MINUTES

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission

Business Meeting

October 27, 2008

7:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER: The October 27, 2008 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson, Dee Kellogg at 7:35 PM.

In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, D. Kellogg announced that this is the Regular Business Meeting of the Environmental Commission, as published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on February 7, 2008. 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.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: D. Kellogg, T. Robbi, F. Clair, D. Sageser, A. Celebre,

M. Petrus, J. Angeloen, S. Parsons, B. Hummel,

J. Corboy (Secretary)

ABSENT: T. Martin, L. Lewis, H. Doreen

ANNOUNCEMENTS: No announcements were made this evening.

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: September 22, 2008– Business Meeting

The minutes of the September 22, 2008 business meeting were motioned for approval by T. Robbi, with a second from M. Petrus, and were approved with no additions/deletions. There were two abstentions.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:

1. Printech – printing and folding of 2008 Fall Newsletter - $749.00

2. J. Corboy – reimbursement for postage – mailing of Fall Newsletter –amount not to exceed $400.00 (actual charge was $384.71)

M. Petrus made a motion to pay these bills and a second was received from F. Clair. Vote was unanimously in favor.

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

1. Clipping “W. Amwell Cited For Nature Inventory” (supplied by B. Hummel)

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

October 27, 2008

Page Two

REPORTS:

a. Planning Board – D. Sageser informed members that the application for a helistop received from the Ridge at Back Brook was unanimously voted against for two reasons: 1. duplication from previous application, 2. not considered a customary accessory use

b. Township Committee – T. Martin was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

c. Recycling Committee – M. Petrus stated that the procedures for Depot Day are being updated – Municipal Building alarm was set off at last Depot Day. Members are still reviewing the concept of Single Stream Recycling. J. Angelone brought members up-to-date on the information he learned about recently on recycling fluorescent bulbs. He also noted the large amount of cardboard that is found in the dumpster just outside the Municipal Building (contractor work). B. Hummel made the recommendation we send a note to the Township Committee asking them to consider it to be a regular part of any future contracts to have a stipulation that anyone bidding must follow all recycling rules of New Jersey.

d. Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi stated that their current focus is on the Maszaros property. D & R Greenway and the Township Committee are trying to preserve three different lots that connect to preserved land. Another important item is the farmland preservation bond issue coming up at the November 4 elections.

e. Smart Growth Grant II – T. Robbi stated that he had nothing new to report from this group.

f. Stormwater Committee – D. Kellogg stated that the Tree Harvesting ordinance is being reviewed (K. Machnik), as well as any other ordinances that might be impacted by the stormwater plan. Check list has been organized and it will be used for anyone applying for a construction permit.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

a. Solar Energy Update – A. Celebre stated that she has been very busy with the recently held National Solar Energy Open Tour. An excellent presentation was given at her house by a contractor and he is willing to give this presentation to the Township Committee. She also distributed a copy of the “Solar Today” magazine to all. Discussion followed on the pros and cons of installing solar power at the Municipal Building – problems with the roof supporting the load. D. Kellogg asked A. Celebre to prepare information for the next meeting on where installation of the solar fields might occur for the Municipal Building.

b. Website Update – L. Lewis was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

October 27, 2008

Page Three

c. Clawson Park – Update – T. Robbi stated that they have an application before Rutgers and they are still waiting for a decision.

d. Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus stated that he contacted the school about sending youth representatives to our meetings and has received no response.

e. Conservation Easements – S. Parsons stated that the intern is 85% done with reviewing the township lots for conservation easements, approximately 100 hours. She is slated to be finished by the beginning of November. However, there may still be some older lots listed with the County that we do not have information on. S. Parsons stated that she will be issuing her quarterly report to ANJEC shortly.

f. Public Outreach – L. Lewis was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.

APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW:

1. Block 24, Lot 11 (Ciarcia) – D. Kellogg informed members that T. Robbi is checking on this application. When further information is received, the Site Review Sub-committee will decide if a site visit is needed.

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NEW BUSINESS: none received

GUEST SPEAKER: DR. ZEYUAN QUI – NESHANIC RIVER WATERSHED PROJECT UPDATE

Bill Kibler and Tom Southard of South Branch Watershed Association were also present.

Hard copy of their report was requested and when received will be filed in the Environmental Commission office for future reference. The overall goal of this project is to develop a restoration plan for the Neshanic River. Stream assessments have been completed and they were reviewed as part of this presentation. Quality of the water is currently considered very poor – fecal coli-form, e-coli and phosphorus are very high. This group hopes to address some of the key issues of the Neshanic River. They found that activities/land use of the shoreline often affects the quality of the water. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has a goal of cleaning up all of its waterways.

CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence was listed on the 10/27/08 agenda.

Item j.3 – New Jersey Shade Tree Federation – members discussed and decided that this project is not exactly appropriate for East Amwell Township. Motion was made by M. Petrus and seconded by D. Sageser. All were in favor.

Item j. 4 – Note from J. Luhrs will be held for the November meeting – discussion and approval of the 2009 budgets.

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

October 27, 2008

Page Four

OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS: B. Hummel was present this evening to discuss the Natural Resource Inventory done by West Amwell Township (clipping distributed at meeting). B. Hummel stated that it was important to determine how the inventory of wildlife and plants has changed over the years. West Amwell Township Environmental Commission did most of the work with volunteers saving thousands of dollars. Members discussed different scenarios and stated that they know an early Natural Resource Inventory was done for East Amwell Township. This earlier version would be a good baseline for a current study. T. Robbi stated that he thought that it was important to have the work done by professionals and also informed members that ANJEC might be approached for a grant. D. Kellogg stated that there are three things she would like to see first before we make a decision to proceed: (1) see prior historical report, (2) how did West Amwell proceed, (3) is guidance available from ANJEC on exactly what would/should the report look like. B. Hummel inquired if members would like him to pursue this issue further. Members suggested that he proceed with a preliminary investigation and report back to this Commission. He hopes to attend a meeting with the West Amwell Township Environmental Commission to learn how they went about their project. Secretary will try to retrieve a copy of the early NRI done here in East Amwell Township for B. Hummel’s use.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: none present.

ADJOURN: 9:45 PM Motion for adjournment was received from S. Parsons and M. Petrus seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Members proceeded to affix labels to the 2008 Fall Newsletter.

___________________________________

Joyce S. Corboy, Secretary

cc: Env. Com. Members Board of Adjustment Board of Health

Twp. Com. & Clerk Democrat Newspaper Recreation Com.

Twp. Bulletin Brd. Trenton Times Recycling Com.

Planning Board Associate Members Agric. Adv. Com.

Farmland & Open Space Preservation