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 JANUARY 26, 2006

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott called the workshop 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 Space, DeBoer.
The following members were absent: None.

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.

The Mayor and Committee discussed the status of budget preparation for 2006 and the affect the revaluation will have upon tax rate and budget adoption.

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

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.

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

After a short recess, 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 Space, DeBoer.
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.

REPORTS
Mr. Space moved to approve the following reports for filing:

• Tax Collector Report for December 2005
• Municipal Clerk Report for December 2005
• Construction Department Report for December 2005
• Registrar Report for December 2005
• Board of Health Report for December 2005

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

APPLICATIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve the membership of Mark Yetter, 177 Coykendall Road, in the Wantage Township Fire Department. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve RL 2006-03 to High Point Football Club, to conduct an On Premise 50/50 Raffle on April 1, 2006 at Beemerville Fire House.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve RL 2006-04 to Beemerville FD Ladies Auxiliary, to conduct an On Premise 50/50 Raffle on April 7, 2006 at Beemerville Fire House
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve RL 2006-05 to Beemerville FD Ladies Auxiliary, to conduct an On Premise Merchandise Raffle on April 7, 2006 at Beemerville Fire House
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Space moved to authorize the Release of Escrow Resolution per recommendation of Land Use Secretary dated January 19, 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the release of Executive Session minutes for February 13, 1997 (Executive Session #2); June 12, 1997; July 10, 1997; August 14, 1997 as public records.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract renewal with Branchville Borough for Wantage Township to provide Dog Pound services for 2006.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract with Newton Town for Wantage Township to provide Animal Control Officer and dog pound services for 2006, effective April 1, 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract with Ogdensburg Borough for Wantage Township to provide temporary services of an Assistant Treasurer in Ogdensburg for the first three months of 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to name Jim Doherty as the Wantage Township Relocation Officer for the Relocation Assistance Program, as required by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to accept the simultaneous resignation of Larry Bono (alternate) and Glenn Corrigan (regular member) from the Wantage Township Land Use Board, for the purpose of enabling Mayor Parrott to appoint Mr. Bono to fill the Class IV seat, and to appoint Mr. Corrigan to fill the Alternate #3 seat of the Board.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to cancel Tax Sale Certificate 96-19000, which has been paid and satisfied.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the hire of Michael Flood as a laborer of the Wantage Public Works Department at a salary of $14 per hour, to full time employment effective February 6, 2006, with health benefits coverage beginning April 1, 2006.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize an additional 25 work days of employment for Joanne Kanapinski in calendar year 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to confirm the transfer of Amy Heater from part time temporary laborer of the Wantage Township Public Works Department to part time permanent laborer status.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the contract with Frankford Township for Wantage Township to provide Animal Control Officer Services, in situations where the regular ACO of Frankford is unavailable, for the year 2006.
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 of the following items which are awaiting disposition:

1. Bruning Letter regarding the calculation of Developer Fees; awaiting attorney response.

2. Acceptance of roads at Dales Crossing; awaiting Developer submittal of deeds for acceptance of Dales Crossing, Marie Court and Adrienne Court.

Mr. Space made a motion to award a contract to Telecom Management in the amount of $6,280.00 to facilitate the relocation of the telephone and telecommunication equipment involved in the renovation of the Municipal Building as an extraordinary unspecified item.

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

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to accept change orders from Zitone Contruction to enable the continuation of work on the renovation of the municipal building and construction of a new truck storage facility as follows:

October 31, 2005 Credit for $8,210 for plumbing associated work on the Municipal Building;
January 13, 2006 Increase of $1,683 for relocating electric feeder and new breaker in Truck Storage Building;
January 13, 2006 Increase of $5,995 for electrical changes and ceiling fans in Truck Storage Building;
November 21, 2005, Increase $4,257.00 install rough plumbing in Truck Storage Building; Increase $3,564 to relocate circulator in boiler room Municipal Building.

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

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of an addition to the Franklin Animal Control Agreement whereby our Animal Control Officer will facilitate the cremation of geese according to a new program they have in place in the Borough.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that Ms. Donna Traylor of the Sussex County Agriculture Board worked with Kevin Kervatt to work out a response to the concerns that were raised at the last meeting by residents regarding property maintenance versus Right to Farm on Route 284.

Doherty informed the Committee of a request for amendment to the Property Maintenance Code. In July 2005, Nick Frasche suggested amending existing code to read “International Property Maintenance Code or current addition” as the citation to enforce Wantage property maintenance. Mr. Garofalo advised against this wording, citing a case in Ventnor City which requires a town to specify an enforcement code with an exact year’s current edition, rather than have wording that attempts to be inclusive of future possible changes. Nick and Ed now suggest that the citation be changed from “BOCA National Property Maintenance Code 1996” to read “International Property Maintenance Code 2000”. Nick and Ed also suggest changing the wording for the creation of an appeals board for property maintenance, which under our existing ordinance is very restrictive and could be considered almost impossible to find qualified persons to serve. The suggested wording reduces the membership as well as the criteria for membership, which would make it easier to find people to serve on a Property Maintenance Appeals Board if/when needed. Mr. Doherty will give the suggested wording changes to Mr. Garofalo for his review, and then when we meet with Ed and Nick on February 9, we can cover this as well as budget review.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that the County Health Department needs the Governing Body to fill out the Household Members Medication Information Form, to protect against a potential biological exposure.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that Mr. Nick Irons has submitted his resume, and wishes to volunteer his services to serve as a volunteer liaison between the governing body and the New Jersey State Police. The Committee thanked Mr. Irons for his interest, but decided to keep contact with the NJ State Police directly in the Township.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that Marcia Snyder’s tax collection rate for 2005 was 97.15%. Marcia, assisted by her deputy Melissa Caton, does great job year after year, making sure that Wantage Township receives as much tax revenue as possible. Reducing delinquencies reduces the amount of money which needs to be raised in the following year’s budget for delinquent taxes. Marcia and Melissa are doing a fantastic job assisting the governing body in keeping down the tax burden of the community. Mayor Parrott asked Mr. Doherty to send a letter to Marcia and Melissa thanking them for a job well-done.

Mr. Doherty asked the Committee to refer to correspondence from RS Phillips, explaining need for them to abandon efforts at relocating their business into Wantage Township.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Parrott requested Mr. Garofalo give the Attorney’s Report.

Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that a property on Lower Unionville Road was not included in the recent fair housing plan and the owner is seeking remedy through the courts.

Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that he is attempting to have COAH rather than the courts hear this issue.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Parrott thanked Mr. Doherty for sending the letter to the Land Use Board informing them that Mr. Frasche or Mr. Vander Berg will be an advisory, non-voting member of the board.

Mayor Parrott reported that he is still working with Kuperus on possible cost savings for maintaining the fields in the Township.

Mayor Parrott informed the Committee that the Daughters of the American Revolution will be holding a luncheon on February 25, 2006, to thank those responsible for their work on the Totem Pole located outside the Municipal Building. Mayor Parrott will be away on that day and unable to attend. Mike Garofalo agreed to represent the Township at this ceremony.

Mayor Parrott informed the Committee that Hal Wirths will be introducing a resolution to stop road sign pollution along County Highways. Once Mayor Parrott has had a chance to review the resolution, he will bring it before the Committee for possible endorsement.

OLD BUSINESS
None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Space moved to adopt on final reading, Ordinance 2006-01, entitled “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS FOR ARMSTRONG ROAD.”
Mr. DeBoer 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 requested a roll call.
Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, DeBoer, Parrott Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None.

Mr. DeBoer moved to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2006-02, entitled “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, COUNTY OF SUSSEX, AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY FOR THE YEAR 2006”. Final Hearing date set for February 9, 2006
Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, DeBoer, Parrott Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None.

Mr. DeBoer moved to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2006-03, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER II OF THE GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE”. Final Hearing date set for February 9, 2006.
Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, DeBoer, Parrott Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer moved to adopt on first reading Ordinance 2006-04, entitled “CY2006 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (NJSA 40a:4-45.14)”. Final Hearing date set for February 9, 2006. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, DeBoer, Parrott Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Space made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wantage Township governing body’s meeting held on December 14, 2005. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Space, DeBoer, Parrott 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.

Anne Smulewicz spoke with reference to Capital Spending at the Sussex/Wantage School.

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.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk