MINUTES
TOMS RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Toms River Township Environmental Commission was held on Monday, January 14, 2008 in the Sunshine Room of the Toms River Township Municipal Building, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, William Suchodolski at approximately 7:30 pm.
The following members of the Commission were present: Bill Suchodolski, Nancy Corlis, James Ellis, Dee Falato, David McKee, and Sheila McVeigh. Also present was Kimberly Bauer, Administrative Clerk for the Division of Conservation.
After opening the meeting, Chairman Suchodolski stated that the Commission would start the meeting with Item #6 – New Business for the Toms River High School North Student Presentations for the restoration of Bay View Park.
NEW BUSINESS – STUDENT PRESENTATION
Chairman Suchodolski welcomed Brian Vernacchio, the Environmental Science teacher from High School North who initiated this project. Mr. Vernacchio stated that this was a learning project for his students and each group of students collected data, talked to experts as well as surrounding residents.
Three separate groups of students came forward and gave their presentations. Each had photos of the park in its present state and noted that it is run down, dirty and unsafe for visitors. The grounds of the park are not kept up and it is full of garbage. The playground equipment is old and unsafe for children to play on and the park benches and gazebo are old and dilapidated. There are bathroom facilities located on the site, but there are no locks on the main entrance door, the stall doors are broken and they are dirty. The lighting in the park is very poor, sufficient lighting is not provided by the existing light poles. Many of the existing light poles are broken at this time.
There are basketball courts, tennis courts, shuffle board courts and wall board courts currently on this site. They are all in need of some type of repair.
The view to the bay is blocked to all visitors due to the overgrown phragmites which are an invasive species to this area.
Each group presented their ideas on how to improve the park. Some of the improvements included repairing the bathrooms and cleaning them up, supplying more garbage cans and including recycling cans. The benches should be replaced, picnic tables should be added and the gazebo should either be repaired and repainted or torn down completely.
The lighting in the park should be addressed and all existing light poles should be repaired and additional censored lighting could be added for a lighted pathway through the park.
Some of the groups felt that it would be beneficial to have a control burn to eliminate the phragmites, while another group felt that they should stay and an observation deck should be built for park visitors to take advantage of the view. The students also had a difference of opinion on some of the recreation courts, some felt the elimination of one or more of these courts would make room for other recreation facilities in the park and others felt that they should be repaired.
The students also included their individual ideas on how to fund these improvements. Some of the ideas would be to have boy scouts and girl scouts donate their time, donations from area construction companies and suppliers, community service workers from the area, grant applications and a fundraiser to be held at the park.
All presentations were received well by the Commission and all of the students were thanked for their hard work. The Commission also complimented them on their presentations.
At this time the Commission took a break from 8:10 to 8:15.
The Commission reconvened and proceeded with the agenda.
MINUTES
A motion was made by Comm. Ellis and seconded by Comm. McKee to approve the minutes of November 19, 2007 as corrected. All eligible members voted yes. Motion carried. Minutes approved as corrected.
CORRESPONDENCE
There were letters from the Township Forester denying certain applications. It was noted that there were no letters from these applicants appealing the Forester’s decision so no action would have to be taken by the Commission.
It was noted that there were two articles in the newspaper regarding the gypsy moth spraying in Ocean County. Berkeley Township will be participating in the spraying and Manchester may participate.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
NEW BUSINESS
The Commission discussed the placement of links on the Environmental Commission Web Page. They felt that the Ocean County Recycling Site and the ANJEC site were two informative sites that would be helpful to residents of Toms River. Any other suggestions should be emailed to Comm. Corlis so that she may pass the information on to the Web Master.
Chairman Suchodolski stated that the Commission currently has two vacancies with the resignation of Jan Larson and the fact that Michael LaMana was not re-appointed. Mr. LaMana was not reappointed as he is a hired consultant for the Township for the review of Tree Management Plans and the issuance of Tree Removal Permits. Any suggestions for new members should be brought to the Commission’s attention at the next meeting.
Chairman Suchodolski recommended a diorama contest for Founder’s Day. This contest would be open to elementary school children in Toms River. This matter was discussed briefly and it was noted that they would have to be in touch with school officials to receive permission to send in a notice to the students, a certain grade would have to be picked as well as several other factors. The location of the display was discussed as well. This matter will also be discussed at the next meeting.
Comm. Falato informed the members that she has a spot in the Ocean County Gazette that can be utilized by the Commission to inform residents of any Environmental Commission news. It was also noted that any articles from ANJEC are able to be placed in the newspaper under the Environmental Commission. The Commission decided that an announcement stating that the Commission is looking for volunteers should be printed in the Gazette as soon as possible.
Comm. Ellis suggested at this time that the Commission invite the Mayor to one of their meetings, possibly in March or April.
Comm. Corlis stated that she has a copy of the Environmental Commission letterhead and will forward to members for their review and comments.
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
Comm. Ellis expressed his concern with the development of undersized lots in the town.
EDUCATION
Comm. McVeigh stated that Todd Bates and Kirk Moore should be contacted at the Asbury Park Press for any press releases.
OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Suchodolski stated that he had a draft narrative to be submitted for the Barnegat Bay Mini Grant Program. The two sites currently being considered are the Brown Tract off of Whittier Road and the Seacourt Pavillion site. Chairman Suchodolski stated that any changes should be submitted to him by Wednesday as the application is due on Friday.
Comm. McVeigh stated that most recently Manchester, Island Heights and Point Pleasant are ready to sign on to the Climate Protection Program, but haven’t thus far. Brick has already signed on to the program. She also stated that Toms River needs to go to the next step and would like to set up a meeting with Mayor Kelaher to discuss this matter. The Township’s next step would be for people in the community to get involved.
Comm. McVeigh also stated that she has spoken to Mr. Vernacchio regarding the possibility of students sitting in as non-voting members of the Environmental Commission. She would also have to talk to Norma Spice and suggested that the students be on a three month rotation.
Chairman Suchodolski stated that there were no new developments on the Township sharing resources with the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority.
The next meeting for the Trust for Public Lands Task Force will be held in March.
The New Jersey Natural Gas Coal Gasification Committee meets quarterly and as of this date, there are no new developments.
There have not been any discussions in the Township regarding the Reservoir Committee as of this date.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
A motion was made and unanimously approved to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kimberly Bauer
Administrative Clerk
Conservation Office
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