Lee Whilden

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, noted that she worked as a poll worker at one time in the Millbrook Fire House.She has visited the schools when they open as polling places and noted that the public is re-routed so that access to the school is minimal.She urged the Council to reconsider removing the polling places from the schools and paying for the fire companies to be used.Mrs. Whilden expressed to Deputy Mayor Metz that she resented his reference to the town as formerly blue-collar.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, reiterated her belief that the proposed increase in the Mayor's salary changes the structure of the government formed under the Faulkner Act and urged the council to reconsider their support of it.
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Mrs. Whilden stated for the record that when she was mayor, she never received any payment for performing weddings.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, spoke as a representative for the Friends Meeting House and Cemetery Association and provided a brief history of the cemetary.She voiced concern over a proposed shopping center gaining access to Quaker Church Road from their parking lot and the view from the Friends Meeting House.She requested that the Association be notified when the matter comes before the Planning Board.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, invited the Council to come to the Friends Meeting House to get an idea of the view they now have of Quaker Church Road.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, stated that she received many calls regarding the signs on municipal property.She expressed her belief that township officials have set a bad example for the public by allowing these signs on municipal property.

Seeing no one further from the public, the public portion was closed.

COUNCIL AND MANAGER REPORTS

Councilman Obremski reminded the council that he will be out of town for the February 28 meeting.He is a member of a sub-committee working on the new initiative for the Traffic Advisory Committee, incorporating a driver simulator program to the teen driving safety program at the school.The Police Academy on Hanover Avenue has a simulator, and he is working with them to start a pilot program where employees of the township will be trained on the simulator as well as use by the students.

Lee Whilden did a good job as mayor, but she represents a milestone for the community in that she is the first woman to ever have served as Mayor of Randolph Township.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, noted that she is a part of the pro-referendum committee, however she is on record as being for a community pool in the past.She is concerned that this project will become a "Malibu on Millbrook", excluding residents that can't afford to join.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, stated that she is for citizens' rights and is looking for a democracy that considers the will of the majority with protection for the minority.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, commended Mrs. Johnson on all of her hard work on behalf of the pool.
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Mrs. Whilden has long been a child advocate, she does extensive work with the League of Women Voters, and she does not think that the pool issue should polarize the town.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, stated that some of the salaries seem to be unfair.She asked if salaries were indicative of longevity in the organization and if percentage or merit increases were used.
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Mrs. Whilden asked about the salary increase for the Mayor and if that was a new concept this year.
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Mrs. Whilden asked if this would create friction among the council members.

The Manager stated that is not likely due to the fact that the Mayor has significantly more duties than council members, as well as having to put money out of pocket for expenses associated with those duties.

Mrs. Whilden suggested the Mayor abstain from voting on the salary increase.

Mayor Obremski responded that he intended to abstain.

Hearing no further comments, the public portion of the hearing was closed.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, asked if the bids have been received for towing.
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Mrs. Whilden asked if bidding was competitive.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, reminded the Council that the public has recourse for the Council's actions.

Hearing no further comments, the public portion was closed.

The Councilman recognized Lee Whilden in the audience and noted that she was the first woman Mayor in Randolph.Mrs. Whilden has requested the Council recognize a volunteer at the Historical Society.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, is requesting the Council issue a proclamation in honor of a volunteer on the Historical Society.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, noted that as a single citizen and observer of the town, she does not need permission from the Historical Society to request a volunteer be recognized by proclamation.

Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, asked if this position will be coordinated with the county.
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Lee Whilden, 82 Radtke Road, agreed that there was a lot of information to take in and would have liked to have had the opportunity to ask questions.

Hearing no further comments, the public portion was closed.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilman Algeier noted that there were resolutions purchasing some new equipment, and he suggested the council initiate a policy whereby the Manager would indicate to the council that his office has either looked at the possibility of a shared service or shared purchase that would minimize the cost while fulfilling Randolph's needs.

Manager Lovell stated that he would have no problem working within such a policy.