MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
August 10, 2004
Minutes
Mayor Butto called the session to order at 8:00 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
All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes: Regular Session June 15, 2004
Committeeman Soracco made a motion to approve the regular minutes of June 15, 2004.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Ordinances:
First Reading:
Ord. 2004-10 An Ordinance Granting Municipal Consent for the Operation of a Cable System Within the Township of Montague,
New Jersey to Cablevision of Warwick, LLC
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to adopt R2004-10 on first reading.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was passes by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Use of the Library and Montague Awareness Day:
The President of the Montague PTA came before the Committee to request permission to use the library in the lower level of the Montague Township Municipal Building. The Committee stated that they felt this could be arranged and would work out the details at a later date.
The PTA President also advised the Committee that Montague Awareness Day was planned for October 9, 2004 between the hours of 11:00a.m. and 4:00p.m. at the Montague School grounds.
Resolutions:
R2004-54 Refund of 2004 Taxes
R2004-55 Authorizing Cancellation of Township Certificates
R2004-56 Authorizing the Sale of Tax Sales Certificates by Assignment
R2004-57 Refund of Tax Sale Certificates.
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to approve all of the above referenced resolutions.
Committeeman Soracco seconded Committeeman Zitone's motion to approve.
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
Road Funding
Chubby Lane 28,050.00
Cole Haven Road 33,000.00
61,050.00
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to transfer funds from the Capital Account to the Road Department account in the amount of $61,050.00.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Zitone, Committeeman Soracco,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to authorize the repaving
of the above mentioned roads not to exceed the amount of $61,050.00.
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
New Myrtle Drive:
Committeeman Zitone advised the Committee that our Department of Public Works is grading New Myrtle Drive as the Township has assumed responsibility for this road and the conditions that exist are bad.
Property Next to the Municipal Building:
The last information available regarding the property next door was that the owner was holding firm to his asking price.
Committeeman Zitone offered to meet with the owner and see if he could negociate a more reasonable amount.
New Business
None
Approval of Vouchers - Payment of Bills:
Committeeman Krebs made a motion to approve payment of all the bills.
Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Correspondence:
State of New Jersey-New Jersey State Health Benefits
Denis Murphy, attorney for the Township, advised the Committee that he received an answer to the letter he sent to Pensions and Benefits requesting an answer to the question of are members of the Committee and certain appointed officials entitled to paid health benefits. The State confirmed that they are.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion that the Committee refuse health care benefits.
Committeeman Zitone seconded the motion.
Committeeman Soracco asked to have a discussion on the motion.
He asked if the motion was asking for the Committee as a group to reject taking health care on a personal level. Deputy Mayor Barbagallo said he felt the word reject was not accurate, that they were declining the health care benefits allegedly required by law was more accurate. Committeeman Soracco stated the Committee had already done that by signing a letter sent from the Clerk.
After a lengthy discussion Deputy Mayor Barbagallo withdrew his motion. Committeeman Zitone also withdrew his second to the motion.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion that the Committee and the eligible appointed officials receive paid health care benefits and those who waive the benefits receive 50% of the cost of that insurance. Also included in Deputy Mayor Barbagallo's motion was the adoption of R2004-71 regarding the Health care benefits.
Committeeman Saracco 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
Bruno Group Contract Renewal
Committeeman Zitone made a motion to deny the renewal of the
Bruno Group contract. Committeeman Zitone also stated that if they wish to work on a commission basis that would be acceptable.
The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Barbagallo.
The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote:
Ayes: Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Zitone,
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Butto
Nays: None
Reports:
Board of Health Report (available upon request)
Tax Collector's Report-July, 2004
Montague Volunteer Fire Dept.-July, 2004
Clean Communities Report
Zoning Report
North Jersey Housing and Planning-Progress Report, Small Cities Grant-Montague/Sandyston
The Committee noted receipt of the above reports
Public Participation
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to open the meeting to public participation.
The motion was seconded by Committeeman Krebs.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Henry Zeeuw
Mr. Zeeuw explained to the Committee that he was doing a membership drive for the VFW and asked if the Township could pay for the postage and post cards he was using. The Committee agreed that they could.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to reimburse Mr. Zeeuw for the stamps and post cards used for the membership drive for the VFW. The cost should not exceed $100.00
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The Mayor asked if anyone else wished to speak. There was no one.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to close the public participation.
Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
Deputy Mayor Barbagallo made a motion to go into executive session for reasons of personnel and finance. He also stated that there would be no further action taken at this meeting.
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 Soracco seconded the motion.
The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.
The meeting closed at 10:35p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen F. Felter
Municipal Clerk