A special meeting of the East Amwell Township Committee came to order at 6:45 PM. Present were Mayor Larry Tatsch, Deputy Mayor Kathleen Machnik, and Committee members Richard Spiegel (arriving during the meeting), Linda Lenox, and Patricia Cregar. Township member elect Peter Kneski was also in attendance.
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 December 22, 2007. The purpose of this meeting is to interview candidates for 2008 boards and committees. The public is invited to attend and comment. Action may or may not be taken.
Amy Zambrowski, Rainbow Hill Road, arrived at 6:50 p.m. Mrs. Zambrowski is interested in a position on the Board of Adjustment or the Planning Board. She previously served the Township on the Historic Preservation Committee. She works for a research company, and she has the time to serve on a Board now.
Mr. Kneski, as current Chairman, outlined the responsibilities of the Board of Adjustment, in use and other variances. He also noted the new requirement of members of the Board of Adjustment and Planning Board (except for exempt members) to take a land use course. Mr. Tatsch explained the quasi-judicial nature of the Board of Adjustment. He also explained the need to have committed membership with members attending at least half of the meetings. Mr. Tatsch concluded by explaining the selection and notification process.
Anne Williams, 325 Rileyville Road, was interviewed at 7 p.m. for a position on the Planning Board or the Board of Adjustment. She has been a real estate agent for 20 years and was a certified Tax Assessor at one time. She has lived off and on in East Amwell Township for 25 years. She was involved with farmland assessment in Princeton Township, and she has worked with Mr. Kneski in that municipality. Ms. Williams also had a variance hearing in front of the East Amwell Township Board of Adjustment last year, and she is familiar with the process. Mr. Kneski provided information on Board of Adjustment activities and course requirements.
Ms. Williams noted that she works for the same firm as Board of Adjustment member Sherrie Binder, although not in the same office or state. The Township Committee members discussed the importance of reviewing cases on an individual basis and recusing from discussions if there were any conflict of interest. Mr. Spiegel commented on the potential to be a conflict of interest in having two members of the Board working for the same firm. Committee members agreed that the realtors would have to recuse themselves from any decisions which would affect them financially.
Mr. Tatsch spoke about the need to have volunteers committed to their service by attending at least one half of the meetings and notifying the Chair if there is an issue. Mr. Tatsch commented on developing the knowledge of local regulations over a course of time. Mr. Kneski spoke about the need to take the land use course by volunteers. Ms. Lenox commented on getting input on applications for the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment from the Environmental Commission and from professionals (i.e., the Planner and Engineer, as an example).
Mr. Tatsch explained the selection and notification process.
Kit Crisafulli, owner of property on Amwell Road, was interviewed at 7:15 p.m. He is interested in a position on the Agricultural Advisory Committee. He has been interested in farming since he was 13 or 14 years old, and his family previously owned a farm in Freehold. Mr. Crisafulli and his father now own preserved land, which was previously owned by the New Jersey Conservation Foundation (i.e., the old Daku property). Mr. Crisafulli operates a hay farm, and he provided specifics about his business.
Ms. Lenox, as Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, spoke about the projects slated for 2008, including holding a farm forum in November on alpacas, crops, hay production, etc. The Committee is also working on the website, which will soon be live. The website will benefit local farmers and producers to sell their goods. Ms. Lenox explained that the Agricultural Advisory Committee is for the benefit of farmers. Mr. Crisafulli would be able to attend the monthly meetings on the third Monday of the month at 8 p.m. Mr. Crisafulli spoke about his educational endeavors with a degree in egronomy.
Mr. Tatsch explained the requirements of board members in terms of attendance. He further explained the selection and notification process.
The governing body agreed that the candidates interviewed tonight were very good candidates. Mr. Tatsch also noted interest on the part of Fred Gardner for a position on the Farmland/Open Space Preservation Committee.
Mrs. Stahl did contact Environmental Commission Chair Dee Kellogg about continued service by Michael Fiscor. Ms. Kellogg sent a letter on December 13 to Mr. Fiscor (who only attended the reorganization meeting in 2007); the letter asked him to get in touch immediately about his continued service - however, she has not heard from Mr. Fiscor as of today. Committee members agreed that Mr. Fiscor is not interested in continuing service.
Further discussion on appointments will take place at the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Mrs. Cregar, seconded by Ms. Lenox, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
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Teresa R. Stahl, RMC/CMC
Municipal Clerk