May 27 Meeting of the Wantage Township Mayor & Committee

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE HELD MAY 27, 2004

A regularly scheduled meeting of the Wantage Township Committee was called to order Thursday, May 27, 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, Clerk Administrator James Doherty and Attorney Michael Garofalo.

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor De Boer requested that the governing body Review The Consent Agenda.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the Consent Agenda. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

REPORTS

Corrective Action Plan for the 2003 Annual Audit, as prepared by Chief Finance Officer Michelle LaStarza.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the Report for filing.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

RESOLUTIONS

1) Authorizing the combination of certain issues of General Improvement Bonds of the Township into a single issue of Bonds aggregating $3,087,000 in principal amount.

2) Determining the form and content and other details of the $3,087,000 General Obligation Bonds of the Township of Wantage and providing for their sale.

3) Amending Chapter 159 Resolution previously adopted April 29, 2004, amending the 2004 Wantage Municipal Budget by accepting a Grant from FEMA in the amount of $53,952.00 under the FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, for Diesel Exhaust Extraction System.

4) Accepting the Project entitled Paving of Access Drives to Lott Road Park.

5) Offering final approval of applications for the 2004 funding round of the State Agriculture Development Committee.

6) Authorizing purchase of a Riding Lawn Mower from Chambers Tractor Sales of Montgomery NY for a net price after trade-in allowance of $2,999.00,
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the Resolutions as presented.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, Space, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mr. Garofalo said they have reached an agreement in principle with Sussex Borough regarding the water-billing situation.

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Parrott said he met with a geologist and they are going ahead with the well logging of the Township. The results will be put on the computer with AutoCAD at Harold Pellow’s office. It will be a tool for the Land Use Board and Building Department.

Mayor DeBoer said a resident contacted him who was concerned about the speed limit on Route 23 in front of the Wantage School. There was discussion about this and a final agreement the NJDOT could be contacted about this.

Mayor DeBoer complimented Mr. Doherty on the fine presentations at the Wantage 250th Birthday Celebration held this past Saturday at the Wantage School. Mr. Doherty responded it was all due to a united community effort.

OLD BUSINES

Diesel Exhaust Extraction System
Mr. Doherty said the low bid by Air Tech Systems of $47,995.00 is not consistent with the specifications and many exceptions were taken. They were offered the opportunity to come to a workshop meeting tonight but no one was present. He recommended the bid be awarded to Clean Air Co. of Fords, NJ for $51,500.00 which is also the recommendation of the fire chief.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mayor DeBoer, to award the bid to Clean Air Company for $51.500.00 since it is according to specifications.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: Space. Absent: None.

NEW BUSINESS

1) Zoning Ordinance
Kevin and Maureen Snell were present to discuss Zoning Ordinance Section 13-5.1B which requires any animal other than cattle, horses and ponies to be kept at least 100 feet from any property line. They said they did not believe this meant to include the road. They started a small goat farm on 22 acres last year and received a notice from the zoning officer that they must move their animals back from the road which would require a great expense to move the barn and fencing. They said in their area there are examples of chickens, donkeys and pigs that are near the road.
Mr. Doherty said he spoke with Land Use Board officials and township engineer Harold Pellow and they did not remember why this ordinance, which was enacted in 1983, was prepared in that manner.
Following discussion, it was agreed to amend this ordinance and to advise the zoning officer of this decision.

2) Noise Ordinance
Gene and Nancy Osias sent a letter asking for assistance in dealing with neighbors who often have loud late night outdoor parties. They suggested a noise ordinance.
Attorney Garofalo said the state has noise regulations but enforcement is difficult.
Following discussion, it was decided to send a letter to the neighbor with a copy to the Osiases.

3) Truck Traffic
Hart Huschens of Bridle Way had contacted Mr. Doherty about truck traffic using the roads of the Clydesdale Ridge development as a short cut between county roads.
Mr. Doherty suggested an ordinance prohibiting vehicles more than four tons in weight from using those roads except for local deliveries.
Mr. Space said a State Trooper lives in that area and he could be asked to monitor the situation before doing anything. He said he would also get input from other local residents.
It was decided Mr. Doherty would write Mr. Huschens and the State Police.

4) Speed Limits
Mr. Doherty said he is getting many requests for speed limit signs. Mr. Parrott asked him to draft a standard letter explaining the State requirements for speed limits. Additional signs could be considered for the 2005 Municipal Budget, he said.

5) Ordinance 2004-10: Revaluation Program
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to introduce on first reading Ordinance 2004-10, entitled, “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE PREPARATION AND ISSUANCE OF A COMPLETE PROGRAM FOR REVALUATION OF REAL ESTATE FOR USE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE TAX ASSESSOR.”
A voice vote was unanimously in favor.
Final reading and public hearing are scheduled for June 10, 2004.

6) Minutes
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the minutes of the meetings held May 5, May 6 and May 13, 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. No one came forward. Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public.

There being no further business to come before the governing body, Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.


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James Doherty, Clerk Administrator