MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP AND 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 OCTOBER 13, 2005

Mayor Parker Space called the regular 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 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."

Mayor Space led the assembly in the Salute to the Flag.

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 approve the following correspondence for filing.

Public Notice: change in meeting date. The meeting of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage previously scheduled for November 10, 2005 has been re-scheduled for November 3, 2005.

Letter dated October 11, 2005 from the Sussex Wantage Regional School District, offering formal notice of Special School Election to be held Tuesday, December 13, 2005.

Letter dated October 11, 2005 from the High Point Regional High School District, offering formal notice of Special School Election to be held Tuesday, December 13, 2005.

Letter dated October 4, 2005 from Michael Garofalo, transmitting check for $90,000 representing proceeds from sale of Block 2 Lot 2.

Copy of a Resolution from County of Sussex Board of Chosen Freeholders, authorizing submission of an application to seek funding from the NJDOT that will begin the process of safety improvements for County Route 565 in Wantage Township

Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

REPORTS
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the following reports for filing.
Tax Collector’s Report for September 2005
Registrar’s Report for September 2005
Construction Department Report for September 2005
Municipal Clerk Report for September 2005
Board of Health Report for September 2005
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

APPLICATIONS

Mr. Parrott moved to approve Bingo License BL06-01, to Beemerville Fire Department, for 2006 Bingo dates. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None


RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Parrott moved to approve Payment of Bills for the meeting of October 13, 2005
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott moved to authorize Release of Escrow Accounts per recommendation of LUB secretary dated 10/12/05. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

ADMINSTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty asked the Committee to review his letter dated 10/4/05 to Mr. Maione regarding plowing and sanding of Clove Hill Manor Roads. Mr. Doherty informed the Committee Developer will probably be required to plow for this winter season, but the Township is ready to take over the roads when the proper paperwork has been received by the Township.

Mr. Doherty asked the Committee for direction regarding the proceeds of the sale of the surplus ambulance. The Committee informed Mr. Doherty that the proceeds of the sale of this ambulance be returned to the Wantage Township First Aid Squad via a 2006 budget appropriation as long as it is understood that this is a return of funds the First Aid Squad spent to purchase this ambulance and not an increase in the Aid to Volunteer First Aid Squad line item.

Mr. Doherty asked the Committee for direction regarding an appropriate course to reacquire Fire Department issued gear once a member has resigned from one of our volunteer Fire Departments. Mr. Doherty requested that this item be discussed in closed executive session under attorney-client privilege regarding fire department personnel.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of a request he has received regarding a property owner located at Lott and Wolf Pit Roads. Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that he does not feel the request warrants taxpayer money be expended as the property does not cause any problems to the existing Township Road. The Committee agreed.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of the Construction Department’s budget request for additional staffing for 2006. The Committee agreed with Mr. Doherty that once the Interlocal Agreement budget is determined in September, it is difficult to grant such requests as they are borne by Wantage Township Taxpayers alone. It was suggested that if a need truly exists for 2006, perhaps the Construction Department can look at reducing other costs within the department such as conference attendance, for example. Mr. Doherty will look into the existing personnel policy regarding conference attendance to see if amendments would help in this area.

Mr. Doherty suggested that the Committee amend Bond Ordinance 2005-10 since the Township is no longer pursuing the project for improvements to the Old Clove-Libertyville intersection. Mr. Doherty further explained that the Township does not need the entire $190K in the Bond Ordinance for that project; the Township needs only $45K to finish paving Old Clove Road up to the intersection. Mr. Doherty proposed amending the bond ordinance to take $165,000 away from the Old Clove-Libertyville project and re-allocate this sum into the project for Improvements to Blair Road since this will provide us with sufficient money to cover the Township’s local match for the Grant being received from NJDOT for Blair Road, and eliminate the need for an additional Bond Ordinance in 2006 for that purpose. The Committee agreed with Mr. Doherty and asked him to contact the bonding attorney to draft the amendment. Mr. Parrott asked Mr. Doherty to inform Senator Littell, Assemblywoman McHose and Assemblyman Greg of these plans so the Township may receive consideration for grant monies earlier.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of an unanticipated problem with the renovation to the municipal building, involving a drain in one of the bays being converted into office space which needed lines run to a storage tank to collect accumulation from the remaining garage bays. The original plan called for the installation of a pipe from the boiler room into the sanitary sewer system for when the boiler purges.

The contractor and the Assistant Construction Official informed the engineer that it would make sense to run the boiler room pipe into the new tank to act as a trade off for the line and tank installation. The engineer stated that he does not feel a check valve on the boiler will provide sufficient protection should the tank be full and the boiler needs to purge. Since there will be a regular schedule for pumping the tank, the Committee asked Mr. Doherty to instruct the engineer to approve this change.

Mr. Parrott informed the Committee that there will be a Department of Environmental Protection regulation that will require specific wash zones be set up by the year 2007, as a related item regarding drainage units on Municipal properties. Mr. Parrott will forward information regarding this new requirement to Mr. Doherty and the Committee.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Space requested Mr. Garofalo to give the Attorney’s Report. Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that he has nothing to report at this time.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. Parrott reported that he spoke with Mr. Maione who was pleased that Mayor Space and Mr. DeBoer were able to resolve the issue with traffic lights at his property.

Mr. Parrott reported that he has received compliments regarding the drainage easements to Courtland Drive.

Mr. Parrott congratulated Mr. Doherty on being the only administrator present at the review of the Wildlife Refuge and let him know that he had received compliments regarding Mr. Doherty’s presence.

Mr. Parrott informed the Committee that he may know someone who is willing to donate magnets to residents outlining designated areas to be used in the event of a catastrophic emergency. Mr. Doherty will meet with Mr. Parrott in this regard.

Mr. DeBoer stated that he also was happy with the outcome of the traffic light situation at the Maione property.

Mr. DeBoer commented that he agrees that an Open Space Committee is a good idea, but expressed the opinion that this committee should not become an environmental commission.

Mayor Space reported that Mr. Truran would like to withdraw his request to have the mile marker moved which was approved at the September 29, 2005 meeting. Mr. Truran has since spoken to the Havens family and they did not wish to see the marker moved since it has been there for generations. Mayor Space also informed the Committee of mile markers which were found at Space Farms during a recent event and the history behind them.

Mayor Space reported that as a result of a recent fire on Pidgeon Hill Road, he would like some safety concerns be forwarded to residents via the website or school flyer, etc. Mayor Space, would like residents reminded of the importance of house numbers, the importance of trimming trees and brush in driveways, and the importance of not blocking access to driveways by parking cars at the end of driveways during snowy winter months. All of these issues could delay the ability of the Fire Department to get to the scene in a timely fashion, which could mean the difference between life and death. Mayor Space also asked that residents be informed of the dangers of alternate heat sources which may be used given the rising price of fuel. Mr. Doherty agreed that these are very important items and will prepare something for distribution with the help of the local fire official.

Mr. DeBoer commented that he does not feel volunteer firefighters are given the proper credit they deserve for the hard work they perform in some of the worst conditions imaginable. Everyone agreed with the assessment.


OLD BUSINESS

Award of Bid — Purchase of Dump Trucks
Mr. Doherty asked the Committee to review results of the bid opening held on September 28, 2005 for the purchase of two dump trucks. Two bids were received: H&H Mack Sales of Rockaway, NJ, in the amount of $275,760.00 and Brown Hunterdon Mack of Bloomsbury, NJ, in the amount of $290,500.00. A discussion ensued regarding areas where Brown Hunterdon Mack believed H&H failed to comply with the requirements of the bid. Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that the adherence to technical aspects of the local public contracts law is not a fatal flaw and feels comfortable with Mr. Doherty’s response to the concerns raised by Brown Hunterdon Mack.

Mr. Parrott made a motion to award the bid for the purchase of Dump Trucks to H&H Mack Sales of Rockaway, NJ, in the amount of $275,760.00. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

NEW BUSINESS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Parrott made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wantage Township governing body’s meeting held on September 29, 2005, Regular Meeting and Executive Session.
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.

Tom Feeney, H&H Mack and Andy Sanchez of the company which will supply the body, informed the Committee that they were present to answer any questions the Committee may have regarding the Dump Truck Bid. The Committee asked if the January 18, 2006 delivery date would be adhered to and Mr. Feeney assured the Committee it would. The men thanked the Committee for their consideration.

A resident of Lake Neepaulin asked for clarification of which piece of Old Clove will be paved in 2005. Mr. Doherty explained that the Township stopped short in paving up to the intersection in anticipation of an improvement to the intersection and now that that project will not be accomplished, the Township will be paving the remainder of Old Clove Road.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to enter into executive session, as follows:
WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, P. L. 1975, Chapter 231 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, that the public shall be excluded from discussion of the following a matter falling within the attorney-client privilege, involving an member of the Fire Department. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minutes will be kept on file in the municipal clerk’s office, and once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes shall be made public.

Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

After meeting in closed executive session, Mayor Space declared the meeting reconvened into regular session.

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