EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

MARCH 10, 2008

Members Glorianne Robbi : Chair

Present: Richard Ginman ; Vice Chair

Pat Cregar Mayor Designee-Township Committee

Kat Cannelongo

Fred Gardner

Rob Gilbert

Liaisons Linda Lenox Planning Board & Ag Advisory

Present: Toni Robbi Environmental Commission

Others Judy Conard Administrator

Present: Martha Pittore Secretary

Andrea Bonette

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:40 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 March 5, 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 FEBRUARY 11, 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:

Reports: Land Rally Glorianne Robbi

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

• Helen Rynearson: The survey has not been received from the surveyor. This is required for presentation to the Planning Board for approval on the sub-division. FOSPC members noted for the record that the survey is taking an inordinate amount of time. Mr. Newton previously advised Judy he was checking accuracy of the property line near Dunkard Church Rd. Judy stated she will contact surveyor David Newton in an attempt to move the survey process along.
• Barbara Hay: See remarks under post approval for survey bids. Fred Gardner asked if verification was received that an indoor riding arena is a permitted agricultural use. Judy stated that because breeding takes place, it is considered a farm and such a building would be permitted.
• Scibilia Greg & Dena: Several attempts have been made for a meeting with the SADC to discuss FOSPC proposal for a solution to the drainage field problem. A date still has not been scheduled. Judy will continue in her efforts to finalize details with Heidi Winzinger. Judy stated she spoke with Steve Sousa, tenant on the Scibilia property. He said he would offer to mark the location of the drainage field as required by the Board of Health.
• Bryan Geils: In a phone conversation with Judy on February 27, Mr. Geils advised Judy that he will ask the appraiser he hired for return of his partial payment for the work. If a refund is received, Mr. Geils would then proceed to provide an escrow fund for the appraisal work as originally discussed. A letter was sent to Mr. Geils on March 5, 2008 confirming their telephone conversation.
• Harrison Trust PIG application: Dick Leverton advised Judy that the Judge in the drift way lawsuit visited the property on March 3. There are court sessions scheduled for April 1 and May 15 after which a decision by the judge is expected.
• Harrison Trust CADB application: The incorporation of the 4 acre woodlot into the application has not been completed. Glorianne noted that at the CADB meeting Bill Millette stated he is working with the state review appraiser, Paul Burns and ‘a letter is in process.’ Kat suggested contacting Freeholder, Erik Peterson, who has been quite helpful in the past. Judy will suggest this idea to Mr. and Mrs. Leverton.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• FOSPC Outreach Meeting, Monday March 31, 2008: Glorianne stated the letter inviting landowners was signed by Mayor Tatsch and is now ready to be mailed. Rob Gilbert was asked to act as master of ceremonies at the meeting and introduce each speaker. Members of FOSPC volunteered to assist with refreshments, set-up and clean-up. FOSPC reviewed the list of property owners to receive invitations. Judy said she will mail the invitation letters on

March 12.

• Work with Recreation Committee: Dick stated Mayor Tatsch spoke with Attorney Cushing to re-open discussion with Mr. Kohane for purchase of his property located behind the municipal building. Dick stated he asked John Trontis, Parks Director for Hunterdon County about utilizing the County parking lot at the South County Park when not in use. Mr. Trontis advised this is not allowed under State rules. Mr. Trontis suggested looking into the property in West Amwell across the street from the South County Park. Glorianne, Dick and Recreation Committee Chair, Doug Paternoster will attend the West Amwell Open Space Committee meeting on March 13 to discuss the project.

OLD BUSINESS:

Post approval survey bids Hay and Fisher: Judy said that to expedite the start of survey work, she asked for and received approval from the Township Committee on February 20, 2008 to approve the lowest bid received for surveys for both the Hay and Fisher PIG applications. Bids were submitted on each property individually and one price to survey both properties. The lowest bid was submitted by Bohren & Bohren for $10,000 to complete surveys on both properties. Surveys were ordered on

March 5, 2008 and Judy is asking for post-approval of this action. Dick Ginman made a motion to accept the low bid proposal submitted by Bohren & Bohren, second by Pat Cregar and carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

No new business

LIAISON REPORTS:

• Agricultural Advisory: Linda Lenox commented that feedback from the Ag Advisory Board was positive on the Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan.
• Planning Board: Linda Lenox stated that representatives from the golf course, The Ridge at Back Brook made an informal presentation before the Planning Board. They discussed their possible plans to construct a helipad and a guest house on the property.
• Recreation Committee: No report
• Environmental Commission:
• Clawson Park Retention Basin Project: Toni Robbi stated he is working with Dick on the retention basin project at Clawson Park. Conditions at the site require an engineering plan before plants are put in. The Commission plans to apply for a funding grant from ANJEC. Toni requested FOSPC send a letter to the Township Committee in support of the project. Dick Ginman made a motion to send a letter supporting the project to the Township Committee recommending that funding not to exceed $2,000 be approved from the Open Space Trust Fund. Second by Pat Cregar and carried unanimously.
• Conservation Easement Project: Toni requested FOSPC support for Environmental Commission work in preparing a data base of all Conservation Easements in the Township. The Commission is applying for an ANJEC grant to fund this project. Pat Cregar made a motion that FOSPC send a letter supporting the Conservation Easement listing project. Second by Dick Ginman and carried unanimously.

REPORTS

SADC meeting held February 28, 2008: Glorianne reported as follows:

· The Office of the State Attorney General filed for an injunction to stop the work on the preserved farm owned by David DenHollander in Franklin Township. A court hearing will be held in early April.

· Gary Mount has resigned from SADC and SADC seeks nominations for new farmer members to the Committee.

Land Rally held March 8: Glorianne reported as follows:

· A seminar on how to approach property owners regarding preservation was presented by David Epstein, Bill Rawlyk and Greg Romano and was very helpful.

· The Raritan-Piedmont Wildlife Habitat grasslands program is focused on East Amwell and may be of interest to some landowners in East Amwell.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

· CADB meeting on March 13, 2008

· SADC meeting on March 27, 2008

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

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. by motion of Dick Ginman, second by Rob Gilbert and carried unanimously.

NEXT MEETING is Monday, April 14, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building.

Respectfully submitted:

Martha Pittore, Secretary

FOSPC