Westville: Borough Council Will Focus on Working Together on Redevelopment

By Sara Martino

NEWS Correspondent

  Following the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by the Rev. Frederick Link of St. Anne Church, two Council members were sworn in as members of the Westville governing body January 2.

  Now, Council is comprised of three Democrats and three Republicans, with Michael Galbraith as the Democrat mayor.

  Pastor Don Spaeth of the Westville Baptist Church administered the ceremonial oath of office to re-elected council member George Baker.

  Reverend Kenneth Houts administered the oath of office to new Councilman Ronald Muhlbaier. Family members and friends were present at the meeting.

  Council Member Russell Welsh was nominated and approved to serve as Council president and presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Gal-braith who is at home recuperating from an illness.

  "The mayor said he is looking forward to working together with the new Council, and he said he appreciated all the get-well wishes for his recovery," Welsh said.

  Appointments for 2008 were approved but not read and 20 resolutions were approved in title only.

  The meeting was opened to the public but there were no comments made.

  Baker and Muhlbaier both thanked the public for their support.

  Councilman James Pennington said, "There is no question that that will be divided of opinions in at least one important issue. There is work to be done and it must be done quickly. This Borough can-not be involved in just one issue. We welcome debate among the members. But, this is an opportunity to serve the community as a whole. It is our most important task."

  After the meeting, Pennington did state that the important issue to be faced is the proposed redevlopment project as presented by Fieldstone, Associates.

  The project has been stalled for several years now, and opponents of the project showed their voice at the polls.

  Property owners in the Timber Creek redevelopment zone have been wary of Fieldstone and the governing body in the matter of eminent domain.

  "We live in a very small town," Welsh said. "We have a lot on our slate and must work as one cohesive unit, governing body and employees alike. I hope we will continue to have successes as we had in 2007."

  Pastor Spaeth closed the meeting with a blessing on those who are fighting for our freedom.

RESOLUTIONS OK'D

 Adopting a Temporary Budget for 2008; Designating Depositories for 2008; Providing for Petty Cash Fund; Providing for Penalty on Delinquent Taxes, Sewer and Water charges, etc.; Designating Legal Publication for 2008; Regarding Robert Rules of Order; Providing for Professional Services; Appointing Risk Management Consultant for Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Counties Municipal Joint Insurance Fund; Appointing Primary Physician under the Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Counties Municipal Joint Insurance Fund; Designating Borough Council Meeting Dates; Approving Additional Year End Penalty of 6 percent on Outstanding Taxes and/or Water and/or Sewer Arrears Exceeding $10,000; Adopting a Cash Management Plan.

  Also, Designating Christine A. Helder, William J. Bittner Jr., Donna M. Domico and Frederick J. Lederer, III as Contact Persons for TRICOJIF for EPL; Designating Tax Search/Assessment Search Officers; Omit from Tax Sale Real Property-Equal Monthly Installments; Issuance of Duplicate Tax Sale Certificate; Authorizing a Service Charge for Returned Checks; Authorizing Bidding by Municipal Officers at Tax Sale; In Rem Foreclosure; Allowing Purchases of Materials, Supplies, Equipment and Labor under State Contracts; Authorizing the Certified Tax Collector, Deputy Tax Collector and Municipal Court Administrator/Deputy Municipal Court Administrator File Proof of Claim Forms with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; Authorizing a Tax Sale Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 54:5-10; Approving a $25 Fee for Issuance of Tax Sale Certificates of Redemption;

Approving a Consent Agenda; Appointing a Fund Commissioner and Alternate Fund Commissioner for the Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland Counties Municipal Joint Insurance Fund.