HOPATCONG ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

JANUARY 22, 2003

The meeting of the Hopatcong Environmental Commission was opened by Mary Takacs at 7:30 p.m. with a statement that this meeting is held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-1 et seq., annual notice having been forwarded to The New Jersey Herald, The Daily Record and The News-Leader and posted on the bulletin board maintained in the Municipal Building for public announcements.

ROLL CALL:

PRESENT: Bernice Gleason

Connie Janowski

Marty Janowski

Mercedes Walker

Mary Takacs

ABSENT: Steve Guerriero

Elizabeth Mauro

Also in attendance were Environmental Commission Liaison, Madeline McManus.

Mary Takacs reflected with a moment of silence then led The Salute To The Flag.

2003 REORGANIZATION MEETING

Mary Takacs announced the Resolution for the scheduled meeting dates for The Environmental Commission for 2003.

Marty Janowski made a motion to approve the Resolution. Mercedes Walker seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 26, 2002 MINUTES

Marty Janowski made a motion to approve the November 26, 2002 minutes. Connie Janowski seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

NEW BUSINESS

Mary Takacs announced that there were maps that the Morris Land Conservancy from Rutgers University made up for the Environmental Commission showing our green lands and topography of Hopatcong. Mary also announced she received a letter from the Morris Land Conservancy asking for a donation.

Council Liaison, Madeline McManus suggested that Mary should talk to Mayor Hodson and Kelley McGann concerning this matter. Mary said the Commission will put it up to a vote at the February meeting.

Mercedes Walker e-mailed “How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden” to Mary Takacs. Mary said this is one of the things we should be considering if we start the Garden Club. Mercedes said she would volunteer to do a nature walk in the winter if anyone wishes to come.

Mary Takacs said that Carl Seber, the Borough’s Health Officer, gave her an article about dead swans in Lake Hopatcong. The cause for the dead swans is a bacteria in the water that finds a home in snails and the swans come along and eat the snails and contract this disease. The bacteria does not harm humans. Chemicals cannot be used to kill this bacteria because it will kill the fish and harm everything else. Pathologists are looking into this matter. The only kind of swan that this effects is the mute swan.

Connie Janowski made a motion to donate $100.00 to the Musconetcong Watershed Association. Bernice Gleason seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

Mary read a letter from the Lake Hopatcong Commission. The Environmental Commission suggested that at least someone from each community should attend the meetings and then report back. Bernice Gleason attended the meeting and said Mr. Anthony Albanese wants to build a shed.

HAZMAT

There were three reported incidents to the DEP

November 25, 2002 - Oil spill, underground storage tank.

December 11, 2002 - Oil spill, ruptured gallon.

December 31, 2002 - Oil, underground storage tank

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Marty Janowski made a motion to pay the ANJEC dues for 2003. Mercedes Walker seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

The Commission received an application for Freshwater Wetlands at the intersection of Route 607 & 609. This is not for regulated activities, this is just to establish where regulated wetlands are.

Mary Takacs announced that she would like to apply to ANJEC for available grants.

Mercedes Walker said she believes the grants should be for the Agenda 21 issues and see if there is something that applies to the Environmental Commission. Mary Takacs agreed.

Mary Takacs has an information package from Cliff Lundin about how to care for your septic system. If interested, see Mary.

Mercedes Walker would like to apply for a “Salvage Permit” to mount a specimen. The price would be approximately $200.00. Mercedes would like this information forwarded to Mayor Hodson for his input or for further information on this matter.

Mary Takacs would like to put out flyers for the public to join the Garden Program, and Mary is looking for some input from the Commission.

The Girl Scouts in Hopatcong called Mary and said they would like a patch of land for a garden to plant vegetables and such, in the spring for merit badges. Mary asked the Commission to think about where this would be possible.

STATUS REPORTS

Open Space - Elizabeth Mauro is absent, but the Commission did not meet.

Planning Board - Marty Janowski announced that the Commission is planning a Skate Park, the old Northwood Inn is being refurbished for a restaurant and a bagel shop and laundromat is being put in next to Get Potted Florist. Also, a storage unit is going in on Sparta-Stanhope Road with offices on top of the units.

Water Testing - Connie said the water cannot be tested because it is frozen.

Council Liaison - Madeline McManus announced that we are not seceding from Sussex County and that Hopatcong does not have representation at the county level on the Planning Board.

Budget - The temporary budget is $2900.00.

THE PRESTIGIOUS TREE CONTEST

Mary Takacs would like to know if everyone on the Commission would like to continue with the Prestigious Tree Contest, and everyone agreed.

Connie Janowski made a motion to approve the prize winnings for the Tree Contest at $75.00 for first place, $50.00 for second place and $25.00 for third place. Mercedes Walker seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

ADJOURN

Mercedes Walker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Bernice Gleason seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero and Mauro.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Filoso

Recording Secretary