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 MARCH 8, 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 members Parrott and Space.
The following member was absent: None. Also present: Township Attorney Michael Garofalo.

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.

CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Parrott moved to approve the filing of “Public Notice – Change of Meeting Date for the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage from April 12, 2007 to April 5, 2007” Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

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

• Report of the Tax Collector for the month of February 2007
• Report of the Construction Office for the month of February 2007
• Report of the Board of Health for the month of February 2007
• Report of the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the month of February 2007
• Report of the Municipal Clerk for the month of February 2007
• Wantage Municipal Court Security Plan for calendar year 2007

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

RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Parrott moved to approve Payment of Bill for the meeting of March 8, 2007.
Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott moved to authorize refund of raffle license to Sussex Wantage P.T.O. in the amount of $40.00. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott moved to acknowledge the Ruling made by the State of New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits, granting Bernice Bajda Disability Retirement effective August 1, 2006. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott moved to adopt the Annual Recycling Tonnage Grant Application resolution:
WHEREAS, The Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act, P.L. 1987, c. 102, has established a recycling fund from which tonnage grants may be made to municipalities in order to encourage local source separation and recycling programs; and

WHEREAS, It is the intent and spirit of the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act to use tonnage grants to develop new municipal recycling programs and to continue and expand existing programs; and

WHEREAS, The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has promulgated recycling regulations to implement the Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act; and

WHEREAS, These recycling regulations impose on municipalities certain requirements as a condition for applying for tonnage grants, including, but not limited to, making and keeping accurate, verifiable records of materials collected and claimed by the municipality; and

WHEREAS, a resolution authorizing this municipality to apply for such tonnage grants will memorialize the commitment of this municipality to recycling and indicate the assent of the township committee to the efforts undertaken by the municipality and the requirements contained in the Recycling Act and recycling regulations; and

WHEREAS, such a resolution should designate the individual authorized to ensure that the application is properly completed and timely filed,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, that Wantage Township hereby endorses the submission of a Municipal Recycling Tonnage Grant Application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Recycling, and designates Jim Doherty, Administrator Clerk, 888 State Highway 23, Wantage, NJ to ensure that the said application is properly filed.

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

Mr. Parrott moved to adopt the following resolution, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign the SHARE Grant Agreement with the NJDCA for a $20,000 grant to upgrade the Wantage Township Vehicle Fuel Management System:

WHEREAS, the Governing Body of the Township of Wantage received notice from the SHARE Program of its eligibility to receive a SHARE Grant in the amount of $20,000.00; and,

WHEREAS, the purpose of the award is to upgrade the Wantage Township Municipal Fuel Management System by installing a Fleet Key System with PC software report function, 50 encoded keys, and pulsers for unit;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage that the Governing Body does hereby accept the award of $20,000.00 to upgrade the Wantage Township Municipal Fuel Management System by installing a Fleet Key System with PC software report function, 50 encoded keys, and pulsers for unit;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Executive Officer of the Township of Wantage be and he is hereby authorized to execute a Grant Agreement with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs on behalf of the Township of Wantage and all other local units that are party to the SHARE Grant Agreement, and upon execution of said Agreement, the Township of Wantage does accept the Terms and Conditions specified in the Agreement in connection with this grant award.

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

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

Liquor License Transfer - Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that he had received the necessary paperwork from the State of New Jersey to transfer liquor license to Presti Liquors, for transfer of the former Heater’s Bar liquor license. Mr. Doherty will inform the applicant to advertise the transfer once again since so much time has passed since they had placed their original advertisements in the newspaper. Mr. Doherty advised the Committee they would be in a position to authorize the transfer at the next meeting.

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

Mr. Garofalo requested a brief executive session to discuss pending litigation.

Mr. Parrott informed the Committee that he received correspondence that the Department of Transportation will be re-aligning Route 565 at Glen Road and Clark Street.

Mayor DeBoer informed the Committee that he received a call regarding McCoy’s corner and the County Waste Water Management Plan and he and the Land Use Board are currently working to address the situation.

OLD BUSINESS

Maione Developer Agreements: Mountainview Manor at Wantage

At this time Mr. Parrott recused himself from the meeting.

Mr. Space moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a developer’s agreement with Mountainview Manor at Wantage. Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: Parrott Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott resumed his Committee seat at this time.

Morris Land Conservancy: Mayor DeBoer informed the Committee that he has spoken to the Land Use Board, Mr. Parrott, Mr. Space and Township professionals, and all agreed that it would be in the Township’s best interest to use Morris Land Conservancy to prepare the local open space plan once the Township has received word from ANJEC whether or not the Township will be receiving grants funds for this project.

Mr. Space moved to adopt a resolution of intent to utilize the services of Morris Land Conservancy, and submit an ANJEC Grant application. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously.

Clove Hill Manor Residents Request for Audience: Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public to hear concerns of residents of Clove Manor.

Joan Gengaro, 2 Horizon Court, expressed concern regarding persistent dog barking from the Wantage Township Pound. Ms. Gengaro said that she and other members of Clove Hill Manor are addressing the Committee to personally ask for help in solving this problem. Ms. Gengaro said that so far the Township and Assistant Animal Control Officer John Abate have been very cooperative, by closing the dog runs earlier, but Ms. Gengaro stated her belief that these methods are not sufficient to address the noise concern. Ms. Gengaro stated her belief that the residents of Clove Hill Manor are not afforded the same right to quiet enjoyment that other Wantage Township residents are, and offered options for consideration of the Committee which would include abandoning plans for expansion, stop taking animals from neighboring towns, restructure the pound to house cats only and contract out dog pound services.

Mayor DeBoer reported that he has been in touch with Mr. John Maione, Developer of Clove Hill Manor, to come up with some type of landscape improvements that would act as a sound barrier for the pound. Mayor DeBoer further informed Ms. Gengaro that the Committee must do what is best for all residents and taxpayers and not just those of Clove Hill Manor; and cutting current interlocal service agreements with neighboring communities would decrease the amount of revenue for all taxpayers. Mr. Abate informed Ms. Gengaro and the Committee that there are other sound proofing measures he can take at the pound, but would like to get more feedback regarding their effectiveness from other pounds and shelters currently using these methods.

Ms. Gengaro requested to set up a meeting with Mr. Doherty, a member of the Committee and some individuals she has used to come up with what she feels the dog pound is currently costing Wantage Township taxpayers. Mr. Doherty welcomed such a meeting and asked Ms. Gengaro to contact her individuals first for a meeting date and then he and a Committee member will be available.

Mr. Parrott informed Ms. Gengaro that he has been in touch with a landscape architect who informed him that blue spruce trees act as a sufficient sound barrier and the Committee will work together for all Wantage residents and taxpayers, and that Mr. Maione will work with the Township in this regard also.

Anne Smulewicz, Route 23, stated that she does not believe that the Wantage Township Pound should be a collection agency for other communities.

Various residents voiced their concerns regarding the issue of noise from barking dogs.

The Mayor and Committee thanked the public for attending this evening, and Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public and resumed the regular order of business.

NEW BUSINESS

Final Hearing: Ordinance 2007-07: Dog License Fee Amendment

Mr. Space made a motion to adopt on final reading, Ordinance 2007-07, entitled “AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER XXI OF THE GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, INCREASING DOG LICENSE FEES FOR WANTAGE TOWNSHIP”. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion

Prior to final roll call, Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public for any questions or comments with regard to this proposed Ordinance. There being no one present wishing to address the governing body on this matter, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public and requested a roll call vote. Upon Roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Introduction of 2007 Wantage Township Municipal Budget

Mr. Parrott made a motion to Approve (Introduce) the 2007 Wantage Township Municipal budget, with a public hearing date scheduled for April 5, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon Roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Parrott asked questions regarding tax appeals, fuel oil and group health insurance costs. Mr. Doherty informed that the budget figures for 2007 should be adequate for these line items together with prior years’ reserves.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Space made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Wantage governing body held on February 22, 2007. Mayor DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon Roll call: Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Parrott

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Duane Armstrong, Sherman Ridge Road, asked that the speed limit be reduced on Libertyville from Sherman Ridge to Barry Road to 25 miles per hour. Mr. Armstrong voiced concerns regarding the safety of residents walking or biking to Woodbourne Park.

Mr. Doherty and Mr. Garofalo informed Mr. Armstrong that the State Department of Transportation determines speed limits based upon speed data and has already made the determination to lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour, based on requests of the Township several years ago. The Committee agreed to put up some signs, get in contact with the State Police and High Point Regional High School to inform them of speeding problems.

A resident asked about the possibility of licensing cats, and Mr. Doherty informed that the Wantage Township Board of Health does not recommend this. A brief discussion took place regarding Trap-Neuter-Release programs and possible agencies willing to fund such a project. Mr. Doherty informed the public that he has looked into these programs in the past, but the anticipated start up costs have proven overburdening on the Township. Mr. Doherty stated that the Township governing body has previously indicated they remain open to reviewing the feasibility of such a program for consideration, if it can be implemented without negative impact on the taxpayers.

There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor DeBoer closed the meeting to the public.

Mr. Space made a motion to enter into executive session as follows:

WHEREAS, the Open Public Meetings Act, P. L. 1975, Chapter 231 permits the exclusion of the public from a meeting in certain circumstances; and WHEREAS, this public body is of the opinion that such circumstances presently exist; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, that the public shall be excluded from discussion of the following matters: pending litigation: CJS. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minutes will be kept on file in the municipal clerk’s office, and once the matter involving the confidentiality of the above no longer requires that confidentiality, then the minutes shall be made public. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: Parrott, DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

After meeting in closed executive session, Mayor DeBoer reconvened the meeting in open session and the governing body continued with the regular order of business.

Mr. Parrott moved to adopt the following resolution REAFFIRMING THE TOWNSHIP’S COMMITMENT TO SEEK INITIAL PLAN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE PLANNING COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the State Planning Commission, pursuant to its responsibilities under the State Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 52:18A-196 et seq., has prepared and adopted a State Development and Redevelopment Plan (State Plan which includes a State Plan Policy Map); and

WHEREAS, in adopting a State Plan, the State Planning Commission has laid out goals, policies and objectives for the use of land in the State of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, the State Planning Commission is empowered, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:18A-203 of the State Planning Act, to adopt rules and regulations to carry out and implement its statutory responsibilities and purposes, including establishing a process for the endorsement of municipal, county and regional plans that are consistent with the State Plan; and

WHEREAS, the State Planning Commission encourages municipalities, regions and counties to demonstrate that their plans are consistent with the goals, policies and objectives of the State Plan, thereby rendering their plans eligible for endorsement by the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Wantage is committed to seeking initial plan endorsement from the State Planning Commission as evidenced by the following Township actions and documents:

• Wantage Master Plan Re-examination Report - approved by Wantage Township Land Use Board in 2003.
• Wantage Township Master Plan - adopted in 2003, including a section dedicated to the State Plan and the Sussex County Strategic Growth Plan (in progress). The Township Master Plan recommended future development south and adjacent to Sussex Borough along the west side of Route 23 and in the four existing “Centers”. The “Environs” was planned to emphasize low-density residential development and farmland preservation. These policies are consistent with the State Plan.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2004-14 — establishing Residential Development Fees for low and moderate income housing.
• Township’s response to Sussex County Strategic Growth Plan – December 27, 2004.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2005-2 - Revising R-1 Zone District to the RE-5 Residential District with three development options: (1)Traditional development 5 acres lots; (2) Environmental Preservation 2 % acre minimum lot with constraints; (3) Open Space/Agricultural Preservation 5 acre with cluster option and mandatory side aside of land.
• Land Use Board Hearing on Master Plan Amendment - March/April 2005 involving Transfer of Development Credits and the Route 23 Corridor. Amendment was not adopted because of significant public opposition.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2005-3 - Aquifer Protection and Well Testing to ensure adequacy of potable ground water supply for new development.
• Wantage Master Plan Amendment Housing and Fair Share/Growth Share Plan - adopted December 2005 and submitted by Township Committee to COAH for certification.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2006-12 -Amending Ordinance 2004-11 by replacing revised Growth Share Requirements for Affordable Housing.
• Wantage Master Plan Amendment - August 2006 redefining the development policies and goals for the Route 23 Corridor consistent with discussions with Sussex County.
• Adoption of Ordinance 2006-9 - establishing the Planned Small Community Villages and Hamlets (PSC) to manage future growth consistent with smart growth policies of the Master Plan, Sussex County Strategic Growth Plan and the New Jersey State Plan.
• Land Use Board Approval Wantage Village and Wantage Ridge Site Plans - January 2007.

WHEREAS, the Township of Wantage has submitted to the County of Sussex a sewer service map that fosters development south and adjacent to Sussex Borough along the Route 23 Commercial Corridor; and

WHEREAS, the Township of Wantage wishes the County of Sussex to endorse the sewer service plan submitted by the Township of Wantage.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wantage Township Committee and the Wantage Township Land Use Board reaffirms its commitment to seeking Initial Plan Endorsement from the State Planning Commission in line with the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan and the Sussex County Strategic Growth Plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Township will shortly complete a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) which is the last element of Plan Endorsement that must be submitted to Sussex County and the State Planning Commission.

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

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

Mayor DeBoer declared this meeting to be adjourned.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk