MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
FEBRUARY 6, 2002
Members Present:
Blanche D. Hoffman, Robert Sommers, Owen Henry, Wayne Farmer, Andrew Crabb, Perry Simone
Excused Absence:
Susan Knauf, Cindy Bell
Absent Member:
Gary Szelc
Guest:
Mayor Barbara Cannon
1. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 9, 2002 MINUTES
Motion to approve the minutes was moved by Wayne Farmer, seconded by Robert Sommers, all in favor.
2. BILLS OUTSTANDING
ANJEC Training Course-March 23, 2002. Motion to approve payment for Andrew Crabb and Perry Simone to
attend @ $25.00 per person was moved by Blanche Hoffman, seconded by Wayne Farmer, all in favor.
GIS In Our Changing Landscaping-March 18 & 19, 2002. Motion to approve payment for Andrew Crabb @ $75.00 to attend the March 18th session, and Wayne Farmer @ $125.00 to attend the March 18th
and March 19th session was moved by Blanche Hoffman, seconded by Perry Simone, all in favor.
3. OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE REPORT
It was noted by Blanche Hoffman that the committee under the OBEC will be referred to as the environmental Commission Open Space Task Force. Wayne Farmer reported the first meeting was held on January 17th with Blanche Hoffman, Andrew Crabb, and Perry Simone in attendance. The intent of the Task Force is to offer an open space plan that would be useful as part of the Old Bridge planning process. It was suggested that a target date by end of 2002 for delivery of an open space plan. The next meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2002 at 7:30 pm with the initial discussion point being Greenway Planning Project II maps.
4. O & Y PROPERTY-DISCUSSION
Old Bridge Township purchased 325 acres for open space. The land was purchased with a bond for $3,000.00 per acre to initially build senior housing, a plan that met with public resistance. Old Bridge maintains the property should remain as Open space. The County however, has an interest in buying
the Township controlled property for Open Space to add to the Phillips Preserve. The OBEC discussed the options for the Township maintaining control of the property for recreation, however the negative being the
maintenance cost for the land. The second option discussed is to sell to the County and Old Bridge will use the proceeds to buy Open Space. The Environmental Commissions position to the Township Council is that
the OBEC supports maintaining the property as Open Space either by Township ownership as possible usage for recreation, or by selling the property to the County with restrictions of maintaining as Open Space and using the proceeds to purchase additional Open Space in the Township.
5. BUDGET 2002-DISCUSSION
The budget submitted for $3,350.00 was tabled to the March 6th meeting.
6. PLANNING AND ZONING
49-01Z Bridgepointe at Harbor Heights. The OBEC have no comments at this time.
9:40PM--Motion to adjourn the meeting was moved by Robert Sommers, seconded by Wayne Farmer, all in favor.
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