MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF BRANCHVILLE, AND THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAFAYETTE, AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, HELD AT HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 299 PIDGEON HILL ROAD, WANTAGE NEW JERSEY ON MAY 6, 2004

Mayor William DeBoer called the meeting to order for the governing body of Wantage Township at 7:30 p.m.

Present: Mayor William DeBoer, Committee members Jeffrey Parrott and Parker Space.
Absent: None. Also present: Wantage Administrator Clerk Jim Doherty

Mayor DeBoer stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231. It has been properly advertised, and certified by the Clerk”.

Mayor Kathy Little of Sussex Borough acknowledged the presence of Councilman Jim Ezzo and Councilman John Stendor. Mayor Little informed that Sussex Borough has no quorum at this meeting.

Committeeman William Hahn of Frankford Township informed that Frankford Township has no quorum at this meeting.

Mayor Gerald Van Gorden of Branchville Borough called the meeting to order and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Branchville governing body. Upon roll call,
Present: Mayor Van Gorden, Council members Bathgate, Codella, Howell, Harrison, Orr. Absent: Council member Van Stone.

Mayor Richard Hughes of Lafayette Township called the meeting to order and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Lafayette governing body. Upon roll call,
Present: Mayor Hughes, Committee members Clement, Bruning, Sweeney and D’Angeli. Absent: None.

Mr. Larry Marro, President of the Board of Education for High Point Regional High School System, called the meeting to order and read the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L.1975, Ch. 231. Upon roll call,
Present: Marro, Case, Hoffman, Luna, Nelson, Palecek, Rowan, Vander Berg.
Absent: DeKorte

The topic of discussion was review of the defeated school budget for the High Point Regional High School District.

At this time, the meeting was opened to the public for any questions or comments with respect to the matters being discussed.

Ms. Diane Snure, Wantage, expressed concern with the escalating costs of education.

Mr. Art Jacobs, Wantage, expressed concern with the cost of living compared to Teacher Salaries.

There being no other members of the public wishing to address the officials assembled, the meeting was closed to the public and the assembled officials continued with the regular order of business.

General review and consideration was given by the elected officials present, to proposed budget reductions suggested by the Finance Committee of the School Board.

Representatives of Lafayette Township governing body conducted a detailed review and analysis of the defeated school budget, to determine if there were any additional areas that might lead to budget reductions and tax levy relief.

All members of governing bodies from all municipalities present were afforded an opportunity to provide input at this time.

After each elected representative was given an opportunity to speak, County Superintendent of Schools Barry Worman explained that all five municipalities must agree on the amount of money to be certified as the tax levy for the 2004-05 school year by the date of May 19. If a unanimous determination were not made by that date, then the defeated school budget would be referred to his office for further action and review at that time.

The representatives from Sussex Borough and Frankford Township expressed a desire to reserve comment or action until their governing bodies could review the proposed reductions as a whole.

Mr. Parrott moved to endorse the proposed tax levy reductions as presented by the Board of Education this evening, totaling $218,544.00. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, Space, De Boer. Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

By motion and second, the governing body of Branchville endorsed the proposed tax levy reductions as presented by the Board of Education this evening, totaling $218,544.00.

The Mayor of Lafayette expressed a desire to continue review of the budget for further possible reductions prior to taking any action.

General discussion continued among the members of the governing bodies and the board of education members, regarding the process of reviewing defeated school budgets and the details of the proposed budget for the 2004-05 school year for the High Point Regional School District.

There being no further business to come before the assembled elected representatives, Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn. A voice vote was unanimously in favor.

Similar motions to adjourn were adopted by the elected representatives of Branchville and Lafayette, and the members of the School Board.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk
Township of Wantage