MINUTES OF THE 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 DECEMBER 13, 2007

Mayor William DeBoer called the regular meeting of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage to order, and requested the Clerk to call the roll. Upon roll call, the following members of the governing body were present: Mayor DeBoer, Committee member and Space. The following member was absent: Mr. Parrott. Also present: Township Attorney Michael Garofalo.

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

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor DeBoer 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 DeBoer requested approval of the Consent Agenda.

REPORTS

• Report of the Tax Collector for the month of November 2007
• Report of the Construction Office for the month of November 2007
• Report of the Board of Health for the month of November 2007
• Report of the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the month of November 2007
• Report of the Municipal Clerk for the month of November 2007

RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Space moved to approve Payment of Bills for the meeting of December 13, 2007
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to authorize Transfer of Budget Appropriations as per Budget Transfer Resolution dated December 13, 2007.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to authorize the renewal of contracts with Franklin Borough for Wantage Township to provide Animal control and dog pound service during calendar year 2008.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to approve Change Order #1 for the project entitled Reconstruction of Blair Road – Section III, authorizing reduction in total contract price for Salmon Brothers Inc., amounting to $3,541 less than the original contract sum.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

RESOLUTIONS

Mr. Space moved to authorize the refund of $7,100.00 to ALMAR, for a tax sale premium, associated with Block 98 Lot 2.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to authorize the refund of $973.08 to Joseph & Rose Constantino, for a homestead rebate received from the state, associated with Block 21 Lot 22.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to authorize the refund of $1,200.00 to Alan O’Lear for a homestead rebate received from the state, associated with Block 130 Lot 9.01.
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

Mr. Space moved to authorize the refund of $4,500.00 for DW-05-03 and 500.00 for SH-05-02 to Fine Homes for a seeding and haying and driveway bond, associated with Block 157 Lot 3.07
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: Parrott Abstain: None.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Mayor DeBoer requested Mr. Doherty to give the Administrator’s report.

Gypsy Moth Program 2008 – Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has concluded their Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Survey for Wantage Township.
The results show numerous pockets in Wantage Township along the northerly border that qualify for the State’s gypsy moth spray contracts.

2008 costs-per-acre for spraying have not yet been determined, but even with a modest cost increase over the 2007 figures, Wantage Township would need to spend $102,000 in order to cover the acreage identified in the survey. Mr. Doherty further informed the Committee that a decision must be provided no later than December 28, 2007 in order to qualify for spraying contracts. The Committee agreed by consensus that Mr. Doherty inform the State that Wantage Township does not wish to participate.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mayor DeBoer requested Mr. Garofalo to give the Attorney’s report.

Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that CJS has challenged the conditions for approval of their application against the Wantage Township Land Use Board.

COMMITTEE REPORTS – None.

OLD BUSINESS – None.

NEW BUSINESS

Final Hearing of Ordinance2007-18: United Telephone Consent Ordinance

Mr. Space moved to adopt on final hearing, Ordinance 2007-18, entitled “AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY OF UNITED TELEPHONE COMPANY OF NEW JERSEY, INC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS TO USE THE VARIOUS PUBLIC ROADS, STREETS OR HIGHWAYS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, FOR ITS LOCAL AND THROUGH LINES AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES AND PRESCRIBING THE CONDITIONS THEREOF.”
Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion.

Prior to final roll call vote, Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments they may have regarding this proposed Ordinance. As there was no one from the public who wished to come forward, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Space. Nays: None. Absent: Parrott. Abstain: None.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments.

Joy Steinbacher, Lake Neepaulin, asked when the ordinance will be ready for introduction regarding the co-signing of the loan for dam repairs. Mr. Doherty informed Ms. Steinbacher that the ordinance should be ready for introduction in January 2008.

There being no one else from the public wishing to address the Committee, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public.

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

Mayor DeBoer declared this meeting to be adjourned.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk