MINUTES
Reorganization & Business Meeting
7:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: The January 26, 2009 Reorganization Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Secretary, Joyce Corboy at 7:38 PM. Chairperson, Mike Petrus was absent this evening.
In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, J. Corboy announced that this is the Reorganization Meeting of the Environmental Commission, as published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on December 25, 2008. The Business portion of the meeting will start at the conclusion of the Reorganization. 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 on January 17, 2009.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: T. Robbi, L. Lewis, D. Sageser, J. Angelone, S. Parsons, J. Corboy (Secretary)
ABSENT: M. Petrus, F. Clair, A. Celebre, D. Kellogg, B. Hummel, D. Holley
ADDITIONS TO TONIGHT’S AGENDAL:
1. Letter from J. Parke/New Jersey Audubon Society, re: information on
The Agricultural Heritage and Habitat Conservation Plan
2. Letter from B. Hummel, 1/22/09, re: 22nd Annual Roadside Clean-Up Day
3. Memo from B. Hummel, re: Natural Resources Inventory…
4. E-Mail message from T. Stahl, 1/23/09, re: Purchasing Presentation and Volunteer Orientation – T. Robbi suggested that M. Petrus be notified and offered the opportunity to attend. Secretary will forward the information to him.
5. E-Mail message from T. Robbi, 1/22/09, re: Connie Hughes Property
NOMINATIONS FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON:
J. Corboy announced that M. Petrus has been named as Chairperson for 2009.
J. Corboy called for nominations from the floor for Vice-Chairperson. T. Robbi nominated S. Parsons, and it was seconded by L. Lewis. No other nominations were received. D. Sageser called for the nominations to be closed, and J. Angerone seconded the motion. Vote was taken and all were in favor. Suzanne Parsons was elected as Vice-Chairperson.
ADOPT RESOLUTION:
a. Annual Notice Schedule – 2009 – was read to the members by J. Corboy. Members reviewed the dates of meetings for 2009. The May meeting will be moved to Wednesday, May 27, because of the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, the usual date of
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our meeting. T. Robbi moved to accept the Resolution as read. Second was received from S. Parsons and the vote was unanimously in favor. The December meeting will not be held. Secretary will forward the Resolution to the Hunterdon County Democrat – Legal Public Notices.
APPOINT SITE REVIEW COMMITTEE: T. Robbi explained that he spoke to M. Petrus and that he is willing to serve on this committee again. M. Petrus, T. Robbi and F. Clair were appointed to this Committee. J. Angelone will serve as an alternate.
APPOINT SUBCOMMITTEES: The following members were appointed:
a.. Conservation Easements – S. Parson, L. Lewis and D. Kellogg
b. 4-H Fair – M. Petrus, S. Parsons, L. Lewis
c.
d. Solar Energy – D. Sageser, D. Kellogg
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: November 24, 2008 Regular Meeting
Minutes of the November 24, 2008 meeting were motioned for approval by T. Robbi, with a second from J. Angelone, and were approved with no changes/deletions. There were no abstentions.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS:
A.. ANJEC – Membership Renewal – Dues $280.00
Workshop Plan $60.00
T. Robbi motioned to approve this bill. J. Angelone seconded the motion and the vote was unanimously in favor.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Motion to open the meeting to the public was made by T. Robbi and seconded by J. Angelone.
Connie Hughes of
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invasive species. T. Robbi suggested that this might be a Planning Board issue. S. Parsons stated that she anticipates that the next step in working with the conservation easement project will be to do site visits on them, and does not think that we have an
answer for Ms. Hughes tonight S. Parsons motioned that we defer this item to the Planning Board and that we ask D. Sageser to check with the Planning Board legal advisor if there is anything that would preclude Ms Hughes from proceeding with the NJ Audubon Plan for her property. Second was received from J. Angelone. All were in favor, except for one opposition - L. Lewis. S. Parsons stated that she will provide D. Sageser with a copy of Ms. Hughes’ easement. D. Sageser will ask that this issue be placed on the agenda of the next Planning Board meeting – second Wednesday of February.
REPORTS:
a. Planning Board – Dart Sageser will be our liaison from the Planning Board. At the Planning Board Reorganization Meeting, Don Reilly was once again elected as the Chairperson – Fred Gardner was elected as Vice Chair. No applications were received..
b. Township Committee – T. Martin was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
c. Recycling Committee – M. Petrus was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
d. Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi stated that their meeting was canceled due to inclement weather.
e. Smart Growth Grant II – T. Robbi stated that there was nothing new to report.
f. Stormwater Committee – D. Kellogg was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a. Solar Energy Update – A. Celebre and D. Kellogg were absent this evening. Thus, no report was given.
b. Website Update – L. Lewis reported that she started to make modifications with the Environmental page and ran into trouble with the allocation server – not enough space. She also reported that there has been some discussion of hiring a paid Webmaster. She also found some minutes that she neglected to enter and did so. 2007 minutes were eliminated to allow for more spacing. D. Sageser motioned that the Township Committee consider increasing the server capacity for website . S. Parsons seconded the motion and all were in favor. Secretary was asked to notify T. Stahl of our request and inquire if the Township Committee would consider requesting more space for our website.
c.
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the basin that would allow for species to spread naturally. Some volunteers are available – all are welcome.
d. Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus was absent this evening. Thus, no report was given.
e. Conservation Easements – S. Parsons reported that the inventory was reviewed by the committee. L. Lewis tried to standardize the wording. Spreadsheet was sent to all boards and committees. Plan is in place for any new easements that might come into the
Township. L. Lewis is corresponding with Banisch and Associates. She plans to send the spreadsheet to them and hopefully they will map it for us. S. Parsons anticipates that the next steps will be to actually site visit the properties with known easements and photograph them. Public notification is also anticipated. Discussion followed on where to keep the master list and how. T. Robbi mentioned that aerial photos of our Township are available on the web.
f. Public Outreach - M. Petrus was appointed this evening.
APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW:
a. Block 34,
T. Robbi explained that these applicants have asked for an extension and that the re-application may not be received before summer. Not certain when or if it will be received.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Natural Resource Inventory – B. Hummel submitted a note prior to tonight’s meeting.
He is willing to take the lead in this project. T. Robbi suggested that the ANJEC Smart Growth Grant might be a possibility for funding. Secretary was asked to send him a copy for his perusal. Members discussed further but decided not to make any decision this evening with having B. Hummel present.
b. Roadside Clean-Up Day – B. Hummel also submitted his yearly request for support for the Annual Roadside Clean-Up Day. This year it will be on April 18, 2009 – Saturday. T. Robbi made the motion and it was seconded by D. Sageser. All were in favor. Secretary informed members that the Recycling Committee will be holding an Electronics Recycling Day in conjunction with Depot Day on April 4, 2009 – Saturday.
T. Robbi motioned to open the meeting to the public. J. Angelone seconded the motion. Michael A. Buczynski of Church & Dwight Company, Inc. was present to discuss sustainable development through the State. He is currently manager of product stewardship in the office sustainable development. He promised to obtain more information for us and have it available for the next meeting. D. Sageser motioned that we close to the public and J. Angelone seconded the motion.
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CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence was listed on the 1/26/09 agenda.
OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS:
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
ADJOURN: 8:53 PM Motion for adjournment was received from J. Angelone and D. Sageser seconded the motion. All were in favor...
cc: Env. Com. Members Board of Adjustment Board of Health
Twp. Com. & Clerk Democrat Newspaper Recreation Com.
Twp. Bulletin Brd.
Planning Board Associate Members Agric. Adv. Com.
Farmland & Open Space Preservation