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 member was 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
Ms. Nuss made a motion to approve the following resolution:

Resolution Renewing Liquor Licenses for 2008-2009 Licensing Term
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, does hereby approve the renewal of the liquor licenses named below for the licensing term of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009:

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

Mrs. Nuss made a motion to approve Seeding and Haying bond refund to Jeff Parrott in the amount of $1,600.00, for Block 42 Lot 30. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Ms. Nuss made a motion to approve Seeding and Haying bond refund to Jeff Parrott in the amount of $2,500.00 for Block 21 Lot 23. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Ms. Nuss made a motion to approve a tax overpayment refund to Jeff Coyle in the amount of $504.88, for Block 125 Lot 4.05. Mr. DeBoer seconded the motion. Upon roll call,
Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT - None.

ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Mayor Space requested Mr. Garofalo present the Attorney’s report.

Mr. Garofalo informed the Committee that the lowest qualified bidder for the Central School Road Box Culvert was Empco Contracting.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to award a contract to Empco Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $93,781.00 for the Replacement of Central School Road Box Culvert. Ms. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. DeBoer informed the committee that he has been approached by concerned citizens regarding the power company looking at Wantage Township as a proposed site for their high density wires. Mr. DeBoer also explained that he is not in favor of this proposed construction.

Mr. Garofalo informed that he has been in touch with a representative from PSE&G and the odds are not in favor of these lines being constructed in Wantage Township.

Ms. Nuss informed that she has requested PSE&G to provide a map of the proposed construction sites and would also like a mini-workshop scheduled with PSE&G to discuss this matter.

Mayor Space informed the committee that the name of Elizabeth Nuss has been forwarded for consideration to fill a vacancy of the Recreation Commission.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to appoint Elizabeth Nuss to the Recreation Commission. Mayor Space seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Nuss.

Mayor Space confirmed the appointment of Elizabeth Nuss to the Board of Recreation Commissioners for a term running through 12/31/09.

NEW BUSINESS

Approval of Minutes
Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve the minutes of the Wantage governing body held on June 12, 2008. Ms. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon Roll call: Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to authorize a driveway bond refund for Jennifer Cary Nuss in the amount of $3,000.00, for Block 38 Lot 6.07. Mayor Space seconded the motion.
Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Nuss

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to acknowledge a liquor license transfer application from Licata LLC (Wantage Plaza Liquor Outlet) to Jersey Innovative Investments LLC, and the tabling of further consideration until the tax clearance certificate is received. Ms. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Mr. DeBoer made a motion to approve a Resolution to submit a grant application and execute a grant agreement with the New Jersey Department of Transportation for the project named “Reclamation of Holland Road – Section I.” Ms. Nuss seconded the motion. Upon roll call, Ayes: DeBoer, Nuss, Space Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

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

Joy Steinbacher 24 Hudson Avenue, informed the Committee that there have been break-ins and vandalism in the Lake Neepaulin area recently. Mayor Space will contact the state police and the County Sheriff’s office to see if they can assist in a patrol of the Lake Neepaulin area.

Ms. Steinbacher also asked if the residents of Lake Neepaulin can pay off the entire special assessment related to the dam repair. Mr. Garofalo will look into this matter.

Ann Smulewicz, several residents of Clove Hill Manor, and various other residents complained of the increased taxes they saw in their estimated bills. The residents were informed that the estimates used are those dictated by State law for a municipality to use when issuing an Estimated Tax Bill. Residents were encouraged to wait for the actual Tax Bill to see the true increase.

Residents of Clove Hill Manor expressed their opinion regarding the paving and plowing of the roads within their development. The residents were informed that Wantage Township has no jurisdiction over those roads until the developer has completed the paving and turned the roads over to the Township.

A resident asked if Wantage Township was borrowing to purchase open space lands. The resident was informed that funds already collected and to be collected through the annual local open space tax will be dedicated to pay the $800,000 bond ordinance.

A discussion ensued regarding the 2008 municipal budget and various lines items which were increased and decreased. The residents were encouraged to see the C.F.O. to review the actual budget document for detail as well as any invoices related to snow removal for the year 2007 and 2008.

Craig Coykendall stated that his road had no grits on it, just salt.

As there was no one further 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. Ms. 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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Christine VonOeson, Deputy Clerk