School Board Eliminates Annual Budget Vote

At last night’s board meeting, the Runnemede board of education approvals the resolution that eliminates the annual budget vote.  The district will still be holding a budget presentation in March.  Also, the budget still needs to be approved by the county and the school district still has to stay within the 2% cap.

During the meeting there was some discussion over the additional card access point at Bingham School.  Teachers are now having to park in the lot near the playground.  Having the additional card access point will allow easier entrance to the school.

The installation of the card access point will cost $1,997.00.  Board member, Colleen Kurth did not agree with the added card access point.

Four board members voted against the approval of the additional card access point.  However, it was passed by the other five board members who voted in favor of it.

The next board of education meeting will be at Mary Volz school on Wednesday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m.

[Agenda]

School Board Meeting

There will be a board of education meeting on Wednesday, January 25, at 7:00 p.m. located in the Mary Volz School library.

If the  resolution that appears on Wednesday’s agenda is approved by board members, this will end public voting on the annual school budget.

“Approval of resolution to eliminate vote on the annual budget and to move the election of school board members to the general election.”

Congressman Rob Andrews Sits Down With Residents

Despite the inclement weather and the miscommunications about today’s meeting at the borough hall, Congressman Rob Andrews was gracious as always to meet with Runnemede residents.

Congressman Andrews did not give a public speech but did privately meet with each resident.

There were five residents that had scheduled appointments to meet with Congressman Andrews.  Residents, who did not have an appointment, were also given the same opportunity to sit down and talk with Congressman Andrews.

 

Congressman Rob Andrews

Congressman Rob Andrews will be taking questions from Runnemede residents on Saturday, January 21^st at 9: 00 a.m., at the borough courtroom.

Did Kalvaitis Have The Authority To Appoint Councilman White?

Controversy surrounds Mayor Bertha Kalvaitis after she designates Councilman Ed White as a fill-in for two Planning/Zoning Board meetings.  Kalvaitis, who is no stranger to controversy, is quick with smart comebacks to residents that voice their concerns or opinions at borough meetings.

At the December 2011 and January 2012 Planning/Zoning Board meetings, Council President Tony Beatrice was absent.  In two letters that has been obtained, it states that Kalvaitis designates Councilman Ed White to fill-in for Beatrice’s absences.

John Schmidt had attended last week’s meeting.  Schmidt had quickly questioned why Councilman White was sitting on the Board.

According to the state statue, the mayor can appoint members to the board. Council President Beatrice is a Class III member and can only be appointed by the council.

Schmidt submitted a letter to the council about this situation.  [Schmidt’s letter]

Kalvaitis was not able to be reached for comment.

Beatrice was contacted this evening regarding the situation with Kalvaitis.  Beatrice was not able to answer any questions about this.  He suggests that asking these questions at the next council meeting on February 7^th.

Runnemede Convenience Store Burglarized

Runnemede Police makes two arrests early this morning.  More on this story from the Courier Post.

Zoning/Planning Board Meeting

Last night’s zoning/planning board meeting had many residents that attended.  Residents attended the meeting to discuss the possible new housing development that would be located right off of Hartford Road.  Unfortunately, the board had to reschedule discussions on this issue for their March 14 meeting.

One resident was upset that the handicap parking spots located near the borough were filled.  The parking spots were filled with police cars.  One board member mentioned that there was some police activity that had taken place last night.

The police still have not confirmed if there were any arrests that took place last night.

A letter that was received from Robert DelSordo was read aloud.  DelSordo requests that his name is removed for consideration as joint planning/zoning board solicitor.  DelSordo was just appointed by Council President Tony Beatrice to be Runnemede’s prosecutor.  DelSordo’s hourly rate for being the board’s solicitor would have been $100.

During the good and welfare, OPRA activist John Schmidt was ready with questions.

One question was about the time of the zoning/planning board meeting.  This meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.  This is the same time that the borough meetings used to be set at.  According to a board member this is because of tradition.

The good and welfare section is located on the video at 24:24.

 

Reorganization Meeting/Borough Meeting-UPDATED

This video was unable to be uploaded the other day. This portion is from the good and welfare, during the regular meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Reorganization Meeting/Borough Meeting

The borough’s court room was filled last night for the Reorganization Meeting.  Even the former mayor of Runnemede, Ginny Betteridge was in attendance.  The Runnemede boy/girl scouts had opened the meeting, along with Denis Golinski. Other special guests included: Senator Donald Norcross, Judge Nicholas Trabosh and Rev. Raymond P. Gormley.

After the swearing in, it was time for council to re-elect Tony Beatrice as president. Both Nick Kappatos and Pat Passio voted no.

Questions started to arise about the new appointed prosecutor, Robert DelSordo.  The previous prosecutor was Sam Ragonese.  According to Beatrice, having DelSordo will help save the town money.  Sources say that Beatrice and DelSordo are friends.

During the good and welfare part of the meeting, many residents spoke out to the council.  The good and welfare part starts at 15:30 on the video.

 

[reorganization agenda]

[agenda]

Yellow = No Parking

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With the new one-way streets on Third Avenue and Williams Avenue, parents still insist on parking along the yellow curbing.  One parent was parked the wrong way on Third Avenue by the corner of Williams Avenue.  She quickly turned right onto Williams Avenue while talking on her cell phone.

One Runnemede officer was stationed again on Williams Avenue near the corner of Glover Drive.

Does having the one-way street help to fix the parking problems?  Will the crossing guards now have a more difficult time with safely crossing the children?

Chief Diano still has not commented.