OPENING STATEMENT
Mayor Barbagallo opened the meeting announcing that adequate notice has been provided to the New Jersey Herald and the Sunday New Jersey Herald for publication in which notice was given of the date, time, place and general agenda of meetings in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

FLAG SALUTE
The Girl Scouts led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL
Present were Mr. Brace, Mr. Teufert, Mr. Zitone, Mr. Ponce, Mayor Barbagallo, Attorney Garofalo and Clerk Francisco.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No one from the public wished to be heard.

MINUTES
Mr. Teufert motioned to approve the Minutes of the March 10, 2009 Regular and Executive sessions. Mr. Brace seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Brace motioned to approve the Minutes of the Executive Session of February 24, 2009. Mr. Teufert seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Ponce abstained. Mr. Teufert motioned to approve the Minutes of the Joint Meeting of February 12, 2009 with the Land Use Board. Mr. Zitone seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor. Mr. Ponce abstained.

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
The committee will be learning more and looking into the rules, restrictions and allowable methods regarding washing Public Works vehicles.

R 2009-23 NIMS APPOINTMENT
Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to appoint Robert Mack. Mr. Zitone seconded the motion, and it was carried by a majority roll call vote: Mr. Brace, no; Mr. Ponce, yes; Mr. Teufert, yes; Mr. Zitone, no; Mayor Barbagallo, yes.

R 2009-33 OUTSIDE LIEN REDEMPTION
Mr. Teufert motioned to adopt the Resolution. Mayor Barbagallo seconded, and the motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Beerskill Road Engineering - Mayor Barbagallo advised the committee he had spoken with Michael O’Krepky who told him a report would be finished within one week.

Toni-Lu Martin provided an update on the progress of Montague Day, which included the time and place - September 12th on the Municipal Building premises.

Helipad Update - Clerk Francisco advised the committee that the Township’s application to the FAA has been approved, and that Michael O’Krepky will be preparing the bid packages.

NEW BUSINESS
2009 Spring Clean Up dates are June 13 and June 14. Per-container price quotes will be solicited from the companies interested in providing the service.

NJDOT - Municipal Aid in support of walking and bikeways. After discussion among the committee regarding a plan submitted two years ago and a current version, Mr. Teufert motioned to apply for the NJDOT grant. Mr. Brace seconded the motion, and it was carried with all in favor.

2009 Summer Hours - It was decided to table this until the next meeting.

APPLICATIONS
Mr. Teufert motioned to approve the Blue Light Permit application of Kyle Gottemoller. Mr. Brace seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor.

CORRESPONDENCE
Armed Forces Day - There will be a parade starting at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Park, Matamoras on May 16, 2009.

Montague Fire Department - Mayor Barbagallo read a letter from the Montague Fire Department thanking all who aided with the house fire on River Road.

Office of Mosquito Control - provided notice that spraying will be done in specified areas, time to be announced or posted on the Bulletin Board.

A letter from Governor Corzine - Mayor Barbagallo read the congratulatory letter regarding Montague’s 250th anniversary.

REPORTS
Alicia Batko - expressed her concern with the amount of township land being acquired by state and federal government. She also gave an informative prelude to the 250th Anniversary kickoff event to be held at the Montague Elementary School, and reported on progress with Montague Day.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cally Teufert, Chubby Lane, and Adrianna Borrego, Rolling Ridge Road, asked on behalf of the local Girl Scouts if they could conduct a Youth Township Meeting on May 26th prior to the Regular Meeting of the Township Committee. The committee granted the request.

Pat Lehman, New Road, expressed her concern over the expected gypsy moth infestation in the municipality, and whether any money had been budgeted by the committee for spraying. Mayor Barbagallo answered that if the town were to budget for spraying, it would entail a very large tax increase. Alternate methods were also discussed.

Rhodi Teufert, Chubby Lane, requested if the Blood Drive scheduled for Monday, April 30th between the hours of 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. be advertised on the municipal sign.

Alicia Batko stressed her opinion that the speed limits should be reduced to 25 mph on Red Hill Road. She also requested that Fire Police be on hand to direct traffic at the 250th kickoff. The Clerk will inform the Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Brace made a motion to close to the public. Mr. Zitone seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor.

Mr. Teufert motioned to enter executive session to discuss personnel and litigation. Mr. Zitone seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTIVE SESSION

R 2009-34

WHEREAS the Township of Montague is authorized, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 to exclude the public from that portion of this meeting for purposes of discussing specific matters as permitted by N.J.S.A. 10:4-12; and

WHEREAS the Township intends to discuss certain matters which are deemed confidential pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-12 in Executive Session; and

WHEREAS at this time the Township cannot determine the time when the discussions to be held in Executive Session will be made public, but will disclose the minutes of the Executive Session when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Township Committee of the Township of Montague that this meeting shall be adjourned to an executive session (closed session) and the public will be excluded in order that the Committee may, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 10:4-13(a), discuss personnel and litigation, and after reconvening this public meeting the Mayor or his designee will announce, if possible, the time when and the circumstances under which the discussion conducted in Executive Session will be disclosed to the public. This resolution is authorized and allowed by and pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-13.

NOW THEREFORE, be it further resolved by the Township Committee that pursuant to N.J.S.A. 10:4-13(b) the time when and the circumstances under which the discussion conducted in closed session of the public body can be disclosed to the public is when the need for confidentiality no longer exists.

DIANA FRANCISCO, RMC

Mr. Teufert motioned to close Executive Session and return to public Session. Mr. Brace seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor.

ADJOURN
Mr. Zitone motioned to adjourn. Mr. Brace seconded, and the motion was carried with all in favor.

Submitted by,
Diana Francisco, Municipal Clerk