MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE HELD MARCH 25, 2004

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was called to order Thursday, March 25, 2004, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J. The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m.

Present: Mayor William DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker Space, Administrator Clerk James Doherty and Attorney Angelo Bolcato.

Mayor DeBoer announced this meeting is held in compliance with the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and has been properly advertised.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. Resignation of Court Attendant
Mr. Doherty stated William Van Tassel submitted his resignation from the position of Court Attendant effective March 15, 2004.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to accept the resignation of Mr. Van Tassell with regret and directed the administrator to send him a letter of appreciation and thanks for his service to Wantage Township. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

2. Appointment of Court Attendant
Mr. Doherty recommended Dennis Negele, the current constable, to fill the position of Court Attendant under the same terms as Mr. Van Tassel.
Mr. Parrott made a motion to that effect, seconded by Mr. Space. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

3. Appointment of Constable
Mr. Doherty said that Mr. Negele was concerned that at some time there may be a conflict if he needs to testify in court regarding a ticket he might have issued. Mr. Doherty suggested naming a second constable. He recommended John Abate for the position of Constable #2 at no additional salary from his DPW wages. This would also satisfy the Civil Service’s need for two constables.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to appoint John Abate as Constable #2. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

4. Financial Statements
Mr. Doherty has distributed the Local Government Law Financial Disclosure Statements to be filed by municipal officials.

5. First Aid Squad Consolidation
Mr. Doherty reported the proposed consolidation of the Wantage and Sussex First Aid Squads is still being discussed in Sussex Borough.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Bolcato stated there is nothing new to report.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER’S REPORTS

Mr. Parrott said he received a telephone call from a fire department official who received a call from the New Jersey Herald stating someone had filed a complaint with the state about the ladder truck purchase.

Mr. Parrott also said he received a letter from High Point Regional High School and they intend to proceed with a referendum for more space. He said he would not comment until there is more information.

Mr. Space said the ladder truck is a necessity and will serve both Sussex and Wantage. It will be especially helpful in the winter with chimney fires.

Mr. Space said he received a complaint from a Sherman Ridge Road resident about water that crosses his lawn since the road was repaved. Township engineer Pellow looked at it as well as the road department supervisor. Mr. Doherty said they might be able to run a drainage pipe so the lawn could be backfilled. Mr. Parrott recalled a similar situation last year on Crigger Road that was resolved that way.

Mr. Doherty noted there are several minor projects that are awaiting better weather to complete.

Mayor DeBoer said the ladder truck was approved six months ago and no one objected then.

He said he received calls from residents on Mudtown Road and Route 23 about work being done on property across from the Elias Cole Restaurant on Route 23. The zoning officer issued a stop work order. They were digging a trench leading into the Clove Brook.

NEW BUSINESS

Introduction of Ordinance 2004-09

Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2004-09, entitled, “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER XXIII OF THE GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, PARTICULARLY THE SOIL REMOVAL ORDINANCE”.
Mr. Doherty explained this ordinance would increase the amount of a performance bond to $5,000, at the recommendation of the township engineer.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.
Public hearing and final adoption are scheduled for April 89, 2004.

Award of LOSAP Vendor

Mr. Doherty said three bids were received for this contract and the appropriate parties reviewed them. The recommendation was to award the contract to Lincoln Financial Advisors.

Since Mayor DeBoer is a member of the First Aid Squad and Mr. Space is a member of the Fire Department, both would benefit from adoption of this measure. It was determined that the Doctrine of Necessity would be enabled for voting on this contract.

Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to award the contract as LOSAP vendor to Lincoln Financial Advisors. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

MINUTES

Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the minutes of March 11, 2004.
A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

Sherman Ridge Road Speed Limit

Mr. Doherty said he has been advised by the State of New Jersey that an ordinance is not necessary to set the speed limit on municipal roads. He requested a motion for a resolution stating that it is the desire of Wantage Township to post 35 m.p.h. speed limit signs on Sherman Ridge Road and 25 m.p.h. speed limit signs in the Northfields development and that the N. J. Dept. of Transportation has authorized this action to take place.

A motion to that effect was made by Mr. Space and seconded by Mr. Parrott.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

No one present asked any questions or made any comments.

Mr. Doherty said a work order has been issued to repair the dog pound sign.

The meeting was closed to the public.

There being no further business to come before the governing body, Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

________________________________
William DeBoer, Mayor
ATTEST:__________________________________
James Doherty
Administrator Clerk