MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
May 11, 2004
Minutes
Mayor Butto called the session to order at 8:10 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: Committeeman Sarocco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs
Mayor Butto,
Atty. Murphy, Clerk Felter
Absent: None
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to go into executive session.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to close the executive session.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was passed by a unanimous voice vote.
The regular session reconvened at 8:05 p.m.
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Adoption of the 2004 Budget:
Earl Snook, Municipal Accountant for the Township explained all the details of the current budget. Several members of the Committee had questions and Mr. Snook answered them all. The Committee thanked Mr. Snook for coming to the meeting.
Cablevision:
Public Hearing
Mr. Gary Shaw of Cablevision came to the meeting to answer any questions the public may have had regarding the cable service the proposed rate increase. Several of the questions Mr. Shaw promised to look into and contact the resident with an answer.
Mr. Shaw gave out business cards and advised everyone that if they had a problem they could call him and he would do what he could to solve the problem.
Approval of Minutes:
There were no minutes submitted.
Ordinances:
First Reading:
Ord. 2004-06 Salary Ordinance
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to adopt Ord. 2004-06 on first reading.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was passed by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Second Reading:
Ord. 2004-04 An Ordinance Restricting Sexually-Oriented Businesses
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to adopt Ord. 2004-04.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
Public Hearing:
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to open the public hearing.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
There was no comment from the public.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to close the public hearing.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The motion to adopt Ord. 2004-04 was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Resolutions
R2004-34 Outside Lien Redemption
R2004-35 Hourly Rates
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to approve the above referenced resolutions with corrections to R2004-35.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2004-36 Fair Housing Officer
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to accept R2004-36.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
R2004-37 Benz Tract
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to table the above referenced resolution until the next meeting.
Committeeman Zitone seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
R2004-38 Budget Resolution
Committeeman Soracco made a motion to approve R2004-38.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Old Business:
Appointment of an Acting Municipal Clerk
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to appoint Helen F. Felter as Acting Municipal Clerk for a term of one year.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs
Abstain: Mayor Butto
New Business:
Modern-Seely Equipment & Supply-Backhoe
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to purchase the above referenced backhoe.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
State of New Jersey State Health Benefits
The Committee had a lengthy discussion on the legal obligation of the Township to offer members of the Committee paid health benefits. Committeeman Soracco asked the Clerk to send a letter to each of the Committee members asking if benefits were to be offered would they want them. Denis Murphy, attorney for the Township was also asked to write a letter to the DCA for an opinion on this matter.
Approval of Vouchers:
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to approve payment of all the vouchers.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Correspondence:
Andrew Dochisen-Request for Return of Permit Fees
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to approve, with verification from the Construction Official, the return of Mr. Dochisen's building permit fee.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Ride Against Aids
The Committee acknowledged receipt of the above mentioned correspondence.
Residents of Fox Hollow Road
The Committee noted receipt of the above referenced letter.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo and Committeeman Zitone will check into the condition of Fox Hollow Road and appropriate action will be taken.
Montague Fire Dept-Emergency Management Deputy
In accordance with a request from the Montague Fire Department,
Jesse Brace-Revak was appointed paid Deputy Emergency Management
in accordance with the resignation of Louann Cular.
Community Corporation of High Point - Use of Municipal Parking Lot
The Committee discussed allowing the residents to use the front parking lot to pick up their children from the school bus, but felt because of the heliport and also the liability involved it was not a feasible option.
Resignation:
Patricia Wilcox
The Committee accepted Mrs. Wilcox's resignation with regret.
Application for Membership, Montague Volunteer Fire Department
Kevin Kelly, Christopher Riclert
Committeeman Soracco made a motion to approve the applications mentioned above.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Applications for Blue Lights:
Richard Bostwick, Earl Hotalen, Stephen Aldom, Robert Emanuel
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to approve the above referenced applications.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was approved by a unanimous voice vote.
Reports:
Montague Volunteer Fire Department-February,2004 Monthly Report
Zoning Official April, 2004 Monthly Report
Tax Collector's April, 2004 Monthly Report
Receipt of the above mentioned reports was noted by the Committee.
Public Participation:
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to open public participation.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Dorothy Ames
Ms. Ames asked the Committee what actual benefit is offered to an employee? Mayor Butto answered that all full time employees are offered single or family coverage.
Reginald Cole
Mr. Cole advised the Committee in insurance there is a double indemnity clause that says only one insurance company will pay on a bill. He also went on to say that once a committeeman leaves office, he no longer has insurance.
Mayor Butto asked if anyone else wished to speak. There was no one.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to close public participation.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Adjourn:
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting closed at 10:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen F. Felter
Municipal Clerk
Old Business
.
New Business
Approval of Vouchers - Payment of Bills:
Correspondence:
Public Participation
Adjourn: