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

• Need someone else on the Highlands committee from the EC – Review for a possible grant - what does the town need to do to comply with the highlands act?

Doug Morrison volunteered to join the team.

• Need someone to be EC liaison for the Lakes Commission – Murray Robertson volunteered

• Solar panels on the high school roof – Murray has talked to some developers and is continuing to explore this. Working with LWV. Honeywell is coordinating
• Woodlands update: 12 deer this year been caught by bow-hunters. The Woodlands Committee is reorganizing
• LWV: What can we recycle? Exploring options to educate the public. Will make a short and long list of the how’s, what’s and where’s. Home and school bulletin – will have a notice. November 18 MLHS recycling moving. Update the website? Morris county utility authority. Free market: through the LWV
• ANJEC Conference flyer will be sent by e-mail.
• Hess and Gulf ground water remediation project. Are we getting the appropriate updates?  Joe Tempesta has agreed to find out about this issue.

The meeting was adjourned at 8.56 pm

Next meeting: December 3 at 7.30pm