MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
June 10, 2003
Minutes
Mayor Barbagallo called the session to order at 7:10 p.m. and opened the meeting, stating that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, P>L> 1975, c. 231, and has been duly advertised.
The Clerk was asked to call the roll.
Present were: Committeewoman Kaman, Deputy Mayor Zitone Committeeman Butto, Committeeman Krebs,
Mayor Barbagallo
Helen F. Felter, Clerk, Denis G. Murphy, Atty.
Absent: None
Committeeman Butto made a motion to open an executive session for matters of personnel.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Committeeman Butto made a motion to close the executive session.
Deputy Mayor Zitone seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ordinances:
Second Reading:
Ord. 2003-17 Capital Ordinance Appropriating the Sum of $145,000
For the Resurfacing of Red Hill Road.
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to adopt Ord. 2003-17
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
Committeewoman Kaman made a motion to open the public hearing.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Public Hearing:
No public comment
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to close the public hearing.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Deputy Mayor Zitone's motion to adopt Ord. 2003-17 was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeewoman Kaman, Deputy Mayor Zitone,
Committeeman Butto, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Barbagallo
Nays: None
Second Reading:
Ord. 2003-18 Capital Ordinance Appropriating $91,000 for the Resurfacing of Rubin Hill Road.
Committeewoman Kaman made a motion to adopt Ord. 2003-18.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
Committeewoman Kaman made a motion to open the public hearing.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Public Hearing:
There was no public comment
Committeewoman Kaman made a motion to close the public hearing.
Deputy Mayor Zitone seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Committeewoman Kaman's motion to adopt Ord. 2003-18 was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeewoman Kaman, Deputy Mayor Zitone,
Committeeman Butto, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Barbagallo
Nays: None
Second Reading:
Ord. 2003-19 An Ordinance Authorizing the Acceptance of
Minisink Drive (Old Mine Commons) as a Township Road
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to adopt Ord. 2003-19.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to open a public hearing.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Public Hearing:
There was no public comment
Committeewoman Kaman made a motion to close the public hearing.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The motion made by Committeeman Krebs to adopt Ord. 2003-19 was carried by a roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeewoman Kaman, Committeeman Butto,
Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Barbagallo
Nays: None
Abstain: Deputy Mayor Zitone
Resolutions
R2003-59 Refund of Overpayment on Lien Redemption
Block 18.53, Lot 28
R2003-60 Authorizing Cancellation of Township Certificates
R2003-61 Approval of Liquor Licenses for the Period of 2003/2004
R2003-62 Support of Farmland Preservation Program
R2003-63 Designation of Truck Route
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to adopt all of the above referenced resolutions.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeewoman Kaman, Deputy Mayor Zitone,
Committeeman Butto, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Barbagallo
Nays: None
Old Business
Newsletter
The Committee tabled discussion on the Newsletter until a later date.
Consulting Committee For Work to be Done on Clove Rd.
Committeewoman Kaman requested that the Committee appoint her to the consulting Committee for Clove Road as the resident member.
The Committee agreed to her request. Committeeman Butto advised that he had spoken with John Risko, Assistant County Engineer and assured him that whatever meetings are necessary the
Municipal Building will be available for his use.
New Myrtle Road
Denis Murphy, Attorney for the Township, reported that there was a problem with the Title Company doing the title search. They have not complied with the time frame. Mr. Murphy also stated that the Township has not incurred any cost because of this.
A lengthy discussion ensued concerning the merits of doing all the roads in that tract.
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion that Montague's attorney, Denis Murphy, compile a memo stating the Township's options regarding
private roads or Town roads.
Committeewoman Kaman seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeewoman Kaman, Deputy Mayor Zitone,
Committeeman Butto, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Barbagallo
Nays: None
Cablevision
The Committee requested the Clerk to arrange for a public hearing with Cablevision.
Agreement Between The Committee and the Township CFO
Michelle LaStarza stating that she will receive $20.00 per hour, not to exceed $36,000 her annual salary. It should be equal or lower than that amount.
Committeeman Butto made a motion to accept the above mentioned agreement.
New Business
Male & Female Senior Citizens for 2003.
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to select Michael Car and
Ruth Finegan as male and female citizens of 2003.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Appointment of the Fire Safety Official
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to appoint Wesley Powers as Fire Safety Official.
Committeewoman Kaman seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Spring Clean Up
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to award the Spring Clean Up contract to Scruffy Carting.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Report:
Tax Collector Report-May 2003
The Committee noted receipt of the above mentioned report.
Approval of Vouchers - Payment of Bills:
Committeeman Butto made a motion to pay all the vouchers.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Correspondence:
None
Public Participation
Committeeman Butto made a motion to open public participation.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Paul Kruger
Mr. Kruger asked the Committee what could be done about the very limited cell phone service in Montague. He was informed that a tower will be erected behind the Municipal Building in the near future and that should improve service in Montague.
Peter Alexander
Mr. Alexander wanted the Committee to know that he came across the report of the Committee's meeting with the School Board by accident as it was not reported in the New Jersey Herald, the Township's official newspaper. He went on to say that in his opinion the community would be better served if communications were better. Mr. Alexander went on to say he went to the
School Board meeting and was appalled by the attitude of contempt they exhibit toward the residents of this community.
Mr. Alexander advised the Committee that he has never been a political activist, however, given these conditions he's now considering becoming one.
Dominic Ioele
Mr. Ioele, a resident of New Myrtle Drive, asked the Committee what would be the entire cost if New Myrtle Drive is brought up to Township standards. The Committee told Mr. Ioele the answer to his question would depend on the cost of the engineering etc for the road.
John Soraco
Mr. Soraco wanted to clarify the School Board's position. Before the Board's meeting, they were given recommendations by the Chief School Administrator and the Business Administrator. "If you look at the minutes you will see that the recommendations not having to do with personnel had a nine member vote and a five to four vote to accept those recommendations." "The personnel recommendations, some members were recused from voting, was a five member vote and that passed. Mayor Barbagallo thanked Mr. Soraco for clearing that up.
Mayor Barbagallo asked if any other member of the public wished to speak. There was no one.
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to close public session.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Adjourn:
Deputy Mayor Zitone made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Committeeman Butto seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting closed at 9:25p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen F. Felter,
Municipal Clerk