MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES OF THE HEP-SCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
January 8, 2015
The meeting of the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District was held in accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act; advance notice was given to the press (Star Ledger Newspaper and The Progress Newspaper) and posted. The meeting was also advertised on HEP’s website.
Members and public present were as follows: Supervisors Carl Quazza, Matt Ward, John Sarnas, Mario Tridente, and Gray Russell; Glen Van Olden, Director; staff members Matt D’Alessandro, Fran Aguirre, and Janet Rekesius; and Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental and Resource Management Agent for Essex and Passaic Counties.
The public meeting was called to order by Carl Quazza at 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
The minutes from the December 4, 2014 meeting were reviewed. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to accept the minutes, with John Sarnas abstaining.
TREASURERS REPORT
Glen reviewed HEP’s Treasurer’s Report and banking accounts for the month of December 2014. There was a discussion regarding employee cell phone reimbursement versus a district paid plan. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s Report for the month of December 2014.
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLANS
Glen Van Olden reviewed the Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plans certified in December 2014. M/M Matt Ward, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to accept all actions taken on Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans certified in the month of December 2014.
CORRESPONDENCE
SSCC Meeting 1/12/15
Since the 12/4/14 State Soil Conservation Committee meeting was cancelled, the district was advised that the next meeting would be on Monday, 1/12/15. Glen Van Olden and Matt Ward plan on attending. It was commented that, though this had been tasked to the Policies and Procedures subcommittee at the 5/12/14 SSCC meeting, there still had not been any “policy” formulated for what constitutes “statewide importance” and/or the parameters of SCDs utilizing the Deputy Attorney General assigned to the SSCC as was the norm in years past.
NJACD Memorial Conservation Scholarship
The district received a notice announcing that the NJ Association of Conservation Districts will award one $1,500 scholarship for 2015. Applications must be submitted by 3/1/15.
2014 Permit Extension Act Extension
In a memo dated 12/30/14 from Frank Minch, Executive Secretary of the NJ State Soil Conservation Committee, it was advised that Governor Christie signed another amendment to the Act which provides for an additional extension until 12/31/15. Among the approvals to be extended are Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plans and any Stormwater General Permit Authorizations certified by Conservation Districts.
Single Family Dwelling Administrative Bulletin
The district received a memo dated 12/31/14 from Frank Minch regarding Administrative Bulletin 2015-1.0 which went into effect 1/1/15. This bulletin was adopted at the 10/20/14 SSCC meeting subject to the development of additional documents which now include a flow chart and a Frequently Asked Questions sheet.
CHAPTER 251
Newark – Update / 2014 Exempt Municipality Review
Though efforts are being made, it is unclear if Newark is adequately enforcing Chapter 251. Glen advised that he will perform the official Exempt Municipality Review sometime in January and/or February 2015. Discussion of possible outcomes ensued.
Pompton Lakes – Wanaque and Pequannock River Dredging Access and Spoils Placement
The district issued a Stop Work Order on 11/19/14 after being informed by a concerned citizen that there was over an acre of disturbance for a de-snagging and de-shoaling (flood control) project. This project encompasses various towns, some in the Morris district. The applicant and permit issuer was the NJ DEP. The towns were the co-applicants. Each individual town was supposed to be responsible for obtaining all other required permits except for NJ DEP permits. This was never done. The district received an application and plan on 12/8/14. John Showler, the State Engineer is reviewing the SESC plan.
8th Street Fire Site Remediation, Passaic, NJ
HEP previously discovered that ten to fifteen acres were being graded with no SESC plan. At that time the owner declared that the NJ DEP had ordered the work. The Passaic construction official had not issued any municipal permits though he was well aware of the work. HEP issued a deadline of 12/12/14 for receipt of an SESC plan and application. Art Fletcher, the contractor, called Matt D’Alessandro and promised to submit a plan, but weeks later the district still had not received any. A Stop Work Order was issued. There was an on-site meeting with the NJ DEP which Matt D’Alessandro attended. The NJ DEP will be issuing Notices of Violation and fines.
The owner, Richard Ellis, through Ed Sullivan of Matrix New World Engineering, asked if he could use the lot to park big rigs. Matt D’Alessandro advised that this would not be allowed. All municipal officials, including the mayor and police have been advised of the Stop Work Order and the “No Parking” status of the site.
Irvington Meeting 1/22/15
Glen Van Olden has a meeting scheduled for 1/22/15 with Irvington officials to “reeducate” them on Chapter 251 requirements, especially for city owned projects. The construction officials have been less than cooperative in the past.
H & H Database Input Status
So far HEP has only entered approximately ten percent of the basins due to the initial lost data, the shifting data glitch, and the down times of the database. Janet Rekesius advised that the database is once again not available for input.
New West Developers / Pabst Site, Newark NJ / Foreclosure
The district was advised by Newark that foreclosure proceedings are eminent. Glen Van Olden advised Frank Minch via e-mail that HEP’s attorney did not know how to proceed in a case like this and requested guidance on how to proceed. Mr. Minch did state that any violations, penalties, or liens are attached to the land and that any new owner would then be responsible. Frank was to consult with the DAG but Glen received no legal advice from the State. Given the lack of State provided legal support or guidance, a letter was prepared by the district and mailed to Karen Brown, Corporation Counsel for the City of Newark. The letter, dated 1/5/15, advised Ms. Brown that the District maintains a lien for the properties in question, the properties are under a Stop Work Order, and that the NJ DEP issued several Notices of Violation with Penalty Assessment. The letter requested that the City postpone the foreclosure until all interested parties can meet to agree on a plan of action for what will surely be a costly remediation.
GENERAL BUSINESS
80 Orchard Street, Bloomfield – Contracts, Permits, Payments
The permits from the DCA are supposed to be mailed to the contractor. Carl Quazza commented that the building needs more insulation. Glen will be meeting with the contractor and the architect at the new building tomorrow.
Future Sale of Present Facility
A short discussion was held regarding the future sale of the present facility.
EXTENSION – Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental & Resource Management Agent
12/16/14: Meeting with Assemblyman Tim Eustace in Totowa regarding the status of the Organic Land Care bill.
1/7/15: Speaker at North Jersey Hort Symposium (Randolph, NJ) on Organic Land Care
The search for the Passaic County Program Associate continues.
The Rutgers Organic Land Care course will be held on 1/12-14, 1/20, and 1/21/15 at the EcoComplex in Bordentown.
The Rutgers Environmental Stewards is currently recruiting for a 1/19/15 start with weekly meetings in Wayne.
USDA/NRCS – Dan Mull, District Conservationist – Absent – No report
SSCC/NJDA – Ferdows Ali – Absent – No report
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, M/M John Sarnas, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Sarnas
Secretary/Treasurer
MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting will be held on Thursday,
February 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
at
The HEP-SCD District Office
15 Bloomfield Ave.
North Caldwell, NJ 07006
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