OPENING STATEMENT

Mayor Utter called the meeting to order and stated that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act PL. 1975 C. 231 and has been duly advertised.

FLAG SALUTE All present were asked to salute the flag.

ROLL CALL- Those present were Mr. Brislin, Mr. Lashendock, Mr. Barbagallo, Mr. Brace, Mr. Utter, Attorney Hinkes and Diana Francisco, Clerk.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS-
Mr. Lashendock motioned to open to the public. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. No one from the public spoke. Mr. Barbagallo motioned to close to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

MINUTES-
Regular Session 12-11-2007, Executive Session 12-11-2007
Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the minutes. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote. Mr. Barbagallo motioned to table the executive session minutes. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

BID OPENING-
The following bids were received open and read aloud by Mayor Utter for the TRACTOR/MOWER. - Marshall Machinery Inc., Kabota Tractor and Motrim Mower $77,383.00, - Storr Tractor Company, Kabota Tractor $88,767.00 - S&L Equipment, Kabota Tractor and Flail Mower $70,253.93 Kabota Tractor 3 pt Hitch $71,859.00 Kabota Tractor and Flail Mower $73,459.00 - Cherry Valley Tractor Sales, New Holland Tractor $84,860.70 - John Deere, State contract quote $70593.24, $72,617.00.

RESOLUTIONS
R 2007- 074 RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MONTAGUE APPOINTING A MUNICIPAL HOUSING LIAISON
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to table appointment until the Reorganization meeting. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

R 2007- 082 OUTSIDE LIEN REDEMPTION
Mr. Lashendock motioned to approve R 2007-082. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2007- 083 TRANSFER RESOLUTION
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve R 2007-083. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

ORDINANCES (2nd reading)
2007-18 ORDINANCE CREATING THE POSITION OF HOUSING LIAISON FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING TOWNSHIP OF MONTAGUE=S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM PURSUANT TO THE FAIR HOUSING ACT
Mr. Lashendock motioned to approve Ordinance 2007-18 on final reading. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. No public comment was made. Mr. Brace motioned to close to the public. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.
The ordinance was adopted by a unanimous roll call vote.

NEW BUSINESS
2008 Inter-local Agreement - Zoning / Code Enforcement
-Mr. Brislin motioned to table the Inter local Agreement for the Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

2008 Inter-local Agreement- Land Use Administration and COAH Housing Officer
-Mr. Brislin motioned to change the ACOAH Housing Officer@ to AMunicipal Housing Liaison@ so that it will agree with the Ordinance and to table the Inter-local Agreement until Reorganization. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Bond Anticipation Notes-
-Mr. Lashendock motioned to approve he Bond Anticipation Note in the amount of $300,000. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

Resignation of Tax Assessor-
-Mr. Barbagallo motioned to accept the resignation of Tax Assessor Ben Murdock. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote. Mr. Brislin motioned to advertise for the open position. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
- Drainage Coss Lane- Mr. Lashendock motioned to table discussion until another survey price quote is received from the Township's Engineer. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

-Plan Endorsement Citizen's Advisory Committee- Mr. Brislin motioned to endorse the following appointments for the duration of the project.
Mayor Utter appointed Charles Teufert, Ted Brace, Richard Inella, George Zitone, Diana Francisco, Rich Jones, Bob Degroat, Jody Case- Kennedy and Art Henn. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

-Holiday Decoration Award- Mr. Utter read the Proclamation creating the Annual Blumhagen Holiday Decoration Award and presented the framed award to Mrs. Blumhagan and her daughter.

-Cell Tower- Mr. Utter reported a preliminary revenue figure of $10 per $100,000 assessment or approximately 1 tax point for each resident if the annual income (if a cell tower were to be placed on Municipal property) was $20,000.

-Route 23 Traffic Light- Mr. Barbagallo reported that he had spoken with Mary Bonisac, who reported to him that legislation forming a committee has been passed by Orange County New York and will then be going to the State of New York. The project will be a priority at their first meeting in the new year.

APPLICATIONS

Application for a Blue Light Permit- Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve the Blue Light permit application for John Resnik. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Membership Application For Fire Department- Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve the application for membership to the Volunteer Fire Department for Richard Hutnick. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE
Board of Chosen Freeholders- Annual Reorganization Meeting, Jan. 4, 2008 @ 6:00pm Mayors Advisories- COAH Regulations, Information from DLGS
Letter form St. James/St. Thomas
Letter from Housing Official
The above correspondence was noted by the committee.
The letter from the Housing Inspector was read and discussed briefly. Mr. Brislin motioned to table further discussion until the next regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Gypsy Moth - Letter from the Department of Environmental Protection to attend meeting in Trenton on January 3, 2008. Mr. Barbagallo volunteered to attend.

NJ DOT- Mayor Utter reported that Weider Road was selected for repair by the NJDOT for grant funds in the amount of $106,000.00. The application had been submitted by Township Engineer, Michael O'Krepky earlier this year.
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to authorize the Engineer to prepare a Bid package. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Outgoing Committeeman Joseph Lashendock thanked the Committee, DPW, Fire Department, Blue Ridge Rescue Squad, and the Office Staff for all they have done.
Mr. Barbagallo thanked Mr. Lashendock for he has done for the town and motioned to open to the Public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
-Mr. Ibold praised Mr. Lashendock for his accomplishments and the fine job he had done for the community.

-Resident Brian Van Wagner requested the Committee debate the rough draft he had given the committee meeting at a previous meeting of the High Point Country Club Master Plan and would like it placed on the next agenda. Mr. Barbagallo stated that they have appointed a Citizens Committee to work with the Township Planner regarding plan Endorsement. Mr. Utter suggested he work with someone on the newly appointed committee. Mr. Van Wagner clarified that he would like the community to debate whether or not they should have a Town Center designation. Attorney Hinkes informed Mr. Van Wagner that the Town had already designated a Town Center in the year 2004, and he may want to address the Citizens= Committee and make a recommendation to the Planner then a debate could take place on what should be done with the Town Center.

-Resident Jim Guimes asked why the Township Building did not have any Christmas lights.

-Reginald Cole clarified he had stated at a previous meeting was not entirely correct, regarding RCA's. He also commented that Lancaster Developers can not build in HPCC without a waste treatment plant approved by the DEP.

-Mr. Rich Carlson thanked Mr. Lashendock for his contributions and the Blumhagen Family for their decorations.

-With nothing further from the public, Mr. Barbagallo motioned to close public participation. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to go into an executive session to discuss personnel matters with employee Toni-Lu Martin, employee evaluations and to discuss legal advise on potential legal action and Reorganization. No action will be taken. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

WHEREAS, the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to Personnel,
WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Montague believes, it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss only those matters in a closed session.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that it shall enter into a closed session to discuss only matters mentioned above, the result of which may be made public immediately thereafter or at a later date.

December 26, 2007
Attest:

Diana Francisco
Clerk

The Township Committee returned from Closed Session and resumed the regular meeting. No action was taken.

ADJOURN
Mr. Lashendock motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.
Submitted by,

Diana Francisco