A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was called to order at 8 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 2003, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.

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

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. ago today.

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

CORRESPONDENCES
Press Release dated October 9, 2003, from Senator Robert Littell, announcing $2 million in funding that has been secured for continued restoration of High Point Monument.

Letter dated October 3, 2003 from Bradley Campbell, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, announcing the release of FY03 capital improvement funds to be used toward the interior restoration of High Point Monument.

Letter from Judge Craig Dana, enclosing 2002 Report of Audit for the Wantage Municipal Court.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the Correspondence for filing.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

REPORTS
Treasurer’s Report, Tax Collector’s Report, Board of Health Report, Registrar’s Report, Construction Office Report and Municipal Clerk’s Report for September 2003

Tax Collector’s Report of Tax Sale held 9/30/03

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the Reports for filing. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

APPLICATIONS
Membership application in Wantage Fire Department for Shane Swarts, 119 Decker Road and Kenneth Worflar, 18 Vandergoot Road.

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

RESOLUTIONS

1) Approving the Bill List for October 9, 2003.

2) Adjusting the Construction Department Change Fund from $100 to $200.

3) Authorizing reduction in Subdivision Bond for LGR Enterprises on Block 135, Lot 6.09 to $69,024.00, as per recommendation made by the Township Engineer dated 10/6/03.

4) Accepting the project entitled “Furnishing and Installing Various Equipment at Wantage-Woodbourne Park”, as per recommendation from the Township Engineer dated October 2, 2003.

5) Accepting, with regrets, the letter of resignation of Edward Stroemel from employment with the Wantage Township Department of Public Works.

6) Authorizing refund of $35.00 dog adoption fee to Janice Wagner of 188 Mudtown Road, as per recommendation of the Wantage Animal Control Officer.

7) Honoring Travis Schilling for achieving the designation of Eagle Scout.

8) Hiring Michelle La Starza as part time Finance Clerk Typist effective November 1, 2003, for not to exceed 16 hours per week, for the remainder of calendar year 2003, at a rate of $17 per hour.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the aforementioned Resolutions.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1) Construction Department Budget: At the request of the Mayor, the Administrator will review the process for departmental budget requests, and will review the current status of the Construction Department interlocal operating budget.

2) DPW Personnel: Mr. Doherty recommended that with the resignation of Ed Stroemel, it would be appropriate for the Township to consider hiring another individual to replace Ed. Mr. Doherty advised the governing body to discuss and advise if they desired to make an offer of employment to candidate #2 from the recent job search that was conducted.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to hire Donald Slate to the DPW at the same starting salary at which the previous laborer was hired. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

3) Mr. Doherty reported that the Construction Official requests consideration of adjustment to the public office hours as a means of addressing productivity. The Administrator discussed benefits and drawbacks, then asked for a determination from the governing body.

Mayor Parrott said the township serves the public and office hours should not be shortened. Mr. Sytsema said the building should be open and everyone available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4) Mr. Doherty reported that the Construction Official suggests looking into establishing a Clean Builders Association, as has been done in Vineland and other NJ municipalities; perhaps utilizing funds from the Clean Communities program. After general discussion and consideration, consensus was reached that this represented a well intentioned program, but one which did hot appear to have any appreciable value for Wantage.

5) Mr. Doherty reported that Resident Diane Eakman of Crigger Road requests consideration of drainage system being installed on Crigger Road. Mr. Doherty asked if the governing body wished to have a budget estimate prepared for such a drainage system as a capital project for 2004. After review and consideration, the governing body directed Mr. Doherty to have the Road Supervisor review the situation and see if there exist any options for consideration at this time.

6) Mr. Doherty reported that the Recreation Commission has requested help from the Animal Control Officer in patrolling Woodbourne Park and convincing dog owners to clean up after their pets. Animal Control says they are willing to give it a go, but that their ability to enforce is limited as there is no “pooper scooper” ordinance in Wantage. After general review and consideration, no consensus was expressed regarding the drafting of such an ordinance at this time.

7) Mr. Doherty reported that Resident Margie Auer of Ann Marie Lane would like the speed limit on Armstrong Road to be reviewed with the possibility of having it reduced, as there is a school bus stop on the road and cars are currently speeding, making the bus stop dangerous for the children. General consensus was reached to have Mr. Pellow review this speed limit on this road.

There was discussion about the bureaucracy involved in getting speed limits changed. Mr. Sytsema asked that the costs be tracked for reducing a speed limit by five miles per hour.

8) Issues Tabled from August:
1. Rumble Strips as a traffic calming strategy for public roads in Wantage.
Following discussion, general consensus was reached that rumble strips are not an appropriate traffic calming device on most rural roads.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORT
Mr. DeBoer thanked whoever was responsible for obtaining funding for completion of repairs at the High Point Monument.

Mayor Parrott asked that a letter be sent to Mrs. Nelson Struck for her assistance with that issue.

The Mayor asked the Administrator to determine the status of the budget with regard to the Township Engineer.

Mayor Parrott said he would like to have a special meeting if necessary to discuss the cost of medical insurance for township employees. Mr. Doherty said Frank Covelli would have a cost figure by the Oct. 30 meeting.

The mayor noted that Brownie Troop 852 planted chrysanthemums and asked the Administrator to send a letter of thanks.

Mr. Doherty advised that the vendor would take care of scanning files for the Construction Department.

OLD BUSINESS
1. Bond Counsel
Following discussion, Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to award a professional services contract to McManimon & Scotland to handle upcoming matters for the township.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

MINUTES
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 25, 2003. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ORDINANCE 2003-18    DRIVEWAY STANDARDS
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-18 entitled, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE DRIVEWAY CONSTRUCTION ORDINANCE OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE.

The meeting was open to the public. There were no questions or comments. The meeting was closed to the public. Mayor Parrot requested a roll call vote. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Parrott opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments regarding the good and welfare of the community. No one came forward. The meeting was closed to the public.

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

__________________________

Jeffrey Parrott, Mayor

ATTEST:____________________________
James Doherty
Administrator/Municipal Clerk