Environmental Commission Minutes

February 13, 2008

Attendance: Kevin Edwards (Chair), Oliver Turner, Cathy Harvey, Corey Nachshen, Murray Robertson, Todd Terhune, Total = 6

Non-Attendees

Tom Carr, Khizar Sheikh., Phil Notestine, Richard Urankar (new council liaison)

Call to order – 7.34 pm

Approval of minutes

Kevin moved for November (2007) minutes; seconded by Murray

Kevin moved for January minutes; seconded by Cathy

Nominations for EC liaison:

· Lakes committee – EC will ask whether the Lakes committee will send liaison to EC

meetings

· Planning committee – Kevin proposed Brian Marshall

Goal Updates

1. Riparian Buffer

General discussion and update on Riparian Buffer ordinance.

Murray – Received data from Jeana - 1979 Mountain Lakes ERI and map of ‘sub-basins’.

Action Items:

1. Khizar (via email) – Presented revised text for non-conformers / violators and the

penalties therein. EC members will review and send comments to Kevin

2. Todd – Will circulate additional language for non-conformers
3. Kevin – March 1^st will send out final doc. vote at the next meeting – March 12^th – and then send on to George Jackson

2. Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) and Deer Survey

No feedback on the budget yet.

Discussion on whether the EC want to prioritize the deer survey or the ERI.

Key factors - We have until the summer until the ERI is required – there is no time pressure to complete the ERI before the Master Plan. The survey needs to be carried out within the next 30 days for ideal data collection: no leaves, low temp. Corey’s place of business will charge approx $10,000 for field verification of current ERI

We have proposals from 2 other firms

Action Items:

1. Kevin – Will send out 1979 ERI to other (3) firms
2. Kevin and Corey - Define ‘scope of work’ - determine which area we want to work on vs. master plan

3. Tom – Checked the 1996 data – used to be on the website – Has been found

4. Cathy – Will visit Judith Thorton (Works for ANJEC) to gather further ERI information
5. Murray – The EC plus ANJEC and MLHS might be able to perform an ERI

– Name the Vernal ponds? Shall we organize a fund raising activity to

officially name them?

3. Well Head Protection (WHP)

Corey has spoken with Al Atkinson – chair of Denville EC. Waiting for hear back from him in order to get the appropriate maps.

Action Items:

1. Todd – To contact DPW - pending

4. Master Plan update

Cathy – Reviewing the conservation portion of the 1996 document.

General comments

1. Green Building advocacy + League of Women Voters

Discussion about the work of the League of Woman Voters, Green buildings, the new municipal

Green Borough Hall – being considered – multiple bids (14) have come forward.

Explore BASF buildings, solar etc…

Action item:

1. Cathy - Kevin – The EC should liaise with the League of Woman Voters

2. All EC members should do the ‘carbon footprint’ test on-line at the league’s website

2. Dog Poop on Boulevard

There have been complaints about dog feces on the sidewalk (run-bike trail) along Boulevard. Should we establish ‘poop scoop stations’ and trash cans along the route – as seen at Birchwood Lake?

Action item

1. Oliver – Will follow-up with the borough manager

3. Other items of discussion

1. Tom – Trail commission propose to be part of the EC – no comments
2. Murray discussed the idea of electricity companies that are visiting homes and doing free energy efficiency tests to highlight where a house can be more efficient.

3. Murray – Contaminated soil has now been removed from next to Route 46 Mobil gas station

4. DEP – who is case manager for Hess and Gulf gas stations? – What are the latest survey results? Can the EC co’s on any relevant email communications?

Action item:

Corey will investigate

5. Discussion on the use of green trash bags in ML – pros and cons

Public Comments

None

The meeting was adjourned at 9.06pm

Next meeting March 12th at 7.30pm