MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF BRANCHVILLE, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SUSSEX, THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LAFAYETTE, THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FRANKFORD, AND THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, HELD AT HIGH POINT REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 299 PIDGEON HILL ROAD, WANTAGE NEW JERSEY ON MAY 8, 2006

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott called the meeting to order for the governing body of Wantage Township at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Jeffrey Parrott, Committee members William DeBoer and Parker Space. Absent: None.

Mayor Parrott stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231. It has been properly advertised, and certified by the Clerk”.

Mayor Kathy Little of Sussex Borough called the meeting to order on behalf of Sussex Borough and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Sussex governing body. Upon roll call,
Present: Mayor Kathy Little, Council members Stendor, Rose, Ezzo, Fronheiser. Absent: Dykstra, Pierce.

Mayor William Hahn called the meeting to order on behalf of Frankford Township and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Frankford governing body. Present: Mayor Hahn, Committee members Robert McDowell and Carol Ann Kristensen. Absent: None

Mayor Van Gorden called the meeting to order on behalf of Branchville Borough and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Branchville governing body. Present: Mayor Van Gorden, Council members Bathgate, Harrison, Howell, Lordi, Van Stone. Absent: Orr

Mayor George Sweeney called the meeting to order of behalf of Lafayette Township and offered the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231 for the Lafayette governing body. Upon roll call, Present: Mayor George Sweeney, Committeemen Richard Hughes, Gregory Corcoran, John D'Angeli, and Richard Bruning. Absent: None

Mr. Thomas Case, President of the Board of Education for High Point Regional High School System, called the meeting to order and read the statement of compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L.1975, Ch. 231. Upon roll call, Present: Tom Case, President, Ed Vander Berg, Vice President, Joe Hoffmann, Joe Luna, Tina Palecek, Walter Stumpf, Scott Mearkle, Harold Rowan, Robert Shevlin. Absent: None

The topic of discussion was review of the defeated school budget for the High Point Regional High School District.

Mr. Steven Kepnes, High Point Regional High School Business Administrator, reviewed a number of potential areas in the defeated budget that might be given consideration for cuts as a means of reducing the tax levy.

All members of governing bodies from all municipalities present were afforded an opportunity to provide input at this time.

The meeting was opened to the public for any questions or comments with respect to the matters being discussed. Various members of the general public came forward at this time, all of whom expressed a desire to see minimal or no cuts made to the school budget. There being no other members of the public wishing to address the officials assembled, the meeting was closed to the public and the assembled officials continued with the regular order of business.
Further general review and consideration was given by the elected officials present.

On behalf of Wantage Township, Mr. Space moved to endorse a proposed tax levy reductions as presented by the Board of Education this evening, totaling $100,000.00, as follows:

WHEREAS, the High Point Regional High School’s original general fund tax levy on the ballot for the base budget was $13,654,595; and

WHEREAS, the general fund tax levy for the Base Budget of the High Point Regional High School has been defeated by the voters at the annual school election; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the municipal governing bodies to certify the taxes to the County Board of Taxation;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Township Committee of the Township of Wantage agrees to reduce the base budget for High Point Regional High School by $100,000.00; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following areas in the Budget be reduced: Salaries, Benefits and Food Service Deficit; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amount of the general fund tax levy being certified by the municipal government for the base budget is $13,554,595; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Committee certifies that the revised budget is sufficient to provide a thorough and efficient education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Committee of Wantage approves the High Point Regional High School 2006-07 Budget with the reduction of $100,000.00.

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

By motion and second, the governing body of Branchville adopted the same resolution approving the tax levy reduction, totaling $100,000.00. Upon roll call, Ayes: Bathgate, Harrison, Howell, Lordi, Van Stone Nays: None Absent: Orr Abstain: None

By motion and second, the governing body of Frankford adopted the same resolution approving the tax levy reduction, totaling $100,000.00. Upon roll call, Ayes: Hahn, McDowell, Kristensen Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None.

By motion and second, the governing body of Lafayette adopted the same resolution approving the tax levy reduction, totaling $100,000.00. Upon roll call, Ayes: Sweeney, Hughes, Corcoran, D'Angeli, Bruning. Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

By motion and second, the governing body of Sussex adopted the same resolution approving the tax levy reduction, totaling $100,000.00. Upon roll call, Ayes: Council members Stendor, Rose, Ezzo, Fronheiser. Nays: None Absent: Dykstra, Pierce Abstain: None

By motion and second, the Board of Education of High Point Regional High School adopted a resolution agreeing to accept the tax levy reduction endorsed by all sending districts, totaling $100,000.00. Upon roll call, Ayes: Case, Vander Berg, Hoffmann, Luna, Palecek, Stumpf, Mearkle, Rowan, Shevlin. Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

There being no further business to come before the assembled elected representatives, Mr. DeBoer made a motion, seconded by Mr. Space, to adjourn. A voice vote was unanimously in favor. Similar motions to adjourn were adopted by the elected representatives of Branchville, Frankford, Lafayette and Sussex, and the members of the School Board.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator Clerk
Township of Wantage