EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP

FARMLAND AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

                                                          MARCH 9, 2009

 

 

 

Members      

Present:        Glorianne Robbi                   Chair

                    Richard Ginman                    Vice Chair

                    Rob Gilbert

                    Kat Cannelongo        

                    Pat Cregar                 

                     Bill duFosse             

Liaisons

Present:        Kat Cannelongo                   Historic Preservation    

                     Toni Robbi               Environmental Commission

                     Bill duFosse               Ag Advisory

                     Pat Cregar                Township Committee

 

Others         Judy Conard                Administrator

Present                  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 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 March 4, 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 Pat Cregar.  No public was in attendance.  A motion was made by Kat Cannelongo to close to the public, second by Dick Ginman.  Both motions carried.   

 

MINUTES OF MEETING February 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 Kat Cannelongo.  Motion carried.  Rob Gilbert and Pat Cregar abstained.    

 

BILLS FOR APPROVAL:

A Motion was made by Pat Cregar to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, second by Rob Gilbert and carried.   

 

 

 

ADDITIONS TO AGENDA:

Reports: 

  • Land Trust Rally                                                  Judy Conard & Glorianne Robbi

New Business: 

  • Letter to Kevin Richardson                                 Glorianne Robbi

Unfinished Business

  • Letter to Dennis Hajek, Recreation Commiittee      Glorianne Robbi



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

·       Rynearson.  Helen Rynearson has indicated she will meet with Attorney Dilts for advice on getting the sub-division finished.  FOSPC noted this is a time sensitive project, since SADC deadline is in June.   Judy will contact Mr. Dilt’s office in an effort to move this forward. 

·       Hazel Harrison Trust: CADB application:  Bill Millette advised that updates required from the appraisers have been sent to the SADC.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Letter to Dennis Hajek, Chair of Recreation Committee:  Judy stated that per FOSPC request she sent a letter to Recreation Committee Chair, Dennis Hajek regarding proposed joint project with West Amwell.  Project is to work on possible development of County owned property in West Amwell Township.  This property is located across the road from South County Park (the Fairgrounds).    

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Update on rankings for farms applying for preservation in 2009.  Glorianne and Judy attended the CADB meeting on February 12, 2009.  They made the following report:

·       The rankings for all farmland preservation applications were reviewed.  Bryce Thompson farm on Cider Mill Road ranked #1.  The Zuegner Farm ranked #4. 

·       The County is requiring all applicants to sign option-agreements with option prices based on CADB figures. This policy has, in effect, negated the East Amwell policy that no option agreements are required.  Fear this CADB policy will cause landowners to withdraw their applications.

·       FOSPC is also concerned the municipality may loose the ability to use  the of $750,000  allocated by the SADC to  East Amwell..  These funds earmarked to pay 60% of easement cost.

·       If the Zuegners do not sign the option-letter the County will not cost share the usual 20% of easement cost.  FOSPC discussed various options to find the funds to proceed with the application. 

·       Judy stated she will attend the next CADB meeting to express FOSPC concerns.

·       Judy was asked to draft a letter to the Freeholders from the Mayor stating concerns about the new CADB rules. 

 

Update on plan to revise Comprehensive Farmland Plan:  Judy prepared a summary of the work needed to revise Comprehensive Farmland Plan. FOSPC members agreed to work on specific assignments. The revisions are due by March 30, 2009, but an extension will be requested, if necessary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

Letter:  Kevin Richardson-Hunterdon County:  Glorianne stated the letter to Kevin Richardson was circulated via e-mail to FOSPC members previously and was sent out. 

 

LIASON REPORTS: 

Planning Board:  Toni Robbi reported as follows:

·       The Sourland Planning Council draft comprehensive management plan was presented by Executive Director, John Brunner. After review of the draft with the remaining towns involved, the final CMP should be approved sometime in April or May.

·       Conservation easement inspections were discussed. The question of who has responsibility over inspections was discussed. 

Agricultural Advisory Board:  Bill duFosse reported:

·       The Farm Forum will be held in October with speakers for equine law and from Farm Service Agency.

Environmental Committee: See remarks above.  

Recreation Committee: No report made.   

Historical Committee:  (Please see minutes of February 9, 2009).  Kat Cannelongo provided a detailed explanation of the road/bridge repair project on Wertsville Road.  She stated the Committee is applying for a scenic by-way designation for Wertsville Road.  She asked for a letter of support from FOSPC.  A motion was made by Dick Ginman, second by Rob Gilbert to prepare a letter of support. Motion carried. 

 

REPORTS:

SADC meeting held February 26, 2009:  Glorianne reported as follows:

·       The state will hold an auction in May to sell 11 deed restricted farms. 

·       The closing on the former St. Michaels Orphanage property in Hopewell has not yet closed due to on-going environmental issues.

CADB meeting held February 12, 2009

 See report summarized under Old Business above. 

Township Orientation Meeting held February 25, 2009:  Judy and Martha attended the meeting.  The following report was made:

·       Tim Matheny provided a power point presentation to discuss volunteer responsibilities, purchasing policies and procedure and email protocol.

·       Jane Luhrs spoke about the budget process. 

Land Conservation Rally held March 7, 2009:  Glorianne and Judy attended various workshops related to stewardship, conservation easements and other topics that were very informative.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CADB meeting on March 12, 2009:

SADC meeting on March 26, 2009:  Judy Conard will attend

 

 

 

 

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 Rob Gilbert, second by Pat Cregar.  Motion carried.

 

 

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

 

The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the East Amwell Municipal Building.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

Martha Pittore, Secretary

FOSPC