MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
April 13, 2004
Minutes
Mayor Butto called the session to order at 7:10 p.m. and opened the meeting, stating that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, P>L> 1975, c. 231, and has been duly advertised.
The Clerk was asked to call the roll.
Present: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs,
Mayor Butto
Absent: None
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to go into executive session for reasons of personnel.
The motion was seconded by Committeeman Krebs.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to close the executive session and reconvene the regular meeting.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Township Budget Introduction:
Mr. Earl Snook, Municipal Accountant addressed the Committee regarding the budget. He said basically the budget had remained the same. The tax rate is approximately the same at .282 cents.
The Committee thanked Mr. Snook for coming to the meeting.
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to introduce the budget.
Deputy Mayor Barbagglo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Approval of Minutes: Regular Session 3-23-04,
Executive Session 3-23-04
Committeeman John Soracco made a motion to approve the above referenced minutes.
Committeeman Joseph Zitone seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs,
Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Ordinances:
First Reading:
2004-04 An Ordinance Concerning Adult Book Store
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to adopt Ord. 2004-04 on first reading.
Committeeman Zitone seconded the motion.
The motion was passed by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
First Reading:
Ord. 2004-06 An Ordinance for Tax Abatement
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to table Ord. 2004-06.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Second Reading:
Ord. 2004-03 An Ordinance Concerning Body Art
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to adopt Ord. 2004-03
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
Public Hearing:
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to open the public hearing.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Emily Sanchez
Ms. Sanchez asked about the ordinance and advised the Committee that some people are not aware of what is going on in the Township and suggested that the agenda be posted in the Post office.
There were no other comments.
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to close the public hearing.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The motion by Committeeman Zitone to adopt Ord. 2004-03 on second reading was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Second Reading:
Ord. 2004-05 An Ordinance for Driveways
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to adopt on second reading
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
Public Hearing:
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to open the public hearing.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
There was no comment from the public.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to close the public hearing.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Committeeman Zitone's motion to approve Ord. 2004-05 was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Resolutions
R2004-30 A Resolution for Outside Lien Redemption
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to adopt R2004-30.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2004-31 A Resolution for Dedication by Rider for the Fire Prevention Bureau
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to approve R2004-31.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2004-32 A Resolution for Accumulated Absences
Committeeman Joseph Zitone made a motion to table R2004-32.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Old Business
Town Center Designation
Mayor Butto addressed the Committee regarding the requirements the Township is to meet regarding Town Center Designation. This subject was discussed at the Land Use Board meeting.
Benz Tract
Action on a resolution concerning the Benz Tract was tabled until the next meeting by motion of Committeeman Zitone.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Letter from SN Servicing Corporation
A letter from SN Servicing Corporation regarding a foreclosure of a property with a Small Cities mortgage containing an offer of
of settlement was received.
Committeeman Joseph Zitone made a motion to have the Township Attorney write them a letter explaining that the full amount of the mortgage is necessary.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Fire Truck
Denis Murphy, Attorney for the Township advised the Committee that he had prepared Resolution 2004-37 rejecting the bid as non-
responsive.
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to reject the bid on the advice of our attorney as it does not meet our specifications.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Sarocco, Committeeman Zitone.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Block 48, Lot 44
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to have the Township engineer plot Block 48, Lot 44 and give the report to the Assessor.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
New Business
Montague School Budget
Mr. Mark Witkowski, School Business Administrator did a presentation of the school budget for the Committee. He also explained that a good part of the budget is mandated by the
State of New Jersey. A lengthy discussion ensued. The Committee thanked Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Witkowski for coming to the meeting
and explaining to them what is included in this years budget.
Contract for the Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Program
Committeeman Joseph Zitone made a motion to approve for signing the Small Cities Housing Rehabilitation Contract.
Committeeman Sarocco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Sarocco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Reports:
Zoning Report for March, 2004
Tax Collector's Report for March, 2004
The Township Committee noted receipt of the above mentioned reports.
Approval of Vouchers - Payment of Bills:
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to pay the bills.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Correspondence:
Soil Conservation Notice
There is no site plan or building permits for the property referred to in this notice. The only thing that the owner wanted to do was to level the property. The rumors that were circulating are false.
Resignation:
Betsy Cuneo submitted her resignation as municipal clerk to become effective as of April 30, 2004.
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to accept the resignation of
Betsy Cuneo as municipal clerk with thanks for all her help to the Township.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The Committee decided not to take a vote, but rather to note receipt of the resignation instead.
Public Participation
Committeeman Sarocco made a motion to open to the public.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Reginald Cole
Mr. Cole questioned Committeeman Krebs concerning his motion about Block 48, Lot 44.
Dorothy Ames
Ms. Ames wanted to know why a letter from Betty Romyns and
Linda Hines was not addressed. Ms. Ames was told there was a request to withdraw the letter from Mrs. Romyns and Mrs. Hines.
Mayor Butto asked if there was anyone else from the public who wished to speak. There was no one.
Committeeman Sarocco made a motion to close public participation.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Adjourn:
Committeeman Sarocco made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsy Cuneo
Municipal Clerk
Transcribed by,
Helen F. Felter
Deputy Municipal Clerk