WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD

February 15, 2005

The West Amwell Township Planning Board meeting was called to order at 7:35 PM by Chairman Jeff Ent followed by the Flag salute. Chairman Ent stated the meeting has been property advertised and is being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The meeting was taped and copy of tape is on file.

ATTENDANCE:

Roll call on attendance: Dale-present, Molnar-present, Perri-present, Pfeiffer-present, Smith-present, Ent-present.

Late arrival (after roll call on attendance): Nancy Palladino

Late arrival (after discussion of 12/21/04 minutes): Alexander Greenwood

Absent: Meader, Shute, VanDerVeen

Professionals Present: William Shurts, Attorney

Minutes of December 21, 2004 – Sean Pfeiffer, addressing this issue as a member of the public, questioned the roll call votes as listed under approval of minutes for the October 25, 2004, and November 16, 2004, minutes. Chairman Ent directed Secretary Griffiths to review the tapes of the meeting and report back to the Board with her findings. Ms. Palladino also noted a correction to be made to page 3 under “New Business” – Community Forestry Grant. Correction to be made that $2,000 was “awarded”; not “received” as indicated. No action on the minutes at this time; carried to March meeting.

Minutes of Reorganization/Regular Meeting of January 18, 2005 - Corrections to be made as noted by Mr. Pfeiffer: Page 1 under Nominations for Vice Chairperson to read, “The floor was opened by Chairman Ent ; Page 2 under Resolutions/Titus - Pfeiffer to be recorded as ineligible under the roll call vote (not “abstain” as recorded). Corrections to be made as noted by Ms. Palladino: Page 2 under Resolutions/Titus, Palladino to be recorded as “recused” under the roll call vote (not “aye”); Page 4 – COAH Extension Certification – to be amended to read, “….the Township Committee has agreed to retain the services of Special Planning Consultant Shirley Bishop who will work with Planner Mercantante as needed on the Housing Plan which must be completed by December 2005. The certification extension request must be filed by April 2005.” Motion to approve the minutes with the aforementioned changes was made by Pfeiffer with a second by Perri. Motion carried on roll call vote – all ayes; Smith-abstain.

Bill List – February 15, 2005 – Motion to approve the bill list as presented and attached hereto as Appendix 1 was made by Perri with a second by Molnar. Motion carried on roll call vote – all ayes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Adoption of By-Laws – Draft of February 10, 2005, was distributed and reviewed. Letter dated February 9, 2005, from Engineer Clerico, was distributed and reviewed. Based on Engineer Clerico’s request, the following amendments will be made: Page 5-G, Planning Board Engineer, “…attend all regular meetings of the Board unless excused by the Board Chairperson.” This language will also be added under the Planning Board Attorney responsibilities. In regard to the request by Engineer Clerico regarding to the filing requirement deadline for reports and correspondence, Secretary Griffiths spoke with Engineer Clerico prior to the meeting and he agreed with the language that “…to make all reports and correspondence available to the Planning Board Secretary one week prior to the meeting if at all possible.” Also, amendment to Page 7-1.Application/Filing – to read, “These documents shall be filed with the Planning Board Secretary with two (2) copies of all documents filed directly with the Board Engineer” per Engineer Clerico’s request. Additional change to be made to Page 3-G to read, “Compensation for the above professional positions shall be set by the Planning Board at the reorganization meeting in January.” Typographical and punctuation errors to be corrected and index to be developed by Secretary Griffiths. Motion to adopt the by-laws with the aforementioned changes was made by Molnar with a second by Palladino. Motion carried on roll call vote – all ayes. Secretary Griffiths will amend the general guidelines/application provided to applicants to ensure compliance of the filing requirements to the Board Engineer.

Fulper Escrow Fees – In response to Mr. Perri’s concern about the status of the review and meeting requested by Mr. Fulper regarding the escrow fees for his GDP application. Secretary Griffiths advised that she has met with Mr. Fulper and is awaiting a copy of all of the vouchers from CFO Luhrs for further review.

NEW BUSINESS:

Storm Water Management Plan – Ron Shapella appeared before the Board to provide an update on the Storm Water Management Plan. The Township Committee has agreed with the recommendations of the Storm Water Management Plan subcommittee to retain the services of Princeton Hydro, LLC to work on the technical aspects of the plan. Mr. Shapella advised the plan should be available for public hearing in April. The plan will be presented to the Board at the March meeting and to the Township Committee and any comments/changes will be addressed and incorporated into the plan prior to the April meeting.

MacDade/Case Escrow Fees – Informal Review Application – Route 179 – Chairman Ent advised the Board that a request has been made by Mr. MacDade for the return of any unexpended escrow fees. Refund will be made after receipt of all outstanding bills from the Board’s professionals.

2004 Annual Report of the Board of Adjustment as required to be submitted to the Planning Board by the MLUL was received.

Hunterdon County Cross-Acceptance Report – Ms. Palladino provided the Board with an update of the hearings being held on the preliminary draft of the cross-acceptance report and proposed major recommended changes to include: PA2 eliminated per choice of the Region 5 municipalities (w/exception of Tewksbury Twp.); discrepancy with the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River designation reflection on the new map not accurately reflecting the view shed previously agreed to by various municipalities to include West Amwell Township. This is to be reviewed and corrected by HCPB Director Armstrong; NJTPA has agreed to accept the County’s population projections (which are lower) as opposed to the figures projected by the NJTPA which will result in an positive lower impact on COAH plans. A copy of the Preliminary Draft #2 is on file with the Planning Board Secretary. The second public hearing is scheduled for February 22, 2005. Copies of correspondence from the Hunterdon County Agriculture Development Board dated January 4, 2005, and Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture dated February 8, 2005, were received and discussed wherein they oppose the proposed change of Planning Area 4 (Rural PA4) to newly designated Planning Area 4B: Rural/Environmentally Sensitive (PA 4B) and request support from the West Amwell Township Planning Board to retain the Planning Area 4 designation. Criteria language set forth in the State plan regarding this classification was reviewed.

It was noted that most of the Township is designated as 4B under the State Plan, and it has been the position of West Amwell Township to support the 4B designation. However, it was agreed that the concerns of the farmers should be supported. It was the consensus of the Board, by motion made by Palladino with a second by Molnar, to forward a letter to the Hunterdon County Planning Board regarding the Board’s position on the proposed change of Planning Area 4 to Planning Area 4B as follows: The planning areas as defined by the State criteria accurately describe the environmental features, however, the West Amwell Township Planning Board does not approve of unspecified, future unknown environmental restrictions that may be placed on a planning area due to its label if it negatively impacts existing agricultural uses. Motion carried on roll call vote – all ayes. Secretary Griffiths will forward the letter to the Hunterdon County Planning Board to be entered into the record at their February 22, 2005, hearing with a copy to be forwarded to the Township Committee.

2005 Budget Worksheet for the Planning Board was received. Ms. Palladino summarized the budget cuts ($8,500) to the Planning Board budget for 2005 as recommended by the Township Committee. It was noted that the Housing Plan fees will be paid from the Housing Trust Fund account.

COAH Certification Extension Process – Nancy Palladino advised that the Township has started pre-petition for plan endorsement, and we will be the first in Hunterdon County.

Notice of public hearing to be held on February 15, 2005, from Delaware Township regarding proposed revision to the Master Plan and 2005 Amendment to 2000 Reexamination Report was received.

Correspondence was received regarding the Hunterdon County Planning Board’s Planning and Design Awards Program 2005.

Agendas for the Hunterdon County Planning Board Development Review Committee were received.

A copy of the Biennial CEA Certification Report for 2005 for the NJDOT West Amwell Maintenance Facility on Mueller Lane was received.

Motion to adjourn at 9:05 PM was made by Perri with a second by Molnar. All members voted in favor of adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna M. Griffiths

Secretary