MINUTES

 

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission

Reorganization & Business Meeting

January 28, 2008

7:30 p.m.

 

CALL TO ORDER:  The January 28, 2008 Reorganization Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson, Dee Kellogg at 7:30 PM.

 

In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, D. Kellogg announced that this is the Reorganization Meeting of the Environmental Commission, as published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on January 10, 2008..  A copy of tonight’s agenda was filed with the Township Clerk and the Township Committee, forwarded to the Hunterdon County Democrat, and the Trenton Times Newspaper, distributed to the various East Amwell Township Committees and Boards, and was posted on the Township Bulletin Board.

 

ROLL CALL: 

PRESENT:   D. Kellogg, T. Robbi, L. Lewis, M. Petrus, D. Sageser,

                       F. Clair, J. Angelone. S. Parson, B. Hummel,  J. Corboy (Secretary)

ABSENT:     A. Celebre, D. Holley

 

NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON:

D. Kellogg called for nominations from the floor for Vice-Chairperson.  T. Robbi nominated M. Petrus, and it was seconded by S. Parsons.  No other nominations were received.  D. Sageser called for the nominations to be closed, and T. Robbi seconded the motion.  Vote was taken and all were in favor.  Mike Petrus was elected as Vice-Chairperson.

  

ADOPT RESOLUTION:

a. Annual Notice Schedule – 2008 – was read to the members by J. Corboy.  Members reviewed the dates of meetings for 2008.  Motion was made by T. Robbi to move the May meeting date to Wednesday, May 28, because of the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, the usual date of our meeting.   Second was received from L. Lewis and the vote was unanimously in favor.  Motion was then received from D. Kellogg to accept the Resolution as read with the May change of dates.  Second was received from L. Lewis.  All were in favor.   The December meeting will not be held.

 

APPOINT SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE:  T. Robbi briefly explained the purpose of a Site Review Committee.  M. Petrus, T. Robbi and F. Clair were appointed to this Committee.  J. Angelone and B. Hummel will serve as alternates.

 

 

 

 

                       East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                             January 28, 20087

                                                                 Page Two

 

APPOINT SUBCOMMITTEES:  Members discussed and the following were appointed.
a.  Conservation Easements:  S. Parson, D. Kellogg, L. Lewis                                 

b.  4-H Fair:  L. Lewis, M. Petrus, S. Parsons  

T. Robbi suggested renaming this sub-committee to “Public Outreach.”  Members agreed.

M. Petrus made the motion to rename this sub-committee to Public Outreach.”  L. Lewis seconded the motion and all were in favor.

c.  Clawson Park Wetlands Area:  T. Robbi, M. Petrus, L. Lewis  (T. Robbi suggested that “Wetlands Area” be dropped from the name of this sub-committee.)  Secretary announced that the M.  Clawson Memorial Fund recently received a check from Terracycle in the amount of approximately $55, a rebate from the monthly collection of recycled soda bottles.   This amount is usually received every quarter.

d.  Solar:  A. Celebre, D. Kellogg

 

Secretary informed the members that a Recycling Committee Liaison is needed.  M. Petrus volunteered and was given completed meeting information.

 

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:                November 26, 2007 Regular Meeting

 

Minutes of the November 26, 2007 meeting were motioned for approval by M. Petrus, with a second from F. Clair, and were approved with one correction on page three - $15. per hour, not $10.  There were two abstentions.

 

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

A..  ANJEC – Membership Renewal – Dues                                                                 $270.00

                      Workshop Plan                                                                                         $60.00

                      

D. Kellogg called for a motion to approve payment of this bill.  M. Petrus so motioned and second was received from S. Parsons.  Vote was unanimously in favor.

 

Meeting Guest:  D. Kellogg called on our only guest to introduce herself:  Ms. Lauren Theis – Americorps Watershed Ambassador and a member of the South Branch Watershed Association as well as the Upper Raritan Watershed Association.  She stated that she came to our meeting to extend her services to us in any way we could use them.

 

REPORTS:

a. Planning Board – Dart Sageser will be our liaison from the Planning Board, as he was last year.  He informed members that Planning Board held its Reorganization Meeting and Don Reilly was elected as the Chairperson.  Fred Gardner was elected as Vice-Chairperson.  Their 2008 Goals were reviewed and adopted – slightly more focused than last year.  No public was present at this meeting..

                         East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                     January 28, 2008

                                                         Page Three

 

b.  Township Committee – T. Martin will be our Township Committee liaison and he was absent this evening due to a business trip.  Thus, no report was received.     

 

c. Recycling Committee – J. Corboy reported that the Recycling Committee held its first electronic recycling event in conjunction with the January Depot Day.  It was very successful and the volunteers were slightly overwhelmed by the number of residents turning in electronic products.  B. Hummel, one of the volunteers, successfully packed the 20 yd. container to capacity and the remaining items had to be left on the driveway.  An additional dumpster was ordered and everything was packed up and gone on Tuesday.  The Recycling Committee is also considering inviting Good Will Industries to bring their truck to one of the Depot Days, perhaps in the Fall, so that people can donate their clean usable clothing, household furniture, etc.

 

J. Angelone mentioned an article he saw recently which stated that Gov. Corzine has  signed a bill making it illegal to dispose of electronics in municipal waste as of January 1, 2009.

 

M. Petrus had a question about the expense of running this electronic recycling.  J. Corboy explained that it was expensive to provide this service to our residents, but we had sufficient funds in the Clean Communities Grant Fund to pay for these charges.  Also, the tonnage will be reported in our yearly tonnage report to the State, which in turn provides a check back to the Township.  B. Hummel commented that a lot of the items might possibly be refurbished.  J. Angelone mentioned the fact the when televisions go digital in 2009, there will probably be a large amount of these items that will be discarded.      

 

d. Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi reported that the Farmland/Open Space Preservation Committee has been working on a Comprehensive Agricultural Development Plan, required by the State for the continuation of Farmland Preservation funding.  T. Robbi stated that the Environmental Commission should be receiving a draft copy of this plan for our comments.  Secretary stated that nothing has been received as of this date.  The draft has been submitted to the State, and will be returned with their comments.  When it is, a public hearing will be scheduled.  T. Robbi stated that all of the work done on this project has been done by volunteers.

 

T. Robbi also updated the members on the Higgins property, a large numbers of acres, 700 approximately, in the Sourland Mountain area.  This property transverses over a couple of townships.  Several organizations outside of our Township are working on this preservation project.

      

e. Smart Growth Grant II – T. Robbi stated that he had nothing new to report from this group.  

                         East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                             January 28, 2008

                                                                 Page Four

 

 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. Solar Energy  - Next Steps - A. Celebre was absent this evening.  Thus, no report was given.   M. Petrus reported that he had a newspaper article concerning solar energy and will give it to the secretary to make copies for all.  Secretary mentioned the fact that she has seen a couple of e-mail messages over the last month or so on this topic.    

 

b. Website Update – L. Lewis reported that she has been receiving minutes and informational items for the website regularly, everything seems to be up-to-date.

 

c.  Wetland Area at Clawson Park – Update – T. Robbi informed members that Mr. Souza of Princeton Hydro volunteered to draft an informal plan.  Official plans must be obtained from the Township Engineer and soil samples have to be taken.  A plant list has been organized and there is a supplier in South Jersey who is willing to donate $500 worth of plants. The goal is to have this project accomplished by Spring of 2008.  Ms. Theis, our visitor, volunteered her services for this project.  T. Robbi promised to get in contact with her. 

 

d.  Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus stated that he had no progress report for this month.  But, that he intends to invite two students to the February meeting.  Secretary updated members on what the Recycling Committee youth members have accomplished at the school – weekly informative articles on recycling and/or environment.

 

e.  Conservation Easements – S. Parsons informed members that L. Lewis checked with attorneys in this field to inquire about professional title searches and discovered that it would be approximately $200 a property.  Financially this would not be advisable.   Currently they are searching various sources in order to hire someone to do the leg work – S. Parsons has checked with Rutgers University Environmental Sciences -  D. Kellogg has checked with contacts she has in Land Use Planning.  Township committees and boards all have cooperated in volunteering their files and assistance.  The actual ANJEC Grant application form has been received and their deadline is March 31, 2008.  It is hoped that this sub-committee could meet in the next couple of weeks to assemble an action plan for the grant.  Inquiry was made by L. Lewis as to whether there is a scanner in the Municipal Building.  Expenses will have to be estimated (phone calls, copying, scanning), and space will be needed to hold these conservation easement files.  D. Kellogg stated that these files could be kept on a CD.  $5,000 is the amount that will be applied for on the ANJEC matching grant.  It is hoped that this amount will cover Phase I of this project.

 

 

 

                         East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Meeting

                                                            January 28, 2008

                                                                    Page Five

 

 

APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW:

 

a. Block 33, Lot 12 (Clemente)

T. Robbi explained that this application is for an approval of existing two-family home.  .  Property has been sold and official approval must be obtained to continue as a two-family home.  No environmental issues seen.  Members agreed.

 

b. Block 14.02, Lot 28.03 (Hunterdon Storage)

Members reviewed the site plan.  This application is a request for permission to build an addition to storage buildings located on Route 202/31.  T. Robbi stated that a site review visit has been made.  Impervious coverage is an issue.  This site is sitting on a ground water contamination area due to the gas station located across the highway.  Original variance was for building it to the maximum.  D. Kellogg suggested that the site visit report strongly advise the Board of Adjustment not grant the variance because of strong negative environmental impact.  Members agreed.  Official site visit report is forthcoming.  Secretary will make copies for the next meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

a. Goals 2008 – Copy of 2007 Goals were enclosed with agenda.   Members reviewed and decided on some small changes and updates.  Grants for Trails will be removed and ANJEC will be further defined with Conservation Easements.  Since there are no volunteers for Plant Exchange Day, this ongoing goal will be removed.  M. Petrus suggested that “Notes from The Woods,” a VIP column, be added under Continue Public Education – Environmental Issues Section.  Outreach to East Amwell Township School will also be added under this section.  M. Petrus also suggested having rotating members attend the Delaware Township Environmental Commission meetings.  There were no volunteers for this suggestion.  Changes will be made by the secretary and copies will be available at the next meeting for final approval.    

 

b. Roadside Clean-Up Day – B. Hummel

B. Hummel was present this evening to once again ask for our support and he provided a brief background and history on Roadside Clean-Up.  Secretary informed all that Baseball Opening Day will be on April 12 and Township Clean-Up day will be on April 26.  Therefore, Roadside Clean-Up Day will be on April 19.  B. Hummel stated that he was looking to expand his sources of volunteers.  He suggested a picnic/party held later in the year to help residents celebrate their accomplishments.  D. Kellogg suggested a “block/street party” be held where each area could have a sense of community.  M. Petrus suggested that the schools be contacted.  J. Angelone stated that Boy Scouts have a service hour requirement, and he could put B. Hummel in touch with the Boy Scout leader.   Ms. Theis informed all that the South Branch Watershed Association will be

            East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Meeting

                                          January 28, 2008

                                                 Page Six

 

 

holding their stream clean-up day on the same date, and perhaps, their volunteers would pick up any roadside litter seen in the vicinity of the streams.  T. Robbi suggested that Clawson Park might be used for a social event.  However, he expressed the idea that most residents would want to return to their homes for other chores and garden work.  T. Robbi made the motion that to support the efforts of Roadside Clean-Up Day and M. Petrus seconded the motion.   All were in favor.  As she has done in the past, L. Wozniak has volunteered to obtain the refreshments. 

 

CORRESPONDENCE:      All correspondence was listed on the 1/28/08 agenda.

The following items were added at the last minute:

1.  Flyer for ANJEC Program:  “Environmental Commission – Training to Protect Natural Resources” on various dates and locations.    

2.  Letter from B. Hummel, 1/22/08, re:  21st. Annual Roadside Clean-Up Day

3.  Letter G. R. Brown, 1/15/08, re:  Environmental Cleanup Grant Roundtable

 

OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS:  L. Lewis had questions about the E-Mail message on “Recycle Bank.” (Item # j-1)  Secretary explained about the disadvantages of this program – individual receives the credit – not the community.  Also program is more suited for an urban setting, not rural.

 

Secretary reminded members about the e-mail message from A. Bonette searching for another member to the Stormwater Regulations Committee.  D. Kellogg volunteered.

 

F. Clair reminded members of the gypsy moth issue currently up before the Township Committee.  He stated that he will be attending the meeting when it will be discussed and he urged other to do the same.     

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Our guest, Ms. Lauren Theis left earlier in the evening.

 

ADJOURN:  9:20 PM            Motion for adjournment was received from D. Sageser and S. Parsons seconded the motion.  All were in favor.

 

 

 

 

cc:  Env. Com. Members           Board of Adjustment          Board of Health

      Twp. Com. & Clerk          Democrat Newspaper         Recreation Com.

      Twp. Bulletin Brd.            Trenton Times                    Recycling Com.

      Planning Board                  Associate Members            Agric. Adv. Com.

      Farmland & Open Space Preservation