EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

November 10, 2008

Members

Present: Glorianne Robbi Chair

Richard Ginman Vice Chair

Fred Gardner

Rob Gilbert

Pat Cregar Mayor Designee

Liaisons

Present Kat Cannelongo Historic Preservation (arrived 7:50)

Toni Robbi Environmental Commission

Linda Lenox Planning Board and Ag Advisory

Others

Present: Andrea Bonette (left 7:35)

Bill Rawlyk D & R Greenway (left 8:30)

Judy Conard Administrator

Martha Pittore Secretary

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER at 7:30 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 November 4, 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. Andrea Bonette stated she no longer receives a packet in the mail from FOSPC. She asked if she could receive a copy via e-mail. Judy stated she will check with the Administrator. A motion was made by Pat Cregar to close to the public, second by Dick Ginman. Both motions carried unanimously.

MINUTES OF MEETING October 13, 2008. FOSPC recommended minor corrections to the minutes. These changes will be incorporated into the original which will be filed and distributed. A Motion was made by Pat Cregar to approve the minutes, as amended, second by Rob Gilbert and carried with one abstention.

BILLS FOR APPROVAL:

Rob Gilbert made a motion to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, second by Pat Cregar. Motion carried unanimously.

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:

Budget 2009 to be added to Administrator’s Report

ACTIVE PROPERTIES UPDATE/ADMINISTRATORS REPORT: In addition to the written report, Judy stated:

Barbara Hay: Mrs. Hay’s son, Ryan Hay informed her that the deeds showing transfer of the property to Mrs. Hay were submitted to Mr. DeSapio. The property may close by the end of the year. It is possible the closing will be held in January for tax reasons.

Hazel Harrison Trust: CADB application: The SADC requires the survey to show legal access to the four acre woodlot. Judy will follow up with Mr. and Mrs. Leverton about this issue and she will discuss other options. Glorianne asked Judy to invite Counsel DeSapio to the next SADC meeting to discuss this matter and other pending applications.

Budget Memo: Judy stated a memo from the Township Committee was received requesting special meetings be held with a member of the Township Committee to discuss budget items. The FOSPC budget will be discussed at the next FOSPC meeting on December 8, 2008. Linda Lenox will serve as the Township Committee member representative.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS None

OLD BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

Discuss Block 35 Lot 54 site walk with D & R Greenway: Bill Rawlyk stated a site walk was held on November 10, 2008, with a delegation from the FOSPC and D & R. FOSPC members present were: Glorianne Robbi, Dick Ginman, Rob Gilbert and Judy Conard. He stated D & R has made an offer to the owner, based upon appraisals. Mr. Rawlyk asked that FOSPC support half of the total cost (acquisition price and cost of survey, appraisal, etc) not to exceed sum of $15,000. D & R would provide funding for the other half. FOSPC discussed the project and noted the following reasons to provide support:

· the site visit revealed a healthy old growth forest

· site adjoins the D & R preserved Cat Tail Brook assemblage consisting of approx. 120 acres

· property adjoins Green Acres parcels Block 25 lot 55

· property provides continuity for future acquisition of the Higgins Farm

· assemblage in EA is complimented by open space holdings in Hillsborough in Somerset County

· the price quoted by D & R appears to be reasonable for landlocked parcels on the Sourlands

A motion was made by Dick Ginman that FOSPC recommend acquisition to the Township Committee to acquire block 35, lot 54 consisting of 7.51 acres, in partnership with D & R Greenway, for a share not to exceed $15,000, second by Fred Gardner and carried unanimously.

Update, Meszaros Block 38, lot 21, Block 35.01 Lots 38 & 39: Paulson-Gutowski Block 35.01, lot 37: (Please refer to Minutes of May 12, 2008 & September 8, 2008 for further background): Bill Rawlyk stated a meeting was held with Attorney, Dick Cushing, the Mayor and members of FOSPC to work on the issues surrounding these properties. He stated the appraisals received were based upon a ‘clean site’. The clean-up assessment has been ordered and should begin soon. Bill provided the following report:

· Meszaros: Additional engineering studies must be performed to determine if well and septic are feasible on lot 39.

· Paulson-Gutowski: The landowners made a counter-offer based on the assessed value of the property. After discussion, FOSPC agreed the townships share was reasonable. A motion was made by Dick Ginman to recommend acquisition, based upon the numbers, and authorize Glorianne Robbi to pursue the matter with the Mayor, second by Pat Cregar. Motion carried unanimously.

LIASON REPORTS:

Planning Board: Linda Lenox reported as follows:

· She checked with Maria Andrews regarding the Pugmire sub-division. Green Acres were on-board.

Agricultural Advisory Board

· Farm Forum held on October 20, 2008 was very well attended and was a great success.

Environmental Committee: Toni Robbi reported as follows:

· A data base file in excel has been developed for the cataloguing of conservation easements. A search for older records will be done at the county. An article of the project was included in the Environmental Commission newsletter.

Recreation Committee: Dick Ginman reported as follows:

· The recently approved bond issue money is available in 2010. He asked that Judy contact the Recreation Committee and recommend they write a letter to the Freeholders to restate their request for use of property across from South County Park. West Amwell should also contact the Freeholders.

Historical Committee: Kat Cannelongo reported as follows:

• The Villages Presentation held on October 24, 2008 was a success. The bus tour of East Amwell held on October 19, 2008, was so successful another tour was added two weeks later.

REPORTS:

SADC meeting held November 6, 2008: Glorianne reported as follows:

· The SADC has a policy on personal wireless service facility on preserved farms. The policy states cell phone towers cannot be placed on preserved acreage -all alternative sites being equal.

· A request to exercise an RDSO met with many questions and was continued to the next meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Article in Star Ledger reporting Hunterdon Freeholders have established a policy for funding land purchases. Judy was asked to get a copy of the policy.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CADB meeting on November 13, 2008. Kat Cannelongo or Glorianne Robbi to attend

SADC meeting on December 4, 2008. Glorianne Robbi will attend.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: A motion was made by Fred Gardner to open the meeting to the public, second by Rob Gilbert. No members of the public were present. A motion was made to close to the public by Pat Cregar, second by Rob Gilbert; both motions carried unanimously.

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

NEXT MEETING is Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the East Amwell Municipal Building.

Respectfully submitted:

Martha Pittore, Secretary

FOSPC