JANUARY 6, 2004 Minutes

The Wantage Township Committee held its organization meeting Tuesday, January 6, 2004, at the Wantage Municipal Building, 888 Route 23, Wantage, N. J. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Mr. Doherty read the Statement of Determination of the Board of County Canvassers for the election held November 4, 2003, which declared F. Parker Space was elected to the Wantage Township Committee.

OATH OF OFFICE
Mr. Doherty administered the oath of office to Mr. Space whose daughter held the Bible. He was offered congratulations from the other Committee members and applause from the audience.
Present: Committee members William DeBoer, F. Parker Space and Jeffrey Parrott, Administrator/ Clerk James Doherty and Attorney Michael Garofalo.

SELECTION OF MAYOR
Mr. Doherty opened the floor for nominations to the position of mayor for 2004.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to nominate Mr. DeBoer to the position of mayor for 2004.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT COMPLIANCE
Mayor DeBoer stated this meeting is held in compliance with regulations of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act and has been properly advertised.
The mayor led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance and salute to the flag.

SELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR
Mayor DeBoer opened the floor for Committee nominations to the position of deputy mayor for 2004 Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mayor DeBoer, to nominate Mr. Parrott as deputy mayor.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

LAND USE BOARD
The mayor announced his appointments for the Land Use Board as follows:
For terms running through 12/31/04, Mayor’s Representative Paul Grau as a Class I member, Joanne Kanapinski as a Class II member for a term running through 12/31/04, Glenn Corrigan as a Class IV member for a term running through 12/31/07, Diane Mylecraine as Alternate #3 and Victoria Gill as Alternate #4; for terms running through 12/31/05.
The mayor opened the floor to the Committee for a Class III appointment to the Land Use Board for a one-year term running through 12/31/04.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mayor DeBoer, to appoint Parker Space to fill this position.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS
Mayor DeBoer named Sue Vanden Heuval to the Board of Recreation Commissioners for a term running through 12/31/08.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The mayor made the following appointment to the Economic Development Commission:
Al Shpiruk as a regular member for a term running through 12/31/08.

BOARD OF HEALTH
Mayor DeBoer made the following nominations to various boards and commissions:
Dan Pelt as a regular member of the Board of Health for a term running through 12/31/08.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Joseph Konopinski as Emergency Management Coordinator through 12/31/06.
The Emergency Management Committee for terms running through 12/31/04: Deputy Coordinator #1 Joe Liebmann, Deputy Coordinator #2 Ed Vander Berg; F.A.S., EMC member Dave Levasque, F.A.S., EMC alternate Bill Haynes, Damage Assessment Nick Frasche, Fire Chief Marc Blaine; Facilities, EMC member Bob Crum; Communications, EMC member Bill Gebhard, DPW Supt., EMC member Bob Wagner; Sanitarian, EMC member Mike Plaza; Finance/Resource Management, EMC Member Michelle LaStarza; Resource management Earl Snook, Mayor, EMC member Bill DeBoer, Public information officer Jim Doherty, media New Jersey Herald, Evacuation, Leroy Little, Operations, EMC members Art Labaseur and John DuPont.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the mayor’s nominations to various boards and commissions.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
Mayor DeBoer made the following nominations for professional appointments for the Township for 2004 as follows:
Township Attorney – Richard Clark; the Law Firm of Laddey, Clark and Ryan.
Township Bond Counsel – Edward McManimon, McManimon & Scotland.
Township Auditor – Earl Snook of the firm Ferraioli, Wielkotz, Cerullo & Cuva
Township Prosecutor – William Haggerty
Township Public Defender – James P. Sloan
Township Engineer – Harold E. Pellow, a three-year appointment through 12/31/06.
Township Judge – Craig U. Dana who is serving an appointment through 12/31/04.
Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to approve the mayor’s nominations for professional appointments for the Township for 2004.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS
Mayor DeBoer made the following appointments to various positions of Township government for 2004 as follows:
James Doherty as Principal Public Works Manager, Recycling Coordinator and Assessment Search Officer and Officer designated to certify approval of subdivision of land.
Michelle LaStarza as Municipal Treasurer and PERS/PFRS Certifying Agent.
Marcia Snyder as Tax Search Officer and Acting Violations Clerk.
BB Bajda as Animal Control Officer.
William Nestor as Risk Management Consultant.
Mayor’s representative to SWAC: Douglas Ricker.
Mr. Space made a motion, seconded by Mr. Parrott, to approve the mayor’s nominations for various positions in Township government for 2004.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

RECOGNITION OF LINE OFFICERS
Mr. Doherty administered the oath of office to member of the Wantage Township First Aid Squad.

CONSENT AGENDA
Following review by the governing body, Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Sytsema. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

Items included in the Consent Agenda are as follows:

I. Professional Services Resolution for the Township Attorney, Township Prosecutor, Township Public Defender, Township Engineer, Township Auditor and Insurance Consultant Services.

II. Temporary Budget

III. Rates of Interest.

IV. Overpayment / Underpayment of Taxes

V. Cash Management Plan

VI. Official Depositories

VII. Meeting Dates

VIII. Open Public Meetings Act Compliance.

IX. Official Signatories

X. Affirmative Action P.A.C.O.

XI. Official Newspapers

XII. Defense Against Tax Appeals

XIII. Establishing Legal Holidays for 2004.

XIV. Accepting Insurance Bonds for 2004.

XV. Authorizing Purchasing Authority for the Administrator / Clerk,

XVI. Naming Statewide Insurance Fund Representative for 2004.

XVII. Naming Safety Loss Prevention Representative for 2004.

XVIII. Authorizing the Treasurer to Pay Bills between Meetings.

XIX. Naming Emergency 911 Coordinator for 2004.

MAYOR’S STATEMENT
Mayor DeBoer thanked everyone for coming. He thanked Mr. Sytsema for his years of service and work. The mayor welcomed Freeholder Hal Wirths of Wantage. He welcomed Mr. Space to the governing body. He thanked his colleagues for selecting him as mayor. The mayor said improvements are needed on the municipal building and one priority would be to take care of the hearing and ventilating system as it is a health hazard to employees and visitors. Wantage is celebrating its 250th Anniversary this year and a committee is working hard to plan festivities. Mayor DeBoer said he is looking forward to receipt of the ladder truck bought together with Sussex Borough. He thanked his wife for her support.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS
Mr. Space thanked the people for electing him. He said he would take a conservative approach but keep an open mind.
Mr. Parrott thanked the Administrator, Committee and Attorney. He said the governing body accomplished a lot in 2003. The Master Plan was updated and in the November election, the LOSAP program was approved by a 2-1 margin. Funds were approve to repair the High Point Monument. He thanked Freeholder Wirths for his support in that and also the construction of the new branch of the Sussex-Wantage Library. Mr. Parrott said he would miss working with Mr. Sytsema and praised his dedication. He recognized Fred Space in the audience and said he knows the work he has done for the township in the past 35 years and he respects and appreciates that.

PUBLIC PORTION
Freeholder Wirths congratulated Mr. DeBoer on his election as mayor and thanked Mr. Sytsema and volunteers in the township. He thanked the Cecchini family for donating the fireplace at the new library and Mr. Parrott for a donation for the library. He said that repair of the Possum Glen Road Bridge is the next project for the county.
There being no further business for the Organization Meeting, Mr. Parrott made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn.

Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space. Nays: None. Abstain: None. Absent: None.

_________________________
William DeBoer, Mayor
ATTEST:____________________________
James Doherty, Administrator/Clerk