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Environmental Minutes | April 5, 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Meeting April 5 at 7:00 PM                      

1.       CALL TO ORDER- Chairwoman Karen Polidoro

Pledge to Flag

2.       Sunshine Law- Read into the record

3.       Roll Call – (Commissioners and Associates)            

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

                   _√_ Renee Haider, _√_ Roger Dreyling

                   _√_ Ken Konya, _√_ Joe Slomian

                                   _√_ Giada Schwam (Student Liaison),

                                     _×_ Siddhi Patil (Student Associate)

                                   _√_ Mihir Majmundar,

                                   _√_ John Riggs

                                    _√_ Surabhi Agarwal

                                   _√_ Theresa Zamorski (Secretary)

Adoption of Minutes–: A Motion to approve the March 1, 2023, minutes made by Renee Haider and seconded by John Riggs. All in favor.               

Applicant A.    Bulk Variance, Owner Patrick Mahon

                           Block 21.17, Lots 1

           Speaker:       Attorney Jared Pape, Heilbrunn Pape

The commission had the following concerns:

  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission Finds both the letter from the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission and the permit from the Middlesex County, Office of Environmental Health to construct an individual sewage disposal system on the property acceptable.
  • We understand the property has overgrown Christmas Trees that will be removed and replanted, if possible. The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that landscaping to act as buffers between neighboring properties and roadways include as many New Jersey native flowering plants /bushes/evergreen trees (except for white pine) as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual and perennial plantings. These buffers also help to improve local air and water quality.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that all outdoor lighting be LED, dark sky, and motion sensitive, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible during the evening hours.

We understand that at least lot 1 was used to farm and grow Christmas trees. Due to the historical farming on the property and change in use to residential, the MTEC recommends that historic pesticide sampling be conducted in accordance with the most recent version of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Historically Applied Pesticide Technical Guidance document. The sampling methodology and results should be submitted to the MTEC and Zoning Board for review.

  • 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.

Applicant B. Esposito Construction

                       Preliminary Final Site Plan

                       Block 31 Lot 1

Speaker:       John Vincenti

The commission had the following concerns:  

  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission understands that this property is rural residential-farmland preservation zone, with a portion of the northern corner of the property located in a flood hazard/conservation district determined by FEMA as an area of minimal flood hazard. The property contains three buildings (residence, a roughly 8,000sq.ft. metal warehouse unoccupied. The residence was serviced by a water supply well and septic system. The site plans provided by the applicant note that a second supply well is present near the metal building and that a septic system is present between the metal building and a former storage building located further north. The plans indicate that this fourth building on site was being removed at the time the property survey was being completed.
  • The Monroe township Environmental Commission understands that the applicant plans to store and perform maintenance on company – owned trucks and vehicles on the property. No third-party vehicle maintenance will be conducted.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that the areas to the north and west of the currently developed portion of the subject property remain underdeveloped so that the wetland and vernal pool ecosystems remain intact habitat for wildlife. It appears from review of the plans provided and from aerial photos, that the neighbor to the west appears to be encroaching on the applicant’s property. This reduces the amount of land the applicant states will remain in its natural state as open space and habitat for wildlife.   It also creates a potential liability for the applicant if someone is injured due to activity on the applicant’s property.
  • As Stated during the Monroe Township Environmental Commission meeting, please confirm in writing that a chain link fence will be installed around the perimeter of the developed portion of the property.
  • According to the EIS, heavy machinery, trucks, and materials such as piping, accessories, hydrants, pre-cast structures, concrete blocks, geotextiles, and traffic control devices will also be stored on the property. The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that these material items be stored in covered secured locations to prevent rainwater from washing any residual debris on these items into the ground or nearby waterways.
  • The Monroe Township recommends the applicant review our Environmental Resources Inventory document (2020) with respect to the property’s location within the potential vernal habitat area and with respect to a portion of the site mapped as Rank 2 in the NJDEP Landscape Project, indicating there is an occurrence of species considered to be of special concern.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that the historic pesticide sampling be conducted in accordance with the most recent version of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Historically Applied Pesticide Technical Guidance document.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental commission recommends that landscaping to act as buffers between neighboring properties and roadways include as many New Jersey native flowering plants/bushes/evergreen trees (except for white pine) as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual perennial plantings. These buffers also act to improve local air and water quality.
  • The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends that all outdoor lighting be LED, dark sky, and motion sensitive, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible during the evening hours.
  1. The Monroe Township Environmental Commission recommends the applicant provide a supplemental environmental report that includes the following NJDEP Wetlands LOI and a copy of the wetland’s delineation map.
  2. Determine the appropriate North American Industry classification system (NAICS) codes for all prior owners and tenants to determine if the property is subject to regulations pertaining to the Industrial Site Recover Act (ISRA) rules.
  3. A discussion of how the applicant’s waste fluids from the site will be stored, handled, disposed.
  4. A discussion of how the development of the site will protect the potential vernal habitat and Rank 2 species of special concern.
  5. A discussion as to why no site samples were submitted for total metals analysis.
  6. Soil and, if necessary, groundwater sampling should be conducted in the following areas of environmental concern.
  • Beneath the stained areas identified in one or both of either the metal building and/or 2,000 sq. ft masonry building.
  • Heating oil tank associated with the residence.
  • Septic system associated with the residence and the metal building.
  • The former oil change pit that has been filled in is located in the 2,000 sq. Ft. masonry building.
  • Areas on sit that were farmed after reviewing the historic aerials not only in the Phase I/II Report, but also provided on the historicaerials.com website.
  • A site plan clearly indicates the test pit locations, along with the appropriate test pit number so that the soil and groundwater analytical results can be associated with each test pit location.
  • A discussion of the purpose for the fourth building on sit north of the metal building which was apparently a storage building being removed at the time the site survey was being performed and whether any media sampling is appropriate.
  • A site plan showing the AOCs mentioned in the Phase I/II report.
  • Potable water sampling results of the well to be used as the water supply on the property and well abandonment report on the property.
  • Sampling results should be forwarded to the Monroe Township Environmental Commission.
  • 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.

4.       Committee Reports:

a.       High School Student Liaison- Giada Schwam-

MTHS Green Team

  • Completed and submitted the application for the new grant cycle to refurbish and supply the greenhouse at MTHS.

Preschool Collab

  • On February 8th, 13th, and 16th in conjunction with the Shade Tree Commission, EAC student volunteers collaborated with the Falcon’s Nest Preschool to educate children about sustainability and the environment.

Econight Prep

  • The Econight Event Team finalized the vent timeline and continued planning for the 4th Annual Econight that will be taking place at MTHS on Tuesday, April 18 @5:30-8PM this spring.
  • The event will include an actionable conversation panel, trivia, refreshments, environmental exhibits, games, and more for all those who attend.
  • The Actionable Conversation Panel will discuss the environmental social responsibility people had and what kinds of actions they can take to be more sustainable on an independent/community level with regards to waste management, energy, and environmental legislation.

Ashlyn Spector- environmental social responsibility to people hold and what kinds of actions they can take to be more sustainable on   an independent/community level with regards to waste management, energy, and environmental legislation.

Brynn Mosello- Sustainability and Communications Director at Mazda Recycling

Christopher Sikorski- District Recycling Coordinator for Office of Health Services, Division of Solid Waste.

  • Members will present their live exhibit about a niche environmental topic of their choice. Topics include fast fashion, light pollution, endangered animals, wind mills & whales, and more.

b.       Trails and Bike Paths Committee- Coordinator Karen Polidoro – Nothing to report.

  1. Storm Water & Streams Committee- Coordinator Joe Slomian- Stream Clean up is scheduled for April 15, 2023, 11:00 AM.
  2. Energy Committee – Coordinator Ken Konya-Nothing to report.
  3. Open Space- Coordinator John Riggs-No Status on Masterplan.
  4. Education Committee Report-   Coordinator Renee Haider – Nothing to report.
  5. Sustainable New Jersey – Coordinator Renee Haider- Registration is now open for NJ Sustainable Summit held on May 5th, 2023, at Bells Works. Meeting scheduled for April 26, 2023, with Kevin McGowan to discuss 3 actions.

h.       Green Fair Committee Report – Coordinator Mihir Majmundar- Library agreed to work on the Book Marks. Still working on Green Tip Books.

                            

  1. Planning Board – Nothing to report

6.       Old Business – New Business – Nothing to report.

  1. Open to Public –Comments- Nothing to report.
  2. Adjournment 8:47 PM MOTION: Renee Haider, Joe Slomian Second
  3. NEXT MEETING DATE: May 3, 2023