MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

MINUTES

April 11, 2006

Regular session begins at 8:00 PM unless otherwise noted.

Mayor Brislin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, P>L> 1975 c.231 and has been duly advertised.

Present were: Committeeman Soracco, Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Utter, Mayor Brislin, Attorney Hinkes, Clerk Francisco

Excused:: Committeeman Krebs

Executive Session-Personnel matters and possible litigation.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee feels it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss such matters in closed session.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Montague County of Sussex, State of New Jersey that it shall enter closed session to discuss only those matters mentioned above; the results of which may be made public immediately thereafter or at a later date.

Dated April 11, 2006

Attest:

Diana Francisco

Acting Clerk

Committeeman Soracco motioned to go into Executive Session. Committeeman Lashendock seconded. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

With no other matters to discuss in Executive Session, the Executive Session was closed on motion of Mr Soracco, seconded by Mr. Lashendock, with all members in favor.

Those present were asked to join in the Flag Salute ceremony.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to open to the public regarding agenda items. Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all members in favor.

Fred Drake thanked the Committee for the clay for the softball field as well as many others.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to close to the public. Committeeman Soracco seconded, the motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to close public participation. Committeeman Soracco seconded. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to accept the minutes of January 24, 2006, February 14, 2006, February 28, 2006, March 14, 2006 with a name correction.

Committeeman Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a roll call vote.

1/24/06, 02/14/06, 02/28/06, 03/14/06 vote Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Utter, Mayor Brislin.yes: Committeeman Soracco abstained from vote on minutes of January 24, 2006 Committeeman Krebs, absent.

Mayor Brislin appointed Richard Clauberg and James Guimes to a General Advisory Committee.

Committee Reports:

Committeeman Soracco reported that the Board of Health meeting occurred on March 6, 2006, however the County Board of Health Representative did not attend do to confusion in their schedule.

Administration-

Charles Teurfert, Recreation Committee, requested the Township Committee approve a Yard Sale at the Municipal Building on June 10, a rain date June 11, 2006.

He also reported that Miss Montague Contest and Barbeque is tentatively scheduled for July 1, 2006. Committeeman Soracco motioned to approve the Yard Sale for June 10 and rain date of June 11, 2006. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Lashendock. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Laurie Coss requested that we include Little Miss, Little Mister, and Junior Miss Contests at the same time as Miss Montague. Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to approve the addition of Little Miss, Little Mister and Junior Miss. Committeeman Soracco seconded. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution R2006-21 PERSON TO PERSON /PLACE TO PLACE LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER. Committeeman Soracco motioned to adopt the above referenced resolution. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded . The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Resolution R2006-22 STATEWIDE INSURANCE FUND RESOLUTION TO JOIN FUND

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to adopt the above referenced resolution. Committeeman Utter seconded. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Resolution R2006-23 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GRANT AGREEMENT

Committeeman Soracco motioned to adopt the above referenced resolutions. The motion was seconded by Committeeman Utter. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

ORDINANCES:

Deputy Mayor Lashendock motioned to adopt Ordinance 2006-07 ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK

(N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) on first reading. Committeeman Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote. Committeeman Krebs-absent

INTRODUCTION OF 2006 BUDGET:

Committeeman Soracco motioned to adopt the 2006 Municipal Budget on first reading.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion. Budget to be considered for final adoption May 9, 2006 The motion was carried by roll call vote. Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Utter, and Mayor Brislin- yes: Committeeman Krebs-absent.

Committeeman Soracco motioned to approve the PTA's raffle application. Committeeman Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

The Township Engineer, Jack O'Krepky discussed at length the New Myrtle Drive reconstruction.

Mr O'Krepky suggested the Township Committee go back to the residents of New Myrtle Drive and/or take a look at alternatives by altering the reconstruction of the road.

Mayor Brislin opened discussion to the public.

Louanne Cular reported the residents (18 recorded property owners)of New Myrtle Drive have hired attorney Dick Clark to represent them. Other residents commented on the cost of attorney fees, and other alternatives to construct the road. Questions regarding whether or not the road is private versus a township road were also voiced by the public.

The attorney reported the Committee serves as Board Of Health with certain populations versus an autonomous Board of Health. Mayor Brisling requested the Governing Body consider re-adopting an autonomous board of health. An Advisory Board of Health is also an alternative.

Further discussion deferred to a later date.

Attorney William Hinkes stated that Recreation is currently acting as a hybrid. A Recreation Commission under state statute is different than the current Board of Commissioners, where the Commissioners need approval of Governing Body to act and is discretionary.

Delaware River Joint River Toll Bridge Commission. Committeeman Utter reported 2 members of the Township Committee along with Grant Consultant Fred Suljic and the Clerk, met with the representatives from the Commission to discuss interest in funding a new heliport, emergency generator and a park and ride. Applications to be made at a later date.

Keller Dam requested co-signing of a loan. Attorney Hinkes stated, he would have something further for the committee in a month or so.

Old Business- Fire Lane

Currently posted as a "No Parking Zone", and will remain as is.

Committeeman Soracco motioned to approve The Bills List. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote, by those present.

Correspondence

Committeeman Lashendock motioned to amend the agenda to add correspondence. Committeeman Utter seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Municipal Court request to change the day of the court session to the third Thursday of the month and to a daytime session. Committeeman Soracco motioned to open to the public for comment. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded. The motion was carried. Mr Drake asked if it would interfere with the secretaries in the building. Brief discussion took place and the committee determined they needed more information from the court.

The Municipal Clerk Francisco letter of resignation.

Committeeman Utter motioned to accept the Clerk's letter of resignation with regret. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with a unanimous roll call vote of those present.

Montague Sewer Company requested the use of Town Hall to hold a meeting regarding rate increases. Mayor Brislin commented that any of the four dates in question would be alright and the Clerk to notify of same.

Public Participation

Committeeman Soracco motioned to open to the public. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded. Motion was carried.

Discussion ensued regarding Clove Rd and speed enforcement.

The letters were written to State Police and Sheriff's Department requesting additional patrol. The Mayor read the response from the Sheriff's Department.

Resident Diane Brauchle inquired regarding the status of the Township sign. Mayor Brislin responded, that the sign is currently under construction and hope to have it up with in the month.

Background checks for petitioners running for office was commented on by Attorney Hinkes and determined to pertain to Senator candidates and Governor and not for municipal candidates.

Status on the addition to the DPW building, is currently before the Land Use Board for review, and the Bid Package should be available to go out to the public within a week and will be on the next township agenda.

Peggy Drake commented on ambulance service from Milford, PA and will be charged for service.

Several members of the public expressed their disappointment regarding the resignation of Municipal Clerk Francisco.

Committeeman Soracco motioned to close the public participation segment. Committeeman Utter seconded. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Committeeman Soracco motioned to adjourn. Committeeman Utter seconded. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Submitted by

Diana Francisco

Acting Clerk 04-25-06