Environmental Commission Minutes

April 11, 2007

7:30pm

Attendance: Blair Wilson (Chair), Armen Melikian, Jeana Macleod, Todd Terhune, Oliver Turner, Murray Robertson, Tom Carr, Brian Marshall (EC Alumnus)

Total = 8

Absent: Steve Butera, Phil Notestine, Chris Stitt, Kevin Edwards, Cathy Harvey

I. Introductions & Opening Remarks:

Blair called the meeting to order at 7.37 pm

Minutes taken by Oliver

Approval of minutes from February 7, 2007 – Murray seconded Jeana

Special Report: Storm water management: Brian Marshall - “Troy Brook Regional Storm water Management Plan”

Brian led a general discussion and update

Mt Lakes sits in Whippany River Watershed – Mountain Lakes has a plan in place and is in compliance with this plan: Fall 2002 – Regional Storm water management plan – approved 2004.

Rutgers University is leading this update. The key issues are flooding and contamination. NJ DEP will take ownership on completion of public debate

Council wants the Environmental Commission (EC) to send them comments on Part A and Part B

Do we amend the plan? It was requested that all EC members read the document and discuss this at the next meeting – May 2. Then, send –recommendation(s) to council (E.g.: work with the plan, we support implementation) before May 14 council meeting.

Brian will be at the May 2 meeting of the EC

General business: Blair

Financial Disclosure Statements (Department of Community Affairs):

Consensus was that there is no need for EC members to sign these statements.

Environmental Commissioners Handbook (order quantity):

7 copies of this will be purchased. Jeana has the spiral bound version.

II. Goal Updates

1. Drinking water and water use (Tom)

Awaiting the list from Joan Best of individual water usage, to help with formulation of the letter to Mountain Lakes residents outlining current issues

Blair – general comments on water in Mountain Lakes

1. Rate adjustments. Last increases for water 2004, sewer 2002

2. Water restriction. odd / even day usage is being discussed by council
3. Loss of water – ‘leak detection’ survey result: 18% loss at present

Council wants recommendations from the EC:

Jeana - No car washes. Odd / even days for sprinkler use. Check rain gauge use

Jeana / Armen / Murray - Community education via letters is the key

Murray – Test the rain gauges

Armen – What is the general borough knowledge on these issues?

Blair – The next Mayor’s letter will include a segment on water use etc.

Blair will tell council that the EC agrees to water restrictions

Murray’s draft letter on home water use will be further considered and then Tom will send it out. Murray will get help from schools.

2. Riparian Buffer (Jeana)

Discussed draft ordinance:

Zone 1 and Zone 2 differences

How does it work on private property? What are the implications? Read and send comments to Jeana. Do we really want a riparian buffer ordinance?

3. Invasive Plants (Cathy)

None

4. Tree Cutting Ordinance (Armen)

Still working on it

5. Well Head Protection (Steve)

None

6. Geese (Oliver)

Oliver presented findings from Mr. Jonathan Frodge - who takes questions on the major lakes monitoring program, King Co. Seattle, Washington. – How to pick up and dispose of goose feces plus washing down surfaces with dilute hydrogen peroxide.

Oliver - agreed to put together a memo for Blair to take to council.

Murray – further consideration of distribution of jobs for community service; to include picking up and disposing of goose (avian) feces.

7. Highlands Act (Kevin and Cathy)

Highlands Act Review: Submitted by Kevin Edwards.

On Wednesday March 21 at Borough Hall, Kevin Edwards, Steve Shaw, Sandy Batty and Joan Nix met to review the Draft Master Plan of the Highlands Act and discuss the Act’s impact on our Borough. Cathy Harvey was unable to attend.

All five representatives were asked to review between 30 and 80 pages of documents and maps and comment accordingly. After a broad discussion on many issues including Water Resources Management, Ecosystem Management, Smart Growth and Finance, the group agreed to write up a 2-page summary for the Borough Council. The group had concerns that Mountain Lakes was in a water deficit area, its wellhead areas required proper protection, there were certain historic assets requiring protection, development would not be feasible until the water recharge mandates were studied, steep slope compliance needed further review and vernal pool setback requirements would be difficult with our existing land use.

Sandy Batty will compile the entire document and circulate to the group.

IV. Any Other Business

Village Market

None

Whippany River Watershed

None

.

V. Public Comments

None

The meeting was adjourned at 9.03pm

Next meeting May 2nd at 7.30pm