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, Attorney Padula, and Diana Francisco, Clerk.

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

2008 GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION PROGRAM Mr. Barbagallo informed the audience that he had attended a meeting with the Department of Agriculture and explained the choices currently before the Township Committee. The State of New Jersey, Department of Agriculture surveyed the township and mapped the areas which the state=s contractor would spray BT. The State of New Jersey will reimburse tax payers of Montague UP TO 50% of the cost, which is approximately $240,000.00. Mr. Barbagallo also informed the audience that there are products on the market to combat Gypsy Moths and private aerial companies who may spray blocks of land. (Appalachian Forestry Service and Rebecca Lyn Flying Services.) Many residents from the community were present at the meeting and voiced their concerns regarding the damage caused by Gypsy Moths in the past two years and the anticipated damage to trees in the upcoming season.

MINUTES
01-08-2008 Regular Session, 01-08-2008 Executive Session, 01-15-2008 Special Session
Mr. Utter motioned to table the minutes of the regular of 01-08-2008. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Utter motioned to approve minutes of 01-08-2008 Executive Session and 01-15-2008 Special Session minutes. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

RESOLUTIONS
R 2008-15 OUTSIDE LIEN REDEMPTION
Mr. Teufert motioned to adopt R 2008-15. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
R 2008-16 AUTHORIZATION TO CANCEL TOWNSHIP TAX SALE CERTIFICATE
Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt R 2008-16. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with by unanimous roll call vote.
R 2008-17 CANCELLATION OF UNCOLLECTIBLE TAXES
Mr. Brace motioned to adopt R 2008-17. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
R 2008-18 RESOLUTION TO CREATE THE PLAN ENDORSEMENT CITIZEN'S'ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mr. Brislin motioned to adopt R 2008-18. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

APPOINTMENTS
TOWNSHIP AUDITOR/ACCOUNTANT- Mr. Brislin motioned to appoint the firm of Dickinson, Vrabel and Cassles. Mr. Barbagallo seconded the motion. The motion was not carried by a majority vote. VOTE: Brace, no, Mr. Brislin, yes, Mr. Teufert, no, Mr. Utter, no, Mr. Barbagallo yes.
Mr. Utter motioned to appoint Nisivoccia and Company LLC. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a majority roll call vote. VOTE: Mr. Brace, yes, Mr. Brislin, no, Mr. Teufert, yes, Mr. Utter, yes, Mr. Barbagallo, yes.

ENGINEER FOR TAX MAPS- Mr. Utter motioned to table appointment. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.
250th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION -COMMITTEE LIAISON - Mr. Teufert and Mr. Utter volunteered to be the Committee Liaisons for the planning of 250th Anniversary Celebration.

RECYCLING/CLEAN COMMUNITIES COORDINATOR- Mr. Utter motioned to table the appointment. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by all in favor.

TAX ASSESSOR- current term expires 06-30-2010- Mr. Teufert motioned to table appointment until after Executive Session. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BID OPENING BEERSKILL RD RETAINING WALL AND RESURFACING PROJECT
Mr. Barbagallo opened the following bids. Berto Construction $ 289, 303.40 Salmon Brothers, $367, 367.00, Ferraro Construction Corp., $ 491,166.00, Zitone, $204,720.00. Mr. Utter motioned to reject all bids subject to comments and approval of Township Engineer. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

-Tractor/Mower Bids Award of BID- Mr. Brace motioned to table award of the bid until next meeting. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

-Coss Lane Drainage- Mr. Brace motioned to proceed with the Engineering and Surveying of the Drainage Easement. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

-Housing Official- Request for changes to the Housing Registration Ordinance. Mr. Utter motioned to have Township Attorney review the current ordinance, and make recommendations for any changes. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried by voice vote. Mr. Barbagallo abstained.

-Back Door Entrance Improvements- Mr. Brace motioned to table until Mr. O=Krepky drafts a gabled end overhang for the back door entrance. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

-Heating System- Mr. Utter motioned to table until Mr. Brace prepares a bid specification sheet. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.

NEW BUSINESS
Chain of Command - Mr. Barbagallo reviewed the chain of command for the Committee as per the ordinance. The chain is Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Clerk then Deputy Clerk.

BILLS LIST Mr. Utter motioned to pay the bills on the Bills List. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

REPORTS
Board of Health
Fire Department- December Report and 2007 Year End Report
The above reports were accepted as reported.

CORRESPONDENCE
Tax Collector's Request to Attend Seminars- Mr. Teufert motioned to approve the request to attend the Seminars. Mr. Utter seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Housing Partnership Presentation on Proposed COAH Rule Changes was duly noted.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Brislin motioned to open to the public. Mr. Teufert seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.
Mr. Richard Carlson suggested the Committee open to public before they make a decision regarding the State Gypsy Moth Spray Program

Mr. James Guimes questioned what venue was proper to lodge a complaint regarding an employee or an official.
No other comments were made. Mr. Teufert motioned to close to the public. Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried with all in favor.
Mr. Brace motioned to go into Executive Session to discuss Personnel. Action will be taken on the return to regular session. The motion was carried with all in favor.

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP
R 2008-018
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:

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, it is anticipated that the deliberation conducted in 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 January 22, 2008.

_____________________________________
Diana Francisco, RMC
Municipal Clerk

The Committee returned from Executive Session and resumed the regular meeting.

Mr. Utter motioned to appoint Melissa Rockwell as Tax Assessor, term to expire 06-30-2010 at an annual salary of $17,000.00 plus payment in lieu of Health Insurance Benefits.
Mr. Brace seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

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

Submitted by
Diana Francisco
Clerk

02-12-2008