+ MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

JANUARY 10, 2006

Minutes

Mayor Brislin called the meeting to order 8:20 p.m. and opened the meeting, stating that the meeting was being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, P>L> 1975, c. 231, and has been duly advertised.

The Clerk was asked to call the roll

Present were: Committeeman Soracco, Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Utter, Committeeman Krebs, Mayor Brislin

Attorney Hinkes, Clerk Francisco

All present were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS :

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to open to the public for comments:

Committeeman Krebs requested committeeman Soracco withdraw the motion so the Committee

could amend the agenda.

Committeeman Soracco withdrew his motion to open to the public.

Committeeman Krebs made a motion to amend the agenda.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

The agenda was amended to add under Old Business, appointment of Fire Sub Code Official and under New Business, Inter-local Agreement between Branchville Borough and Montague Township's Electrical Inspector and Plumbing Inspector.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to open to the public on agenda items.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Dorothy Ames requested clarification regarding Senior Citizen Financial Coordinator.

Mayor Brislin clarified the title as Senior Citizen Financial Liaison.

No other comment was made.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock made a motion to close to the public.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Committee Reports:

Administration: Personnel, Tax Assessor, Township Buildings, Recreation, and Senior Citizens.

Chair: Paul Brislin- reported his goal is to review human resource policy, and will be asking for

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monthly reports from appointed Officials and Committeemen. The improvement of the lighting in the parking lots was addressed. Mayor Brislin requested comment from the Recreation Committee, Rhodi Teufert reported that the Rec Committee met last week and will continue to the meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Town Hall. The Rec Committee will follow up regarding who is responsible to maintain the ball fields, discussed background checks, supplies, painting foyer area outside library and back room of library once it is cleared out for their use. Summer camp, and trips were mentioned as well as the moving of the County Library drop box and keys to the building. A copy of the Recreation Committee minutes may be obtained from the Township Web Site and/or Town Hall.

Senior Citizen President, Ruth Owen reported that she has the opportunity as President to go to the County Senior Citizens meetings and report to the Montague area citizens. She requested that the township make copies of the information for its Seniors. Issues were the Smart Bill, and Shared Housing.

Co-Chair: Mark Utter- No further comment

Health and Welfare:

Chair: John Soracco- Commented on the thought of re-instituting the Township Board of Health.

Co-chair: Mark Krebs: Commented on Recycling running well and Clean Communities moving forward.

Public Works:

Chair Joseph Lashendock- Reported that the DPW is doing a good job and the possibility of new road equipment.

Co-Chair: John Soracco-No additional comment was made.

Public Safety:

Chairperson Mark Utter reported that the Fire Department has submitted a 2006 budget. The Court Administrator has inquired on the possibility of additional help. Cable Televison opened a road without alerting the Township and we will be corresponding with them regarding that.

Co-Chair person Joseph Lashendock reported looking into other options for the Fire House Building.

Financial

Chair person Mark Krebs reported that the budget meetings will be scheduled to happen within the next few weeks. Different grants will be looked into for the Fire House.

Co-Chair Mayor Brislin appointed a Grants Committee

The following at will committee members appointed: Paul Brislin, Helen Felter and Henry Zeuw.

Appointments:

Mayor Brislin made a motion to appoint Alicia Batko to the position of Township Historian.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

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Mayor Brislin appointed Maureen Kaman to the Land Use Citizen Advisory Board.

Mayor Brislin appointed Lois Cuchera and John Cuchera to New Myrtle Drive Citizen Advisory Committee to serve at will.

Resolutions:

R2006-008 CANCELLATION OF TAX OVERPAYMENTS OR DELINQUENT AMOUNTS LESS THAN $10.00.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to adopt the above referenced resolution.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote.

OLD BUSINESS:

Fire House discussed previously under committee report as noted above.

NEW BUSINESS:

Fire Sub Code Official - Deputy Mayor Lashendock made a motion to appoint Matthew Kansky as Fire Sub Code Official.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

Committeeman Krebs made a motion to make the "Mayor" designated parking space a "Clerk" designated space.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

Vote: Ayes: Soracco, Lashendock, Utter, Krebs.

Nay: Brislin

Designated Fire Zone- Area Between Rescue Squad and Municipal building

Mayor Brislin made a motion to table discussion for further information.

Committeeman Utter seconded the motion.

The motion was tabled by unanimous voice vote.

Salary Ordinance was discussed briefly and will be available for next meeting.

Different types of a Board of Health were briefly discussed such as Autonomous Board of Health, Township Committee Board of Health and Advisory Board of Health.

Senior Citizen Advocate- description of the position was discussed.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to open the discussion to the public.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Resident Ruth Owen inquired as to the involvement with the Senior Citizen Advocate and the Senior Citizen Club. There was some discussion regarding above. The Mayor responded that if

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the Senior Citizen Advocate is also a member of the Senior's Club they are only to be there as a member only unless asked otherwise by the Senior's President.

Resident Dorothy Ames stated that she thought the description of the Senior Citizen Advocate was very well written.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to close public participation.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion. The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to adopt the Senior Citizen Advocate position description. Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous roll call vote.

Mark Utter made a motion to appoint Desmond Finegan as Senior Citizen Advocate.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a roll call vote.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Lashendock, Utter, Brislin, Nays: Soracco, Krebs

Senior Citizen Financial Liaison description was defined and discussed.

Committeeman Krebs made a motion to open discussion to the public.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Resident Dorothy Ames inquired as to the purpose and/or need for the Citizen Financial Liaison position. Mayor Brislin responded that the purpose of the position is to review vouchers for the Committee.

Resident and President of the Seniors Ruth Owen stated that the vouchers are first reviewed by the Senior Treasurer, the Senior President, the Township CFO, and the Mayor and Committee.

She didn't feel it was necessary. Council said it didn't conflict with the Senior's Bi laws .

Committeeman Krebs stated that you then have 5 check points already who review the vouchers for the Seniors.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to close public participation.

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion. The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock made a motion to table the position.

Committeeman Utter seconded the motion.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock withdrew his motion.

Committeeman Utter withdrew his seconded motion.

Committeeman Utter made a motion to create the position of Senior Citizen Financial Liaison.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a roll call vote.

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Vote: Ayes- Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Utter, Mayor Brislin

Nays- Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Krebs

Committeeman Utter made a motion to table the appointment.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a roll call vote.

Vote: Ayes-Deputy Mayor Lashendock, Committeeman Utter, Mayor Brislin

Nays- Committeeman Soracco, Committeeman Krebs

Bill List- Payment of Vouchers:

Committeeman Krebs made a motion to pay the bills.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Reports:

Tax Collector Report

Correspondence:

No Correspondence to report

Public Participation:

Committeeman Krebs made a motion to open the public participation at 10:05 p.m.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried a unanimous voice vote.

Resident Rhodie Teufert asked when the Recreation Committee would get a key to the downstairs, outside door. After some discussion the Mayor responded that it would be within 10 days.

She also asked when they could advertise new hours. The Mayor responded it would be when the lock is changed. Ms. Teufert asked the Mayor to consider keeping Committeeman Soracco as liaison to the Library. Mayor Brislin said he would give up his secondary position to the Co-Chair to the

Rec Committee. Rest room access was discussed while the Library was opened.

Resident Margaret Wolf Snyder commented that it took 51 minutes for the State Police an Ambulance to respond to a 911Call to their home on December 22, 2005. She expressed her concern of the untimely assistance. She expressed her concern that the Township was expecting major growth in the near future without adequate rescue services. Mayor Brislin responded that it was unfortunate and the Health and Welfare Committee would look into the incident and address appropriately.

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Resident Reginald Cole commented that his family also had a similar experience with 911 Services. He also expressed concern for the growing community and inadequate rescue services.

Resident Ruth Owen spoke again regarding the Senior Financial Liaison, and asked if someone from the Committee would consider being the Financial Liaison.

Committeeman Soracco made a motion to close the public portion of the meeting

Committeeman Krebs seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by a unanimous voice vote.

Deputy Mayor Lashendock made a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Committeeman Soracco seconded the motion.

The motion was carried by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted

Diana Francisco

Clerk/Administrator

Draft February 5, 2006

Attachments

Bills List

R2006-08

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