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CAMDEN COUNTY
BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2007 - 7:00 P.M.
MAGNOLIA BOROUGH HALL
438 W. EVESHAM ROAD, MAGNOLIA, NJ

The meeting was called to order by Director Louis Cappelli at 7:00 p.m. The following Freeholders answered to their name:

PRESENT: CREAM, GRECO, RIPA, MCDONNELL, CAPPELLI
ABSENT: NASH

Freeholder Rodriguez was seated at 7:10 p.m.

The Director stated that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

The Director asked everyone to stand and then called upon Reverend Brian O’Neill of St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church of Magnolia to come forward for the invocation. The Director then asked everyone to remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by the ROTC of Sterling High School, Somerdale, N.J. The Director then called upon Cindy Shaw of Sterling High School to perform the National Anthem. The Director thanked Cindy, the ROTC and Father O’Neill.

Director Cappelli advised that the County has available, if requested, large print agendas for the visually impaired. The Director explained that if anyone requires one to please see the Clerk of the Board.

Director Cappelli welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. Director Cappelli said we are very pleased to be in the Borough of Magnolia tonight. He said it is the practice of the Board to hold our meetings each month in one of our municipalities outside of the County seat of Camden so that all members of the public will have full access to the meetings of the Board.

The Director said as it is our custom during our meetings, we will begin tonight’s meeting by asking Mayor and Council to come forward for a Presentation. The Director said it is a pleasure to be here tonight and he said he knows he is speaking on behalf of all of the members of the Freeholder Board to say how proud we are to consider Magnolia as one of our partners in government. He said you do a very outstanding job and have some very progressive leadership and thought in this town. He said you do hard work to protect the taxpayers and we are very proud to call you our partners. The Director said the residents of Magnolia are very lucky to have each one of you in your positions here in Magnolia

PRESENTATION
Recycling Rebate Check

Director Cappelli called upon Mayor Betty Ann Cowling-Carson to say a few words. Mayor Cowling-Carson welcomed everyone to Magnolia, “One Square Mile of Friendliness”. She said she wanted everyone to know Magnolia is on the move with our shared services initiative to our economic development on the White Horse Pike and Federal Express. She said we have a lot happening in town for all the residents with their brand new community Rec Center which is being built now. She said Magnolia is changing every day. It is so exciting to be part of government at this point, she said. The Mayor said we are positive; things are happening, we are not just standing still, we are being part of the initiative to make things happen. The Mayor then introduced the Council members who were present – Councilman Nick D’Amico, who she said did a great job on their new website which was just launched. She said he did the website at no cost to the Borough of Magnolia or the taxpayers. She said it is one of the best websites in the County. The Mayor thanked Councilman D’Amico. She also introduced Councilwoman Paula Bonamassa who is in charge of the Rec Center construction. She then introduced Councilwoman Mary Martz.

Director Cappelli said we have not come empty-handed. He said usually we come with a pitcher and mugs or a picture of the Battleship but this year we came with money. The Director said thanks to the efforts of the residents in Magnolia who do such a great job recycling glass, plastic and paper, we are able to give the Borough of Magnolia a check in the amount of $3,869.00 for their recycling efforts. He congratulated the Mayor and Council.

Mayor Cowling-Carson thanked the Freeholders for this check and said she appreciated it.

Magnolia Little League

Director Cappelli said we actually started a new tradition this year. He said we asked each governing body in the towns where we visit to name a non-profit organization in their town deserving of a small gift for financial support. He said this year, Mayor and Council have chosen the Magnolia Little League & Softball League.

Director Cappelli asked Sal Marchese to come forward. Director Cappelli thanked him for his community service to the Borough of Magnolia.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Freeholder Ripa called upon Carlos Colon and his family to come forward. Freeholder Ripa said it is the practice of the Board of Chosen Freeholders to select an individual each month who is an outstanding employee but to choose one is difficult because there are so many of our County employees who are so very deserving, but unfortunately we can only have one per month. Freeholder Ripa said Carlos Colon has been an employee at the Camden County Youth Center for over 17 years. He said most of Carlos’ tenure was spent as a Recreational Leader. Freeholder Ripa said he has been promoted several times but most recently to a Laborer/Senior Clerk. The Freeholder said he has been instrumental in supporting the transition team into our new facility without hesitation; he is always ready to lend a helping hand. The Freeholder said that Carlos does not know the meaning of the word, “No” and is always willing to take on any challenge. Freeholder Ripa said Carlos has definitely stepped up to the plate and his loyalty to the Youth Center is unprecedented. Freeholder Ripa said we are truly blessed to have Carlos as a County employee. Freeholder Ripa said when Carlos isn’t working, he spends his free time with his lovely wife, Lisa, and their two wonderful children, Sara and Carlos, Jr. The Freeholder said Carlos even finds time to coach Girl’s Softball. Freeholder Ripa said Carlos’ dedication to his job and to his family is what makes me so proud to honor him as January’s Employee of the Month.

Carlos Colon said he would like to take this opportunity to thank the Freeholders and his fellow employees at the Youth Center. He thanked everyone for coming.

Director Cappelli acknowledged Sheriff Chuck Billingham.

COMMUNITY AWARD

Freeholder Rodriguez called upon Sue Sell to come forward. Freeholder Rodriguez said Sue was born and raised in Magnolia and lived a block away from the football field. The Freeholder said she sat and watched the Cheerleaders and couldn’t wait for the day she could be one. Freeholder Rodriguez said from age 7, it was Sue’s dream to cheer for her hometown football team. It was a dream she lived throughout high school and college and then she started coaching cheerleaders. After a several year break, her dear friend and neighbor, Mayor Betty Ann Cowling-Carson called her to say they didn’t have leadership and could Sue please help to finish out the season. The Freeholder said that was nearly 12 years ago! Freeholder Rodriguez said Sue has rules – “no cuts”. Anyone who comes out, makes the team – everyone cheers. Freeholder Rodriguez said her system works because they have garnered a Junior and Senior Recreational National Championship. Freeholder Rodriguez said cheerleading is an expensive sport and there are special cheerleading gyms which cost $50.00 to train them. When Sue is coaching an All-Star team and she receives a stipend, she traded it in for gym fees. Freeholder Rodriguez congratulated Sue on behalf of the entire Freeholder Board.

Mayor Cowling-Carson said she got to know Sue when she was about 7 years old. The Mayor said she would like everyone to know that Sue has given her heart to the Magnolia Rams. She said as everyone knows from shared services that you only have so many people to pick from in a small town. She said Sue was one of the original people who was able to get us into SYAA which is a community organization made up of Sterling District Towns. It is an organization that has grown from Stratford Falcons and Magnolia Rams to one organization that is outstanding in this area. The Mayor said Sue has been general manager for 12 years-plus, but what everyone doesn’t know is Sue doesn’t have any children. The Mayor said the dedication that Sue has given to this town, not just to Magnolia girls but girls from the whole Sterling area, including Gloucester Township girls also. She said she has brought this to the towns that has been making it so exciting for girls this year – they have 30 or 40 girls on some of their teams because they want to be there. It is amazing what Sue and the SYAA have done for Magnolia Rams and what she has done for this whole community is wonderful. The Mayor said on behalf of the entire Borough of Magnolia, we would like to thank you for your dedication to the Magnolia Rams and SYAA. Thank you, Sue.

Sue Sell said it is difficult for her to be recognized for work she did along with so many other people. She said she keeps telling herself that she is here to accept this recognition on their behalf. She said she feels so fortunate to work with so many wonderful people. Ms. Sell thanked all her executive board members, past and present. She said she is indebted to the fantastic athletes whose lives she has been blessed to play a part in and they have given her more than words can express. Ms. Sell said for this reason, she would like to encourage anybody who thought about volunteering and never able to find the time; make the time, it is really worth the effort. Thank you.

MINUTES

The Director asked for a motion to accept the Minutes as presented. Deputy Director McDonnell made a motion to adopt the Minutes with a second by Freeholder Rodriguez and on roll call:

AYE: CREAM, RIPA, RODRIGUEZ, MCDONNELL, CAPPELLI
ABSTAIN: GRECO

CORRESPONDENCE

The Director asked if there was any correspondence. The Clerk advised that there was correspondence. Ms. Szczesniewski said we received a note from a resident of the Borough of Magnolia, Pearl Schweisguth, thanking the Freeholders for the Senior Safe Home Program. Ms. Schweisguth said she received help from Vince Sarubbi and Lou Borda this week. She went on to say that Vince, as usual, is a kind, patient and knowledgeable plumbing expert and fixed a leaky faucet in an old-fashioned bathtub for her. He went over a list of other safety concerns and gave Lou Borda her concerns. She said Lou installed railings up her attic stairs and will return in the Spring to patch her front concrete steps. She said the County is fortunate to have both pleasant and capable men working for you. She extended her thanks.

COMPTROLLER

The Director then asked for a motion to adopt the Comptroller’s Report. Freeholder Rodriguez made a motion to adopt with a second by Freeholder Cream and on roll call, all Freeholders present voted aye.

The Director announced that the next portion of this meeting will be opened to the public for discussion on the Resolutions that the Freeholders are going to be acting upon this evening. He said there will be another public session after the meeting, at which time the public can ask any questions they want regarding the business of the County or anything else they wish to talk about. The Director said that he asks that this portion of the public hearing be limited to the Resolutions that the Freeholders are going to be voting on.

The Director then declared the public hearing open.

There being no members of the public wishing to comment, Director Cappelli asked for a motion to close the public hearing. Deputy Director McDonnell made a motion to close the public hearing with a second by Freeholder Cream and all Freeholders present voted aye.

The Director said that at our Caucus on Tuesday evening, the Board of Freeholders reviewed the resolutions to be acted upon tonight. He said it was at that time that the Board discussed items to be voted on and we will be voting on resolutions in blocks based on unanimous consent of the Freeholders.