MINUTES

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission

Business Meeting

June 23, 2008

7:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER: The June 23, 2008 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairperson, Mike Petrus at 7: 30 PM.

In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, M. Petrus announced that this is the Regular Business Meeting of the Environmental Commission, as published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on February 7, 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: M. Petrus, T. Robbi, L. Lewis, J. Angelone, S. Parsons,

F. Clair, T. Martin, J. Corboy (Secretary)

ABSENT: D. Kellogg, D. Sageser, A. Celebre, B. Hummel, D. Holley

ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements were made this evening.

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: none received

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: May 28, 2008 – Business Meeting

The minutes of the May 28, 2008 business meeting were motioned for approval by T. Robbi, with a second from L. Lewis , and were approved with no clarifications/additions. There was one abstention.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS: none presented

REPORTS:

a. Planning Board – D. Sageser was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

b. Township Committee – T. Martin stated that the temporary budget is still in effect. Some small amounts of monies have been re-instated by the State. L. Lewis asked for further information on a fact mentioned in their minutes - the Township Committee is investigating alternate sources of energy and will be doing an energy audit soon. Members discussed further, stating that information should be made available to our residents on how to economize and conserve energy now with no great investments. Secretary reminded members that the Fall Newsletter will carry an article written by our Chairperson, Dee Kellogg, on this subject. M. Petrus mentioned an article he saw

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recently on Duke Energy in the Carolinas. They are installing solar panels free on buildings, metering it, and will charge residents for the energy produced by those panels.

Members discussed the distribution of information, including D. Kellogg‘s article, at the 4-H Fair, articles to be written for the VIP, etc.

c. Recycling Committee – M. Petrus informed members that the Recycling Committee has set aside $500 for purchase additional recycling containers for both the Municipal Ball Fields and Clawson Park. S. Parsons inquired who is responsible for emptying of

these cans. Persons running the events are, whether it is the Recreation Committee or the persons playing host to the ball games.

d Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi reported that one large farm is currently in the process of preservation by the County. Totally, four farms from East Amwell Township applied. Name will be announced when it is confirmed. NRCS Grassland Project was also discussed at the last meeting. This is a project that will pay farmers to maintain grasslands and to mow only at certain times of the year. This allows the grassland birds time to reproduce. The last major discussion was on riparian buffers – trees planted on the Ditzel property recently had to be removed because of the gas line right of way, and Homeland Security funding. All trees and plants were removed. Some trees were saved, but many were not.

e. Smart Growth – T. Robbi stated that the Smart Growth Management Plan is in the works, but no draft has been released yet.

f. Stormwater Committee – D. Kellogg was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. Solar Energy Update – D. Kellogg and A. Celebre were absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

b. Website Update – L. Lewis stated that she has been busy working on the Environmental page for the website – organizing information, such as, members, goals, etc. She also mentioned that she found information on the Hydrogen House, located here in East Amwell Township. She hopes to insert that information on the Environmental page also.

c. Retention Ponds at Clawson Park – Update – M. Petrus stated that there has not been another meeting of the Clawson Park Advisory Committee. The application to ANJEC for a grant was not accepted. T. Robbi stated that they are now moving onto Plan B. Rutgers and NRCS are encouraging rain gardens throughout the State. Funding and design help might be available through them and he is pursuing this avenue. Per T. Martin, it might be possible to utilize the Department of Corrections inmates as laborers
d. Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus stated that no further contact has been made, except for the fact that he did send over the Parental Consent form. He also informed members of the objects being collected by the Environmental Club, such as, DVD’s, ink

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jet cartridges, various candy wrappers, and juice drink containers, etc. M. Petrus stated that he had hoped that, perhaps, containers could be installed at Depot Days to facilitate the collection of these items.

e. Conservation Easements – S. Parsons stated that the ANJEC grant was awarded to us in the amount of $1400. The contract/agreement will be presented at the Township Committee meeting this Thursday night for approval and signatures. A joint meeting between the Township and ANJEC is also planned for before July 15 – Kick-Off Meeting. She also informed members that she recently met with T. Matheny, J. Luhrs and T. Stahl to work out the logistics of work space, purchase requisitions, etc. Plans are being made for the hiring process.

f. Public Outreach – L. Lewis informed members that the application for 4-H Fair booth space from Hunterdon County has been filled out and returned to them. Thirty passes were requested. Sub-committee has met and they worked on the questions for the wheel of fortune – fields of interest will be on water, energy, nature, air, sustainability, recycling. She requested members to supply her with questions on any of these topics. Questions should be age suitable. T. Robbi volunteered to take some suitable pictures of plants. D. Kellogg volunteered to obtain samples of the road salts. Poster might be obtained for the youngsters to sign pledging the reduction of carbon unit. Since there is a temporary budget in effect, spending will have to be done judiciously.

J. Angelone inquired if or how recycling was done at the Fair Grounds site. Secretary stated that a couple of years ago, Will Harrison, chairperson of the Recycling Committee approached the Fair Grounds staff about recycling at the Fair Grounds, and the idea was not well received. Members discussed and decided another attempt should be made, especially now in light of the State mandated increase in recycling. Members also discussed the logistics of removing the recyclables from the site. M. Petrus volunteered to contact R. Everitt and Bill Bowlby. He will also inform the Recycling Committee of any action he takes.

Members also discussed the decals mentioned in the Township Committee minutes (question received from L. Lewis). T. Martin gave the members a brief synopsis of what was discussed, or planned, by the Township Committee.

APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW:

a. Block 42, Lot 12.01 (Stryker)

T. Robbi stated that a site visit was made – copy of which was enclosed with tonight’s agenda. He stated that he attended the Zoning Board meeting where this was discussed. The Zoning Board decided that this was not a good location for children – busy intersection – lots of traffic.

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Discussion came up on another site – undersized, grandfather lot on Rileyville Road – letter of interpretation was included with tonight’s agenda. (See Item # J-1) Gas line runs right through the middle of this lot and wetlands are involved. He suggested that members keep an eye out for future developments on this situation.

NEW BUSINESS: Members reviewed the budget appropriation summary page as supplied by J. Luhrs - copy included with tonight’s agenda. Members questioned missing items: ANJEC matching grant amount and amount requested for Fall Newsletter Members requested that the secretary send a note to J. Luhrs inquiring about these missing items.

CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence was listed on the 6/23/08 agenda.

There were no additions to tonight’s agenda.

OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS: T. Robbi volunteered a question for the 4-H Fair wheel. Which county, in the total United States, spends less on gasoline per capita? Answer is Hunterdon County - as printed in today’s New York Times.

OPEN TO PUBLIC: NONE PRESENT

ADJOURNMENT: 8:25 PM - Motion for adjournment was received from F. Clair and J. Angelone seconded the motion. All were in favor.

___________________________________

Joyce S. Corboy, Secretary

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