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Environmental Minutes | August 3, 2022

TOWNSHIP OF MONROE 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES  

Meeting Date:  August 3rd, 2022, 7:00PM

CALL TO ORDER- Chairwoman Karen Polidoro

                                   Pledge to Flag

Sunshine Law- Read into the record

Roll Call – (Commissioners and Associates)              

                    _√_ Karen Polidoro (Chair), __ Rupa Siegal (Council Liaison)

                    _√_ Renee Haider, _√_ Roger Dreyling

                    _√_ Ken Konya, __ Joe Slomian

                    _√_ Giada Schwam (Student Liaison), __ Daria Ludas

                    _√_ Mihir Majmundar, _√_ John Riggs

                       __ Lucille di Pasquale, _√_ Surabhi Agarwal

                      __ Irene Goldberg, __ Theresa Zamorski (Secretary)

Adoption of Minutes:  Karen moved to approve June 1st, 2022, minutes, All in favor

Application A.   Review of Minor Subdivision Plan

                             Block 62, Lots 28 & 30

Speaker:  Mr. Sharif Aly

                  Amertech Engineering Inc.

  1. The commission had the following concerns:   
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that a swale be added to the site plan design to retain and filter as much stormwater runoff as possible into the ground as opposed to piping the drainage directly into the storm sewer.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission is encouraging all applicants to landscape with as many native flowering plants/bushes as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, Birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual and perennial plantings. 
  • The Monroe Township Environmental commission is encouraging all applicants to schedule meetings with, and seek recommendations from, the Monroe Township Environmental Commission prior to seeking Zoning and/or Planning Board approval in all future application submittals. 

             Application B.   Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan with Use and Bulk Variance 

                                          Block 75, Lot 9

Speaker:  Mr. Peter Licata, Esq

                 Sonnenblick Mehr & Licata PC

  1. The commission had the following concerns:   
  • We understand the application is to construct a single-story 3,600 square foot electrical contractor shop and office building located on 2.43m acres, which has an existing 2- story single-family residence. We understand that there is Zoning Board approval for a use variance to permit two principal structures on the same lot.
  • We understand that there will be at least one EV charging parking space and there are a total of 7 parking spaces provided. The applicant stated that there will be no outside storage of electrical supplies and that all supplies will be stored in the proposed single-story shop.
  • We understand that landscaping has been proposed as a buffer between the subject lot

and the neighboring lots to the west and east. The applicant presented that white pine in

addition to other landscaping will be used. The MTEC recommends that all white pine

trees be replaced with other species of pines with a denser canopy since white pine trees

grow quickly to become large, tall trees and the lower branches tend to break off leaving

the area sparce and not suitable as a sight buffer, especially during the winter months

when the deciduous trees lose their leaves.

  • We understand that the proposed retention basin on the north side of the proposed single story electrical shop has a 60-foot landscape buffer from Pergola Avenue.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission is encouraging all applicants to landscape with buffers between neighboring properties and roadways with as many native flowering plants/bushes/trees as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual and perennial plantings. These buffers also act to improve local air and water quality.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that all lighting be LED and motion sensitive, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible during the evening hours.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission is encouraging all applicants to schedule meetings with, and seek recommendations from, the MTEC prior to seeking Zoning and/or Planning Board approval in all future application submittals.                              
  • Committee Reports:

High School Student Liaison- Giada Schwam-

  • MTHS Green Team - The Monroe Township Green Team is planning to work on and complete more SJS actions next school year, including the School Culture & Climate Needs Assessment, Access to Healthy Water in Schools, Materials Reuse actions and more.
  • Member Retention-The EBoard is planning to organize more fundraisers, have more members create presentations on their environmental passions, and help the environment on field trips to involve and engage more club members.
  • Thompson Park Field Trip - An environmentally based field trip is predicted to occur during early 2023 this school year. EAC will work with the Middlesex County Conservation Corps to clean up parks, trails, etc. in Thompson Park. 
  • Grant Update – During the June 15th Board of Education meeting, the EBoard and Grant Green Team members were given certificates of achievement for receiving the Sustainable Jersey Grant through their work of planning the installation of refillable water stations throughout the school. 
  • Project Process – The Project of installing the refillable water stations has been moved to this summer and is predicted to be completed during the middle/late August.  The water stations should be fully functional in time for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. 

Trails and Bike Paths Committee- Coordinator Karen Polidoro -Still working with the Department of Public Works to clear out Rocky Brook trails.

Storm Water & Streams Committee- Coordinator Joe Slomian-Nothing to report.

 

Energy Committee – Coordinator Ken Konya- The Sustainable Energy Community Plan grant was not submitted; therefore, we did not receive the grant.  The Township is still very supportive of the plan so we will resubmit for next year.  

Open Space- Coordinator John Riggs-No Status on Masterplan.  

Education Committee Report-    Coordinator Renee Haider – 

  • Roger Dreyling will be doing a presentation at the Library September 17th, 2022, on Wildlife-Birds, Mammals and Reptiles. There will be a flyer posted at the Library and the Municipal building.  

Sustainable New Jersey – Coordinator Renee Haider-

  • Renee is working on resubmitting Monroe’s Sustainable Jersey Certification application for the second round of review. We have 225 Points approved and need 125 more.
  • Green Fair Committee Report – Coordinator Mihir Majmundar-
  • We started receiving checks from the vendors. Still need to prepare a spreadsheet and confirm which vendors are coming.  Also, Joe Slomian will look into the signs to put around town.  

                            

Planning Board – Nothing to report

Old Business – New Business – Nothing to report.

Open to Public –Comments- Daria Ludas (Jamesburg) and Surabhi Agarwal will be attending a meeting with the Jamesburg Superintendent of schools to come up with a plan to plant a garden and the bee hotels.  The children with maintain the garden.  

 

 Adjournment 8:30 pm Motion: John Riggs Second:  Renee Haider

NEXT MEETING DATE:  September 7, 2022