MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP
OF WANTAGE, HELD AT THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING, 888 STATE
HIGHWAY 23, WANTAGE, N.J. ON THE DATE OF JUNE 30, 2005
Mayor Parker Space called the meeting to order, and requested the Clerk
to call the roll. Upon roll call, the following members of the governing
body were present: Mayor Space, Committee members Parrott, DeBoer. The
following members were absent: None. Also present: Township Attorney Michael
Garofalo.
Mayor Space led the assembly in the Salute to the Flag.
Mayor Space stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with
the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Laws 1975, Chapter
231. It has been properly noticed and posted to the public, and certified
by the Clerk."
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Space requested that the members of the Committee Review the Consent
Agenda.
There being no Committee member present wishing to comment on the proposed
Consent Agenda, Mayor Space requested approval of the Consent Agenda.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. DeBoer moved to approve the following correspondence for filing:
E-mail Correspondence dated June 23, 2005 from Edward Henry of the
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, inviting representatives from
Wantage to attend a workshop with the US Fish & Wildlife Service
to discuss land protection efforts in Sussex County.
Letter dated June 7, 2005, from Susan E. Craft, Executive Director
of the NJ TDR Bank Board within the New Jersey Department of Agriculture,
offering information and assurance that no municipality which chooses
to pursue TDR as a management tool would be forced to accept development
potential from other municipalities.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
REPORTS
Mr. DeBoer moved to approve the following reports for filing:
Board of Health Report for June 2005
Animal Control Report for June 2005
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
RESOLUTIONS
Mr.DeBoer moved to approve the Renewal of Liquor Licenses in Wantage for
the 2005-06 licensing term (excludes CT Productions). Mr. Parrott seconded
the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent:
None Abstain: None
ADMINSTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty reported to the Committee that negotiations with Sussex Borough
regarding COAH Regional Contributions have begun and asked an executive
session to discuss negotiation strategies.
Mr. Doherty reported to the Committee that High Point Regional High School
is considering utilizing the Administrative Office Building on the high
school grounds as their polling location to satisfy the issue of handicapped
accessibility without necessitating a complete change of polling location
for the general public. The final determination will be made by the County
Board of Elections.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of a concern raised by the Friends
of Lake Neepaulin (FOLN) regarding sediment inflow from Cove Lane. They
have an Engineer’s report which indicates the this inflow may be
responsible for increased bacterial levels in Lake Neepaulin. FOLN requested
a meeting. The Committee asked Mr. Doherty to schedule a meeting with
Harold Pellow, Municipal Engineer, representatives from FOLN, Mr. Doherty
and a member of the Township Committee.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Space requested Mr. Garofalo give the Attorney’s Report.
Mr. Garofalo addressed the issue of prior approvals regarding the Developer
Fee Ordinance and presented an amended ordinance in this regard.
Mr. Garofalo gave the Committee an update on the Old Clove Road/Libertyville
Road Interlocal Service Agreement with the County of Sussex. The agreement
should be approved by the County at their July 13, 2005, meeting.
Mr. Garofalo addressed the Committee’s concern regarding portable
basketball hoops causing obstruction for school buses and larger vehicles
on public roads per the Committee’s request at the June 9, 2005
meeting. Mr. Garofalo explained that under Title 40, the Township may
adopt a local ordinance for enforcement.
Mr. Garofalo addressed Spreen Road and Mr. Maggio, but more specifically
the problems which arise when a developer has long standing approvals
where conditions are not being met. The Committee asked Mr. Garofalo to
draft an ordinance where future preliminary approvals expire after three
years if the approval has not perfected or an extension has not been requested
and approved.
Mr. Garofalo addressed the LGR Enterprises Developer Agreement for Fieldstone
Ridge, and asked the Committee to review a resolution in this regarding.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Developer
Agreement with LGR Enterprises.
Mayor Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays:
None Absent: None Abstain: Parrott
Mr. Garofalo requested an executive session.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. DeBoer gave the Committee an update regarding meetings at the Sussex/Wantage
School regarding the failed referendum. The Committee performed a walk-through
at each school to see where improvement priority should be focused.
Mr. Parrott reported that he also met with Sussex Borough regarding COAH
Regional Contributions. Mr. Parrott asked that a meeting be advertised
to let the public know where we stand regarding our COAH strategies. The
date of July 21, 2005 was agreed upon for this meeting.
Mr. Parrott attended a meeting with Barbara Cimorelli of the Lawrence
School regarding the “No Child Left Behind” program. The Lawrence
School presently received $155,000 from the federal government regarding
this program. Mr. Parrott asked that the Committee to send a letter thanking
her for her continued endeavors regarding this program and congratulating
her on her promotion to principal.
Mr. Parrott discussed an article regarding group homes and COAH requirements
and will see how this affects our present COAH obligation.
OLD BUSINESS
A hearing was held regarding a bid protest of Ferraro Construction Corp.
against Zitone Construction & Supply Co., the low bidder.
Laura Esposito of Ferraro Construction Corp. notified the Township via
a telephone call at 7:50 p.m, June 30, 2005, that she would be unavailable
to attend tonight’s meeting, but asked Mr. Doherty to have the Committee
address her written protest as follows: Zitone disregarded the Certification
of Bidder’s Status regarding the list of Debarred, Suspended and
Disqualified Bidders and in fact marked the required document as “N/A.”
George Zitone of Zitone Construction & Supply Co. addressed the Committee
and stated that the form was not disregarded it was noted N/A because
it was not applicable since Zitone has never been debarred or suspended.
Mr. Garofalo addressed the Committee and stated that there are six items
which cause a fatal defect under the local public contract law per the
State of New Jersey. This form does not cause a fatal defect and the Committee
can choose to waive the requirement of this form.
Mr. Zitone attested to the fact that they are not debarred nor have they
been suspended, and the Committee chose to accept the bid form on this
basis.
Mr.Parrott made a motion to deny the protest of Ferraro Construction Corp.
and award a contract to Zitone Construction Co., Inc. of Montague, NJ,
.in the amount of $318,000, in accordance with their bid submitted on
June 6, 2005 for the New DPW Truck Facility.
Mr.DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Doherty asked for a motion regarding the hiring of seasonal help for
the DPW Department.
Mr. Parrott moved to hire Daniel Laner as a part time seasonal employee
of the Public Works Department at salary of $15.14 per hour, for a 24
hour work week, for up to twelve weeks starting on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Parrott moved to hire Amy Heater as a part time seasonal custodian
of the Public Works Department at salary of $15.14 per hour, for a 10
hour work week, for up to twelve weeks starting on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Parrott moved to hire Michael Flood as a full time seasonal employee
of the Public Works Department at salary of $15.14 per hour, for a 40
hour work week, for up to twelve weeks starting on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Parrott moved to hire Melvyn G. Sliker as a full time seasonal employee
of the Public Works Department at salary of $15.14 per hour, for a 40
hour work week, for up to twelve weeks starting on Tuesday, July 5, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Doherty asked the Committee’s recommendations regarding the
following ordinances:
Land Use Recommendation – Qualifying map for residential cluster
development
Land Use Recommendation - Amending the definition of Minor Site Plan
Land Use Recommendation – Well Protection Ordinance
Mr. Parrott asked that the July 14, 2005 meeting be cancelled and rescheduled
for July 21, 2005 as he will be in Washington on that date. Mayor Space
agreed to change the July meeting date to July 21, 2005.
Mr. Parrott also asked that these three ordinances be discussed at a July
21, 2005 daytime workshop.
Mr. Parrott moved to introduce on first reading Ordinance
2005-13 entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER XIII OF THE
REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, BEING THE ZONING
CHAPTER”, FINAL HEARING DATE OF JULY 21, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. DeBoer moved to adopt on final reading, Ordinance
2005-11, entitled “AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING THE SUM OF $116,000
FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING”.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Prior to final roll call, Mayor Space opened the meeting to the public
for any questions or comments with respect to the proposed Ordinance.
As there was no one who wished to come forward Mayor Space closed the
meeting to the public and returned to the regular order of business.
Mr. Parrott made a motion to award a contract to Zitone Contruction Co.,
Inc. of Montague, NJ, in the amount of $537,000, in accordance with their
bid submitted on June 6, 2005 for Municipal Building Improvements.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr. Parrott moved to introduce on first reading Ordinance
2005-09 entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE ACCEPTING
THE STREET KNOWN AS ROBERTS WAY”, FINAL HEARING DATE OF JULY 21,
2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
Mr.Parrott moved to introduce on first reading Ordinance
2005-15 entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER XXI, FEES, OF
THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE”, FINAL
HEARING DATE OF JULY 21, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer,
Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr.Parrott made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wantage Township
governing body’s meeting held on June 9, 2005. Mr. DeBoer seconded
the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent:
None Abstain: None
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Space opened the meeting to the public at this time, for any questions
or comments involving the good and welfare of the community.
A resident asked for clarification of the land use recommendation for
an ordinance for a qualifying map for residential cluster development.
Mr. Garofalo and Mr. Parrott explained the rationale behind this proposed
ordinance.
Tom VanHook, North Shore Lane, asked about the COAH meetings being held
with Sussex Borough and if these meetings were open to the public. Mr.
Parrott explained that these meetings are in the infancy stage between
the two municipalities and are not considered open public meetings at
this time since all members of the Township Committee are not present.
Discussion ensued regarding the 1% developer’s obligation for COAH.
Since there was no one else from the public who wished to come forward,
Mayor Space closed the meeting to the public and returned to the regular
order of business.
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to enter into executive session. Mr. Parrott
seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None
There being no other items for the consideration of the governing body
at this time, Mr. DeBoer moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Parrott seconded
the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent:
None Abstain: None
________________________________
James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk