Environmental Minutes | October 4, 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Meeting October 4, 2023, 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), _x_ Rupa Siegal (Council Liaison)

_√_ Renee Haider, _√_ Roger Dreyling

_x_ Ken Konya, _√_ Joe Slomian

_×_ Giada Schwam (Student Liaison),

_×_ Siddhi Patil (Student Associate)

_√_ Mihir Majmundar,

_×_ John Riggs

_×_ Surabhi Agarwal

_√_ Theresa Zamorski (Secretary)

Adoption of Minutes–: September 6, 2023, minutes will be approved at November meeting. Approval of October 4, 2023, minutes.

Applicant A. Lacina Homes at Applegate, LLC.

Bulk Variance

Located at Oakwood Terrace

Block 71, Lot 19.01

Speaker: Steven Hambro, Esq.

The commission had the following concerns:

· The MTEC understands that this lot is currently undeveloped and is bordered on the southwestern side of the property by Barclay’s Brook. The proposed lot improvement will be to build a single-family dwelling and in order to do so, a variance from the front yard set-back along State Street has been requested. The following comments on the proposed bulk variance are provided.

· The Brook name referenced on the site plan provided dated July 19, 2021, is Wigwam Brook in the General Notes section and labeled Barclay’s Brook on the site plan. The correct Brook name needs to be consistent.

· All proposed street / shade trees should be reviewed and approved by the Township arborist.

· A Freshwater Wetlands Letter of Interpretation (LOI) from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Land Use Regulation Program is required.

· Any plantings to buffer the property with neighboring properties or the roadways should contain as many New Jersey 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; and

· The MTEC is encouraging all applicants to schedule meetings with, and seek recommendations from, the Commission prior to seeking Zoning and / or Planning Board approval in all future application submittals.

Applicant B:

Primera Real Estate Holdings, LLC

Minor Site Plan

259 Prospect Plains Road

Block 56, Lot 9.4

Speaker: Steven Hambro, Esq.

The commission had the following concerns:

· The MTEC understands that the applicant seeks minor site plan approval from the MT Planning Board to convert an existing free-standing warehouse to a satellite laboratory. The following comments on the proposed bulk variance are provided:

· Plantings to buffer the property with neighboring properties should contain as many New Jersey 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.

· All proposed plantings should be reviewed and approved by the Township arborist.

· All hazardous waste generated due to laboratory activities is to be properly stored inside the building and disposed of in accordance with Federal, State, County, and Local rules, and regulations.

· The MTEC recommends that all outdoor lighting be LED, dark sky, and motion sensitive, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible during the evening hours.

4. Committee Reports:

a. High School Student Liaison- Giada Schwam-Nothing to report.

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

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

d. Energy Committee – Coordinator Ken Konya-Nothing to report.

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

f. Education Committee Report- Coordinator Renee Haider – January to May 2024 will start our Library programing.

g. Sustainable New Jersey – Coordinator Renee Haider-Sustainable New Jersey annual awards luncheon will be November 14, 2023. We will start discussing the actions for Sustainable Jersey recertification during our Wednesday Green fair meetings.

h. Green Fair Committee Report – Coordinator Mihir Majmundar- Green fair was a success. We will discuss more in detail at the next Green Fair meeting.

i. Planning Board – Nothing to report.

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

6. Open to Public –Clair Paul the Watershed Ambassador attended our meeting. She discussed the National Service Program and increasing awareness of water usage.

7. Adjournment 8:03 PM MOTION: Renee Haider, Roger Dreyling Second

8. NEXT MEETING DATE: January 3, 2024