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 FEBRUARY 23 2006

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott 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 Parrott, Committee members DeBoer, Space. The following members were absent: None. Also present: Township Attorney Michael Garofalo

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

CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Parrott 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 Parrott requested approval of the Consent Agenda.

CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Space moved to approve the following for filing: Letter dated February 23, 2006 from the Wantage Township Board of Health, informing that effective March 1, 2006, the Sussex County Health Department shall perform inspections of well lines, ending a previous arrangement in which said inspections were handled by the Construction Official.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

APPLICATIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve Membership in the Wantage Township Fire Department for Brian P. Egan, 17 Northfield Drive, in Beemerville Company #2.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve Change Order #1 to the Contract with KME for the purchase of a KME Fire Pumper, in the amount of $6,655.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Administrator Clerk to sign the municipal consent for Treatment Works Approval Permit application of Mr. Bubble Car Wash, for installation of a 1000 gallon sanitary effluent tank at the car wash facility.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

ADMINSTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty advised the Committee that Mr. Garofalo will address two open items from prior meetings: Bruning Letter/Developer Fees and the Property Maintenance Code Amendment.
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that the plans for the Dog Park continue to proceed between Mr. Baker and Harold Pellow. The greatest concern is cleanliness, but Mr. Baker assures that he can provide a long-lasting, dependable clean up committee for the park.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Parrott requested Mr. Garofalo give the Attorney’s Report. Mr. Garofalo reported that in response to the open item on the Administrator’s report for clarification of Mr. Bruning’s letter and the calculation of developer fees, this item is not yet finalized. Mr. Garofalo wants to make sure both ordinances are legally sound before formally responding to this request. Regarding the second item on the Administrator’s report regarding the Property Maintenance Code Amendment, Mr. Garofalo will provide the Ordinance as well as a letter with some suggested changes to the Township Committee and the Construction Department.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mr. DeBoer reported that he spoke with Melissa Rockwell, Tax Assessor, and he feels that all residents should take the opportunity to sit with the revaluation company to review their new assessments. Mr. Doherty will put this suggestion and information for appointments on the website and e-mail a press release to our newspaper.

Mr. Space reported that he read in the paper where local resident, Laura Havens won the Lottery amounting to over $600,000. Mr. Space commented that he was impressed that Ms. Havens will be putting the money right back into her Wantage Township business, and was proud of the type of residents we have here in the Township. Mr. Parrott and Mr. DeBoer also wished her luck.

Mayor Parrott reported that he has received information from Miles Kuperus, Farmside Landscape, regarding what his company would require to maintain Wantage recreation fields rather than the Public Works department. Mr. Doherty accepted the package as authorization to begin a feasible study into whether or not it would be appropriate to consider contracting services for maintaining Township recreation fields.

Mayor Parrott reported that Freeholder Glen Vetrano phoned him regarding the Township’s consensus for support of the Lusscroft Farm Commercial Kitchen. Mayor Parrott asked that Freeholder Vetrano be put on the agenda for an upcoming meeting in June or July to present the benefits the Commercial Kitchen can bring to Wantage Township and the surrounding communities.

Mr. Doherty asked Mr. Garofalo to look into whether it is legally possible in the State of New Jersey for the Sheriff’s department to provide first response patrol in a municipality. Mr. Doherty, Mayor Parrott and the entire Committee informed the public that there are no proposals being considered, nor has there been any decision made, regarding local police patrol in Wantage Township. Mayor Parrott explained that the Township Committee and Administration are merely taking a pro-active approach toward gathering necessary information, in the event the State mandates future cost-burden by municipalities with State Police coverage. Mr. Doherty categorized the action being taken as due diligence on behalf of Wantage Township taxpayers.

OLD BUSINESS
General review took place regarding a proposed resolution requesting the Sussex County Clerk to submit a non-binding referendum to the voters of the Township of Wantage at the General Election of November 7, 2006. Mr. Doherty will forward to the Open Space Advisory Committee for their review.

NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 2006-05
Mr. DeBoer moved to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2006-05, entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE ACCEPTING THE STREETS KNOWN AS MARIE COURT, DALE’S CROSSING, AND ADRIENNE COURT.” Mr. Space seconded the motion.

Prior to final roll call, Mayor Parrott 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 Parrott closed the meeting to the public and returned to the regular order of business. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Ordinance 2006-06
Prior to motion to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2006-06, entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 2-7 OF THE GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, NAMELY THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF RECREATION COMMISSIONERS,” Mayor Parrott 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 Parrott closed the meeting to the public and returned to the regular order of business.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that since this proposed ordinance will change the quorum requirements of the Board of Recreation Commissioners, the Board requested that date of final adoption for this proposed Ordinance be carried to a future date, to provide an opportunity for interested persons to step forward and express a desire to be appointed, prior to final adoption of the ordinance. Mr. Space made a motion to table consideration of final adoption of Ordinance 2006-06 until April 27, 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wantage Township governing body’s meeting held on: January 5, 2006 (Organization Meeting)
January 5, 2006 Regular Meeting and Executive Session
January 12, 2006 Budget Workshop
January 19, 2006 Budget Workshop
January 26, 2006 Regular Meeting
February 9, 2006 Regular Meeting
Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
Mayor Parrott opened the meeting to the public at this time, for any questions or comments involving the good and welfare of the community.

Christine Fiorenzo, 4 DeWitt Road, informed the Committee that she had been in contact with the Office on Aging and they have programs already in place to discuss Medicare Plan D as well as other programs for the elderly. She is working with them to present another program here in the Municipal Building. The Committee thanked her for her continued interest in our community and asked Mr. Doherty to use the Township website and e-mail press release to get the word out once a program has been scheduled.

Doug Ricker, 91 Beemer Road, addressed the Committee regarding his opinion regarding issues involving farmland preservation exemptions and clarification on issues discussed by our municipal attorney at the last Committee Meeting.

There being no other items for the consideration of the governing body at this time, Mr. Space moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mayor Parrott declared this meeting to be adjourned.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk