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MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY March 30, 2007

The Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, met in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue, for a Special Meeting at 6:05 P.M.
Present: Mayor Remsen, Deputy Mayor Tobin and Councilors Freier, Lang, Mattox and Schlager.
Absent: Councilor Michaelson

STATEMENT OF SUNSHINE NOTICE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Remsen introduced the following ordinance and made a motion which was duly seconded, that it pass first reading and be further considered for final passage at a regular meeting of the Township Council to be held on April 24, 2007.

“ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A.40A:4-45.14).

The motion was adopted by unanimous vote.

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INTRODUCTION OF 2007 BUDGET

Township Manager Joseph Hartnett explained the reasons why the budget was being introduced this evening:

“We are recommending a budget for introduction this evening for the sole purpose of meeting the State deadline for the Extraordinary Aid application for the storm last year.” He also stated that neighboring towns did receive aid for that storm, and “we have a high degree of confidence that Montclair will be getting aid.”

He further stated that “we have some very serious challenges” ahead with this budget. He recommended one of the next steps in the budget process will be a thorough review of this year’s capital budget. There are many factors that have to be considered in the budget process. He reiterated that “this is only the starting line and not the finish line, and there is still a lot of work ahead before the budget will be adopted.”

 Consequently, the budget that we are recommending should not be considered anywhere near final form. It is only the first step in the budget journey ahead of us.

Township Manager Joseph Hartnett announced that there will be a user-friendly version of the budget available very soon in the Municipal Clerk’s Office, in the Montclair Public Library and over the Internet.

* * *

Deputy Municipal Clerk Evelyn Ostella read the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that the following statements of revenues and appropriations shall constitute the Municipal Budget for the year 2007:

Total Amount to be Raised by Taxes for Support of Municipal Budget:$40,229,410.54

Total General Revenues$63,471,016.03

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that said Budget will be published in The Montclair Times in the issue of April 26, 2007. The Governing Body of the Township of Montclair does hereby approve the following as the Budget for the year 2007.

Ayes: Mayor Remsen, Deputy Mayor Tobin and Councilors Freier, Lang, Mattox and
 Schlager.

Absent: Councilor Michaelson

Notice is hereby given that the Budget and Tax Resolution was approved by the Governing Body of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, on March 30, 2007.

A hearing on the Budget and Tax Resolution will be held at the Municipal Building, on May 15, 2007 at 8:00 P.M. at which time and place objections to said Budget and Tax Resolution for the year 2007 may be presented by taxpayers or other interested persons.

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On motion made by Deputy Mayor Tobin and duly seconded, the following resolution was adopted by unanimous vote:

WHEREAS, an emergent condition has arisen in that the Township is expected to enter in contracts, commitments or payments prior to the 2007 budget and no adequate provision has been made in the 2007 temporary budget for the aforesaid purposes, and

WHEREAS, N.J.S. 40A:4-20 provides for the creation of an emergency temporary appropriation for said purpose, and

WHEREAS, the total emergency temporary appropriation resolutions adopted in the year 2007 pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 96, P.L. 1951 (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20) including this resolution total as follows:

Current Fund$4,266,619.53
Water Operating Fund 300,000.00
Sewer Operating Fund 235,042.77

TOTAL $4,801,662.30

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Township of Montclair, in the County of Essex, State of New Jersey, (not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof affirmatively concurring) that in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40A:4-20:

1. Emergency temporary appropriations be and the same are hereby made in the amount of
 $4,801,662.30 as per the attached schedule.

2. Said emergency temporary appropriations will be provided for in the 2007 budget.

3. That one certified copy of this resolution be filed with the Director, Division of Local Government
 Services.

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PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Remsen stated that the meeting was now open to the public and asked if there was anyone present
who wished to address the Council regarding any matters of interest or importance:

Ms. Reina Smith, 7 Grove Terrace, representing the Cloverhill Place/Grove Terrace Association, stated that they had a meeting regarding crime, etc., in the neighborhood. She also stated that she wants to be actively involved in future Council budget meetings.

Mayor Remsen explained the procedure regarding budget hearings and stated that the Council would love to have more citizen input than they have been experiencing.

Ms. Laila Maher, 1 Cloverhill Place, asked to be sent the 2007 Meeting Schedule for all Council meetings and for her name to be added to the list of persons alerted about future Council meetings and budget meetings.

There being no one else present wishing to be heard, Mayor Remsen closed the hearing.

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At 6:31 P.M., on motion made by Mayor Remsen and duly seconded, the Special Meeting was adjourned
by unanimous vote.

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EDWARD REMSENMAYOR
ATTEST:

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EVELYN A. OSTELLA DEPUTY MUNICIPAL CLERK