WEST MILFORD — People are excited about the township's plan for fireworks this coming July 4, and that includes the council.
Last week at the reorganization meeting, three members of the council volunteered to be the liaisons to the Fireworks Committee. Michele Dale, Ada Erik and Tim Wagner all volunteered for the two spots. Councilman Mike Hensley suggested allowing for a third council liaison, like there is on the Library Committee. But that's not happening.
Township attorney Fred Semrau advised against having three members of the council on the committee because of quorum issues. He explained that with six council members, four is a quorum. If one person is absent, three is now a quorum. If three members of the council have been discussing contracts or budgets for a committee and then have to vote on it as a council, it could be an issue.
Erik received a 6-0 vote from her fellow council members to be on the committee. Dale and Wagner tied at 4-2. Mayor Bettina Bieri would break the tie but said she wanted time to think about it.
Dale said she wants to be on the committee because she championed it from the start. The township hasn't had fireworks in a few years. Dale was on board from the start for the township to provide fireworks in 2016.
"I would just like to be a part of it," she said.
Wagner is the manager of the Greenwood Lake Airport. He runs the air show each year and said he has the expertise to put into this committee and ultimately make it free to the public. "When I get involved, I put in 100 percent," he said.
Erik was willing to give up her position since the Fireworks Committee is open to the public. She said she would attend as a private citizen.
"I've been to every meeting so far," said Erik. "It's open to the public. I'll be there anyway."
But Semrau said he doesn't recommend that be the case. Having three council members attend could jeopardize the quorum rules and restrictions.
There are other committees and commissions with either three liaisons or more than two members of the council that attend. The Library Committee has three liaisons. Members of the council attend or have attended CASA, Heritage and Recycle Committee meetings as citizens, putting three in the room.
Semrau explained that the Fireworks Committee will make recommendations to the council to expend more than $10,000 in funding. That alone could be an issue if too many council members participate at the committee level.
Bieri is expected to break the tie at Wednesday's council meeting, which will begin at 6 p.m.
Once known as Thunder in the Highlands, there haven't been town Fourth of July fireworks since 2012. The township used to provide them; in 2010, the PAL took it over as a fund raiser and did it for three years. But they broke even each time and had difficulty finding volunteers to do it. Last year, the council decided it was time for fireworks to return.
- Linda Smith Hancharick