MINUTES OF THE WORK SESSION 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 5, 2006

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott called the workshop session to order at 7:00 p.m., 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 Richard Clark

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.

Mayor Parrott stressed the importance of safety in the schools and that the safety of the children is of utmost importance, especially in light of recent events surrounding school violence and security. Representatives of the Sussex Wantage Board of Education and representatives of the High Point Regional Board of Education were present to speak with the Governing Body. Art Jacobs, School Board President, Sussex Wantage Board of Education, informed the Committee that School Board is doing well and working hard. Mr. Nazarro, Interim Superintendent, Sussex Wantage Schools, gave highlights of the improvements presently under way in the Sussex Wantage Schools and cost savings efforts being investigated. Mr. Jacobs introduced the members of the school board present, Ryan Poust, Diane Snure and Ann Smulewicz. The Committee thanked the School District for attending.

Steven Kepnes, Business Administrator, High Point Regional High School, informed the Committee that HPRHS had a successful opening and gave an overview of their endeavors regarding improved security, facility maintenance and improvements; the cost savings associated with those projects and shared services, specifically transportation; the need to get more residents to vote and union negotiations. The Committee thanked Mr. Kepnes for his presentation.

Mr. Doherty discussed the improvements Wantage Township is investigating to accommodate shared services regarding the Township’s fuel pumps, and that Wantage Township cannot accommodate a shared service agreement for school bus maintenance.

Mayor Jeffrey Parrott called the regular meeting to order at 7:55 p.m., 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 Richard Clark

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 for filing, the E-mail correspondence from Steve Raye informing of upcoming celebration of 60th anniversary of Colesville Fire Dept on May 19, 2007. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

REPORTS

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

• Tax Collector Report for September 2006
• Tax Collector Report of Tax Sale Held October 3, 2006
• Municipal Clerk Report for September 2006
• Board of Health Report for September 2006
• Registrar’s Report for September 2006
• Construction Department Report for September 2006
• Wantage Township First Aid Squad Financial Statements, 2004-2005

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

APPLICATIONS

Mr. Space moved to approve Raffle License RL06-26, for Heritage and Agriculture Association, Inc., to conduct an off premise merchandise raffle on December 3, 2006 at Lusscroft, Neilson Road. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve Raffle License RL06-27, for Sussex Woman’s Club, to conduct an On Premise 50/50 Raffle on November 14, 2006 at High Point High School.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve Raffle License RL06-28, for Sussex Woman’s Club, to conduct an On Premise Merchandise (Tricky Tray) Raffle on November 14, 2006 at High Point High School. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve payment of bills for the meeting of October 5, 2006.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize refund of escrow balances from various Land Use Board applicants, as per recommendation of Land Use Secretary Joanne Kanapinski dated 10/2/06. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize reimbursement of $1,575, representing tax overpayment on Block 149, Lot 14.01. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize reimbursement of $980.30, representing overpayment of Developer Fee on Block 158, Lot 1.05. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize reimbursement of $1,500, representing release of seeding and haying bond on Block 150, Lot 7.06. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize reimbursement of $2,000, representing release of driveway bond on Block 1.02, Lot 16.01. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize contract with Owl Contracting for Drainage Improvements on Old Clove Road in amount not to exceed $20,800, as per recommendation of Township engineer dated October 5, 2006. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to support Assembly Bill A-3444, which proposes relief for municipal governing bodies from arbitrary changes in the municipal cap law from year to year.
Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve the updated and Revised Bylaws of the North Jersey Municipal Employees Benefits Fund. 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 collective bargaining agreement with the Wantage Township Department of Public Works covering the years 2007-2009, upon confirmation of acceptable conclusion of negotiations from the Union representative for the Department of Public Works. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

PROCLAMATION
Mr. Space moved to approve for filing a Mayor’s Proclamation honoring Zachary Loughery for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that the Fall 2005 Newsletter should be mailed out to the public next week.

Mr. Doherty presented a proposal for reducing telephone costs at Wantage Town Hall. The Committee agreed by consensus to review this avenue further.

Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of recent events involving the Animal Control Office. Sussex County Health Officer Herb Yardley, County Health Employee Emrick Seabold, Wantage Assistant Animal Control Officer John Abate and Pound Veterinarian Dr. Nancy Hallam-Smith, met today with Mr. Doherty and a representative of the State Department of Health. The State representative informed Mr. Doherty that the current Wantage Township Dog Pound facility is not large enough to handle all the animals from current neighboring municipalities being housed at the pound. Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that this is the opinion of the State and Wantage is not in violation of any laws. Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that he would like to send a letter to all current interlocal clients informing them that if they wish to continue contracting with Wantage Township, these clients would have to share in the cost of capital improvements to the dog pound. The Committee agreed that Mr. Doherty should send a letter informing the clients of this possibility, and also agreed that Wantage should inform Sussex Borough and Stillwater Township that the Township can no longer accommodate the interlocal service contract for the year 2007 in order to reduce the number of clients being served at the pound, as a good faith response to the State’s expressed concerns.

Discussion ensued regarding present interlocal service agreement contracts in general and the possible necessity of upgrading fuel pumps and holding tanks to accommodate this increased usage. In order to address the burden created by increased use of the Wantage Township fuel supply, the Committee agreed to provide Sussex Borough with official notification to terminate the agreement for use of the Wantage fuel pumps in 60 days.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Parrott requested Mr. Clark to give the Attorney’s Report. Mr. Clark informed the Committee of one tax appeal issue that involved a farmland assessment rollback that had been denied. Mr. Clark recommends we appeal the County’s decision to continue the farmland assessment on this property.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Parrott read into record two letters he received in response to his concerns regarding security in our school systems; one from Raymond Nazarro, Interim Superintendent, Sussex Wantage Schools, and one from John Hallum, Superintendent, High Point Regional High School.

OLD BUSINESS – None

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Space made a motion to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage held on September 28, 2006, Regular Meeting. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Parrott read a letter into record requesting Governor Corzine to meet with the governing bodies of both Wantage Township and Sussex Borough to discuss the merger between these two Townships. Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that he did receive a response from the Governor’s scheduling department to review when the Governor could meet.

Mayor Parrott explained that a major part of the Township’s interest regarding a possible merger with Sussex Borough involved the Borough holding off on the sale of any of their COAH credits to other municipalities, as these credits would benefit Wantage Township in reaching the Township’s COAH obligations. This interest was expressed in writing to the Sussex Borough Clerk, and the Sussex Mayor informed Mayor Parrott that she was indeed aware of this desire and interest of Wantage Township. Mayor Parrott reported that even after receiving a written request to hold off on sale of their excess COAH credits, Sussex Borough held a meeting earlier this week and agreed to enter a Regional Contribution Agreement with Green Township, which did exactly the opposite of what Wantage had requested.

Mayor Parrott explained that in all interlocal service agreements, Wantage Township is acting as a “good neighbor” by helping another municipality to meet the needs of their taxpayers. However, in choosing partners for interlocal service agreements, Wantage Township must seek municipalities that are willing to help Wantage Township meet its needs in exchange for Wantage Township’s help in meeting their town’s needs.

The governing body expressed disappointment in the decision of Sussex Borough to sell their excess COAH unit credits to another municipality, and agreed with Mayor Parrott’s belief that Wantage will need to concentrate efforts for shared services with communities that are willing to work with Wantage to the same extent that Wantage is willing to work with them.
With this in mind, the Mayor and Committee agreed to review all remaining interlocal agreements with Sussex Borough, including use of the Salt Shed and Fire Department agreements, and seek a dialogue with Sussex Borough to determine if Sussex has a desire to work with Wantage toward meeting mutual needs of both towns.

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.

Art Jacobs, 38 Beemer Church Road, voiced his concerns regarding Sussex Borough’s decision and the affect consolidation efforts would have on the school systems.

Ann Smulewicz, 108 Route 23, thanked Mr. Jacobs for his professionalism and dedication in heading the Sussex Wantage School Board.

As there was no one else from the public who wished to come forward, Mayor Parrott closed the meeting to the public.

As there were 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 at 9:37 p.m.

________________________________
James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk