January 6, 2026 Minutes
Reorganization Meeting of the Mayor and Commmittee

Administrator Michael Restel called the meeting to order at 7PM.

Oath of Office

Melissa Morales, Municipal Clerk, read the "Statement of Determination" of the Board of County Canvassers, relative to an election held in the Township of Wantage County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, for the election of certain officers for said municipality on the 4th day of November 2025.
The said Board does determine that the said election:

Name	Office	Term
Ronald Bassani	Committeeman	3 year

was duly elected to the office and for the term above set forth.

DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true, full and correct statement of the determination of the Board of Canvassers therein mentioned.

In WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand, this 19th day of November 2025.
Attest by Jeffrey M. Parrott, Sussex County Clerk, Clerk of the Board of County Canvassers.

Mrs. Morales Administered the Oath of Office to Ronald Bassani.

Roll Call of Township Committee Members for the Year 2026

Present: Ronald Bassani, Justin Dudzinski, Justin VanderGroef.

Committee Appointment: Mayor for the Year 2026

Mr. Restel opened the floor for Committee nominations for the position of Mayor for 2026.
Mr. Bassani nominated Mr. VanderGroef. Mr. Dudzinski seconded the motion.
Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.
Mrs. Morales Administered the Oath of Office to Mayor VanderGroef

Committee Appointment: Deputy Mayor for the Year 2026

Mayor VanderGroef opened the floor for the Committee nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor for 2026. Mr. Bassani moved to name Mr. Dudzinski as Deputy Mayor for 2026. Mayor VanderGroef seconded the motion. Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Open Public Meetings Act Compliance

Mayor VanderGroef stated, "This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, Public Laws of 1975, Chapter 231. It has been properly advertised and certified by the Clerk."

Flag Salute

Mayor VanderGroef invited all those in attendance to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag.

Boards, Commissions, and Committees

Mayor VanderGroef made known his nominations for appointment to the various boards, agencies, and commissions of the Township, as follows:

Land Use Board

Justin VanderGroef, Class l Member, for a term running through 12/31/2026

Position	Name	Term
Class II member	Joe Konopinski	exp. 12/31/2026
Class III member	Ron Bassani	exp. 12/31/2026
Class IV member		exp. 12/31/2029
Class IV member	Larry Bono	exp. 12/31/2027
Class IV member		exp. 12/31/2029
Class IV member	Mike Walther	exp. 12/31/2027
Class IV member	Chris Darmstatter	exp. 12/31/2027
Alternate member #1	George Unverzagt	exp. 12/31/2026
Alternate member #2	Keith Albinson	exp. 12/31/2027
Alternate member #3	Victoria Gill	exp. 12/31/2026
Alternate member #4		exp. 12/31/2026
Chairperson		exp. 12/31/2028

Mayor VanderGroef opened the floor to the Committee, for the Class III appointment to the Land Use Board, for a one-year term running through 12/31/2026.

Mayor VanderGroef nominated Mr. Bassani for the Class III appointment to the Land Use Board. Mr. Dudzinski seconded the motion. Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Mayor VanderGroef will revisit the nominations for the remaining vacancy before LUB’s reorganization.

Committee Appointments

Board of Health

Name	Term
Erza Holley	exp. 12/31/2028
Harriet Anderson	exp. 12/31/2029
Paul Ranzan	exp. 12/31/2027
Peter Linsay	exp. 12/31/2030
Karen Jackson	exp. 12/31/2026

Local Emergency Management Committee 2026

Position	Name	Term
Emergency Management Coordinator	Joseph Konopinski	thru 12/31/26
Deputy Coordinator #1	Thomas Madsen	thru 12/31/25
F.A.S.Alternate	Stan Gardner	thru 12/31/26
Damage Assessment	Joseph Butto	thru 12/31/26
Fire Chief, EMC Member	Hunter Space	thru 12/31/26
Communications, EMC Member	William Gebhard	thru 12/31/26
DPW Supt., EMC Member	Mark Little	thru 12/31/26
Sanitarian, EMC Member	Elain Detweiler	thru 12/31/26
Finance/Resource Mgt., EMC	Ashley Kannaley	thru 12/31/26
Resource Management	Charles Rokonsny	thru 12/31/26
Mayor, EMC Member	Justin VanderGroef	thru 12/31/26
Public Information Officer	Mike Restel	thru 12/31/26
Evacuation	Leroy Little	thru 12/31/26
Operations, EMC Member	Joseph Konopinski, Jr.	thru 12/31/26
Operations, EMC Member	Alex Rubin	thru 12/31/26
Media	New Jersey Herald	thru 12/31/26

Mayor VanderGroef requested the Committee to confirm the mayor’s nominations as shown above.
Mr. Bassani made the Motion and was Seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Professional Appointments

Mayor VanderGroef offered the following nominations for professional appointments of the Township of Wantage for 2026, as follows:

Position	Name	Term
Township Judge:	Peter Fico, Esq.	Exp. 12/31/2026
Township Attorney:	Glenn Kienz	Exp. 12/31/2026
Township Bond Counsel:	McManimon, Scotland & Baumann, LLC	Exp. 12/31/2026
Township Auditor:	Nisivoccia LLP	Exp. 12/31/2026
Township Prosecutor:	Robert S. Bohrod	Exp. 12/31/2026
Township Engineer:	Corey Stoner; Harold Pellow & Assoc	Exp. 12/31/2026
Public Defender:	John Grey	Exp. 12/31/2026
Alternate Public Defender:	Michael Justice	Exp. 12/31/2026
Municipal Finance Advisors:	Phoenix Advisors	Exp. 12/31/2026

Mr. Bassani made the Motion and was Seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Mayor's Appointments

Mayor VanderGroef presented his nominations for appointment to the various positions of the Township Government for the year 2026, as follows:

Position	Name
Subdivision Approval Certification Officer:	Melissa Morales
Recycling Coordinator:	SCMUA
Assessment Search Officer:	Melissa Morales
Qualified Purchasing Agent:	Michael L Restel
Municipal Affordable Housing Liaison:	Michael L Restel
Public Agency Compliance Officer for Affirmative Action:	Michael L Restel
Municipal Chief Finance Officer – 4-year appt through 12/31/27	Ashley Kannaley
PERS/PFRS Certifying Agent:	Ashley Kannaley
Tax Search Officer:	Melissa Caton
Tax Collector 4-year appointment through 12/31/27:	Melissa Caton
Tax Assessor 4-Year appointment through 12/31/28	Kristy Lockburner
Principal Public Works Manager:	Mark Little
Animal Control Officer:	Melanie Monastra
Emergency 911 Coordinator:	Joseph Konopinski
Risk Management Consultant-Health Benefits:	Vozza Agency
Risk Management Consultant-Statewide Insurance Fund:	Keith Mitchell, The Mitchell Agency

Mr. VanderGroef made the Motion and was Seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Ayes: Dudzinski, VanderGroef, Bassani. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Open Space Advisory Committee

Mayor VanderGroef offered the following nominations for appointment of members to the 2026 Open Space Advisory Board of Wantage Township:

Mr. Ronald Bassani
Ms. Victoria Gill
Mr. Justin Dudzinski
Ms. Allison Orsi

Mr. Bassani made the Motion and was Seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Recognition of Line Officers

2026 Officers, Wantage Township First Aid Squad

Position	Name
President:	Bill DeBoer
Vice President:	Stan Gardner
Chief:	Andrew Smetana
Captain:	Michael Sprung
1st Lieutenant:	James Watson
2nd Lieutenant:	Zachary Sprung
Secretary:	Carmella Sta Teresa

Mrs. Morales administered the Oaths of Office

Approval of Consent Agenda

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. A motion was made by Mr. Bassani and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

RESOLUTIONS

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #01-2026

Designate Appointment of Municipal Judge, Municipal Attorney, Bond Counsel, Municipal Auditor, Risk Manager, Prosecutor, Public Defender and Alternate Public Defender for Calendar Year 2026

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5 et. seq. Allows for a municipality to award a contract without public advertising for bids and bidding thereof under certain circumstances, and

WHEREAS, the Township has a need for assistance during the course of this calendar year involving various professional services, and

WHEREAS, the services being solicited are essential to the security of the community, and

WHEREAS, the contract award for these services complies with requirements set forth by N.J.S.A.19:44A-20.4 et seq., as shown on the attached Pay to Play Compliance Statement; and

WHEREAS, the governing body of the Township of Wantage is of the opinion that the circumstances for professional service contractual arrangements, as required by NJSA 40A:11-5(1) are satisfied in this situation,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, that the following contracts be and they are hereby approved without the need for public advertisement of bids and bidding thereof:

Awarded to: Peter Fico, Esq.
Services: Municipal Judge
Duration: calendar year of 2024, 2025 and 2026
Amount: Salary set forth by Wantage Township
Awarded to: Glenn Kienz, Esq., of the law firm Weiner Lesniak, Parsippany, NJ
Services: Township Attorney
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: Varies based on service per fee schedule attached to contract
Awarded to: The law firm McManimon Scotland and Baumann of Roselle Park, NJ
Services: Township Bond Counsel
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: Varies based on service per fee schedule attached to contract
Awarded to: Nisivoccia LLP
Services: Township Auditor
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: Varies based on service per fee schedule attached to contract
Awarded to: Robert S. Bohrod, Law Offices of Robert S. Bohrod
Services: Township Prosecutor
Duration: December 31, 2026
Amount: $3,500.00 per month
Awarded to: Keith Mitchell, The Mitchell Agency of Newton, NJ
Services: Risk Management Consultant
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: Commission based on service contract with Statewide Insurance Fund
Awarded to: John Grey
Services: Public Defender
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: $1,400.00 per month
Awarded to: Michael Justice
Services: Alternate Public Defender
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: $200.00 per case
Awarded to: Corey Stoner, Harold Pellow & Associates
Services: Township Engineer
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: $150.00 per hour
Awarded to: Pheonix Advisors
Services: Municipal Finance Advisors
Duration: calendar year of 2026
Amount: Varies based on service per fee schedule attached to contract

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 40A:11-5, the Township Clerk is hereby directed to post a copy of this resolution on the bulletin board of the Township Hall, and publish a brief public notice stating the nature, duration, service and amount of the contracts herein awarded, and stating that said contract and this resolution are on file and available for public inspection in the office of the Municipal Clerk.

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, at a meeting held on January 6, 2026.

Melissa Morales, RMC
Wantage Township Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #02-2026

APPROVING TEMPORARY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2026

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 40A:4-19 of the Local Budget Law, provides that, where any contracts, commitments or payments are to be made prior to the final adoption of the 2026 Budget, temporary appropriations should be made for the purposes and amounts required in the manner and time therein provided; and

WHEREAS, the total appropriations in the 2025 Budget, less appropriations made for Capital Improvement Fund, Debt Service, and Public Assistance for the Current Fund is the sum of $5,502,519.58.; and,

WHEREAS, 35.00% of the total appropriations in the 2025 Budget, less appropriations for Capital Improvement Fund, Debt Service, and Public Assistance in the said 2025 Current Fund Budget is the sum of $1,925,881.86;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, County of Sussex that the following temporary appropriations be made and that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief Financial Officer for her records.

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, New Jersey, at a meeting held on January 6th, 2026.
Melissa Morales, Municipal Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #03-2026

ESTABLISH THE RATE OF INTEREST TO BE CHARGED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES & UTILITIES

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 54:4-67 permits the governing body of each municipality to fix the rate of interest to be charged for non-payment of taxes or assessments subject to any abatement or discount for the late payment of taxes as provided by law; and

WHEREAS, N.J.S.A. 54:4-67 has been amended to permit the fixing of said rate of 8% per annum on the first $1,500.00 of the delinquency and 18% per annum on any amount in excess of $1,500.00, and allows an additional penalty of 6% to be collected against a delinquency in excess of $10,000.00 on properties that fail to pay the delinquency prior to the end of the calendar year;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, as follows:

The Tax Collector is hereby authorized and directed to charge 8% per annum on the first $1,500.00 of taxes becoming delinquent after due date and 18% per annum on any amount of taxes in excess of $1,500.00, becoming delinquent after the due date, and if the total amount due on December 31, is in excess of $10,000.00, an additional penalty of 6% shall be charged against the delinquency.
There will be a ten (10) day grace period for quarterly tax payments. However, any payments not paid within the ten-day grace period will be charged interest from the due date.
The Tax Collector is hereby authorized to proceed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 54:4-123, “Receiver of Rents and Income from Real Property in the Municipality for Collection and Satisfaction of Delinquent Taxes”, as provided by statute, for collection of delinquent taxes.
The Township Clerk shall provide a certified copy of this resolution to the Tax Collector, Township Attorney, and Township Auditor for the Township of Wantage.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #04-2026

OVERPAYMENT/UNDERPAYMENT OF TAXES

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, that the Tax Collector be and she is hereby authorized to cancel of record any overpayment or underpayment of taxes and/or utilities in the amount of $10.00 or less for the calendar year 2026, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A 40A:5-17.1.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #05-2026

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A CASH MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE

BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that for the calendar year 2026, the following shall serve as the cash management plan of the Township of Wantage.

The Chief Financial Officer is directed to use this cash management plan as the guide and is empowered to invest cash funds as bank balances will allow from time to time in order to realize a revenue.

IDENTIFICATIONOF FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS TO BE COVERED BY THE PLAN
The Plan is intended to cover the deposit and/or investments of the following funds and accounts of the Township of Wantage:
- Current Fund/Current Account
- Grant Fund/Current Account
- General Capital Fund/General Capital Account
- Animal Control Fund/Animal Control Account
- Other Trust Funds/Trust Other Account
- COAH Trust/COAH Trust Accounts
- Developers Escrow
- Assessment Trust Fund/Assessment Trust Account
- Open Space Fund/Open Space Account
- Payroll Account
- Flexible Spending Account
- Public Assistance Fund/Public Assistance Account
The following are authorized as suitable investments:
1. Interest-bearing bank accounts in banks as authorized above for deposit of local unit funds which are GUDPA approved
2. Certificates of deposit in GUDPA approved banking institutions
3. Bonds or other obligations of the United States of America or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America. This includes instruments such as treasury bills, notes, and bonds.
4. Government money market mutual funds that comply with N.J.S.A. 40A:5-15.1(e).
5. Any federal agency or instrumentality obligation authorized by Congress that matures within 397 days from the date of purchase, and has a fixed rate of interest not dependent on any index or external factors
6. Bonds or other obligations of the local unit or school district of which the Township is apart.
7. Any other obligations with maturity not exceeding 397 days, as permitted by the State Division of Investments.
8. Local government investment pools which comply with N.J.S.A. 40A:5-15.1(e) and conditions set by the Division of Local Government Services.
9. New Jersey Cash Management Fund
10. Repurchase agreements (re pos) of fully collateralized securities which comply with N.J.S.A. 40A:5-15.1(e)
11. New Jersey Asset & Rebate Management Program
12. New Jersey CLASS
All municipal funds received by any official or employee shall be deposited within 48 hours to an interest-bearing account in the same name of the Township of Wantage. Additionally, funds can be received utilizing methods of electronic and/or automated clearing house as deemed appropriate by the Chief Financial Officer.
The following funds shall not be required to be maintained in interest bearing accounts:
1. Change Funds
2. Petty Cash Funds
3. Trust funds to the extent that the deposit of such funds to an interest-bearing account would require by law the payment of interest to the provider of the funds
4. Any grant funds required by the grant agreement not to be placed in interest bearing accounts
5. Any other funds or balance which, due to reasons of practicality or requirements of some regulatory authority, must be placed in non-interest-bearing accounts.
No municipal funds shall be disbursed by the Chief Financial Officer prior to the approval of the Committee of the Township of Wantage except for:
1. Debt Service Payments
2. Investments
3. Utilities
4. Leases and/or Contract Agreements
5. Tax Payments made to the County of Sussex, the Sussex Wantage Board of Education, and High Point Regional High Schools
6. Payroll and Payroll Turnovers to agencies
7. Contributions to the NJ State administered pension system
8. Payments deemed necessary by the Chief Financial Officer and Township Administrator
Items a-h shall be submitted to the Township of Wantage Committee for approval on the bill list resolution presented at the next township committee meeting.
There are no approved security broker/dealers. In the event that a security broker/dealer should be approved during the year, the registered principal of said brokerage firm so approved shall be provided with and sign an acknowledgment that they have seen and reviewed the cash management plan.
The following banks and financial institutions are hereby designated as official depositories for the Deposit of all public funds referred to in the Plan, including certificates of deposit which are not otherwise invested in Permitted Investments as provided by this Plan:
The Provident Bank
The following Township Officials are hereby designated as those authorized to sign checks and warrants for the withdrawal of funds from the official depositories of the Township of Wantage for the year 2026:
1. Mayor Justin Vander Groef
2. Township Administrator Michael Restel
3. Chief Financial Officer Ashley Kannaley
Electronic Disbursement/Claimant Certifications: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:5-16 (c) and Regulatory N.J.A.C. 5:30 9.6 up to or below $17,500 of payments to vendors do not require claimant’s certification unless to satisfy the township on the integrity of the received goods or services. The following require claimant’s certication:
1. Goods and Services over $17,500.
2. Advanced Payments
3. Employee reimbursements for goods or services

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, this plan shall be in effect from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 as approved by the committee of the Township of Wantage.

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, at a meeting held on January 6th, 2026.
Melissa Morales, Municipal Clerk

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #06-2026

DESIGNATE BANKS AS THE OFFICIAL DEPOSITORIES FOR TOWNSHIP FUND IN 2026

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, that the following Banks be and they are hereby designated as depositories for the funds of the Township of Wantage for the calendar year 2026:
Provident Bank

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief Finance Officer of the Township of Wantage be and she is hereby authorized to invest and reinvest the Township’s Funds in the above-designated official depositories, in accordance with the statutory duties of the office of Chief Finance Officer and the Municipal Ordinances governing said duties.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #07-2026

Establishing Schedule of Public Township Committee Meetings for 2026

WHEREAS, Section 13 of the Open Public Meetings act, approved October 21, 1975 as Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, requires every public body to post and maintain posted throughout the year a schedule of the meetings of said public body;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Town of Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey that the following schedule for 2026 indicates all public meetings of the Wantage Township Committee will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, unless otherwise indicated, Wantage Township, Committee Room, 888 Route 23, Wantage, New Jersey; and

Committee Meetings
7:00 p.m.

January 6 and 22
February 12 and 26
March 12 and 26
April 9 and 23
May 14 and 28
June 11 and 25
July 16
August 13
September 10 and 24
October 8 and 22
November 19
December 3 and 17 (first and third Thursday in December)

Tuesday, January 5, 2027 — Reorganization and Regular Meeting

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #08-2026

Designate Newspapers that will Received Notices Required by the NJ Open Public Meetings Act for 2026

WHEREAS, Section 3D (2) of the Open Public Meetings Act, approved October 21, 1975 as Chapter 231, P.L. 1975, requires every public body to designate two (2) newspapers to receive notices required to be mailed, telephoned, telegrammed or hand delivered;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage that it hereby designates the newspapers listed below as newspapers to receive notices required by the Open Public Meetings Act:

New Jersey Herald
New Jersey Sunday Herald

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #09-2026

Designate Legal Newspaper for Calendar Year 2026

WHEREAS, by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage that the newspapers listed below be designated as the official newspapers for the Township of Wantage for legal advertising during the 2026 calendar year.

New Jersey Herald
New Jersey Sunday Herald

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #10-2026

AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP ATTORNEY AND THE TOWNSHIP TAX ASSESSOR TO DEFEND THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE AGAINST ALL APPEALS FILED DURING CALENDAR YEAR 2026

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, that the Township Attorney Glenn Kienz, and the Township Tax Assessor Kristy Lockburner, be and they are hereby officially authorized to represent the Township of Wantage for Tax Appeals filed for 2026, for the purpose of correcting the Township of Wantage Tax List including but not limited to rollback complaints, added and omitted assessment complaints, and such other appeals as are necessary to correct the assessment for the Township of Wantage,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Attorney and the Township Tax Assessor be and they are hereby designated as the agents of the Township of Wantage for the purpose of entering into and signing settlements of the foregoing matters by stipulation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Attorney and the Township Tax Assessor shall be compensated for their services in the defense and representation of the Township, with respect to Tax Appeals filed for 2026, in accordance with the existing employment contract on file for the Township Attorney and Township Tax Assessor, respectively, in effect for calendar year 2026.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #11-2026

Legal Township Holidays for 2026

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of Want-age, that the following dates shall be recognized as official Township Holidays for the calendar year 2026, during which municipal offices shall be closed to the public in recognition of the said Holidays:

Date	Holiday
Thursday, January 1, 2026	New Year’s Day
Monday, January 19, 2026	Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 16, 2026	President’s Day
Friday, April 3, 2026	Good Friday
Monday, May 25, 2026	Memorial Day
Friday, July 3, 2026	Independence Day
Monday, September 7, 2026	Labor Day
Monday, October 12, 2026	Columbus Day
Wednesday, November 11, 2026	Veteran’s Day
Thursday, November 26, 2026	Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 27, 2026	Day after Thanksgiving
Thursday, December 24, 2026	Christmas Eve
Friday, December 25, 2026	Christmas Day
Friday, January 1, 2027	New Years Day

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #12-2026

APPROVE THE INSURANCE BONDS AND BLANKET BONDS FOR VARIOUS MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, approve the insurance bonds for various municipal officials and the blanket bond covering all bondable officials for the calendar year 2026.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #13-2026

AUTHORIZE THE ADMINISTRATOR, MUNICIPAL CLERK, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND QUALIFIED PURCHASING AGENT TO HAVE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING AUTHORITY

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Committee of the Township of Wantage, in the County of Sussex, New Jersey, authorize the Administrator, Municipal Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Qualified Purchasing Agent to have discretionary spending authority of up to $17,500 on any given purchase or project during calendar year 2026, with any proposed expenditure above this amount being brought to the governing body for authorization prior to the issuance of a purchase order.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #14-2026

RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR SPECIFIC PAYROLL RELATED SERVICES

WHEREAS, the Township requires provision of specific payroll-related services for the officers and employees of the Township of Wantage,

WHEREAS, R&L Services 44 Main Street PO Box 548, Township of Bloomsbury, County of Hunterdon, State of New Jersey has been awarded the Specific Payroll Related Services for the Township of Wantage.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, County of Sussex that it hereby awards the contract for Wantage Township Payroll Services to R&L Services.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION #15-2026

Resolution Regarding Publication of Legal Notices After March 1, 2026

WHEREAS, pursuant to recent amendments to New Jersey law, public entities may continue to publish required legal notices in qualifying newspapers until March 1, 2026; and

WHEREAS, effective March 1, 2026, public entities will no longer be required to publish such notices in newspapers, and may instead post them on their official websites or on the centralized statewide public notice website to be established by the New Jersey Secretary of State; and

WHEREAS, the governing body seeks to ensure compliance with the new statutory requirements and maintain transparency for the public;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that beginning March 1, 2026, all required legal notices of the Township of Wantage shall be posted in accordance with the new law, including:

Publication on the Township of Wantage official website in a clearly designated “Public Notices” section; and
Submission to the centralized statewide public notice website, once operational; and
Optional supplemental publication in local newspapers for additional public outreach.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk is authorized to take all necessary steps to implement this policy and ensure timely posting of all required notices.

TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE RESOLUTION # 16-2026

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WANTAGE, ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR COMPLIANCE WITH 2026 PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGNATING THE TOWNSHIP’S OFFICIAL WEBPAGE FOR LEGAL NOTICES.

WHEREAS, beginning January 1, 2026 and continuing through December 31, 2026, local governments within the State are required to publish public notices no less than twice per month; and

WHEREAS, each public notice must include (i) a hyperlink to the local government’s official webpage for legal/public notices, and (ii) a statement that the complete text of each legal notice of the local government may be obtained or viewed on the local government’s official website, together with the direct hyperlink to that webpage; and

WHEREAS, each public notice must also include a hyperlink to the Secretary of State’s public notice webpage, which the Secretary of State is required to establish no later than March 1, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the new law further provides that, until the Secretary of State’s public notice webpage becomes available, a local government shall be deemed compliant so long as each published notice includes the link to the local government’s official legal/public notice webpage;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Wantage, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, as follows:

Designation of Official Legal/Public Notice Webpage.
The Township hereby designates the following webpage as its official location for posting all Township legal/public notices (the “Official Notices Page”): https://www.wantagetwp.com/PublicNotices/
Required Twice-Monthly Publication.
The Township Clerk is directed to arrange for the publication of a public notice no fewer than two times per month from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, and to maintain documentation including publication dates, publisher information, and proofs of publication.
Mandatory Notice Language.
Each published public notice shall include the following text or substantially similar language, with active hyperlinks:
Beginning in 2026, the complete text of all legal notices for the Township of Wantage may be viewed on the town’s website https://www.wantagetwp.com/PublicNotices/ and on the NJ Secretary of State’s legal notices webpage https://nj.gov/state/statewide-legal-notices-list.shtml.
Interim Compliance.
Until the Secretary of State’s public notice webpage is established, the Township shall be deemed compliant so long as each published notice includes the Official Notices Page link.
Maintenance of Website and Records.
The Township Administrator, IT staff, and Township Clerk shall ensure that the Official Notices Page remains publicly accessible, current, and functional, and that all legal notices posted to the page are maintained in accordance with applicable records retention laws.
Administrative Adjustments.
The Township Clerk is authorized to make non-substantive formatting revisions, hyperlink display adjustments, and related modifications as needed to ensure clarity, accuracy, and compliance with publication outlet requirements.
Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.