MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

January 10 , 2001

* Indicates Absent Member
** Indicates Excused Absence

GUESTS: Michael Gross, Middlesex County Health Inspector; Wayne Farmer; Greg Remaud, Conservation Projects Manager, NY/NJ Baykeeper.

1. ORGANIZATION MEETING/LAND TRUST/OPEN SPACE/WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
   Blanche Hoffman opened the reorganization portion of the meeting by announcing her reappointment as Chair and Susan Knauf as Vice Chair. Motion to approve was made by Cindy Bell, seconded by Ernest Schmitz, all in favor.

Blanche Hoffman asked for volunteers to participate in undertaking the Environmental Commission goals for 2001:

1. Global capping - Blanche Hoffman.
2. ESP Grant implementation - approval for grant will be determined in March. Cindy Bell will work with consultants for putting date into GIS format.
3. Open Space - prioritizing areas of the township - Blanche Hoffman.
4. Site plan reviews - Ernest Schmitz.
5. Watershed Management - Bob Sommers.

Both Bob Sommers and Wayne Farmer will attend the Watershed Management Region 12 meeting.

2. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 6, 2000 MINUTES
   Motion to approve the minutes was made by Ernest Schmitz, seconded by Bob Sommers, all in favor.
   
   
3. BILLS OUTSTANDING
   ANJEC 2001 Membership dues - $250.00
   Motion to approve payment of membership dues was made by Ernest Schmitz, seconded by Bob Sommers, all in favor.

Blanche Hoffman instructed Wayne Farmer to submit his resume for appointment on the Environmental Commission to the commission and to the Mayor. If accepted he will replace George Koehler as a member.

Ernest Schmitz announced a conflict with the November Planning Board meeting. Therefore, the Environmental Commission November meeting will be moved to November 14, 2001.

4. ANJEC 2001 ROADSHOW
   Blanche Hoffman suggested that the Environmental Commission combine a session with the Zoning Board on Your Towns in the Watershed which will show how town decision affect water quality and will focus on the tools towns can use to protect their streams, rivers and lakes. This item will be tabled for further discussion at the next Environmental Commission meeting in order to possibly set up a session in the spring.
   
   AREA 12 WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP
   Bob Sommers will attend the January 11th meeting.
   

Bob Sommers announced Earth Day would be held on April 14th. Seedlings will be ordered.

Arbor Day will be celebrated on April 28th and fifty trees will be planted. It was suggested by Blanche Hoffman to work with Arbe Landscaping and ask for site suggestions for the next Environmental Commission meeting.

Blanche Hoffman turned the meeting over to Greg Remaud, Conservation's Projects Manager for the NY/NJ Baykeeper, to give his presentation on the proposed development of Margaret's Creek, a/k/a Marquis Creek, as a National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Former Senator Frank Lautenberg has advised the NY/NJ Harbor Baykeeper of the availability of federal funds of one million dollars for a rehabilitation project. Greg Remaud strongly believes that Margaret's Creek has ample habitat and the prospect for a rehabilitation project is excellent. The beachfront portion of the site is suitable for recreation while allowing one half of the site to revegetate naturally.

Greg Remaud's main concerns are two fold:

1. To permit access to the beach for recreation (fishing, crabbing, walking, birding, hunting via boat access) and;
2. to restore and revegetate the upland as a coastal forest to migratory birds, flood control and water quality. Truly this is an "oasis" on the bay.

The Commission enthusiastically endorsed the project. Blanche Hoffman plans to meet with Council, Open Space Committee and the Mayor for further discussions. Mr. Remaud will draft the Margaret Creek proposal and will make the same available to the Environmental Commission.

9:07 PM - Meeting adjourned.

Township of Old Bridge
1 Old Bridge Plaza
Old Bridge, NJ 08857
Main Phone: 732-721-5600