Pittsgrove Township Environmental Commission

Minutes for Meeting of June 26, 2006

 

 

1.  The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:34 pm.

 

2.  Attendees gave the pledge to the flag.

 

3.  The Open Public Meetings Act compliance statement was read:

              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: Regular members Herb Wegner, Bob Morse, Meghan Hack, Kevin Garrison, and Debby             Turner-Fox; alternate Dave Hunt and associate Tom Figlio.  

Also in attendance: Mayor Pete Voros, and Mr. and Mrs. Challow.

                                                

5.  Bob Morse made a motion to approve the minutes as written of the May 22, 2006 meeting.  Debby             Turner-Fox seconded the motion.  All approved.

 

6. Unfinished Business

 

Redevelopment Status:

Mayor Voros reported that he and Jim Shuster met with Remington and Vernic who will be helping to design the redevelopment area which will be 135 acres. Jim Shuster and Mayor Voros also met with the Vineland Cold Storage Company.  Phase one grant is due September 1st.  It is due to the Planning Board by August 1, 2006.  The grant is through Gordon Down from USEDA.  It would cover the tear down of the mill and environmental clean-up.  Kevin Garrison suggested that they look into money the township could earn from the scrap steel.        

 

Ordinance Review:

Wellhead Protection: Something comprehensive needs to be developed.  Bob will refer to his document on wellhead protection ordinances to write a preliminary document.  Debby suggested that Bob prepare something that explains the concept and our goals to present to the Planning Board.  If they support the effort, then we can go ahead and create the entire document. Also, the DEP should be consulted to help us plan an adequate document.  Bob suggested that the document also address any future wellheads that may be created within the Township.

 

T&E:

No municipality has one at this time in NJ.  This is something that Dennis Miranda is looking into for us.  Pete Voros suggested that the sooner we get something the better.  Developers are on our doorstep.

 

Conservation Design:

Herb is in the process of getting a contract to the planner, Sally Birdsall.  Hopefully a purchase order can be issued soon so she can begin.  He is also in getting a contract for DVRPC people.  Susan McCarthy will help Herb get this together. 

 

      EIS and Master Plan information was sent to the Planning Board.

    

A Letter on Bridlewood Estates was sent to the Planning Board and Township Engineer.

   

Natural Resources (Open Space):

 

Farmland PIG Status – Closing occurred on the Paulitus Farm on June 9th. Debby asked Herb to find out if they are interested in a sign.

 

Schroder Farm will follow State modification of agreement.  The State has agreed to loosen requirements on making the buildings livable.

 

Tamagni Farm appraisals to be sent to the State

                           

Other Green Acres and other Open Space:

           

Renwick: Need new appraisals for Renwick so we can make an offer to preserve the property

 

Briar Hill:  Appraisals for Briar Hill are at GA for review.  Conservation Design may be extremely necessary on this property.  Clustering alone could cause many of the larger trees to be cut down. 

 

Running Deer: Running Deer preservation discussed with County.  Herb attended the meeting.  The County hasn’t taken any positive steps to preserve the land.

 

Danna property: Danna property preservation being discussed by Green Acres and Parks & Forestry  

 

Tree Ordinance: Debby reported that it has been tabled for the time being.  They have been discussing becoming a commission instead of an advisory committee.  Two-thirds in the state are commissions instead of advisory committees.

 

7.  Report on area meetings: There was nothing to report at this time

 

8.  New Business:

 

Subcommittee assignments: Members discussed committees and responsibilities that they each entail.  Dave volunteered to be on the Ordinance Review Committee with Bob Morse.  Bob will not stay on the Open Space Committee since there already are two regular members.  Meghan will join the Ordinance Review Committee.

 

Site Plan Reviews: Bob Morse wrote a comprehensive letter with EIS comments regarding Bridlewood Estates.  Members reviewed and discussed letter.

 

Site Plan for Deerfield Development was supposed to be sent to Herb.  The reason this affects us is that it borders Pittsgrove.  The developer called Herb to ask if Pittsgrove could influence Green Acres.  It is a contiguous property with Parvin State Park and the Danna property so it could be a great project for Green Acres.

 

Conservation Design - EC member involvement discussed during subcommittee discussion.

 

Date for meeting at Parvin State Park will be tabled for now.  Summer meetings are scheduled for July 24th or August 28th.

 

9. Upcoming meetings/training:

8:00-County Open Space Plan and Farmland Preservation Meeting June 29th – This will be the fourth in a series of meetings.

 

10. Issues before the Planning Board: Next planning board meeting is July 5th

                

11. Communications: None at this time.     

                       

12. Member Comments:

Pete Voros mentioned that like Pinelands, and Highlands, it has been proposed that Salem County and surrounding areas be designated the Agriculture Lands.  Debby suggested that we could pursue it by exploring pros and cons that the Highlands and Pinelands have experienced.  It could help us get funding after 2009.  It would likely involve transfer of development rights to areas with sewer and public water.

     

 13. Public Comments:

Theresa Challow stated that Bridlewood Estates would be two properties over from her own.  Her home is built in the back of the lot because of the existence of a vernal pond.  She expressed many concerns that she and her neighbors have.  She reported that there are likely vernal ponds on the proposed development site.  Bob Morse recommended that she attend the Planning Board meeting and express her concerns at that forum as well. 

     

 14.  Bob Morse made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9: 32 pm. Debby Turner-Fox seconded the motion.

 All approved.