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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH

APRIL 25, 2007

The meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by John Brotherton, Chairman. The Opening Statement was made. Roll call was taken.

Present:J. Brotherton

D. Daehnke

C. Phiefer

D. Wenger

J. DeWan (secretary)

Absent:S. Golz

K. LaGreca

J. Spiech

Also present: Anthony Coleman, Watershed Ambassador

WATERSHED AMBASSADOR/TREE PLANTING PROJECT

Anthony Coleman discussed final plans for tree planting project along the bank at LakeHenry. Date: Saturday, May 5, 2007 Time: 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

DPW will pick up the three trees from the Cedar Hill Nursery (per Ed Sinclair). J. Brotherton will ask the DPW to provide peat moss. DPW will provide equipment. We discussed methods of getting additional parties to volunteer. We will check into a posting town web page. Next meeting: write letter to Cedar Hill acknowledging the donation.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on April 11, 2007 were accepted as submitted.

CORESPONDENCE

We received notification of the Mahwah Day 2007 planning meeting to be held May 14 at 7 p.m. Mahwah Day will be September 15. Discuss on May 9th if some one wants to attend.

Access to government records requests

We received requests for information on 230 E. Crescent Avenue (oil tank removal/contaminated soil) and 1400 Macarthur Blvd. (environmental issues/spills). We do not have any information on these locations in our files.

Also received a letter from Lapatka Associates dated April 16, 2007 concerning LOI line verification for Macarthur Realty at Bl. 139, Lot 3 (1400 Macarthur Blvd.).

TENANT APPLICATIONS

The following tenant applications were reviewed and approved by the Environmental Commission:

  • Liang P. Su, 190 Franklin Turnpike – restaurant, change of ownership
  • Millennium Interactive Inc., 1 Lethbridge Place – business
  • Recruit Savvy, 330 Franklin Turnpike – recruitment office
  • Fab-U-Lus, 109 Miller Road, tanning salon, change of tenant – name only

SOIL MOVEMENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Memo to Administrative Officer:

“The following soil permits were reviewed at the Environmental Commission meeting held on April 25, 2007.

Ron Knight, 28 Meadow Lake Drive, Bl. 145, Lot 2.05

E-BD-216-2065, amended 4/2/07

John Brotherton spoke with Ron Knight and Mike Kelly about our previous questions on the tree count on this lot and the replacement obligations for the entire subdivision.

We approve the soil movement application. We note that twenty-nine trees will be removed. There will be eight replacement trees (oak and maple).

Kevin Nelson, 34 Long Avenue, Dkt. 490, E-BD-216-2075, Bl. 33, Lot 58.02, dated4/11/07. This soil movement application is approved. We note that one tree will be removed that there will be one (oak) replacement tree.”

cc: Property Maintenance Dept.

SITE PLAN REVIEW

Pilot Corporation, Dkt. 511

Site Plan, preliminary and final combined

Changes in the site plan from the original submitted to Board of Adjustment. New plan shows gas (auto) and diesel (truck) fuel and a convenience store. No overnight parking spaces.

Comments to Planning Board:

“Approved. See comments.

We consider this site plan a big improvement on existing conditions. We assume that all appropriate DEP inspections and regulations will be met. We suspect that contaminated soil could be uncovered during construction.

We are concerned about the traffic hazard at the north entrance and exit, which are much too close to the planned entrance and exit for the planned Comfort Suites.

The landscaping appears to be appropriate.”

OTHER ITEMS

J. Brotherton reported that the DEP is still monitoring any contaminated soil being removed at 17 Franklin, LLC. We had questioned this in the past in our comments to the Planning Board. The application has not been approved yet and may have deed restrictions.

J. Brotherton will be absent 5/9/07. Don Wenger will chair the meeting.

Discussed email from RamapoCollege student asking for detailed information on the Highlands Act.

Carol Phiefer expressed concern about excessive tree removal in the Fardale section of town. She feels homeowners should have a valid reason for removal of trees. She is concerned about water run off and other effects of excessive tree removal. John Brotherton said we should review the Township tree removal ordinance and possibly make suggestions on some modifications. Another suggestion mentioned is that Mahwah may decide to register landscapers and tree services working in town. Registration is a good way to disseminate information on regulations to the professionals working in Mahwah.

We discussed the list trees for replacement and street tree plantings which was sent to Commission members. No changes were suggested at this time. The list was reviewed for possible inclusion on the township web page.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting of the Environmental Commission will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at the MunicipalBuilding, 475 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, N.J.

J. DeWan

Secretary