MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE HELD JUNE 10, 2004

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was called to order Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor William DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker Space, Clerk Administrator James Doherty and Attorney Michael Garofalo.

Mayor DeBoer announced this meeting is held in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. He led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor De Boer requested that the governing body Review The Consent Agenda. Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the Consent Agenda. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

REPORTS

The reports for the Board of Health, Registrar, Construction Department, Tax Collector and Municipal Clerk for May 2004 were accepted for filing on motion by Mr. Parrott, second by Mr. Space. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

RESOLUTIONS

1) Authorizing payment of bills for the meeting of June 10, 2004.

2) Authorizing renewal of liquor licenses in the Township of Wantage for
the term 2004-2005.

3) Awarding Bid for Construction of Siltation Chamber, South Shore Drive, to Salmon Brothers of Netcong, N. J. in the amount of $57,575.75 (certification of availability of funds is on file in the Clerks office).

4) Authorizing the Mayor to sign the Application for Funding of the Sussex-Wantage Municipal Alliance Against Drug/Alcohol Abuse for the 2005 grant application cycle.

5) Authorizing an Amended Interlocal Services Agreement with Sussex Borough for Municipal Water and Sewer Services for Wantage Township Residents.

Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the Resolutions as presented.
A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

1) Bond Sale
An online auction was held for the sale of Wantage Township Municipal Bonds. The winning interest rate was 3.7287%. Mr. Doherty noted the taxpayers saved $30,000 by holding the sale in this manner.

2) Road Improvements
Effective June 21st, improvements will begin on County Route 635 and effective July 7th, the road will be closed to traffic for 8-10 weeks, according to the county engineers office. Detours will be posted. A notice will also be posted at the Municipal Building and listed on the township website.

3) Bid Opening
A bid opening was held today for a firm to handle the township revaluation next year. Two bids were received that the municipal attorney is reviewing. The low bid is just under $400,000 but they are taking many exceptions. The other bid is just under $500,000 but no exceptions were taken.

4) COAH
A proposal was received from David Troast, professional planner, for COAH work to be done in conjunction with the zoning ordinances. The price would be $90 per hour but not to exceed $14,000. Additional funds are available in the Land Use Board line item for this project. Mr. Doherty recommended awarding the contract with the understanding funds are not available for legal and engineering fees so additional funds would be budgeted next year. He said an emergency appropriation would not be necessary.

Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve a professional planning contract for David R. Troast, LLC of Hawthorne for fair share and housing plan services that would be billed on a monthly
basis. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

5) Tax Assessors Request
A resolution was received from the Tax Assessor via the attorney regarding current assessments that were listed twice. The governing body was requested to take action to cancel the double entry. Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to correct the tax records for the Block and Lot Numbers as presented. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

6) Inquiry Regarding Land Purchase
A letter was received from Fast Fish Holdings, LLC of Lakewood, N. J. who have taken title to a property in Wantage through tax lien foreclosure. They want to know if Wantage would like to buy the property lot. Mr. Doherty said it appears they do not really expect the Township to be interested in buying this property, but they need a written declination in order to pursue other options. He recommended a letter be written thanking them for the opportunity to buy the property but that we respectively decline to do so. Following discussion, the governing body agreed with Mr. Dohertys recommendation.

7) Temporary Trailer Issue
Mr. Doherty directed the Township Committees attention to a memo from Construction Department official Nick Frasche dated 6/1/04 and his response. Mr. Parrott explained the situation and said the property contains an old farmhouse that is vacant, is to be remodeled and needs a new septic system. Mr. Doherty said it seems there is no ordinance that provides for the governing body to be involved. Mr. Garofalo agreed and said it should be a decision in the Construction Department and if the request is denied there are other channels that could be taken.

8) Information: Wallkill River Watershed
Mr. Doherty stated he met Tuesday with Nathaniel Sajdak, coordinator of the Wallkill River Watershed Management Group, who offered an update report on the Proposed Amendment to the Sussex County Water Quality Management Plan that would establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) threshold for phosphorous in the Papakating Creed and Clove Acres Lake. This proposal is being pursued by the NJDEP and has potential
far-reaching consequences for Frankford, Sussex Borough and Wantage Township.
Following discussion of this item, no action was taken.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Garofalo said depositions would soon be taken in the Kinney matter and he appreciates the governing body's cooperation. He informed the Committee of a new lawsuit against the Land Use Board regarding a cell tower denial. The plaintiff is challenging the ordinance on its face, saying technology has changed and the ordinance
is unreasonable.

Mr. Garofalo said closings were held on some municipal properties and the funds given to the Administrator to deposit.

Regarding COAH, Mr. Garofalo said it is important this process being in earnest. There is a good possibility Wantage would feel more development pressure because it is outside the critical area. He said Wantage needs
a fair share housing plan so it could be immune to lawsuits from developers who have their projects denied.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Space said he spoke with Clydesdale Ridge residents and no one he spoke with seemed to feel there was a problem with truck traffic through the development. A state trooper in the area will monitor the situation.

Mr. Parrott said he felt the bond interest rate received was excellent. He asked about the property on Owens Station Road that is to be purchased by the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge. He was informed there has not been a closing yet.

Mr. Parrott said he is on the Board at St. Clares Hospital and there was conversation about providing information on the township website including their telephone number and what they have to offer.

Mayor DeBoer said Franklin-Sussex Automall contacted him about placing a crane holding a truck on their property for a three-week period. The zoning officer told him there was nothing in the township ordinances
that covered this situation. Mr. Garofalo said the general rule of thumb is that if there is any doubt, it should be denied.

The mayor asked about the broker for the township dental insurance coverage. Mr. Doherty said he usually deals directly with Delta Dental. Mayor DeBoer asked that Tony Cuccinotta take over this responsibility

NEW BUSINESS

1) Ordinance 2004-10: Revaluation Program
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adopt Ordinance 2004-10, entitled, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE PREPARATION AND ISSUANCE OF A COMPLETE PROGRAM FOR REVALUATION OF REAL ESTATE FOR USE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE TAX ASSESSOR. The
meeting was open to the public for any questions or comments. No one came forward. The meeting was closed to the public. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

2) Bid Solicitation
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve a Resolution soliciting bids for the Revaluation Program. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

3) Resolution
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve a Resolution authorizing the Chief Finance Officer to implement the five-year special emergency appropriation for the Revaluation Program. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments involving the good and welfare of the community.

Lisa Drake of 179 Rose Morrow Road asked for information regarding the water study that was approved at a previous meeting. Mr. Parrott explained the details. Mrs. Drake said she had compiled information and
would be willing to work with the geologist. Mr. Parrott said he would provide her with the firms address and phone number.

Pablo Gonzalez of Lake Neepaulin complained about the poor condition of street signs in his area or the fact that several are missing. He was directed to complete a Request for Service form so this problem could be addressed.

There being no one else present who wished to address the governing body, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to enter Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues. A voice vote was unanimously in favor. The executive session lasted approximately one hour.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to come out of Executive Session. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

No further action was taken.

There being no further business to come before the governing body, Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

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William DeBoer, Mayor
ATTEST:
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James Doherty, Clerk Administrator