Pittsgrove Township Environmental Commission

Minutes for Meeting of March 27, 2006

 

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 7:33 pm.

 

2.  The pledge to the flag was given.

 

3.  The Open Public Meetings Act compliance statement was read as follows.

           “Adequate notice pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act has been given of this meeting by:

a. Forwarding notice thereof to Today’s Sunbeam and the Daily Journal, both of which were printed

    in the January 10, 2006 edition of the papers,

    b. Posting notice thereof on the community events bulletin board at the Pittsgrove Township

           Municipal Building, and

    c. Filing notice thereof in the Office of the Municipal Clerk for Pittsgrove Township.

                 (All of the above was done at least 48 hours in advance)”

 

4. Attendance: Members Herb Wegner, Bob Morse, Meghan Hack and Kevin Garrison, alternates Trish       Jankauskas and Dave Hunt; and associate Tom Figlio. Public attendees were Paul Taylor and Tom        Hayes.

 

5. Approval of minutes of the February 27, 2006 meeting.  Bob Morse made a motion to approve the minutes

          as written.  Kevin Garrison seconded the motion.  All approved.

 

6.    A presentation on Threatened and Endangered Species was given by Paul Taylor, Naturalist from Parvin          State Park

 

An on-site Environmental Inventory of forested areas, lakes, streams, marshes, ponds, swamps, fallow fields would be very helpful for the commission.  Time is needed to know environmental impact; at least a half of day, if not more, at different seasons of the year, as well as appropriate times of day depending on species. 

 

Vernal pools occur here and there and this is where Tiger Salamanders, an endangered species, can be found.  Cooper’s Hawk and Barred Owl nest during certain times and may leave for part of the year.  Certain orchids, swamp pinks, and other rare plants are sometimes difficult to locate during off-seasons.  A few pointers: when a percolation test is done, don’t let it be done during the dry time of year because this can be very misleading.  It is more accurate when done during the wet season or at least when it’s damp; you get a more accurate test when water is present.  We should be aware that environmental reports paid for developers usually support what the developer intends to do. It would be better for the township to obtain an independent environmental consultant.  Paul knows of several people that would be interested in surveying different areas of the Township for flora and fauna.  

 

Question about owls, eagles, hawks: they don’t sit on nest year-round.  Just during incubation and to feed during early spring (April to the middle of May).  Sometimes birds take over an abandoned nest.  Cooper’s Hawks are about a crow’s size; they are grayish with long banded tails, long shanks for grabbing birds right out of the air. The Cooper’s Hawk has a rounded tail, are sharp-shinned and have square tails. 

Watersheds are much more than 50 feet on either side of a stream or lake.  All terrestrial areas are part of the watershed.

 

Question about owls: Short-eared owls and barred owls can sometimes be seen during the day.

Eastern Tiger Salamander: April is a good time to look for them.  They need vernal ponds in the woods. 

Question about vernal ponds: In off-seasons, it can be hard to identify where vernal ponds will be in the spring.  Answer: Some areas might be obvious, but some would create doubt.

 

Question about getting qualified to survey and identify species: DEP Non Game and Endangered Species Program and the Natural Heritage Program are places to check for this information

 

7. Unfinished Business

 

Redevelopment Status – Bob Morse sent the Commission a memo updating us on the status of the meanings.  There are many environmental concerns in the area.  We need to stay privy to all decisions and advocate for the environment and open space in the area.   

            

Public Outreach – Stream Clean-up April 22nd 

Meghan spoke with AL and Sam today to confirm date.  They’re sending a waiver for participants to complete; we’ll attach this with flyer to the public. 

 

Ordinance Review – Clustering in Rural-Residential Areas adopted 3-14-06

 

Wellhead Protection: We need to review this because it is important to properties being developed. 

   

Site Plan Review – Bob sent a draft of revisions for section E to the Commission.  We need to review and Bob will send it to the Planning Board.

There is a proposed development in Deerfield that will affect Pittsgrove.  Perhaps we could send a letter to their Environmental Commission with our recommendations.  We should definitely contact our Planning Board to advise them since the retention basin for this major subdivision is in our township.

   

Natural Resource and Farmland PIG Status – Paulaitis Farm closing is set for April.

                   

Green Acres and other Open Space – No change in Danna, Clark, and Running Deer

Appraisals underway for Renwick (Lawrence Corner and McKishen) and Briar Hill properties

 

      Tree Ordinance in review by Township Solicitor

 

8. Report on area meetings: Herb went to Preservation Summit at Cook College to learn more about farm      preservation

 

9. New Business: Franklin Township is holding a public hearing introducing a Tree Ordinance

 

10. Recent and Upcoming meetings:

             March 3rd – Agriculture Preservation Summit at Cook College

             March 3rd – Balancing Growth and Preservation 8:30 am to 2 pm

   The Pen Ryn Mansion, Ben Salem, PA

             March 11th – Conservation Leadership, 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Gloucester County Library

             March 13th – Where is Your Town Growing To? Ramada Inn Vineland, NJ

             March 15th and 16th – GIS Conference at the Rutgers University Campus

             March 18th – EC Training to Protect Natural Resource; Egg Harbor (ACUA) on Delilah Road

             March 21st- 6:45 Elmer Grange; County Open Space Planning Advisory Committee Meeting

             March 22nd- 6:45 Salem County Community College; same as above

             March 30th- 6:30; Municipal Tools for Preserving Land

   

11.         Community Events    

May 20th - Pittsgrove Day; $200 for 1-1/2 to 2 hr presentation (Steve S.) 1pm-3pm would probably be best.

Patti Elkis wrote most of the grant application for the Conservation Design Ordinance.  Herb is adding to it/editing.  Members reviewed the cover page tonight. 

 

12. Issues before the Planning Board

            Upcoming Developments: Briar Hill, Briar Point, Hall Farm

 

      13. Communications - none

                  

14. Member Comments: Discussed Liccardello property.  Members are still concerned that an Environmental Survey needs to be completed by an independent consultant hired by the Township.

     

      15. Public Comments - none

     

      16. Bob Morse made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:40pm. Kevin Garrison seconded the motion.

 All approved.