DECEMBER 11, 2003

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was called to order at 8 p.m. Thursday, December 11, 2003, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.

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

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott arrived at 8:19 p.m.

Deputy Mayor DeBoer 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.

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. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Parrott.

REPORTS
Construction Department Report, Tax Collector Department Report, Finance Department Report, Board of Health Report and Registrar Report for the month of November 2003.
Clerk’s Receipts for the months of October and November 2003.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the Reports for filing.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Parrott.

APPLICATIONS

Junkyard License Renewal of Charles & Annette Meissner for Block 117, Lot 33

Junkyard License Renewal of Beemerville Auto Wrecking for Block 125, Lot 6.02

Application For Use of Township Facilities, submitted by the Sussex Wantage Historical Society, for use of the Wantage municipal building on the 3rd Friday of each month in the year 2004 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

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

RESOLUTIONS

1) Resolution dated 12/11/03, Authorizing Transfer of Funds within the 2003 Wantage Municipal Budget

2) Payment of Bills for the meeting of December 11, 2003.

3) Approving Interlocal Services Agreement with Sandyston Township for use of Dog Pound facilities in 2004.

4) Accepting the project entitled “Proposed Resurfacing of Various Roads in Lake Neepaulin and Proposed Reconstruction of Sherman Ridge Road - Section II”, as per recommendation of the Township Engineer dated November 13, 2003.

5) Appointing Jim Doherty as the 2004 Wantage Commissioner for the Statewide Insurance Fund, as well as the 2004 Safety and Loss Prevention Representative.

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

APPOINTMENT
Ms. Geri Stella of Sherman Ridge Road was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Wantage Board of Recreation Commissioners, for a term running through 12/31/07.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve this appointment.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Parrott.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1) Pro-rating costs of cellular telephone and continuing education: Mr. Doherty stated the Assistant Construction Official brought up a concern regarding budget problems for cellular phones and continuing education for those who also work for other municipalities. Mr. Doherty asked other municipalities to give a contribution toward those items and several verbally agreed. Ogdensburg said they would not but would rather be billed monthly for those calls involving Ogdensburg. Mr. Doherty felt it would be more costly to keep track of those calls compared to the amount that would be received. Mr. Clark indicated this would be a policy decision based on practicality.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to send a letter to the municipalities involved.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Parrott.

2) Curfew Ordinance: In response to a question at a previous meeting, Mr. Clark advised that the curfew must remain at 10 p.m.

3) Suggested amendment to Zoning Ordinance: A letter was received from Sussex County Agriculture Board Coordinator Donna Traylor regarding the effect of zoning on Farmland Preservation property. This was forwarded to the Land Use Board and Mr. Clark said he would consider it.

4) Executive Session: An executive session was requested to discuss the status of negotiations for the health benefits plan.

5) Illegal Dumping: Mr. Doherty said the Constable inspected the end of Old Clove Road off Newman Road in response to a complaint about illegal dumping of bulky items. He suggested blocking off the road closer to the last driveway to prevent this. It would be a problem for emergency vehicles and snowplows. Mayor Parrott stated a sign should be erected stating that those who dump illegally would be prosecuted. He also advocated a neighborhood watch.

6) Sussex Fire Dept. update on ladder truck purchase. Representatives of the Sussex Fire Dept. told the Township Committee that three bids were received but one had to be disallowed because it did not meet the specifications. The award was given to Seagrave Corp. At the end of October they went to Wisconsin for a pre-construction meeting. The original award was $635,282.11. After the meeting, the price came to $649,016.11. The bond that was approved was for $650,000. They placed a picture on the easel of what the truck would look like. It is a straight stick aerial and carries 500 gallons of water. The enclosed cab will hold eight firefighters. It would be the first truck out in the daytime. Local insurance rates should decrease, they said, because the ISO rating will get better, from Class 6 to Class 5. Parts are being ordered and construction is scheduled to begin in January. It should be completed by April or May. They will go out to Wisconsin in March for a final inspection. Seagrave personnel will come to Sussex for three days to train firemen. The overall length of the truck is approximately 38’ and the maximum height is 11’3”. They made sure the truck would be able to negotiate narrow streets, such as at Lake Neepaulin.

Mr. Doherty asked questions about the bid process. He asked if the borough attorney reviewed the changes that were made. Mr. Clark said Wantage would need copies of the transaction for its own records.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mr. Clark stated he worked on the bond anticipation note that was renewed for $1,944,000.
Regarding COAH, he recommended that in January an ordinance be adopted for new development. One out of every 10 residential lots would have to pay for affordable housing and on the commercial side, one for every 30 new employees. Under proposed legislation, funds would go into a regional bank.
Mr. Clark spoke about the transfer of development rights act.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBERS REPORT
Mayor Parrott said he went to the tree lighting at Lake Neepaulin and commended the group there who also gathered food and clothes for needy families.

The mayor said he attended the 35th anniversary celebration of the Sussex Woman’s Club and commended them for the good the do in the community.

Mayor Parrott said he went to the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City and went to various seminars. He brought back information regarding apparatus for the road department.

The mayor noted this is Mr. Sytsema’s last formal meeting and said he would miss him and he did a wonderful job for the township and he was proud to serve with him.

Mr. Sytsema said he enjoyed working with everyone during the past six years.

Mr. DeBoer added he enjoyed working this year with Mr. Sytsema and called him a real gentleman, urging him to return to the Committee when his children are grown.

The mayor added he is looking forward to working with Committeeman-elect Parker Space.

Mr. Doherty noted that there would be no member remaining of the governing body that appointed him.

OLD BUSINESS

LOSAP - Implementation of the LOSAP Program. Mr. Doherty said it makes sense to have an interlocal agreement with Sussex Borough regarding this program and that Wantage be the administrator.
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mayor Parrott, to approve a Resolution authorizing the use of competitive contracting to select a vendor for the administration of the LOSAP Program.

Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: DeBoer. Absent: None.
Mr. DeBoer said he abstained because he is an active member of the Wantage First Aid Squad.

Purchase of Fire Truck (Pumper Tanker) – Mr. Doherty stated only one bid was submitted and it was more than the budgeted price. He recommended the Township Committee reject the bid from Pierce with the understanding representatives will meet in January to discuss a rebid.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion to that effect and Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer, Parrott. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

NEW BUSINESS

MINUTES
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to approve the minutes of November 13, 2003.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Sytsema, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: Parrott. Absent: None.

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

FINAL HEARING OF ORDINANCE 2003-19
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-19, entitled, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF CERTAIN LANDS AND PREMISES IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE TO BE SOLD AT PRIVATE SALE IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S.A. 40A:12-13(b)(5).

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

FINAL HEARING OF ORDINANCE 2003-20
Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2003-20. entitled, “BOND ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $2,908,500 AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,586,575 BONDS OR NOTES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, IN THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX, NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE FOR VARIOUS GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED AND SUPERSEDING NUMEROUS BOND ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP.

The meeting was open to the public. There were no questions or comments. The meeting was closed to the public.
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 member of the public came forward. The meeting was closed to the public.
The Committee took a five-minute recess.

Mr. Sytsema made a motion, seconded by Mr. DeBoer, to enter executive session, to discuss negotiations and personnel of the Construction Department. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.
The executive session lasted approximately 20 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, Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Sytsema, to adjourn at 10:05 p.m. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

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James Doherty, Administrator Clerk