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 –
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 –
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
Blair – general comments on water in
1. Rate adjustments. Last increases for water 2004, sewer 2002
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
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
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.
7.
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
Sandy Batty will compile the entire document and circulate to the group.
IV. Any Other
Business
Village Market
None
None
.
V. Public Comments
None
The meeting was adjourned at 9.03pm
Next meeting May 2nd at 7.30pm