Regular Session begins at 8:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Mayor Utter called the meeting to order.  Those present were:  Mr. Brislin, Mr. Lashendock, Mr. Barbagallo, Mr. Brace, Mr. Utter, Anthony Hinkes and Clerk Francisco.

EXECUTIVE SESSION including employee health benefits, and potential litigation.

WHEREAS, the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey finds it necessary to discuss matters relating to possible litigation and employee health benefits; and

WHEREAS, the Township Committee believes it to be in the best interest of the public to discuss such matters in 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 closed session to discuss only the matters mentioned above; the result of which may be made public immediately thereafter or at a later date.

March 27, 2007
Attest:
Diana Francisco
Clerk

Mr. Lashendock motioned to enter into executive session.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The Motion was carried with all in favor.

With no other items to discuss in Executive Session, the Executive session was closed on motion of Mr. Brislin seconded by Mr. Lashendock.  The motion was carried with all members in favor.

Mayor Utter stated the meeting was being help in Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act P.L.1975,C.231 and has been duly advertised.

All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS

Mr. Brislin motioned to amend the agenda by adding a resolution (Health Benefits)

Mr. Brace seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public regarding agenda items only.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.  There was no comment from the public.

Mr. Brace motioned to close to the public regarding agenda items.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

MINUTES

Mr. Lashendock motioned to adopt the minutes of the executive session of March 13, 2007.  Mr. Brislin seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with unanimous roll call vote.  Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve the minutes of regular sessions of March 13, 2007.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Recreation
Mr. O’Connor, Chairman of Recreation, updated the Township Committee on progress of Montague Day and reported Montague Day, the talent competition and Miss Montague have been scheduled for July 4, 2007.

TOWN CENTER
Zoning-Mr. Fred Suljic, Township’s Planner was present to discuss the Town Center and Zoning.

Mr. Suljic suggested the Township Committee authorize himself to work on the overlay town center pedestrian oriented zone ordnance to protect the rights of property owners that are in the R-4, C-1, C-2 and R-3 zoning areas.  The State of New Jersey is encouraging townships to submit plan endorsements process at least a year prior to September 2009 deadline.  Mr. Suljic also recommended the Township Committee hold off on adopting the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.  Mr. Suljic responded to questions and comments from the public and the Township Committee.  Mr. Jack O’Krepky, Township Engineer was also present and fielded questions from the public.

RESOLUTIONS

R2007-17  OPPOSITION TO COAH

Mr. Brislin motioned to open discussion regarding above resolution to the public.  Mr. Brace seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.  A lengthy discussion ensured regarding the resolution with questions from the public.  Mr. Brislin motioned to close to the public.  Mr. Brace seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to adopt the above-mentioned resolution eliminating paragraph two.  Mr. Brislin seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R2007-20  RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ALTERNATE PROSECUTOR

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to adopt the above resolution with adding “compensation being Mr. Hanifan’s responsibility.”  Mr. Brislin seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

R2007-21  INTERLOCAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SANDYSTON TOWNSHIP (Road Department)

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to table the above resolution.  Mr. Brace seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a roll call vote.

ORD 2007-22  TEMPORARY APPROPRIATIONS

Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt the above referenced resolution.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

ORDINANCES (second reading)

ORD 2007-004   2007 SALARY ORDINANCE

Mr. Brislin motioned to open the above referenced ordinance for discussion.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

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

Mr. Lashendock motioned to close to the public.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Brislin.  The motion was carried with all in favor.  Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt the above referenced ordinance.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

ORD 2007-02   INCLUSIONARY CONTRIBUTION TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr. Brislin motioned to open discussion to the public.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.  A lengthy discussion ensued between Committee members as well as members of the audience.  Mr. Nick Rotundo suggested that the Ordinance was in direct conflict with the current town center and zoning ordinances and requested the Committee to vote on it and vote is down.  The motion was carried with all in favor.  Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt the above referenced ordinance.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was not carried by a roll call vote.  Mr. Brislin-yes, Mr. Lashendock-no, Mr. Barbagallo-no, Mr. Brace-no, Mr. Utter-no

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Agreement Draft-National Park Service

Mr. Lashendock motioned to table agreement.

Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor. 

Dwight Fickes & Senior Budget
Township acknowledges that the Dwight Fickes in not administered by the Township.  Senior President Ruth Owen informed the Township of what she remembers of the beginning of the Dwight Fickes Fund.  She explained that in the past $1,000.00 was earmarked for the Dwight Fickes Fund out of the Senior Budget.  Ms. Owen explained to the Committee what the Seniors do with the budget they have received in the past. Louanne Cular stated that she was asked to take over the Dwight Fickes Fund by Mr. Desmond Finigan.  The Township Attorney stated that the Township cannot legally use Public Funds.  Public funds as a rule are to be used for public purposes.  Trying to route money through different agencies to suit private needs he can not endorse.

NEW BUSINESS

Volunteer Dinner
A date was picked by the Committee which will be the third Thursday in May. 

Mr. Lashendock and Mr. Brislin to work on volunteer list for dinner.

M.A.R.C.H.
Request for Fuel Oil Expense Reimbursement.

Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the above reimbursement as long as it has been budgeted.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

Tax Collector’s request to attend the tax Collector Treasurer’s Association Annual Conference.

Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the request to attend the above referenced conference.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

APPLICATIONS

Volunteer Fire Department applicants – Sean Bailey and Jim Koba.

Mr. Barbagallo motioned to approve the above applications.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

MONTHLY REPORTS

Montague Volunteer Fire Department (February)

The above report was acknowledged by the Township Committee.

CORRESPONDENCE

Interlock Services w/Wantage Township
Animal Control Officer Name Change to John Abate retroactive to January 1, 2007.

Fountain House Request to use Ball Field on June 16, 2007. 
Request was not available.

DPW
Mr. Barbagallo read a letter from Paul Accardo regarding health benefits and employee staff meetings.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

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

Members of the public commented on topics such as the Recreation Committee, employee health benefits, employee salaries, and grants, fence ordinance, illegal turns as well as a fond farewell from Mr. Henry Zeeuw.  Ms. Cular suggested non-profit organizations that are funded by the township to provide proof of non-profit status to the  township.

Mr. Lashendock motioned to close public participation.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.

The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Brislin motioned to go into executive session regarding personnel and stated action or may not be taken upon closing of the executive session.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

At 10:40 pm the Committee returned from executive session.  Mr. Brislin motioned to close executive session.  Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion.  The motion was carried with all in favor.

No action was taken.

Mr. Brislin motioned to adjourn meeting.  Mr. Lashendock seconded the motion.  The motion was carried.

10:40 pm.

Submitted by,
Diana Francisco
Clerk