EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

APRIL 14, 2008

 

Members      

Present:        Glorianne Robbi               Chair

                     Richard Ginman             Vice Chair

                     Pat Cregar                     Mayor Designee-Township Committee       

                     Fred Gardner

                     Rob Gilbert

                     Megan Tomaro

                                                    

Liaisons

Present:         Toni Robbi                    Environmental Commission

 

Others

Present:       Andrea Bonette

        Judy Conard                    Administrator

        Martha Pittore               Secretary

                    

 

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:35 p.m. by Chair, Glorianne Robbi.

 

IN COMPLIANCE WITH the Open Public Meetings Act, it was noted that this is a regular meeting of the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee pursuant to the meeting notice published in the January 24, 2008 issue of the Hunterdon County Democrat.  On April 8, 2008 notice of this meeting was filed in the Township Clerk’s Office, sent to the Hunterdon County Democrat and the agenda was posted on the bulletin board.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Motion was made by Dick Ginman to open the meeting to the public, second by Rob Gilbert and carried unanimously.  No members of the public spoke.  A motion was made by Dick Ginman to close the meeting to the public, second by Rob Gilbert and carried unanimously. 

 

MINUTES OF MEETING March 10, 2008:  FOSPC members recommended minor corrections.  These changes will be incorporated into the original which will be filed and distributed.  A Motion was made by Dick Ginman to approve the minutes, as amended, second by Rob Gilbert and carried unanimously.   

 

 

BILLS FOR APPROVAL:

Dick Ginman made a motion to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, second by Rob Gilbert.    Motion carried unanimously.  

 

 

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

 

New Business: 

·        FOSPC Letter/Annual Report to Taxpayers   Rob Gilbert

·        Hunterdon County Planning Board letter       Fred Gardner

Unfinished Business:                       

·        Recreation/South Park/Kohane        Dick Ginman

 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT & ACTIVE PROPERTIES UPDATE:  In addition to the report Judy reported on the following:

 

Helen Rynearson:  Judy stated she visited surveyor David Newton at his office to determine the status of the survey for the sub-division.  Mr. Newton stated that there is an area of clouded title.  This happened when the bridge on Dunkard Church Road was re-aligned.  Mr. Newton reports that the survey is complete except for details needed for the map on this area along the road.  Mr. Newton believes the problems can be easily solved and believes the neighbors are willing to cooperate. FOSPC members noted that the money for this project is being held but there is a deadline.  Judy stated she advised Mr. Newton that time is of the essence.   She will continue with her efforts to move the survey process along.       

 

Barbara Hay & Jeff & Debra Fisher: Judy spoke with Attorney DeSapio’s office.  The title work is in and will be sent to Bohren & Bohren.

 

Scibilia Greg & Dena: Judy composed a letter to advise Greg Scibilia that the SADC will not allow a ‘jog’ in the 50 foot access stem to the property.  Judy is waiting for Mr. Dieterly’s approval before sending the letter out.  Once approved, a copy of the letter will be shared with all interested parties at the Township.  FOSPC members noted that Zoning Board of Adjustment set certain conditions on their approval to rent the building.  One condition was that the lot line change be completed by June 1, 2008.   Members of the committee expressed concern that there is not enough time to complete the work by that date.

   

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

Additional recreational space for the Township:  Dick Ginman stated he and Glorianne attended the West Amwell Open Space Committee meeting and the subsequent West Amwell Township Committee meeting.  The issue of acquiring the property across the street from the South County Park for shared recreational use by both East Amwell and West Amwell was presented.  Dick stated that both the West Amwell Open Space Committee and Township Committee were supportive of the effort but did not want to provide money for the project.  Dick discussed this with the County Parks Director, John Trontis.  Mr. Trontis stated he would speak to the Freeholders.  Sean Pfeiffer, Chair of the Open Space Committee at West Amwell was asked to stay in touch with John Trontis.

 

Kohane:  Mr. Cushing reports that he sent a letter to Mr. Kohane’s attorney asking if continued negotiations are possible.  He is awaiting a response.   

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Review of Preservation Outreach Fair held on March 31, 2008:  Glorianne Robbi thanked everyone involved for their assistance.  Judy stated she issued thank you letters to all participants and landowners who attended.  She also sent a letter to landowners who were invited but could not attend and included the participant list for reference.

 

Support for NJ Department of Agriculture.  FOSPC members reviewed the resolution and letter sent by the Township Committee asking the Governor to retain the Department of Agriculture.  FOSPC agreed it was important to support the request that the Department of Agriculture not be dissolved due to current state budget cuts.   Gloriannne Robbi stated she will draft a letter for FOSPC to send to the Governor.  Glorianne stated she will include information from recent articles quoting the International Monetary Fund/World Fund concerns about the loss of cropland, possibility of famine and need for food production.  These concerns make the Department of Agriculture more essential than ever.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

FOSPC letter/report to taxpayers:  Rob Gilbert asked for suggestions for content to include in the annual letter/report issued by FOSPC to taxpayers.  After a brief discussion, FOSPC agreed to include the following information:      

·        Comparison of percentages preserved between East Amwell and other townships

·        Information contained in the County Plan & East Amwell Farmland Plan

 

Rob and Dick will continue to work on the report to taxpayers which will be inserted with the July tax bill mailing. 

 

HCPB Letter:  Fred Gardner stated the Planning Board reviewed a letter submitted by the Chair of Hunterdon County Planning Board to COAH.  The letter refers to a sum of only “900 acres preserved in open space”. Fred questioned the 900 acres as being a very low figure.  Judy Conard will verify the accuracy of the figure.  

 

LIASON REPORTS

 

Planning Board:  Written report from Linda Lenox

·        The Planning Board is preparing a letter of support to save the Department of Agriculture.

·       Fred stated he recently reviewed a map provided by South Branch Watershed showing streams.  He suggested naming the streams for identification purposes.   Fred agreed to spearhead the effort and follow up with representatives from Stony Brook, South Branch Watershed and the East Amwell Historical Committee. 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural Advisory Board: Written report from Linda Lenox

·       The West Amwell Agriculture Advisory Group shared information with East Amwell that will help East Amwell develop their website.     

·       East Amwell Agriculture Advisory Committee is holding a farm forum in October. 

·       There was a large turn-out at the rally held in Trenton to support the Department of Agriculture.

 

Environmental Committee:  Toni Robbi reported as follows:

·        Roadside cleanup is Saturday, April 19th.  Please call Blaine Hummell to volunteer.

·        The EA Environmental Newsletter issued for spring 2008 includes an article on how to improve the water quality of the town by using fewer lawn chemicals.

 

Recreation Committee:  No report.

 

SADC meeting held March 27, 2008:   FOSPC members received a written summary prepared by Nicole Goger, from New Jersey Farm Bureau.  Judy hopes to have these reports available each month. 

 

CADB meeting held April 10, 2008:  No report available. Judy was asked to copy CADB minutes for Glorianne Robbi to review for items of interest to FOSPC. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE

All items as listed under the Agenda noted without further comments.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Glorianne Robbi opened the meeting to the public. Andrea Bonette stated Mr. Dieterly should be involved in closing the matter with Scibilia.  She also reported that representatives of the Delaware Township Planning Board attended a public meeting hosted by the Hunterdon County Transportation Plan Steering Committee.  Discussion included proposed bicycle lanes utilizing federal funds on Wertsville Road and Manners Road.  FOSPC recommended that the Planning Board bring this issue to the Township Committee.  It was moved and seconded to close the meeting to the public.  Carried.    

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. by motion of Dick Ginman,   second by Pat Cregar.  Motion carried unanimously.      

 

NEXT MEETING is Monday, May 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Martha Pittore, Secretary

FOSPC