Minutes for the July 26, 2004 Environmental Commission Meeting

 

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

 

2.     The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

3.     Herb reported that the meeting was advertised to the public in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act.

 

4.     Members signed in.  Regular members present were Greg Hickson, Meghan Hack, Bob Morse, and Herb Wegner; alternates Kevin Garrison and Trish Jankauskas, and associate members Barry Glogau, Deloris Glogau, David Hunt, Christine Seeney, and Robert Widdifield.

 

5.     Minutes from the June 28th meeting were discussed by members.  Item 9 was missing a 0 in 100,000 and the word major was added to item 11 to describe the subdivisions.  The minutes were approved as amended.

 

6.     Herb distributed a list of members’ phone numbers and email addresses.

 

7.     Members reviewed the list of information that the EC collected for Morris Land Conservancy.  Tricia Aspinwall from MLC congratulated the commission on a job well done.  Bob Morse asked if MLC received soil data; Herb said that she hadn’t, but that he would provide the disc to her.

 

8.     Tricia Aspinwall discussed the background of the MLC and had each member introduce him/herself.  Tricia will be attending our August and September meetings.  She discussed Green Acre requirements as well as the steps left in completing Pittsgrove’s Open Space Plan.

·       Herb Wegner, Kevin Garrison, and Christine Seeney gave Dennis Miranda (Go Native consultant) and Tricia Aspenwall a tour of Pittsgrove. This tour needs to be followed up with pictures documenting certain areas. 

·       A public meeting needs to happen (this is a requirement by Green Acres) in September so that the community can give their input about needs and concerns for the Pittsgrove Open Space Plan.  Members agreed that it will occur at our September 27th meeting.  During this meeting, Tricia explained that Mayor Voros would introduce the meeting, Herb would make a few comments, and then the meeting will be turned over to Tricia and Amy Greene.  We must advertise the meeting as a public hearing, and be sure to send personal invites to the mayor and to members of other town committees.  Tricia will help us create the press release; it would be advantageous to have a reporter attend the meeting.  Tricia stated that it is important to have the entire environmental commission present at that meeting.   

·       A second public hearing will occur at the December Township Committee meeting.

·       Dennis Miranda and Trisha Aspinwall stated that they would be conducting a conference call along with Amy Greene to discuss the schedule for developing our OSP as well as a disc of data that was sent by the township that Amy has yet to receive.

·       By January, Pittsgrove should have a greenways map which will target sensitive areas that the EC should focus on preserving first..

·       The Planning Incentive Grant was discussed.  The main objective of obtaining this grant is to go from a 25% to a 50% cost sharing with Green Acres.  Obtaining this grant may also entitle us to more grant opportunities. 

·       Members discussed brownfields; Tricia said that she will keep brownfields in mind throughout the OSP process.

·       The OSP map will be organized by tax classes and levels of preserved properties.  Class I properties are vacant lots.  Class II properties are residential.  We don’t need to show all residential properties on the map.  Members discussed the smallest acreage that would be reflected on the map for Class II properties.  Tricia said that she will assess the data to help us decide.  Members thought that Class II properties of 4 acres or more should be reflected on the map.  Class III properties are farmland.  Class IV properties are commercial (4a), industrial (4b) and apartments (4c). 

·       Public waterways were discussed.  Bob Widdifield stated that according to the DEP map, public waterways in Pittsgrove are not designated as category 1.  However, they are publicly nominated as category 1.

·       Tricia had members answer questions about Pittsgrove such as the status of our current open space program, historic places, recreation needs/wants, resources, etc.  Similar questions will be asked of the public during the September meeting.  

·       Tricia encouraged members to use her card to contact her with any other important information about our town.

 

9.     There currently are two major subdivisions before the planning board.  Neither has completed all of the application process yet.  One is Briar Hill on Route 40 - a proposal for 24 houses and 2 commercial properties.  The other involves property on Lawrence Corner/McKishen Road.  Dennis reminded us that, by law, the public can schedule a walk-through of a site that is in question for development.

 

10.  Member Comments: Meghan Hack distributed Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Sighting Report forms from the Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species program. 

 

11.  Public comments: Tom Hayes announced that the Economic Development Committee meets the first Thursday of every month.  The next meeting is August 5th.  He stated that it would be beneficial for Herb, and any other EC members, to attend the meeting. 

 

12.  Christine Seeney made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Bob Morse seconded the motion.  The motion was carried.  The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 PM.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Meghan Hack, Acting Secretary