MINUTES

OF THE

CRANBURY TOWNSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

CRANBURY, NEW JERSEY

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING

The regular meeting of the Cranbury Township Environmental Commission was held in Town Hall on October 11, 2004 at 7:06 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

With a quorum present, the Cranbury Township Environmental Commission meeting was called to order, Linda M. Scott acted as Secretary of the meeting.

STATEMENT OF ADEQUATE NOTICE

Pursuant to the Sunshine Law adequate notice in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6) was provided on January 7, 2004 of this meeting=s date, time, place and agenda was mailed to the news media, posted on the Township bulletin board, mailed to those requesting personal notice, and filed with the Municipal Clerk.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE

James Applegate, Bill Mikula, Tom Patterson, Peter Sibley, David Stout

MINUTES

The minutes of the July 12, 2004 meeting were reviewed, amended, and approved. Pete Sibley made a motion to approve and second by Bill Mikula, all were in favor with Tom Patterson abstaining. The notes of August 16 and September 13, 2004 were reviewed.

NEW BUSINESS

The note on the agenda from Fred regarding the investigation of soil testing on farms sold refers to the Wright South property. Cathy Marcelli sent a draft memo to John and Dave for their input. Dave will contact Cathy regarding this issue. NJDEP does not recommend testing soil on farmland sold as farmland. It was also stated that there would be a need for appropriate testing if the use of the land changes.

The 2005 budget was briefly discussed but a decision was not made due to the absence of the EC Chair. Existing budget will allow for soil testing kits at the cost of $10. per kit to be purchased as giveaways during Cranbury Day was entertained.

Other ideas suggested were an environmental inventory, conservation easements and stream corridor easements that can be easily accessible on a database. Jim Applegate volunteered to investigate the feasibility of student volunteers to Inventory and GIS map of conservation easements in Cranbury Township with Rutgers Co-Op. Discussion pursued regarding job responsibilities of the RU volunteers, once this idea comes to fruition.

Secretary informed the EC that a resident compiled an Excel spreadsheet listing all easements that are on visible the Tax Map. This listing is now in the offices of the Tax Assessor to be cross-referenced with deed restrictions. It is the hope that this spreadsheet be available to all departments that would have a need for review of property with any easements.

Bill discussed and felt that EC should have more presence on Cranbury Day. He would like the EC table to be presentable with more of a polished look.

OLD BUSINESS

Stream Corridor Ordinance Subcommittee Report has not had a meeting as of this date. Pete informed the Committee that according to the NJDEP website, Middlesex County has not scheduled a seminar; Cranbury has done the required that includes applying for a permit package that included the request for grant money.

Cranbury Brook Preserve, Dave will follow up with Pari regarding this issue. The Preserve appears to be utilized by the Cranbury School cross-country team.

Bill has not heard from Steve Grosh of the Freehold Soil Conservation Dist. Two NOVs have been received to date.

Bill visited Unami Woods to identify a more passive trail with minimal changes. It was discussed that a no return (loop) path for this area would be best. The Woods would benefit from an ERI, which would be an ideal Eagle Scout project. Bill advised the Eagle Scout to complete the Guidelines for Volunteer Service Projects. A suggestion of obtaining a GIS map would prove to be beneficial for this task. This could be obtained from on-line. This public area should encourage people to explore the area.

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

There being no further business, on motion duly made, seconded, and carried, the meeting was thereupon adjourned at 8:45 pm.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I the, Undersigned, do hereby certify;

That I am duly elected and acting secretary of the Cranbury Township Environmental Commission and,

That the foregoing minutes of the Environmental Commission, held on October 11, 2004 consisting of __ pages, constitute a true and correct copy of the minutes of the said meeting.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed the name of said Environmental Commission the _____________________, 2004.

____________________________________

Linda M. Scott, Secretary