Longport News in Brief – Edition of Dec. 20, 2012

Written by SHAUN SMITH Monday, December 17, 2012 10:42 am

The following action was taken Wednesday, Dec. 5 at the Longport Borough Commission meeting. The commissioners will meet for a work session 4:30 p.m. and a regular session 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 in Borough Hall.

PBA contract agreement

The borough commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance executing an agreement with Policemen’sBenevolent Association Local 363. Under the three-year agreement through 2014, a recruit’s salary would increase from $39,000 in 2011 to $39,585 in 2012. The salaries for various positions from 2011 to 2012 are as follows: first-year patrolman from $51,013 to $51,778; second-year patrolman from $65,130 to $66,107; third-year patrolman from $75,661 to $76,796; fourth year and after from $86,034 to $87,324; sergeant from $92,056 to $93,437; lieutenant from $98,500 to $99,978; and captain from $105,395 to $110,209.

Building height modification

Borough commissioners approved a maximum building height of 31 feet, 6 inches and other sections of chapter 167 regarding zoning within the city’s code book. The previous maximum building height was 29 feet. The ordinance is available in the city clerk’s office.

Water meter connection fees

Commissioners approved an ordinance regulating fees for water and sewer meter and water connections. The meter charge is the cost to the borough at the time of the meter purchase. The fee for inspection of a water reconnection or a sewer reconnection is $25. A water and sewer disconnect charge is $225 for water meter disconnect and removal and for a sewer disconnect and cap. Commissioner Jim Leeds suggested homeowners who are away from the borough contact their plumber to shut off the water at the street end if they have a concern over water fees while they are away.

Hurricane Sandy emergency note

Commissioners approved a resolution designation a special emergency appropriation of $425,000 for “extraordinary expenses” resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

Commission meeting schedule

The borough commission approved its 2013 meeting schedule. Work sessions will be held 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 2 and 16, March 20, May 15, June 5 and 19, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, and Dec. 4 and 18, with the regular meetings following at 5 p.m. Work sessions will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays Feb. 20, April 17 and Aug. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22 with the regular meeting 2 p.m. A work session is also scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27 with a regular meeting 10:30 a.m.

Grants received

Longport received an Atlantic County Community Development Block Grant for $55,075 for Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the municipal building between 2008-2012. The borough also received a body armorreplacement grant of $1,638.

Appointments

The borough commissioners unanimously approved the re-appointment of Carl Tripician as municipal prosecutor and James Swift as the public defender through 2013.