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Ongoing work is being performed to improve several of the Borough’s parks, Councilman Jim D’Angelo said at the May 26 council meeting. In his report, D’Angelo noted that, with the assistance of the Public Works Department, the walking track around the Sixth Avenue playground has been completely resurfaced. Portions of the fencing surrounding the Rec Center have been taken down and will soon be replaced with improved black fencing. The walking track at the Rec Center will also to be completed. As for the track at Sauter Park, D’Angelo said it will be enlarged and resurfaced.
D’Angelo also stated that the background checks for girls’ softball have been completed and coaches’ names will be added to the Certified Coaches’ list on the Borough’s website.
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As for the national tournament that Bellmawr Hockey recently hosted, D’Angelo said that the organization should be very proud of the way they conducted the tournament. “You’re very businesslike. I am glad that you won because we get the nationals again next year, which is a good thing.” At the meeting, D’Angelo accepted a plaque on behalf of mayor and council from Bellmawr Hockey as thanks for supporting the tournament.
All of the other councilman and Mayor Frank Filipek gave reports. Following are excerpts:
Councilman Paul Sandrock:
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On the agenda, there is a Resolution for Garrison Architects [for the wheelchair lift] for ADA compliance for Borough Hall. That is something that is long coming. It is needed and we appreciate your patience. People do get upset with government because it does work too slowly. This is something that will address our elderly residents coming in and paying bills or visiting the Borough Hall for other issues they may have. We are looking to get that done and completed over the next few months. Our court administrator is planning to be leaving. When this position becomes available, we will fill it with a qualified candidate from within the court office.
Councilman David Spector:
On the issue of streamlining municipal government, I think that starts with putting our mayor and council meetings over the internet. That is one of the things that I would like to do. I think we need to start re-energizing our beautification committee. I think that is a great way to build up the appearance across town. In order to attract new businesses, I think we need to re-energize and revitalize our economic development committee. It is very important to me. Economic development is the wave of the future and I think that means a lot to the residents. Also, the proposal I made about starting a volunteer housing commission would do a lot for these unoccupied homes across town. That would alleviate the blight and decay and would stop driving down the property values of so many of our residents. These are some of the things that we are working on. It has been honor working along with mayor and council on these initiatives.
Councilman Steve Sauter:
We are doing the reconstruction at Campanell Avenue. We had emergency repair on Junior Avenue, which was slated to be done in 2017. But, we had some problems and had to address that. So we apologize for any inconvenience that has caused the residents. We are doing the Creek Road improvements, rehabilitation of the Rec Center, installation of the new LED community sign at the corner, and we are expecting delivery of the new trash truck, which is desperately needed. All of the street signs are being replaced, 448 to be exact, and the poles as well. They will be blue for MUTC (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) compliant. Our department of water and sewer are cross-training our employees, which is a big plus. We are doing terrific with our shared services. To date, we realized $15,000 with our agreements for sewer services.
Councilman Steven Hagerty:
The 2016 municipal budget was adopted at last month’s council meeting and has been approved by the Division of Local Government Services of the State of New Jersey. Complete budget information and breakdowns are on posted the Borough website.
The Borough is currently working with the auditor on our annual audit for 2015. Finances will be submitted to the State by June 30. Effective June 1, I will be stepping down as chair of the finance committee and will be succeeded by Ray Bider.
For the Fire and EMS for the month of April, there were 75 fire calls and 199 EMS calls. Chief Burleigh would like everyone to practice safety this Memorial Day Holiday with [making sure] fire pits and grills and up-to-date.
As for EMS, we are hiring part-time EMS employees. There are applications on the Borough website.
As for police, number of calls for the month were 978. Investigations for the month were 73. Arrests for the month were 89 and there were 159 charges. Motor vehicle crashes for the month were 42 and motor vehicle summonses issued for the month were 382. *We also had a lot of car break-ins this past week. Cops are out there and patrolling. Some stores were broken into. With the weather being nice, check your windows and lock your car doors. Keep an eye out for your neighbors.
Councilman Ray Bider:
In addition to the Student Government representatives, as a Borough we should be extremely proud, you have [championships from] Purple Eagles Cheerleading, Bellmawr Hockey and Bell Oaks Softball. It is very special that you have so many happening at once. These are memories that the children will treasure forever.
On Memorial Day, the ceremonies will be ending at VFW on Essex Avenue. Everyone is invited to the breakfast and we would like to see as many as possible to honor all of our veterans that have fallen. This year is the 50th anniversary of Vietnam. It is extremely important to honor these veterans because they may not have received the praise and honor that they so dearly deserved when they did return. It was a difficult time in the country.
Finally, I think it was about 80% female students represented for Student Government Day. So ladies, I think the time is coming, where change might occur.
Mayor Frank Filipek:
The hole is filled on the corner of Black Horse Pike. Both properties have been sold. New businesses are coming into town. Until they come for their licenses, we will not give out the names. We will wait until it’s finalized, but definitely both sold and both are going to be redeveloping the corners. So that is a plus for us.
We are probably the only town in the state – our Industrial Park is almost completely full. They are filled up pretty well. Two years ago, you could say we were down to three-quarters empty. Now it is almost full. We have some pretty big businesses that people don’t even know. We have J&J Pretzels, W.D. Mason, Amoroso’s. The biggest is the post office.
The shuttle bus was recently painted and the paint job was donated by Shop-Rite.
During the public portion, no one from the public spoke.
All business on council’s agenda was approved.
May 26, 2016 Council Meeting Agenda
Among the approvals were:
Authorizing the Borough of Bellmawr to place property maintenance liens.
Authorizing agreement with Garrison Architects for professional services for the wheelchair lift. Mayor Filipek asked if there was a start date and Councilman Sandrock responded no.
Amending Resolution #01:02-16 establishing committees as listed. (*Editor’s note, article updated on May 31, 2016 to include this committee list. See below)
Borough of Bellmawr Committees 2016
Awarding contract resolution to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc. of Hammonton for the Fiscal Year 2015 NJ DOT Trust Fund for Reconstruction of Salem Avenue and Morris Avenue.
Resolution #05:120-16 authorizing the acceptance of new hires for the Borough of Bellmawr.
Authorizing payment of the May, 2016 bills.
Ordinance #05:09-16 first reading and introduction amending ordinance #02:01-16 salary ordinance for the Borough of Bellmawr. Councilman Sandrock abstained from this vote.
Ordinance #05:10-16 first reading and introduction of the Borough of Bellmawr establishing rental fees for the Borough of Bellmawr Housing to include late fee charge.
Ordinance #05:11-16 first reading and introduction, Bond Ordinance providing for the purchase of a replacement roof for the Department of Public Works Garage, street signs to meet MUTCD Standards, one D-185 series compressor, push camera, tv sewer laterals, fire turnout gear, imaging of Borough records, restorations of rental properties, and certain I.T. upgrades and appropriating the sum of $391,000 and authorizing the issuance of $371,450 for the financing of said appropriation.
Ordinance #05:12-16 first reading and introduction and Bond Ordinance for the purchase of a new ladder fire truck and apparatus and appropriating the sum of $875,000 and authorizing the issuance of $831,250 for the financing of said appropriation.
Additionally, council voted to approve the March, 2016 minutes.
In other matters, May 26 eighth grade students from Bell Oaks “took over” the council meeting for Student Government Day. Pictures can be seen over on the SJO Facebook page.
Mayor and Council will meet next for its caucus meeting on Thursday, June 16 at 5:00 p.m. in the conference room at Borough Hall. The regular meeting will take place on Thursday, June 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the courtroom of Borough Hall.
*Article corrected on June 2, 2016. Chief William Walsh contacted SJO to state that there were no home invasions.