HOPATCONG ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

FEBRUARY 26, 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

Steve Guerriero

Connie Janowski

Marty Janowski

Elizabeth Mauro

Mercedes Walker

Mary Takacs

Also in attendance were Madeline McManus, Environmental Commission Liaison.

Mary Takacs led The Salute To The Flag.

APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 22, 2003 MINUTES

Marty Janowski made a motion to approve the January 22, 2003 minutes. Elizabeth Mauro seconded the motion and all were in favor.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2003

The Board Members read the Environmental Commission Annual Report for 2003. Mary Takacs announced she was going to send a copy of the report to ANJEC.

CHAIRMAN’S BUSINESS

The Environmental Commission discussed the issues on the Tree Ordinance.

Connie Janowski made a motion to elect Bernice Gleason the Environmental Commission’s Treasurer. Elizabeth Mauro seconded the motion and all were in favor. Abstain: Bernice Gleason.

Mary Takacs asked the Commission if they would like to plan nature walks when the weather clears. Mary said June is Nature Trail Month.

Mercedes Walker said the Commission needs both the State and Federal permit to get a taxidermists. The State permit is $7.00 and the Federal permit is $25.00, and the permit is good for a year, and the Federal permit might be good for 1-1/2 years.

Mercedes made a motion to get the State permit for $7.00 and the Federal permit for $25.00 for the taxidermists. Marty Janowski seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Mary Takacs said the Lake Commission meeting was canceled last week because of the weather and will be rescheduled for February 27, 2003 at the Mt. Arlington Municipal Building at 7:30 p.m.

Mary Takacs and Bernice Gleason are attending “To Protect Natural Resources” workshop on March 1, 2003. Bernice said she believes there are several topics. Mary said if anyone is interested in attending to please fill out the form or to call her.

The Commission has received a copy of Cliff Lundin’s response to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection concerning an application for a Letter of Interpretation regarding Charles Blumenkehl, Block 40004-Lot 1 and Block 41202-Lot 9. Cliff Lundin corrected the DEP on the use of that land.

The dates for attending the Musconetcong Sewerage Authority Meetings in Mt. Olive are as follows:

March 5, 2003 - April 2, 2003 - May 14, 2003 - June 4, 2003 -

July 2, 2003 - August 6, 2003 - September 3, 2003 - October 1, 2003 -

November 5, 2003 - December 3, 2003 - January 7, 2004 and

February 4, 2004

Mary Takacs passed out copies of a letter from The Delaware Riverkeeper for support for the new stormwater regulations.

HAZMET - Heating oil spill on 4 Oneida Ave. The DEP is cleaning up the spill. The Board Members are concerned about this spill and want to follow up on this matter.

Mary announced that ANJEC Workshops are available and would like to setup a workshop for stormwater management and the new state regulations and also a workshop for a site walk.

Connie made a motion to setup workshops for the stormwater management and a site walk. Mercedes seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Mary said she spoke to Mr. Hirlemann at the high school and asked him if some students could work on the Garden Club poster.

STATUS REPORTS

Open Space - Elizabeth Mauro reported on the maps and anything that’s going to save property for further development. There is also a revised plan to allocate three fields at the top of the hill at the Civic Center. Additional parking a Veteran’s Field was discussed and also to beautify Veteran’s Way with bushes and plants.

Planning Board - Marty Janowski said the excess amount of dirt is going to the top of the hill at the Civic Center for the fields.

Water Testing - Connie Janowski said the snow is too deep to test the water, but it is fast flowing.

Parks - Steve Guerriero said the grand opening is June 14, 2003 at Maxim Glen Park.

Budget - Bernice said the numbers for the budget will be done by the next meeting.

AGENDA 21

Mercedes Walker is working on a research paper for Agenda 21. Mercedes read and discussed this report this evening.

Website for Agenda 21 is: un.org/esa/sustdev/agenda21.htm

Mercedes also discussed the transportation in Hopatcong.

ADJOURN

Connie Janowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. Elizabeth Mauro seconded the motion and all were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Filoso

Recording Secretary