EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

May 12, 2008

 

Members      

Present:         Glorianne Robbi   Chair

                      Richard Ginman Vice Chair

                      Rob Gilbert

                      Kat Cannelongo                                              

Liaisons

Present:         Linda Lenox                 Planning Bd. Ag. Advisory

                     Toni Robbi                    Environmental Commission

Others

Present:       Bill Rawylyk                          D & R Greenway

        Andrea Bonette                         (arrived 9:00 p.m.)

        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 May 7, 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.  Motion carried.  Bill Rawlyk advised FOSPC he is actively working on the Meszaros project.  He asked FOSPC for financial support to pay for the appraisals on three parcels.  FOSPC discussed the environmental issues on the Meszaros property.  A $200,000 grant has been received and will be used for the environmental clean-up study.  Judy noted one appraisal was already performed on July 20, 2005, by Tom Rodriguez on Meszaros Bl. 38, lot 21.  Bill Rawlyk will ask Mr. Rodriguez to update this appraisal.  The FOSPC consensus is to include the adjoining Paulsen/Guitowsky parcel in the appraisal.   Bill will prepare a letter to East Amwell Township by May 23, 2008 to outline this request.   The request will be reviewed at the Township Committee meeting held on May 29, 2008.

 

Mr. Rawlyk  also provided an update on various projects. 

·        Chris Stahl:  A GIS analysis identified Amwell Valley as a grasslands macro site ( a natural heritage priority site) which includes the Stahl property.  He will meet with Raritan- Piedmont Wildlife Habitat Partnership (RPWHP) on May 15th.   He invited members of FOSPC to RPWHP presentation at the Greenway Center.  He noted the RPHWP project is sponsored by the Duke and Audubon Foundations.

·        Omick- D&R Greenway is seeking additional land on Rocktown Road for additional parking.

·        Lang property:  Continued efforts are being made.

·        Higgins Farm:  D & R is not actively working on this project.  Judy noted that East Amwell is considering a cost share on this project, but in order to be eligible for the last funding round of the Garden State Preservation Trust fund through Green Acres, work must be on-going.  Dick Ginman stated he spoke with Freeholder Director, Eric Peterson who is aware of the project.  FOSPC noted time is of the essence.  They will pursue communications with Hillsborough and others connected to the project. 

·        St. Michaels:  Public and private money has been pledged.  The closing is not final until contract details are resolved with the current owners.  The closing should be held sometime this year.  D & R was asked to communicate to the public on the status of the project.   

A motion was made by Dick Ginman to close the meeting to the public, second by Kat Cannelongo 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 Rob Gilbert to approve the minutes, as amended, second by Dick Ginman and carried unanimously.   

 

BILLS FOR APPROVAL:

Dick Ginman made a motion to approve the bills as listed on the agenda with the exception of the Geils appraisal fee that will be discussed as a separate approval, second by Rob Gilbert.   Motion carried unanimously.  

 

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:

Old Business:                     

D & R Request-Appraisals Meszaros              Dick Ginman

County Plan-Bike Paths                                 Glorianne Robbi

 

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

 

Helen Rynearson:  Judy will contact David Newton to move the survey process along. 

 

Bryan Geils:  The Township Committee discussed the appraisal of this property at their meeting on May 8th.  The Township Committee asks that Judy Conard compose a letter to Mr. Geils using the outline suggested by Mr. Cushing.  A copy of the appraisal will be included with the letter as well as the refund of monies paid in error to the appraiser. 

 

ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Right to Farm hearing scheduled at the CADB meeting on May 8:  Judy stated that the first step for a Right to Farm hearing is proof that the farm is a commercial farm.  Mr. DeSapio is reviewing the rules for commercial status.  Linda Lenox will report further details to FOSPC after the Planning Board meeting.    

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Meszaros:  A motion was made by Dick Ginman to recommend to the Township Committee approval of D&R request to fund two appraisals for the three parcels owned by Mr. Meszaros and the parcel owned by  Paulsen/Guitowsky.  Second by Rob Gilbert. Motion carried unanimously.  Mrs. Robbi will contact Mayor Tatsch and Attorney Cushing.    

 

NEW BUSINESS:

SADC approval process for Comprehensive Plan:  East Amwell has not yet received a response from  SADC on the Comprehensive Farmland Plan submitted in December.  Once the response is received, the Township will have sixty days to revise the plan per SADC recommendations.  Within that same sixty day period, we must also receive approval of the Plan by the Agriculture Advisory Committee and obtain Planning Board approval to incorporate the Plan into the Master Plan. 

 

Unionville Vineyard Zoning Board of Adjustment:  The applicants are requesting that the provision in their current Zoning Board of Adjustment agreement that states the farm may be sold only to a family member be removed.  FOSPC discussed this request and agreed to support the applicants request to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.   Judy Conard will prepare a memo in support of the landowners and e-mail it to the Zoning Board of Adjustment via their secretary, Ms. Andrews.  A copy will also be sent to the Township Clerk.              

 

Funding information for Green Acres Grant:  Please see remarks under Higgins Farm above.   It is likely that both Meszaros and Higgins will be included in a funding request for matching funds.

 

County Bike Paths:   FOSPC members discussed the impact to farms if bike paths are permitted along county roads. 

 

LIASON REPORTS: 

Planning Board /Agricultural Advisory Board:  Linda Lenox reported as follows:

·        Ag Advisory Board issued a letter of support for a family who own  a preserved farm regarding issues of non-performance of farm work with someone in farm labor housing.

Environmental Committee:  Toni Robbi reported as follows:

·        The roadside cleanup was held. 

·        Grant proposals were submitted to ANJEC.

·        Noted that the 4-H and Agricultural Fair is an opportunity for outreach by FOSPC and other Township Committees.      

Recreation Committee:  Dick Ginman reported as follows:

·        No response has been received by Attorney Cushing from Mr. Kohane’s attorney.. 

·        He spoke with John Trontis, who is speaking with Freeholders Peterson and Mennen regarding sharing property owned by the County with West Amwell for ball fields.  Green Acres money is not available to develop the property.  That funding is dedicated to urbane areas.  There are loans at 2% available for park development. 

 

SADC meeting held April 25, 2008:   Summary prepared by Nicole Goger for Farm Bureau included in packet.  No further comments.

 

Correspondence:

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

 

Announcements:

CADB meeting on May 8, 2008

SADC meeting on May 22, 2008 at the Howell Farm.  Glorainne Robbi will attend.  

 

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

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. by motion of Kat Cannelongo,   second by Rob Gilbert.  Motion carried.      

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Martha Pittore, Secretary

FOSPC