OPENING STATEMENT
Mayor Barbagallo 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. Brace, Mr. Brislin, Mr. Teufert, Mr. Utter, Mr. Barbagallo Attorney Padula, and Diana Francisco, Clerk.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
Mr. Brace motioned to open to the public regarding agenda items. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Cole inquired about the Resolution on the agenda regarding Records. Mr. Barbagallo responded that the Resolution is part of the Paris Grant which the Township has applied for in conjunction with the County Clerk's Office. Mr. Teufert motioned to close to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

PRESENTATIONS
Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission- Milford Bridge Rehabilitation Project
Representatives were present to discuss with Committee and Residents the Rehabilitation of the Milford Bridge. Partial lane closures for maintenance of the bridge are expected to start on or about March 10, 2008 and full lane closures are scheduled for June 9, 2008. The project will include new decking on the bridge, new curbing on the approaches from NJ and PA, a new toll plaza, bridge painting and maintenance under the bridge. The expected completion date of the rehabilitation project is June 2009. HOT LINE 888-203-7690, web site www.drjtbc.org/mm

MINUTES Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the minutes of January 8, 2008, regular session, January 22, 2008 regular and executive session minutes. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS Administration, Finance, Health and Welfare, Public Works, Public Safety, Recreation
There were no Committee Reports, reported.

Mr. Brislin motioned to amend the agenda to discuss the Gypsy Moth Spray Program at this time. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mayor Barbagallo informed the audience that it was the consensus of the Township Committee not to participate in the State Gypsy Moth Spray Program.
Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public on the topic of Gypsy Moth spraying. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. With no comment from the public, Mr. Brislin motioned to close to the public. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

RESOLUTIONS

R 2008-019 RESOLUTION TO GO OUT TO BID FOR WEIDER RD RESURFACING
Mr. Teufert motioned to table until the engineer has a bid package ready. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

R 2008-020 OUTSIDE LIEN REDEMPTION
Mr. Brace motioned to approve R 2008-020. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2008-021 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CREATION OF A MUNICIPAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Mr. Teufert motioned to approve R 2008-021. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2008-022 ADOPTION OF THE NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Mr. Brace motioned to adopt R 2008-022. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2008-023 AUTHORIZING MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP TO PARTICIPATE IN PARIS GRANT RECORDS PURGING PROJECT TO BE SPONSORED BY THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX
Mr. Brace motioned to adopt R 2008-023. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

R 2008-024 TAX ASSESSOR APPOINTMENT
Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt R 2008-024. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

BILLS LIST
Mr. Brislin motioned to approve the vouchers. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

APPOINTMENTS

Engineer for Tax Maps- Mr. Brace motioned to interview the Engineer applicants for Tax Map updates at the next two scheduled meetings and to start those meetings at 6:00pm for the purposes of interviews only. Mr. Brislin seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Recycling/ Clean Communities Coordinator- to be discussed in the executive session.

NEW BUSINESS

School Grounds Agreement- to be discussed at next meeting

Lawn Maintenance Price Quotes- Next Meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

GYPSY MOTH SPRAY PROGRAM-See above

Mower Tractor Bids- Mr. Brace motioned to reject all the bids and rebid the equipment with a substantial change in bid specifications. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

Housing Inspections- The township's attorney suggested discussion take place during an executive session, under attorney client privilege.

Municipal Building Back Door Entranceway- Mr. Utter recommended the Township's Engineer design the Back Door Entranceway with a gable end versus an awning.

Coss Lane Drainage Easement- No updates were available and no discussion took place.

Cell Tower- The Township attorney suggested that there may be some potential legal liability at this time should the Township committee take any action with regard to the Cellco Tower. And if the Committee wished to discuss the matter they could under attorney client privilege during an executive session.

Beerskill Road Retaining Wall and Resurfacing Project- Mr Utter reported that he spoke to the Township Engineer Michael O'krepky regarding the bids received and the possibility of eliminating units from the bid specifications.

APPLICATIONS

Raffle Applications-

KEEP INC. RA# 08-01

MONTAGUE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT RA #08-02
Mr. Brace motioned to approve Raffle Applications referenced above. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

REPORTS
January Tax Collector Report- Reported as $601,606.00 for the Month of January 2008

2007 Annual Report -Report available in the Clerk's Office.
Mr. Utter motioned to accept the Tax Reports. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE
From HCC regarding Zoning Ordinance- Mr. Barbagallo informed the public that a meeting with HCC is scheduled for 3:00pm. on February 20, 2008, at the Municipal Building with the HCC Administrator, Construction Official, Zoning Officer, Mayor and a Township Committee Member.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Teufert motioned to open to the Public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Richard Inella, Montague Township Land Use Board Member, informed the Township Committee
that the Board has hired a special Engineer to review the Cell Tower Application currently before the board. Mr. Inella also praised the Montague School District for their Achievements.

Mr. Cole commented on the cost and use of fuel by Department of Public Works and the Fire Department. Mr. Cole suggested the Township Officials implement a trip ticket procedure.

Virginia Wagner commented on housing inspections.

Mr.Teufert motioned to close public participation. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Executive Session
Mr. Utter motioned adopt R 2008-025 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12.
Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

The Township committee returned from Executive Session and the Meeting resumed.

RESULT OF Executive Session
Mr. Teufert motioned to appoint Toni-Lu Martin as Clean Communities and Recycling Coordinator. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

ADJOURN
Mr. Utter motioned to adjourn. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

Submitted by,

Diana Francisco
Clerk 03-06-08

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP

R 2008-24

APPOINTMENT OF MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP TAX ASSESSOR N.J.S.A. 54

WHEREAS, the Montague Township Committee has appointed Melissa Rockwell as Tax Assessor of the Township of Montague on January 22, 2008.

WHEREAS, Melissa Rockwell's appointment is for the unexpired term of the previous Tax Assessor, Benjamin Murdock, whose term was do to expire June 30, 2010.

WHEREAS, Melissa Rockwell's starting salary shall be $17,000.00 per year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey.

CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct copy of a resolution duly adopted by the Montague Township Committee on February 19, 2008.
_____________________________________
Diana Francisco, Clerk

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP
R 2008-025
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION
PURSUANT TO N.J.S.A. 10:4-12

BE IT RESOLVED by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 (B), specifically:

Matters Relating to the Employment Relationship:

Matters Relating to Litigation, Negotiation, and the attorney-client Privilege:

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, it is anticipated that the deliberation conducted in a closed session may be discussed to the public upon the determination of the Township Committee that the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality and if not then legally privileged.

Diana Francisco, RMC
Municipal Clerk

I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of a resolution adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, at a meeting held on ______________________________.

_____________________________________
Diana Francisco, RMC
Municipal Clerk