HOPATCONG ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

JUNE 25, 2003

The meeting of the Hopatcong Environmental Commission was opened by Mary Takacs at 7:10 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 (arrived at 7:30 p.m.)

Marty Janowski (arrived at 7:30 p.m.)

Elizabeth Mauro

Mercedes Walker

Mary Takacs

ABSENT: Steve Guerriero

Also in attendance were Mayor Richard Hodson, Councilman Paul Burke, Environmental Commission Liaison, Madeline McManus and Lois DeVriers from Andover Township Borough.

Mary Takacs led the Salute To The Flag.

APPROVAL OF THE MAY 28, 2003 MINUTES

Elizabeth Mauro made a motion to approve the May 28, 2003 minutes. Mercedes Walker seconded the motion and all were in favor.

HAZMAT

June 3, 2003 - 17 Hodes Rd., 1/550 abandoned #2 oil; cleanup pending.

June 4, 2003 - 32 Dartmouth Tr., oil soaked soil. Underground storage tank has been disconnected, furnace shut off and investigation and remediation in progress.

June 10, 2003 - 38 Harvard Tr., soil contamination removal of 1/550, cleanup pending.

Councilman Burke is questioning the pending oil spills on various properties and would like to be notified when the cleanups are done or in progress.

Mary Takacs is trying to seek this information on these cleanups and will probably be contacting Gary Landiak in the Borough’s Health Department.

CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT

Mary Takacs announced that she wrote a letter to the Chief of Police concerning the traffic on Dupont Avenue and the lack of space for people to walk and also a concern because buses are dropping off the children. Mary said the speed bumps and illegal in that area and was advised to send the letter on to the Traffic Officer.

There will be three NJDEP Green Acres Program workshops:

July 17, 2003

July 23, 2003

July 31, 2003

If anyone is interested, please contact Mary Takacs.

There is going to be a workshop on June 27, 2003. The People’s Summit for Regional Equity.

Mary Takacs received a letter from Mr. Ron Keller, Sussex County Solid Waste Advisory Committee regarding the proposed Statewide Solid Waste Management Plan by NJDEP. The section on the management of scrap tires was very insightful and if anyone is interested please contact Mary.

Mary Takacs and Elizabeth Mauro attended the Planning Board Meeting on June 17, 2003. Mary and Elizabeth heard the plans for the senior citizens’ complex. Also at the meeting, Mary asked the Planning Board if she could see the site that Mr. Gruber wants to expand on for a parking lot. Mary is concerned about this area in question.

The Golden Lunch Bunch thanked the Environmental Commission for helping them make a beautiful garden at the Civic Center.

The additional flowers that were left from planting around the Municipal Building were given to Steve Guerriero to use at Maxim Glenn Park.

Mary said she spoke to Ron Jobeless about clearing the area around the Bird Sanctuary and also the dam under the road at the Sanctuary has been cleared.

STATUS REPORTS

Water Testing - Connie Janowski reported that the water temperature is getting warmer and is fast flowing. The ph was 5.2, the dissolved oxygen was 7 and the nitrates were 0. Connie said the water is very clean. Councilman Burke said he would like to see the past recordings on the water to check the comparison over the years.

Open Space - Elizabeth Mauro reported that there was an Open Space meeting on June 5, 2003, requesting $20,000.00 for the labor towards the roller hockey and skateboard projects, $3000.00 towards the walkway at Modick Park, $8500.00 towards the beautification of Veteran’s Way.

Budget - Bernice Gleason reported $300.00 spent on shrubbery for the park as of May 2003.

Planning Board - Mayor Hodson commented on the Planning Board because Marty Janowski attended the Jefferson Township Meeting last month. The result of the Senior Project was to set aside acreage.

Mercedes Walker commented that she would like to see the litter ordinance enforced.

ANJEC WORKSHOP

Sally Dudley and Abbie Fair attended the meeting this evening to present an ANJEC Workshop and also attending was Tina Bologna from Byram Township Environmental Commission. The presentation is to show how to make the Environmental Commission more efficient. For more information, the website is www.anjec.org.

Mary Takacs adjourned the meeting following the ANJEC Workshop.

Respectfully submitted,

Marie Filoso

Recording Secretary