WEST AMWELL TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD

December 20, 2005

The West Amwell Township Planning Board meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by

Chairman Jeff Ent. Chairman Ent stated the meeting has been properly advertised and is being held in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. The meeting was recorded via digital recording system and copy of CD is on file in the Planning Board Office.

ATTENDANCE:

Roll call on attendance: John Dale-present, Thomas Molnar-present, Sean Pfeiffer (Alt. #2)-present,

Hal Shute-present, Nancy Palladino-present, Joan Smith-present, Joan VanDerVeen-present,

Jeff Ent-present

Absent: Bernard Meader, Carmen Perri, Alexander Greenwood (Alt. #1)

Professionals Present: William Shurts, Attorney

APPROVAL OF MINUTES/BILL LST:

Regular Minutes – October 18, 2005 – Motion to approve the minutes was made by Pfeiffer with a second by Smith contingent upon correction of typographical errors and the inclusion of the following language as recommended by Mr. Pfeiffer on page 6, under “Initial Plan Endorsement” - Public Comments: There were no members of the public present. Motion carried on roll call vote.

Bill List – December 20, 2005 – Motion was made by Smith with a second by VanDerVeen to approve the bill list (attached hereto as Appendix 1) with amendment to the escrow billing by VanCleef Engineering for the Tamke project as reflected. Motion carried on roll call vote – all ayes.

RESOLUTION OF APPROVAL - TAMKE TREE EXPERTS (DOUGLAS HUNT) – PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN APPLICATION/VARIANCE REQUEST – BLOCK 8 LOT 23.04

Resolution as prepared by Attorney Shurts was distributed prior to the meeting. Attorney Shurts advised that applicant’s attorney, Vincent Bisogno, has confirmed acceptance of the resolution as prepared and no corrections/amendments were received by the other Board professionals. Motion to approve the resolution with correction to the resolution number was made by Molnar with a second by Dale. Roll call: Dale-aye, Molnar-aye, Palladino-aye, Pfeiffer (Alt. #2)-aye, Shute-aye, Smith-aye, VanDerVeen-aye, Ent-aye.

NEW BUSINESS:

Storm Water Ordinance – Hal Shute and Ron Shapella advised that work is in progress for the storm water ordinance and applicable monies should be appropriated in the 2006 budget for same. Mr. Shapella advised there is some State funding available to the Township for this project. Mr. Shute will advise as to an estimated cost for the project and advise Chairman Ent and Secretary Griffiths for inclusion in the 2006 budget request. Components of the ordinance were discussed to include: whether a mitigation plan should be included in the plan, whether there should be an option for transferring/off-site mitigation, and the various tools and personnel to be considered for preparing the required build-out analysis. These issues to be further discussed. Mr. Shute advised that a draft ordinance should be available for review at the January 2006 meeting.

OTHER: None at this time.

CORRESPONDENCE

Copies of Resolution #PB2005-13 - Adoption of Housing Element and Fair Share Plan and Resolution #PB2005-14 -Initial Plan Endorsement memorialized by the Board were distributed to members.

Proposed DEP Amendments to Water Quality Management Plans – Letter dated November 1, 2005, from the Hunterdon County Planning Board was distributed prior to the meeting. Letter dated December 14, 2005, from the Hunterdon County Planning Board, re: October 17, 2005 Public Notices, WQM Program Docket – Div. of Watershed Management, DEP, was distributed at the meeting. It was noted that comments were sent by the Township Committee.

Minutes – December 20, 2005

Page 2

Copy of correspondence received from Special Planner Shirley Bishop dated November 15, 2005, addressed to the HCPB, Re: Adopted Housing Element and Fair Share Plan from West Amwell Township; copy of correspondence received from Special Planner Shirley Bishop dated December 15, 2005, to the Council on Affordable Housing regarding the adopted housing element, fair share plan,

and spending plan.

Initial Plan Endorsement – Ms. Palladino reported that the IPE was filed in Trenton and accepted favorably as a thorough application with the only outstanding issue dealing with the elimination of the sewer service area. It was noted the proposed DEP amendments to water quality management plans may aid with the process for the Township. Completeness determination of the application is pending.

Copy of article “Downzoning Farmland: Not the Way to Go” from the Farm Bureau Update was received from Betty Jane Hunt and distributed.

Copy of correspondence dated December 5, 2005, from Hunterdon CADB to the SADC regarding an exception location change resolution for the Atchley Farm was received and distributed.

Copy of Resolution #05-179, Approval of Amended Development Fee Spending Plan and Possible Resolution was received from Township Clerk Olsen and distributed.

Correspondence dated November 28, 2005, from the NJLM, Re: New Educational Requirements for Members of Planning Boards, Bds. of Adjustment, and Combined Boards was received and distributed. It was noted that a budget line item for training for Board members will be included in the 2006 budget.

E-mail correspondence from Township Clerk Olsen, Re: Rule Proposal: Transfer of Real Estate Development Rights was received and distributed via e-mail and regular mail to Board members.

NJ Planner October/November edition was received and distributed.

Hunterdon County Planning Board DRC agendas were received.

ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Ent expressed thanks to all to include: members of the Board, subcommittee members, the Mayor and Township Committee members, the Board’s professionals, and the Board Secretary for all their cooperation and hard work throughout the year. A thank you to Chairman Ent was reciprocated.

Motion to adjourn at 8:10 PM was made by Smith with a second by Molnar. All members present voted in favor of adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna M. Griffiths

Secretary