The Wantage Township Committee held its organization meeting Thursday, January 2, 2003, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Mr. Doherty read the Statement of Determination of the Board of County Canvassers for the election held November 7, 2002, which declared William DeBoer was elected to the Wantage Township Committee.

OATH OF OFFICE
Mr. Doherty administered the oath of office to Mr. DeBoer whose wife held the Bible. He was offered congratulations from the other Committee members and applause from the audience.

Present: Committee members William DeBoer, Richard Sytsema and Jeffrey Parrott, Administrator/ Clerk James Doherty and Attorney Richard Clark.

SELECTION OF MAYOR
Mr. Doherty opened the floor for nominations to the position of mayor for 2003.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to nominate Mr. Parrott to the position of mayor for 2003. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT COMPLIANCE
Mayor Parrott stated this meeting is held in compliance with regulations of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and has been properly advertised.
The mayor led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

SELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR
Mayor Parrott opened the floor for Committee nominations to the position of deputy mayor for 2003. Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mayor Parrott, to nominate Mr. DeBoer as deputy mayor. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

LAND USE BOARD
The mayor announced his appointments for the Land Use Board as follows:
For terms running through 12/31/03, Mayor's Representative Paul Grau as a Class I member, Joanne Kanapinski as a Class II member for a term running through 12/21/03, Ronald Slate as a Class IV member for a term running through 12/31/06, Michael Cecchini as Alternate #1 and Steven Coleman as Alternate #2; for terms running through 12/31/03.
The mayor opened the floor to the Committee for a Class III appointment to the Land Use Board for a one-year term running through 12/31/03.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mayor Parrott, to appoint Richard Sytsema to fill this position. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS
Mayor Parrott named Tony DePeppo to the Board of Recreation Commissioners for a term running through 12/31/07.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The mayor made the following appointments to the Economic Development Commission:
Andrew Kattermann and Patricia Lettieri as regular members for terms running through 12/31/05.

BOARD OF HEALTH
Mayor Parrott made the following nominations to various boards and commissions:
Thoburn Kilmer as a regular member of the Board of Health for a term running through 12/31/07.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Joseph Konopinski as Emergency Management Coordinator through 12/31/03.
The Emergency Management Committee for terms running through 12/31/03: Deputy Coordinator Ed Vander Berg; Fire Chief Marc Blaine; Facilities, Bob Crum; DPW Assistant Supt. Bob Wagner; Sanitarian Mike Plaza; Finance/Resource Management Lorraine Card; Mayor Parrott and media, New Jersey Herald.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the mayorís nominations to various boards and commissions.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Parrott made the following nominations for professional appointments for the Township for 2003 as follows:
Township Attorney — Richard Clark; the Law Firm of Laddey, Clark and Ryan.
Township Auditor — Earl Snook of the firm Ferraioli, Wielkotz, Cerullo & Cuva
Township Prosecutor — William Haggerty
Township Public Defender — James P. Sloan
Township Engineer — Harold E. Pellow, who is serving an appointment through 12/31/03.
Township Judge — Craig U. Dana who is serving an appointment through 12/31/04.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to approve the mayor's nominations for professional appointments for the Township for 2003.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Mr. Doherty administered the oath of office to Mr. Clark.

MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Parrott made the following appointments to various positions of Township government for 2003 as follows:
James Doherty as Principal Public Works Manager, Recycling Coordinator and Assessment Search Officer and Officer designated to certify approval of subdivision of land.
Lorraine Card as Municipal Treasurer and PERS/PFRS Certifying Agent.
Marcia Snyder as Tax Search Officer and Acting Violations Clerk.
BB Bajda as Animal Control Officer.
William Nestor as Risk Management Consultant.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the mayor's nominations for various positions in Township government for 2003.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

RECOGNITION OF LINE OFFICERS
Mr. Doherty administered the oath of office to Fire Chief Marc Blaine and seven other members of the Wantage Township Fire Department.

CONSENT AGENDA
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

Items included in the Consent Agenda are as follows:
Professional Services Resolution for the Township Attorney, Township Prosecutor, Township Public Defender, Township Engineer, Township Auditor and Insurance Consultant Services.
Temporary Budget
Rates of Interest.
Overpayment / Underpayment of Taxes
Cash Management Plan
Official Depositories
Meeting Dates
Open Public Meetings Act Compliance.
Official Signatories
Affirmative Action P.A.C.O.
Official Newspapers
Defense Against Tax Appeals
Establishing Legal Holidays for 2003.
Accepting Insurance Bonds for 2003.
Authorizing Purchasing Authority for the Administrator / Clerk,
Naming Statewide Insurance Fund Representative for 2003.
Naming Safety Loss Prevention Representative for 2003.
Authorizing the Treasurer to Pay Bills between Meetings.

MAYOR'S STATEMENT
Mayor Parrott said last yearís governing body worked well together and he is looking forward to a productive year. His main goal is to complete the Master Plan update. Regarding the budget, the mayor said he would go over it line by line and be prudent. There is an excellent working relationship with both the Sussex-Wantage and High Point Regional High School. He noted the Committee would meet with them in February to discuss their budgets. Mayor Parrott said he hopes to do a good job as mayor and that he has respect for the other members of the Township Committee and the people who work for Wantage Township. He thanked his wife, children and mother for their support.
The mayor acknowledged the presence of Freeholder Director Hal Wirths who congratulated him and said he is proud to me a resident of Wantage Township. He said he makes a decision because he believes it is the correct one and he is humbled to have the opportunity to serve.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Mr. Sytsema said his goals are to have the Master Plan review completed and implemented as well the completion of Blair Road so that it could become a county road and Wantage would take over maintenance of Lusscroft Road. He said he would like to find ways to share services with other municipalities to provide a higher level of service.
Mr. DeBoer said he is honored and privileged to serve the township. He echoed the statement of Mr. Sytsema regarding the Master Plan. Mr. DeBoer said there are many facilities for children and he would like to see something for senior citizens, perhaps a meeting center. He also said the Committee would support the First Aid Squad and Fire Department as in the past and encouraged anyone to join either of those organizations.

PUBLIC PORTION
Douglas Ricker of Beemer Road congratulated the Committee. He suggested using the new library as a senior citizen meeting place. He asked the governing body to consider appointing someone to serve as a township representative to the SWAC, League of Municipalities and 208 Committee.
Mr. Sytsema said the mayor is an automatic member of SWAC.
Mayor Parrott asked Mr. Clark if he could appoint someone as a delegate to serve on his behalf and Mr. Clark said he could.
Mr. DeBoer added he would also like to thank his family members for their support.
William Bolella of Wolfpit Road asked the schedule for the Master Plan.
Mayor Parrott said it should be coming up for public review at the end of January or beginning of February. Mr. Sytsema added it is now in draft form and should be ready for a public hearing in February.
The mayor said the governing body would be meeting mornings to prepare the township budget for 2003. Mr. Doherty added those dates would be the middle three Thursdays in January beginning at 9:30 a.m.

There being no further business for the Organization Meeting, Mr. Nuss made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to adjourn. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

_________________________
Jeffrey Parrott, Mayor

ATTEST:____________________________
James Doherty, Administrator/Clerk