We're ready for you, Mr. Warner. >> Yes. I'd like to welcome everyone and call to order this Township of Mars Planning Board reorganization and regular meeting this evening, January 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.
in person at the municipal building and as a courtesy viewable via Zoom. Statement of compliance. I hereby announce that adequate notice of this meeting was provided by the secretary of the planning board by
preparing notice specifying the time, date, and place of this meeting. Posting such notice on the bulletin board in the municipal building. Filing said notice with the clerk of the township of Mars, forwarding the notice to the Mars County
Daily Record and the Mars News B, and forwarding by mail the said notice to all persons on the requested list. And I hereby h I'm sorry. Uh I do not have to read that part. The uh please join me and stand if you can for the pledge of
allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic which stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
It's now my privilege to administer the oath of office to the following board members. Richard and if you'll please stand and raise your right hand and repeat after me. uh Richard B, Edward Benois,
Jessie Flowers, and class three planning board member committeeman Rabbitz. Please stand and raise your right hand. and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear >> I
>> I do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. and the Constitution of the
State of New Jersey. >> And that I will bear faith and allegiance to same >> And I will bear faith and allegiance to same >> and to the governments >> governments >> established in the United States and in
this state >> established in the United States and in this state >> under the authority of the people. >> Under the authority of the people. So help me God. >> So help me God. And I do solemnly swear
>> I do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully >> faithfully >> impartially and justly >> impartially and justly >> perform all of the duties
>> perform all the duties >> of the office of planning board member >> of the office of planning board member >> according to the best of my ability. according to the best of my ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God.
>> Congratulations. Welcome. And welcome back. Actually, everyone's a welcome back. >> At this time, having uh everyone uh given the oath, uh I'd ask Ryan for a roll call, please. Mr. Alleso
>> here, Mr. Flowers >> here, >> Mr. Barrett >> here, >> Mr. Rabbits >> here, Mr. >> here, >> Mr. Cohen >> here, >> Mr. B >> here, >> uh, we have engineering consultant, Mr. Joe Voyage >> here, >> and we have our planner, Miss Liz Lane,
>> here. >> I am board secretary Ryan Ker. >> Thank you. Uh it's now my privilege to call for nominations for board chairperson for the year 2026.
>> I'd like to make a nomination and it's my pleasure to nominate Rick B for chairman for the planning board for the n for 2026. >> Do we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Any further nominations?
Hearing none and seeing none, uh, I'll close the nominations and, uh, since it is an uncontested election, we can have a motion, second, and a voice vote, uh, unanimous, I anticipate. Please uh, can we have a motion and a second?
>> I make a motion we close nominations. >> Oh, a uh, I'm sorry, a a uh, I'm sorry. We already have our motion and second. We can have a voice vote in acclamation for our chair. >> All in favor? >> I I
>> Any opposed? Any abstensions? Seeing and hearing none, it's unanimous. And congratulations again, Chairman Bay. And it's my privilege to uh transfer to you the figurative gavl. >> I think you might have a real one.
>> Thank you, Mr. Warner. I appreciate it. And thank you all for your continued support. I appreciate it. Uh, and in my role now as a chairman for next year, I would like to nominate Joe Alleso to serve once again as my vice chair. Um, is there >> I'll second that.
>> Are there any other nominations? Okay. Hearing none, I will close the nominations. Um, and and all in favor, please. >> I I >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you once again, Joe. Really appreciate >> the nomination. Pleasure to serve.
>> Okay. Thank you. Um now we have several resolutions um to get through. These will all be roll call votes but and the first one is our the designation of board legal council. The first one is a resolution awarding the uh legal council
position to Mr. Warner and his firm um Savo Shaw Christini Warner Gillespie Cradik and Fiser. Um can I have a motion accepting >> make a motion we accept Mr. Warner and his firm for our planning board council for 2026.
>> I'll second. >> Can we have a roll call? >> Mr. Lesa. >> Hi. >> Mr. Flowers. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbit. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes.
>> Next resolution. >> Thank you all for the continued confidence. I appreciate it's a privilege to continue to serve the board. Uh, next resolution is um the designation of board planning consultant. We'd like to award the contract for planner services to
Elizabeth Lenny and and yeah of Phillips Priel Laney Hughes LLC. Um, can I entertain a motion? >> Make a motion that we um nom Liz Lehaney to be our planner for the 2026 year and her firm.
>> I'll second that. You call the role. >> Mr. Alleso, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett, >> yes. >> Mr. Rabbit. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Thank you.
>> Yes. Thank you very much. We appreciate your coming in and what you've done so far and expect to expect you to continue doing in the near future. Okay. Third one. professional services for our engineering consultant. Um
haven't had to do this up until this year. So this is a new So yes, we're authorizing award of the contract for engineering services to uh to Joseph Ho um of uh Ben Cleft Engineering. Um I will entertain a motion to adopt
>> to make a motion that we u I'm sorry cut you off. Go ahead. >> No problem. I'll move the resolution for Mr. Deutsch and Ben Clee Engineers. I'll second. >> We have a roll call. >> Mr. Alissa, >> yes. >> Mr. Flowers, >> yes.
>> Mr. Barrett, >> yes. >> Mr. Rabbits, >> yes. >> Mr. Ben, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Pleasure to continue, sir. >> And uh I have the resolution for the designation of our board traffic
consultant. This would be a resolution authorizing the word of a contract to uh to John Jar. Um Yes, I guess >> I'll make a motion we move forward with contractor John Jar to be our traffic consultant for 2026.
>> You have a second. >> I'll second that. >> Okay, we're going to call the role. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett. >> Yes. Mr. >> Rabbit. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Mr. R. >> Yes.
>> Okay. And moving on, um, we have the professional appointments for the year, which would be this year, uh, Mr. Ryan Kurpat as our board secretary. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you very much for joining us and looking forward to working with you.
>> Working with you as well. >> Okay. And then uh, for the following committees, first up, we have the technical coordinating committee, which I would uh, which will consist this year once again, Mr. Steve Warner as our board attorney, Miss
Elizabeth Laney as the planning consultant, and Mr. Joseph Buch as the engineer. Um, I am going to uh this one is kind of a named committee. So, I will ask for a motion to approve and second.
>> I'll make a motion that we approve the uh appointment of Mr. Warner, Miss Lehaney, and Mr. VC to the 2026 technical committee. >> Second. Okay, let's do a roll call on Oh, we can we can do a voice vote on that, I think. So, >> voice.
>> Yep. All in favor? >> I >> Okay, motion's passed. Thank you. Okay. And then our various uh standing committees, which I think we will leave unchanged from last year. That's okay. I would appoint Mr. Michael Nun as our uh
the site inspection committee with Joe again if you and I I would like to be on that also. So, I will continue on that. street naming committee because they've done such a bangup job in recent years Benois and uh and and George Quillin as
our street naming committee legislative committee. We'll have our committee members and mayor Councilman Bud Rabbits and Mayor Griglia and our open space designate designate Jesse Flowers. That's okay. So that's those are our standing committees for the year. Um
moving on to another couple of resolutions. First one dealing with the uh proposed meeting schedule which we've all seen schedules for our meetings on January 12th, February 2nd, March 2nd, March 16th, April 6th, April 20th, May
4th, June 1st, June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, September 14th, October 5th, October 19th, November 16th, December 7th, and January 11th of 2027. Um, uh, we've all seen that. Can I will entertain a motion to approve those
meeting? >> Moved. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Believe that's a roll call. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbit. >> Yes. >> Mr.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Clone. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ry. >> Yes. >> So move. >> And the final resolution for the evening would be the designation of official uh newspapers. resolution designating the Morris County Daily Record as the official paper of the planning board and the Morris News be designated as an
additional um newspaper to receive notice of meetings u as required. I'll entertain a motion to uh >> I'll make a motion that we move forward as the chairman just articulated and I'll second >> another roll call.
>> Mr. Les, >> yes. >> Mr. Flowers, >> yes. >> Mr. Barrett, >> yes. >> Mr. Rabbits, >> yes. >> Mr. Vano, >> yes. >> Mr. Quillin, >> yes. Mr. B. >> Yes. And then >> Okay, that uh concludes the reorganization part of our meeting. Uh I
would say few words before we move on. I want to thank everyone again for their support and all the efforts in the last year and what we will be seeing in the coming year which no doubt will be a busy year with se all the things on our plate. So appreciate your efforts in the
past and look forward to working with you all um in this coming coming year. Um, okay. Moving into the uh the regular meeting then. Um, the public hearings. I'm going to change up the order as it's shown on the uh on the agenda a little
bit. Uh, we actually only have we have two applications to be heard tonight. And uh, I would like to hear the Morristown Motors first and we will move to the Morris School District second. Um, but I guess Neielson Ford has asked to be pushed off till the next uh
planning board meeting. So, we will not be hearing that tonight. So, uh, Mr. Chairman, >> yes, Mr. Warner, >> I apologize for interrupting, but just in the event you were to move to the first application, I did want to >> give the full notice for carrying the
Neielson uh, Ford. >> Yes, yes, please do. >> Oh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. the uh that Neielson Ford of Marstown block 10201 lots 591 11 and 12 170 Ridgedale Avenue
uh application to uh bear with me just lose reconstruction of pavement areas uh pavement of existing gravel areas new line striping improved drainage addition of EV charging station installation of ADA ramps and spaces and updating of
lighting and curbs that matter is as the chair mentioned being carried. Uh to be clear, it's being carried without further notice. I did have an opportunity to review the notice. I found it to be timely served. Uh the
content was sufficient and it was certified mailed on December 30 and 31 and published on January 2nd. uh both all of the aforementioned being at least 10 days prior to this evening. Uh so the
board does have jurisdiction this evening to carry the matter without further notice. There will be no further notice. It will be carried to, as I understand it, and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong. Our next meeting is
February 2nd, 2026 at 700 p.m. at this same location, the municipal building. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you. Okay, moving on to their
first application uh which is uh PB5-25. Ryan, do you want to like briefly introduce that? Yes, you will. The calendar application is PB15-25 Morristown Motors. Uh the applicant
proposes to amend the previously approved minor site plans by installing a 73 ft generator pad, a 25 ft electrical vehicle charging pad and a 5 square ft transformer pad. The applicant also proposes to remove approximately
103 square ft of imperous surface in the rear of lot 7 to accommodate the previously mentioned additions. This is at block 101 104 lots 6 and 7, address 169 and 171
Richdale Avenue in the I21 industrial zone. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Warner. >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. I did have an opportunity to review the notice for this matter as well. Found the content to be sufficient. Found it to be timely
served as well. Uh certified mail and publication on December 30, both at least 10 days prior to this evening. Uh so the board has jurisdiction to hear and decide this matter this evening should it conclude. I anticipate it
will. Uh and I'll turn it back to you, Mr. Chairman. >> Okay. Thank you. Are you ready to proceed? Do you want to? >> I am. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Board members, board professionals, Peter Wilson of the law firm of Dave Pittney here on behalf of the applicant, Morris Hem Motors.
>> May I be seated? >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> So, as indicated, the uh >> be close to the microphone so it shows up. That's the only >> How's that? >> That's fine. >> Okay. As indicated, the uh property is commonly known as 169 171 Richdale
Avenue. We've been before you on a number of occasions over the years, most recently in April of last year. Um, as you know, uh, the two lots together are developed, uh, as a Toyota car dealership. Uh, the lots together
contain 265,080 square ft. Uh, and in addition to the car dealership, it has a car wash for use by the car dealership only for its cars, a parking lot, and related site improvements. The original improvements
that led to this development were the subject of previous approvals from this board uh including resolution on PB-12-07 adopted on October 20, 2014. And as I said, most recently, the applicant
received amended preliminary and final site plan approval, bulk variance, and design waiver relief pursuant to resolution PB3-25 adopted on April 7, 2025 to reconfigure a portion of the parking lot and walkways to provide for better
circulation. The applicant now seeks approval, as Ryan indicated, to install a generator pad and a transformer pad along with a level three EV charger uh and electric vehicle charging pad. The applicant also
proposes to remove approximately 101 103, excuse me, square feet of imperous surface to the rear of lot 7 in order to accommodate the increase in imperous coverage caused by the proposed new improvements. As a result, there will be
no proposed increase to impervious coverage on the overall site. The remainder of the site, except for those which I've detailed, will remain unchanged. The applicant is seeking a single bulk variance from your ordinance which requires a minimum side side dart
setback of 15 ft for an accessory structure. Um here the proposed uh generator pad is located approximately 4 feet from the side property between the two lots that together compromised the car dealership lot six and 7. The
application was deemed complete pursuant to the correspondence dated December 22, 2025. In addition to the completeness memorandum, the applicant is also in receipt of a memorandum of review from the fire department dated January 5 of this year and a memorandum of review from the fire department's SIC review,
also dated January 5 of this year. Neither memorandum identified any questions or comments. Uh the status of uh necessary outside agency approvals, we will need Morris County Planning Board approval. Uh with me tonight, I have two proposed witnesses. We'll have
very brief testimony. Uh first James Kaiser who was here last year uh on the last iteration. He'll provide an overview of the property location and the minor modifications that are proposed. And then John Hansen, our project planner to speak in support of
the single variance that we uh seek. We do have a a representative of the applicant, John Brower, uh and our consultant for the generator uh installation, Eric Martino. Both are here as I say and are available if there are any questions. So if there are no
questions of me, I would call James Kaiser, our project engineer. >> Um, do we want to swim in both witnesses at the same time? >> Sure. >> Why don't we do that? And professionals, >> please raise your right hand as well as our board professionals. Do all four of
you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> I do. Thank you all. >> James, >> James, can you just share a brief uh
background of your educational professional history and confirm that you were the engineer on our last application? >> Speaking of the microphone, too. That's sorry. >> I don't usually have a problem with being recorded. So, that's the main reason. Can can you please provide a brief background of your educational
professional uh experience, your lensures and confirm that you were the expert on the last application by the applicant last year? >> I uh I received my bachelor of science and >> thank you.
I received my bachelor's of science in civil engineering from Drexel University in 2018. I have over seven years of design experience in New Jersey on site plans, subdivisions, and land development plans. I am a licensed professional engineer in the state of New Jersey uh in current good standing.
I previously testified in front of the board for the last application and um yeah, >> can you confirm you haven't forgotten anything since last year? I have not forgotten anything. We ask that he be again accepted as an expert in the area of engineering. >> Yeah, I will accept. I find that a
little hard to believe at least. I certainly don't remember everything from last year, but me too. >> He's he's a lot younger. >> Thanks very much. Can you very briefly >> So, yes, I will accept the qualifications. Please continue. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Can you very briefly lead us through an orientation to the property, a reorientation, um as
well as uh a description of the modest improvements that are sought uh approval here. >> Yes. So, the property is known as lot six and lot 7 within block 104. Uh, the property is a commercial use and
is it fronts on Ridgedale Avenue, which is located to the bottom of the sheet west of the site >> and and just so we can for the record, this is a sheet that was part of the submission. >> Uh, yes, this was uh a part of the application that was filed. This is the minor site plan. It's entitled
>> uh minor site plan sheet 101 dated um 1110 2025. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> No need to mark as an exhibit. Thank you, counselor. >> Thank you. >> Uh lot six and lot 7 within block 10004.
The property contains Toyota Morristown and its commercial use. Uh it's bound to the west by Ridgedale Avenue and to the north, south, and east by commercial uses including the hardware store, uh SURU service center and showroom and the
cube smart storage. Um the applicant is before the board to request approval for a generator on lot six. It's a natural gas generator. Uh, and it will serve the Toyota building, their sales office, and showroom.
Uh, I would like to introduce an exhibit entitled generator exhibit. Let me grab it real quick. You got Mark A1. >> Yeah, we'll mark that A1, please. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. And can you describe it to us? >> Yes. So it's entitled generator exhibit. Uh the brown is the existing building. The cream light yellow color is the existing concrete pavement. Uh the gray is the
existing asphalt pavement. Uh the green is the grass. The light gray in here is the stairs that connect the parking lots and this darker gray is the retaining wall. The darker yellow is the proposed concrete for the pads and these uh
circular ones are for the landscaping. Uh per the township ordinance, the generator is considered an accessory structure and therefore is required to meet the uh accessory structure setbacks and requirements for the ordinance. The accessory
structure cannot be located in the front yard. So, it was located 1 ft behind the existing building and 3 and 1/2 ft from the side of the building to allow for maneuverability and servicing the generator. That leaves about 4T or not about that
leaves 4T from the generator to the property line. uh the applicant owns the lot that the generator is going to be located on and the uh adjacent property that it will be abuing. Along with the generator, a level three EV charger and associated pad is
proposed and a transformer and transformer pad is proposed as well. Ballards are are proposed along the curb line to protect from vehicles. And the generator shall be screened from Ridgedale Avenue through the use of
evergreen uh shrubs and evergreen trees. Uh the EV charger pad and the transformer are not considered accessory structures and are not subject to the um accessory structure setbacks. This project proposes a net zero
impervious coverage. The proposed impervious coverage from the pad of the generator uh EV charger transformer pad is proposed to be mitigated through the removal of existing impervious coverage from the driveway to the east of this
area. Uh per the bulk standards in the I21 zone, the required accessory structure setback to the property line on the sideyard is 15 ft and the proposed setback is 4T from the property line.
Therefore, a variance is required. And that will conclude my engineering testimony. >> Quick question. How far is the generator from Bridgedale? Richdale's just off the bottom of the that sheet, I assume. Yeah, Retale is down here. >> The exact dimension I'm not sure, but
it's behind the building in the setback area. So, >> right, check. >> So, the front yard setback's 35 ft. So, it's greater than 35 ft. I can tell you that. >> Okay. >> Any questions? >> I I have a couple of questions.
the uh the plantings are they going to be conforming to the uh township do not plant ordinance sure that uh we have planting only native species? >> Yes, they're they're non-invasive species that are being proposed. >> Okay. Uh and lighting is there any
lighting associated with this level three charger and generator for security purposes or anything like that? Uh existing lighting is going to serve the areas it's lit now. So there's no lighting proposed in this. >> No additional lighting. >> Yeah, no additional lighting is
proposed. >> Okay. Um I think those are my two questions for now. >> Mr. Bennett, >> Mr. Chair. Yes. >> Um is is this a new generator for the property or will this be replacing uh an existing generator? >> This is a new generator for the property
to serve the Toyota building. >> Okay. and and is there no other location around the Toyota building that would allow for a 15 uh foot setback? >> So, internally we reviewed all possible locations. Um we found that this
location was the most suitable for the generator uh to keep it out of the front yard and um the access to the utility room down here. So, this was like what we found to be the most suitable location for it. Okay.
Thank you. >> Other questions, please. I have a couple of questions. So, so this equipment is on is proposed to be on lot six, right? The the dividing line between lots six and seven is to the left of the
>> It's proposed to be on lot six. This is the dividing line. This is lot seven. >> Okay. And the applicant owns both lot six and lot seven. >> That is correct. So, um, encroaching onto the setbacks
somehow seems less unreasonable than if they were different owners. Uh, and my other question is about the screening. I think that TCC made a comment that um the original application
had two giant arbory trees. Uh, it looks like you've added four other bushes there. Yeah, we uh it was originally just two evergreen trees. We added additional shrubs to help buffer.
>> Okay. Do you know what those are? >> Uh yes, they are uh they're shamrock berries. >> Okay. And is the is the level of the staircase different than
than the ground um just above it on on your chart? >> You mean right here? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So this is so the stairs are going down. So the wall is maintaining the elevation on each side and this the stairs are going down to this property
>> and the grassy area um on either side of the staircase is sloped as well. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Um, there were no I know the uh TC one of the questions was noise and I didn't see any on the spec on the cut sheets
for the generators any noise indications. Will it conform with our noise ordinances? >> Uh, it will conform uh but I'll defer to our planner. >> Fine. Yeah, that's fine. >> Mr. Chairman, I have a question. >> Yes. because I wasn't here last year for
your presentation. Since you have a good memory, I'll ask the question. Um, were there plantings on the last application along Richdale Avenue? You have a lot of grass there, and I thought it'd be nice to have more plantings. I noticed the the other application is not
being shown tonight. It's going to have a lot of plantings, and I thought it'd be nice to have it on both sides of the street. So, I don't know what was proposed last year. The last application was the plantings were along the grass
areas up here and down in this area. >> That's in the rear of the property. >> Yes, the rear of the property. Yes. >> Not along Bridgedale. >> No, there was nothing. There was no improvements along Ridgedale for the last application. >> Okay. Well, it would probably be too much for me to ask for that in relation
to a generator, but I'm thinking that the streetscape in general along Richdale needs some work. And um yeah, that nice grassy area, you'd have room for for some some bushes there. So, maybe we'll have to address that at another time.
That's all I had. Any questions from our board professionals? >> No. No. >> Any questions of this witness from our from the public? >> Okay. Seeing none.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Call John Hansen for some brief testimony relative to the one variance. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. John Hansen, last name Hen. Uh, I was also here last year. I've been here many times over the years for this
application. Um I'm a licensed planner and my license is in good standing. >> In good stand. Okay, I'll accept. Yes, please continue. >> Thank you. So, very quickly um you know, we talked about the one variance here. Um as James pointed out, the accessory
structure uh is only the um generator. The other transformer and the EV charger do not meet that definition. So, there's no relief required there. We just showed those on there to make sure that understood that all the pieces have to fit together on a site like this. So, um
that's why it was shown on A1. Um but this is what I would call really a classic C1 type hardship case because of the location of the existing building, the location of the building to the property line and actually the orientation of the building. If you're familiar with Toyota Marstown, you enter
from the south. So you generally that's the front of the building and that's where the glass is and the showroom. All the utilities and the other ground mounted equipment are in the back where they should be. We chose this location here because it worked best. The gas comes in off the street. The gas meter
is right here. The electric utility panels are right here. And so this is really the the spot where you need to put the transformer. It makes the most sense and the less disturbance. So we looked at how we could orientate this to uh not cause the variance but
unfortunately in order to maintain the front yard requirement uh and have access around the structure and be able to you know buffer it and do the things that we want to do to make it look nice. It really needs to be in this location. So um I think it's a a hardship type
variance because of the building location. As you know, as far as the uh positive and negative criteria goes, we have to also prove that there's no substantial detriment to the zone plan, the zoning ordinance or the public good. And in this case, I think it's pretty straightforward. Um it's a very minor
variance and as uh one of the board members had said it's to the applicant's own piece of property and we went to the point of taking um an additional landscape measures with the green giant arborite and the ink berries and it's
really a two-level type of approach. So you get not only some buffering but a little bit of screening as well. And that in combination with the existing improvements, the fence that supports the retaining wall or is on top of the retaining wall. Uh I think that you're
going to be very uh comfortable that this is going to be screened very nicely and the the public good. Uh there'll be no substantial detriment. So I think unless you have questions, I would really conclude my testimony and um I think this is a wellthoughtout plan.
A couple questions. How tall is the generator itself? Uh, >> I think it's about five feet. >> Okay. How often will it be running? >> It only runs to exercise it and it's about I think once a month. >> Okay. So, it's just for testing and
you do it power outages, right? So, it's only it's only intended for emergency use. >> That's correct. >> And testing. Uh, what hours will when will it be tested? Yeah, they'll program it so it does it in the daytime hours, usually between 10 and two or three. >> Okay.
>> And at that time, obviously, got a lot of ambient noise from the road and everything else, >> right? >> Will the uh the charging station for uh so for public use or just for >> my question,
>> you know, motors? >> I think it is for public use. Is it John? >> No, the attempt is from our own vehicle. >> For your own vehicles. Sorry. >> Yeah, it's kind of behind that double row of parking, so it's not truly accessible, but Okay, you don't have chargers. No,
>> we have the two chargers. >> Okay. Okay. So, >> any other questions? >> Any questions from the public for this witness? >> Mr. Chairman, I apologize. I I may have missed something. The gentleman who just answered the questions, was that also
one of the gentlemen I swore in earlier? >> Yes. >> Oh, no. No. >> No. >> Oh, Mr. Brower. Right. >> We we we did have a third gentleman stand up to Oh, this is a little >> If I could just get your name and address, sir.
>> Yeah. Jonathan Brower. Um >> Jonathan. >> Yeah. Jonathan Brower. uh 36 Hamilton Road in Marstown and I'm the owner of Tor of Marstown. >> Okay. Thank you. And I just uh if you could just raise your right hand please.
>> Do you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you just gave and anymore if you give anymore is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes, I do. >> Thank you very much. We we got it. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, this afternoon I practiced my closing and I've got it down to 40 minutes. So, >> we have nothing else. >> So, uh um >> I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman. I think I heard no public questions, but just want to make sure there's no public comment.
>> Oh, that's right. Are there Yes. Is there any public comment on this application? Okay. Do you want to summarize where we are, Mr. Warner? What you've heard? >> Certainly, it's uh and bear with me. It's a mo I think we've been you well,
it can be considered a minor site plan, but we've been doing amended preliminary and final for the last several, but this is pretty pretty minor. I think we can consider this a minor site plan as Miss Laney has it. Uh together with the one variance, a uh accessory sideyard
structure variance for the generator of 4T versus 15 ft from the property line notwithstanding the facts that the uh uh uh applicant owns both lots. Uh and uh the conditions of approval are fairly
limited. Uh perhaps the generator, just confirmation that the generator will be tested during the daytime hours. Um if we can have 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but if that's too limiting, we could just keep it to not between 9 to 5, I offer
that to Mr. Wolson. >> That 9 to5 is fine. >> 9 to5 uh is okay. And otherwise, I frankly didn't hear any other conditions of approval, but I'm open to hearing them should any board members or
professionals correct me. >> Mr. Chair, >> yeah. >> Yeah, I thought I heard um testing will be done once a month. >> Well, yeah. Okay. Uh and and that that limitation is sufficient, Mr. Wilson, >> one time a month during those hours?
>> Yes, it is. >> Okay. 9 to5 one time per month. So >> you're probably going to have inspections done quarterly besides your need to run your generator on a monthly basis >> plus quarterly inspections. >> Okay.
>> Accept that >> inspections. Okay. We'll we'll we'll ensure to convey that to our compliance team uh that will be out there every day. Okay. Um if that's it then uh uh Mr. Chairman
it'd be a motion second roll call vote if it's to approve for that relief the minor site plan the one bulk variance with the conditions stated. >> Mr. Chairman if I may make a motion to approve the minor subdivision with the variance relief and um move this to a
vote. >> Is there a second? I'll second that. >> Any further discussion? Okay. Uh, could you call the role, sir? >> Sure. >> Mr. Alleso? >> Yes. >> Mr. Flowers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbits? >> Yes.
>> Mr. Benois? >> Yes. >> Mr. Quillin? >> Yes. >> Mr. B? >> Yes. >> Sun. >> Thank you very much. Happy New Year to you all. >> Yes. >> Thanks for not taking 40 minutes to close. >> Yeah, cuz then Steve would have had to take 40 20 minutes at least to
summarize. >> Just under 40 minutes. Okay. So, moving on to the second uh um application of the evening. We have PB10-20. No, wrong one. PB PB14-25. Wait for Brian to come back here. Matt,
introduce that. >> And Mr. Mr. Chairman, if uh if are we going to have that uh Mr. is Ryan going to identify that one first and then I'll >> Yes, >> I'll chime in with respect to the
process. Next up, we have calendar PB-14-25 Morris School District at block 901, lot 3 on 10 Jane Way in the OSGU zone. The applicant proposes the installation of a 179,641
square foot synthetic turf multi-use field. Mr. Warner. >> Certainly, Mr. Chairman, thank you. As the board knows from having done this at least a few times in the past, if not more, this is a capital project review.
Uh it is a public hearing. So, it takes uh the process is the same as with uh applications for development like the one we heard just moments ago uh with public questioning, public comment, etc. Um but it is a capital project review.
We our role is only recommendatory. Uh the uh it uh the school district is the applicant. Uh they are generally exempt from municipal zoning. uh and uh they are are actually subject to
regulation by the New Jersey State Department of Education with respect to location and and characteristics and and the like of their development applications including the installation of this field. So this is a capital
project review under section 31A of the municipal land use law. Uh and uh again, we'll hear it. Um but it is not an uh we don't have the authority to deny uh we only have the authority to uh to review
it in the context of the consistency with the master plan and to make any recommendations we deem appropriate uh along with that determination. So hopefully that uh gives you the flavor uh and refreshes everyone's recollection
as to how to handle a capital project review. And I'll turn it back over to you, Mr. Chairman, with the suspicion that you'll be turning it over to Mr. Newark at some point. >> Yeah, probably right now. >> Good evening, Mr. Chairman. Uh my name
is Martin Newark. I'm with the firm of Portal, Bramberg, and Newman representing the Mars School District this evening. Uh I concur in everything that Mr. Warner has said, I uh find it very interesting to be hearing him from on high, which is
very appropriate. >> Uh Steve, I'm missing you, but I'm hearing you very well. So, uh happy new year to you. >> Happy New Year. Thank you. >> As as indicated by by Mr. Warner, this is a capital uh project review. We sometimes refer to it as a courtesy
review, and we will try to be courteous in this presentation and and brief and to the point. Uh I have uh reviewed all of the uh committee reports and I don't know whether it's your practice to have the engineer mention his report or the
planner make comments with respect to the TCC report uh before we begin. But I leave that up to you Mr. Chairman and your professionals. >> No, they can bring that up. >> Okay. Well, we have I'm sorry. >> And actually >> during your presentation they can bring
up the point. >> Very good. We have we have as I said we have seen those reports and we appreciate the effort that went into them uh with respect to the uh environmental commission. uh we have exchanged reports with them and uh we appreciate their effort and they asked
us to when I say us the Mars school district to consider alternatives alternatives have been considered and uh the Mars school district has determined to go forward with the turf field and that's the application and the presentation that we're we're about to
make. I have two witnesses tonight. One is uh the project engineer Anthony Jen Ficaro who is the uh engineer and will take you through the plan. And I also have here tonight at the to to address an issue
raised by the TCC with respect to how and when and by whom the new field is going to be used. And we have uh uh excuse me uh Smitty Horton who is the athletic director of the uh Marstown High School and he will address that
issue and with with your permission Mr. Chairman I will be seated. >> Yes, please. >> And and Mr. Mr. Chairman, if I may, before I swear in the witnesses, I did neglect and I apologize to note that the applicant did provide notice
uh for for this capital project review. Uh the not the content of the notice was sufficient. It was timely served uh December 19th for certified mail and publication more than 10 days prior to this evening. So, the uh uh board of
course does have jurisdiction to hear this capital project review. And if our board professionals as well as the two named witnesses will all raise their right hand, I will swear them in. Do all of you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you, Mr. Warner. Mr. Jim Vicaro, uh, would you tell the board something about your credentials and experience in the field of civil engineering?
>> I am a licensed engineer in the state of New Jersey. I'm also a licensed architect in the state of New Jersey. Um, I've been practicing engineering for 38 years. I've testified in front of this board and >> I offer the gentleman is an expert in the field of civil engineering.
>> And your license is still in good standing? >> Yes, my license is in good standing. >> Okay. Yes, I'll I'll accept. Uh please Mr. Jar, did you prepare some exhibits to assist you in the presentation? >> Yes. >> Uh I want to clarify and I'm going to ask you to clarify. I know that uh some
of those exhibits were submitted to the board and were are going to be shown on the screen and I think maybe that you were able this evening to provide additional exhibits to the township planning board's IT uh person and that you may be able to use all of the
exhibits on the screen. Is that correct? >> Yes, that's the plan. >> Okay. So, that's what that's what we're going to try to do. >> Right. >> Okay. >> So, feel feel free to uh refer to those exhibits uh when it is helpful to do so. Uh what is the first exhibit? I think we
have pre-marked these exhibits. >> Yes. A what is A1? >> So, the first one if we could bring up is the aerial. Uh that's one of the ones that we uh sent over uh this evening.
I think it says Ariel on it. >> Uh, >> that's not it. >> That's not it. All right. Um, >> yeah, that's a portion of it. Okay. Can we try? Let's try Let's try it again. And if not, we do have the oldfashioned board.
>> Yeah. For this one, let's use >> let's use the my the board. >> Okay. So, >> all right. I apologize for that. >> Back to back to what I grew up doing. >> So, the first one,
uh, we'll call it A1 for right now. Um, it's just a it's an aerial uh from Google Earth showing the existing condition of the property. And if you look at the top of the sheet, you'll see
Handover Avenue and then Jane Way comes perpendicular to that heading south down the page. And as you pass the Mars Township Public Works uh recycling center, which would be on your left as
you're driving south, you would then enter onto the Freeline Heisen Middle School property. And as you were to drive onto the property, there is a uh a roadway in front that loops around.
There's parking in front inside that circular loop. And right behind that is the Freeland Heisen Middle School. There's some tennis courts on the property. There's fields along the westerly side and there's fields behind
the the school. Also, >> Mr. Jennifer Car, would you be more specific with respect to the fields? I think there's a softball field and a baseball field. Would you point those? >> There's some softball fields uh on the property behind the school. There's a baseball field also uh to the west of
the school and there's also a field if you were to come back and enter the property there's a large field to the east of the uh Janeway uh roadway. >> Can you point out Can you point out on
that exhibit where the new turf field is proposed to be installed? So, the new turf field is proposed in the large field to the east side of Jane Way uh that you see on on on the the the aerial
view here. Uh so, if we could now go to um the site plan drawings, specifically SP2.1, if you could call that up. you back off
so I can Thank you. Just we seem to be having some technical difficulties here. And again, we can go back to the the boards which we do have. >> Uh if we could pull up the site plans this the site plans there were a number
of page I think there were 11 sheets something like that and SP 2.1 I think is like the third sheet in I think >> it's the second sheet in I could be wrong. >> Okay.
Well, let's go. Let's go. Is >> someone working on getting that up onto the screen? >> Anthony, why don't you go back? >> Let's go to the four. >> Oh, there we go. >> No, that's that's not it. Okay. All right, Anthony. What is uh what is
exhibit 2.1? >> Uh you know something? rather have you stand here. Let's quick set up. >> All right. 2.1 is one of the sheets that you have in the set. Um, and what 2.1 is the
construction plan for the new field. And again, you'll see as we described before, you come onto the property from Jane Way. There's some parking uh out in front. Uh this is the part of the circle uh going up to the school uh to the
south of the circle. But again, as soon as you come on to Jane Way on the east side, we're proposing 179,000 square ft of turf material. Uh the turf is an is a uh a synthetic
material that looks like blades of grass. Uh underneath that turf, we're going to have 12 in of stone and the stone will uh when the turf when it rains, the rain will percolate through
the turf and it'll go into the stone. There'll be a series of under drains underneath that that will slowly drain the field to an outflow structure. And this is all in the uh drainage study that we submitted. And the 2-year storm
will leave the site at 50% of what the 2-year storm uh leaves the site today. The 10-year storm will leave at 75% and the 100red-year storm will leave at 80% of what's leaving the site today in a grass
state, not as a as a turf state. Okay. The turf on the turf you'll have on the west side there'll be a regulation baseball field with your standard 90 foot bases. On the east side there's going to be a softball field.
uh your standard softball field. I think we have about 300 foot down the uh right field line at baseball. I think we're 200 or 225 down the uh right field line of the softball. The entire project will
be fenced in so animals, you know, kids can't just drive bicycles onto it. Um there'll be a 4ft fence in the outfield of the baseball. I think we're calling for an 8-ft fence. There'll be back stops on both the baseball and the softball.
There will be dugouts and I'll show you a picture of that as one of the exhibits. There'll be dugouts uh for both the home and visiting uh on the baseball and there'll be dugouts on the home and visitors for the softball.
There will also be uh some portable bleachers for both the baseball and the softball. There'll be a a uh a bullpen for both the baseball and the softball. And on the baseball side only, we'll have an area that they could use a
pitching machine um or take batting practice. There'll be a uh batting practice and that'll be on that side. >> Can you explain to the board? I see uh I see home run fences. That's what I'll call them. >> Can you explain how they'll work?
>> Sure. We are proposing portable fences for uh a home run for the baseball and a home run for the softball. And >> why are they portable? Why Why are they temporary or portable? >> They're portable so that they can be set up during the spring season to play
baseball and they could be removed after spring season. So that and we'll show you on the site plan if if we could get it shown with the colored rendering. You'll see that we're going to propose soccer
uh and uh possibly field hockey in the two outfields that'll span the outfield. So it's not just a baseball and softball field. It's a multi-use field. you know, they could play softball, they could
play um baseball, soccer, field hockey, and we're going to put what they call tick marks so that if the future they ever want to play lacrosse, they could do that in the future. Right now, we're not proposing that because baseball and
lacrosse play at the same time. They play in the same season. They're both spring sports. So, uh but that is something that could always be done at a later time. Um, >> now you said that you did have an exhibit that uh but you don't have a board for it, but hopefully perhaps
maybe it can come up on the screen uh that would show that more graphically. >> Yeah. Uh, can we try to bring up SP 42, please? >> And if we can't, it's quite frankly not that important.
I think it was in the set of documents that were on the website. >> It is. >> It is. It is. >> I have it up. Well, let let's move forward and uh not get bogged down, >> right, >> on on that particular exhibit, which as
I said, I don't think is is that that important. Uh you mentioned in your testimony uh dugouts and you mentioned you mentioned a dugout. Do you have an exhibit uh that would show the board what the dugouts would consist of?
That was also sent, but we'll go with this one. >> Yeah. So, we'll have two dugouts uh on the base. >> We'll mark that one A3 if we may. >> Sure. >> So, >> that has been marked as A3. Is that correct?
>> Well, I have it on here as A3. I'll have to >> That's That's okay. You don't have to mark it right now. We don't want to interrupt the flow. You can do it later. >> We'll leave these with you. So, um I don't know where I'm looking at, but whatever. Um
we'll have two dugouts on the home and away for baseball and home and away for softball. On one of them, one of the baseball ones and one of the softball, there'll also be a little area for storage. Uh it's really for the pylons,
the the flags for soccer, um uh you know, some of the uh uh the bases if they want to take the bases off off season out of the baseball. So, it just be a little storage area, but it's a modular dugout. Uh it comes in one
piece, comes on the back of a flatbed. they drop it in place and uh we could pick a full choice of colors. Obviously, we haven't done that at this point. It'll probably more than likely be the Marstown. >> Now, the TCC specifically asked for uh
us to produce at this hearing a picture of what the scoreboards will look like. Do you have an exhibit that would help us with that? >> Yeah. >> And I believe that exhibit was marked A3. So, there'll be two scoreboards on
>> Bear with me. We're going to We'll call it A4. It's uh since we're going in that order. Thank you. Go ahead. >> Okay, Steve. That's fine. >> So, there'll be two scoreboards. Um one for baseball, one for softball. Uh
they'll be 5 foot by 14t. Um the they'll have obviously lights to show the score, the innings, balls and strikes, outs uh and uh the time also for uh you know
when they're playing soccer. One will be used for Okay, there's the scoreboard up up there, but Okay, can you go to the first page of that? Right. Yeah, exactly. There it is. Right there. Keep going up.
Oh, the Keep going up. Yeah, right there. There you go. Stop. >> There you go. Right there. So, it's a traditional scoreboard. Uh it's nothing, you know, overwhelming. Uh it'll be 10 foot off the ground. >> Why Why will it be 10t off the ground?
>> Because we don't want to uh make it easy for kids to jump up and hit it. So we only bring it we only put it that high just so it's out of the way you know and it's not a nuisance for kids if it's >> it's experience has shown that kids are
>> inclined still hit it with anything they could hit it with. So uh we we just that's the only reason that we put it 10 feet off the ground. >> Now going back to I think it's 2.1. Can you >> show the board where those scoreboards are proposed to be located? Yeah, one
will be out in the if you could call up the drawings too on the on the on the the video that might help too. Um the one scoreboard for baseball will be down the left field line about midfield
of or you know probably right around where the outfield fence is. So it could be used for both baseball and it could be used for soccer and field hockey and or lacrosse. And then the softball one will be down the right field line all
the way at the end of the field. >> Would you would you Mr. Jin Ficaro with my pen if it works mark where those are going to approximately where they're going to be? >> And and you're marking that on which exhibit is that?
>> Which exhibit is that Anthony? That's the second one. It's 2.1. >> It's sheet 2.1. And that was previously marked as exhibit A2. Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank Thank you, Anthony. >> All right. I think >> so there'll be two scoreboards on uh on the field again. This one near the softball will be for softball. The one for baseball will be used for multisports. >> Now, Mr. James Picaro, thank you very
much. Uh the committee the uh the TCC specifically in their report asked for an explanation of the benefits of the turf field. Can you very briefly explain your understanding of why that was elect why why that was chosen? >> Sure. when um
and this goes for you know all over the state not just Marchtown um when you have a grass field uh and the season starts on March I think the first week of March I think it's like March 4th or
March yeah March 6th um most of the time it's difficult to get out on a field because it's it's too wet Okay. So, the advantage of uh playing on
turf is that number one, at the beginning of the season, as long as there's not snow on the ground, you could be sure that you can go out on on and play on a turf field. The other thing is during the season if we get a torrential rain, I mean, you know, I'm
sure most people are aware that, you know, there's, you know, phone calls are made, you know, earlier in the day, hey, we got to cancel the game because, you know, we have a river running down first baseline or, you know, there's a pond at
home plate. You know, they throw stay dry out there and try to get the field ready for a game. Um, and a lot of times games get cancelled because uh the field's too wet. You never have to worry about on that on a turf field. As soon
as it stops raining, you could be out there playing immediately after. Um, you know, baseball's not played in the rain as we all know, but you know, soccer games and so on can be played in the rain and you don't have to worry about
mud or cancelling a game due to uh the weather. >> So, that's the biggest advantage. >> Mr. Jim Vicaro, you're familiar with the fact that the Marstown High School has used a turf field for the past 16 years? >> Yes, there's a turf field behind the high school. Did the uh experience that
the Mars school district had with that field play into the decision to go with turf? >> Absolutely. It's they've been successful with it. >> Thank you. I don't think I don't think I have anything further for you. So, >> okay. I have no further questions for
this witness. I >> I have a question. One of your exhibits shows a silk. Uh, I'm assuming that it also could collect >> um I I I apologize, but can the board members please speak into their microphones? At least I could not hear
that question. >> One of the exhibits that you have, I think it's page nine, has a what looks like a silt infiltrate uh silt um filtering system that probably picks up some type of particullet. I noticed that
in one of the reports. Is that on the soil erosion plan? >> Uh, it's the site plan 5.2 and it's page nine. >> This is a soil erosion plan. This is >> the plan. >> This is for soil erosion during construction.
>> Okay. >> Soil erosion and sediment control plan. >> Mr. notes and details. That is correct. I I don't see that it says that it's just for construction, but that's I accept that. So this this is not a permanent device that would stay there to filter the water that leaves through
the outflow structure. >> No, that's correct. >> Is something like that possible that you can add to prevent the idea of particullet from the turf field getting into the stream system? >> That be collected? >> I mean, there's going to be a great on top of we have a trench drain at the at
the end of the the field on the north side. The north side of the field will have a trench drain. The majority of the water from this field is going to percolate through the field. It's not going to make it into the trench drain. We always put a trench drain in when we
design because we like to be ultraconervative. Okay? There could be some runoff off the field. So, we put a trench drain on the south side. Um, we've done fields that we had no drain. Everything goes through. uh but in in
this situation uh we like to do it as you know a precaution. Will there be some particullet? Absolutely. I'm not going to stand here and say there won't be any at all. Um but it's it's it's
like when you go to a track and there's a turf field on the inside of a track. There's a trench drain around and if you look down Yeah. There may be some, you know, some of the rubber, the uh the crumb rubber in there, but it's not like it's filled
up halfway or it's not like it's even an inch thick. Yes, some will get in there. If I put something so fine that's going to try to collect that, I'm not I mean, we could we could look into doing something like that, but it's generally
not done because there's not that much of it that will ever make it into the trench drain. Again, because there's not a tremendous amount of runoff off of these fields, it's very, very little. The majority of it, the rain comes and it goes through the field. It's a
perforated carpet. we have that and that's the purpose of having so much stone below these fields. There's going to be 12 inches of stone below that field and that's what's going to hold the storm water back. >> Thank you. >> And just to close on that thought, so
it's a a maintenance, >> yes, >> continued maintenance of your stormwater structures and and in doing so and doing that per your plan, then those particulates don't make it out the the ultimate outfall from the facility. Yeah, we have some someone's got to go
in at least four times a year to manage that. We showed we we provided a maintenance plan and someone has to go and clean that out at least four times a year >> and that hasn't been submitted with this application. >> Yes, that's part of the drainage study that's in the back of that packet like
300 pages. >> Any other questions? >> Yeah. Um, I have a couple of quick questions and I'm going to get back to the turf question particulars in a second, but my first question is, is the funding in place >> for this capital project? >> Yes.
>> Okay. And in terms of the um the grid or the the type of turf that's going to be used, is is that the bestin-class currently in terms of what other school districts are using? >> Yeah, it's simple similar to what we've
used in the past. Uh in this case, we've specified a turf that's manufactured by a company called Field Turf. >> Okay. >> Um they're all over the state. Uh they're at Ruters. They're in MetLife Stadium. It's it's it's something that
is uh >> But is it current best-in-class? I think Mr. Newark mentioned >> the high school's turf is in place 16 years, but my guess is that the technology is improved. >> That's correct. No, this this is >> this is the >> this is the new and improved >> improved version. Okay. And in terms of
the um the structures that are going to go on the site, you pointed out the um the dugout and some other things. I didn't see any bleachers or or here you mentioned bleachers. Will there be bleachers there? >> Yeah, there's two areas. Uh who's ever controlling this? Can you slide back
down to uh SP 2.1? Or perhaps you could just put it up the put up the the sheet. >> No, he's going to do it. >> Oh, here we go. >> Now we're getting there. >> Uh, >> down one. Down one. >> Down one.
>> Next one. Down. >> Okay. All right. If you look on the right field line, okay, at the baseball, there's two like little rectangles. Okay. Those are going to be concrete pads where we could put two portable bleachers. portable meaning it's the one
that's only like five rows that's maybe 18 to 19 foot long. Okay. And those bleachers will be uh on the right field line for baseball and you'll see on the opposite
side of the field they they'll be there for softball. So they we do have a place where spectators can set. >> Okay. And my final question is um so the uh the baseball field and the softball field are going to be relocated to this
area. What's going to become of the existing baseball and softball fields that I saw? >> They're going to remain. >> They're going to remain. Okay. >> That's all I have. >> Yeah. Mr. Just real quickly, is this for the
exclusive and sole use of the Mars School District or will this field be available? >> Excuse me, Mr. Rabbits. The next witness is going to address that very question. >> Okay, then I'll wait. >> Yes, >> I have a question about drainage.
Another question about drainage. You mentioned some statistics related to storms of certain frequencies, a two-year storm, a 10-year storm, and so forth with percentages, and I didn't quite follow. Could you just repeat that and give a little more explanation? >> Sure. What the when the D
um uh has the uh the storm water management uh uh criteria, we look at three major three storms. We look at a two-year storm, which is a 2% that's, you know, uh, interval. We look
at a 10-year storm, and we look at a 100redyear storm. And if you go through the drainage study, you'll see that not only do we use a current 2-year, 10year, and 100redyear storm. The DP now in 2023
brought up new regulations that we have to design for a future 2-year, 10year, and 100red-year storm. So even though the 100red-year storm may be about 8 in of rain, we designed this project to over 12 in of rain. Okay. Now, when it
rains on this grass area on the 175 779,000 square ft, some of it's going to go into the ground and some of it's going to run off. Okay, we take all that into consideration in the drainage study. We then say, okay, how much is
running off today on the two-year storm? So the D says it's a it's a certain rate of runoff. You're only allowed to allow with this new this new field, you're only allowed to let 50% of that go off the site. That's that rate
>> in a two-year storm. >> In a two-year storm, it's only 50%. So that's why we put stone underneath the field and we fill up underneath the field and then we let it out at a slower slower rate that's going out today. the
10-year storm, we have to hold we're only allowed to let out uh 75%. So, we have to hold 25% of that back. And the 100redyear storm, we have to hold 20% back. We're only allowed to discharge
80% of the existing storm. And that's all laid out in that uh manual that we submitted or that drainage study that we submitted. >> So, you're saying you comply with the regulations? Yes. Okay. But you're not asserting that you do anything beyond
what's in the regulations. Is that true? >> Well, we're doing what the regulations call for. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm just trying to understand. So, getting back to a two-year storm, uh, the way the two-year storm is described, 50% of the water would run
off and 50% would seep through. >> No, it's all going to go into the ground. >> Okay. It runs off at a certain rate. Okay, it's a certain CFS, cubic feet per second. I could give you the number if you want, but it runs off at a certain
rate. That rate that's running off today, we have to slow it down. The D says, "We're not going to let you flood somebody downstream." Okay? What's running off your property today, you can't let any more than that rate run off. So, you let it run off at a slow
rate. So instead of running off all at once, it runs off over the next 24 to 72 hours. It goes out slowly, >> but much of the water does not run off. Much of the water percolates, right? That was your >> Some of it will. Well, no. We're the way we designed it, none of it will
percolate. It's all going to percolate through the field into the stone and then it runs off and the stone is going to hold the storm back and then ultimately it'll all run out. >> It it never goes below the stone. It goes into the substrate. We are not
designing it as some may go in. We did field testing here. There's the the we got K0 soils which showed very poor percolation. So when we did our study, we assumed nothing would be percolating
into the ground below the stone. We assumed that as a conservative approach. We're assuming everything's going to leave, but it's going to leave at a rate slower than what it's leaving the the property today. >> Okay, I understand. >> Just to add to that, so the system is
designed to promote infiltration and to the extent that the underlying soils will allow for infiltration, they will infiltrate equal to the way that the existing field does. >> But the testing that they've done shows what they call K0 soils. Those soils are
a uh we would classify them as a D soil that's the least amount of paracity and so with that the existing benchmark is a very small amount that is to infiltrate they are meeting that requirement of
infiltrating the same amount through their analysis. So they are complying with groundwater recharge and then they are as they said slowing down all the storms to meet the major development standard. >> Okay. Um, and just a point of clarity for the board, major development storm
water, right? We're here under capital project review, as some call it a cursory review, we call it capital project review, right? Um, there are certain exemptions from zoning and other things for different public entities.
One of those is not storm water management. Stormwater Management is my jurisdiction in the other room as the township engineer. It's an obligation of me to review this and certify it under the MS4 permit. Um any type of
improvement if done by our municipality has to meet the same done by DOT, transit, etc. has to meet the same and they are fully providing that compliance. >> And and you're satisfied that the plan they presented satisfies all those?
>> I am. There are some technical nuances for the finalization of the report in the asbuilt to get to the storm water maintenance manual. >> Okay. >> And that is typical of any major development we see as a planning board. Um but it does still ultimately end with
a manual on file on deed for obligations to maintain this facility. >> Mr. Jen Vicari, you you understand what the engineer just said and you understand that you're going to at the end of the day you're going to have to satisfy him. >> Yes. Absolutely. Mr. Chairman, I still need some
clarification because you say that the runoff will be slower. Is that the runoff from the surface or is it a runoff from the so from the stones in between or is a runoff going through the pipes to the to the storm water system? How does it become
>> runoff from this property leaving the property >> on the surface? >> On the on the surface, but They they essentially assumed what it's outside. >> So So it starts to rain on this property.
Okay. That there's there's a certain formula as your your engineer also cited there's a certain formula about you take you you do soil testing which we did and there's certain amount is going to go into the into the ground and a certain
amount's going to leave and run off. Okay. So with that, you determine what the runoff rate is. Some's going to go in, but in in this case, it's a D soil, so very little of it going to go into the ground.
>> So right now, it all runs down the driveway. >> It all runs down across the property. Okay. Everything's sloping. We're sloping the way we're keeping the slope pretty much the way it is, which is to the north and also to the west a little bit. Everything's going towards your
municipal property, >> right? >> So, the water runs off and it runs off at a certain rate and it's based on numbers, calculations, what they call a a coefficient number. I'm getting a little into the weeds here, okay? But
there's there's there's a coefficient and it's based on the soil tape type and it's based on the fact that it's grass. So the D says, okay, based on the fact that it's grass and it's this soil tape type, this is what's going to run off.
So that's a number. That's the starting point. Now, we're going to put a turf field in that the water's going to go straight into the ground right away, just like that. If we didn't have any storage underneath, it would go rushing
down downstream. So instead, what we do is we say, "All right, we're going to collect it. We're going to put it in a series of underground pipes, and it's going to start to fill up. And as it starts to fill up, we're going to have what they call an outflow structure at
the end. And that outflow structure, based on the size of the weir, the size of the or orifice we have, well, in this case, it's it's a weir, the water's going to flow out of that at a certain rate. and we calculate that
and that rate I'm telling you today is going to be slower than what's going off the site right now today. >> I understand that. So you're creating a new sort of point source effluent
by the subsurface filling up and discharging into one particular area to flow out. >> Right? >> Okay. So the depth of the soil being the depth of the stone being 12 inches is needed in order to to allow the
collection of soil to go off slower. >> Exactly. >> So it's essentially a fieldsiz detention basis. >> Yeah. It's it's it's basically an underground detention >> covered base. Yeah. Okay. >> Exactly. That's exactly. >> All right. Thank you. Now that makes
sense to me. the but I do want to get to because you know there was there was a well done report by our environmental commission and then there was the report done by the applicant and then there was another and I think we deserve to to we all need to to make that discussion and
and I'm concerned of course about the PFAS going into the soil and all of that. So, are you prepared to talk about some of that stuff? Cuz I think that >> No, I'm not. That's >> Well, let me let me let me just address that. This, you know, as as Steve mentioned at the outset and I mentioned,
>> uh this is a uh 31 courtesy review. We're not asking for your approval. We're not asking for variances. This is not a site plan application. It's designed to present to the board and the public what is being proposed. We are not prepared to nor do we think we are
obliged to uh get involved in the debate about between whether grass is preferable to turf or turf is preferable to grass or there's anything problematic about turf. We are not prepared to do that and we don't think that that is necessary or appropriate for this kind
of a an application. if this was an application for site plan altogether different rules and all altogether different presentation but we are not here to debate that uh I think you have seen I think we submitted uh a tell me the name of the study there's a name
there's a name for it I keep forgetting what it is it's an environmental impact research guide that I think was distributed to everyone we also saw what was distributed to everyone was the environmental commission report and they
disagree which is not unusual. Uh and the question that was posed by the environmental commission was has the school district considered alternatives and the answer is that they have and they've come down on the side of turf
and to answer your question respectfully and and not meaning to be presumptuous. We are not prepared to nor do we think we are obliged to get involved in the discussion of every forever chemicals and and and all of that.
But it's true that you we can make recommendations. >> That's correct. You can make you can make the recommendation and you can do it based upon your environmental commission's report. If you accept that uh you may make that recommendation and that's your that's within your jurisdiction. >> Okay. Thank you.
I want to be clear for for the members of the audience who are here who may have comments and concerns that that that this be openly discussed so that we all understand what it is that you just said
and and the conditions for for um you know what what it is that we're doing and what we're approving or what we're agreeing to. and and your your question was appropriate and I I hope I'd like to think my answer was as well and for the
benefit of the public the commissioner of education has the final word on this. So it's it's not like whatever we say has to go. This is going to have to be approved by the commissioner of of education down at Trenton. >> Right. I say and thank you for that. Um
maybe do you know or can you speak to the preponderance or the the the amount of school systems in the state that are converting to to artificial turfs and
basically the position of the New Jersey Department of Education on those transitions. Do I know it or am I prepared to present it? >> Either way I I I answer the answer is This is what I there is someone in the room who could address it. I really
don't think we should get into it. I don't think it's helpful. Um as I say, you have the your environmental commission's report. You have the environmental impact research guide. I could represent to you. This is my understanding that the the this
particular kind of field uh in the last few years there are many many in the in in Mars County. You want to give me a number? in Mars County alone probably over 100 >> over 100 in Mars County.
>> I understand that. What I'm what I'm saying is that I don't want I want to be respectful to the people in the audience who came here for a reason and probably want to have some understanding of what our role is versus what it is that
you're proposing. And I wouldn't want to to have the board here make an assertion that we have no problem with this in relation to our master plan with them leaving thinking that we like the idea of
>> Mr. I understand you. You're absolutely correct and and I think that the the public should know from you your professionals your commission. I don't know whether the public has had the opportunity to review the extensive
15page environmental commission report which is opposed to this plan. Uh it's very emphatic and and we respect it. We disagree with it but we respect it and uh as I suggested the nature of this proceeding which is somewhat perhaps
unusual to the members of the public. We are not asking for your approval, nor respectfully do we need your approval. And however you act on this, and essentially I I think what you're going to do, and Steve can can correct me if I'm wrong, at some point you're going to
presumably adopt a resolution or prepare some kind of a communication to the Department of Education with your views on this. Uh so those views can be made known to the uh Department of Education that will have the final say on this. So whatever you do, the board is not
respectfully to the to the to the audience. It's not within the purview or jurisdiction of this board tonight to decide that turf fields are better than grass or grass is better than than turf. It's simply not something that is appropriate for them to decide. they can
consider it, discuss it, and have an opinion on it, and they can express the opinion, but it really is not something that needs to be uh debated because we could probably get involved in a debate that would go on for hours, >> if not longer. >> And I hope that I hope that answers your
question. >> That's what we need to hear. >> Back to the environmental commission report, different aspect of it. There was some uh lack of clarity I thought on the tree removal plan and how many trees would be removed or if they would be uh
you didn't think so but it is >> yeah on the north side of the field uh up against the property where uh the uh public works is uh the surveyor didn't pick out every tree. So the what what
appears to be a tree line um is um you is is under brush. Some trees we're going to take down as little as we have to. We we hope that we're not going to take down any. We may
have to take down a few just because we're going to have to do some regrading in that area, but and we can't push dirt up against the tree or else we're going to kill the tree. But on that side, u uh you know, it's going to be minimal. And again, we hope that it's not going to be
uh much at all. >> Uh against the there's another tree line uh over by the softball field. >> That's what I'm more concerned with. That's the one screen. >> Well, that's what I kind of figured. Uh >> we're not going to take down any of
those trees. There's tall trees there. We in even though they're on our property, uh we don't have any intention of and if you look at our grading plan, we're not even regrading. Okay? There's some fencing. There's a shed I think over on our property. Uh we're not going
to touch any of that. Okay. Okay. We want to leave that undisturbed. >> Uh you know, right behind the trees, obviously, we're going to, you know, be doing some earth moving. We're going to have a dug out there, but we're not going to touch we we don't plan on touching any of that.
>> So, the trees on the trees and shrubs on the east and south sides in that corner will not be touched. >> We we intend on leaving all of that. >> Thank you. >> We don't want to touch any of that. >> Any other questions? Anything from our board members professionals?
Uh do the does the public have any questions of this witness? Please uh you step up and identify yourself, name and address. And these are questions, questions to this witness and his testimony. There will be time for comments later, but these are questions.
>> Yes. Okay. >> Turn the mic around, I guess. >> Thank you, Barbie. >> Anthony, >> you guys can hear so I can see your >> I'm sorry. Can we have your name and address, please?
>> Sure. Uh I bargu 11 Mark Twain Drive. I'm >> Are you speaking to the microphone? >> I bargu 11 Mark Twain Drive in Mars Township. I'm here as a citizen and not part of the environmental group even though I am part of the environmental group. Couple things you said that it is
not a discussion in regards to um you know the ordinance of putting turf grass versus turf. One of the key things I want to make sure is addressed. Are you familiar with bill in the Senate at the moment in the state of New Jersey? Bill S3783. I think that's something that has to be
reviewed. This is a new bill that's going in that says prohibits municipal >> I'm sorry to interrupt, ma'am. Ma'am, my apologies. As a board attorney, I'm constrained to just remind the chair uh that uh I believe we're at the question point, Mr. Chairman, uh and not the
public comment, which will be forthcoming. But if you have a question for the witness based upon his engineering testimony, uh this is the time to ask those questions. >> Okay. So then I'll go back in in regards to public, but let's talk about the
trenches in the environmental report that was put forth today. The in regards to the microplastics are about 5 mm. What are you putting together? because I didn't think it was sufficient what was explained how that's going to be captured that it doesn't run off into
the tributaries which are not that far off and it's 5mm in regards to the microplastics how is that going to be captured um with the plans that you put together today and that was part of the addendum that
was submitted today with all the discussion >> if you're asking about the crumb rubber and that's it's if anything runs off it's gonna it's going to be in the trench drain and it'll be maintained and
cleaned out uh again several times a year >> but it's 5 mms >> how is that going to be captured >> again it's not going to be it's I it's going to it's going to be captured
by being in the trench drain >> what's the size of the trench drain and what goes through it. How are you capturing the five MM of the crumb? That is a very valid discussion. >> Ma'am, ma'am, you asked the question. Ma'am, please let let him answer the question. Thank you.
>> Yeah. Um, >> apologies. >> The only thing I could say is between the trench drain and the outflow structure. Um, you know, we believe that anything will settle in that area and very little, if anything, will go off
site. Other than that, we're not having I'm not going to stand here and say that we have a filtration system or anything like that because it doesn't we're not doing anything like that. >> Okay. So, this is just to re-emphasize this is based on a belief and not based on data. Correct.
>> It's based on every turf field that I've designed in this state so far in many high schools throughout the state and we we have not had a problem with that. So, yes, that that's what I'll say. It's based on my experience. I'll leave the rest of my questions to commentary then. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Hi, I'm Brian Goss. Um, I live at 63 Frederick Place, but I'm representing the estate of Joseph Ward, which is 15 Elder, which backs up to the property. Um, what effect will this have on the
water table? Um, the houses on Elder have some pumps going continuously when it rains and you said you're going to capture the runoff and it's you're going to leave the property tilted toward the township um road
department. >> But, you know, a field turf, if it's a soccer field, it's going to have a crown to it. >> There's no crown on this field. >> So, you're going to have it tilted toward >> Yes. Yes. It's the entire field. If you look at our Well, it's not up here
anymore. If you look at our uh grading plant, everything's tilted towards the um public works recycle center. The entire field is sloped that way. >> Okay. And then with you know going down
the 12 in of gravel and whatnot, moving all that soil, is there any impact on the water table for the surrounding area? >> No. When we did soil, we did soil testing, uh, we found the water table was down several feet because we have to maintain at least two feet from the
bottom of our bed. And I it's in my I could tell you what it is. I could pull a report and tell you what it is, but uh, we don't think it's going to impact. And one of the reasons being the soil is so, uh, slow to percolate. It's a KZ
every single I think we I have the numbers here for you. That's right. I thought I could share those numbers with you, but we we punched like 12 holes out there and every one of them came out with a K0 soil. So, the soil is not very permeable.
>> Okay. >> So, I think it's going to mostly run off. >> Great. And I think the point that the residents would like would, you know, they'd rather see it overengineered than underengineered, >> you know, just for impact on them. And then just to be a good neighbor, uh, you
know, can there be a buffer added to that tree line for the residents that back up to it? >> Well, those trees are pretty big. I mean, you >> Well, if they end after the second property, the third and fourth have nothing, which are, you know, one's directly behind home plate on a softball field.
>> Oh, you're saying the first two have all the trees you're saying back on, >> right? I mean, I could certainly talk to the school about it, >> and I know that the next witness will uh say who's going to use it, but if you've got a baseball game and a softball game
going on simultaneously, how are the people the fans going to get from I'm assum assuming all the parking is going to be at at Freeling Heisen. How are they going to get to the softball field >> while a baseball game is going on? >> Well, right now there's an asphalt path
that goes from the school out to the culde-sac. They could and there'll be enough room to go around the field, okay, and go between the tree line and the field. Or they could go around the baseball field and walk along that edge of the field to get I mean either way
they'll be able to go either direction. >> So there's going to be access from outside the fence to the softball field. >> Yeah. There's going to be there's going to be Well, there's going to be gates in for the to the athlete to get onto the field, >> right?
>> But do you mean spectators? >> Spectators andor athletes. Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, there's gates in the there going to be fence. The whole thing's going to be fenced. There'll be gates for >> my question the the point of my question is if there's access gates along Elder
then people are going to park on Elder >> to and walk through lawns to get to the to the softball field. >> You know, that might be a question for the next witness as to who and when is going to use the facility. But as they've seen with um youth soccer that
was a few years ago, you know, both sides of Elder were were parked. It was a parking lot. I'm surprised an emergency vehicle could actually get up the road and make the turnaround. In fact, I'm sure a fire truck couldn't. So, is there going to be, you know,
parking issues addressed along with this? That would be a township question. Um, >> I mean, we obviously anticipate everyone parking on free on the school property, but and Santa just came too.
>> Mr. Mr. Carol, can you tell me how many parking spaces there are on site? >> There's 140 parking spaces. >> Yeah. >> Doesn't matter. >> And then my final question is again, who's who's going to use it and
when, but restrooms, portagons, or they're going to be, you know, the nearest restroom is up at the school, right? >> We're talking about bringing a uh a restroom trailer onto the property for people to use during games.
>> And where would that be located? >> It'll be it'll be located on the Freeland Heisen side somewhere in the area of where the parking is right now. >> Okay, great. Thanks. Thank you. Any other questions for this witness?
>> Yeah, I have I I have to really >> Have you really thought about Sorry, ma'am. Can you Can you please give us your name and address for the record, please? >> Mary McCriedi. I live at 11 Elder Drive. >> 11 Elder Drive. Okay. Please ask your
questions of the witness based on his testimony. >> Okay. So, one I I need to know you said the structures are going to there's going to be dugouts, right? >> There's going to be dugouts. Correct. >> All right. So,
this is basically what you Mr. Newark said that is basically a courtesy hearing right now. So, we don't really have a say in what happened. >> Ma'am, what's your question regarding the dugouts of the engineer? I I have a
question because I'm concerned about the parking and have you thought about what where these people are going to park when they are going to be going up there? There's 140, but we know
from past experience that there's not going to be they're going to be parking on Elder Drive. So, what are you going to do about the parking on Elder Drive? I I think that's a question for the township.
>> Yeah, I I can't I I can't stop people from parking. So, I I agree with the attorney. It's a question for the township. >> It's it's I I'm on the township committee and that is a great question to ask in a public commentary. We have a meeting coming up um the third Wednesday
of the month. I think it's the 27th. I would I would urge you to ask that question because the township committee should address it. Any other questions for this witness? Nope. Okay. >> Hi. Oh, where you going?
>> Go ahead. >> Hi, I'm Gizla Harpel. I live at 19 Elder Drive. Um, what material is the turf made of?
>> It's made of a synthetic um uh it's a form of polyh polyethylene or plastic. >> Is it polyester? Is it nylon? >> Polyethylene. It's polyethylene.
>> Right. Okay. Um, does it stay in place? >> Yes. >> Or when kids or adults play on it, do little pieces come off?
>> The turf itself stays in place, >> but >> the grass fibers stay in place, >> but the things break off. >> Not really. No, the the grass fibers stay in place. They're woven into the backing of the
material. It's like a, for lack of a better term, it's like a carpet. Okay? It's the old days of a shag rug. Okay? Uh it's woven into the back. So, no, the fibers stay in place and then the infill is a mixture of sand and rubber. That's
what goes in between the fibers and that's what keeps the fibers from standing up. >> And what happens to the sand and the rubber? >> It stays in place. It stays right there. >> Really? >> Yes. >> The sand too.
>> Yes. F the first thing that goes down when they put they they put the what we call the carpet. They put the carpet down. After the carpet goes down, a layer of sand goes down first. Okay. That acts as a ballast to hold it from not picking up. Then there's a mixture
of sand and rubber above that. And then it's topped with a small layer of just rubber. But that's what's inside that infill. So it stays where it stays in place >> maybe. >> Okay. >> But we don't know that 100%.
>> Okay. >> In which case what happens next if something comes loose or be can move. Did it get will it get drained into the drains that you're building?
>> No, that's what one of the questions was before. Like I said, there may be some crumb rubber that gets into the trench drain on, you know, if if it we get a heavy heavy heavy rain, maybe there'll be a few. Again, I I've seen it on
tracks that that we design all the time and somebody goes in and and opens it up and cleans it out. But but but I mean that's the way it is. >> The trench drains are essentially holders of water. Is
that right? >> No, the trench drain is at the bottom. In other words, everything's sloping from south to north. Okay. The entire field is one grade going south to north, >> right?
>> And we only have a trench drain on the one north side. The other three sides don't have a trench drain. >> Where would the trench I'm sorry. Where would the trench >> on the north side? It would be >> And where does it empty? Does or does it >> It empties to an outfall structure. It
empties to an outfall structure which is behind home plate. In that outfall structure, there will be a weir that will hold the water back. Most of the water will will stay there and then it's going to overflow. Okay. in overflow and
then go into the existing storm drainage system that makes its way through the municipal property. >> Okay, just totally different. But nonetheless, since we're talking about water,
it has a very high water table. It did until about a year ago since we got the drought. And then and prior to that, old maps show that that was wetlands.
That whole field area was wetlands. >> Ma'am, I apologize for interrupting, but are you asking a question of the witness? Are you getting to a question? >> No, I'm finishing right now. >> Okay. Well, then please please do come back and make that statement under oath,
so it'll count under during the public comment period. Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi, my name is Kathleen Harahan. Um, I am on the Environmental Commission. Um, do you want my my address?
>> Yes. Thank you. >> Was that a yes? >> Yes. Yes, please. >> Uh, 8 Sherman Place. Um, one question that I had was, uh, regarding the trench drain that we're
talking about and the weir structure, I believe that there is a 2-in hole at the very bottom of the weir, which is where all the water will be accumulating. So, do you anticipate that the crumb rubber and any particles which eventually do
degrade and break off, will they all be channeled to that weir and then be funneled out through the 2-in hole? >> Well, first of all, the trench drain discharges into the under drain of the
system. So, the trench drain doesn't go straight into the outflow structure. trench drain goes into the pipe that runs around the perimeter of the field that ultimately then will go to the outflow structure. So by the time it goes all the way through,
again, you know, I'm not going to sit here and say not one piece will go through. It may go through. It's going to be very, very little because again, it it settles in the We've seen it settle in the trench drain. We've seen
it over and over again. and and then it it gets cleaned out. And obviously, as the engineer had mentioned too, as part of our maintenance plan, we have to also not only clean that out, but we have to
go into the outfall structure and that needs to be cleaned out. So, if any debris or any crumb rubber or anything goes in there, it'll be cleaned out. >> Okay. I guess I I have a comment on that, but I will not make that comment
at this point. But um then my other question was and I I totally understand that you do not need permission from this board regarding um approval of this plan. But one question
I had is about the township's tree ordinance and whether or not the school district has to comply with the township tree ordinance regarding any of the trees on that north end that may be removed.
>> I'm not sure of that, but I but during a conversation that we had with the environmental commission, I think you were part of it. I think the business administrator did mention that the the the district is going to be planting trees uh throughout the district and we
certainly are willing to plant some here. I think that was mentioned at our meeting. >> Yeah. But I guess I I'm just trying to see where the jurisdiction for the tree ordinance lies. Like >> you'd have to ask the municipality that
Mr. Warner. >> Yeah. Yeah. The the Steve Warner, board attorney. Uh the tree ordinance, while it's under the general police powers as opposed to the zoning ordinance, uh technically I believe at least for the purposes of the planning board's
jurisdiction, we have no jurisdiction over that other than recommending um uh again there's no approval authority that we have by jurisdiction. Uh not even so much that that they don't have to ask us. technically we don't
have the authority to do it uh regardless. Um but I think that's a uh I I think it may be it may be that the board makes such a recommendation. Uh and I think we're hearing that there may be compliance with that recommendation
in whole or in part by the school district. One would hope so. >> Mr. Warner, I'm I'm sure that the school district would be cooperative with respect to that issue. And I think we made that statement during our meeting. >> Okay. Thank you. I I anticipate it'll be
a recommendation, >> but I don't want to speak for the board. Never would. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions for the public for this witness? >> Okay. Seeing none, we'll have >> I'm sorry.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Hold on. I'm sorry. I didn't see you. Hold on. >> Not yet. Not >> yet. Sorry. Not yet. Hi, my name is Kareem Solomon and I live at 11 East Cove Lane. So the first question I have is the storm water management report for the turf field the
same type of study used for a grass field with different runoff assumptions. Um, it is the same type of study, but I think if you had if you had a grass field
and you were replacing it with a grass field and maybe you were doing grading, maybe the time of concentration may change a little bit. That might it may affect the runoff, but it's the same study. Yes. In other words, you
have a and what I mean by that is you have a pre-development and you have a post-development. So in a pre-development, if it's grass and a postdevelopment and it's grass, the only thing that's going to change your numbers would be possibly the slopes and
and the runoff as far as the time of concentration, but the study's the same. You look at the pre and you look at the post. In our situation, the post is what's considered uh uh uh an impermeable surface. Okay. There's 100%
runoff. Okay. And that's why we have to hold it back and capture that. But it's the same type of study. The answer to your question is yes. >> Same. Okay. And what storm water regulations govern that study and how do they differ from these standards in place versus the fields on the west and
south? >> It's the Best water uh the uh >> best management practice management practice >> BMP the uh best storm water management practices best storm water management practices of
the from the state of New Jersey. It's regulated by the New Jersey D department of environmental protection. >> And were those older regulations applied to the west and southfields when they were constructed? Uh well this the some of the regulations
just changed in 2023 and we're abiding by the new regulations. >> Okay. And then just final question what's the infiltration rate that's used in the turfield analysis and was it field tested? >> The in we use no infiltration rate for
the storm underneath the field. we use zero and uh again and we use zero in the post-development. So in the pre-development well in the pre-development we used a what they call a CN number or coefficient number I
could share that with you I think it's somewhere in the 60s7s or 80s I don't remember I could share that with you but in the post development we use 98 okay which is almost every you know everything but 2% uh runs off and that's
those numbers are stipulated by the DP we use their numbers that they they give us in in their criteria Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Any other questions? Okay, then we can move on to Mr. Horton.
>> Yes, Mr. Horton. You've been sworn. >> Yes. >> Mr. Horton, uh, you are the Marstown High School athletic director. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> And how long have you held that position? >> This is my 11th year. Now, the technical
coordinating committee specifically asked us to inform the board and the public uh how the field is going to be used, when the field is going to be used, and by whom the field is going to be used, and it's a three-part question. Can you answer each of those questions?
>> I will do my best. >> Thank you. >> The new turf field at Freeland Heisen High School at Middle School will be used primarily by four varsity teams. That's going to be our boys and girls soccer teams in the fall, our boys
baseball team in the spring, and our girls softball team also in the spring. >> These are the high school teams. >> That is correct. The high school teams. Uh this will be for practices and for games. Uh the hours uh currently um Monday
through Friday 2:30 to 7:00 p.m. Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Uh Sundays the field can be used by the recreation departments as they are currently being used. Our middle school physical education classes will use the
field on a daily basis uh while school's in session from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The months of use uh for our fall season, it will be August through November. Uh the field will be set up for soccer
at that time as I stated. Uh we currently rent space at Central Park, uh also known as Greystone. We've been renting there for the past 10 years. Uh the spring season, March through June,
high school baseball and high school softball. As we stated, I heard concern earlier about the fields that are currently there at uh Freeland Hudson Middle School. Those fields are the middle school baseball field and the middle school softball field. We do have
one varsity softball field there. Uh but we do not have a junior varsity field. We currently use Vets Field as our junior varsity field. Our three baseball teams, freshman level, JV level, and our varsity level
have all participated at Harter Road in the past. So, obviously, we can have there's two fields at Harter Road and three teams. uh our middle school teams will have the ability to use these fields for championship games or uh when the high
school teams are away during the summer June and July. Uh the field will be used by our summer camp at Freeland Heisen Middle School Monday through Friday, summer league for baseball and softball and we will
evaluate any need of our recreation departments. >> Is that it? >> I believe so. >> I have nothing further. >> So just clarify correct me if I'm wrong. So, the only day of the week that it's available to
the township would be Sundays >> currently. Yes. >> Um, and I didn't hear anything about winter sports. >> Uh, yes. Because normally by 4:00 it's too dark to be out there. We don't have any use of our turf field at the high
school. >> And and we indicated there would be no lights. >> No lights. >> Okay. No lights. Okay. >> Will there be any sound system? There will be no sound system. >> No. Okay. >> Well, let me I may stand corrected.
>> I was told that we may put a portable system in just for, you know, a game situation. Obviously, not used during practice, but I was told that we may be putting something just to, you know, call out the player's name, who's, you know, up to bat and so on. But it'll be
something portable. But it won't be a tower because I didn't see any tower or anything like that to broadcast. Okay, >> Mr. Horton, I may have uh tuned out when you you said this and I apologize you you've already mentioned this. During
the summer months when school is out, >> yes. >> Will the fields be used by anyone? Um non-school teams? >> Yes. So, it'll still be set up for our baseball and softball carrying through the spring. So if there are um summer leagues that our baseball softball team
would like to participate in, also our recreational departments if they would like to utilize those fields as well. >> Okay. So only if the school teams are participating, not an outside correct league or anything like that. >> That is correct. >> Thank you.
Any other questions? Does the public have any questions for this witness? >> Yes, >> please. Okay. Again, my name is Gizela Harpel. I live at 19 Elder Drive. Um,
why were the two fields that are on sort of on the west side of Freeling Heisen? Why haven't they not been used? They are they are have been abandoned. Nobody has
played there as far as I know. Uh, and there is one that's closer to the garage and then there is one that's further away. Um, they look one looks a little
more maintained, but neither one really looks as though really they have many teams playing there. So why do they look like that? And why build two teams
on the new turf field and not maintain or renovate the other? >> I believe we use every inch of area we have at Freeland Heisen Middle School. I do not know which field you're referring to that is overgrown.
>> Um, they're not overgrown, but they are abandoned and they're not wellmaintained. Yep. >> We utilize every inch of that place that that we own to my knowledge, >> but I mean they're the ones if you if you go to the tennis courts, the fields
are attached and they I've never ever seen we walk around there all the time >> and I've never seen anybody play there in the spring, in the summer, in the fall, in the afternoon, on the weekends.
Now >> you're referring to the baseball and softball field behind. >> Yeah. Not the big new softball field that the big one. >> Okay. On the lower on the lower end there. >> On the lower angle. >> Yes. Those are our middle school fields.
They play on those fields. >> No, they Well, if they do, they hide it very well. >> They're there in the spring and it was just re uh the softball field was just redone this past spring. >> No, doesn't look like it to me. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other questions? This witness. >> Okay. >> No further witnesses. >> No further witnesses. Okay. Um then I would guess I guess we could open it up for public comment then if we unless you
use this on this on this application. Yeah, you can open a public comment, Mr. Chairman. It's a public hearing. >> Yes. I just said let's we'll open it up for public comment. >> Okay. I'm sorry. I thought I heard
someone say no. Okay. >> And in this case again, we'd ask you to your name and uh and address and to and to be sworn in because this is semi if you're going to be making comment, it's semi- testimony and goes on the record. So the uh um Mr. Warner will swear you
in. Um, it's an official part of the record. Name and address first, please. >> Yes. >> I guess I'll go back. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Hello. Thank you. Um, Vicky Baru, 11 Mark Twain Drive in Mars Township. Um,
so, >> and please raise your right hand. >> Thank you. Do you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes. Thank you very much. How it has the way to testimony. Please proceed.
>> Thank you. >> Swing the mic around. >> I'm quite concerned about is the health of the community, especially the children as well as the environment. I know you can't comment on it, but I wanted to provide it to the board. So, if you guys can I mean, it sounds like this will be sent to the board of
education or something like that in Trenton. Maybe it's something from the township that we can actually bring up. So, when investigating um turpps, there is a new bill right now in the state of New Jersey, and this is what I was stating before, which is bill 3783.
And it says that the bill prohibits school districts and state departments and agencies in New Jersey from purchasing, installing, or using artificial turf for new or existing fields. The reason for this is numerous health and environmental hazards
associated with synthetic turf including harmful chemicals such as carcinogens, neurotoxins and endocrine disruptors as well as microplastics and pas. So I think that's a very important concern. I know the environmental commission put together an addendum on that. There's a
couple key things considering that turf is made out of posilates and microplastics. This is something really quite harmful for children. We're dealing with folks that I think you stated are the the primary use of the fields are teenagers. So we're talking
anywhere from the age of 14 to the age of 18. Correct? Is that >> Yeah. So this is the most this is the time and the age where there's reproductive health. These chemicals actually are endocrine disruptors. So that in that actually impacts your
thyroid and it impacts overall increase in cancers and other things. There's actually a series I read the environmental report that was provided to us but actually there's been new statements by the EPA DSG which are not
in there as well as the CDC in regards to the link of health issues with these products. I know you said there's about a hundred turf fields, but if you look at the movement in the state of New Jersey with this bill, as well as other municipalities, they're actually moving
away from turf fields and going to grass. Now, with grass, there could be a state that grass is more expensive versus that of turf or turf more expensive or not versus uh maintenance. There's actually I'm an economist by training, so I've actually evaluated the
cost implications. If this is done properly with grass, you will actually be able to have it run in March, especially if you can address the water table as well as the drainage. So, I don't necessarily think that's a concern. The other thing from a health perspective that I think we should
consider, especially from an athletic director, there's a lot of research out there in regards to injuries of teenagers from the age of 14 to 18 in regards to ACL's sprains on turf versus that of grass. When we look at that
data, the data shows there's an increase in ACL pools, which as you all know is quite detrimental for a D1 athlete or D2, which many of the athletes at Morristown will be in the future, which is amazing and that is a huge concern. So overall, I just want to bring this up
to the committee that even though we're not really necessarily able to comment, I do feel as a citizen in the township, this is a huge concern from a health care from a health perspective for the children as well as from the environment. I don't think it's sufficient what was provided to us in
regards to the drainage. I do think if we look at the environmental report today, the 5 millimeter of the microplastics are going to feed into the water system. If we evaluate the water system, there is a tributary. Right now, that tributary is very fresh and clean.
We have frogs in there. It's we it's beautiful. If all of a sudden you were implementing PAS in that, we are going to use the the natural aspects of Morris Township that we're trying to achieve.
that then also then if you follow the tributary also then goes to um uh what's the pathway um >> patriots path >> and that is very sacred for the township. So again, think of that. Think
of the environment and think of the animals that are going to be drinking that water. So that's all I have to say. I think this really needs to be evaluated from an environmental perspective. Thank you. >> Yes. Yeah, please.
>> Okay. My name again is Gizela Harpel. I live at 19 Elder Drive. Um, >> Miss, please raise your right hand. >> Okay. >> Do you do you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
>> Yes, it is. >> Thank you, please proceed. >> Um, there are several concerns I have. One of them has to do with the wildlife in our area. They're going to be profoundly affected.
We have deer, we have fox, we have Canada geese, but that's a whole other issue. I mean, they use us as a migratory place. Um but um we have uh skunk
uh we have raccoons. There's a lot of wildlife. We have coyote and they are all going to be affected by this because the fields are their way to get from one place to another.
Uh and that really makes me very sad and very unhappy about what we are doing to our environment when we are essentially putting down
plastic to take over the world that they live in. and they can't live there because it's not only the plastic, but it's also a fence.
So, what are they going to do? And that's a concern. I'm also concerned about, as has been said before, the parking because in the past when we've had uh
games in the fields and so on, uh Elder Drive would be a parking lot even though there was parking at the school, but there are many people who would rather park where we live than go down to the school because after all, it's easier to
get to If the ball fields and the fields are right behind my house, huh, it's easier. And you will even get people walking through your pro property in order to get there, even though we have a fence,
you know. So, that's an issue. But more than anything, just because I did swear, I would say nothing but the truth. I want to say that if you I I had when we moved, I've lived there. My husband and I moved there in 77.
And one of our really elderly neighbors next door was explaining to me one day when they live when they bought their house and moved in, the fields behind us were all wetlands.
And I've since then seen an old map, old old map somewhere that showed that there was actually a small pond in there. And I mean it just to make this
artificial grass. It really is sad. I know it's changed. Everything is different and that's how nature is. But we shouldn't encourage disappearing nature with adding stuff to
it that we made ourselves. And I'm saying this, my husband was a scientist and he would have been very upset. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Anyone else? >> I I just I'm sorry. I I have to just This is Mary McCriedi. I live at 11 Elder Drive. I swear that the testimony I will give is
>> Yes, I I I see you. Hang on. Uh do you swear to God or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes, I do. >> Thank you. Please proceed. My concern is that several years ago we
had experienced the soccer madness. So we had asked the township to we didn't have the ability that they were parking on both sides. So we had the both sides. There
was no way for an ambulance, a fire truck anywhere for a vehicle besides you. You had just this much room. You barely could get up your car up the street >> up and you couldn't even get in your
driveway. So, we asked the township then and we appealed to the township and you all came out and the mayor and everybody came out and the fire chief and everybody came out and they put up signs
and they gave the one side of the street cones and that worked for a long time and then they moved the fields up to the central park and that was great, beautiful. But now you're proposing to
put these fields. So what what impact is that going to have on us? That is my concern because we still have now we have not only do we have elderly people living on our street who are infirmed.
Some of them can't move. You have children that are living on our street now. So these parents are coming up our street flying and dropping their kids off cuz
Johnny's late for practice. Well, guess what? It's not that kind of street. It's a dead end. So, I don't think I don't know where else we I I don't know where you could
put these fields, but there's got to be some place else. That's it. >> Thank you. Anyone else? >> I'm Kathleen Haran from the Environmental Commission. I live at 8
Sherman Place. >> Please raise your right hand. >> Do you swear to God or affirm the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Please proceed. Okay. I just had a follow-up comment
about the um the field and the water that's going to be captured in the field and the the weir that's in the outfall structure is designed to hold the water to make it be like a bathtub. And so
when it rains, it will all be held back at like a 400 ft level elevation so that it's it's designed to hold all of that water in there and stop it from going out. But it it doesn't stop it from going out because at the very bottom of
the weir, so the weir, I believe, is like 3 ft tall and at the very bottom of the weir is a 2in hole. So, it's it's designed to make the water slowly leave the field. Um, but I feel that whatever
particles are going to be coming out of the system, whether it's from the trench drain or however else they're migrating, and they can be microlastics that can be getting through the system. I feel like
during a storm event, they will be pushed and like gushed along the flow of the water into that 2in opening. And that's all I can imagine is that lots and lots of particles are going to be going right into the storm drain. And
from the storm drain, it goes directly into the river, the Whippony River. Um, so that is my concern. Um I'm not sure what can be done about it, but um that's my a big concern that I have. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Any other comments from the public? Okay, seeing none, I will close the public comment section. Uh any final words from Mr. >> Mor? Mr. Chairman, board members, members of the public, I think that the uh the public has spoken very
eloquently. I've been doing this a long time and this is some of the most eloquent and impassioned presentation that's been made. But please understand that for the reasons I expressed earlier, we are not prepared to nor do we think we're obliged to present
evidence to to the contrary. So I don't want our silence in that respect to be taken as agreement with what the public has said tonight. Uh you heard the application. It is as a courtesy. This board has a
limited jurisdiction. Mr. Warner will explain to you has explained to you uh what is next with respect to what you're supposed to do and we thank you for your time and that the uh the matter has been fully discussed and appropriately
discussed. and we thank you for your time. >> Uh before we move on, let me I'd like to take a crack at proposing a resolution here, which would be one, you know, certainly fully supporting the the uh the education by efforts to improve the
athletic facilities this town. I certainly can't, you know, argue with that. Um, and recognizing that we have, you know, no jurisdiction to, you know, deny the application, I would like, and I don't feel that we're in any position
to judge really the relative merits of the environmental merits and health and safety merits of these things in our board because there's a lot of conflicting information. So part of my uh I think part of our recommendation should be that we recommend that the uh
state the New Jersey Department of Education you know consider carefully all these you know any the new studies and consider carefully in any application to put in uh artificial turf in light of the new legislation everything else but then have them they're the ones that should have to
make the final decision. let them decide and urge them to to re-examine the trade-offs between the artificial turf and and grass. Um so that would be a general recommendation that the that we hardly recommend the state uh department
of education do that. Uh more specifically, I would recommend uh on the other other applications is that um one that the the uh education department look the district Yeah,
>> I'm sorry. Speak up a little. >> Oh, I'm sorry. um uh complies will agree to comply with the tree ordinance at a minimum and possibly go beyond that and to look at improving the screening
specifically around the uh the uh softball um infield area, the screening from the the residences that are in there. uh and kind of in line with that but also be work with the township and develop some kind of you know uh parent
student education program work with the township on to deal dealing with the traffic situation on elder drive. I mean I think that's um there's not much you can do individually but you know that be education with the parents and the students and everything involved in in athletics. And then a third
recommendation I would have was that if if sound systems are to be used even on a temporary basis to make sure that the speakers are pointed away from the uh the residences. >> Does that make sense to everyone? That >> complete sense. >> Does that cover it?
>> I I agree with all of that. I think it would be good to um state to the Department of Education that some of the members of the board have serious concerns about turf fields and the environmental impact thereof. We're not experts, but we think that there are
some serious matters that should be considered. And along those lines, I'd like to thank members of the public for coming out to the hearing and informing us about things and and commend the the environmental commission for the great
work that was done. It really added a lot to the discussion. Um our country has a long history of allowing, you know, pollutants and to affect our health and this might just be another one of those things which eventually they're going to say, "Yeah, we it was a
bad idea." So, um, so your speaking up really does make a difference even though we know that in this case it may not feel like it does. So, thank you for coming and >> yeah, >> helping out. >> Yeah, I'll second that. We do appreciate your your being here and going to the
effort coming and making the comments. >> Steve, do you uh did Well, can I entertain a motion to for a resolution along those lines? And Steve, was that clear enough to draft one? >> Yeah. Uh, no, absolutely. We we we can
have a resolution memorializing uh the uh the findings of the uh of the board and in particular the recommendations that the board is making. And maybe uh uh
would I be correct in assuming that if the recommendations are going to be as stated uh that the general recommendation expressing the concerns uh could incorporate by reference if you so desire the environmental
commission's uh report an addendum. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. and and uh I'll wait to see if that is indeed the motion second and roll call vote determination of the board, but I got that. >> Okay,
>> I'll move to um that we adopt a resolution along those lines. >> I'll second that. >> Any other discussion? We have a roll call. Ryan, >> Mr. Alleso, >> yes. >> Mr. Flowers, >> yes. >> Mr. Barrett, >> yes.
>> Mr. Rabbits, >> yes. >> Mr. Venois. >> Yes. >> Mr. Quillin. >> Yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. The public hearing portion of it. Uh
moving on. Other matters. The legislative committee report. Uh just real quick, we we did get two applications for uh cannabis licenses uh for the township and we will be
reviewing those in um in February. Other than that, uh nothing else in the legislative committee. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Rabbits. What is the process for hearing this? for hearing >> for hearing the application.
>> The uh cannabis uh committee will be um bringing the two applicants in for presentation and an interview. >> Is that the same committee that created the report some time ago? >> No. >> No, >> it's it's by ordinance. It's
>> I I am on >> Mr. But I am the mayor and >> myself. >> Okay. All right. >> Uh Mr. Quinn, the police chief. >> Police chief. >> Um, anybody else? >> I think that was it. >> I think that's it, right?
>> Okay. Uh, now we actually do have a closed session coming up with uh and Mr. Warner will present the the resolution um authorizing the that I do want to point out to anyone here that uh anyone that
may remain or anyone on Zoom that we will be going into close session. Um uh and after the close session we have no other business. So we will be adjourning. So there's no reason at after this point to hang on there. We will have no say nothing nothing going
on except probably a very quick uh motion by Mr. Alleso to adjourn nothing but no business following the close section. So there's no point there really is no point in staying on on Zoom or staying you know here uh beyond this
point. So Mr. Warner >> certainly Mr. Chairman uh we do have a resolution to go into executive session for pending litigation. Uh whereas the planning board is subject to certain requirements of the PO open public meetings act NJSA104-6
at SEC and whereas the open public meetings act provides that an executive session not open to the public may be held for certain specified purposes when authorized by resolution. This is a resolution and whereas it is necessary for the planning board to discuss in a session not open to the public uh
matters relating to pending litigation uh specifically the fourth round housing element and fair share uh declaratory judgment action uh fair share plan declaratory judgement action as well as the save catch road versus Marstown
planning board and Mars catch road LLC litigations. uh those two pending litigations will be discussed in executive session. Now therefore be it resolved by the planning board that an executive session close to the public shall be held for the aforementioned and it is anticipated that the deliberations
conducted in close session may be disclosed to the public upon the determination of the board that the public interest will no longer be served by such confidentiality. It is a resolution to go into executive session. So, as the chair and the board know, because I always say it, if it's a
resolution, it requires a motion and a second and a roll call vote. Please, >> Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a motion that we go into close session and at the end of close session, we adjourn. >> Don't get it. >> I'll second that.
>> Roll call. >> Mr. Alleso? >> Yes. >> Mr. Flowers? >> Yes. >> Mr. Barrett? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rabbit? >> Yes. >> Mr. Benois? >> Yes. Mr. Quinland. >> Yes. >> Mr. B. >> Yes. >> So, and I guess we'll be moving in on
the conference room.