MINUTES
Business Meeting
7:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: The February 23, 2009 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson, M. Petrus at 7:30 PM.
In compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act, M. Petrus announced that this is the Regular Business Meeting of the Environmental Commission, as published in the Hunterdon County Democrat on February 19, 2009. 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: M. Petrus, T. Robbi, D. Sageser, L. Lewis, J. Angelone,
S. Parsons, B. Hummel, J. Corboy (Secretary)
ABSENT: D. Kellogg, A. Celebre, F. Clair, T. Martin, H. Doreen
ANNOUNCEMENTS: none given
PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: January 26, 2009 – Reorganization Meeting
The minutes of the January 26, 2009 Reorganization meeting were motioned for approval by S. Parsons, with a second from D. Sageser, and were approved with minor name spelling corrections and one clarification. There was one abstention.
LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA:
1.
2.
3. 2009 Employees & Officials of
PRESENTATION OF BILLS: none presented
REPORTS:
a. Planning Board – D. Sageser stated that the topic of Conservation Easements was discussed at the last Planning Board meeting, specifically, who defines what conservations easement restrictions are. Legal representation was not present. Members of the Environmental Commission were present. Comments were made that the Zoning
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Officer should have jurisdiction over enforcement. D. Sageser suggested that it might be the job of this Commission to define rules and regulations and then submit them to the Planning Board for their approval. T. Robbi stated that he found interesting information in old Planning Board minutes relating to interpretation of conservation easements restrictions. T. Robbi stated that he did respond to C. Hughes via e-mail concerning her questions about removing invasive species from her conservation easement. L. Lewis suggested that a copy of the reply should be attached to these minutes. Members agreed. T. Robbi will forward a copy of the e-mail response to this secretary for inclusion with the minutes. D. Sageser stated that there should be guidelines that the public could refer to. S. Parsons suggested that she meet with L. Lewis and D. Sageser and they try to draft sample guidelines and wording for definition of the easements. A draft proposal will be submitted to the Planning Board for their input and approval.
b. Township Committee – T. Martin was absent this evening. Thus, no report was received.
c. Recycling Committee – M. Petrus informed members that the Recycling Committee did not have a quorum. Thus, no official meeting was held. However, those present did review the various reports and also a discussion was held on the size of the container for the Electronic Recycling Day.
d. Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi stated that the County is currently determining the criteria for Open Space acquisitions and FOSPC is responding to it. Farmland does have a ranking system whereas open space does not. Open Space Stewardship was also discussed, especially concerning the lands owned by the County. Minimal maintenance is supplied by the County on their open space areas. B. Hummel stated that he maintains to the best of his ability, the preserve located across the road from his home. Whereas, T. Robbi indicated that D & R Greenway spends a lot of time maintaining their open space lands.
e. Smart Growth Grant II – T. Robbi stated that a presentation on the Smart Growth Grant II Plan was given at a recent Planning Board meeting. The draft plan is now in the process of being presented to the various towns and municipalities involved.
d. Stormwater Committee – D. Kellogg was absent this evening. Thus, no report was given.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a. Solar Energy Update – D. Kellogg were absent this evening. Thus, no report was given. D. Sageser had nothing to report.
b. Website Update – L. Lewis stated that the website is up-to-date as far as minutes, etc.
Minutes are being posted as they are received. She has had no response from the Township Committee concerning the addition of more space on the website.
c.
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to purchase plants and volunteers are needed for the actual planting. T. Robbi supplied notes of the 2/29/09 meeting with Gregory Rusciano/Rutgers Water Resources Program. These notes were distributed to all present prior to the meeting.
d. Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus stated that he had nothing new to report.
e. Conservation Easements – S. Parsons stated that she and T. Robbi attended the recent Planning Board meeting for the discussion on C. Hughes’ Conservation Easement questions. She also spoke recently at the Farmland and Open Space meeting, giving a brief synopsis of the work being done on Conservation Easements. The third quarter report has been filed with ANJEC. Members received a copy with tonight’s agenda. She also visited the Hunterdon County Records Office to compare what they have to what we have on conservation easements in the Township. L. Lewis stated she has contacted Banisch & Associates and they will not be able to report back to us until March or April.
f. Public Outreach – Note and e-mail has been sent to
g. Natural Resource Inventory – B. Hummel distributed an outline prior to the start of tonight’s meeting. He reviewed it with members. He also discussed funding for this project, i.e., ANJEC Smart Growth Fund, listing the pros and cons of such. S. Parsons suggested delaying a grant request until work on some of the project is accomplished first. She briefly explained her experience working with ANJEC on the Conservation Easement Grant last year and inquired if we need to work on this project currently. L. Lewis reminded members that this is a mandate for the Environmental Commission. T. Robbi stated that most of the members are currently tied up with other projects. The large amount of web space that would be needed is also a concern M. Petrus suggested working on outline or one section at a time and seeing what information is out there. J. Angelone and D Sageser volunteered to meet with B. Hummel to make some plans on this project and report back to us next month.
APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW: none received
NEW BUSINESS:
a. 2009 GOALS – Members reviewed the 2008 goals and made several changes and updates. It was decided to delete and/or change the wording for ANJEC Workshops, Sustainable Energy Production for
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CORRESPONDENCE: All correspondence was listed on the 2/23/09 agenda.
Last minute additions were listed previously in these minutes and were distributed to all at the meeting.
OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS: T. Robbi informed members that water samples were collected on 2/15-16/09 and are currently awaiting analysis.
M. Petrus read a brief report to members on Coaltar Seal for Driveways – TOXIC.
He intends to visit local stores to see if they are aware of this problem
S. Parsons had questions on a couple of the items listed under Correspondence. They were discussed with a decision not to pursue any further.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: none present.
ADJOURN: 9:05 PM Motion for adjournment was received from T. Robbi and J. Angelone seconded the motion. All were in favor.
___________________________________
Joyce S. Corboy, Secretary
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