MINUTES

 

East Amwell Township Environmental Commission

         Business Meeting

March 23, 2009

7:30 p.m.

 

CALL TO ORDER:  The March 23, 2009 Business Meeting of the East Amwell Township Environmental Commission was called to order by Chairperson, M. Petrus at 7:35 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,

                       T. Martin, J. Corboy (Secretary)

 

ABSENT:     D. Kellogg, F. Clair, S.Parsons, A. Celebre, B. Hummel, H. Doreen   

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:     none given

 

PRESENTATION OF MINUTES:                     February 23, 2009 – Business Meeting   

                                                               

The minutes of the February 23, 2009 business meeting were motioned for approval by D. Sageser, with a second from J. Angelone, and were approved with no changes/deletions.  There were no abstentions.

 

LAST MINUTE ADDITIONS TO TONIGHT’S AGENDA:

1.  Flyer from ANJEC – “Green by Design” Seminar – 3/30/09 

2.  Letter from F. Banisch, 3/11/09, re:  Sustainable Jersey

     D. Sageser volunteered to take the lead on this topic.  He will report back to us next       

     month.

3.  Note from T. Stahl on 2/20/09 SBWA letter, re:  River Clean-Up

     Members decided that because of budget restrictions, we would be unable to donate.

     River clean-up date is the same day as Roadside Clean-Up.  Volunteers at Roadside

     Clean-Up are asked if their road goes over a stream to check the stream for debris.

4.  Draft Easement Inspection Status Report submitted by T. Robbi

 

GUEST SPEAKER:  Kathleen P. Hale from the NJ Water Supply Authority

(Originally scheduled speaker – Tara Petti was unable to make it this evening.)

 

                     East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                     March 23, 2009

                                                            Page Two

 

 

Ms. Hale opened by giving a brief synopsis of the work being done by the NJ Water Supply Authority.  They manage Spruce Run, Round Valley and Manasquan Reservoirs, D&R Canal as water supply sources.  The Delaware and Raritan System provides water supply to public and private water utilities serving 1.3+ million people in Central NJ. 

The Raritan River Basin is the largest river basin located entirely in the state of NJ.  Riparian issues found in the Raritan are as follows:  sedimentation, erosion, undercut banks, impaired riparian zone and altered stream channels.  Stream visualization is an important part of their work.  In 2003 they started a suite of River Friendly Programs.  The River Friendly Programs work with landowners to improve water quality, reduce non-point pollution, conserve water and support native habitat and wildlife.  The current River Friendly Programs offer certification to golf courses, parks, businesses, individual residents, farms and schools.  A brief description of each was given.  Detailed applications are given out and clients are asked to fill them out.  Site visits may follow and if all criteria are met, certification is issued.  Sample questionnaire was given to each member and they were asked to fill them out in order to qualify to receive a River Friendly Satchel.  Various brochures were left with this secretary and will be filed in the Environmental Commission office.  T. Robbi informed Ms. Hale of our future rain garden project at Clawson Park and she volunteered help in any way possible.  Ms. Hale stated that what she hoped for from tonight’s presentation is for our members to publicize their work wherever they can.      

 

PRESENTATION OF BILLS:   none presented 

 

REPORTS:

a.  Planning Board – D. Sageser stated that the Planning Board discussed the natural resource constrained lands ordinance in relation to property owners applying for  development on lands that may have many constraints.  The question is should full density build-out be allowed which often impacts the sensitive features on the site.  Amendments to the ordinance are being worked on. Sustainable Community Guidelines were also discussed and he suggested that the Environmental Commission become more involved.  He also informed members that several of the Planning Board members are planning to attend the ANJEC seminar on “Green by Design” – laying the groundwork for sustainable development.                   

b.  Township Committee – T. Martin stated that budget talks are the primary interest of the Township Committee at the current time.  Various restrictions on budgetary requests are anticipated.    

c.  Recycling Committee – M. Petrus informed members that the Recycling Committee spent the majority of the meeting discussing the Electronic Recycling Project.  He explained that it was discovered through information supplied by J. Angelone, that there are numerous pending DEP charges against the firm that the Recycling Committee was

                     East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                     March 23, 2009

                                                         Page Three

 

going to contract with for the Electronic Recycling Day.  Because of possible liabilities to the Township and general ethics, members decided to cancel.   Recycle Bank was also

discussed – information gathered from W. Harrison’s SWAC report. After the meeting, members proceeded to affix labels to the Spring Newsletter.     

d.  Farmland/Open Space Preservation – T. Robbi stated that two of East Amwell farms applying for the PIG program made it into the top four ranking.  The County then made the requirement that the owners be willing to sign an agreement that they will accept  

an option to guarantee they would apply at a price determined by the County.  The owners refused to sign the agreement – no support from the County.  State grant is still possible, as are the funds from the Township.

e.  Smart Growth Grant II – T. Robbi  stated that they are still obtaining comments on this phase of the Smart Growth plan.  Sourland Planning Council Executive Director has resigned.  Temporary Executive Director has been appointed – could have an affect on final outcome.  
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 she is costing out additional server space.  She is waiting to hear back from him.  All updates have been currently posted.         

c.  Clawson Park – Update – M. Petrus  stated that the Clawson Park Committee will be meeting some time in April.  Their approval for the rain gardens will be requested.  T. Robbi stated that C. Hughes and volunteers were asked to draft a detailed plan for the three rain gardens.  It is hoped that she could make a presentation at this meeting in April.

d.  Global Warming Initiatives – M. Petrus suggested that Global Warming Initiatives be grouped with Public Outreach.  Members agreed.  Global Warming Initiatives will now be discussed under Public Outreach.

e.  Conservation Easements – S. Parsons was absent this evening.  Thus, no report was given.  T. Robbi did distribute a draft Conservation Easement Inspection Status Report.  Members reviewed and had several suggestions for changes, i.e., nature of the easement, remove the word "Status" from the title, mapping sites, availability of photos, etc.  T. Robbi will incorporate these changes and have a second draft ready for the next meeting.

L. Lewis stated that S. Parsons asked her to bring up the subject of the vagueness in the descriptions or types of easements and how they should be listed and classified in the future.  How to represent the easement on a map is another question.  D. Sageser stated that we should encourage respect for easements.  M. Petrus asked L. Lewis to make up a  list of the questions so that Commission members could discuss them.       

   

 

 

                     East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                     March 23, 2009

                                                             Page Four      

 

 

 

f.  Public Outreach –  M. Petrus stated that the Environmental Club leader at East Amwell School has been on maternity leave.  The Athletic Director has invited the Environmental Commission to have an exhibit at their Earth Day Celebration on April 22.  J. Angelone will assist M. Petrus in organizing this presentation.  M. Petrus also reminded members that he hopes to invite Mr. Everitt of the 4-H Fair to either the April or May meeting.  He will issue the letter of invitation.   

g.  Natural Resource Inventory – B. Hummel was absent this evening.  No report was received.  D. Sageser stated that the sub-committee was not able to get together. 

 

APPLICATIONS FROM PLANNING BOARD & BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR REVIEW:  none received   

 

NEW BUSINESS: 

a.  2009 GOALS –  Members reviewed the 2009 revised goals.  Motion was made to accept the 2009 goals as written by J. Angelone, and seconded by D. Sageser.  The vote was unanimously in favor.  Secretary will distribute to all boards and committees.    

 

CORRESPONDENCE:      All correspondence was listed on the 3/23/09 agenda.

Last minute additions were listed previously in these minutes and were distributed to all at the meeting.

 

OPEN TO COMMISSION MEMBERS:  J. Angelone informed members that the Natural Resource Sub-Committee was unable to meet because of B. Hummel's busy work schedule.

 

The Department of Environmental Protection has been notified about a possible stream encroachment problem on a property in Delaware Township. 

 

M. Petrus stated that he checked with Home Depot concerning the coal tar issue in driveway sealers mentioned at last month's meeting.  Their products are free of coal tar.   The last item mentioned was the cancellation of three of the Depot Days.  July, September and November Depot Days will be canceled due to budget restrictions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                     East Amwell Township Environmental Commission Minutes

                                                     March 23, 2009

                                                           Page Five

 

 

 

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:   none present. 

 

 

ADJOURN:   9:05 PM       Motion for adjournment was received from L. Lewis and T. Robbi 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.            Trenton Times                    Recycling Com.

      Planning Board                  Associate Members            Agric. Adv. Com.

      Farmland & Open Space Preservation