put in crosswalks that led pedestrians into a vehicular driveway.
Sixth Avenue Reconstruction: Engineer Roberts explained the tv inspection could only be done for a short distance because the storm sewers were so badly clogged with tree roots. The company that was going to do the tv inspection is going to clean the pipe for the same amount of money. After they determine the condition of the pipe, the Engineer will submit a firm proposal on how to proceed. Mr. Roberts expects to have the information by mid-January, which will push the project time schedule back slightly.
Burton Property Request: Borough Clerk Wallace distributed the plans that were provided by Joe Lomax. Mr. Roberts was expecting more detailed plans about proposed subdivision ideas. Mayor Kaithern is still looking what repercussions vacating the street would have on the County-preserved property across Third Avenue to the Burton property.
NEW BUSINESS
2008 Board of Commissioners Meeting Schedule: Deputy Clerk Kilian reviewed the proposed schedule which will be listed for approval on the January 9th meeting.
County Health Inspection of Bed and Breakfast: The Board discussed whether it wanted to pass an ordinance to require the County to perform health inspections of Bed and Breakfast establishments. The topic will be further discussed after some research is performed.
Use of Wilbraham Park: After meeting with the Shade Tree Commission, Commissioner Burke asked the Board to consider allowing two 2-day events in Wilbraham Park. Diane Flanegan of the Shade Tree Commission explained that she would like to have two “Art in the Park” events as 2-day events. The current ordinance states eight events are permitted, but doesn’t define an event as a single day. Some discussion ensued about definitions, fees and vendor layout and whether the ordinance would have to be amended. Mayor Kaithern suggested that some of the organizations that use the park be offered the use of the Backyard Park in lieu of Wilbraham Park. She felt that heavier uses, like the Lima Bean Festival, could be held at the Backyard Park and lighter uses, such as the Art in the Park could be held at Wilbraham Park in an effort to minimize the damage done to Wilbraham Park. Diane Flanegan explained that the Shade Tree Commission’s focus is more on raising funds to improve the park, not just on maintaining it as it is. Solicitor Russo-Belles explained that the ordinance has to be applied evenly to all organizations, so if one group is permitted a 2-day event, then everyone would have to be permitted a 2-day event. It was decided that more follow up would need to be done before any decision could be made. The Board agreed that the discussion for the 2009 season would be held in May/June of 2008 in order to have the schedule set early enough for advertising purposes and to allow vendors to schedule for the event.
Recycling Regulations: The County has asked the Borough to pass a resolution clarifying how each type of recyclable material will be handled. Mayor Kaithern advised the Board there was some discussion at the Solid Waste Advisory Commission about having some type of county-wide agreement for providing trash and recycling services.
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 8:15 PM.
The Regular Meeting convened at 8:19 PM.
CONSENT AGENDA: On motion of Commissioner Burke, seconded by Commissioner Rigby, the following Consent Agenda was unanimously approved on roll call vote.
Minutes: November 28, 2007 Work Session and Regular Meeting
Ordinances: None
Resolutions:
180-07 Amending the 2007 Local Municipal Budget of the Borough of West Cape May – Capital Budget
181-07 Authorizing an Emergency Appropriation for Legal Expenses: COAH Litigation
182-07 Authorizing Appropriation Transfers during the Last Two (2) Months of the Fiscal Year
183-07 Bill Payment
NON-CONSENT AGENDA:
Ordinances for Second Reading and Public Hearing - None
Commissioners Reports:
Commissioner Rigby clarified the definition of McMansion that he gave at the last meeting. Mr. Rigby will be speaking with Ray Roberts about having a wind analysis done to further consider wind power in the Borough. Lastly, he announced that he has asked the Environmental Commission to follow up on a program to encourage families to install energy efficient light bulbs.
Commissioner Burke again thanked the many people who volunteer in the Borough and invited them to the Christmas lunch on Friday, December 21st. He recognized Charlotte Daily and her team for the great job they did on the Christmas parade. Lastly, he announced there would be one more County flu clinic on Friday December 14th.
Mayor Kaithern once again announced that the Borough will transition to a new bank beginning January 1, 2008. The finance department has worked diligently on this and the Borough will be saving a substantial amount of money. Mrs. Kaithern asked Commissioner Rigby to work on a planning grant through ANJAC. She thanked Mr. Rigby for all the hard work he has done to obtain grants for the Borough. Mayor Kaithern announced that the Borough sold three old vehicles for approximately $4,500 at the Lower Township auction. She also announced the results of the tax title lien sale that was held on December 6th. Lastly, she announced that the tax collection rate is up from last year at 94.77%.
Public Portion:
Diane Flanegan, 324 Broadway, felt the Christmas parade was a great success, but she was concerned over the mess that was left on private property along the parade route. After some discussion, the Mayor suggested using the community clean up volunteers do it next year. Since the work would be done on private property, Solicitor Russo-Belles suggested some sort of notification to the property owners so they will be aware that someone will be cleaning up on their property.
Bud McDonough,135 Third Avenue, wished everyone Happy Holidays on behalf of the Taxpayers Association. He asked if the 6th Street litigation would be finished by January. He was advised that the Borough has no idea when it will be done. The Borough has a paper due on December 17th and there will be a phone conference on December 19th, but after that, there is nothing scheduled.
Michael Bean, 400 Fow Avenue, asked that the Taxpayers Association be kept informed of when the trial dates are so members can attend.
Mayor Kaithern informed the Taxpayers Association that she has begun to set up a revenue committee, which she had previously asked the Taxpayers Association to do when she attended one of its meetings.
When no one else from the public wished to speak, the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 PM on motion of Commissioner Rigby, seconded by Commissioner Burke.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine L. Wallace, RMC
Borough Clerk
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