MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTES OF THE HEP-SCD BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
September 5, 2019
The meeting of the Hudson Essex Passaic Soil Conservation District was held at the district office in Bloomfield, NJ. In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, advance notice was given to the press (The Star Ledger and Herald News newspapers) and posted. The meeting was also advertised on HEP’s website.
The public meeting was called to order by Chairperson Matt Ward at 7:06 p.m.
Members and public present were as follows: Supervisors Matt Ward, Mario Tridente, Gray Russell, Jerry Flach and Elizabeth Hite Vollavanh; Glen Van Olden, Director; staff members Matt D’Alessandro and Fran Aguirre; Dave Schaaf, (acting in Dan Mull’s absence) District Conservationist USDA/NRCS; and Sean DiBartolo, P.E., Verona Environmental Commission.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All present stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Sean DiBartolo, P.E., who sits on Verona’s Environmental Commission, introduced himself as a member of the public. Chairperson Ward explained HEP’s charges and functions.
MINUTES
The minutes from the June 4th, 2019 public meeting were reviewed. M/M Mario Tridente, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to accept the minutes.
The minutes from the June 4th, 2019 Closed Executive Session meeting were reviewed. M/M Jerry Flach, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to accept the minutes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Glen reviewed HEP’s Treasurer’s Reports and banking accounts for the months of June, July and August 2019. M/M Gray Russell, M/S Jerry Flach and passed unanimously to accept the Treasurer’s Reports for the months of June, July and August 2019.
SOIL EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLANS
Glen Van Olden reviewed the Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Plans certified in June, July and August 2019. M/M Gray Russell, M/S Mario Tridente and passed unanimously to accept all actions taken on Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plans certified in the months of June, July and August 2019.
Glen informed that the owner of HEP project #218-E-5314 had been informed on 7/12/18 and again on 7/18/19 of the need to submit revised SESC plans in order for HEP to certify the SESC plan. No revised plans were ever received by HEP. M/M Gray Russell, M/S Jerry Flach and passed unanimously to deny plan certification for the project located at 210 Hickory Street in East Orange.
EXTENSION - Dr. Amy Rowe, Environmental & Resource Management Agent
Absent - Sent report
6/7/19 East Orange – Rain garden lecture and maintenance with veterans
6/11/19 Newark – Passaic Valley Sewerage Treatment plant with Rutgers Environmental Stewards
6/12/19 Montclair – Rain barrel workshop at Van Vleck House
6/13/19 Wayne – Stormwater presentation for Packanack Lake Water Quality Committee and public
6/14/19 Holmdel – Sustainable Jersey Conference, tabling for Environmental Stewards program
6/19/19 New Brunswick – Tick Workshop – Emerging issues and species
6/25/19 Trenton – Association of Agricultural Agents of NJ, spring meeting
6/28/19 East Orange – Rain garden planting with the veterans
7/8/19 Wayne – Grand opening of high tunnel bought with NACD grant funds
7/15/19 Roseland – Environmental careers talk with Essex County Prosecutor’s office interns
7/17/19 Freehold – Search committee interviews for Monmouth County Ag Agent
7/18/19 New Brunswick – School food waste conference
7/19/19 Freehold – Search committee interviews for Monmouth County Ag Agent
7/25/19 Clifton – EPA meeting giving an update on the Passaic River clean-up
8/6/19 Wayne – Stormwater management site visit with homeowner
8/8/19 East Orange – Water conservation talk and activity with 4-H kids
8/12/19 Wayne – Master Gardener by-law committee meeting
8/13/19 Roseland – Phone interview about native and invasive species
8/15-18/19 Woodland Park – Passaic County Fair – Displays on food waste and ticks/Lyme disease
8/27/19 New Brunswick – Training on new x-ray fluorescence instrument that gives real-time metals concentrations in the field
8/28/19 Pittstown – Rutgers Tomato Tasting
Upcoming
• Paterson school food waste reduction programming
• Communicator fellowship training throughout the fall (professional development on how to communicate more effectively with all audiences)
VETS Update
• 16 people were trained in the basics of horticulture in partnership with the East Orange Sustainable Food Alliance. They had their own garden boxes and also helped run the community garden. Jan Zientek taught the training.
• Several previously trained vets are working in the horticulture industry or teaching others gardening, beekeeping, etc.
• Worked with vets in the addiction/rehab unit at the VA over the summer to teach them about stormwater and rain gardens in urban settings.
• In talks with the East Orange VA to train new group of vets on horticulture/landscaping. Program may start in late October.
USDA/NRCS – Dave Schaaf, Acting District Conservationist, USDA/NRCS
Dave informed that he is serving as acting District Conservationist because Dan Mull is on a detail assignment at the Plant Materials Center in Cape May. Dave presented one conservation plan for District review and approval. The plan is associated with a Forestry Project which will be incentivized through an Environment Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) contract. Chairperson Ward signed for the HEP district as a cooperator.
CORRESPONDENCE /NEWS
Appointment of Elizabeth Hite Vollavanh as HEP-SCD Supervisor
The district received a copy of a letter dated 6/18/19 from Frank Minch, Executive Secretary of the NJ State Soil Conservation Committee congratulating Elizabeth on her appointment as a HEP-SCD supervisor for a two-year term starting 7/1/19 and ending 6/30/21. Elizabeth will be serving out the remainder of former supervisor John Sarnas’ term.
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Northeast Regional Mtng.- Feedback
The NACD Northeast Regional Meeting was held 8/25-28/2019 at Foxwoods Resort & Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut. All five HEP supervisors discussed their impressions regarding the various aspects of the meeting. Chairperson Ward commented that there has been no post-meeting evaluation questionnaire distributed. Next year’s meeting will be held in Portsmouth, NH. Matt Ward informed that he had spoken to Tim Palmer, NACD President, and brought him up to date on the VETS program. Tim suggested putting together a break-out session but tomorrow 9/6/2019 is the deadline. Matt said he would draft a proposal and send it to the supervisors by tomorrow morning. It must be presented to the NACD by the NJACD president, Dennis Dougherty.
2019 NJ Joint (NJACD/SSCC) Annual Conservation Conference – 12/2/2019
The conference will be a one-day affair held 0n December 2nd, 2019, the Monday after Thanksgiving, at the Rutgers Eco-Complex in Bordentown, NJ. The agenda has not been finalized but Chairperson Ward asked the supervisors to make a list of any items they would like to see on the agenda for discussion at the 10/3/19 HEP meeting. Supervisors must attend the late afternoon NJACD business meeting. Once the details of the conference have been confirmed, Fran Aguirre will send out an e-mail to coordinate registrations for supervisors and staff. Attendees who would like to arrive on Sunday can reserve a room at the Holiday Inn Express in Bordentown for $100.
Passaic County Master Gardeners High Tunnel Opening – NACD VETS Grant
On 7/8/2019 Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) of Passaic County inaugurated a new teaching and demonstration site consisting of a high tunnel locate at Preakness Valley Golf Course. This high tunnel was funded through the grant HEP received from the NACD under the Urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative. RCE partnered with HEP-SCD to apply for the grant.
Thank You – 2019 National Association of Conservation District (NACD) Membership Dues
On 8/19/2019 the district received a thank you note from Joe Lomax and Ray Cywinski thanking HEP-SCD for the district’s 2019 membership dues which will ensure that NACD can continue to represent districts’ priorities in federal policy making, work to secure funding for conservation programs and districts, and provide tools and guides to help districts accomplish their missions.
Greenwood Lake Commission Hearing on Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB)
On 7/24/2019 the Greenwood Lake Commission held its regular monthly meeting which Glen Van Olden attended. HAB was a key item on the agenda due to curtailment of water related activities in lakes. Glen informed the supervisors that contributing factors are the use of commercial pesticides on road shoulders and garbage in basins/sewers preventing proper water flow.
Freehold SCD – Request to revoke Sayreville’s Chapter 251 Exemption
In a letter dated 6/7/2019 to Frank Minch, Executive Secretary of the NJ State Soil Conservation Committee, Ines Zimmerman, District Manager of the Freehold SCD, requested revoking the exempt municipality status of the Borough of Sayreville.
NJACD Achievement Awards Nominations
In a memo dated 8/27/2019 from Dennis Dougherty, President of the NJACD, encouraged districts to submit nominations for the 2019 awards. There are six categories: District Administrative Achievement, District Technical Achievement, Professional Conservationist, Supervisor, Developer, and Legislator. Chairperson Ward instructed the supervisors to discuss possible nominees at the next HEP meeting scheduled for 10/3/2019.
CHAPTER 251
Newark City – Exempt Municipality- Communications/Meetings
After various communications with Newark officials, Matt D’Alessandro coordinated a meeting that was held on 8/22/2019. Glen and Matt D’Alessandro met with Mr. Uzoma Anukweu of Newark’s Engineering Department to review and discuss the requirements for proper enforcement of the SESC Act of NJ.
T. Fiore Demolition Property, Newark – DAG Motion of Settlement
The district received notice of a Settlement Agreement and Sale of Property free and clear of liens, claims and encumbrances to GPB Cold Storage Holdings LLC for the property pertaining to HEP File #212-E-3811, T. Fiore Demolition, Block 5020, Lots 69.03 – 69.06, in Newark. Glen advised Robert Kinney, Esq., DAG, Office of the NJ Attorney General, counsel for the Plaintiff (NJDEP), that any new owner must secure a new erosion control certification for future soil disturbing activities or any redevelopment.
Stop Work Orders (SWO)
Kearny: 201 Devon Terrace, Block 252, Lot 4.02
Soil Disturbance exceeding 5,000 sq. feet with no SESC plan certification
Totowa: 24 Battle Ridge Trail, Block 74.01, Lot 10
Soil Disturbance exceeding 5,000 sq. feet prior to SESC plan certification
SESC application and plans subsequently certified. HEP File #219-P-4849
Crown Real Estate Remediation, HEP File #219-E-5597–Former Pabst Demo Site, Irvington
The district received an application to cap the former seven and a half acre Pabst Demo Site in Irvington.
Chapter 251 Plan Certification Process
Districts are still waiting on an interpretation from the DAG regarding a resolution to allow staff certification and subsequent ratification of SESC plans by district supervisors at district meetings so as not to hold up the issuance of certification letters. This would serve to further Governor Murphy’s Executive Order #63 promoting efficient regulatory oversight.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Audit – Status and Chapter 251 Reserves
The district audit was performed on August 20th, 2019 by Ferraioli, Wielkotz, Cerullo & Cuva. Glen had questioned the auditor and Frank Minch regarding the proper methodology of calculating Chapter 251 reserves. Frank informed him that the most recent (2016) Financial Accounting Manual is the governing document.
Freehold SCD Chapter 251 Time-Tracking Program – Update
In June 2019 Mike Hill, Freehold SCD’s Assistant Manager, came to HEP to demonstrate the capabilities of Freehold’s system. He took with him a copy of HEP’s database tables and queries to study and integrate with the tracking system. In August 2019 there were further discussions between HEP and Freehold SCD, and Frank Minch and Freehold SCD. Freehold SCD’s new dashboard system is still being designed, but HEP will get an interim program that is a modification of what Freehold currently uses. In the final week of August and the first week of September there was a flurry of communication between Mike Hill and Janet Rekesius, HEP’s Administrative Services Manager, regarding software considerations and additional training.
New Hire
Glen discussed the need to hire a part-time Administrative Assistance/Receptionist for no more than thirty hours per week. The job opening was posted on HEP’s website.
HEP Board of Supervisors Reorganization - Slate of Officers 2019/2020
M/M Mario Tridente, M/S Jerry Flach for Matt Ward to remain as Chairperson. Motion passed unanimously.
M/M Matt Ward, M/S Gray Russell for Mario Tridente to remain as Vice-Chairperson. Motion passed unanimously.
M/M Gray Russell, M/S Mario Tridente for Jerry Flach to serve as Secretary. Motion passed unanimously.
M/M Matt Ward, M/S Mario Tridente for Gray Russell to serve as Treasurer. Motion passed unanimously.
Consolidation of Warren SCD and Sussex SCD
Matt Ward briefed the supervisors on the current situation and informed that the SSCC would continue working on this consolidation in the near future.
SSCC/NJDA – Frank Minch, Exec. Director, NJ State Soil Conservation Committee
Absent – Sent Report
• The NJACD is coordinating with Freehold SCD to host the NJ Joint 2020 NJACD/SSCC Conservation Conference.
• If Matt Ward wants to continue with his “Lasting Impact for a Future Environment” (LIFE) resolution from last year then he needs to start working on it.
• The relocation of NJDA offices is postponed indefinitely due to the need for the NJ Dept. of Health (DOH) to relocate staff because of a water main break. Treasury informed NJDA that DOH will be using the space until the problem is resolved which could take several months.
• The next meeting of the SSCC is now scheduled for Monday, 9/23/2019 and will be held at the Office of information Technology in Trenton.
• Staff outside activity forms and ethics training will be due shortly. Forms and links will be distributed through the ethics liaison officer.
• The Training Subcommittee is meeting next Tuesday, 9/10/2019, to discuss Supervisor orientation for possibly later this year at HEP, Freehold, and Cape Atlantic SCDs.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Agenda Changes
Chairperson Ward informed that moving forward, he would like the agenda format revised as follows:
1. Call to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Public Comment
4. Rutgers Cooperative Extension
5. USDA/NRCS
6. Minutes
7. SESC Plans
8. All other items in order of importance
Matt Ward also advised that at all subsequent HEP meetings at 8:30 pm there would be a supervisor vote to either end the meeting or proceed, thus the need to place items on the agenda in the order of their importance.
Supervisor Training
HEP is still looking to host a new supervisor training night/dinner meeting in a few months.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, M/M Mario Tridente, M/S Gray Russell and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Flach
Secretary
MEETING NOTICE
The next meeting will be held on Thursday,
October 3rd, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
at
The HEP-SCD District Office
80 Orchard St.
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
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