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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
TOWNSHIP OF MAHWAH
AUGUST 23, 2006
The meeting of the Environmental Commission was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by John Brotherton, Chairman. The Opening Statement was made. Roll call was taken.
Present:J. Brotherton
D. Daehnke
C. Phiefer
J. Spiech
D. Wenger
J. DeWan (arrived 8 p.m.)
Absent:S. Golz
K. LaGreca
TENANT APPLICATIONS
The following tenant applications were approved:
Mindich Enterprises, 380 Franklin Turnpike, wholesale supply
Park Financial Corp., 164 Franklin Turnpike, financial planner
Thermwell Products, 31 McKee Drive, warehouse (change of ownership)
Transcend Wireless, 479 Route 17N, wireless communications
Ivy Rehab – Mahwah, LLC, 1 Lethbridge Plaza, physical therapy
SOIL MOVEMENT PERMIT APPLICATIONS
Memo to Administrative Officer:
“The following soil applications were reviewed by the Environmental Commission on August 23. Comments are listed below.
Excelsior Estate Homes, LLC, 74A Island Road Bl. 56, Lot 72.01, E-BD-216-1995, 8/9/06. John Spiech recused himself from discussion of this application. Approved.
Applicant is removing two trees and will plant two maples as replacement trees. These must be native deciduous trees, no Norway maples.
AMB Property Corp., 750 Corporate Drive Bl. 136, Lot 11, E-BD-216-1990, 8/2/06.
Replace existing retaining wall. There will be 40 replacement trees; red maple, red oak and hickory.
Mario Gorczyca, Pine Hill & Spruce Road Bl. 7, Lot 1, E-BD-216-1989, 8/1/06.
The applicant is removing twenty-two trees. There will be six replacement trees which must be native deciduous trees (no white pines as replacement trees). Red maple is acceptable.
Greenway Mahwah LLC, Dkt. 467
Reviewed tree preservation application for 28 Green Street, Bl. 173, Lot 93.04. Twenty trees will be removed. There will be five replacement trees which must be native deciduous trees. Oak and maple are acceptable, but not Norway maple.”
SITE PLAN REVIEW
Mahwah Honda & Twp. of Mahwah, Dkt. 505
Culvert replacement project.
Not approved. Comment to Planning Board:
What is the impact on flooding along the Masonicus Brook, west of the railroad?
Karen McGrory & Patricia Templeton, Dkt. 506
Preliminary and final subdivision.
Approved, with comments:
We are concerned about the number of trees which will be lost with construction of the houses.
It may be that the applicant will have to provide an LOI on wetlands.
Muriel Boone, Dkt. 502
Major subdivision/revised plans.
Approved.
New York S.M.S.A. Limited Partnership/Verizon Wireless, Dkt. 504
Site plan, preliminary and final combined.
Approved.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter to John Lane, Property Maintenance
“Re: Old Darlington Schoolhouse
We would like you to check the old Darlington schoolhouse on Ramapo Valley Road.
There may be some improper dumping or importing of soil. The stream on the property is “exceptional value” so a 150 ft. buffer is required. Thank you.”
Memo to Mike Kelly, Township Engineer
Re: Hummer of Mahwah
“We are concerned about monitoring the work being done along the Masonicus Brook and that all the necessary regulations are being followed.”
LAKEHENRYTRAIL – SIGN PROJECT
Susan Golz wrote an article for the fall newsletter. J. DeWan submitted photos to go along with the article.
Pannier said the signs are being made this week and the projected shipping date is August 28th.
We still need to mark the locations for three signs which we have asked the DPW to install.
MAHWAH DAY – September 16th
The Environmental Commission will have a table or exhibit with a location to hand out the white pine seedlings.
The LakeHenry “poster size” signs will be on hand to promote LakeHenryTrail.
John Brotherton, John Spiech and Don Wenger are available from 1 – 5 p.m. Carol Phiefer and Dave Daehnke will be there later in the afternoon. Dave will drop off the white pine seedlings in the morning. A few have died but there are at least 150 or more to give out.
Members discussed a way to give out the white pines, such as having residents answers several (simple) questions; or having residents promise to plant the tree, water it, etc.
Don Wenger’s suggestions about “promise to plant” could be something as simple as: “I promise to plant and nurture this white pine seedling.”
It was suggested that small “sandwich size” baggies might be a good container to put the seedling it and hand out to people.
Possible (simple) quiz questions to residents could be:
What items do we recycle in Mahwah?
What is the proper way to spread mulch around a tree?
Where does Mahwah’s drinking water come from?
John Spiech will bring his tent canopy. Jane DeWan will order tables and chairs from DPW.
Final details can be finished at the next meeting September 13th.
OTHER ITEMS
John Brotherton discussed the responsibility of homeowners associations with wetlands to report annually on the status of their wetlands. This type of communication was received several years ago from Fardale Woods, however, it is not clear which Township office would receive such reports and even it they are being submitted at all. John Brotherton will look through some files for some further information on this before we question Administration.
John Spiech suggested a notice could be put in the newsletter, such as: If you belong to a homeowners association, you should check your responsibilities on wetland regulations, detention basins, etc. This could be a reminder to residents with wetlands on their property.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting of the Environmental Commission will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the MunicipalBuilding, 475 Corporate Drive, Mahwah, N.J.
J. DeWan
Secretary
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
MEETINGS – SEPTEMBER 2006
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27TH
AT 7:30 P.M. – MUNICIPALBUILDING
ALSO
MAHWAH DAY, SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH
COMMODORE PERRY FIELD
RAIN DATE IS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH
FINAL MAHWAH DAY PLANNING MEETING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7 P.M. AT MAHWAH PUBLIC LIBRARY
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ASSIST WITH ANY MAHWAH DAY PREPARATIONS BEFORE THE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 13TH. I WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THE 14TH AND 15TH. IF ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND GIVE IT TO ME BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 5 AND 12TH.
THANK YOU, JANE