MINUTES OF THE JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF SUSSEX, HELD AT THE SUSSEX BOROUGH HALL, 2 MAIN STREET, SUSSEX, N.J. ON THE DATE OF JUNE 17, 2008

Mayor Chris Parrott called the meeting to order on behalf of the Borough of Sussex.
Sussex Borough Clerk Cathy Gleason called the roll of the Sussex Borough governing body.
Present: Mayor Parrott, Council members Rose, Fronheiser, Fransen, Dykstra
Absent: LaBar, Meyer

Mayor Parker Space called the meeting to order on behalf of the Township of Wantage.
Wantage Township Clerk Jim Doherty called the roll of the Wantage Township governing body. Present: Mayor Space, Committeepersons DeBoer, Nuss

Mayor Parrott stated "This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. It has been properly advertised and posted, and certified by the Clerk".

Mayor Space stated "This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, P.L. 1975, Ch. 231. It has been properly advertised and posted, and certified by the Clerk".

Mayor Parrott invited all present to Salute The Flag, and to join in a moment of silent meditation.

Selection of Consolidation Study Commission Members

Mayor Parrott stated that the Sussex Borough governing body met last evening, and after interviewing all interested candidates, have chosen the following individuals to serve on the Consolidation Study Commission: Alonzo Little, Chuck McKay, Pam Flynn, Sal Lagattuda, and Ed Meyer.

Mayor Space and Mr. Doherty stated that the Wantage Township governing body met last Thursday and interviewed all interested candidates, and in preparation for this evening’s meeting, each member of the governing body submitted a list of five names to Mr. Doherty without consultation. Based on that preliminary list, three persons received unanimous support for appointment to the Commission: Earl Snook, Sharon Hosking, and Wayne Dunn.

Ms. Nuss moved to appoint Earl Snook, Sharon Hosking, and Wayne Dunn to the Consolidation Study Commission. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Doherty stated that there are still two more positions to be appointed, and informed the governing body of other candidates whose name was included on the preliminary lists. Mr. Doherty invited the members of the Wantage governing body to consider the remaining names and when ready, make a motion to appoint.

Ms. Nuss moved to appoint Art Jacobs to the Consolidation Study Commission. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion.

On the question, Mayor Space stated that in selecting his five candidates, he considered it important to get a wide range of age groups represented on the commission, and also believed it was important to select individuals who have not already been an elected official, for the sake of getting a fresh perspective. For those reasons, Mr. Jacobs was not one of the five persons that Mayor Space had chosen for consideration. There being no one else wishing to speak, Mayor Space asked for a roll call vote. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss Nays: Space Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Doherty stated that by a vote of 2 to 1, Mr. Jacobs has been appointed to the commission.

Mr. DeBoer moved to appoint Greg Kresge to the Consolidation Study Commission. Mayor Space seconded the motion. There was no discussion on the motion, so Mayor Space requested a roll call vote. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None Absent: None Abstain: None

Mr. Doherty stated that by a vote of 3 to 0, Mr. Kresge has been appointed to the commission.

Establishing Organization Meeting Date For Consolidation Study Commission

Mayor Space and Mayor Parrott invited Mr. Doherty to address the members of the Study commission.

Mr. Doherty asked the commission members present when they would wish to hold their Organization Meeting.

After discussion, the date of July 1, 2008 was chosen for the Organization Meeting, to be held at 7:00 p.m. at Sussex Borough Hall.

Mr. Doherty distributed “Welcome to the Commission” information packets from the governing bodies to the commission members.

General Discussion took place between members of the governing bodies and Commission members at this time. Mr. Franzen asked to what extent any guarantees have been given regarding grant money from the State being available to pay for the study.

Mr. Doherty replied that there are no guarantees but there are strong assurances of available funds, and that Deputy Director Marc Pfeiffer from the Division of Local Government Services would be present at the Organization meeting to help guide the commission members on this and other points.

Mr. Jacobs asked how the commission members should undertake investigations and gather information to complete the study.

Mr. Doherty stated it would be prudent to funnel all questions and assignments through the Commission Secretary and/or the commission’s Consultant.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Mayor Parrott and Mayor Space opened the meeting to the public at this time, for any questions or comments involving the good and welfare of the community.

Mr. Jacobs stated his understanding of the correct way to verbalize the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.

There being no one else present wishing to address the governing bodies, Mayor Parrott and Mayor Space closed the meeting to the public and the governing bodies will return to the regular order of business.

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 on behalf of Wantage Township.
Mayor Parrott declared the meeting to be adjourned on behalf of Sussex Borough.

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James R. Doherty, Administrator/Clerk