SOUTH JERSEY TRAFFIC SAFETY ALLIANCE

Minutes of the Executive Board Meeting
April 1, 2003, 12 Noon
Larrys II, Vineland  

Teresa Thomas opened the meeting at 12 Noon. 

Board members present were: Sheriff Barruzza, Joe Callavini, Linda Krsnak, Rick Mulvihill, Mary Padden, Lt Lou Raniszewski, and Sgt Barry Wythe.  

The Board reviewed the Safety Needs Assessment Survey Results.    

Promoting the Saved By The Seat Belt Club was discussed.  Gaining the support of the Police Chiefs and possibly developing a mailer that could go out to persons involved in a crash.  Teresa said she would cut out articles and send a letter with forms to the investigating officer but that she needed more people to forward her information. 

Expanding the Buckle UP Stencil Program to get driver ed students to solicit businesses was discussed, as well as, gaining the support of juvenile judges to impose the painting as community service sentences.  

The Board then moved on to focus areas suggested by respondents, but thought that more information was needed.   

Minutes

The Board recommended the General Membership Meeting Minutes from February 25 be presented at the May meeting and approved the Executive Board Meeting Minutes of January 7.  

On-Going Business

Child Passenger Seat Inspection Campaign Teresa reported that the May CPS Certification course was full with a waiting list.   That complementary Emergency ID and Club posters were forwarded to Police Chiefs.  That a second 2003 CPS Refresher/Update was scheduled for April 30 and a 12 hour course for care givers was scheduled for June 14 in association with SAFE KIDS Atlantic/Cape May (AtlantiCare).  

Saved By The Seat Belt Club Teresa informed the Board that she had inducted 11 new members to dates.  She went on to explain her idea for another PSA which the Board liked.  

Buckle Up Stencil Program Teresa reported that the 28 locations in Hammonton had been painted but no photos had been taken.  The Board did approve letters to the Lead Agencies requesting confirmation that they would again act as Lead Agency for this program.  

DRBA Partnership Teresa explained that to date the Alliance had completed all aspects of the partnership as outlined.  She also mentioned that the DRBA and Lower Twp PD will host 101 Days of Summer with a child safety seat event and bike rodeo, May 31.  

Defensive Driving Program Teresa informed the Board that she had done a Press Release promoting the program and asking for organization interested in hosting the course.  There were only a couple of calls and only one has decided to participate and has scheduled the class for June 28.  The date is actually the anniversary of a crash their daughter survived year ago.   However, the original preface was for Christys Funeral Home (Millville) to host the course in the hopes of saving lives.   

Teresa went on to explain that if this program takes off the Alliance should consider joining the National Safety Council and becoming a Training Agency to receive discounts on the video lease and course materials.   

SJTPO Mile Post Initiative Teresa reminded the Board that they had talked about this at the last Executive Board Meeting and they directed her to contact the county engineers.  Teresa said that they were all in favor of such as project and that SJTPO was looking into how it could be funded.  The Board approved sending Tim Chelius a letter supporting the project.  

SJTPO Crash Data Project review of the results was tabled.  

Public Service Announcements Teresa explained that they had been mailed to TV 40, 53, 2, Channel 8 and 13.   Teresa said that she  would reach out to the cable stations.  

2003 Bicycle Safety Bowl Teresa informed the Board that she had not had any luck obtaining custom helmet stickers with the clubs logo.  She suggested water bottles but said that it might be a waste of money considering the low participation this year.  She then directed everyones attention to the list of this years participants compared to last years and said the program might need to be discontinued next year.  

Tabled Items 

ACTION The Board approved purchasing shirts for instructors of both the CPS Course and DD Course.  They suggested she get with the instructors to decided on the type of shirt etc.  

Teresa then informed the Board that CPS Patches were to be given to each person that completed the course but that it had been overlooked when the Alliance began teaching the course.  She and John had both requested a supply from Ed OConnor for past participants and upcoming classes but had not received any to date.  

New Business 

ACTION The Board approved changing the next meeting date to May 13.  The General Membership had discussed changing the meetings from Tuesdays to Thursdays, at the Feb mtg, but with the Memorial Day Holiday that week the Board decided to move it up a week.   

It was also decided that the meeting would start at 9:30 AM.  Another item discussed by the General Membership in Feb.  

ACTION Teresa directed everyone to the letter and map submitted by James Standiford.  He believes that a shrub at the intersection at Rosenhayn Ave and Burlington Road, Upper Deerfield Township, is creating a safety hazard.  Sheriff Barruzza said that he checked out the intersection on his way to the meeting and will pass it on the Dick Gardella, the County Engineer.  

ACTION The Board approved the partnership with South Jersey Transportation Authority and directed Teresa to send Jim Crawford a letter asking for written confirmation that they agree to the proposal.   

ACTION The Board approved changing the HTS Grant to include the purchase of display cases.  They also agreed that the focus for this year would be libraries, police and municipal building and hospitals.   

ACTION The Board approved the 2^nd year of the Awards Workshop to be held after the August meeting at the Cape May Lewes Ferry.  However, the date will be decided at the May 13 meeting.  The Board however decided to keep control of the selection process.

Other 

The Board approved a letter to the new Executive Director of the Cumberland County United Way.   

NJDHTS Grant 

Teresa directed everyone to the budget spreadsheets for the HTS and CPS Grants, as well as the Second Quarterly Report.  There were no comments.   

Preliminary Agenda Review

The Board approved speakers on the Salem Diversity Grant, Safe Routes to School Program, and NJDHTS Grants.  Sgt Barry Wythe asked to be included to speak about the Atlantic County Highway Traffic Safety Initiative.  

There were on other comments.  

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 PM.