The Wantage Township Committee held a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, March 27, 2003, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N.J.

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Jeffrey Parrott, Committeemen Richard Sytsema and William DeBoer, Administrator James Doherty, and Township Attorney Angelo Bolcato.

Mayor Parrott announced this meeting is held in compliance with requirements of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and had been properly advertised. He led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda was presented for consideration. No one asked for any items to be removed for separate action. Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1) Letter dated 3/12/03 from John Hannum and James Wallace of High Point Regional High School, offering details regarding the proposed annual budget of the HPRHS School District.

2) Memorandum received 3/17/03 from the Princeton Public Affairs Group, requesting consideration of support for a proposed bipartisan auto insurance reform bill.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to approve the correspondence for filing.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

RESOLUTIONS

1) Approval for Transfer of 2002 Budget Appropriation Reserves, per resolution dated March 27, 2003.

2) Approval of Payment of Bills for the meeting of March 27, 2003.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to approve the aforementioned resolutions.

Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

REPORTS

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. Mr. Doherty asked for an executive session at the end of tonight’s meeting.

2. The public hearing for the Master Plan has been rescheduled for April 30 at 7:30 p.m. A block ad will be placed in the New Jersey Herald for two insertions and the new date will be posted on the municipal website.

3. A meeting with Sussex Borough officials is needed to discuss various issues. Their Council suggested April 22 at 10:30 a.m. It was determined that Mayor Parrott, Mr. Doherty and Mr. Clark would attend. If the mayor were unavailable, the deputy mayor would attend.

4. Snow removal was costly but $10,604 was left in the 2002 budget for that purpose. Mr. Doherty explained how the funds could be allocated through a dedication by rider. Mayor Parrott raised the question of an insurance policy in the event of heavy snowfall. Mr. Doherty indicated he would check on the premiums.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer to approve a resolution authorizing the dedication by rider.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

1. Cell tower bids are upcoming.

2. They are waiting for the Sussex Borough attorney to prepare a fire truck agreement.

3. They expect funds to be dispersed shortly for the sale of property on Bassetts Bridge Road to the Wildlife Refuge.

Mayor Parrott said a figure had been agreed upon but in the interim real estate prices escalated and another appraisal was requested. As a result, the township should receive upwards of 10% more.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORT

Mayor Parrott reported as follows:

1. A call was received from the Wantage School principal who thanked the Road Department for snow removal and clean up.

2. A call was received regarding the Animal Control Officer and the mayor said he spoke with the administrator regarding those issues. A memo was prepared and the issue resolved immediately.

3. Calls were received regarding the poor condition of Dyer Road. Road department supervisor Bob Wagner was called and the potholes were filled. The mayor noted blacktop would not be available until after April 1st.

4. There is a mandatory employee seminar scheduled from1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 3rd and the municipal building will be closed. This will be posted on the front door and the municipal website.

5. A letter was received from High Point Regional High School. The budget increase for Wantage Township would be $52 per $100,000 assessment.

6. Mayor Parrott said he spoke today with Sen. Robert Littell regarding school funding.

7. A letter was received from Gov. James McGreevey dated 3/24 regarding the war with Iraq, which the mayor read aloud.

8. A letter was received from the N. J. National Guard regarding scholarship programs that he forwarded to the high school.

9. A new business has opened, the Clove Brook Market and Deli, which is an asset to the township and we are proud to have it here.

NEW BUSINESS

MINUTES

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the regular meeting minutes for March 13, 2003.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ORDINANCES

SPEED LIMIT ON ROCKPORT ROAD

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-03, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE AS ADOPTED ON FEBRUARY 8, 1996, SETTING THE SPEED LIMITS ON VARIOUS ROADS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE.”

The meeting was open to the public.

Douglas Ricker, 93 Beemer Road, asked what the speed limit would be and the mayor replied it would be 35 m.p.h.

The meeting was closed to the public.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

TRAFFIC REGULATIONS IN NORTHFIELDS

Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-02 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS FOR THE NORTHFIELDS DEVELOPMENT.”
The meeting was open to the public.
Frank Galligan of Lake Neepaulin noted the incorrect mayor’s name was used.
The meeting was closed to the public.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

INDEX CAP RATE

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-05 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE INDEX RATE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S. 40A:4-45.14.”
The meeting was open to the public. There were no comments or questions. The meeting was closed to the public.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Mr. Galligan noted that Libby Herland, manager of the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge was taking a new position in Massachusetts and said he felt she did a good job and would like the township to acknowledge the work she did there. Mayor Parrott agreed and said he would be happy to authorize the administrator to send her a thank you letter and offer best wishes in her new position.

Willard DeGroat of Plumbsock asked what was going to be done about the recycling center that closed. The mayor repeated statements he made at the previous governing body meeting and said the township does not have funds available to continue that work. Waste Management would pick up recyclables for a fee of $2.50 per month, he said or materials can be brought to the county landfill in Lafayette. There was further discussion about recycling facilities in Frankford and Vernon.

Mr. DeBoer explained the Clean Communities program.

Diane Snure of Mount Salem Road asked who made the complaints about the Animal Control Officer. Mayor Parrott said that is a confidential issue and is still being investigated. Mr. DeBoer said Mr. Doherty wrote a very good letter and he felt the matter would be resolved.

Dwayne Armstrong asked about the status of the speed limit on Sherman Ridge Road. Mr. Doherty said the township engineer needed the snow to melt before he could do certain tests and it is hoped that ordinance could be introduced at the next township committee meeting.

Mr. Doherty asked Mr. Armstrong about the recent Recreation Commission meeting. He replied that plans were finalized for a Rock & Roll Dinner.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to enter executive session to discuss personnel matters.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
The executive session lasted 15 minutes.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to come out of executive session.
A voice vote was unanimously in favor.
There being no further business to come before the governing body, a motion was duly made, seconded and carried by voice vote to adjourn at 8:55 p.m.
__________________________
Jeffrey Parrott, Mayor
ATTEST:____________________________
James Doherty
Administrator/Municipal Clerk