HOPATCONG ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 25, 2004

The meeting of the Hopatcong Environmental Commission was opened by Mary Takacs at 7:40 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

Elizabeth Mauro

Mercedes Walker (arrived at 8:05 pm)

Mary Takacs

ABSENT: Steve Guerriero

Also in attendance were Mayor Richard Hodson and Councilwoman Laurie Spaziani.

Mary Takacs led The Salute To The Flag.

APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 19, 2003 AND THE DECEMBER 9, 2003 MINUTES

Elizabeth Mauro made a motion to approve the November 19, 2003 and the December 9, 2003 minutes. Bernice Gleason seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: S. Guerriero.

2004 REORGANIZATION MEETING

Mary Takacs read the Resolution for the 2004 annual meeting dates for the Environ-mental Commission.

Connie Janowski made a motion to approve the Resolution for the 2004 annual meeting dates. Bernice Gleason seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero

Connie Janowski made a motion to nominate Bernice Gleason for Treasurer. Marty Janowski seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero

Marty Janowski made a motion to nominate Elizabeth Mauro for Deputy Chair. Connie Janowski seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero

Connie Janowski is in charge of the Water Status Reports, Marty Janowski is in charge of reporting the status from the Planning Board and Mercedes Walker will report on various matters.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Mary Takacs received a permit application to replace a septic system at 5 Crestview Rd., also received was a copy of THE HIGHLANDS UPDATE AND CALL FOR ACTION. Sandy Batty, executive director of ANJEC is requesting the Environmental Commission support the Highlands Resolution.

Mayor Hodson said a resolution was not done in support of the Highlands because most of the borough that is outside the town’s center and the first go around was included in the Highlands and depending on the rules that are written, the Highlands could end up being the Pinelands Commission. There is nothing in the maps that says it is related to actual water quality and water supply. The Highlands got designated as a special needs area by the Federal Government and some Federal monies are behind this matter and no one from Sussex County is on the Highlands Commission.

The Hopatcong Board of Education submitted an application for approval to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to establish the boundary of freshwater wetlands on the High School Hardball Field.

HAZMAT

February 2, 2004 - 2 Jenkins St., 1 - 550 gal. UST removed, cleanup pending.

February 2, 2004 - 137 Vermont Tr., ruptured 275 gal. ABST, crew is cleaning up.

Mary announced that the Morris Land Conservancy is accepting applications for 2004 Russell W. Myers Scholarship. The fund will provide $5000.00 in scholarships to New Jersey residents pursuing a degree in environmental science.

A Workshop for Training to Protect Natural Resources is available for the board members if anyone is interested. It will be on March 6, 2004.

STATUS REPORTS

Open Space - Mayor Hodson reported that the Commission reaffirmed some allocations that were made and changes were made. Additional money was allocated towards roller hockey and the beautification of Veteran’s Way and reaffirmed the monies towards the fields on top of the hill behind the civic center and the big change was towards the skateboard area. The total that was affirmed was $295,000.00.

Water - Connie said the ice and snow is just starting to melt.

Budget - Bernice announced a $3000.00 temporary budget. The spending so far, is $601.05.

Mercedes Walker announced that she talked to the taxidermist, and the birds should be arriving next month some time. Mercedes said she would like to have a traveling museum and would like some suggestions naming the museum. Mercedes said it is almost time to walk the trail again and she is going to ask the doctor to come back and if the Commission can vote on what she can spend on the tags and markers and labels for the trees.

Marty Janowski made a motion to spend $50.00 for the tree marking/labeling. Elizabeth Mauro seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero

Madeline McManus informed the Commission that NJA would probably give the Commission about $3000.00 to get labels and to get the kids involved, if requested by certain teachers.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Mary Takacs asked the Commission to think about “A Vision For Our Town.”

Laurie Spaziani told the Commission about the new signs that were purchased for the borough and that they will be placed in various parts of the town along with a flower bed that will be placed by the State Park. Signs will also be placed at either end of Veteran’s Field, at Northwood Avenue, Sparta Stanhope Road and also approved are new street signs to be placed at the major intersections along with additional new street signs to be purchased at a later time. Mayor Hodson is working on River Styx redevelopment and sidewalks.

Mary Takacs suggested new shops and bicycle paths. Laurie added that the borough has received a Drainage Grant and a Sidewalk Grant. Durban & Flora Avenue work will begin when school is out. That intersection will be raised about two feet and then the sidewalk with cobblestone curbing will be going in and this will address the drainage problem in that area.

ADJOURN

Connie Janowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Elizabeth Mauro seconded the motion and all were in favor. Absent: Guerriero

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Filoso

Recording Secretary