Okay, this is the uh October 28th uh environmental commission meeting for Franklin Township. Um we'll start out with uh minutes which we cannot approve at this current time because we do not have the uh people who were here everybody who was here the last time. So
we will skip that. We have no guests in the audience. So we'll skip that. Uh, and what was I actually don't have the thing in front of me. What was the next one? Okay. Oh, yeah. Emergency management. I don't have anything for that either. So, we can just get right to uh first plan,
which is zoning board 25-16. Uh, which is a lot line. Uh, it's a let me see here. Let's see. Bulk variance for lot size and frontage. Um, so it's about uh block 5065
uh lots eight and nine on Mars Avenue and Route uh 40 Harding Highway. Um let's see. Okay, skipping ahead a little bit here. All right. Um so they want um the
following variances are requested in connection with subdivision approval. Uh they want a use variance for residential use on lot 8 and for expansion of existing non-conforming use on lot nine bulk variance for lots eight and nine for lot size and a bulk variance for lot
eight for insufficient lot frontage. Um I don't know if anybody wants >> what they want to do. Well, >> why why do they just say what are they going to do with it? I mean, >> yeah, I don't know. I'm guessing it's >> Is that Is that what it looks like?
>> Uh, let's see. This is G E slot N is brick house right is the lens. So, this is it's like one of these. I guess it's that one right there. >> And what's this? This is what >> that's Morris Avenue.
>> Okay. All right. So, I mean, maybe um you know, here's the actual he going to open up a a business, but you know, um >> what's he going to do? >> I don't know. >> I have a feeling it's just a lot line adjustment things. We don't really know
what's happening yet. >> Oh. Is it the business? Is it the >> So, it's already commercial. You mean >> right? That one's definitely I think a residence unless it's like a residence
that has like a business being run out of it or something. But >> yeah, >> all right. So, >> they put their intent into them like >> Well, that's just it. read the entire and they want to expand eight to the
second to right behind it. >> Uhhuh. It says here the application is double the size of lot and reducing time. So they didn't want there. >> Yeah. And then that that all
the wrap around and then >> but then back. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. for something that's fine and >> yeah doesn't look like nefarious
>> well you know if they you have to tell them right if you're doing a lot >> uh to everybody within one of the >> 200 I think it's 200 ft I think so >> so they can
if you know if they think oh no he's not starting that so you know then they can adjust But for us, it sounds like it's okay. >> I don't I mean I don't see I don't see them going to really affect the water or the
flow. >> You think it's just the line? >> Yeah. >> Mhm. So would it comment this one? >> It doesn't. >> Okay. Very good. Um,
moving on to old business. Uh, Mala Lake Park, Piney Hollow. I have not been, you know, with the ticks and everything like that. I definitely felt like going to check that out, but um, especially not Piney Hollow. Um, but I probably will very, very soon. Um, unless anybody else
has anything to report on >> was that >> it will be. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. No, no, I we're going to get there in a second, but anybody if anybody has anything else to say about Pine Hollow or not really. Um, and new business, I really have none as well either, unless anybody wants to bring
something up. Very good. All right, we'll get to our mail. Um, so the one is this one, right? This is the uh PSEG. And I remember looking at this before. This is the transmission thing, right? >> Yeah.
Spreading herbicide. >> Yeah, >> it's always herbicide. It's u Why does it have to be like that? >> Well, that's something that they >> they've been doing for >> I know. >> Ever, right? Yeah. They just letting us know that they're spraying to
>> That's all it is. >> Yep. It's just >> going, you know, >> I don't think it's something that stop probably the most effective way to keep the I know when I had my property with
transmission line in there. Um, you know, you can you can plant nursery stock in there. You can do a bunch of things. You just can't get over a certain amount of height, >> right? >> And the property owners
are probably not doing anything. >> So, you have that? Do you have it in your yard? >> I I had it. I had a property. I probably had maybe like three or four acres under under the under the um transmission line.
>> And uh I put like I had someone planted for the deer. Uh some of it I left wild with the um the native grasses and then uh you know like brows and stuff like that. I tried to maintain it but they
didn't come in and I talked to them before they did it and uh told them look don't do this area here, don't do that area there. I will take it because if you look at it it's the nicest you're ever going to see. And
75% of the time that they I did have them no right throw at the one time and poured all the hell and was not real happy about that. They gave me a bag of seeds. So I think at the time it might have
been Davey that was doing it. Uh but for the most part they were okay. Like I called I'd call them and find out. I'd meet the guy out there. Like they were pretty good about it. And then they said they they went through and they sprayed uh so like all the all the
oak that was regenerating or certain other plants, they just went through and they just spot spray with the tanks. Um they didn't do blanket applications with a with a tractor or anything like that. >> Mhm. >> Um so that was okay. I mean I wasn't
going to I had to go through a chainsaw. you spend, you know, a month of Sundays doing it. >> Mhm. >> So I, you know, I didn't feel that uh, you know, there's thousands of gallons of of of mix going in or anything like
that. So yeah, so yeah, I do have experience with, >> right? >> I do, too. We we have that one telephone pole, right? That that has the transformer on it >> and they they spray they spray herbicide. That's the Philippines.
>> I'll trim it, you know. Nope. Does Yep. They spray it. Period. And they spray it like, you know, so it's dead and all. Um >> Oh, yeah. It looks bad. They do it. I
mean, it looks it's effective in what it's doing, right? >> Yeah. Um, I don't know which line this is. Is this like the line spread out here? >> I'm not sure either. Yeah,
>> cuz this line here goes down all the way. And that I think that was part of it's all coming from sale from the nuclear plant. >> That's what they told me.
>> Okay. and they actually had um I'll get the numbers wrong, but say they had 75 foot right away, right? And then there was another 75 ft next to it. So when if if they were ever to build another tower,
but I mean I talked to people at the nuclear plant. It takes takes like 20 to 30 years to get a nuclear plant approved. >> Mhm. >> And by then it's a mass. So like the guys the chance of them putting another set of lines there slim the mill.
>> Mhm. >> So it was good for me. It could have kept the ground wooded. >> Uhhuh. >> But they did have me right away should they they wanted to. >> Right. >> It's interesting. I mean we need it, right? >> Uhhuh.
>> Well, maybe we'll we would need it, right? Maybe there's a sore. >> No. Um, we also have another thing that says uh it's um uh what is it here? It's a uh thing
about septic thing for uh the Jersey diner. They file an application with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the for treatment works approval application uh so as permit the replacement of exist existing disposal fields at the property. The application is to install
new disposal fields and treatment tanks servicing the property. Uh treatment works approval is necessary due to the fact that the facility as a whole generates sewage flows in excess of 2,000 gallons a day. Uh notification is provided to us uh per New Jersey Department environmental protection
guidelines listed in uh you know whatever. But anyway, so yeah, it's just about the Jersey Dire and um and that's pretty much it. And then we have the one more uh thing that Yes. >> Let me just show it to you, Jeff, because we've all looked at it.
>> It's on the street that we live on, Evan and I. Mhm. >> And so, uh, I've taken personal interest in it and, um, and there's really more than likely it's on a good piece of
ground for a house. Um, but it's in the midst of a lot of wetlands and, um, so they're waiting. So as Schaefer and after what I did,
>> uh they they want they sent it to Trenton, >> okay, >> for NJB to come and check it out. And uh but much to our surprise, they've started
they it's already the the soil has already been plowed. the trees are >> that they're clearing that to extend the business. >> They well to build a house. >> Oh, build a house. Okay. >> And they didn't wait for
>> So, um, so >> who the governing body on that thing? >> Did they get approval and you just don't know it? >> They did not get approval. >> They did not get approval. >> No. >> So, who what was that? cease and some assist who
>> well >> uh so NJ supposed to let or rem the clerk know >> of the final decision >> of the final decision >> and you talk to the clerk and they never got that >> no
>> so then does the township then contact them and say >> no Yeah. >> Yes. >> Um, >> however, there is a new one out. There's
a They did improve the spelling because >> I said they were consistent. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um, I don't I mean I don't know. >> Well, >> we don't have any other notify
who probably doesn't know. And at Franklin Township has been the aware. >> Yeah. >> And and the engineers are aware
and Trenton is aware and and they come. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't know. Maybe maybe they figure, well, we'll just clear it. We'll get everything done and then we'll forgiveness and we got to plant a couple trees down the park, right? Is that what
they do? Pretty much. >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> So, so that's uh so this is something that I will follow up on because I pass it two times or three times a day. >> Yeah. No, I understand. I can understand that.
>> I mean, if they you know, they go through the channels and they get the approval, then it is what it is. But it they're doing it without the approvals. And that's >> I guess they've been waiting since August and they got hot for the He says that he wants to um fill his house now.
>> Yeah, he's probably trying to do it now. So get foundation in cold. >> Yeah. >> Figures at some point if it's past, you know, I mean I can remove the foundation and all that stuff. Well, um, according
our township was saying, um, anybody has to get septic in and a well, but that's, you know, that's a big footprint of disturbance. So, >> so is that an avenue where you can stop? I mean, he's got
so now that that becomes a little bit more tricky for him, right? to put a septic and it's not legal and it's not the code and it's you know whatever the technicalities are. >> I think that's pretty >> I think that's a big footprint
>> but that's apparently that's why that's what I was told by our town that that's why he had to clear the trees to put a septic and a well in. And I'm thinking yeah
so we'll see what happens. I'll just um >> wheel kind of thing. Keeping it make sure the township stays. >> Didn't you just call yesterday? That's that's what I keep hearing. >> Maybe see where they are as far as
responding to it. >> Did you clear out the cold at acre and a half or is it just some >> It's kind of hard to say. Um I I it might be it might be all of it. I don't really know because I'm like, you know, I drive out there every day and I don't
really know how to exactly measure an acre and a half, but uh I'm gonna say it's it's at least probably most of it. Yeah, >> there are a couple stands of trees. >> Yeah. >> But they've been disturbed. >> They pushed up the trees. Um they're like I'm going to say they're like
circular stands of trees where they pushed up a whole bunch of other like all the other trees that they've cut down. So they're probably just trying to kill them. I don't know why they did that but >> did you take pictures of it? >> I did. Yeah. >> You showed them pictures. >> And tell me if you think that this is
>> So it it's saying that there's the summary of it is there's wetlands on that piece of property and they're trying to get approval to build there even though that they may be infringing on the wetlands. But now when they surveyed it and they
marked it out and flagged it and everything, you would have seen the pink ribbons for the wetlands, right? I don't think that that's So you don't have this. >> I I don't think that that this has wetlands on it. >> Where are you filming the wetlands at right? >> No, I don't think
>> that's where he's building this circle here. I think it's the wetland. >> See the dotted line, right? Isn't it? >> Yeah. The dotted line is the wet line and this area is where the proposed which is not no longer
proposed. That's all clear. >> I'll show you it. I have a plain little video >> of this that this is where the right stop. >> Maybe this I don't know what I don't know how far you have to be from that. >> I don't either. >> I want to say 50 ft, but I don't know
where I'm getting these numbers from. Just >> and I don't know either. So that's why I really want to um >> So maybe he's doing everything legal than he didn't wait to get >> it could be >> the legal approval, but I don't know
that we we don't know that we didn't. Right. >> Correct. >> Okay. But yeah, here's just with the uh that's for there. But this is where this trees >> Yeah. >> they knocked down. This is like all the trees are pushed up there and
everything. Um, did you contact Schaefer and did did they say he has approval as a concerned neighbor? >> No, but it it it's wrong. The stealing is wrong. >> But they're not involved.
>> Right. Right. Well, I mean, at least you got that answer, so you know that there is >> and and a little bit of an issue there >> and the state. So they said they're going to >> mistake news.
>> I know. But for some reason the woman said on this they they might come tomorrow. I said I'm there. I felt like yeah, you know, but um we'll see. I'll I I will give you
all followup on this. >> That's what two months ago. Yeah. August. Yeah. >> When did he start pouring? >> Two weeks ago, Evan. >> Yeah. Maybe two, three weeks ago. >> Yeah.
>> Do Do they give him like a preliminary? Hey, you know, we're going to approve this. You can start doing some. I don't know how it works, but I mean, you can start doing something. the formality, the legal paperwork will go through five weeks,
but you're you're okay with you're within the I mean, maybe you got that and that's maybe that's sufficient enough to >> it could be >> to start clearing. >> It could be. I don't know. That's not what the state
says, but I really don't know. Um, so it this is all it's I'm really sorry. I was trying to get the full story, but I just don't have it.
>> So, that's farm on this side. He's just trying to push it into the woods. >> Uh, let's see what's on the other side of that, Evan. Is that Is that the >> That's the Forest Grove fire station on the other side. Is that Jimmy
>> side of where he's plowing? >> Oh. Oh, okay. It's um >> So, isn't that a Schwaggel's property? >> It is. Yeah. Well, it's it's Well, first it's um I guess it's Pete's. It's just a farmland there. >> Oh, it's okay. All right. >> Yeah. And on the other side of that is
Yeah. >> And I guess I should say for everybody listening, I don't know if we've said this before, but it's on the corner of Blue Bell and Florida Road. >> So, >> yeah. which is >> on the
on the east eastern most edge of that property. >> Yeah. Right. >> Okay. So, what is what do we have the ability to do? >> Well, >> I guess that's the question, right?
>> I'm just going to follow up. >> We don't have to like it. >> Oh, no. I'm not going to like it. >> But, um, but that's not the point. I just want them to follow. I want I want it to be >> analyzed the rules >> that that they can build here and I want
the owner of that whole land because he owns the whole thing to know that he can't build on the whole thing because uh >> Do you know the other? >> Yes. >> Have you reached out for anything? Yeah.
event and they have not you you haven't got a chance to talk to them or they >> I did on your phone. >> Oh, you did. Okay. >> But then >> it I am not allowed to do that. I was
told >> I can't call a neighbor. >> Talk to him. >> Nope. not not about. He said that I was saying that I was a he said I was a representative of Franklin County. I told him I was an environmental
commission and that see that he has uh he's waiting for NJP and he's plowing and he said you can't yet you know it hasn't been approved yet. So that immediately went back to
the township building cuz um he didn't like he said my property you know he said this is my property I can do >> I can do it. >> Well did the township think you were acting on their behalf?
No, the tantric was furious. >> The township was furious with me. >> He said, "I'm not allowed to I don't have the right to interfere uh with the applicant."
Okay. Okay. Sounds like there might be something else going on. >> Can't know. >> Not sure what that is. >> I will uh >> Sounds like there's more to the story. >> I I have to um
keep a daily watch. >> When was the last time you checked about any progress on the application? Uh, I called the council. Does that mean you talk to the >> Yeah, you clerk.
>> Oh, I didn't talk to >> No, I um I talked to Christine and uh uh >> Christina and Wolfford. >> Christina >> and I talked to Mr. family and um
and I think cold stuff but you know I think it's an environmentally I I know that this is wetland not that section I know that but I just
want to make sure that it has mapped out and the rest of the stuff doesn't get touched where the wetlands are. >> Well, do we just make that comment as the committee? >> Okay. >> That we understand that there is buildable ground on this property. We
also understand wetlands. >> It has gone in the letter of intent was submitted and we realize we understand that it's still in D review. >> Yes.
>> Is that all fact? They haven't gone over it yet. That's what I've been told. >> Okay. >> It takes 6 to 12 months for the D to respond. >> Okay. So, he's just kind of tired of
waiting. Um I mean, it sounds like if he's going to do that and the township's going to be okay with it and nobody's going to do anything. >> Yes. Move. And then then you've been told to stop. >> Yeah.
>> Communication. I don't I don't know. I don't know what else there is. There's always something else to do, right? I don't know what that is. >> I think that I can still uh talk to the state cuz nobody can tell me not to call the state, >> right? I can call
>> I can't call an individual. I can't call this man, the owner who is plowing. >> I can't do that. I can't talk to him. I can't >> You can't harass them. Correct. >> So, I've learned that. Um, and now, but
however, uh, and I won't call our township anymore because I know how they feel about that. So, that I'm not getting anywhere with that. So, I'm going to the state. And I've already established I have Tony
uh you know I have a contact and he said call me whenever you want. >> Okay. So that's what I'm going to do. So for the committee we just want to make sure that whatever the process is
it's followed by you me anybody Joe citizen >> that they follow the process and I mean that's aren't aren't we here for that >> for wetlands right >> so you know you're not pointing out
anyone in particular you're just saying that the process needs to be followed. You have a concern that it's not being because you were told by >> whomever that approval has not been granted yet. >> Right. >> Right.
>> Yes. >> So your understanding is then nothing should be done until approval is granted. >> Yes. >> And that would be our our point here, right? As a committee. >> Okay. >> We can't say no, we can't do it just because we don't like it,
>> right? You don't have that authority. >> No, I can't stop it. >> But we just want to make sure that the proper process is followed. >> Yes. >> And that's the that and that is always our stance no matter where in the township something is being done.
>> Uh-huh. Um, and it as an individual, I don't understand why you can't >> you call your state you can't stop you can't stop the guy if he's doing something wrong. You're not the police,
right? You can't stop him for breaking the law. >> Yeah. >> If this is a law thing, >> you can just say as a as the committee, that's what we're here for. >> I'd like to to take notice of it. They notify us. We're we're listed on here. >> Yeah. So it's not as if we're we're some
kind of renegades out there, >> right? >> Um >> we also Franklin Township has a tree ordinance too. >> And um but the tree ordinance I think it has two and a half inches. >> Yeah, it's 2 and a half inches for
street uh trees and then 6 in for non- street trees. >> So uh so >> you can't take down or I'm not you need permission. Yeah, you need >> you have to file you have to file um for permission to cut down the trees
>> and then you might have to replace those trees. >> Oh yeah. In a park or something. >> What is that property zoned at? Is it in um farmland preservation? Is it in uh timber stand improvement? Is it in some
a forestry program? Because it's a forestry program. can cut trees down without asking for approval because that would be >> overburdened. >> That is a good question. I really don't know. >> I mean because if it's that >> it's never been farmed. >> Yeah. In my years,
>> so so farland. So I had a property and it was it was in um >> what's the term? So it was in timber stand improvement. Um, you could cut, you could thin trees so that trees that are being suppressed by other trees, if there's invasive trees, if it was
whatever, you could do things for the betterment of the forest. And cutting trees down was approved. You could you could cut the trees down and leave them and let them go to nature and improve the other trees. You could sell the
firewood. you had to show so much income um for it, but you you did not have to get approval to cover. >> I was told you could clear cut it if you wanted it wanted to, but who would who
would be enrolled in all that >> tree ordinances from just 2024? >> Yeah. as the state said that every township has to have a tree or limit. >> Well, this doesn't sound like you have enough information other than we just
>> we just say what we you know what we're here for and that's just to keep an eye on things and we hope that hope that >> the process is being followed. >> Uhhuh. >> Yeah. >> That sounds like the long story. So, I
hope to have the ending to this story next month. So, as far as making an official statement, I don't know if that's >> Well, I would I would think it it looks like >> comment. It looks like uh from what I
understand from my telephone and call that uh this is still under review and that the I've been told by the engineers that the he should not be disturbing the
soil. >> What engineers are our engineers from the engineers? his engineers also for this property master, >> you know. >> So, if you make them aware of it,
doesn't sound like you can really outreach any more than that other than just keeping in touch with the GDP if they're willing to >> right >> to let you in. >> I have a contact there. >> Yeah. >> So, um I um I feel like I've done all I
can do and I'm just going to follow up. All right. >> Okay. Should we adjourn? >> I'll make a motion to >> Okay. All I'll approve. >> Yep.
>> All right. It is uh just about 8:00. >> I talked to