Mayor Utter called the meeting to order at 7:00pm 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.

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

All present were asked to rise and salute the flag.

Public Participation Regarding Agenda Items

Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. There was no response. Mr. Brislin motioned to close to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

MINUTES

Mr. Lashendock motioned to adopt the minutes of May 22, 2007 regular session. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a majority roll call vote. Ayes: Mr. Brislin, Mr. Lashendock, Mr. Brace, Mr. Utter. Nays: none. Abstain: Mr. Barbagallo.

Mr. Lashendock motioned to adopt the minutes of May 22, 2007 executive session. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a majority roll call vote. Ayes: Mr. Brislin, Mr. Lashendock, Mr. Brace, Mr. Utter. Nays: none. Abstain: Mr. Barbagallo.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Mr. Utter thanked the DPW for their time and their efforts during the annual spring clean-up.

Administration
Mr. Utter updated the committee regarding the last shared services meeting with Frankford and Sandyston Townships. The court was their main focus of that meeting.
Letters were sent out to all the appropriate agencies associated with the Delaware and Benekill Rivers by Attorney Hinkes.

Finance
Mr. Brislin informed the committee that the auditors were in the process of finishing up the 2006 Audit and will then focus on the 2004 Audit review.

Health and Welfare
Mr. Barbagallo stated that there was nothing new to report, everything is fine.

Public Works
Mr. Lashendock reported that the DPW was in the process of picking up the trash for those disabled individuals who were not able to bring their trash to the DPW for spring clean-up.

Public Safety
update later on in meeting by Fire Department.

Recreation
Ken O'Connor reported to the Committee that there will be children's activity happening on August 4, rain date August 5, 2007 - Noah's Ark Campfire Cub Workshop.

Montague Day celebration will be on July 21, 2007 on the school grounds. A fireworks display for Montague Day will cost $2250.00. A decision on the fireworks will be made at the next township meeting on June 26, 2007.

Grants Administrator
DOT Bike Grant Deadline has been moved to August 24, 2007. The Grants Administrator, Louanne Cular explained to the committee the two implementation resolutions to follow on the agenda.

Michael O'Krepky (Township Engineer) reported to the committee regarding the Annual Stormwater Management Plan: Educational materials need to be distributed as a compliance requirement.

Mr. O'Krepky will be coordinating the bike grant study with the other projects that will be happening on the municipal grounds and plans to link it to other bike paths in the area.

RESOLUTIONS

R 2007-42 SPECIAL EMERGENCY RESOLUTION - Mr. Brace motioned to table resolution. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

R 2007-43 OUTSIDE LIEN REDEMPTION - Mr. Barbagallo motioned to adopt R 2007- 43. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2007-44 LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS 2007-2008 Mr. Barbagallo motioned to adopt the R 2007-44. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2007-45 PARTICIPATION RESOLUTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION
R 2007-46 PARTICIPATION RESOLUTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt R 2007-45 and R 2007-46. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was by a unanimous roll call vote.

BILLS LIST

Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the bills list. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Developers Agreement
Youngman Subdivision Mr. Brislin motioned to table the discussion. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a majority voice vote. Mr. Utter abstained.

Montague Township Fire Department First Responders
Mr. Brace motioned to recognize and endorse the Fire Departments First Responders. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Inspections For Multiple Family Dwellings
The current ordinance applies to rental units only.
The committee will consider looking into housing inspections on the resale of all multi units. Mr. Barbagallo motioned to table discussion. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Non Profit Organizations, "Certificates in Good Standing"
An application can be made to the Secretary of State for the certificate. Mr. Brislin motioned to request the nonprofit organizations who receive funds from the township provide the township with a Certificate of Good Standing annually. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Fire Department Funding
A discussion ensued regarding how to fund a new fire house and land acquisition, also, as how the township can support them. Mr. Brislin motioned to table the discussion. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Speed Limit on Myrtle Drive
Currently there is no posted speed limit on Myrtle Drive. Mr. O' Krepky explained the process to establish a speed limit via a speed study which is necessary to legally post a speed limit. Mr. Brislin motioned to have Mr. O'Krepky give the committee a price quote to do a speed study for Myrtle Drive. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Brislin motioned to table discussion. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

OLD BUSINESS

Deputy Clerk Position
Mr. Brislin apprized the committee of the history of the Deputy Clerk position in as it was in 1998 and subsequent reorganization appointments of a Deputy Clerk. Mr. Barbagallo then went on to talk about the Registrar's position.

Mr. Barbagallo then retrieved a portion of the recorded meeting of January 16, 2007. The recording was played as an attempt to settle a discrepancy among committee members regarding the motion on the temporary appointment of the Deputy Clerk.

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to amend the minutes to reflect, " if the deputy clerk position is not turned over to shared services by the end of the three month period it is automatically a year."

Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. Roll Call- Mr. Brislin, no, Mr. Lashendock, no, Mr. Brace, no. Mr. Utter, no. Mr. Barbagallo, abstained.

Mr. Hinkes informed the committee that the Township's insurance company is providing the Township with representation regarding the Picinich law suit as part of their service. Mr. Brislin motioned to have the Township Attorney relay information to the attorney appointed by the insurance company . Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a majority roll call vote. Ayes Mr. Brislin, Mr. Lashendock, Mr. Brace, Mr. Utter. Nays Mr. Barbagallo.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Interlocal Service Agreement- Wantage Dog Pound Facility
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve the agreement. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Delaware Joint Toll Bridge Commission Grant
The clerk reported that the insurance agent George Morville has made recommendations regarding the requirements of the contract which was forwarded to the DRJTBC.

The Montague website has a new look.

REPORTS

May Tax Collector's Report
Mr. Utter reported that the tax collector collected $1,176,101.36 for the month of May. $ 3,706,900.50 year to date.

CORRESPONDENCE

Court Administrator Resignation
Mr. Brislin motioned to accept the Court Administrator, Tina Sugar's resignation effective June 29, 2007 with regret. Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

COAH request for information.
Mr. Utter recommended the clerk forward the correspondence to Sharon Yarosz, COAH Official.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. John Donovan had several comments regarding the speed limit on Fox Hollow, stop signs, Gypsy Moth problem, and the professionalism of the Land Use Board.

Ruth Owen spoke regarding the Montague Senior budget and asked how they should proceed.

Reginald Cole asked if the Township Code supersedes the State Statutes or the Administrative Code. He also commented on the equipment purchased by the township and dirty campaigning.

Mark Krebs commented on speed limits and the Deputy Clerk position and the shared service grants discussed earlier in the meeting.

Miss McCarry commented regarding a bear in her yard and her concerns about pets being unleashed.

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to close to the public. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Brislin motioned to have Louanne Cular, Shared Service Administrator, check interest in the sharing the township?s street sweeper with other municipalities using our operator. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Mr. Lashendock motioned to go into executive session to discuss DPW staffing and Court Staffing and reserved the right to take action upon returning from executive session. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to DPW & court personnel and, WHEREAS, the Township committee believes it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss only those matters in closed session.

NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that shall enter into closed session to discuss only matters mentioned above, the result of which may be made public immediately thereafter or at a later date.

June 12, 2007
Attest:
Diana Francisco, Clerk
The Committee returned form executive session. No action was taken.
Mr. Barbagallo motioned to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Submitted by,
Diana Francisco
Clerk
06-25-07