A special meeting of the East Amwell Township Committee came to order at 7:05 P.M. Present at this meeting were Mayor Larry Tatsch, Deputy Mayor Linda Lenox, and Committee members, Patricia Cregar, Peter Kneski, and Timothy Martin. Also present were Doug Paternoster and Dennis Hajek of the Recreation Committee.

In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, a copy of notice of this meeting was filed in the Clerk’s Office, posted on the bulletin board, and sent to the Hunterdon County Democrat, Times of Trenton, and Star Ledger on January 9, 2008. The purpose of this meeting is to interview candidates for the 2008 boards and committees. The public is invited to attend and comment. Action may or may not be taken.

Mayor Tatsch briefed the Committee on the three open positions. One open position is on the Agricultural Advisory Board, one is on Recreation, and one is on the Recycling Committee. A farmer, or someone with Agricultural experience, is preferred on the Agricultural Advisory Board. Discussion was held regarding inviting the Chair, or Chair’s Designee, of a Board/Committee to sit in on the interviews of potential members for their particular Board/Committee, with Mayor Tatsch asking if the governing body wanted to memorialize this as a policy. He noted that members from the public are invited to meetings to bring up questions, but this is not the same as using a Chairman’s expertise to describe activities or to ask specific questions of the candidate. Committee members felt that this was a good idea. Mr. Hajek appreciated the opportunity to discuss this. Mr. Paternoster also noted that if a vacancy occurred in mid-year, the members would reach out themselves to find an interested volunteer without the governing body being fully aware of this. When the governing body reorganizes annually, they reach out to the public asking for their interest in serving, and then fill boards with candidates without board input. Mr. Hajek also added that input from other Recreation Committee members is beneficial in filling seats since they can provide a broader background on the activities of their work. Mr. Paternoster also noted that the Recreation Committee is trying to get diversity on the committee for a wide variety of programs (rather than filling with members with all the same mind-set). Mr. Hajek noted that the current Recreation Committee “is a great group of people” with all of them working extremely hard and well together to meeting recreational needs. The governing body agreed that having the Chair and Vice Chair from the Recreation Committee present at the interviews is valuable.

The Township Committee exchanged favorable comments about the number of volunteers serving the community, well over 100, who are dedicated and willing to serve.

One of the Recreation Committee members mentioned they may have someone who would be interested in a position on the Recreation Committee.

Suzzan Bruno who was scheduled and confirmed for a 7:00 p.m. interview did not appear.

Kevin Ostrander was the second candidate scheduled for an interview.

The Mayor, Township Committee and the two members of the Recreation Committee welcomed Mr. Ostrander. Introductions were made. Mayor Tatsch informed Mr. Ostrander of the positions available on the three different Boards/Committees. The Mayor asked the members from the Recreation Committee to give Mr. Ostrander an update as to what the Recreation Committee is doing. Mr. Paternoster said the Recreation Committee is involved with the Holiday Tree Lighting, Easter Egg Hunt, youth sports programs, and the Summer School program at the school. There are some new programs that have been started as well, such as Music in the Park, and basketball in the school during the winter. Recreation is always looking for new ideas. The Recreation Committee has a good group of people who help each other with the programs. All of the current members have been on the Recreation Committee for at least a couple of years. The Recreation Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month, at 7:15 p.m.

Mayor Tatsch mentioned the duties of the Recycling Committee. The Recycling Committee has a recycling depot on a monthly basis, an annual cleanup day, and this year, they had electronics cleanup day. Committeeman Martin also added information regarding the State mandated percentage of materials required to be recycled, and the challenges this requirement will pose to the Recycling Committee. The Mayor asked Mr. Ostrander to tell the Township Committee if his interests and experiences would make him lean toward either the Recreation Committee or Recycling Committee.

Mr. Ostrander stated he has lived in East Amwell for about five years. He has a wife and a one year old daughter. They were attracted to East Amwell because of the rural nature of the community. He has a background in science, and works in the pharmaceutical industry. Mr. Ostrander stated he has never volunteered for anything on the municipal level. He has done fund raising work for the Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, and has been on the Board of Trustees for the Flemington United Methodist Church. He is a big advocate of recycling. The electronics recycling day was very important to Mr. Ostrander. He has taken part in the county-wide hazardous waste recycling, and was on a Haz-Mat team a number of years ago. Mr. Ostrander said he initially had come in for a position on the Recycling Committee however either Committee would be fine for him.

Mayor Tatsch and the Township Committee members thanked Mr. Ostrander for his interest in the community and for interviewing for the positions. Mayor Tatsch told Mr. Ostrander he would be notified in a few days of the Township Committee’s decision. Mr. Ostrander thanked the Township Committee.

Motion to adjourn the special meeting at 7:30 p.m. was made by Ms. Cregar and seconded by Ms. Lenox. All in favor.

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Carolyn Fritsch, Deputy Clerk

Taken from Tape