From:                              joen - cmp [joen1234@comcast.net]

Sent:                               Friday, January 29, 2010 8:26 AM

To:                                   Joe

 

CAPE MAY POINT ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

 

January 13, 2010

 

Present:  Chairman Sally Sachs, Ann Brecker, Marguerite Chandler, Ed Grant, Joe Nietubicz, and Bill Schuhl.

 

Absent:  Toni Keiser, Mildred Morgan, and Dianna Wentink.

 

Others attending:  Skip and Judy Stanger, Dan McLaughlin, Watershed Ambassador.

 

Sally called the meeting to order at 9:31 A.M., advising that it was in accordance with Chapter 32 of the Law of New Jersey, the Open Public Meetings Act. 

 

Minutes:  The December minutes were approved as distributed.

 

Correspondence:  1) Notice of a conference, “Preparing your Community in the Face of a Changing Climate”, February 11, 2010, 8:30 to 4:30, Sea Oaks Golf Course, Little Egg Harbor, NJ.  2) Annual Report of the Environmental Commission was distributed.  Sally will send a copy to ANJEC.  3) Notice of community energy outreach training.

4) Borough 2010 Appointee Roster and book orders.  The latter were referred to Ann. 

5) A letter from Lomax Consulting re development of a single family residence at Knox and Chrystal Avenues.  6) Borough Commissioners’ meeting schedule for 2010.

 7) ANJEC’s Winter Report, inclusive of the article detailing the achievement award for the Cape May Point EC.  8) Permit Activity Report for December, 2009. 

 

Old Business:  1) Sally questioned the fence situation at Triangle Park; that’s still in development.  2) Most trash corrals have been removed, but, due to the frozen conditions, the “must comply” date was pushed back to the end of March.  3) A copy of the proposed fertilizer ordinance was distributed; comments should be forwarded to Borough Commissioners.  4) An article in January 11th’s Atlantic City Press reported that Avalon is purging their Japanese Black Pines.  There is some public concern that Cape May Point may follow suit; Ed had previously investigated the situation.  Avalon’s pine canopy is so complete as to not permit the growth of any foliage beneath it.  We haven’t planted any since 2006.  5) On January 15, Marguerite and Rachael Palarmo of Cape May EC will attend a wind conference at Stockton College.  6) Bill presented the plaque certifying Triangle Park as a wildlife habitat.  Necessary financing was generously provided by Patty Rourke.  7) Ed brought up the fact that Triangle Park needs funding.  After discussion, it was decided that Bill should write to Borough Commission requesting a $2000.00 budget line item. 

 

New Business:  1) Joe distributed the Conservation Element of the Master Plan through the use of Bill’s e-mail, and Commissioners were asked to review it and suggest any additions, corrections, etc.  Ann advised that she would edit the existing document as there are some inconsistencies, and all should bring their comments to the next meeting.  2) On December 10, 2009, a proposal was brought to the Borough Commissioners’ meeting regarding renovations of the Alexander Beach Entrance.  The Commission referred it to the EC and it was circulated to all during the ensuing month.  The Stangers were present for this reason.  Discussion brought up several points:  1) the presentation is excellent.  2) erosion at Sunset Beach, to which the borough must have access for rescue and emergency purposes, is causing problems.  3) the borough has removed all board walkways at beach entrances due to liability concerns.  4) CAFRA approval for any raised deck is necessary, but not if it’s a ground-based “patio”.  5) the request that Scotch Broom be planted cannot be granted, as it is a non-native, invasive plant.  Skip suggested that they would be willing to drop that from the plan, opting for native species instead.  Ed advised that this would be an ideal operation for “Dune Day”, where plantings have to be approved by the EC anyway.  Ed moved, Ann seconded, that, with all of the above provisos in mind, the Environmental Commission would recommend approval to Borough Commission.  The motion passed.  Bill will e-mail that decision to the Borough Commissioners. 

 

Planning Board:  Ann advised that, due to recent appointment schedules, the Board would not reorganize until the April meeting.  An ad hoc subcommittee will be established in order to handle personnel decisions. 

 

Friends of Lake Lily:  Ed advised that the north end compressors have been shut down, allowing ice to form for the benefit of skaters.  Joe advised that he needs a price schedule for the anticipated use of herbicides for control of the widgeon grass. 

 

Commissioner’s Report:  Joe advised that all street lights have now been replaced, and they will be following the electric bills to determine the savings now anticipated. 

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:14 A.M.  The next meeting of the Environmental Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 9:30 A.M., at Borough Hall.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

William F. Schuhl

Secretary