Pittsgrove Township Environmental Commission

Minutes of the March 28, 2005 Meeting

 

  1.  The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Herb Wegner, at 7:30 PM.

 

  2.  Attendees gave the Pledge to the Flag

 

        3.  The Open Public Meetings Act compliance statement was given.

 

  4.  Members in attendance : Trish Jankauskas, Barry and Delores Glogau, Bob Morse, Herb Wegner, Tim Hack, Meghan Hack, Kevin Garrison, Dave Hunt, Tom Figlio, and Bob Widdifield.

 

  5.  The minutes of the February 28, 2005 meeting were approved by all upon motion by Bob Morse, seconded by Trish Jankaukus.

 

  6. Herb gave details about Al Munier’s (archaeologist) talk at Parvin State Park 

 

  7. Unfinished Business:

             

·       ERI was made an Appendix to Master Plan so it can be used as a reference document

 

·       A resolution was passed by Planning Board on April 5th 2005 following the March 16 public hearing for the OSRP to be adopted as an Open Space and Recreation Element so that it can be used as an action document. 

 

·       Final ANJEC Status Report: every 2 months, Herb writes status reports.  He will give one this week about our OSRP and resolutions/Green Acres application

     

·       EC reorganization scheduled for April 25 meeting: Tricia Jankaucus and Bob Morse interested in staying on the committee.  They will be reappointed at a Township Committee meeting.

             

·       Adoption of By-laws: discussion of secretary and treasurer duties.  Possibly hire someone for secretary. Meghan and Trish volunteered to be back-ups.  

                               

  8. New Business

·       Landis Avenue Redevelopment Plan Hearing at High School on Wednesday, April 20, 2005.  All EC members are encouraged to attend to listen and participate in the discussion.

    

·       “The Myth of the Ratables”: Herb handed out article for all to read and discuss at next meeting. 

 

·       Commission Member Training: ANJEC gave training: Bob Morse, Tom Figlio, Kevin Garrison, and Debby Fox attended.  Dennis Miranda has volunteered to train us. The members discussed a possible date.  April 25th is our next meeting, but a meeting night might not give us enough time for the presentation.  We will tentatively schedule it for Wednesday the 13th     

 

·       We are hiring a New Township Planner: Pittsgrove hasn’t had one for a few months.  Pittsgrove has hired Sally Bird from Greenwich.   

 

            9. Recommendations to Planning Board:

 

·       Discussion about the new ordinance about agricultural areas of 20+ acres:

             mandatory clustering to preserve open space on the property.  Maybe we could

             extend to preserved areas that are not under farmland assessment. This could   

             apply to nonagricultural areas.  The EC needs to discuss the possibility of

 pushing for this ordinance to also apply to smaller areas, maybe reduce minimum   size to 10 acres.  We need to examine this and discuss it to come up with a consensus as an EC.

 

·       The EC needs to be advised about variances given to residents.  It’s our job to make comments to the township.

 

·       Buffers around preserved land: The property alongside the  preserved Greenburg property is being developed.  Perhaps we could suggest that a buffer be implemented around all preserved property like it is implemented around farmland assessed land.

 

10.   Issues before the Planning Board:

·       Porchtown Road Property: Application is complete.  Members discussed

                  retention basins, open space, and use of recycled materials for things like

                  roads and driveways.   

·       Alvine Road/Landis Avenue: possible flea market proposed.

          

 

11.   Member Comments:

 

·       Tim Hack suggested that we have members volunteer to sign up to go to other township meetings, like economic development meetings. This way we can all be on “the same page.”

              

·       Bob Morse asked that get copies of site plans so that we can review.  Also, we need to know the format in which to suggest ordinances.  Bob Widdifield said that simply stating ideas to the planning board is sufficient- they will get reworded by the planner anyway.

               

·       Dave Hunt suggested that we do something for Earth Day

               

·       Bob Widdifield suggested that we do something for Arbor Day

              

·       Members all agreed that the EC needs to break into committees so that we can act on these suggestions. We’ll do this as soon as possible

               

         13. Public Comments: none

 

         14.  Adjournment: Bob Morse made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Kevin Garrison seconded the motion.  All approved.  The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.