EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

APRIL 13, 2009

 

 

 

Members      

Present:        Glorianne Robbi                   Chair

                    Richard Ginman                    Vice Chair

                    Fred Gardner              Alternate One & Planning Board Liaison            

                     Bill duFosse              Alternate Two & Ag Advisory Liaison                

Liaisons

Present:        Toni Robbi                Environmental Commission

                    

 

Others         Judy Conard                Administrator

Present                  

 

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 regular meeting of the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee pursuant to the meeting notice published in the February 19, 2009 issue of the Hunterdon County Democrat.  On April 8, 2009 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 Fred Gardner.  No public was in attendance.  A motion was made by Fred Gardner to close to the public, second by Dick Ginman.  Both motions carried.   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING March 9, 2009.  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 Bill duFosse.  Motion carried.  Fred Gardner abstained.

 

BILLS FOR APPROVAL:

A Motion was made by Fred Gardner to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, second by Dick Ginman and carried.   

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:

Unfinished Business

  • Update on Recreation Committee

Old Business

  • Meeting with Ag Advisory Committee in March.
  • Update on Meszaros Assemblage

New Business

  • Meeting with Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance                 Glorianne Robbi and Dick Ginman
  • Hunterdon County Planning Board request for list of Best Practices Farms         Glorianne  Robbi

 

ACTIVE PROPERTIES UPDATE/ADMINISTRATORS REPORT:  In addition to the written report submitted, Judy made the following report:

·       Rynearson.   Attorney Dilts is working on final approval for the sub-division.  Mr. Dilts’s secretary reported that necessary letters were sent to request needed final work.  These letters sent around April 1. 

·       Scibilia:  Lori McWilliam at Gebhardt and Kiefer will speak to Surveyor Newton to discuss sequence of work needed to perfect lot line adjustment and meet SADC survey requirement.

·       Zuegner application to SADC will be ready to submit within a week or ten days.  Judy believes appraisal received from Mr. Carabelli can be used as one of the two required by SADC.  Mr. Carabelli may need to update appraisal for the ‘as of’ date to match the second appraisal.  The second appraisal will not be ordered until the SADC ‘green light’ approval is received which indicates SADC approval and funding.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Letter to Dennis Hajek, Chair of Recreation Committee:  Judy was asked to obtain an update on action taken on the suggested ball field joint project with West Amwell Township.    

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Meeting with Ag Advisory in March.  Glorianne reported that the Ag Advisory Committee was most helpful in providing needed information to update the Comprehensive Farmland Plan.  A presentation by Farm Service Agency (FSA) was also informative.  A suggestion was made at that meeting that Ag Advisory and FOSPC meet once each quarter to discuss joint interests.  After discussion Dick Ginman moved that a joint meeting be held each quarter with Ag Advisory and FOSPC.  Second by Fred Gardner and carried.  Judy Conard asked to notify the Township Committee that joint quarterly meetings will be held.

Comprehensive Farmland Plan Rewrite Update  Dick Ginman, Glorianne Robbi, Rob Gilbert, Fred Gardner and Kat Cannelongo met on April 1 to discuss progress on the Plan rewrite.  The Economic Development section proved a problem.  Glorianne prepared notes and asked Jenelle Ditzel, Chair of Ag Advisory and Bill duFosse to discuss the issues with that committee.  Members of the Ag Advisory Committee will be able to address the issues discussed by SADC.

Judy asked SADC for an extension until June 1 to complete the plan.  She was asked to schedule another meeting with the rewrite team within the next ten days to coordinate efforts and continue to move the project forward.

Progress Report on Meszaros   The attorney for Nancy Seid, daughter of the late Mr. Meszaros, sent a letter to East Amwell Township asking for an update on progress toward acquisition.  Mr. Tatsch is the lead on this project and FOSPC will await word from him and Bill Rawlyk of D&R Greenway regarding progress.  The Paulson/Gutowski parcel adjacent to the Meszaros property is available for purchase and it was suggested that efforts should focus on purchase of this piece.  Glorianne will call Mr. Tatsch. 

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Budget Discussion with Township Committee   Glorianne reported that she, Dick Ginman and Bill Rawlyk attended the meeting.  The Township Committee agreed to support the Zuegner application for Farmland Preservation so the project will go forward.  Bill Rawlyk discussed the Thompson application for preservation.  He will discuss estimated value and other topics with Mr. Thompson to determine if the application will continue. 

Higgins Assemblage  Members of FOSPC received informal information that this project has stalled.  Glorianne will call New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) to determine status of this project.

Meeting with Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance (HLTA) Glorianne reported that she and Dick Ginman met with Margaret Waldock from HLTA.  They discussed various projects in East Amwell.  Ms. Waldock suggested FOSPC members meet with Mr. and Mrs. Leverton to discuss possible alternatives that could help to speed their PIG farmland preservation application.  Judy will call Mr. and Mrs. Leverton to ask if they would be interested in such a meeting. 

Best Practices Farms request from County Planning Board   Members of FOSPC discussed this request.  Members felt the request was very general and FOSPC did not have sufficient knowledge to make suggestions. 

 

 

LIAISON REPORTS: 

Planning Board:  Fred Gardner reported:

·       Mrs. Zuegner came before the Planning Board to discuss possible living quarters as part of barn restoration.  She was told that no site plan is required.  However, other approvals are required.

·       The Board is working on a proposed ordinance to address natural resource restraints when calculating total acreage requirements.

Agricultural Advisory Board:  Bill duFosse reported:

·       FOSPC attended last Ag Advisory Meeting to discuss various aspects of Farmland Plan.

·       Doreen Baruk of FSA made a presentation.

·       Ag Advisory and FOSPC would like to meet once each quarter to coordinate efforts.

Environmental Committee:  Toni Robbi reported:

·       Saturday, April 18 is roadside cleanup day and interested volunteers should contact Blaine Hummel. 

·       Work continues on the Conservation Easement Project.  Enforcement is a difficult issue and continues to be discussed.

Recreation Committee: No report made.   

Historical Committee:   No report made

 

 

 

 

 

 

REPORTS:

·      CADB Meeting on March 12

o   At the meeting, Judy Conard read into the record her letter to the CADB regarding impact of County requirement that all applicants sign an option agreement letter.

o   Letter by Mayor Kneski to the Freeholders addresses the same topics as letter sent to CADB and was included with packet of material for this meeting.

·      SADC meeting                                                                        No report

 

CORRESPONDENCE: All items listed on the Agenda noted without further comments.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • CADB meeting on May 14, 2009
  • SADC meeting on Friday April 24, 2009:  Glorianne Robbi will attend
  • Note Freeholder Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. in County Office Building on Main St. in Flemington.  Farmland and Open Space Tax will be discussed.

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:  Glorianne Robbi opened the meeting to the public.  No members of the public were present.  A motion was made to close to the public by Fred Gardner second by Dick Ginman.   Motion carried.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. by motion made by Dick Ginman and second by Fred Garnder. Motion carried unanimously.      

 

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the East Amwell Municipal Building.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

Judy Conard, Acting Secretary

FOSPC