Welcome to the Township of Sparta Environmental Commission meeting of Thursday, June 11th, 2026. The meeting is called to order at 7:01. We're live in the council chambers at the municipal building. Uh you can build the stream view the stream um the live
stream on uh YouTube at Sparta TWWPs. Uh please take notice that action will be taken on the following items. Uh, adequate notice of the meeting was provided to the public and the press on June 5th by delivering to the press and posting on the township website a copy
of the notice. We have a salute to the flag. I >> pledge allegiance >> to the flag of the United States of America >> to the republic >> for it stands nation indivisible with liberty and justice for
all. Can we have the roll call, please? Courtney. >> Chair Neil Sourine >> here. >> Vice Chair Christine Rogers >> here. >> Christine Dumbar >> here. >> Barbara Casulka >> here. >> Robert Otto >> here.
>> Alex Birdie >> here. >> Councilwoman Murphy Margie Murphy. Nicholas Drada. Thank you. >> You. All right. We have no correspondence. We have no applications. Uh there's no one from the public here. So there is no
public comment. Um so moving on to reports. Um Chris, would you like to start with the planning board? >> Did you want me to report? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so the planning board meeting
was pretty much um had to do with the re um the reszoning of the TCC back into the C1H um uh zone. Uh there was discussion
about that and um there also were people from Lake Mohawk Country Club who were able to come and they were able to share their um a little bit about um their concerns.
Um and maybe just a little bit about um you know what they do not uh uh like to see in that area because it can infringe upon the private property of the the lake members. Um,
I didn't get a chance to because it the audio wasn't um on at the town council meeting and so I didn't get a chance to listen to that discussion which is important. So I but I can go back into
the agenda and then they have a >> they they corrected that. I I read earlier. I haven't seen it yet, but they did upload the audio from what I read. >> When I called the office, uh the clerk's office, uh she said that I could go into
where it's agenda on the website and um they had loaded the um the meeting there and I could listen to it there. That would be a good way to do it. I wouldn't be able to see them in action um but I could could listen to it. So So
I'll have to do that. I just found that out this morning. >> Yes, I Yes, I know. I tried to watch it the other last night, the night before, and uh >> realized >> Yeah, because everything else seemed to have audio, but there was something about this particular meeting that didn't have audio. Yeah,
>> there was a glitch a glitch in the system. >> A glitch in the system. So, that's uh that's really pretty much it. >> Thanks. Um, in my haste to get to our exciting topics, I have missed the um, approval
of our May 28th minutes. I apologize. Um, so we'll take a few minutes. Um, page two, second paragraph, kind of a little bit past halfway. Uh I think
what I said uh I was trying to recollect what I had heard from planning. Um I believe that I was just simply saying that the additional height was required for filtration. Um
my my intent was to point out that they should have had the filtration as part of their original scope. And so I was kind of pointing out that the height should have
um been correct. But anyway, so if we could just strike upgraded filtration and just keep it as he noted that the additional height was required for filtration equipment. Thanks. Anyone
else have any corrections or can I have a motion to approve? >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes with a minor change on page two, second paragraph. >> Thanks, Rob. Can I have a second? I'll second.
>> Thank you, Christine. Um, all in favor >> I >> I >> I'm going to abstain. I wasn't here. >> Oh, okay. >> Thank you. >> Chris, were you here? Um, Chris, are did are you in did you have any
corrections for the >> Well, I'm just was looking this up right now. >> Oh, okay. >> Um, uh, because I think I I meant uh the press conference that this is on page three. It's almost all the way down, second to
the last paragraph. And um this was a press conference given by Mikey Cheryl um but I'm sure it was at the state house but it was
it was um the media that was there and put it on uh YouTube was NBC both New York and Philadelphia. So, I didn't mean to say that, you know, inferred that she was not at the state
house, and that's what I was just checking on right now. >> So, are you suggesting a change? >> Yeah. Um, it was a a referenced a recent um
press conference um at at the state house. Um, >> do you want to just strike the location and just say recent press conference? >> I'm sorry, I can't hear you. >> Do you want to just strike the location alto together and just say uh recent
press conference? >> That would it doesn't it's not important. The only reason why I was looking it up is cuz I thought one of us might want to go back on YouTube and just a way to make it easier, you know, for us to to listen to the uh press
conference at the state house. Sorry. >> So what? I'm sorry. >> So it sounds like the state house. So, uh, page three, second to last
paragraph, um, reference to recent just say press conference at the state house. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Oh, yeah. Regarding the proposed U data center guard rails. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Uh, can I have uh strike the previous motion? Yeah, I'll remake that motion and say uh I'll make a motion to approve the minutes with the minor change on page two, second paragraph striking upgraded and page three, second
to last paragraph, um changing to state house. >> And I'll second and I'll second. >> Thanks, Christine. All in favor? >> I I >> I minutes are approved now.
we can finish reports. Um I attended a um master plan subcommittee meeting on Monday. We had had a um a couple of small breakout meetings. I missed the second one, but we're going
over objectives and trying to establish our objectives and goals. And we're still working on that and uh working on other things. the uh master plan uh re-examination is moving along. The u
the finalized date is expected to be in September. Our next meeting is the second Monday in July. >> Did you discuss the uh the data center uh ordinance? I saw saw it in the meeting. in the minutes.
>> Yes, we we didn't really discuss it, but I did send it send it on to to uh the the committee and got some a favorable uh reply. >> Okay. >> Hopefully. >> Did you get the modified one with the
size change 75? >> I sent the last one. You >> Okay. Thank you. I >> I'll uh I'll go back and check and make sure I did that. >> Thanks. Did um did it go to the town council because I saw that it was on the agenda.
>> I that was a different >> that was a different one. >> They had a different different two ordinances. >> Margie. Yeah. Margie can speak to you're up. It's the report. >> Yes. >> Hi Margie. >> Pardon me for being late. >> Oh, that's all right. You can't help
spilled all of food. uh the ordinance for the the one we did the other night for the square footage on the PDRM1, PDRM2, and the um ED zone. Is that what you're speaking of?
>> Uh no, but that's another good one. Okay. Yeah. >> She was she was asking if uh you uh I I think there was a misunderstanding that on the agenda was what we had just given you to advance to town council, but that's not what was on the agenda. That was not what was on the
agenda. No. >> Do we know who introduced the one on that was on the agenda? >> I believe um C uh attorney Dash wrote that. >> Oh, okay. >> Um he did see yours. That is just it was just an introduction
>> and then it goes from there. Get corrected questions. Um, no, he's got yours and everybody on the council has the one that that everybody did here. >> And uh so that is in in line for
approval and uh adjustment if need be, but it was just introduced. So, and then the other one was for a a taking down the limit of uh the 175,000 square feet warehouse buildings to 75,000
>> in all of the zones everywhere. >> And did you see uh that modified version of what I had sent that had it uh correlating to 75? Okay. >> So, both both were introduced and and
will be up for a vote next uh >> correct? Correct. >> Okay. >> No. Was the intensity use introduced as well? >> I'm sorry. >> The intensity use was introduced. >> No, it it was another um Okay. for for data centers >> was introduced, but then the two can can
be looked at together. >> Okay. Perfect. >> So, do you think they they'll combine them for the next would that be a reintroduction or >> No, it No, it won't be a reintro It shouldn't be a reintroduction. It'll be a discussion and uh
um to put them to see to see if they're compatible and to maybe integrate them. >> But they have them. >> Okay. So I think yeah I mean that was the the point was to get it to you for
master plan because >> yes >> if you weave it into master plan for cons for future consistency it would be important to tie that all tie that all in to the back end on master plan. >> Correct. >> And then and then uh town council if
they so choose then they can reference back. But as it is, my understanding was you have just a size, no intensity, but just a size as well as a definition limitation for now. >> Yeah. And and it's more prudent for the
master plan. >> Yep. >> Yes. It's it's perfect for the master plan, >> right? >> Yes. >> Yes. Great. >> Thanks, Margie. Anything else? I I wasn't able to hear the meeting yet. Uh the yeah the meeting you can hear it now
the record [laughter] >> I'm not a I'm not a good lip reader >> did you zoom in really well >> really well [laughter] >> you can maybe tell by expression no um it is oh poor Tyianne she could not
and and our IT people were not available one was not feeling well and >> they couldn't do it over the phone they couldn't get here So it but the recording was put on >> Okay, good. >> was put on the uh the website.
>> So we can watch on one and play recording on the other one. >> Correct. >> So people are moving mouth and you can >> Yeah, you can have your phone and your computer there. >> So it's but it's not Was it re-uploaded to YouTube? Do you know with the audio? >> I I don't believe so.
>> To my knowledge, no. But >> no, that's that's what the clerk said this morning when I called >> that it was >> she said no. She says you can um she advised going on to the uh go to the agenda page and then it's loaded there. >> It's loaded there. Okay.
>> Correct. >> So we have to sync it. So, should we do like a like a visible so that if they have to sync the audio and video in the future, we can we have the >> flap. It's it's kind of like um uh the
Wizard of Oz and Dark Side of the Moon, I think. >> Yeah. No, you think Yeah, [laughter] >> the Wizard of Oz that would be right over my head. >> Oh, the Wizard of Oz behind the screen. Yeah. Oh. Oh yeah. >> Oh. >> Um, if [clears throat] you want to know
a little bit about uh the trails committee, I do have some information. Yeah. >> So, we're um we did um complete the application for the Sussex County um funding trails committee funding
and um with Joel who's the head of that. And so we got everything in, you know, all the numbers and costs and everything. So they're supposed to come out with a decision on that highly
competitive grant in summer, early in summer, hopefully. I just found out from Landon. >> Uh uh today. >> Oh. And um we're having a meeting on the 24th at six o'clock
of June >> with >> uh it's over in this little room on the side here, the conference room and it's the trails committee and um we'll be talking about the the the
vision and also the actions that we need to do to move forward to even extend the Iron Horse Trail further out to 94 and north along there and access points.
Um so we'll be uh talking about more about the Iron Horse and then we'll be probably talking a little bit about um we did the uh we did the land swap for the safe schools trail. We'll be talking
about that. Um, also, uh, the progress on that. And >> was that land swap completed? >> That's what we'll find out. Yeah. It takes a long time with the state. Yeah. >> How much is the grant you asked for from the county? Do you have a number?
>> 20 I think it was 20,000. Either 20,000 or 25,000. >> And is that for the iron horse part? That's just to get it started with a gate on Sunset in uh signage to get that
trail cleared all the way to Demerest and then having a gate on that side also. Yeah. So, just getting that nice >> from what's the name from where to to Demerest? >> Uh well to Demerest. It goes from Sunset
in Road to to Demerest. Yeah. Um so yeah that that will that's section one the beginning. Yeah. >> So um so we'll be talking about that and oh a hike they had the they had the hike
um at Sparta Glenn and there was about a half a dozen. It looked like they took a group picture. There's a half a dozen people that attended and um they seemed very enthused. There were two uh leaders. I think it was Doug Dystra and
Jeff. Can't remember his last name. Um and they took a group up and around Sparta Mountain. >> Awesome. >> And everybody had big smiles and they noticed that there needs to be some refurbishing of the trail blazes. So
they're thinking about how they can um spruce them up a little bit to make it clearer um which way to go. with the different colors. Yeah. >> Oh, and I I may have some news. Did you hear about the trails committee?
>> There was a new applicant. >> Oh, >> for the trails committee >> and we nominated him last night. >> So, we'll have a new >> Jerry. >> Oh, really? >> Oh, great. >> We nominated >> Perfect. Yes.
>> Do you think he'll notice the name thing? Yeah. Yeah. He he knows. >> He wants he wants to make sure that doesn't happen to anyone else, right? So, he's joining. >> So, yes, he's now part of the trails committee. >> Oh, that's wonderful.
>> Y, you had nothing else from that council? >> Uh, no. >> Christine, did you have anything? >> Nope. >> So, I guess um move through finished business. First
thing is a Sparta day recap. Everybody who attended Sparta Day, >> it went well. I mean, we did not have our banner which kind of made people walk by us because they didn't know who we were. Some people thought we were
PSEG because our that sign said PSG on it. >> Um, but overall I had a good time. It was a it was a it was a you know cool day. Breezy. >> Yes. Wasn't hot. >> Yeah. >> Good. It's a good turnout at Spar today
for sure. A lot of people. >> Oh yeah. >> Good. >> So you you had a few signups for the green team. >> Yeah. We had a cup too, right? Yeah. Two. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. We both signed it, right? Those
are the two. Yeah. No, we sent the the names of those potential green team members to Courtney to add to our list. >> Good. >> Yeah, >> but we were right across from Sustainable Jersey. >> Sustainable Jersey.
>> No, Chop was Stop the Chop. >> Stop the chop. >> Yeah, Sparta Mountain. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Yes, >> that's I was going to ask you interacted with them because I saw an email uh with more of their information.
>> Yeah, the woman who was in charge of that, I forget her name. >> Uh it's um um >> Silia Silia Silia Silia. Yes. She said she wanted to come in and talk about what's going on over at Sparta Mountain
to kind of just give an update and a reminder to the people of Sparta. Um, so we kind of keep you at, you know, at the forefront of people's minds. >> Oh, good. >> So, I invite I said, "Yeah, you can come anytime." >> So,
>> I can reach out to her and see if she wants to do that maybe maybe at the next meeting. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Um, did you get any interaction with with a lot of people or did they you couldn't do the set up the game? I
>> know. Yeah, without the game and without the banner it was I think it was a little difficult. Some, you know, we had a handful people stop by and talk to us. Um, some people took the recycle uh Sparta Township stickers, some people
wanted them. Um but yeah uh forunately I can't report that there was high interaction with our table. >> Okay. >> Thanks for sacrificing your time for us. >> Thanks. >> We did have an idea though, didn't we?
That it would be nice to coordinate a hike with um the Sparta Mountain folks, Sylvia, maybe next year. Um we got she had a wonderful display and you know had a lot of interaction you know with
people. So then she could send them over to us and we could say oh we have a hike that's going up into that area so you can can know uh and be familiar with the changes that are occurring on the mountain there because of all of the logging.
>> I have to say I was amazed. I had not been up there >> and I did the hike and I was in shock. >> Shock. >> Yeah. >> That's pretty sad. >> Unbelievable. >> So why wait till next year? Why can't you? >> Oh, you we don't have to wait till next
year. I just was thinking of a way to, you know, support her and her to support us. Um and uh we get a got a lot of flow of people coming through. So, we might it might be an easier way to get people
to sign up once they see the devastation. Oh, I want to see for myself and go on this hike. But we could do it anytime. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, when when she comes in or we can
talk to her about that offline, I guess >> that'd be great. >> Nice to do. >> Yeah. >> Right before they start logging. I I I was just I couldn't believe it. I really couldn't because I had not seen it. >> Where did you go?
>> Off of um the Edison. Uh >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> The uh Edison bog that that section that was all >> Mhm. It's all It's all When I was up there, I think it was last year, it was
just all birch, saplings. >> There are still piles >> piles and piles of of wood that of trees that have been cut down that were still there and shrub. >> Well, that's okay. That that's a good thing. Leaving the wood is is the right
way to do it. >> But everything that had been cut down around it was amazing. and the trail that you could see that would go down to almost down to uh the
the Spartansburg road. >> Right. >> Right. >> Yeah. You're really supposed to leave the wood there. Do do forestry management content. >> Yeah. But and take out the blogs to
sell. Where too can rumor has it? I don't know. Don't know. >> I don't know. But I was just It was devastating. I was just amazed. Anyway, all right. Next big one is the
Environmental Resource Inventory. As we all know, we were denied the sustainable Jersey grant that we had applied for to develop our ERRI, but we were given some resources. Um,
and we, you know, we have some other avenues we might be able to to uh take. Um, I think Barbara Davis had suggested that we uh use possibly use our open space
funding for to help fund some some of this. So, we could do it that way. Um, we have the uh the Highlands Council
ERRI mapping tool and I I used it to to to develop an ERRI just before we came here. I just to run an ERRI for Sparta because it lets you uh be specific to the municipality. So you
can do that and then work build from there. Uh so I reached out to uh the the the uh the group that ran the uh information session on the ERRI tool that's the Ritan headquarters group and
um ask them for examples of any towns municipalities within the highlands that have done done it that way that have developed the ERRI on their own from the from the tools. What was the feedback from the phone
call? from the followup call. >> Here, didn't they say we had to have more interaction from the public? That's that's what was missing from our application. Something along those lines. >> Yeah, that that was that was one >> we don't have enough public interaction.
>> Yeah, we didn't um like the way we did it with the open space plan. We had meetings with the public. >> Okay. >> I guess they're looking for that kind of thing. See, see this $20,000 grant is very very competitive. I think they only gave out six of them
>> uh in this statewide. So, >> so as part of the grant, they wanted more of the public involvement, >> interaction. >> Yes. Community engagement, um, resident involvement before the ERRI, uh, and schools and other partnerships
that we could use that to, uh, >> yeah, from some of the students, >> right? >> Student groups >> included including school green teams. Uh then build building a team of stakeholders.
>> They wanted that before we get the grant. >> Yeah. >> For the application. >> For the application. >> And wasn't it wasn't this sponsored by PSEG? >> Yes. >> Foundation. Yes. >> Yeah.
>> The foundation. >> Foundation. So, did the um Highlands Council grant funding come up at all? Did they have any guidance about that? >> Yes, that that was a suggestion, too. We can um we can apply for another grant with them.
>> Okay. >> We I think Michelle told me we have a grant writer. >> We do. >> Yes. So, can we reach out to her and see if uh we can apply for a Highlands Council grant for benefits to the community. We didn't
list that adequately. That was another call. Overall, they said it was good. Uh >> yeah, I'm just I'm so confused with the public involvement in this like in this particular thing that that's why I'm just sitting here. But I guess Yeah, I
guess community involvement is always important. So >> yeah, and like I said, I was so competitive. Yeah. So other >> because I would think that the community involvement, you would get the grant and then you would engage with the school groups kind of on the back end once you already get the grant.
>> Well, Yeah, that too, >> right? I don't know. That's an interesting comment. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They really wanted us to uh engage all aspects of our town.
Um the recreation department, um why would it be important for them to have an >> ERRI? >> Why would it be important even for businesses? you know what where is the buy in here um for the err art I from
organizations from the Sussex County Bird Club or the Native Plant Society and >> all of those all of those folks and then um in doing that ask them do you have somebody in your group
>> that would like to be a part of a team this is what I'm interpreting ing uh team to use the tool. They were really pushing the tool the um they said you can do this yourself. You can do your
own ERRI. We have a video. You can always contact us and we'll we'll walk you through, but you could do your own ERRI. >> Right. That's what I was was saying. I I did want but there are other things to that you need to add or that we would
want to add to it like like his history. Oh yeah. >> Um that that's just one of the things. I can't think of everything else but uh >> yeah history. >> Yeah. And be in line with the master plan. That was the whole idea of this. Right. It's like
>> this be a part of the master plan which is almost done right. Well >> if we are planning to finish by [laughter] September. >> Well I don't know that would be >> well >> well >> there's there's a big butt there. Um uh >> so can we
>> it's on its way. >> C can we like refer in the master plan to this tool I guess? >> Oh abs yes for sure we should be able to um >> because that's kind of what they're they were
pushing if you watch that video. uh you can have your your ERRI be use the interactive tool because you know it keeps it it keeps it current because as as the maps change as new new data is
collected and and put out on on on the tool uh that would keep ours up to date. So is there a benefit of doing both things at the same time? Kind of having a shortened streamlined version that can
be incorporated into the master plan now that we run ourselves and then going after this grant that by the time we get the grant they do the ERRI >> that it would get incorporated. >> That's what I think we we >> because it could be like a placeholder for now like a shortened version that we
get something in there >> for sure. Yes. and then add it as a supplemental material once we have a more complete version if we have a funding for a consultant to actually hire out to do. >> In fact, I will I will send that that I
the the the thing the um I ran off to the subcommittee. So >> Okay, great. >> Yeah, that's that's great. Yeah, it usually is an appendix in a master plan.
like just like the traffic flow >> because it might be good before right if the timelines don't line up and and the master plan is actually going to be nearing completion in September if we have a shortened version something in there for now. >> Yes, >> definitely.
>> Yeah. Wonderful. >> Okay. Um, we had talked about the Pope John rain garden last week, how it was a little bit overgrown. Chris, you said you talked to >> I did. I set up a meeting with teacher
Judy who I worked with for years and we took a look around and there were some native plants there. There were a lot of um cattails in one basin along with uh native uh rushes. >> Yes.
>> Uh and uh there was even A there was even a little red maple tree that was encircled by poison oak. [laughter] >> Yeah. But there were there were some things and of course there was a lot of
mugw wart but um you know it's the end of the school year um and since there was so little um plants there um we even felt like the mudboard would do some good because it could soak up moisture
in the rain if we ever get it. Yeah, but but she's but but um we're going to go um she's going to take the kids out in the fall >> and um you know get them started and um she knows very well what mugwart um and
invasives and you know multifllora rose and all those look like >> and um they'll have a little project in the fall to try to get anything that's uh doesn't belong there out to make it more nativeish. >> Right. Yeah.
>> Yeah. As as I said mentioned to you, uh I rode by today and and look just looked over from what I could see from the road and the first uh the first um uh section had some flowering plants that I didn't
haven't seen before. So it looked fuller. Yeah, I think yeah, she looks forward to do Unfortunately, this is going to be her um she's planning on this being her last full year and she's retiring. So, she's hoping to engage, you know,
the other teachers >> and so they can carry on um improving, you know, at the whole drainage basins because I didn't realize there were like one, two, three, four. There are five. There were five there. Yeah.
>> Yeah. A couple of them look a little sparse. Maybe they could use some more. >> Yeah. Well, I mean, we can all go out there, put our [laughter] gloves on. >> Sure. >> Of course, we >> Well, I mean, do we need permission from the school to do that?
>> Yes, they would. That wouldn't be hard to get. >> As long as there's not a football game going on. [laughter] >> I don't think so. Yeah. So, that's something. It was better than I thought.
>> Yes. Good. All right. Next thing we talked about, uh, we've been talking about for a while now is the tree ordinance. We're It seems like we're behind in our
MS4 uh permitting um as this tree a revised tree ordinance was due in 2025 and the MS4 or MS4 plan is doesn't seem
to be current. There are other things that are up haven't been updated. looking at the at the web page. So I I had sorry Margie this is a bomb put you on the spot. I just want to let you know
that. Okay. >> And I I I I sent an email to um Mr. Zep about the ask asking about the tree ordinance, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. >> When did you send that? >> Uh earlier in the week. I know he's busy. >> Okay.
I should have sent it to Michelle, but um maybe we can we can check on that. >> The MS4 >> should have been updated in 2025 >> for the tree or the tree >> for for other things too.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Look at the MS4 page uh on our website. >> See, it doesn't look like it's everything is current. It might it might it might be up to date. It's just hasn't been updated on the on the web page.
>> We'll find out. >> Okay. >> I think for the tree ordinance um I assume it was to prevent the the gist of it is to is going to prevent people from cutting
down trees unnecessarily. Is that just is that the point of of the tree ordinance >> and Yeah. and replacing >> or replacing them >> replacing trees. >> I know something is because a friend of mine couldn't cut one down
um but and had to was told he had to come for a permit and they said no you you can't cut that one down without replacing it. So there's some I'll let me check into >> in Sparta. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. See look at >> up in Alpine actually.
>> This is what Abasha was working on >> because there is a three three removal replacement I believe ordinance from like years years ago. But this one is not in comp. It doesn't it's not in compliance with the requirements that they have.
>> There are some like I can send an email that I had spoke with the D regarding this. >> Okay. >> They reviewed our pre-ordance and there's there's some language there that we have to remove because there are exemptions and they don't want those
exemptions and things like that. And this is based on the tree ordinance uh model tree ordinance from their websites like the >> from the D. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> But I don't know which version is this because we were going back and forth back and forth and
something was supposedly sent to the to the engineer but >> our engineer. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> We're waiting to hear from him for about a year and a half to two years now. >> But that's why I'm saying I don't know what was sent to him. If anything, I'm not sure about that.
>> Cory Stoner. >> Yes. >> Thank you. [laughter] >> Okay. >> We should also add, you know, if we're going to be working on tree ordinance, um, even should include something there about
dead trees that are on people's properties. I know in my neighborhood there's a giant dead ash just hanging over the road and I called the town about having it cut down because it looked like it was kind of close to the
road might be on town property. It wasn't. It's on private property and therefore the town cannot do anything. Even though this tree is hanging over the road where the buses drive every day and um it's just not good. Eventually it's going to fall on the road. Um, is
>> that like a safety? Can you report it as like a safety concerns? >> Safety hazard? >> Yeah. Like does code enforcement deal with safety hazard trees? >> Anyway, maybe >> you can figure that out, right? >> Yeah. Thanks.
>> But maybe we can just look like we can all look into this one more time. >> Yes. >> Get the draft and just send it to them instead of trying to find out from >> what's happened. Exactly. Because But did you you made a previous draft I feel
like when I Okay. So can you send that to everyone just so we see it because you spent considerable effort on the >> talking you know talk about this make changes whatever changes we want to make and then >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Is this Yes. More or less. Yes.
>> But you did. >> Yes. >> Oh terrific. Okay. >> So let's do that. Okay. >> I'm going to send it to everyone. Then we can make changes. send it to the engineer and right instead >> like those the the trees on >> Yeah. >> Woodport the top of Woodport Road and
going up right at right at the intersection of Woodport and uh coming up from downtown that were taken down there. Now I don't know if those were dead if they >> but they were all removed those big huge
trees right at that intersection. Stanh Hope Road, Woodport. >> Woodport and Winona. >> And Winona. Yeah. >> But they >> uh Yeah, it's uh >> Yes. >> Yep. By the gas station, I think. >> Yeah. Across the street from the gas station.
>> Oh, >> okay. >> All right. But there are a lot of dead trees and and that that's one thing I was I was curious about like off a Westshore Trail the whole through the woods and then that we had that fire that went right up to Alpine
>> because it was so dry it just went right up the hill. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah, that was >> about a month ago, >> right? >> That was And don't they have the D kind of doing forest management now as a result of that? >> I believe well there were for the forest management was there.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yes, they were. >> So, I mean, and if if this tree that Alex saw is ash, we should I don't know. I mean, emerald ashbor, we should have guidance on >> it's an asht tree. >> Yeah, it's definitely an ash tree.
>> And I And ash trees fall, they cut off from the top, right? And they fall, which I never knew. >> And it's dead, right? >> Oh. Oh, yeah. It's dead. Bark's falling off it. Branches falling off. It's going to crack in half like Margiey's saying at some at some point. Just question of when. Hopefully no one's
>> standing under it. >> High winds, too. >> All right. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Okay. Awesome. >> Right. Let's move on to new business. We have a native plant ordinance.
>> I think this is you, Rob. >> I mean, I don't have it. I just >> I I [laughter] said if everyone could kind of come with thoughts about it because I think we had talked about it would be good for us to have one and it might be something I don't know that you
know if we could produce one then we could uh have it be incorporated in master plan right um and it would also help with some of the proposals that we see where we could kind of have
suggested did native plants, native RS, non-native but non invasive options, things that aren't going to immediately be eaten because they're recognized, but also aren't going to be noxious to the
environment. So maybe if we're looking I I think there's like a little cross-pollination with if we're looking at the tree ordinance, we could also maybe consider native plant ordinance. Um especially as
we lose like some of these larger trees like ash trees. um there's the replacement option, but that then in areas where we might have these or just people asking like what should I
plant? I I think you know small saplings, small bushes, native plants like a a variety in width, height, uh and species would be good. Um, so if
anyone has any resources that they could consult, we had someone I sent a link um, who was speaking I think about the deer problem, but she touched a little bit on native plants and she's a master gardener. Um, she is responsible along
with some other m she's a landscape architect um, but she um, volunteers with some master gardeners and and other volunteers. Margie, you know, Yes. So you you do nice plantings on the
boardwalk and White Deer Plaza >> and surrounding areas. So with with the guidance from that group, perhaps we could put together kind of a few examples of these three to five
plants for these type of situations. But so maybe we could just start to kind of peruse things and >> Yeah. with she did the the all through the plaza with Peggy Latty and with the Yes. Yes. >> Barbara Auda. Peggy Latty. >> Yep.
>> Margie Murphy. >> Isn't that Don't don't we have a committee? Is that the garden committee? >> Kind of. >> Do we Is that the town? >> No. No. >> No. >> That's Lake Mohawk. >> Yeah. >> Um that >> you're talking about the beautifification.
>> That's a beautifification. That's what I Yeah. But I don't think that >> the kind uh kind of >> and that's what I thought was >> that was kind of following up um the >> Yeah, but there is the beautifification um to your point the beautifification that Neil's got. He said he's got some
funding and they're putting together um I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you with that. Go. >> Um that they've got a program they're working with where businesses can sponsor um they want to put like hanging plants
throughout the town, but there's really nowhere to hang them because from you can't from those lamp poles. Uh but there's also uh so they're g they're putting together something to where the businesses could sponsor for their signage around their signage um for
their own properties that or like in Dville where when you drive into town there's a on the the triangle there when you drive in and it's like sponsored by and there's all bunch of beautiful plants and and flowers and it's sponsored by this business or that
business but then you're have to Make sure the signage is Yes, [laughter] >> that was my third first thought there. >> Yes, exactly. They're very They're small though. But it's a beautiful, you know, it's pretty welcome to Danville. I mean, we could our little or welcome to Sparta
Signs need a little upgrading in most areas. >> So, but yes, they're working on that. >> I I forgot about that last Tuesday night. Sounds >> good.
And we can do we can do the tree with like in conjunction with the with the native plants because I remember at the end of the tree ordinance there was a table with the suggestions of what can be planted in place of the the trees
that are being removed. >> Yeah. But the table like the table that I generated was a huge table of of basically everything that's in New Jersey like south north northwest New Jersey in Sussex County kind of thing. >> Oh wow. >> But we can we can scale it down and put
few of them instead of a long long list that maybe doesn't make sense. So maybe if we can work with someone on that too. >> Okay. Like maybe a local landscaper or or or >> maybe >> Peggy and
>> well maybe yeah between >> if they'd be willing to even look over that list and just kind of this one's good, this one's good, this one's good. And then um or you had the native plant sales when we had you know that would
that would be nice to eventually kind of coordinate I think with local vendors and say yeah >> there are a lot of resources available. Ruckers has some resources for >> for this.
Would you like me to um ask our local native plant society, Sussex County um plant society for their suggestions also? >> And I kind of also feel like this somewhat flows to like the rain gardens
question too, detention basins. I don't know. But I guess start somewhere, come up with our list of preferred and then we can see if we can sketch up some >> Well, there's u for rain gardens, there's Ruter's rain garden manual
online. So, as an appendix to that large document, they have whole lists of >> plants that are recommended for rain gardens, um plants that are deer resistant, plants that do well in shade. So, there's different conditions. So, we could pull from those lists as well.
>> And we did just update our storm water regulations, but I wonder if we could Yeah, I mean, this this should all be in the master plan. >> That's what I was saying before. Our storm water regulations aren't up to date. Well, but town council, I think,
did a like find and replace what was it like four months ago where they said we're going to we're going to replace this section as it's written in the code with this section to stay current. But I know what you're saying. I mean, they still
need to double check that MS4 compliance is is there, >> but it's they had to do some sort of state storm water >> regulatory update, right? So, >> I think if if we're the ones that need
to help them find that text, then maybe it is as simple as >> here here it is and then put it give it to Margie >> and then Margie puts it uh in front of them for review and then >> if we could just update those sections
that would be good, >> right? Well, that's and and that's the other thing too is the tree ordinance is part of the storm water regulations. Yeah, >> I know that's not >> it's all related. >> Um and I I just finished the uh the
Rucker's um green infrastructure course, too. So, I have all that all that information. >> Congratulations. >> And I finished the uh well finished except for the project the environmental stewardship um program. And that's what
I was going to mention next is that uh um part of our uh one of our field trips was uh the same day as Sparta day. That's why I couldn't attend. And it was a a trip to various sites in the Pinelands with Dr.
Emil Devito who's just a wealth of knowledge and and entertaining as well. He is uh Here's a great great source for information.
Found out some really interesting things about the Pinelands. Uh that meanwhile yours is up in the air. >> Yeah, but I have a very loud voice. [laughter] >> Okay. Um
and that um you know people get all upset when there are fires in the pine lands, but that's really what keeps them what they are and keeps them living. And uh some of the trees in the pine lands
that get burned all the time uh are probably some of the oldest trees in the country >> because their root systems they they they work on their root systems. Uh so when they burn down they regenerate
and they they have these huge root systems that keeps them alive. kind of trees are those? >> Uh they're scrub pines. They're uh those are one of the kinds we looked at.
>> Pitch pine. Lobli >> pitch pines. Yeah. >> Lobly pine. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And the other thing I learned was that there are no cedar trees in
true cedar trees only exist in the Middle East and Africa. All the trees we call cedar are part of the juniper family. Just something I learned. >> If we do a Sparta Mountain uh
hike, would he be someone that might collaborate on that? >> That's a good good suggestion. >> Well, wasn't he he came and spoke right when Yeah. Okay. when we had the Sparta Mountain speakers. >> I reminded him of that one. >> Yeah.
>> On our tour. It's time to go. [laughter] That's my mindfulness timer. >> You hit your water. >> I did too for a minute. Um, all right.
Any anybody else have anything for new business or any other exciting interesting information? >> I had two short call backs to um deer management just if we wanted to explore
that again. Uh, and then artificial turf um because I was reading with the World Cup um where they're installing grass fields to replace artificial turf and kind of why
and as we know we just uh approved artificial turf to be installed in this town. So to me that means we have at this point like six years before we figure out how to take how we remove
that uh treat it like uh hazardous waste and then >> what's the next step because I believe some of the rush um was well we have to put in art one of the arguments for it was we have to put in this artificial turf because it's too long to develop
natural turf and we need the field. So if that's true, uh I just would want us to talk about it and see do we see ourselves in six years, you know, needing more artificial turf, who's
going to pay for the removal of the old artificial turf? And because uh artificial turf is it looks like it um some of this latest reporting, I mean, people can can look up kind of FIFA
uh World Cup on installing grass fields and why and some of the scientific um analysis of like how players respond. But I think the gist is that artificial turf has a higher coefficient of
friction. So if you have an accident on that, it's less forgiving. So basically your ACL is blown. Um you have these career ending injuries on artificial turf. I think the counterpoint is that oh, you know, younger kids
uh if they're looking to progress um in sports that they need to train on an artificial turf to remain competitive. But then I' I'd say what I said then, which is so our youngest kids
are shortest. They're closest to the fryable artificial turf. So they're inhaling that PAS and uh heavy metals from the tire crumb recycled um material. So yeah, if people want to
think about that, if they think it's something that's appropriate for this body, uh just bring that up. >> Actually, uh Anjek just I just saw something uh I don't know whether there's a bill about artificial turf. Uh
I signed a petition. I can't see if I can find it. >> We get a >> Oh, and we were using I thought open space funds for plastic fields, which >> Oh, yeah. >> Yes, we were. And uh Yes. Here's a the
anjek post from June 8th. It's on on their Facebook page. Um, look look that up because there's a uh they want you to contact Assemblyman Jim Kennedy um to post the Greenacres
artificial turf bill to it's A4909. >> What is it? >> Uh A4909. I believe it's prevent green acres funds from you being used for artificial turf. And it's a post from June. Oh, from
>> June 8th. There are a couple of posts. Uh >> oh, here here we go. The um uh in Britain, the Senate Environment Committee unanimously released S3254, which prohibits the spending of reacres
funds for artificial turf fields. >> 3254. >> Yes. Okay. So we can all contact. Um oh that brings up another there's an hour of action. I think it's
on Monday. Let me just um Monday, June 15th at noon, there's a Zoom meeting on uh the New Jersey School of Conservation. >> Oh. >> Which we know has been defunded. You're available at noon on Monday.
can learn how we can save the school of conservation. >> See if I can have that put on the website. >> Yes. >> Can we post I'll send you the Anjack post and we can put it on Facebook too >> on Monday.
>> Yes. I did mention that town council last meeting about reading up on the school, New Jersey school of conservation, how it's the oldest in the country and going being defunded and how it's what 75
years >> like that. Yes. >> It's terrible. >> And you know, I I know people who have who have taken advantage of that. I I I've been there and done a hike there. >> It's up in Stokes, isn't it? >> Yes. It's a beautiful spot.
>> I should add that you reminded me by bringing that up. They are having a an event on Sunday. Um I think it's called Wings Overwater about dragon flies and dam damsel flies from 12 to 4 I think it is >> about dragon flies
>> and New Jersey School of Conservation. >> Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh, >> I may be attending. >> Yeah. >> What day was that? >> Sunday. This Sunday. 12 to 4, I think.
>> Oh, >> should wrote it down here. >> Yeah. 12 to 4. >> Oh, one other thing. Sorry. um the water bottling in Andover. Um I think it's currently land use board
was supposed to hear it June 16th 7:30 p.m. but I believe it's being asked uh the applicants being asked to carry until August. So, um that's something again with what
we provide to the master plan um subcommittee and town council is just it's pulling from Germany flats in that proposal. And so I would I would have a concern about that as a shared resource
that crosses municipal boundaries. >> Yes. Oh, one other thing. I went to the uh backyard composting um uh session. I can't think of the right word
in uh wanted on Saturday. And that was that was pretty interesting. I I asked Lena and maybe we could do it here. She said to talk to you, but her her term is ending, >> right? Her term uh ends in July. So, we'll have a new watershed ambassador
starting in September, >> right? So, maybe we can do something then. That' be great. >> All right, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> A second. All >> in favor? I Thank you. Thank you.