EAST AMWELL PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
November 28, 2007 at 7:30 PM East Amwell
Municipal Building
CALL TO ORDER, ATTENDANCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
This meeting of the East
Amwell Planning Board was opened on November 28, 2007 at 7:30 PM. The following
notice was read, “In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, this is a
regularly scheduled meeting pursuant to the annual meeting notice as published
in the January 25, 2007 issue of the Hunterdon County Democrat, a copy of the
agenda for this meeting was forwarded to the Hunterdon County Democrat, filed
in the Township Clerk’s Office and posted on the bulletin board on November 20,
2007.” It was noted this meeting date was
changed from 11/14/07 to 11/28/07 and noticed in the 9/27/07 issue of the
Hunterdon County Democrat.
Present: Fred Gardner
Linda
Lenox
Don
Reilly, Chairman
Dart
Sageser
Larry
Tatsch
Frank
Banisch, Planner
Excused: Emmerson Bowes
Gail
Glashoff
Bela
Kamensky
Michael
Weis
Phillip
Ward
Joe
Wolfgang
Christopher
Norman, Attorney
Dennis
O’Neal, Engineer
CITIZENS PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Chairman Reilly opened the
floor to public comment. No one came forward. A motion by Larry Tatsch,
seconded by Linda Lenox, to close to the public was unanimously approved.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
A motion by Dart Sageser,
seconded by Linda Lenox to approve the minutes from 10/10/07 with a few minor
revisions was approved with Fred Gardner abstaining.
NEW BUSINESS – OTHER
Discussion: To grant an extension of time to file
deeds to Matthew and Gayle Miller – Minor Subdivision Approval – Block
40.03 Lot 16.03
Mr. Miller questioned the
date the extension was good through, either a year from the date the original
Resolution was memorialized, or a year from when the deeds should have been
filed by.
A motion by Larry Tatsch,
seconded by Linda Lenox to approve the extension of time for the Miller’s to
file their deeds was approved with the explanation that the extension will be
good through June 13, 2008 or December 20, 2008 which ever date is confirmed by
the Board Attorney.
Roll Call Vote:
Larry Tatsch: Yes, Linda Lenox: Yes, Fred Gardner: Yes, Don Reilly: Yes, Dart
Sageser: Yes.
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – November
28, 2007
Public Hearing: Pantel/Rynearson – Preliminary &
Final Major Subdivision – B:2 L:2 &
9
It was noted this public
hearing was cancelled due to noticing deficiencies.
Public Hearing/Discussion: Development of State
Required Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan
Glorianne Robbi and Dick
Ginman of the Farmland Preservation Committee were present. Ms. Robbi explained
that FOSPC is currently working on creating a comprehensive plan to receive
funding for this upcoming (one) year. The SADC has provided guidelines and the
plan must be submitted by 12/15/07. Ms. Robbi explained that part of the
requirements was to hold a public meeting before the Planning Board. Once the
draft plan is submitted and reviewed by the SADC, they will provide comments to
FOSPC prior to the plan officially being “adopted.”
There was some discussion on
who actually adopted the plan and whether this was a Planning Board matter or a
Township Committee matter. The Board believes that since the plan must be
adopted by ordinance, the final public hearing should be held before the
Township Committee. The plan itself will then be adopted by the Planning Board
to become part of the Master Plan.
Ms. Robbi explained which
members of FOSPC were responsible for the various elements of the plan. It was
noted that by the time SADC reviews everything and FOSPC makes revisions, the
matter wouldn’t be heard again until possibly February 2008.
Planner Banisch noted that
FOSPC was providing a tremendous voluntary service to the Township by drafting
this plan and commented that he believed they were saving the Township about,
“$20,000!”
Planner Banisch stated this
comprehensive plan is not a replacement for the Farmland Preservation Plan as
authorized by the MLUL. Rather, this plan is an administrative agency
replacement to qualify for Farmland Preservation funding that the governing
body should approve and transmit to the SADC. It was noted that Chairman Reilly
and Mr. Tatsch will check with Attorney Norman and Attorney Cushing to see
which Board/Committee holds the public hearing for this matter.
Chairman Reilly opened the
floor to public comment. No one came forward. Chairman Reilly closed the floor
to public comment.
Motion: Approval of Resolution PB#2007-13, re: Section
26 – Run-in Sheds
A motion by Linda Lenox,
seconded by Fred Gardner to approve the Resolution was unanimously approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Linda Lenox: Yes, Fred Gardner: Yes, Don Reilly: Yes, Dart Sageser: Yes, Larry
Tatsch: Yes.
Motion: Approval of Resolution PB#2007-15, re: Section
26 – Stormwater Management
A motion by Larry Tatsch,
seconded by Dart Sageser to approve the Resolution was unanimously approved.
Roll Call Vote:
Larry Tatsch: Yes, Dart Sageser: Yes, Fred Gardner: Yes, Linda Lenox: Yes, Don
Reilly: Yes.
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – November
28, 2007
Discussion: Status of Letter to local realtors, re:
Providing zoning information to prospective buyers – and related proposed
Ordinance
Since Mr. Weis has been
working on this project, and since he was not present at the meeting, it was
noted this matter will be listed on the Board’s next month’s agenda for
discussion.
Since Mr. Tatsch is also
contributing to the project, he briefly commented their goal is to have
information regarding the Sourland Mountain available for Realtors in the form of
a disclosure for them to provide to their clients. Mr. Tatsch stated he
believed that by the Planning Board’s next meeting, they should be ready to
address the proposed ordinance on this matter.
Approval of Requested 2008 Planning Board Budget
The Board approved the
requested budget with two noted changes: The request for $750 in the
Dues/Meetings/Training line and $9000 in the Attorney line. The total requested
budget for 2008 is $55,750. It was noted this amount is $10,545 less than the
2007 budget.
Discussion: Listing PB Administrative Officer’s hours
and wages on the agenda
The Board agreed that listing
Ms. Andrews’ salary and hours on the agenda was not necessary since this
practice is not consistent with all Boards and since Ms. Andrews’ is not a
“vendor” or a “contracted professional” who’s wages/bills are required to be
listed on the agenda for approval. Mr. Tatsch noted he was fine with this
matter being removed from the agenda and noted that Ms. Andrews’ time cards
would still be readily available through Township Administrator Matheny for
anyone interested in reviewing them.
Chairman Reilly suggested
that the Board move the Open to the Public section up on the agenda since there
was only one resident in the public.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
A motion by Linda Lenox,
seconded by Larry Tatsch to open to the public was unanimously approved.
Andrea Bonette of 17 Ridge
Road came forward and expressed concern over an issue related to the Board
requesting approval for Attorney Norman to receive $600 per meeting. Ms.
Bonette suggested part of this fee gets taken out of the applicant’s escrow
accounts. Chairman Reilly stated he would look into the matter and speak with
Attorney Norman.
Ms. Bonette then expressed
concern over the various newspapers being used for noticing purposes. She
referred to the Township Committee’s 2007 reorganization meeting minutes noting
that the Hunterdon County Democrat was the “official” newspaper with the
Trenton Times and Star Ledger also being “recognized.” Administrative Officer
Andrews explained that the Democrat is a weekly paper and the Trenton Times and
Star Ledger are daily papers. She stated often times, applicants must use the
daily papers for noticing in order to meet the deadlines.
A motion by Larry Tatsch,
seconded by Linda Lenox to close to the public was unanimously approved.
ORAL REPORTS
FOSPC – No
report given.
Agricultural Advisory Committee – Linda Lenox explained that Shawn Pfiefer from West
Amwell had expressed concern about East Amwell’s Smart Growth Grant. Mr. Tatsch
stated that East Amwell did not apply to be a “center” like West Amwell did,
and therefore fell under different criteria regarding the
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – November
28, 2007
Smart Growth Grant. It was
also noted that the Agricultural Advisory Committee has a website:
eastamwellgrows.org for anyone interested in checking it out.
Environmental Commission – No report given.
SM Smart Growth Grant – No report given.
Stormwater Committee – Andrea Bonette noted the Regional Stormwater meetings taking place.
COAH – Larry
Tatsch commented that he learned some interesting information at the League of
Municipalities Conference regarding the State’s interest in providing housing
for the disabled. Mr. Tatsch also provided a brief update on the Easter Seals
home in town.
PB Secretary
– Ms. Andrews noted that all employee evaluation information needed to be in to
Township Administrator Matheny by tomorrow.
Chairman –
Mr. Reilly commented on the annual Planning Board Holiday Party and stated this
year he thought something may be planned for February.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Gardner noted that he
thought the definition of impervious coverage provided by Delaware Township in
the correspondence he read was a “very good one.”
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
A motion by Fred Gardner,
seconded by Linda Lenox to approve the vouchers as listed on the agenda was
unanimously approved.
Chairman Reilly adjourned the
meeting at 9:37 PM.
________________________________
Maria Andrews, Administrative
Officer