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MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY
June 20, 2008

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 7:14 P.M.
Present: Mayor Remsen, Deputy Mayor Michaelson and Councilors Freier, Lang, Mattox, Schlager and Tobin.
Absent: None

STATEMENT OF SUNSHINE NOTICE

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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BUDGET AMENDMENT HEARING

Mayor Remsen stated: “ I will entertain a motion to open a hearing on the amendment to the budget.”

Deputy Mayor Michaelson stated “I move that budget amendment hearing be opened.”

Councilor Tobin stated “I second the motion.”

On motion made by Deputy Mayor Michaelson and duly seconded the hearing was opened by unanimous vote

Mayor Remsen stated: “Anyone who has not secured a copy of the Budget Amendment may now do so.”

“Before opening this hearing I wish to outline the procedure. Each person desiring to be heard will rise and give his or her name and address before speaking. I will recognize one speaker at a time in order of rising, as nearly as I can determine.

Address all questions to the Chair; where necessary they will be referred to individual members of the Governing Body or Municipal Officials.

Questions must be confined solely to the Municipal Budget Amendment before us; School or County matters are not proper subjects of this hearing and cannot be discussed or answered here tonight.

I now declare open the public hearing on the Municipal Budget Amendment for 2008.”

Lewis Bruss, asked for the status of any renovation to the Clary Anderson Arena.

Mayor Remsen provided an update.

John Carlton, President of the Board of Education challenged the statements asserting that the Board of Education used incorrect numbers in drafting their budget for 2008-09.

Councilor Mattox asked for the status of the $800,000 characterized by Dr. Alvarez as a “rainy day fund.”

Jody Godfrey, 33 Macopin Ave, reiterated concerns regarding the privatization of the arena.

Barbara Farlie, 115 Heller Way, urged the Council to restore any funding to the Montclair Public Library and to maintain all services of the Bellevue Ave Branch.

Harvey Susswein, 85 Clinton Ave, questioned the Board of Education budget, especially the number of out of district placement students.

Township Manager Joseph Hartnett presented the “Municipal Budget in Perspective.”

Mayor Remsen stated: “Observing no further applicants for the floor, I will entertain a motion to close the hearing.”

Deputy Mayor Michaelson stated “I move that the hearing be closed.”

Councilor Tobin stated “I second the motion.”

On motion made by Mayor Remsen and duly seconded the hearing was closed by unanimous vote.

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Mayor Remsen stated: “The clerk will read the resolution.”

Municipal Clerk Linda Wanat stated:

WHEREAS, the Local Municipal Budget for the Year 2008 was approved on the 20th day of May, 2008, and

WHEREAS, the public hearing on said Budget has been held as advertised, and

WHEREAS, it is desired to amend said approved Budget, now

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Governing Body of the Township of Montclair, County of Essex, that the following amendments to the approved Budget of 2008 be made.

Deputy Mayor Michaelson stated “I offer the foregoing resolution and move its adoption.”

Councilor Tobin stated “I second the motion”

On motion made by Mayor Remsen and duly seconded the resolution was adopted by the following vote: “Ayes” Mayor Remsen, Deputy Mayor Michaelson, and Councilors Freier, Lang, Schlager and Tobin. “Nay” Councilor Mattox.

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At 9:45 P.M., on motion made by Mayor Remsen and duly seconded, the Special Meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

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ED REMSEN MAYOR

ATTEST:

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LINDA S. WANATMUNICIPAL CLERK