Wantage judge to retire at end of the year

WANTAGE — Wantage Township Municipal Court Judge Craig U. Dana will retire after 41 years on the bench on Dec. 31.

The Township Committee is seeking resumes for replacement candiates so they can decide on a replacement before the end of the year.

Township Administrator James Doherty said the next judge will be a governor's appointment, which must go through the approval process. However, he said the governor looks for a recommendation from the host municipality.

Also, there needs to be an assignment of an acting judge.

Court shared service with other towns

Wantage Township has a three-town court system with Wantage, Sussex Borough and Stillwater Township.

Currently Wantage Township has a three town court system with: Wantage, Sussex, and Stillwater. Wantage also has been in negotiation with Green, Fredon and Andover Borough, part of a four-municipality system that will possibly be dissolved in the near future. Hampton also was part of the system, but has declined the offer from Wantage.

The committee spoke of making other offers to the remaining three towns.

Committeeman Ronald Bassani suggested making a proposal, plus a small profit, and let them “choose to refuse.”

Deputy Mayor Bill Gaechter asked about the cost of a new judge's salary.

Mayor Bill DeBoer said that after 41 years, the salary would “be way up there.”