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 JANUARY 3, 2008

Mayor Parker Space 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 Space, Committee members DeBoer and Nuss. The following members were absent: None. Also present: Township Attorney Michael Garofalo.

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

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Space 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 Space requested approval of the Consent Agenda.

APPLICATIONS

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve Membership application in Wantage Township Fire Department for Shannon Van Orden, 71 Fernwood Road.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve Membership application in Wantage Township Fire Department for Darryl Wuhrl, 5 Holland Fernwood Road.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve Membership application in Wantage Township Fire Department for William Vallone, 9 White Pine Trail.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

RESOLUTIONS

Mr. DeBoer moved to approve Payment of Bill for the meeting of January 3, 2008.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize Transfer of Budget Appropriation Reserves as per Budget Transfer Resolution dated January 3, 2008. Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the refund of $1,201.34 to Paul & Colleen Ranzan representing refund of a tax overpayment, associated with Block 80 Lot 11.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the refund of $881.59 to Steven Conklin,. representing refund of a tax overpayment, associated with Block 59 Lot 1.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the refund of $250.00 to JoAnn DeMaria, representing refund of a tax overpayment, associated with Block 71 Lot 3.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

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

Friends of Lake Neepaulin - Mr. Doherty advised the Committee that he met with Joy Steinbacher today to discuss preliminary scheduling for the application to the DEP to rehabilitate the Lake Neepaulin Damn. There will be a meeting later this month and asked the Committee to see his correspondence regarding a back-up plan should the loan be denied.

Mileage Reimbursement - Mr. Doherty recommended that the mileage reimbursement should be raised to keep up with the IRS rate which is at 50.5 cents for 2008.
Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize the Wantage Township mileage reimbursement to 50 cents per mile for the year 2008. Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Spreen Road Update – Mr. Doherty informed the Committee that the plans to complete Spreen Road in 2007 were unsuccessful and the constant freeze and thaw has made Spreen Road barely passable. The road will be completed in 2008 using millings from other County projects as the base.

Budget Planning Update – Mr. Doherty gave an update regarding the 2008 budget which may result in a larger tax increase than last year due to an increase in snow removal costs and a decrease in revenues received in 2007.

Mr. DeBoer moved to authorize change the budget meeting from January 10 to January 24, 2008 at 9:00 am. Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Notification System for Escapes at Stokes State Forest Correctional Facility:
Mr. Doherty asked the Committee if he should reconfirm that Wantage Township Administrator is on the list of persons to be contacted when an escape takes place.

General discussion and review took place on this topic, after which the governing body agreed that Mr. Doherty should take steps to reconfirm the notification procedure.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT

Mayor Space requested Mr. Garofalo to give the Attorney’s report. Mr. Garofalo has nothing new to report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS – None

Sussex-Wantage School Board President Art Jacobs and New Supt. Edward Izbicki:
Art Jacobs, School Board President addressed the Committee regarding their recent accomplishments which included improvements to the roofs, parking areas, fences, fresh paint, boiler, water main, new math books and some extra curricular programs. The school is currently remodeling the old library to house the Board of Education Offices, all within their current budget. Mr. Jacobs introduced Dr. Edward Izbicki who was recently named School Superintendent.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS

Introduction of Ordinance 2008-01: Budget Cap
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2008-01, entitled “CY 2008 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A: 4-45.14)” Final Hearing date set for January 31, 2008. Mayor Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: Nuss Absent: None Abstain: None

Introduction of Ordinance 2008-02: Salary
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to introduce on first reading, Ordinance 2008-02, entitled “ORDINANCE FIXING THE SALARIES OF OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY, FOR THE YEAR 2008” Final Hearing date set for January 31, 2008.
Mrs. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Discussion of Proposed Ordinance: Sign Regulations -
The Committee decided to carry this discussion until the January 31, 2008 meeting.

Approval of Minutes
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular and executive session meetings of the Wantage Governing body held on December 27, 2007.
Mayor Space seconded the motion. Upon Roll call: Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: Nuss

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Al Shpiruk asked about a weight limit for Spreen Road rather than fixing it. Mr. Doherty explained that by the time such an option would be authorized through the State of New Jersey, the Township hopes to have the road repaired, but thanked Mr. Shpiruk for bringing up a possible alternative.

John Nuss suggested the local radio station be put on the list when an escape occurs.

Elizabeth Shevlin, FOLN asked for clarification on the two ordinances which would have to be introduced. Mr. Doherty explained that a motion to sign the agreement was already made and only one ordinance would be needed to authorize a special assessment.

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

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

Mayor Space declared this meeting to be adjourned.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk