Environmental Commission Minutes

January 7, 2009

Attendance: Cathy Harvey (Chair) Ellen Emr (Council liaison), Doug Morrison, Tom Carr, Corey Nachshen, Frank J. Borin, Mary Rosseland LWV rep)

Not present:  Todd Terhune, Khizar Sheikh, Judy Edwards (Woodlands liason) Oliver Turner, Jackie Bay

Start: 7.30pm

Prior to the business meeting, Rick Radis of  TNH Consulting  presented a power point

presentation of the Environmental Resource Inventory recently completed

under contract with the Environmental Commission.  A draft copy was

presented to the Commission for any additions or corrections.  It is also being

shared with the Woodlands Committee for their input.  A final copy will be

ready some time in January. Commission members suggested that more work

needs to be done in the Spring.  

The Chair introduced Frank Borin a new Commission member and informed the

commission of the appointment of Jackie Bay who could not attend.

She suggested that we thank Murray Robertson who retired from the Commsssion

after many years of service.  She will send a note to Murray.  

The December 2008 minutes were approved.

Budget:

The chair has submitted a budget request for 2009 to the Borough Council.

As follows:

ANJEC SEMINARS GENERAL EDUCATION                                 200.00

MEMBERSHIP                                                                                   400.00

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY                        10,000.00

WHIPPANY WATERSHED                                                            1,200.00

MOSQUITO COMMISSION

DEER MANAGEMENT                                                         TO WOODLANDS

GOOSE MANAGEMENT

MISCELANEOUS

            TOTAL                                                                                13,941.00

2009 GOALS

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES INVENTORY

Cory Nachshen has agreed to be the lead on the ERI for 2009.  He has

been impressed with another town’s ERI done by                      and will

follow up with them to see if they are available for consultation.

He will develop an outline of the scope of work to be done.

WELLHEAD PROTECTION

Since Cory will be taking the lead on the ERI, Cathy suggested that

we ask Khizar to complete the ordinance review and rewrite the

ordinance.  We need to ascertain the DEP deadline for compliance.

The ordinance needs to be tailored to our needs in legal terms.  It was

suggested that perhaps Brian Marshall in consultation with Bill Reeden,

Borough Engineer would be the best people to review. We need to talk

with Borough Manager regarding this project.

DRINKING WATER AND WATER USE

Cathy will follow up with water monitoring reports and allocation/water

usage reports.  The LWV has committee reviewing water issues.

INVASIVES

Doug Morrison has agreed to convene the invasive task force comprised

of all the committees that came together at the Environmental Summit

to discuss this issue.  We will be needing funds for public education and

hopefully can work with Woodlands Committee.

MONITORING HESS AND GULF  CLEANUP

We still have not gotten reports from state on this work.  Ellen will

follow up with borough staff to see who is responsible for reviewing

the reports.

A discussion followed regarding website.  The Chair hopes to get

all minutes and ERI uploaded onto site in the near future.

COMMENTS FROM LWV REPRESENTATIVE

Mary Rosseland told the commission of the continuing work and of

and upcoming insert in the Home and School bulleting that

will outline all the recycling requirements.

COMMENTS FROM LIASON

Ellen Emr discussed Council and Budgeting process and

referred commission members to website for listing of EC

role and responsibilities.

There was no public comment

Meeting was adjourned at 9 P.M>

Next meeting February 4, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.