HARVEY CEDARS, NJ June 6, 2008
The regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Harvey Cedars, NJ was called to order by Deputy Mayor Gerkens at 4:33pm who stated to the best of her knowledge all requirements of the State Sunshine Law had been met. Commissioners Garofalo was present. Mayor Oldham was delayed.
The Deputy Mayor asked all to rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, May 20, 2008, was made by
Commissioner Garofalo, seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
Motion to approve the minutes of the special meeting, May 30, 2008, was made by
Commissioner Garofalo, seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
Mayor Oldham arrived and read the following ordinance by title and number and stated that proof of publication is on hand and the ordinance has been posted.
Motion to open public discussion: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Commissioner Garofalo stated there was an email received inquiring about the salary raises; he clarified that the ordinance lists ranges of salaries.
Tony Cannizzo, 45 Cedars Ave., asked what the starting salary of a patrol officer is and how many officers are employed. Commissioner Garofalo said the starting salary is $26,000; there are 9 officers of which 1 is the Chief and 2 are sergeants.
Mr. Cannizzo asked about consolidation of the Police Department. Mayor Oldham said there has always been discussion of consolidating on LBI and believes that at some point it will happen. The last time a study was done, about 10 years ago, Harvey Cedars would have saved about $10 at that time. The Mayor continued to say that currently there is a study in progress on the shared services of construction inspection for all LBI towns. The State provides the funds for the study through a grant. Commissioner Gerkens added that there has been a lot of discussion to consolidate, but it is not mandated.
Motion to close public discussion: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Gerkens, Garofalo
A copy of the full ordinance as adopted is filed in the ordinance book.
Commissioner Gerkens stated that the Division of Local Government Services recommended changes in certain line items of the budget. Commissioner Gerkens read the budget amendment (Resolution #2008-064) in full. A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to open public discussion of budget amendment: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Commissioner Gerkens said the municipal tax rate will increase 7/10ths of a cent; the average assessed home of $1,117,000 will see a $78.23 increase.
Mr. Cannizzo asked what the special meeting was for (the minutes approved above). Although this was the open public hearing for the budget amendment, Commissioner Garofalo answered that it was for the introduction of the meter installation fee ordinance and the budget amendment.
There were no other comments.
Motion to close public discussion of budget amendment: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
RESOLUTION #2008-065:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the Borough of Harvey Cedars, County of Ocean that the budget hereinbefore set forth is hereby adopted and shall constitute an appropriation for the purposes stated of the sums therein set forth as appropriations, and authorization of the amount of $2,633,664.66 for municipal purposes.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Vote: Ayes – Oldham, Garofalo, Gerkens
The Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to adopt.
GOVERNING BODY CERTIFICATION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
The Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to adopt.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to adopt: Commissioner Gerkens
Second: Commissioner Garofalo
The Mayor read the following resolution by title only and asked for a motion to adopt.
A copy of the resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
Motion to approve the bills for payment was made by Commissioner Garofalo, seconded by Commissioner Gerkens.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gerkens, seconded by Commissioner Garofalo, to approve the request to use Sunset Park to Jodi Christopher for a kid’s birthday party on Sunday, June 8th at 4:00pm.
The Board denied the request to use Sunset Park to Heather Ahmie for a wedding ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2009 because of the tent setup. The Board asked the Clerk to have the request resubmitted without the tent.
The Board denied the request to use Sunset Park to Eric Warshaw for an anniversary party on Saturday, July 26, 2008 because of the tent setup and band playing until 11pm.
The Board discussed the request to use Sunset Park to Jonathan Gray for the “Get Lean” program for children. The Board asked the Clerk to get a more detailed scheduled.
In front of a small crowd of family, friends and co-workers, Chief Falkowski, along with Sgt. Malay, presented the following police department awards:
1. Officer Charles Sahlberg received an honorable mention; he is currently running the torch in the 25th Annual Special Olympics in Trenton.
2. Officer Angelo Vasile (not present) received an Expert Marksmanship award for his pistol marksmanship.
3. Officer Lee Morey received the Certificate of Merit for his response to a possible armed subject at the Bible Conference.
4. Officer Steve Frazee received a Certificate of Merit for a high risk search warrant that lead to the arrest of 4 people. He also received a Triumphant Citation Bar for his work with the Southern Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, which won the World SWAT Challenge in Arkansas last year.
5. Officer Sean Marti was presented with the 2007 Police Officer of the Year award. Chief Falkowski said the Chief’s award is not based on number of arrests or summonses given out, but rather on the whole body of work. Although any one of his officers could have received this award, he said he based his final decision on Officer Marti’s work with the younger patrol on the force; he said Sean is the “go to guy” that the officers look up to.
The Board congratulated all of the officers.
Motion to adjourn: Commissioner Garofalo
Second: Commissioner Gerkens
Meeting adjourned at 5:08pm.