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 Garafalo.
Mayor Space invited the Girl Scouts to lead the assembly and the public in the Salute to the Flag.
Mayor Space invited the Girl Scouts to recite the Girl Scouts Pledge and then offered a Proclamation celebrating the 93rd Anniversary of the Girl Scouts Organization.
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."
2005 MUNICIPAL BUDGET HEARING
Mr. Doherty gave a presentation to the public outlining the 2005 Municipal Budget.
Mr. Parrott moved to open the meeting to the public for any questions or comments with respect to the proposed municipal budget for calendar year 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mayor Space opened the meeting to the public at this time, for any questions or comments with respect to the proposed municipal budget for calendar year 2005.
Victoria Gill, Courtright Road, commended the governing body on the budget presentation and the way they make all information available to the public.
Mr. Parrott and Mr. DeBoer thanked Ms. Gill. As there was no one else from the public who wished to come forward, Mayor Space closed the meeting to the public.
Mr. DeBoer moved to approve an amendment to the municipal budget as introduced, as per the attached resolution. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Parrott moved to adopt the 2005 municipal budget. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
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. Parrott moved to accept the following correspondences for filing:
Letter dated March 22, 2005 from New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Bureau of Code Services, informing that Edward Vanderberg has been selected as the 2005 Building Inspector of the Year for the State
Letter dated 3/30/05 from Angelo Bolcato, explaining procedures to be followed for vacating an In Rem Foreclosure on Block 103 Lot 5, to correctly reflect redemption of the property from the year 1988, so that current owners may secure clear title to the property.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
APPLICATIONS
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the following applications:
- Raffle License RL05-08, to American Legion Post 213, to conduct an On Premise 50/50 Raffle on June 26, 2005 at the American Legion building, 915 Route 23.
- Raffle License RL05-10, to the Sussex Wantage Parent Teacher Organization, to conduct an On Premise 50/50 Raffle on May 13, 2005 from 6:30 – 11:00 p.m. at High Point High School.
RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the transfer of appropriation reserves totaling $880.00.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the payment of bills for the meeting of March 31, 2005.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Parrott moved to confirm the appointment of Craig Dana as Judge for the Wantage Township Municipal Court for a three year term running January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Parrott moved to authorize vacation of In Rem Foreclosure Final Judgment and Default as Block 103, Lot 5, in accordance with direction and advice from legal counsel dated March 30, 2005. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Parrott moved to confirm the decision of the Wantage Township governing body regarding Personnel Policy/Employee Handbook, to reflect that a DPW employee who is snow plowing an assigned street route may, during the course of conducting a plowing run, plow the driveway of any DPW employee who lives on the route as a means of expediting the ability of these employees to offer speedy and on-going emergency response activity during winter storm events. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BUDGET PRESENTATION
John Hannum, Superintendent, Steve Kepnes, Business Administrator and Tina Palecek and Scott Mearkle, School Board Members were present to give a presentation regarding budget cuts resulting from their defeated high school budget. Mr. Doherty expressed regret from Ed Vander berg, HPRHS Board Member who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.
Mr. Kepnes gave an overhead presentation and some handouts were made available to the public, and reminded everyone to Vote April 19, 2005, from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
The Committee thanked Mr. Kepnes for an informative presentation as well as Mr. Hannum, Ms. Palecek and Mr. Mearkle.
OLD BUSINESS
Person To Person Transfer of Liquor License 1924-33-004-002
Mr. John Minelli, attorney for CT Productions was present to address any concerns regarding this transfer.
Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the transfer of liquor license from Rob-Pam, Inc., trading as The Glenbrook Inn, to CT Productions, LLC, for the premises located at 1050 Route 23 in Wantage, NJ. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Mr. Parrott
ADMINSTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that John Stearns of P&H Mechanical offered to donate four, heavy metal, large street light poles to Wantage, which could be used in the municipal parks of Wantage Township if and when a decision is made to have lights at the parks for evening ball games. Mr. Doherty will have representatives of the Recreation Commission meet with Mr. Stearns to look at the poles, and if found acceptable, Mr. Doherty will have the DPW secure a storage location for the poles in the rear DPW garage/yard. The Committee advised Mr. Doherty to accept his offer and send a letter thanking Mr. Stearns for the donation.
Mr. Doherty asked the Committee to inform him when they are ready to take action on the following: Aquifer Protection and Well Testing Ordinance, Donation of Old Ambulance, Feral Cat Ordinance and Sussex County Water Quality PAC Representative.
Mr. Doherty updated the Committee on the proposed agreements with County of Sussex for Improvements to Old Clove Road/ Libertyville Road. Regarding moving Mrs. Toal’s house, some questions have arisen regarding the developer’s agreement with ADB Wantage which will be addressed by Mr. Pellow.
Mr. Doherty reviewed recommendations and input from Wantage Township Economic Development Commission and proposed meeting with the EDC on June 30, 2005. The Committee agreed to invite them to a June 30, 2005 workshop meeting.
Mr. Doherty proposed inviting Jeff Vander Groef to attend our meeting of May 12, to honor Jeff for being selected as Outstanding Young Farmer National winner. The Committee agreed and asked that a plaque be available for presentation.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that he will be contacting the owners who still have balances due the Township for Road Trust Fund Deposits and agreed with a suggestion made by Mr. Garofalo that the resolution of approval be recorded with the County Clerk so the road trust assessment will be evident during a title search. Mr. Parrott suggested that it also be made part of the Construction Department’s checklist to be collected prior to the issuance of a building permit.
Mr. Doherty requested a motion to submit FY2006 Municipal Aid application to NJDOT for improvements to Blair Road. The application requests $150K in grant from state to supplement $194K in local funds to improve the road. Mr. Doherty proposed a 2005 bond ordinance of $90K for part of our local match, with another $104K bond ordinance planned in 2006 to complete our local match. This will only complete half of what is remaining to be improved. We will apply for another $150K in FY2007 grant applications, and be looking at, once again, local match of about the same amount in order to fully complete this road improvement project.
Mr. DeBoer moved to submit FY2006 Municipal Aid application for NJDOT for improvements to Blair Road. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Doherty reviewed the Sherman Ridge Road Improvements and informed the Committee that the Township will have enough money from this year’s budget and a previous Bond ordinance to complete half of the remaining project on Sherman Ridge Road. Mr. Doherty has instructed Mr. Pellow to improve the area from the intersection with Libertyville Road and continue toward Berry Road for whatever length of roadway our funds will accommodate. This will leave the area in front of Woodbourne Park unimproved until next year’s budget funding, but will improve the part of the road where most of the taxpayers are located. The Committee agreed.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that Robert Van Dyke is seeking a Treatment Works Approval permit from the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, for Block 53, Lot 1, the Van Dyke Office Building at 4 Smith Road to convert an existing livestock barn into a real estate office. The permit process with the NJDEP requires consent by the Wantage Township governing body with this application. Mr. Pellow informed Mr. Doherty that he has reviewed this application and is satisfied that the Township may offer consent as requested by Mr. Van Dyke.
Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Statement of Consent for the TWA application of Robert Van Dyke for Block 52, Lot 1. Mr Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that Elizabethtown Gas has contacted him for the purpose of offering to supply natural gas for the new DPW storage garage. The bid specs were put together with propane gas service. The Committee advised that they would like to explore this option as a possible change-over later, after the building is constructed.
Mr. Doherty reviewed that 2005 budget plan which calls for Wantage to adopt a $565,000 Bond Ordinance this year, which will pay for two DPW Dump Trucks, local match on the Blair Road Improvement and the local match for the Old Clove and Libertyville Road Improvements.
Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the Administrator to contact our Bond Attorney to prepare a Bond Ordinance for introduction at our April 21, 2005 meeting. Mr Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mr. Doherty reported that he was informed by our animal control personnel that all matters of concern regarding the inspection have been dealt with. The only exception is a concern that the floors in the dog runs have cracks in them, which need to be repaired, and the floor needs to be resealed. Additionally, a barrier needs to be installed in each dog run to prevent the possibility of cross contamination from one dog run to another. Animal Control personnel have pursued competitive quotations for the purpose of having this work done, and the lowest quotation is in the amount of $13,200. The Dog Trust Account currently has over $21,000 balance, which provides sufficient funds to pursue this project. Mr. Doherty requested a motion to award the contract for repair and sealing of the Wantage Township Dog Pound floors and dog runs, and installation of required barriers for compliance with NJAC 8:23A-1.5(e) and 1.9(a), to abate the remaining conditions listed in the Notice of Inspection and Findings of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, dated November 24, 2004, to D&L Epoxy Flooring of Port Jervis, NY, in the amount of $13,200, said work to be done as soon as weather conditions are proper for the scope of work being done.
Mr. Parrott moved to award the project to D&L Epoxy Flooring of Port Jervis NY in the amount of $13,200 to repair and seal the floor in the Wantage Township Dog Pound. Mr DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None
Mr. Doherty reported to the Committee that prudent preventive maintenance on our municipal building calls for periodic cleaning of the duct work and air handling units of the HVAC system, for the purpose of cleaning, sanitizing and deodorizing the system. This work was last accomplished in 2001, and it is now time to have it done again. Mr. Doherty proposed to wait until the renovations to the HVAC system are completed in the upcoming project to improve the Town Hall, so that any disturbance, dirt, dust, etc., created or stirred up during the improvement project will be addressed when the cleaning takes place. The anticipated cost for this cleaning will be in the range of $7,000 which can be accomplished by adopting fully-funded capital ordinance from our Capital Improvement Fund. The Committee agreed to wait.
Mr. Doherty reported that a number of drainage concerns have been reported by various residents in recent past. Many of these concerns are being dealt with by DPW crews on a case-by-case basis, but in several instances, either the residents are making inquiries and requests that go beyond my and Bob Wagner’s spending authority, or involve questions that require both engineering input and policy decisions. Mr. Doherty requested Mayor Space accompany Harold Pellow, Bob Wagner and himself on an inspection tour of properties at 83 Layton Road, 174 – 190 Mudtown Road, and 26 Sherman Ridge Road, to review resident concerns and requests, and receive Township engineer and DPW supervisor suggestions during on-site inspections. Mr. Parrott requested adding 28 Possum Glen Road to the list. Mayor Space agreed to the inspection and Mr. Doherty will set this up.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that a Representative of Friends of Lake Neepaulin approached him to request consideration of the Township allowing FOLN to make use of Township property, by moving a fence back from the side of an access road leading to the Lake, to create off road parking opportunities for residents using the lake. The Committee informed Mr. Doherty that as long as liability and maintenance issues become the responsibility of the Friends of Lake Neepaulin, they would agree.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Space requested Mr. Garofalo to give the Attorney’s Report. Mr. Garofalo stated that he had nothing new to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Parrott asked Mr. Doherty to follow up on the changes to the URS System and setting up a reserve in the event we become required to pay for State Police protection in the future.
NEW BUSINESS
Final Adoption of Ordinance 2005-08: Conforth Tax Exemption
Mr. DeBoer moved to introduce on final reading, Ordinance 2005-08, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A PARTIAL TAX EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH EMIL J. CONFORTH, PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 40A:21-1 et seq.
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
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion to adopt ordinance 2005-08. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Introduction of Ordinance 2005-07: Mountain View Drive Dedication
A motion was made by Mr. Parrott to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2005-07, entitled “AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE STREET KNOWN AS MOUNTAINVIEW DRIVE” Final Hearing date set for April 21, 2005. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion, Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, Parrott, DeBoer. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the minutes of meetings of the Wantage Township governing body held on March 17, 2005 (Regular and Executive). 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 from the Lake Neepaulin area thanked the Committee for their cooperation with the Friends of Lake Neepaulin. She then announced that her son had just returned from Guantanamo Bay with the Army National Guard. The Committee asked her to thank him for his service and wished him luck. She then asked if there was something the Committee could do thanking the Glenbrook for their service over the past years. The governing body thanked her for her suggestion, agreeing that this would be a nice thing to do.
Mayor Space asked if there were anyone else from the public who would like to address the Committee. No one else came forward.
Mayor Space closed the meeting to the public and the governing body returned to the regular order of business.
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. Mayor Space declared this meeting to be adjourned.
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James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk