Environmental Commission Minutes

September 5, 2007     

 

Attendance: Kevin Edwards (Chair), Oliver Turner, Emily Korman (Student liaison), Tom Carr, Cathy Harvey, Armen Melikian, Blair Wilson, Murray Robertson. Total = 8

 

Absent:  Steve Butera, Jeana Macleod, Todd Terhune

Apologies: Todd Terhune

 

Meeting called to order: 7.44pm

Approval of July and August minutes: Cathy and Tom seconded by Tom and Oliver

 

I. Goal Updates

 

1. Well Head Protection (WHP) (Todd and Emily)


Well Head Protection – Todd not present, no update

Tom – Postpone until next meeting?

Kevin – General discussion – See Stoneybrook, NJ doc. and Source water doc. (See July minutes); EC members need to read before next meeting. We should at least consider the following:

 

 

Tom – We’ve addressed this before. Met with Denville EC and discussed issues.

 

Blair – Look through the docs. Does the EC want a WHP ordinance (WHPO)?

 

Kevin – Meet with our neighbors?

 

Oliver – What happened in the past?

 

Tom – What is ML’s position on the Highland’s Act?

Kevin – EC Action items:

 

Tom – Will check the archives for historical discussions

 

2. Riparian Buffer (Kevin)

 

Where is Jeana? – Cathy will check. Can she continue the work?

 

II. New Business

 

1. ML Trail Map and Guide 2007 – Handed out by Tom - now available at Borough Hall.

 

2. Murray - King of Kings Property (Behind said church on route 46) – Current developer no longer interested. Murray outlined that a meeting is proposed to discuss what to do with the property. One plan is (might be) to fill the land, and then construct 8 lots for single family dwellings. This will kill all of the trees. Murray suggests a large, single building, say 3 stories; E.g. Assisted living or hospice. This will be a high density solution to preserve 6 acres of woodland.

 

Kevin – We should check out the maps

Murray – Does the EC support a plan to minimize the environmental impact?

Blair/Cathy – We should appraise the land – a walk through?

Tom/Cathy – Tax on the land?

Cathy – Let’s try and stop any development before recommending style of development.

Murray – Very concerned about the way that ML zones and controls development on its land.

Kevin – EC needs to educate itself on the site - Type of development? Acquisition price?

Emily – Single building preference

Kevin – Volunteers to explore options further – Cathy, Emily, Murray

Murray – Meeting to discuss new plans will be taking place in September.

Tom/Blair – Council’s perspective?
Oliver/Kevin/Murray/Blair/Tom – Discussion of ML taxes, supply and demand, NJ and beyond

 

Kevin – We need to educate ourselves

Armen – Will check with planning board people

 

3. EC membership 2008 - Who’s will continue to sit on the committee next year?

 

Cathy – Yes

Tom – Not sure if term has run out? Will explore.

Oliver – Yes and will continue as Secretary if committee is not apposed - agreed

Murray - Yes

Emily - Yes

Kevin - Yes – Unanimously voted to remain as Chairman

Armen – No - Will be stepping down, effective immediately;

·        Also resigning planning board commission position

·        Planning board discussion

 

Kevin – Who can replace Armen?

Blair – Will continue up to Dec 31 2007

Gary Webb is retiring

 

4. Next (October) meeting – Goals, action plans and budget for 2008.

 

Kevin; Consider:

 

III. AOB

 

Cathy:  September 15th = ‘Invasive’ (plants) work day (See Bulletin) on York Rd.

 

Oliver:

 

IV. Public Comments

 

None

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9.38pm

Next meeting October 4th at 7.30pm