March 12, 2026 Minutes
Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Commmittee

Mayor VanderGroef called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and requested that the Clerk call the roll. Upon roll call, the following members of the governing body were present: Committeeman Ron Bassani, Deputy Mayor Justin Dudzinski, Mayor Justin VanderGroef. Also present: Township Clerk Melissa Morales and Administrator Michael Restel. Absent: Attorney Louis Karp.

Mayor VanderGroef stated, “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act, P.L. 1975, Chapter 231. It has been properly noticed and certified by the Clerk.”

Consent Agenda

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to approve Resolution #61-2026 through #64-2026 with the removal of PO #21959 for C&E Tires in the amount of $72.00.

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

Mr. Bassani made a motion to approve PO #21959 for C&E Tires in the amount of $72.00 and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: VanderGroef.

Mr. Bassani made a motion to approve Resolution #65-2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None Abstain: None. Mayor VanderGroef read into record the Child Abuse Proclamation

2026 Budget

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to Introduce of the 2026 Wantage Township Municipal Budget.
Mr. Bassani made a motion to Introduce of the 2026 Wantage Township Municipal Budget and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None. Budget adoption is scheduled for April 9, 2026.

Resolution #66-2026

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to add Resolution #66-2026, a resolution authorizing the public display of fireworks at Wantage Township Woodbourne Park on July 18, 2026.

Mr. Bassani made a motion to approve Resolution #66-2026 and seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Reports

Administrator/Clerk's Report

Mr. Restel visited the Habitat of Humanity house on Wednesday; it’s a work in progress.
Mr. Restel stated he attended the JCP&L meeting on 3/11, one of the discussions was about the rate increases, which is due to the infrastructure.
Mr. Restel attended the Gottheimer meeting on Monday 3/12.
Mr. Restel stated regarding the 2026 Budget, we are under state review which occurs every 3 years.
Mr. Restel held a brief discussion regarding the 250th anniversary with Sussex Borough parade.

Mayor's Report

Mayor VanderGroef stated the Budget meeting was on 3/5 and thanked Mrs. Kannaley and Mr. Restel, for all their work on it.

Deputy Mayor's Report

Mr. Dudzinski asked Mr. Restel if he can get Vernon’s short-term rental ordinance to review and move forward with short-term rentals in Wantage.
Mr. Dudzinski asked what the overpayment of taxes resolution on the consent agenda are.

Committeeman's Report

Mr. Bassani offered no report.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Committee Meeting on February 26, 2026. Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to approve the minutes of the Mayor and Committee Budget Meeting on March 5, 2026. Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Ordinances

Ordinance #05-2026

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adopt Ordinance 05-2026 an Ordinance of the Township of Wantage, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey repealing and replacing Chapter 27 Affordable Housing of the revised general ordinances of the Township to repealing section 13-5.10 growth share ordinance to comply with the New Jersey Fair Housing Act and affordable housing obligations and repealing Chapter 27 affordable housing and adopting new Chapter 27 affordable housing.

Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski.
Mayor VanderGroef opened the meeting to the public. There was no public comment.
Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Ordinance #06-2026

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adopt Ordinance 06-2026 an ordinance amending the revised general ordinances of the Township of Wantage, Chapter 13, Zoning, adding §13-24.24 Mandatory Set-Aside.

Ordinance #07-2026

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adopt Ordinance 07-2026 an Ordinance amending the revised general ordinances of the Township of Wantage, Chapter 13, Zoning, §13-4B, §13-4C and §13-4D.

Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski, as revised.
Mayor VanderGroef opened the meeting to the public. There was no public comment.
Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Ordinance #08-2026

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adopt Ordinance Ordinance 08-2026 an Ordinance appropriating the sum of $25,000.00 for improvements to the Township Building.

Ordinance #09-2026

Mayor VanderGroef made a motion to introduce Ordinance 09-2026 an Ordinance amending the revised general ordinances of the Township of Wantage, Chapter 13, Zoning, §13-4D.

Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. Upon Roll Call: Ayes: Bassani, Dudzinski, VanderGroef. Nays: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None.

Open Public Session

Connor Yaworsky, Haggerty Rd., just wanted to say “hi”.

Dave Silverthorn, Frankford Township, wanted to introduce himself as the newly elected County Commissioner for the Board of County Commissioners.

Kathy Gorman, Fernwood Rd., held a discussion regarding APRA (abandoned properties rehabilitation act) and asked for Wantage to consider an Ordinance.

Anthony Intili, Pigeon Hill Rd., Mr. Intili stated he is the Sussex Wantage Little League field manager and a general contractor. Mr. Intili stated he is willing to donate his time along with a well contractor to install a well at Papakating Park. Mr. Intili is requesting some support from the Township with power and fuel. Discussion ensued.

Adjournment

Mayor VanderGroef requested a motion to adjourn.
Mr. Bassani made a Motion and was seconded by Mr. Dudzinski. All were in favor.
Meeting Adjourned 7:34 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Melissa Morales, Township Clerk

March 12, 2026 MinutesRegular Meeting of the Mayor and Commmittee