MARCH 4, 2008

PAULSBORO. N.J.

7:00 P.M.

REGULAR MEETING

Council Chamber:

Mayor Burzichelli presided at the regular meeting of Council held on the above date and place.

Mayor Burzichelli recited “Harry Truman’s Prayer and the opening prayer.

Mayor Burzichelli asked all those present to join in the salute to the flag, which was conducted by Borough Clerk VanScoy.

Mayor Burzichelli called the meeting to order.

Borough Clerk VanScoy read the opening statement regarding the Open Public Meetings Act.

Members present were: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Absent: Morina (excused) and Tedeski (excused.)

Mayor Burzichelli also stated that Administrator Salvatore was not present due to family issues.

Mayor Burzichelli opened the floor to the public.

Jeanne Giampola, South Delaware Street, complained about Conrail and the train. She sat at the tracks from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. every Saturday. It is the same thing during bus times for the kids as they are getting to school late. She asked if Council could call Conrail in for a meeting or just call them to discuss this matter.

Mayor Burzichelli stated he is just hearing about this problem as he hasn’t received any complaints but he will talk with them.

Mrs. Giampola stated there has to be some kind of solution. Conrail cannot take over the town as a switching yard.

Mayor Burzichelli stated it is a federal designation that Paulsboro is a switching yard.

Pat Aruanno, 543 Lincoln Avenue, stated he wrote a letter that went into Mayor and Council’s mailboxes at Borough Hall. He questioned the status of the new water tower, what would be done about the drugs at the basketball courts and if the basketball courts were going to be removed.

Mayor Burzichelli questioned if Mr. Aruanno was calling the Police Department when he sees drugs being sold.

Mr. Aruanno stated that he has not called lately but that he did call last year.

Mayor Burzichelli stated the Borough will be doing some things but in the mean time Mr. Aruanno should still call the Police. The Borough has to replace the water tower and it will happen within a year but the Borough is looking to see how to fund the project. He felt the playgrounds would remain but he did not think the basketball courts were staying. He again suggested Mr. Aruanno pick up the phone and call 911.

Joyceline Gaines, West Washington Street, stated she has problems with the kind of people living on West Washington Street and the loitering. There are a new set of people loitering at 242 West Washington Street. She questioned when the streets would be swept.

Borough Foreman Tinder stated the sweeper will be out in the middle of March or beginning of April.

Ms. Gaines stated that if he would let her know when the street sweeper would be out, she will knock on doors to get the vehicles moved.

Linda Pilger, end of Billingsport Road, also complained about Conrail and agrees with Mrs. Giampola. She has sat for ½ hour to 45 minutes waiting for the train. This has started within two to three weeks.

Mayor Burzichelli stated Mrs. Pilger’s problem was a separate phone call as it is a different train. He will find out.

Councilman Kidd stated he will be meeting with Valero on Thursday and he will talk with them about this problem.

Barry Corradetti, 1820 Overbrook Avenue, wanted everyone to know that it is not the purpose of the street sweeper to pick up bottles and cans.

Ms. Gaines stated she was aware the street sweeper did not pick up bottles and cans but that the dirt needed to be cleaned up on the streets.

There wasn’t any further public participation.

Minutes of a Work Session Meeting held on February 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive, file and adopt the above minutes. All were in favor of the motion.

R. #51.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN THE 2007 BUDGET RESERVE ACCOUNTS. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to adopt R. #51.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

R. #52.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS OUT OF THE 2007 RESERVE ACCOUNTS. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to pay all bills properly signed and adopt R. #52.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

R. #53.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF BILLS OUT OF THE 2008 TEMPORARY BUDGET. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to pay all bills properly signed and adopt R. #53.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

R. #54.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR ALLOWANCE OF A SENIOR CITIZEN DEDUCTION. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to adopt R. #54.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

R. #55.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANCELLATION OF CERTAIN BALANCES ON WATER AND SEWER ACCOUNTS. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to adopt R. #55.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

R. #56.08: RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE CANCELLATION OF CERTAIN BALANCES ON WATER AND SEWER ACCOUNTS. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to adopt R. #56.08. Roll call: Ayes: Haynes, Giovannitti, Hamilton, Kidd. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Summary of reports and copies of minutes of meetings. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive and file. All were in favor of the motion.

Memo from Administrator Salvatore regarding Bond Anticipation Note. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive and file the memo. All were in favor of the motion.

Letter from William G. Dressel, Jr., New Jersey State League of Municipalities, regarding more State Budget cut details. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive and file the letter. All were in favor of the motion.

Letter from William G. Dressel, Jr., New Jersey State League of Municipalities, regarding CMPTRA Funding Committee. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive and file the letter. All were in favor of the motion.

Letter from Michael Drager, Citgo Asphalt Refining Company, regarding delay sale of Citgo Asphalt Refining Company. Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to receive and file the letter. All were in favor of the motion.

Mayor Burzichelli stated Citgo sold the Company to Nustar and there is a hold up on a provision in the contract.

OLD BUSINESS: There wasn’t any old business at this time.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL REPORTS:

Councilman Giovannitti stated he gave Borough Foreman Tinder and the Street and Highway Department employees praise. They are doing recycling two days a week and they are down a man. The expectations placed on Borough Foreman Tinder have increased. The Street and Highway Department also picked up cleaning the Municipal Building. They bust their tail. There is a three block area that is embarrassing.

Councilman Giovannitti stated the hiring of the part time Housing Inspector will be taken up at the next meeting. He will have the resume’ then.

Councilman Kidd stated the three block area is bad but so is all over. He suggested Council try community service and youth community service.

Mayor Burzichelli stated the Borough “ran into a wall” with community service as the rules have changed on supervision, etc. It would help with cleaning up the town.

Councilman Kidd suggested placing a couple of trash cans in the area as something has to be done.

Councilman Kidd also suggested that the people who rent homes, get together within themselves to form a committee to start screening who they rent their properties to.

Councilman Kidd questioned the status of the Salary Ordinance. He suggested Borough Clerk VanScoy get a copy of the 2005 Salary Ordinance to all of Council.

Councilman Hamilton did not have anything new to bring to the residents.

Council President Haynes did not have anything to report but he will have a report soon.

Mayor Burzichelli discussed the Exxon Mobil tax appeal that is facing the Borough. It will be difficult as they are the largest taxpayer. It will mean a considerable tax shift from industrial to residential. It could mean a 13 cents tax increase and in addition the Borough will lose $365,000 additional tax burden. This is very challenging and it is happening. The experts say it is not worth the money to defend this.

Council President Haynes also stated the Rabies Clinic will be held this Saturday, March 8, 2008 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Borough Garage.

Haynes moved and Hamilton seconded to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. All were in favor of the motion.

This is a brief summary of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Paulsboro held on March 4, 2008 and should not be considered a verbatim transcript of the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________ _____________________________

Kathy A. VanScoy, RMC/CMC John J. Burzichelli, Mayor

Borough Clerk