Environmental Commission Minutes
November 5, 2008
Attendance: Cathy Harvey (Chair a.i), Ellen Emr (Council liaison), Doug Morrison, Todd Terhune, Murray Robertson, Mary Rosseland (Rep. League of Women Voters), Khizar Sheikh, Tom Carr, Corey Nachshen, Judy Edwards (Woodlands liaison), Oliver Turner. Total: 12
Not present: None
Start: 7.30pm
No approval of October 1 minutes
Budget:
EC has approximately $2500 allocated for ERI.
‘Environmental-summit’ - ‘Invasive Management of our Gardens and Natural Environment’
When: November 15. 9.00am to Noon.
Where: Mountain Lakes High School. Media room.
Who: To include - Lake Commission, Shade Tree, WC, Garden club, EC etc, plus the general public. Doug agreed to be moderator. Inform the audience – what are the key questions – read beforehand. 6 general questions will be discussed.
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Goal Updates
1. Well Head Protection (WHP)
Action - Cory: will start writing the ordinance. Then with the help of one/two other people will consider overlap with other ordinances. Maps – protection areas and overlay sensitive areas. Will approach Bill Ryden (town engineer) to help with drafting. Will also approach Brian Marshall and Ray Rogers for help.
2. Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI)
Cathy has met with Joe Tempesta and has his assurance that
we have at least $2,500 available towards the costs of
the ERI. It was suggested that we should engage Rick Radis help with a new fauna inventory which is a necessary part of the ERI. Cathy, Phil Notestine, and Ellen Emr are empowered to engage him after meeting to discuss the details. There is a strong desire to have a deer count included in the fauna inventory.
Murray: Proposed that the EC use the budgeted funds to start the fauna inventory. The rest will be continued and completed next year.
The purpose – to create a current index of flora and fauna and it will serve to support other actions, especially a Master plan. It is the ‘First mission’ of the EC. Proposal - 30 mins next meeting (December) to discuss what the EC wants.
Murray: Proposed $15K for the ERI.
Ellen: Matching grant? Have as a back-up? Dodge to ANJEC – criteria?
3. Riparian Buffer Ordinance
Discussion around putting together a proposal for the council to adopt the monitoring sections of the ordinance that the EC drew up. Kizar will draft a letter to be sent to the ordinance committee and council.
Action- Khizar: will follow this up
Public Comment
None
General comments
Doug Morrison volunteered to join the team.
The meeting was adjourned at 8.56 pm
Next meeting: December 3 at 7.30pm