MINUTES OF THE HEP-SCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
April 2nd, 2015
The meeting of the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District was held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act; advance notice was given to the press (Star Ledger Newspaper and The Progress Newspaper) and posted. The meeting was also advertised on HEP’s website.
Members and public present were as follows: Supervisors Carl Quazza (arrived at 7:54 p.m.), Matt Ward, Mario Tridente, and Gray Russell (departed at 8:45 p.m.); Glen Van Olden, Director; staff members Matt D’Alessandro, Fran Aguirre, and Janet Rekesius; Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental and Resource Management Agent for Essex and Passaic Counties; and Ferdows Ali, SSCC/NJDA.
The public meeting was called to order by Matt Ward at 7:03 p.m.
MINUTES
The minutes from the March 10, 2015 meeting were reviewed. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to accept the minutes.
TREASURERS REPORT
Glen reviewed HEP’s Treasurer’s Report and banking accounts for the month of March 2015. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s Report for the month of March 2015.
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLANS
Glen Van Olden reviewed the Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plans certified in March 2015. M/M Mario Tridente, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to accept all actions taken on Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans certified in the month of March 2015.
CORRESPONDENCE
NJACD Northern Regional Supervisors Meeting, Clifton, 3/18/15
The 2015 Northern Region Conservation District Supervisors Meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Al Cavaliere Ristorante in Clifton. The Mayor of Clifton gave the opening address. HEP’s former supervisor Bob Prout was publicly honored for his more than thirty years of service to the district. Bob was presented with a proclamation signed by the NJ Secretary of Agriculture, who unfortunately was not able to attend. The restaurant set-up was good and all thanked Matt Ward for making the arrangements. Ray Cywinski did a great job and the agenda touched on pertinent topics. The discussion turned to DAG representation for issues of “statewide importance”. The Policy & Procedures Committee was supposed to come up with a policy but it was stated at the Regional meeting that they have no decision power. Frank Minch stated that there is no such thing as “statewide importance”. This was just a tag line used years ago. The DAG will not represent districts even when there is a challenge to the statute itself. Discussion ensued. All supervisors agreed that there needs to be state funded legal assistance available to districts or each district could go broke by fighting just one large developer. In fact, a recent NJ superior court judge asked why there was not a DAG standing in front of him, as is protocol, at a recent lawsuit HEP was forced to initiate.
Thanks from Paul Mock, NJ School Development Authority
Paul Mock, NJSDA, informed Glen that he will be retiring and thanked Glen for his polite, helpful, and professional staff.
Agricultural Development Reviews
The district received an e-mail dated 3/16/15 from John Showler, Engineer, NJDA, regarding SCD involvement in reviewing stormwater plans on Ag development sites. Attached was a memo dated 8/3/12 along with a form entitled “NJDA-SSCC Request for Assistance for Stormwater Plan Review for Agriculture Development”. NJDEP has included in their rule that districts may review such plans on Ag development projects. Districts should utilize the request form when a development activity on agricultural lands meets the major development definition.
SCD Accounting Manual Review
The HEP district submitted its second set of comments regarding the draft of the SCD Accounting Manual. A short discussion ensued. All agreed that districts’ comments should be addressed at an SSCC meeting and that a manual that is useful to districts and not the same “boilerplate” text should be developed.
CHAPTER 251
Newark – Update / 2014 Exempt Municipality Review
Glen Van Olden and Matt D’Alessandro have performed field inspections at over thirty project sites in the City of Newark. They will continue with their inspections next week. It is clear that efforts are being made to more adequately enforce Chapter 251. Matt Ward commented that improvements must be substantial and Frank Minch must be kept informed.
Wayne – 2014 Exempt Municipality Review
Glen informed that Wayne’s review is still ongoing. Wayne’s field work is usually good but there may be issues with issuing a few demo permits prior to or without SESC plan certification and the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy prior to the issuance of Reports of Compliance.
Pompton Lakes – Wanaque and Pequannock River Dredging Access and Spoils Placement
The district had previously issued a Stop Work Order on 11/19/14 for over an acre of disturbance for a de-snagging and de-shoaling (flood control) project. This project encompasses various towns, some in the Morris district. The applicant and permit issuer was the NJ DEP. The towns were the co-applicants. Each individual town was supposed to be responsible for obtaining all other required permits except for NJ DEP permits. This was never done. The district received an application and plan on 12/8/14. John Showler, the State Engineer, reviewed the SESC plan and requested revisions. On 1/12/15 Glen sent an e-mail to the engineer requesting additional information. The survey of the project has been completed.
Pabst Blue Ribbon Demolition – Irvington
Althea Headley, Irvington’s Assistant Business Administrator, advised Glen Van Olden via e-mail dated 3/24/15 that the Pabst Blue Ribbon property on 14th Ave. and 21st St would be fenced in shortly.
Port Authority – Port Newark/EWR inspections
Glen is going to inspect these projects next week but will need to be accompanied by security personnel.
GENERAL BUSINESS
80 Orchard Street, Bloomfield – Status
Glen gave an update on the progress at the new building. He reported that he has had to make many visits to the site to coordinate the installation of the security cameras, the alarm system, DCA inspections and other issues. Accurate Construction has recommended sealing the roof with Gaco roof sealant at an additional cost of $3500. Discussion ensued. Carl Quazza said he would try to find out more about this product.
Future Sale of Present Facility
The various written offers received were discussed. It was decided to table any decision until the May 7th meeting.
HEP Financial Audit - Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2014
The audit, performed by Ferraioli, Wielkotz, Cerullo & Cuva, P.A., found that the district is not maintaining an adequate segregation of duties within the Treasury Department. This occurs due to the limited number of employees (one) qualified to perform accounting functions. Also, an accrued liability for compensated absences is not being maintained in the general ledger. Glen explained that because all employees must use their vacation, personal, and comp time by the end of each calendar year it is not cost-effective and serves no purpose to us to have to make these accounting entries. The last recommendation was that the District adhere to the requirements of GASB No. 45, with regard to employee post-retirement benefits. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to accept the Audit. It was suggested that Fran Aguirre mail a copy to Frank Minch with a letter of explanation.
HEP Nominating Committee
Since the three-year terms of Carl Quazza and John Sarnas will expire on 6/30/15, the Nominating Committee will be convening soon to discuss candidate qualifications and to nominate qualified candidates. Glen Van Olden has already reached out to the Committee members regarding new volunteer supervisors.
EXTENSION – Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental & Resource Management Agent
3/11/15: Essex County College, Newark, Environmental Science Curriculum Review Committee
3/13/15: Urban Ag in the City Conference, Newark – program coordinator presented on Rutgers VETS program
3/16/15: Sustainable West Milford presentation on sustainable landscaping
3/19/15: Earth Hour promo event in West Orange
3/24/15: Master Gardeners Association of Passaic County awards night in Wayne
3/25/15: Sustainable Jersey for Schools Providers event (table) in West Orange
3/26/15: Veterans Affairs Healing Arts Conference (table) in Lyons
3/31/15: Rutgers Board of Managers Bus Tour in Cape May County
USDA/NRCS – Dan Mull, District Conservationist
Absent – No Report
SSCC/NJDA – Ferdows Ali
Ferdows commented on the success of the Northern Regional Supervisors Meeting. The Central & Southern meetings also had good attendance.
The district’s comments on the draft of the new accounting manual were appreciated.
The NJDA has no funds in its budget to provide DAG support to NJ Soil Conservation Districts as they had done until about ten years ago.
Ferdows reminded the district that the exempt municipality reviews are due by mid-April. Since Glen is still working on them the supervisors will vote on this at the May 7th HEP meeting.
The district must convene the nominating committee. Glen will send out e-mail notices soon.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, M/M Matt Ward, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Matthew Ward
Vice-Chairman
MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting will be held on Thursday,
May 7, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
at
The HEP-SCD District Office
15 Bloomfield Ave.
North Caldwell, NJ 07006
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