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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH
JUNE 6, 2012
The meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Richard Wolf, Chairman. The Opening Statement was made. Roll call was taken.
Present: George Esty
Karin LaGreca
Carol Phiefer
Richard Seibert
Daniel Weixeldorfer
Richard Wolf
Jane DeWan (secretary)
Absent: Gregg Sgambati
Brian Phiefer arrived at 7:55 p.m.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on May 9, 2012 were approved as submitted following a motion by D. Weixeldorfer; seconded by R. Seibert. All were in favor.
OLD BUSINESS
SIGN ORDINANCE
A letter drafted by Richard Wolf was reviewed and approved. It will be sent to John Spiech as the head of the Council Sub Committee reviewing the sign ordinance.
June 6, 2012
Council President John Spiech and
Members of the Township Council
475 Corporate Drive
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Dear Fellow Resident,
“We understand the Township Council has questioned the increasing clutter of political signage during electoral campaigns and they have appointed a subcommittee to review the existing signage ordinance to determine if it adequately supports the wishes of the community and/or if different enforcement procedures should be implemented. The Environmental Commission is concerned about the impact of signage on the environment and urges the subcommittee consider the following when making it recommendations for a new signage ordinance:
1) Production of Signs – Both energy and materials are used to produce signage that is only useful for short periods of time.
2) Sign Placement & Removal - Carbon emissions are generated transporting the signs to the locations, maintaining the signs and removing the signs. These signs are placed in areas highly visible to the public and therefore, tend to accumulate in similar areas creating, in our opinion, a public nuisance and eyesore.
3) Excess Materials Going to Landfill – Generally, signs are made of Styrofoam of other light weight materials that are not recyclable. These materials do not degrade easily and generally wind up as unsightly trash blown about the roads or into the woods. Those signs that are recovered and removed for disposal increase the carting fees charged to the Town.
4) Cost Benefit Analysis –In our technology age, there are much more effective ways than signage to advertise a candidate’s campaign and positions.
The Environmental Commission recommends the ordinance consider prohibiting all signage, including political signage and advertising for businesses, from public land (including right-of-ways, roadway dividers, telephone poles and parklands). Significant fines should be considered for violations, including a removal fee of $50 per sign if Town employees are required to remove the signage. Similar to its neighboring communities, signs may only be permitted on private property, assuming they are authorized by the property owner.
Political signs on private property should also be regulated to conserve resources, reduce waste and avoid unsightly neighborhood views. The Committee should consider a limit of 3 signs per property, installed no earlier than 30 days preceding an election and removed no later than 7 days after an election.
We also recommend that the Town encourage candidates to utilize alternate methods of communicating with the public (i.e. newspapers, on-line information sources like the Mahwah Patch, old fashioned town meetings, such as the one coordinated by the Mahwah Library last year and other organizations in past years). These methods are much more effective in conveying the positions of an individual candidate.
We are open to discussing the points above as you consider changes to Mahwah‘s signage ordinance.”
cc: Mayor William Laforet
CROSSROADS STUDY
A draft of a letter prepared by Richard Wolf was discussed. Richard Seibert sent some comments by email prior to the meeting. Some figures needed to be included from the traffic study. Rich Wolf will ask Township Engineer Mike Kelly about some questions and finalize the letter for the June 11th Planning Board meeting.
ERI REPORT PREPARED FOR HIGHLANDS ACT REQUIREMENTS
All present were in favor of adopting a Resolution similar to the one being done by the Planning Board to approve the Environmental Resource Inventory to confirm with the Highlands Regional Master Plan. A Resolution will be prepared.
SITE PLAN REVIEW
Craig & Patricia Clifford, Docket 542
90 Halifax Road, Block 1, Lots 130.08 and 130.09
Approved. No comments.
SOIL MOVEMENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Kayal Realty, Dkt. 521S
Rich Wolf was not able to get an answer to his question to Mike Kelly about if soil is being imported to the site. A source of imported soil is listed, but no amounts.
Ken Ramirez, 149 Miller Road E-BD-216-304-569, Block 75, Lot 12 dated 5/22/12.
“The Environmental Commission reviewed the soil movement permit application submitted by Ken Ramirez, 149 Miller Road, Block 75, Lot 12, E-BD-216304-569, dated 5/22/12. The application is for construction of a pool and seepage pit. We note on the tree preservation form that seven trees will be removed and there will be two (oak) replacement trees.
This application is approved.”
TENANT APPLICATIONS
The following tenant applications were approved:
DVASH, 31 Industrial Ave., packaged snack foods
Infinite Motion, 21 Franklin Turnpike – dance studio, additional space
Pure Platinum, 180 Franklin Turnpike – wedding event planner
Touchstone Fine Art Outlet, 9 Miller Road – retail art and frames
NEW BUSINESS
Mahwah Day - Discussed idea suggested by Rich Wolf about a pilot program to encourage residents and businesses to apply for grant funding for energy efficient improvements. It would require a person to lead the program.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next Environmental Commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 475 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, N.J.
J. DeWan
Secretary