Council meeting 6/7/10

[BrianSullivan]

Looks like a good council meeting tonight. Full report tomorrow.

[admin]

Readers of today's posts will have read separate posts of issues from the meeting. ( landlords and a resignation) Those topics will not be covered here since there is no sense in repeating.

The rest of the meeting had mostly community oriented topics. For starters, the Mayor and council read a resolution recognizing Sidney Blacknall for fifty years of service on the memorial Day parade Committee. ( This really deserves a thread on its own)

The mayor read a very nice proclamation for Sidney. Sidnee moved into the borough in 1955. He joined the parade committee in 1960 and has also marched in the parade with the Walter J. Connolly Elks lodge ever since.

It was mentioned that Sidney has been involved with many things in Freehold Borough. Sidney is also a recipient of the McGackin award which is given to residents who make a positive difference. ( Post on that award can be found in the history section of this site)

In a nice tie in with the above, Alice McCobb, the parade committee chair, was present to had out awards to parade participants. Councilman Schnurr, liaison to the parade, helped out.

Also on the agenda was an amendment to the junior firefighter program which will lower the age to allow 15 year old in.

The borough has also settled a labor contract with CWA local 1032. There was a wage freeze in that contract and it was made clear that department heads have also taken a wage freeze.

There was two resolutions for the fire department, one for a security system and another for a utility truck.

The mayor and council also read a resolution recognizing the Boy Scouts of America celebrating its 100th anniversary. Three scouts were also recognized for becoming Eagle Scouts, the highest rank in scouting.

There was several public comments.

Al Michenfelder asked about Olde Freehold Day. It was confirmed that it will be held on August 21st at the lake, of course.

A man named Mike from the fire department mentioned that due to recent events the department has formed a committee which will explore new ways of doing business. Becoming a fire district was mentioned. Mike also complimented the street and road department for doing an awesome job.

Elizabeth Slade asked about rental changes. Why three years instead of one for inspections and why the fee change. Kerry Higgins stated that the three year changes is more feasible and the fee change is to make a flat fee. ( if I understood correctly)

Tom Baldwin asked about making changes to avoid lay offs in dispatch. He mentioned the borough legal department, which is already part time. He asked if Councilman Newman, a lawyer, could do some work for the borough. He cannot.

Ted Miller asked about the loss of parking spaces in front of the florist on Main and Throckmorton. Joe Bellina mentioned that those spots were not supposed to be there, on the book,s and it was a matter of compliance.


Council comments were fairly light and commented on what had occurred in the meeting that night. Members also congratulated Councilwoman Shutzer for her retirement form teaching after 44 years.

Tow special mentions.

George Schnurr made a public comment to Sgt. Ronnie Steppat for his great work with the parade committee over the course of the year.

Councilman Newman mentioned the Department of Transportation study to make the borough bike and pedestrian friendly. He said there should be a public meeting and then it should take several months for the state to complete its study.

As an aside, I spoke with councilman Dibenedetto outside and asked about the reading of the declaration of independence. That event is scheduled for the 4th of July.

[Mike Rosseel]

Mike from the fire departments comment is very interesting!