Richard Hunt

The meeting began with the reading of the Sunshine Act and the flag salute. Key resolutions passed included the appointment of board officers (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary), the appointment of professionals (Solicitor, Engineer, Planner, Traffic Engineer), the designation of official newspapers, and setting the schedule of meetings for 2026. Following an open-to-the-public segment, the board approved the minutes from the December 16, 2025 meeting. The main action item involved the application of Lauren and Jonathan Hodges (App. 2025-9) for a minor subdivision and bulk variance on a property on West Wolfert Station Road. The application, which sought to subdivide a 6.39-acre lot into two smaller lots, required one variance for lot frontage, as the revised plan adjusted the proposed lot sizes. After public commentary, the motion to grant the minor subdivision and bulk variance approval, subject to conditions, was carried by a majority vote.

Key discussions included cleanup and volunteer projects scheduled for November, specifically vegetation management concerns regarding the riparian buffer at Mickleton Park North along Democrat Road, and ongoing maintenance needs like planting and mulching. For Mickleton Park South, the ribbon cutting occurred, and discussions focused on securing the environmental books year-round by storing them at the Meeting House during winter months, which was conditionally approved. Other topics included addressing concerns about parking lot usage on Halloween, presentations regarding Nex Trex & EGTSD outreach, a potential collaboration with the Clark School Birds, Bats & Bugs Club, a review of the Township Open Space discussion from October 28, and a decision to postpone the Sustainable Jersey certification period from 2026 to 2027 to allow the commission time to regroup and organize existing documentation.

Old Business included confirmation of the 2025 Commission and Green Team Membership and finalizing the Eagle Scout Bird Box Project. Discussions regarding the Mickleton Park Project on the Democrat Road Side covered closing out a $5000 grant, the potential need for signage to prevent sledding damage on a replanted hill, and future planting needs. For the Quaker Road Side, status updates were given on two active grants, planning for the playground and reading center, including ordering 100 book titles using a $10,000 grant, and moving the planned parking lot layout after consultation regarding the buffer area preparation. The Commission reviewed 2024 cleanup project activity, which focused heavily on Mickleton Park projects, and discussed the 2025 continuation plan. In Recycling Education, the viability of pursuing a Nextrex collection program was questioned based on findings regarding plastic bag collection bins at local retailers. New Business focused on collaboration with EG Schools, including plans to invite the Superintendent of Schools to a future meeting to discuss environmental education resources for various school groups. Comments for the good of the order included updates on AARP senior grants and an application deadline for a Native Society mini grant for soft landings around trees.

The meeting included the approval of bills for payment. The committee introduced Ordinance No. 1-2026 concerning property tax exemptions for totally disabled veterans, scheduling the public hearing for January 27, 2026. Several resolutions were passed, including authorizing participation in the Defense Logistics Agency Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) 1033 Program, authorizing the purchase of waste collection carts, authorizing the cancellation of property taxes for specific tax lots, renewing and approving the lease agreement with the United States Postal Service, amending the resolution designating official newspapers for 2026, authorizing an Affordable Housing Agreement with Ingerman Development Company, LLC, and accepting the advertisement of an RFP for Conflict Solicitor and Conflict Public Defender services. The committee also authorized a closed session to discuss a Shared Service Agreement for the Construction Code Official.

The meeting commenced with the reading of the Sunshine Act and the flag salute. Key actions included the approval of resolutions, specifically Res. 2025-16 concerning Merryfield Urban Renewal, LLC. The board reviewed an action item regarding the application of Lauren & Jonathan Hodges for a minor subdivision and bulk variance on a property located on West Wolfert Station Road. Following discussion and deeming the application complete, the applicants requested to withdraw the current application to amend their plans for resubmission at the subsequent meeting. Consequently, the board voted to move the application to the January 20, 2026 meeting.