EAST AMWELL PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
December 19, 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 December 19, 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 December 12,
2007.”
Present: Fred Gardner
Gail Glashoff
Bela Kamensky
Don Reilly, Chairman
Larry Tatsch
Michael Weis
Frank Banisch, Planner
Christopher Norman, Attorney
Dennis O’Neal, Engineer
Excused: Emmerson Bowes
Linda Lenox
Dart Sageser
Phillip Ward
Joe Wolfgang
Chairman Reilly noted that
the Pantel/Rynearson public hearing listed on the agenda would not be heard
this evening due to noticing deficiencies.
With regard to the minutes of
11/28/07, Chairman Reilly noted that he had received a letter from resident,
Andrea Bonette regarding the minutes from 11/28/07 and suggested the Board
discuss the minutes and the letter after all of the new business issues had
been addressed on the agenda. The Board agreed.
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 Fred Gardner,
seconded by Michael Weis, to close to the public was unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Informal Presentation: Amwell Valley Fire Company –
Proposed Pole Barn
Block 27.01
Lot 19 – 22 John Ringo Road
Roger Everitt, Dave Barrick
and Jeff Luster of the Amwell Valley Fire Company came forward. Mr. Everitt
explained that the Fire Company has looked into remodeling their existing
building to accommodate a new truck in the future. The doors on the current
building are too low and the bays are too short for a new vehicle. The
Architect estimated the cost to be approximately $800,000.00 to remodel. This
estimate did not include any costs associated with remodeling the kitchen area.
Mr. Everitt noted this price was out of their budget and proposed the idea of constructing
a separate pole barn on the property. The pole barn will be approximately 35’ x
75’ with two garage doors and a small overhang shed/storage area built off of
the left side of it. The estimated cost of the pole barn structure is
$126,000.00 not
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – December
19, 2007
including the installation of
heat and electric. The proposed location of the pole barn will be approximately
10’ off of the property line and will require a variance.
Planner Banisch suggested
that he and Engineer O’Neal meet with Mr. Everitt, Mr. Barrick and Mr. Luster
at the firehouse one Saturday morning in the near future to walk the property
and review the proposed location of the pole barn. Ms. Andrews was directed to
coordinate the meeting date.
Public Hearing: Pantel/Rynearson – Preliminary and
Final Major Subdivision
Block 2 Lots 2 & 9
Chairman Reilly noted, again,
that this application would not be heard due to noticing deficiencies. The
Board discussed some of the issues that evolved from the published notice. It
was noted that it is ultimately the applicant’s responsibility to notice the
public properly. Mr. Weis suggested that the Application Review Committee (ARC)
review their procedures to ensure that ARC, along with the Board’s
professionals, is working efficiently.
Discussion: Development of State Required
Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan – Update
Mr. Tatsch advised the Board
that the plan has been submitted and that FOSPC is awaiting review and
comments.
Discussion: Status of Letter to Local Realtors, re:
Providing Zoning Information to Prospective Buyers – and Related Proposed
Ordinance
Mr. Weis, Mr. Tatsch and Attorney
Norman have been working on developing information regarding the environmental
sensitivity of the Sourland Mountain to be available for Realtors in the form
of a disclosure for them to provide to their clients. A draft letter to
Realtors was reviewed along with a draft disclosure ordinance. Planner Banisch
noted that he would like to see the wording in the ordinance somewhat harsher
and Attorney Norman cautioned that the Board may not want to scare prospective
home buyers. It was the consensus of the Board to allow Planner Banisch to
provide input on the draft ordinance.
A motion by Fred Gardner,
seconded by Gail Glashoff to forward the draft letter and proposed disclosure
ordinance to Terri Stahl for Township Committee review was unanimously
approved. It was noted that once Planner Banisch makes his changes, both
versions will be forwarded to Ms. Stahl for the Township Committee to decide
which language they prefer.
REVIEW OF MINUTES
A motion by Fred Gardner,
seconded by Larry Tatsch to approve the minutes from 11/28/07 with a few minor
revisions was approved with Gail Glashoff, Michael Weis and Bela Kamensky
abstaining.
With respect to a specific
issue regarding the quality and accuracy of the Planning Board minutes
contained in a letter dated 12/13/07 from resident Andrea Bonette and addressed
to Chairman Don Reilly, Planning Board Members and East Amwell Township
Planning Board, the following comments were made:
Chairman Reilly noted that he
reviews each agenda and set of minutes prior to the information being posted or
sent out. He commented that minutes are not intended to be a “literary document”
but rather, a summary of what transpired during the meeting. Mr. Weis added
that he recalled a discussion at some point with the consensus of the Board
preferring accurate minutes that captured the gist of what happened at the
meetings, and not elaborate “transcribed-like” minutes.
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – December
19, 2007
ORAL REPORTS
FOSPC – No report provided.
Agricultural Advisory Committee – No report provided.
Environmental Commission – No report provided.
SM Smart Growth Grant – Planner Banisch noted that the objective is to
achieve regional planning benefits through the collective use of home ruled
powers and stated additional information may be available next month.
Stormwater Committee – Andrea Bonette noted that the local Stormwater Committee is getting
ready to work on reviewing another batch of ordinances and commented on the
Committee’s need for members. Ms. Bonette requested the Board ask for
volunteers to join the Stormwater Committee. Chairman Reilly noted anyone
interested should contact Municipal Clerk, Terri Stahl. Ms. Bonette also
provided a brief update on the Regional Stormwater status.
COAH – Mr.
Tatsch noted that the present owner of the home currently being rented by
Easter Seals is interested in selling the property. The Township is pursuing
the option of buying the property in order to provide Easter Seals with a long
term lease, of several years, which will then provide the Township with 5 COAH
credits.
PB Secretary
– No report provided.
Chairman – Mr.
Reilly noted that there was an issue raised at the last meeting by resident
Andrea Bonette with respect to Attorney Norman’s $600 meeting fee and whether
or not the Board could apply a portion of that fee to an applicant who comes
before the Board during a meeting. Attorney Norman provided a memo stating this
can not be done. Attorney fees for attending meetings are not covered by
escrows, but rather must be paid by the Township. The memo noted the
application fees charged to applicants may be used to defray this expense.
Planner Banisch noted that the quote from Cox contained in the memo applies to
all Professionals fees, not just the Board Attorney.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Chairman Reilly moved “Open
to the Public” up on the agenda and opened the floor to public comment. Andrea
Bonette of 17 Ridge Road came forward and expressed appreciation to the Board
for their consideration of her letter and noted she respected the Planning
Board’s prerogative to set their own standards for their minutes. She also said,
“I would like to be sure that Attorney Norman understands that I was not
questioning whether he’s worth $600.” Attorney Norman noted he took no offense.
Ms. Bonette also clarified that she had heard Chairman Reilly correctly when he
said that the tapes are the legal record of the meetings, not the minutes.
Attorney Norman commented that the minutes are being kept longer. Mr. Tatsch
noted the technology being used in East Amwell Township now allows for the
minutes to be recorded on CD’s and stored on hard drives.
Ms. Bonette addressed Mr.
Tatsch admitting she’s been making a fuss about the public noticing and
requested that research be done to see how many people subscribe to the Trenton
Times vs. The Star Ledger before the Township Committee decides on the Trenton
Times as the daily paper. She noted she had nothing against either paper she
just wanted the majority of residents to have access to the public notices.
East Amwell Township Planning Board Minutes – December
19, 2007
CORRESPONDENCE
Mayor Tasch noted he received
a letter from Attorney Stephen J. Halasz regarding Planning Board
Administrative Officer Maria Andrews. He read the following letter for the
record:
“Dear Sir:
I am compelled to write to you concerning the
most cooperative service rendered by one of
your staff. I am referring to Maria Andrews, in her capacity as Administrative
Officer for the Planning Board.
I
was representing the seller of the above property and certain questions came
about concerning a driveway to the
property. The buyer’s attorney was insisting on certain proofs that were in the records of the Planning Board
minutes. Also certain maps and resolutions had to be secured. Ms. Andrews had numerous phone conversations and
faxes with me and was a lifesaver in
getting certain data that I needed to save the deal that was about to go under.
Without her help and efforts I am sure
I would not have had a closing. The sale price of this property was close to a million dollars.
I
am taking the time and your time to advise you of the dedicated work that was
done by Ms. Andrews. You are
indeed very fortunate to have such a valuable employee/administrator who serves you, your Township and the public
so well.
I
would be more than happy to amplify on the fine work and cooperation that I
received from Ms. Andrews, and
invite you to call me in that regard.
Many
thanks to you for providing such an outgoing member of your staff.”
Mr. Tatsch noted there was a P.S. and read:
“P.S. I have been
practicing for over fifty years and have never received the degree of help and assistance from a public staff member
that was afforded me by Ms. Andrews.”
Mr. Tatsch noted how
wonderful it was to receive such a letter. Mr. Gardner added that while he was
out going door to door during campaigning, he stopped at the home of a new
resident who echoed the same sentiment of all the Township employees.
PRESENTATION OF VOUCHERS
A motion by Gail Glashoff,
seconded by Larry Tatsch to approve the vouchers as listed on the agenda was
unanimously approved.
Chairman Reilly adjourned the
meeting at 9:17 PM.
________________________________
Maria Andrews, Administrative
Officer