Franklin Township Open Space Advisory Committee

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

7:30 PM

Regular Agenda

 

  1. Call to order in accordance with the Sunshine Law provision.
  2. Introductions/roll call.
  3. Approval of the May 15, 2006 minutes.
  4. Financial Report.
  5. 1st  opening of the meeting to the public.
  6. Consultant’s Report.
  7. Old Business.
    1. Adoption of Resolution to finalize the 2007 Historic grant application.
    2. Adoption of Resolution to finalize the “Hunting Guidelines for Franklin Township Open Space Property, 2007-2008 Deer Management Program.”  (see attached)
    3. Other?
  8. New Business.
    1. Request from the Meadows Foundation to amend the 2006 Historic grant for Tulipwood—see attached.
    2. Review of draft Southern Township Park plan on Dunn and Gunther tracts.
    3. Other?
  9. 2nd opening of the meeting to the public.
  10. Executive session to discuss negotiations & status of property purchases.
  11. Adjournment.

Agenda Item 6

 

LOOS CONSULTING

Land Preservation & Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Loos

39 Fisher Drive

Franklin Park, NJ 08823

732. 422.4326

Saveland@Jloos.com

To:       OSAC

 

From:  John Loos Consulting

 

Date:   June 2007

 

RE:      Land Preservation Consultant’s Monthly Report

 

Since the last OSAC meeting on May 15, 2007, I worked on the following projects:

  1. Eagle Scout projects.  Coordinated with NJAS and discussed possible projects with scouts—see attached report
  2. Prepared OSAC and AAC agendas
  3. Prepared Historic grant resolution for 2007 Historic grant program
  4. Prepared hunting guidelines resolution
  5. Worked on the following land preservation projects:  Lemantovich (survey issues), Suydam (survey issues), Chrin (ordering appraisals), Lake (closing issues), Madden (closing issues), Terhune (PIG application), Temmer (PIG application), Jackson (met w/ owners to discuss preservation) & Riya (closing issues).
  6. Updated monthly PIG status report for SADC
  7. Met with Bonnie Von Ohlen to process NRCS grants for wetlands construction, hedgerow removal, seeding and herbicide application on NNNGP and GNGP.
  8. Arranged mowing of trails on Catalpa, NNNGP and GNGP.
  9. Finalized TAC Pathways and Trails Plan, arrange notice of public hearing, prepare power-point presentation of PTP for public hearing, conduct public hearing
  10. Answered citizen’s questions regarding PTP
  11. Met w/ Mark Healy to begin working on new SADC PIG grant application for FY 08.
  12. Researched Six Mile Run designation as a state park for Healy.
  13. Conducted site inspections of area where ATVs were entering Ten Mile Run Greenway on Liev Erickson and approved neighbor’s blocking of the entrance
  14. Interviewed potential candidates for summer help
  15. Continued management of NNNGP fields
  16. Attended TAC meeting
  17. Respond to phone calls from citizens:  Nieman farm, TAC’s PTP, outings on open space
  18. Attended OSAC-sponsored outing on NNNGP and interacted with attendees and answered questions regarding open space (did not bill Township).
  19. Attended Raritan Piedmont Wildlife Habitat Partnership (RPWP) meeting on behalf of Township (did not bill Township)
  20. Led RPWP on tour of NNNGP and Six Mile Run (did not bill Township)
  21. Continued to coordinate with Public Works Department, including arranging Griggstown and Nepote fields to be mowed, expansion of NNNGP parking area, layout of handicapped access trail on NNNGP and tree removal on NNNGP
  22. Began FY09 PIG grant application work.
  23. Prepared, with assistance from Dan Mensah, the  OSTF Financial Report
  24. Processed invoices for Meadows historic grant, Civil Solutions and NJAS
  25. Addressed complaint of target practice being done on NNNGP
  26. Prepared and sent letter of support for Walkable Communities grant
  27. Conducted final inspection of Tulipwood in order to finalize historic grant payment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EAGLE SCOUT COMPLETED PROJECTS

Project

Scout/Troop

Barn Swallow Structure at GNGP

Dan Bobev/113

Butterfly Garden at GNGP

Jeremy Peters/113

Trail Construction (Simpson Brook Trail) at GNGP

John Clyde Jr/113

Trail Construction (Bluebird Trail and Sourland View Trail) at GNGP

Andrew Rath/195

Trail Construction (Beech Trail) at GNGP

David Dalton/113

Kiosk, GNGP

Mike Bignell/195

Kiosk, NNGP

S. Minnihan/113

Wildlife Viewing Blind, Phase 1, NNGP

Justin Kanaps/113

Wildlife Viewing Blind, Phase 2, NNGP

Tim Bodner/113

 

ACTIVE PROJECTS                                                                                           

Project

Scout/Troop

Project Status

Target Completion Date*

Trail Construction (Upper Woods Trail) GNGP

Martin Metz

No New Update - Martin Metz has been shown trail – will begin work in spring.

Summer 2007

Trail Construction – (Cliff Trail) BHNA

Jawray Yu

All project documentation is complete.  Scout will complete project by end of summer.

 Summer 2007

Kiosk, BHNA &

 

 

Kiosk, Memorial Forest

Doug Bodner/113

 

 

Brian Wittreich/195

Doug continues working on a proposal with C. Carey (school and scouts have kept him busy per mother – Doug is to contact GM soon)

Brian to do MF

 

Demonstration Habitats with Deer Exclosures

Alex Banko

No New Update - As soon as schedules allow, GAM and Alex will meet to view site and discuss project objectives

Summer 2007 anticipated

Bridge Construction

 

No New Update -

Summer 2007

Interpretive Trail, (Bluebird and Sourland Trails) GNGP

Peter Barboe of troop 154

No New Update – Met with Peter 5/24 to review trail and necessary material for project.  Peter will work on proposal

Spring 2008

Barn Swallow Interpretive Material

 

No New Update - This project is not sufficient for Eagle Scout project as is….

 

Butterfly garden fence and plant ID markers

 

J. Loos indicated public works will likely construct the fence. 

 

Natural Park Benches – GNGP

Michael Rath/195

Travis New/195

No New Update –T. New set draft bench design for comment and approval prior to proposal writing 6-6-07

 

Natural Park Benches – NGNP

 

No interest yet

 

Natural Park Benches – BHNA

 

No interest yet

 

Wheelchair ramp for wildlife viewing blind access

 

A scout will be identified for this project.

 

 

 

 

Scout projects, continued

 

Pat Dillon (Scoutmaster T113) expressed an interest in potential Eagle Scout projects at Bunker Hill Natural Area.  G MacGregor has replied to his email (of May 21) and is awaiting his response.  She provided a number of potential projects at that site and others.

 

Loos spoke with Brian Wittreich, Troop 195, about possible projects and is awaiting response.

Agenda Item 7.a

OSAC Resolution recommending to the Council the

Awarding of Historic Preservation Grants

Whereas, the Open Space Trust Fund (OSTF) has as one of its purposes historic preservation; and

Whereas, the ordinance that established the OSTF also authorizes a grant program to fund publicly held properties and projects t which are deemed to be of direct benefit to the public and the Township; and

Whereas, the OSAC initiated a program for the 2007 Historic Preservation Grant Program; and

Whereas, the OSAC received three grant applications for said grant program; and

Whereas, the OSAC reviewed said grant applications and found that several of the projects that for which there was application met with approval from the OSAC for funding; now therefore

Be it Resolved that the OSAC does hereby recommend to the Township Council that the following projects be awarded or denied a grant for the 2007 funding round:

Kingston United Methodist Church.  The OSAC recommends funding the proposed steeple repair in the Kingston Historic District in the amount of $27,750. 

 

Kingston United Methodist Church.  The OSAC recommends the denial of the grant request for $11,250 to replace a door and comply with fire codes as it was of the opinion that this is not historic preservation and was the responsibility of the church members.

 

Meadows Foundation.  The OSAC recommends funding the proposed painting of the Hageman Farm and Van Liew-Suydam Barn in the amount of $71,740.

 

Meadows Foundation.  The OSAC recommends the denial of the grant request for $59,250 to install an HVAC system and bathroom ($59,250) for the Wyckoff-Garretson House.  The Meadows Foundation states that the HVAC system was needed to help preserve some of the historic pieces kept in the home and the bathrooms were for visitors.  It was decided that the purpose of the Open Space Trust Fund was to support the preservation and stabilization of historic structures and not to modify them with modern conveniences.  Therefore, this portion of the grant request is not being recommended for funding.

 

Kingston Presbyterian Church—The OSAC recommends the denial of the grant request for $25,000 to replace a door and comply with fire codes as it was of the opinion that this is not historic preservation and was the responsibility of the church members.

Agenda Item 7.b

DRAFT-DRAFT

 

Hunting Guidelines for Franklin Township Open Space Property

2007-2008 Deer Management Program

Rules and Regulations

 

  1. Only hunters who have obtained a Franklin Township issued hunting permit are permitted to hunt on township-owned land.
  2. All State and local regulations pertaining to parks and to hunting apply, including specific season dates and bag limits
  3. All tree stands must be portable and removed two weeks after hunting season closes.
  4. Two non-antlered deer must be taken from your approved township-owned hunting area before a buck may be taken from the area.  (This item has been part of the program for several years.  However, one member of the Wildlife Control Committee suggests that this not be in force during the six-day firearm season.  Argument in favor of keeping this is that it encourages hunters who want a buck to go out prior to six-day season and get two does.  Argument in favor of suspending this requirement is that those who may not get two does on open space prior to six-day season may get a buck during this season.  The OSAC should decide what to do with this item.)
  5. Hunting shall only be on the property that is listed on the permit.
  6. A licensed adult must accompany all hunters under the age of 16.
  7. All hunting results will be reviewed. This will help us determine if the hunter will be invited to hunt again in following years.
  8. Vehicles are restricted to public roads and designated parking areas (map will be provided)
  9. Only deer may be hunted; any other hunting is strictly prohibited.
  10. Hunters are only authorized to be on the property for which they have been issued a permit and are responsible for knowing where they are at all times.  Each hunter's permit must be prominently displayed whenever the hunter is on the property.
  11. Target practice is prohibited.
  12. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages while on the property is prohibited.
  13. Littering is prohibited—including leaving empty shotgun shells on the ground.
  14. Violation of any special condition or any applicable State law or local regulation will result in the immediate loss of hunting privileges on the property and will also subject the hunter to any applicable penalties.
  15. Hunting is restricted to the portions of the properties designated as open to deer hunting (maps will be provided).
  16. Hunters are not permitted to hunt or possess a loaded firearm within 450 feet of any building or school playground or any posted safety zone area.  It should be noted that some trails are posted as safety zones on open space.
  17. On the Negri-Nepote native Grassland Preserve and the Ten Mile Run Greenway, there is no hunting prior to 1:30 PM.  Hunting may begin at 1:30 PM. 
  18. Hunting is not permitted on Sundays. 
  19. Hunting Parking Permit must be displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle.
  20. Hunting permit number must be clearly displayed on any tree stand.  Failure to display the permit number will result in the removal of and the discarding of the stand.
  21.  No fires of any kind.
  22. The attached “Hunter’s Report” must be completed and returned to the Township in order to be considered for participation in obtaining a permit for the following year.

 

 

The following policy issues were discussed by the WCC:

 

  1. Increase the number of permits in the Ten Mile Run Greenway from 50 to 60
  2. Make the following three areas bow only:
    1. Bunker Hill Natural Area
    2. Cedar Grove Lane to Wilson Road Natural Area (3 bow permits)
    3. Butler Road Natural Area, east side of the Ten Mile Rune Stream (10 bow permits)
  3. Have fewer days of hunting—especially during Fall Foliage season.  (The WCC could not completely agree on this item.  Some argued that changing the hours in Griggstown to half-day hunting satisfies this concern.  Minimally, the WCC did agree that there will be no hunting on Saturday, October 20 during the scheduled “Fall Foliage outing.”)
  4. The program, once agreed-upon, should be advertised on TV25, the Township website and, if timely, the Franklin Times.

 

 

 

 

Agenda item 8.a

 

Request from Meadows Foundation

to redirect $1,500 from the 2006 Historic grant award

 

 

Originally the grant included a $1,500.00 line item to build a well house for the well which had been serving potable water to the house.  Recently (earlier this year) the well itself failed and it was decided to connect the house to the municipal water system instead of drilling a new well. This was funded through the township water department and consisted of making a connection to the water main at the street and a connection at the house. A water pipe was installed previously from the house to the street (but not connected at the street or at the house) by the Kimball family when the sewer pipe was connected to the house in 1979. There was minimal expense and this was an appropriate and unexpected solution to the well problem. It is worth noting that the well itself failed the newer rigid NJDEP guidelines for private wells and was part of Meadows Foundation’s decision to abandon the well in favor of municipal water.

 

Option 1:  Because the house is no longer connected to the well system and it has been deactivated and abandoned  and as such, there is no need for the  $1,500.00 to build an enclosure for the well. The contractor (John Knapp) suggested that we apply the monies to remove a dead tree close to the north east corner of the house, connect the garage to a new code compliant electric service and re-grade and re-gravel the driveway. John Knapp has agreed to accept the $1,500.00 for completing these items.

 

Option 2:  Do not expend the $1,500.00 at this time and close the grant short $1,500.00.