CNBNews

Bill Bates

Mount Ephraim

News Correspondent

 A resolution was read appointing Marie Darlington as Acting Borough Clerk and appointing Ethel Hartman as Deputy Borough Clerk effective Monday, November 10. Acting Borough Clerk Richard Schwab’s last day was Friday, November 7^th.

 Another resolution was read to enter into an extraordinary, unspecified services agreement with Richard Schwab, First Jersey Municipal Assistance, L.L.C. for consulting services to carry out the day-to-day operations including, but not limited to, supporting existing borough personnel and assisting with the completion of several important tasks. The maximum amount of the contract in question is $20,000. The borough needs these professional services due to the vacancy of a certified Borough Clerk. By law the borough must have one in place for 2009. The borough does not have to seek competitive bids due to a Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1, but must be publicly advertised and the contract itself must be available for public inspection.

An ordinance was read and passed introducing a new Chapter 61- Certificate of Continued Occupancy, requiring inspections and issuance of certificates of continued occupancy upon change in ownership of residential premises due to sale.

Several other resolutions were read including the authorization for the purchase of a new 2008 Ford Super Duty F350 4WD regular cab pick up truck with snow plow and all options in the amount of $26,606.48 in conjunction with New Jersey State Purchasing Contract, another resolution rejecting bids for the purchase of a new police vehicle and authorizing re-advertisement for new bids due to only one bid being received that was over the set budget.

Commissioner Gilmore, Director of Public Safety reported the fire department answered 41 calls for the month of October, conducted 4 drills and had 9 special assignments.

Relating to the fire department, Commissioner Gilmore read a save the date for the 14^th Annual Christmas Parade that will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Pictures with Santa will be held at the firehouse from 4 to 6 pm at a cost of $5.00 a piece including a holiday frame. The parade will start at 7:00 pm in front of the John D. West Senior Housing Center and will proceed all the way up Kings Highway to the Mary Bray School where the R.W. Kershaw Band will perform and an Emcee will announce the participants during the parade for the judges and the spectators. The parade will then turn down Davis Avenue and head towards Bell Road where it will end at the Bell Road Firehouse. Concluding the parade, an Open House will be held at the firehouse there will be food, beverages and the presentation of awards. All of our residents and neighbors are invited to attend. For more information please feel free to contact Parade Chairman Bill Bates at 609-868-3214 or visit their website at www.mefd.org .

The police department received a total of 503 calls, 291 assigned cases, calls included 34 EMS calls, 8 criminal mischief, 16 drug offenses, 23 motor vehicle accidents and 9 shopliftings. 39 adult arrests for the month, 2 consumption of alcohol in public, 1 DWI, 12 controlled dangerous substance and 1 for shoplifting. 5 juvenile arrests were made for the month including 3 for harassment. 246 motor vehicle summonses were issued and 45 out of town warrants served

Speed humps were successfully installed on 4^th Avenue. Some feed back has been negative but the majority of the residents have welcomed the new safety change with open arms.

Commissioner Greenwald reported the Department of Public Works collected a total of 62,340 lbs. of recycling and collected 207.95 tons of trash for the month.

The Celebrations Committee will be holding a Lunch with Santa on Saturday, December 6 at the MEPRI Banquet Hall on Kings Highway from 12 noon to 2 pm. The lunch will cost $4.00 per child that will include a hot dog, drink and an activity. Extra hot dogs will be $1.00 each.

The town-wide Christmas House Decorating contest will be announced on December 13 at the Christmas Parade. The deadline to enter is the December 11^th. Registration forms are available at the borough hall and the on celebration committee website.

Marie Darlington on behalf of the borough hall staff wanted to thank Richard Schwab for his assistance to the boro. She stated that “it has been a true pleasure working with Richard and that he has been very effective at making everyone informed.” “Thank you for a job well done.” All of the Board of Commissioners echoed Marie’s comments and wanted to thank Richard for his professional services to the borough over the past several months as Acting Borough Clerk and wanted to congratulate Marie on her new position.

All of the commissioners wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season from their family’s to ours.

The next Board of trustee meeting will be held on Thursday, December 2, 2008 at the Boro Hall Meeting room at 8:00 pm.