MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE HELD JUNE 24, 2004

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was held Thursday, June 24, 2004, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J.
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor William DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker Space, Deputy Clerk Christine Von Oesen and Attorney Richard Clark.
Mayor DeBoer announced this meeting is held in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. He led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

The Township Committee honored “an outstanding member of our community”, Dr. Eugene Chin, who is retiring after having a medical practice in Wantage for more than 30 years. Mayor DeBoer gave a history of Dr. Chin’s service to the area. Mr. Space said he was a “pillar of the community” and Mr. Parrott said Dr. Chin had a “flawless character”. He added that the township was a better place since he has been here. Several patients of Dr. Chin were present in the audience and gave testimonials to his value to Wantage. Included were the comments of David Levesque, captain of the Wantage First Aid Squad, who said that Dr. Chin had performed all the squad physicals at no cost. There was sustained applause at the conclusion of everyone’s remarks. Mayor DeBoer read a Resolution attesting to Dr. Chin’s “dedicated and untiring service” to the community.

ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

Mrs. Von Oesen presented the Administrator’s Report as follows:

1) Recreation Commission
Scott Conklin submitted his resignation from the Recreation Commission and the members recommended that Paul Pfeil be appointed to fill the vacancy.
Mayor DeBoer appointed Mr. Pfeil to fill the vacancy on the Recreation Commission.

2) Building Department
Mr. Parrott said he and Mr. Doherty reviewed the possibility of increased hours for an employee in the Building Department. Sue Kubie has been in the department since last September on a part-time basis, he said, and has proven to be very efficient. They would like to appoint her as a provisional temporary full-time employee with a fiscal review in December and a 90-day probationary period. Her schedule would be five hours each on Monday and Tuesday, and eight hours each Wednesday through Friday. Mr. Parrott noted that on Monday and Tuesday Ms. Kubie would also be on call for the First Aid Squad.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Garofalo said depositions would soon be taken in the Kinney matter and he appreciates the governing body's cooperation. He informed the Committee of a new lawsuit against the Land Use Board regarding a cell tower denial. The plaintiff is challenging the ordinance on its face, saying technology has changed and the ordinance
is unreasonable.

Mr. Garofalo said closings were held on some municipal properties and the funds given to the Administrator to deposit.

Regarding COAH, Mr. Garofalo said it is important this process being in earnest. There is a good possibility Wantage would feel more development pressure because it is outside the critical area. He said Wantage needs
a fair share housing plan so it could be immune to lawsuits from developers who have their projects denied.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Parrott spoke about the potable water geological study and water map being prepared for Wantage that would be used for informational purposes and serve as a data base relative to the density of development. The work is being done by Daniel Kent IV. Mr. Parrott said township engineer Harold Pellow was upset he was not contacted as his firm does that work, also. He is willing to work with Mr. Kent to insert the proper bloc and lot numbers on the digital Auto CAD file.

Mr. Space said there was a complaint from the Recreation Commission regarding the Miss Wantage contest held at the Wantage School. The doors were locked when members arrived and it took two hours of various phone calls to find someone with keys to open the building. Mr. Space said there should be keys available in event of an emergency. The State Police had no keys or phone number of someone to reach and the fire department should have access.

Mayor DeBoer said the owner of Dow Tire on Route 23 contacted him because he felt the zoning officer was singling him out regarding the number of vehicles he has for sale and for parking them on the grass, saying that other auto dealers along the highway do the same thing. He said the person is considering a lawsuit citing discrimination.
The mayor extended the condolences of the governing body and the entire township to Mr. Clark upon the recent death of his father.

NEW BUSINESS

Minutes
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the minutes of the Township Committee for May 27 and June 10, 2004. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Scott Haggerty stated the fire department in the past has requested lock boxes for public buildings such as the schools. Mr. Clark said it is a good idea and one that is in effect in Sparta Township.

There being no one else present who wished to address the governing body, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to enter Executive Session under the condition of attorney-client privilege to discuss legal matters.

The executive session began at 8:50 p.m. and lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, 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. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

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Christine Von Oesen
Deputy Clerk