Mayor Joe Wolk (first photo)added, \”Mount Ephraim has always had great volunteers answering emergency calls in Mount Ephraim,\” and that they themselves (the borough) was also trying to get in touch with the MEPRI EMS Chief with several questions and have not had any luck in the past few weeks either. Mayor Wolk also stated that they are aware of several other residents that are also in the same situation with the billing dilemma. Commissioner Andy Gilmore further explained that he knew that the ambulance squad had trouble recruiting volunteers during the day-time hours several years ago as most of the members were working regular jobs during the day. He believes that this is

Photo: Commissioner Andy Gilmore

the reason why they have entered into an agreement with Virtua Health to have their EMT\’s provide daytime coverage for the borough during the weekday hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (an agreement that was finalized with the previous administration). The members then cover the rest of the hours during the week as well as rotate weekend coverage with Haddon Heights and Audubon every third weekend he further explained. Mayor Wolk and Commissioner Gilmore asked for the residents to give their names and numbers to the borough clerk after the meeting and they reassured them that they would get the answers they were looking for.

An ordinance was introduced regarding political signs. A previous ordinance basically stated that political signs were not permitted within the borough limits. This new ordinance will allow political signs to be displayed but specifies how big signs can be, where they can be placed, and how long they can be displayed for.

A second reading and hearing of ordinance no.10-07 was passed authorizing the mayor to perform marriages and civil unions and to collect the associated fee of $150.00 (the norm throughout the state). This fee will be paid to the borough and then paid to the mayor on top of his annual salary of approximately $3,700.

Photo: Commissioner Bruce Greenwald

As we are now entering the eighth month of the year, a resolution was finally read to adopt the 2007 Municipal Budget. The previous commissioners failed to complete and present a budget for the first 5 months of this year. Several delays held up this process such as the appointments and replacements of several Chief Financial Officers during a short period of time as well as previous Commissioner Gaglianone being out sick for several weeks. The 2007 Municipal Budget has been finalized and was sent to the state and is currently awaiting approval.

Commissioner Andy Gilmore read the July report for the Mount Ephraim Volunteer Fire Department which answered a total of 42 calls (416 total calls for the year), completed 2 drills, and spent a total of 732 man hours performing fire department related duties for the month. Commissioner Gilmore wanted to acknowledge the members of the volunteer departments that responded to a working house fire a few weeks ago at the corner of the Black Horse Pike and Valley Road. Members from Mount Ephraim Fire Dept., Mount Ephraim Emergency Management, and the Mount Ephraim Ambulance all responded to the blaze which was dispatched shortly after midnight. Firefighters encountered fire and heavy smoke upon arrival and began searching for occupants (as there was an initial report of people trapped). The result turned up negative as all occupants were accounted for. Commissioner Andy Gilmore, on behalf of the Mayor and Commissioners wanted to publicly recognize and thank each and every volunteer. All departments did a great job and thanks to all of their efforts and very quick response, they prevented the fire from spreading and causing further damage to the two apartments and the business below.

The Mount Ephraim Police Department received a total of 620 calls for the month of July (3,346 total calls for the year), 369 of those calls were assigned a case number (1,981 for the year), 36 adults and 20 juveniles were arrested in July and 65 out of town warrants were served. $6,073.50 in fines were collected in July, total court costs collected were $4,286.00.

Commissioner Bruce Greenwald, Director of Public Works reported for the month $1,999.00 in permit fees were collected. The Single Stream Recycling (collecting all recyclables together in one container) collected over 80,000 lbs. (up from last month) which he stated he feels could still be higher if more people would spend the time to recycle, something they will be looking into in the near future to improve. Graffiti, most likely from juveniles, was removed again from the Shining Star Park and the Norcross Memorial Park. Numerous pot holes were filled in throughout the town, the intersections of Davis Avenue & Kings Highway and James Street & Kings Highway were repaved to make the intersections safer for pedestrians and vehicles turning onto both James Street and Davis Avenue as they both had unsafe \”dips\” at the corners which are now fixed and much safer. Some minor work to both pump stations was also performed to keep them maintained and running properly. Several months back the previous commissioners read a resolution dedicating part of Station Avenue as \”Memorial Way\” in honor of those who have previously served the borough of Mount Ephraim. A few weeks ago the \”Memorial Way\” signs were added above the existing street signs along Station Avenue.

The Solicitors & Engineers reports was read where it was announced that they are finalizing a few design modifications to the Green Avenue Repavement Project which is expected to be completed sometime in September. The 2007 Municipal Aid Grant for Third Avenue is currently in the design phase and is expected to be completed sometime this fall. The handicapped ramps are being completed along Kings Highway as well as Market Street. The Street Scape Project along Kings Highway has been delayed for a little while due to some in proper paperwork that had been previously filed, if all is to go as scheduled, the project should start up again sometime in September where they will be replacing the concrete walkways with brick pavers on both sides of Kings Highway.

The Mayor\’s report was read were Joe Wolk thanked everyone for their patients as they worked diligently to complete and finalize the 2007 Municipal Budget which was one of the major challenges they had to deal with as they entered office on May 15.

Mayor Wolk also announced that he has spoken with representatives from the United States Postal Service on Tuesday, July 3, and they informed him that the former post office site was scheduled to be cleaned-up by the end of the second or third week in July. Those weeks came and went so Mayor Wolk called back again to see what the current status was and he was told that the USPS did not know the reason why the site was not cleaned up, but should be done shortly. Mayor Wolk was also told by the USPS that the modular building is scheduled to be delivered on Friday, August 10 and right now they are scheduled to open the new post office by mid-September.

Mayor Wolk also announced that he has spoken with the owner of the property at the former Haddonfield Lumber Yard site and he stated that he is very eager to sell the property, but still does not have anything in writing about any deal of 42 unit condo homes being built at the site, or any other deal for that matter. The Mayor stated that he will be meeting with the current owner of the property in the very near future.

Resident Karen Campenell asked if the tax bills were going to be delayed and Mayor Wolk advised that the tax bills will be delayed by a few weeks and all residents will have a minimum of 25 days after they receive their bills to make a payment. They will be delayed because the borough has not received the tax rate from Camden County yet.

Resident Lil Eggers asked if the Kings Highway Street Scape is definitely starting on September 15. Mayor Wolk advised that that is what they were told and have not heard otherwise. She said that she was only asking because the Celebrations Committee, which she is a part of, is looking to purchase decorations for the street lights for this holiday season.

Commissioner Greenwald announced that \”The Ann Oswald Country Band\” will be playing at the Mount Ephraim Little League Field on Wednesday, August 15, starting at 7 p.m. All are welcomed to attend the free concert sponsored by the Camden County Freeholders. Refreshments will be sold at the event by the Mount Ephraim Celebrations Committee. Please brink your lawn chairs and/or blankets for an enjoyable evening.

On behalf of Mayor Wolk, Commissioner Greenwald, Commissioner Gilmore and the borough employees, they wished everyone an upcoming peaceful and safe Labor Day Weekend. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 6 at 8 p.m. in the borough hall court room located at 121 S. Black Horse Pike, Mount Ephraim.