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JANUARY
29, 2004 Minutes of the Meeting of the Mayor and Committee
of the Township of Wantage
A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee
was called to order at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2003, at the
Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.
Present: Mayor DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker
Space and Administrator Clerk James Doherty.
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.
Executive Session
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to enter into
executive session for the purposes of discussing personnel. A voice
vote was unanimously in favor.
The executive session lasted approximately one hour.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to come out of
executive session. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.
The Township Committee took a five-minute recess.
The business portion of the meeting was called to order at 8:10
p.m.
Present: Mayor DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker
Space, Administrator Clerk James Doherty and Attorney Richard Clark.
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. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the
Consent Agenda as presented. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott,
DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Correspondences
Letter dated December 10, 2003 from Sussex County Engineer Eric
Grove, offering status update report on schedule for repairs to
Possum Glen Road Bridge X-34.
Letter dated December 8, 2003 from the N.J. Department of Agriculture,
reporting that no major infestation of gypsy moths were detected
in Wantage Township during the fall gypsy moth egg mass survey conducted
by the Department.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the
Correspondence for filing. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott,
DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Reports
Construction Department Report, Tax Collector’s Report and
Municipal Clerk’s Report for December 2003.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the
Reports for filing. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer.
Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Applications
Raffle Application RA 04-02, for the High Point High School Wildcat
Booster Club, to conduct an on premise Merchandise raffle on March
26, 2004 at the High Point Regional High School.
Raffle Application RA 04-03, for the High Point High School Wildcat
Booster Club, to conduct an on premise 50/50 raffle on March 26,
2004 at the High Point Regional High School.
Raffle Application RA 04-04, for the Rotary Club of Wallkill Valley,
to conduct an on premise 50/50 raffle on February 21, 2004 at the
Glen Brook Inn.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the
Applications as presented.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Administrator's Report
Proposed Amendment to Interlocal Construction Department:
Mr. Doherty presented a proposed letter to Sussex Borough, adjusting
contract price in 2004 by $3,250. Following discussion, the governing
body authorized sending this letter.
Status of LOSAP Implementation: Interlocal Agreement still needs
to be completed for joint solicitation of third part vendor services.
Review of companies submitting proposals will take place during
the month of February. Mr. Doherty said Attorney Garofalo recommended
that Wantage could adopt a Resolution approving this and ask Sussex
Borough to pass a similar Resolution.
Wantage 250 Celebration: Mr. Doherty posed the
discussion topic: Do We Include Local Businesses in the September
Celebration? So far, the Celebration Committee has reached out to
sports and civic groups to participate. We intend to also invite
various food handling businesses in Wantage to sell food/beverages
at the event. A local business owner – Barry Raye –
has offered to donate the use of an RV at the celebration for dignitaries,
etc., but also requests the right to place a second RV on site to
promote his business. The Celebration Committee does not necessarily
object to this suggestion, except to the extent that it does not
fit into the parameters of their efforts for community participation
up to this point. Should we open the event up to any local business
people who might want to set up a display or presentation of their
business? There would be no direct solicitation or taking of orders
allowed, just an opportunity for the business owner to promote awareness
of their enterprise to the public.
Mayor DeBoer said he did not know if it should be commercial. Mr.
Space felt it would be a good way to show people what is in the
township. Mr. Parrott said he agreed with Mr. Space but understood
the mayor’s feelings about it being commercial
Mr. Doherty informed the governing body that the celebration committee
requests the governing body select a Wantage Township Official Motto.
The community submitted a large number of suggestions. A sub-committee
of the Celebration Committee has provided you with a list of the
top ten entries. Mr. Doherty asked the Committeemen to review these
entries and be prepared to vote on the winner of the Official Wantage
Motto at our February 12 meeting.
Request for Executive Session: Mr. Doherty asked
for an executive session to discuss the status of negotiations with
the DPW Union, specifically the health benefits issue and also Personnel,
a DPW Employee.
Request for Adjustment to Mileage Allowance: Employees
are requesting consideration of increasing the mileage allowance
this year from 34 cents per mile up to 36 cents per mile. Such an
adjustment would need to be officially endorsed by the governing
body.
Request of CFO: Please approve Bill List for 1/29/04
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the
Bill List as presented. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer.
Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Resolution authorizing accumulated sick pay to employees
who have retired: Mr. Doherty said the Chief Financial
Officer requested a Resolution authorizing payment of $33,167.80
to Lorraine Card and $15,580 to Doris Gunstra for accumulated sick
leave and unused vacation time. Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded
by Mr. Space, to approve the Resolution as presented. Upon roll
call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
Request of Tax Collector: please authorize establishment
of a Lien Redemption Bank Account.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the
establishment of a Lien Redemption Bank Account.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Administrator’s proposed letter to County Tax Board
re: Revaluation Program. Following discussion, the governing
body gave permission to Mr. Doherty to send the letter to the County
Tax Board.
Attorney's Report
Mr. Clark stated there is no new litigation.
He asked for an executive session to discuss potential litigation.
Mr. Clark said in order for Wantage Smart Growth to be considered
for approval it should be part of the county plan and there is still
time to do that. It would be coordinated through the Land Use Board.
Following discussion, it was decided to send a memo to James Smith,
the chairman of the Land Use Board, and to notify consultant David
Troast.
Regarding COAH, Mr. Clark said he had invited the COAH administrator
for Wantage to his office. If he is unable to come, then the township
might have to go to Trenton. It all goes along with the Master Plan,
he said.
Township Committee Member's Reports
Mr. Parrott reminded the Committee that the superintendents from
the High Point and Sussex-Wantage Regional school districts will
attend a work session February 26th to discuss their budgets and
plans.
He also said he hear good reports about the township road department.
He asked Mr. Doherty to let the road department know their work
is appreciated.
Old Business
Mr. Thomas Hastie, Bond counsel representative from McManimon and
Scotland, explained the procedures involving a bond sale and answered
various questions from the committeemen. Mr. Parrott asked for an
update on market conditions one week before the sale.
New Business
Introduction of Ordinance 2004-01
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space to introduce on
first reading, Ordinance 2004-01, entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO
EXCEED THE INDEX RATE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH N.J.S. 40A:4-45.14”.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date is set for February 12, 2004.
Introduction of Ordinance 2004-02
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to introduce on
first reading, Ordinance 2004-02, entitled AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING
STOP INTERSECTIONS ON VARIOUS STREETS OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE”.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date is set for February 12, 2004.
Introduction of Ordinance 2004-03
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space to introduce on
first reading, Ordinance 2004-03, 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).
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date is set for February 12, 2004.
Introduction of Ordinance 2004-04
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to introduce on
first reading, Ordinance 2004-04, entitled “AN ORDINANCE FIXING
THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE,
COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE YEAR 2004”.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain:
None. Absent: None.
Final hearing date is set for February 12, 2004.
Introduction of Ordinance 2004-05
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to introduce on
first reading, Ordinance 2004-05, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER XXI, FEES, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP
OF WANTAGE”.
Mayor DeBoer asked if the fees are similar to other towns in the
county. Mr. Parrott said he believed Mr. Frasche looked at fees
other towns charge. Mr. Clark said towns can vary quite a bit but
the fees are valid as long as they are reasonable. Mr. Parrott said
he thought the proposed fees are very much in line with other towns.
The committee asked that Mr. Frasche attend that meeting. Upon roll
call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent:
None.
Final hearing date is set for February 12, 2004.
Expenses
Mr. Space stated that the First Aid Squad gave an account of its
expenses for the year and he suggested that they ask the same of
all the fire companies, including Sussex, so the taxpayer knows
how the money is being spent. Mr. Doherty indicated he would let
them know to start doing that.
Open Public Session
Mayor De Boer opened the meeting to the public at this time for
any questions or comments involving the good and welfare of the
community. No one came forward. The meeting was closed to the public.
Executive Session
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to enter into
executive session, to discuss personnel. A voice vote was unanimously
in favor.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott 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. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to adjourn at
10 p.m. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.
__________________________________
James Doherty
Administrator Clerk
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