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 OCTOBER 25, 2007

Mayor William DeBoer called the 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

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.

APPLICATIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve Raffle Application RA08-01 to High Point Wildcat Booster Club, to conduct an off premise 50/50 raffle drawing on May 22, 2008 at High Point Regional High School. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve Raffle Application RA07-26 to American Legion Post 213, to conduct an off premise 50/50 raffle drawing on December 7, 2007 At the American Legion Building. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

RESOLUTIONS
Mr. Space moved to approve renewal of Liquor License 1924-33-004-002 for CT Productions, based on Special Ruling by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control allowing consideration of renewal for this liquor license for the 2007-08 licensing term.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to approve the Resolution of Audit Compliance in accordance with the Regulations promulgated by the Local Finance Board of the State of New Jersey.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Susan Vanden Heuval from the Board of Recreation Commissioners, effective immediately.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize Postponement of Mortgage for 1990 Housing Rehabilitation Loan, for Thomas and Patricia Prout of 12 Sunrise Drive, subject to verification of submittals by the Wantage Township Municipal Attorney. Mr.. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize cancellation of outstanding check #6529 in the amount of $500 and check #6712 in the amount of $20, said money being canceled to surplus.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize refund from a State Tax Appeal associated with Block 32 Lot 9.08, in the amount of $2,864.99 to Barbara Butas.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize refund of a Homestead Rebate, for Block 133.05 Lot 3 in the amount of $250.00 to Christopher & Jessica Mitchell.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Space moved to authorize refund of seeding and haying bond 2007-DW-14 for Block 130 Lot 6.09, in the amount of $2,000.00 to Kelly Smolen.
Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION

Mayor DeBoer offered a Mayor’s Proclamation for Matthew McGarva on achieving Eagle Scout designation.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

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

Plan Endorsement Process:
Mr. Doherty informed the Committee of a recent meeting in Trenton with representatives of the Office of Smart Growth. The Township officials are pursuing the necessary actions outlined for Wantage Township to continue the process now that it has begun. Action is being taken to send a digital copy of the 2003 Wantage Township Master Plan to the OSG, and Mr. Doherty is reaching out to potential members of the Plan Endorsement Advisory Committee. The municipal self-assessment process will then be conducted. This process will be an on-going planning project, and will require the budgeting of $10,000 in the 2008 municipal budget in order to continue the process. Mr. Doherty recommended Parker Space, Jim Smith, Diane Snure, Maggie Kolicko and Bob Kohle be appointed to the Plan Endorsement Advisory Committee at the next meeting.

Lake Neepaulin Dam Meeting:
A tentative date of Monday November 12 at 7:00 pm was suggested. Mr. Doherty will coordinate the scheduling of this meeting.

Mr. Space moved to accept, with regrets, the resignation of Louise Macherone from the Board of Recreation Commissioners, effective immediately.

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

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mayor DeBoer requested Mr. Garofalo give the Attorney’s report. Mr. Garofalo asked for a brief executive session at the end of the meeting regarding the CJS litigation.

COMMITTEE REPORTS – None

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

Final Adoption of Ordinance 2007-15: Fee Schedule Amendment

Mr. Space made a motion to adopt on final reading Ordinance 2007-15, entitled “A motion is in order to adopt on final hearing, Ordinance 2007-15, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE TO ADD FEES RELATED TO COAH ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS IN CHAPTER XXI, §21-1 ET SEQ. THE “WANTAGE TOWNSHIP FEES” CHAPTER”. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion.
Prior to final roll call, Mayor DeBoer opened the meeting to the public for any comments regarding this ordinance. Since 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, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Introduction of Ordinance 2007-16: Sign Regulations

Mr. Space made a motion to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2007-16, entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE WANTAGE TOWNSHIP LAND USE REGULATIONS, SPECIFICALLY CHAPTER XIII, THE ZONING ORDINANCE, TO AMEND AND CONSOLIDATE THE REGULATIONS FOR SIGNS THROUGHOUT THE TOWNSHIP”. Final Hearing set for November 29, 2007. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

The Committee requested that Mr. Doherty invite Land Use Chairman Jim Smith to attend the public hearing.

Introduction of Ordinance 2007-17: No Parking on Hankins Road

Mr. Parrott made a motion to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2007-17, entitled “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NO PARKING ON HANKINS ROAD”. Final Hearing set for November 8, 2007 Mr. Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Space made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular and Executive session minutes of the meeting of the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage held on October 11, 2007. Mr. Parrott seconded the motion. Upon Roll call: Ayes: DeBoer, Parrott, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Joy Steinbacher, 24 Hudson Ave, asked who will be notifying the residents of the meeting being scheduled for Lake Neepaulin. Mr. Doherty will take care of this. Bob Heiden, 32 Old Clove Road, suggested that the Fire Department be present to explain the effect closing the dam would have on firefighting efforts within the Township. Mr. Parrott will contact Dan Kent to attend.

Mr. Parrott addressed the public at this time, regarding recent erroneous information being presented in the local newspapers through letters to the editor. Mr. Parrott presented various facts and accomplishment during his past six years as a Wantage Township Committeeman. Mr. Parrott took a moment to outline some of the positive changes he and the Governing Body, along with the Township Administrator, have implemented since he was elected: Wantage Township has one of the lowest tax rates in Sussex County; the 5 acre zoning requirement; a hydrology study; budget review with the schools twice yearly; LOSAP for public safety volunteers; a $118,000 decrease in hospitalization costs; negotiation of one of the lowest union rate increases in the county; upgraded fire equipment and road improvements, bonded debt at the lowest interest rates available in several decades; COAH obligations borne by the builder and not the general public; an increase in interlocal service agreements; increasing the percentage of farmland preserved land to 24%; an average 4.5% local tax rate increase over the past six years, when the consumer price index was at 3.1 to 3.2%; implementing an open space tax and open space advisory committee; and successfully holding off state police funding for the next three years.

Robert Heiden wished Mr. Parrott luck. Joy Steinbacher expressed appreciation that this Committee does work with individuals and groups such as Friends of Lake Neepaulin to make sure each concern is properly addressed.

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

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

Mayor DeBoer declared this meeting to be adjourned.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk