A workshop meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was scheduled to be held at 7 p.m. June 26, 2003 at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J., prior to the business portion of the regularly scheduled meeting.

Present: Mayor Jeffrey Parrott, Committee members Richard Sytsema and William DeBoer, Administrator Clerk James Doherty. Mayor Parrott announced this meeting is held in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and has been properly advertised. He led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

The governing body met with Ed VanderBerg and Nick Frasche of the Construction Department. Mr. VanderBerg stated some municipalities allow the Construction Department, in the interest of health and safety, to make minor revisions to plans approved by the Planning Board. He cited the example of shopping carts at the A&P parking lot that could create a safety hazard.

Following discussion, Mayor Parrott directed the administrator to send a letter to the Land Use Board, that, providing the building inspector does not usurp his authority, he could act on health and safety issues. He asked that letters be sent to township engineer Harold Pellow and Land Use Board attorney Glenn Kienz seeking their input on that matter. Mr. Frasche indicated he would be willing to meet with them to discuss the matter.

Mr. Doherty clarified that, technically, the governing body is not taking any action other than to endorse the authority of the Construction Official to take care of safety issues. He said he would write the Land Use Board and ask if it is necessary for the A&P to come before them or if it could be handled through an ordinance amendment.

Mr. VanderBerg said he received a staffing analysis report in June 2002 from the N.J. Dept. of Community Affairs that he brought to the governing body in February 2003, asking for additional personnel. He discussed the various charts he had prepared and presented to the Township Committee regarding fees, revenue and salaries. He said an inspector is needed three days per week instead of the one day per week currently in effect.

Mr. Doherty congratulated Mr. VanderBerg on the extent of work he put into the report. There was discussion about the staff analysis report. Mr. Doherty said he did not see anything that ordered Wantage Township to increase fees. Since there are changes to the Master Plan and zoning ordinance recently, he said it might be counterproductive to hire staff that might be laid off. Mr. VanderBerg said his department is behind 2 _ years of work and extra help is needed now. When asked what work was that far behind, he said filing, closing out old permits and not completing inspections as thoroughly as they could because they can’t spend as much time on them.

Attorney Richard Clark arrived during this conversation. After further discussion, it was decided to table this matter until Mr. Doherty returns from vacation. The work session was open to the public. There were no questions or comments. The meeting was closed to the public. There was a short recess.

The business portion of the meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor Jeffrey Parrott, Committeemen Richard Sytsema and William DeBoer, Admin-istrator/ Clerk James Doherty and Attorney Richard Clark.
Mayor Parrott stated this meeting is held in compliance with regulations of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and has been properly advertised. He led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty gave the following report:

1) Executive Session: Mr. Doherty asked for an executive session at the conclusion of the meeting to discuss the position of Chief Finance Officer.

2) Sussex Air Show: Mr. Doherty reported that he has proposed a meeting between Mr. Styger and the various Township review agents for the 2003 application. Fire, First Aid, Emergency Management and County Health have all given a preliminary “Disapproved” to the application for lack of sufficient detail and information. Hopefully, this will be addressed when Mr. Styger meets with the representatives of the above-stated jurisdictions later in July.

3) Election Districts: Mr. Doherty reported that he has been informed by the Administrator for the Sussex County Board of Elections that the County Board has already made a commitment to re-districting Hardyston Township at the end of this calendar year, and they do not have sufficient funds in their budget to undertake a second redistricting in the same year. They are willing to entertain a proposal that would be reviewed in late 2004, for implementation in 2005, if such is the Township’s desire. Mr. Doherty also reported that the Township’s request to use the new County Library – Wantage Branch as a polling place next year is under review, and appears to be receiving favorable endorsement so far. The Township can expect a definitive response in the near future.

4) Truck Routes: Mr. Doherty directed the attention of the governing body a letter to Senator Littell, dated June 25, 2003. The Township should hear more from the NJDOT by the end of July.

5) Mainland Sussex: Mr. Ed Mainardi Sr. has written a letter to the attention of Mayor Parrott, requesting the governing body to “initiate negotiations with Sussex Borough with an eye toward working out a feasible manner in which Wantage Township could obtain access to the Sussex Sewer line”, specifically as it relates to the possible connection of the Wantage Shopping Plaza (formerly referred to as the Ames Plaza).

6) Sussex Borough: Mr. Doherty said a letter was received from Sussex Borough asking Mayor Parrott and himself to attend a meeting July 23rd to discuss the interlocal agreement. The mayor indicated he would be on vacation asked that the meeting be rescheduled.

7) Sick Pay Liability Policy: Mayor Parrott indicated he would discuss this later in the meeting.

8) Clean Communities: Mr. Doherty reported Wantage Township would receive $21,816.75 from the State of New Jersey this year for Clean Communities funds.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

1. Mr. Clark said he would discuss the interlocal water and sewer agreement in executive session.

2. The bid for the fire truck being purchased jointly with Sussex Borough came in under budget.

3. A consent judgment was given regarding the Bicsak matter by which $11,000 would be paid over time.

4. Mr. Clark said appearances were entered for procedural matters in the lawsuit against the fire department. The insurance company would take full responsibility.

5. All tax appeals before the county were resolved. The Lake Windsor matter was resolved without going to court. Neither decision had significant impact on the tax rate.

6. Mr. Clark said his office worked on an ordinance for the land use amendment.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORT

Mayor Parrott:

1. Spoke about a Resolution regarding preservation of the High Point monument. He said he heard from the local American Legion post and they are drafting a letter to request that the restoration work be completed. They will commemorate the monument June 28 or 29. He thanked Mr. Doherty for preparing a press release on the subject. He said he also received a call from Freeholder Director Wirths stating the county has prepared a Resolution to send to the governor. He said there was a wonderful article in the Star-Ledger.

2. Mayor Parrott said he would like to discuss at a future meeting the possibility of having the muncipal building completely smoke-free inside, as there is a large amount of smoking during court sessions.

3. Regarding the sick pay policy, the mayor said the personnel policy handbook said sick pay would be frozen at the year 2000 salary for those who had accumulated time before then. Following that year, accumulated sick time would be paid according to the salary paid for each particular year. There is a problem in that half of the employees are unionized and half are not. Following discussion, the mayor asked for passage of a resolution changing the frozen time to 2003.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion to that effect, seconded by Mr. DeBoer. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. The mayor indicated he would inform the union representative of the governing body’s action.

OLD BUSINESS

Driveway Issue
George Berkowitz said he is building an addition on a home owned by Joseph and Elaine Bore at 83 South Shore Drive in Lake Neepaulin. He explained the problem with the township’s drainage pipe and a proposed driveway and asked if the township could provide fill or a concrete pipe. Mayor Parrott said he would talk to the Road Department to see if fill would be available from roadwork to be done on Sherman Ridge Road. He would need to know the cost of a concrete pipe.

Dump Truck Bid
Mr. Doherty asked if anyone was present from Condit Truck Center. No one came forward. He said he had written a letter to them explaining why they failed to meet several specifications and giving them the opportunity to come to the meeting tonight to explain. Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to reject the low bid by Condit Truck Center, as it did not meet the specifications. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None. Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to award the contract for the dump truck to Brown Hunterdon Mack Sales in Lebanon, N. J. for $108,645.83. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

Fence Bid
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to award the contract for fence, foul poles and benches to New Jersey Fence and Guide Rail in Andover, N. J. for $12,210.50. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

Woodbourne Park
Mr. Doherty said a letter was received from township engineer Harold Pellow stating all improvements at the park are completed. One item raised was that on the near corner of the new football field, puddling is occurring, as water is not reaching the drainage pipe. This would be less expensive to have township employees correct it. In the hay covering the new soccer field, there were weed seeds that the contractor said he would correct if it does not clear up after one year. Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to accept the project. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

NEW BUSINESS

MINUTES
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema to approve the minutes of June 12, 2003.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ORDINANCES
Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mayor Parrott, to adopt on final reading, Ordinance 2003-07, an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER XII AND XIII OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, BEING THE ZONING CHAPTER.

The meeting was open to the public.
Colleen Cunningham with the law firm of Lucas and Gaus asked questions about the map and whether it was on the township website. She also noted she could not find the definition of environmentally sensitive areas. Mr. Clark said he would clarify all her questions and send her a fax.

William Bolella asked questions regarding the R-5 zone and hamlets, as well as other items.
Mr. Sytsema explained why he voted against this ordinance and adoption of the Master Plan.
Mayor Parrott said he respected Mr. Sytsema and his viewpoint then read a lengthy statement explaining his position and why he is in favor of the ordinance and Master Plan.
Mr. DeBoer said he spoke with a lot of people about this issue and agreed with the mayor. The Land Use Board spent a lot of time on it and it was approved by a vote of 7-2.
Mr. Sytsema said the county feels this type of zoning would affect farmland preservation and depress the value of land. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: Sytsema. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to introduce on first reading Ordinance 2003-08 entitled, ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 2003”. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date is set for July 10, 2003.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2003-09, entitled AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TRAFFIC CHAPTER OF THE GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE”. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date set for July 10, 2003.

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

Frank Galligan of Lake Neepaulin spoke regarding the forms required to file for farmland assessment.

Joseph Szolosi asked who would be responsible if the drainage pipe at the Bore residence collapses. Mr. Doherty said that pipe would be moved in a year or two.

Mr. Bolella said he felt there would be high-density hamlets in the township and he did not see how that would improve the area.

There being no one else present indicating a desire to speak, the meeting was closed to the public.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to enter executive session to discuss personnel and negotiations. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to come out of executive session. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

Mayor Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to amend the personnel and policy regulations to designate the entire Municipal Building as a smoke free building.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: Sytsema. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

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 10 p.m.

__________________________
Jeffrey Parrott, Mayor
ATTEST:____________________________
James Doherty
Administrator/Municipal Clerk