Gloucester City Council Passes Attendance Policy for Elected and Appointed Officials | GCN
Thursday, March 08, 2012
By Linda Boker-Angelo
Gloucester City News
Two new police officers were sworn in by Mayor William James during last week’s Gloucester City Council meeting.
Officers Benjamin McKinney and Blaise O’Donnell proudly took the office of Office while surrounded by family and friends.
Many members of the City Police Department were on hand to congratulate the newest additions to their ranks.
City Council also approved on second and final reading two ordinances.
The first amends a current policy “Regulating Off-Duty Members of the Gloucester City Police Department,” which City Clerk Kathy Jensch said “is basically just cleaning up the language of the ordinance.”
Mayor James said the changes will allow the city to collect a fee for the use of a police vehicle if, for example, PSE&G or some other entity requires an officer and vehicle on a street work site.
He added that with the rising costs of gas, vehicle maintenance, etc. it became necessary to account for such expenses.
The second ordinance establishes an attendance policy for elected and appointed public officials, such as those individuals serving on the Planning/Zoning Board, Board of Health, Historic Commission, etc.
James said the new measure was brought about Best Government Practice Rule recently instituted by Governor Chris Christie.
Jensch said that under the terms of the ordinance, a Board/Commission/-Committee member may be voted off his or her respective group by the balance of its members after missing either eight weeks or four consecutive meetings, depending upon how often the group meets.
Resident Theresa Graham applauded the measure, stating that these people are aware of the time commitments involved when they volunteer to serve and if they are unable or unwilling, they should be removed so someone who can and will commit the time can do so.
Board of Education President Louisa Llewellyn added that the school board has such a policy in place and it has worked well.
Council also approved a resolution authorizing Sunesys LLC to hang data transmission cables on PSE&G wires on the last mile of Broadway before Camden.
Following executive session, Council voted to bring back one laid-off firefighter for a six-month period to help cut back on some of the overtime currently required of the Fire Department.
City Administrator Jack Lippsett said that right now the fire squad has three firefighters out on medical leave due to various injuries.
Lippsett said the city will go down the list of former department members and offer the temporary position to one of those individuals. He added that the job will last for a maximum of six months.
The governing body also authorized the sale of a small piece of city-owned property on Little Ridgeway Street.
Lippsett said that the lot, which is non-buildable, will be put up for public auction.
He said that a number of residents are interested in the parcel of land as a potential parking solution.
The next Council meeting will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in City Hall, 313 Monmouth St.