3. Pledge of Allegiance FEBRUARY 7, 2017 PAGE 1 TOWNSHIP OF HOWELL TOWNSHIP COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

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1 PAGE 1 I. Meeting Called to Order Mayor Berger called this meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Opening Statement and Roll Call Township Clerk Wollman read the opening statement. Adequate notice of the holding of this meeting of the Howell Township Council was provided for in the following manner: (1) By the posting of a copy of said notice upon the bulletin board in the Township Municipal Building on January 12,2017. (2) By the faxing of a copy of said notice to the Tri Town News, Star Ledger and Asbury Park Press for information and publication on January 12, (3) By the filing of a copy of said form of notice in the Township Clerk's office on January 12, The public will be allowed to attend and will be allowed to participate pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Law. The public is reminded that civility and decorum will be maintained during the meeting. Any contracts awarded at this meeting, or between now and the next meeting will be required to comply with the requirements of Public Law 1975 Chapter 127 (NJAC 17:27). Roll Call: Present: Mayor Theresa Berger, Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro, Councilwoman Evelyn O'Donnell, Councilwoman Pauline M. Smith, Councilman Robert F. Walsh. Also present: Township Manager Jeff Mayfield, Chief Financial Officer Louis Palazzo, Director Community Development James Herrman, Township Clerk Penny Wollman. 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Presentation for an application with the NJDEP, Green Acres Program Pierce Farm Property, Block 52, Lots 7,11 and 11.01, Maxim Road Director Community Development James Henman introduced Kelsey Howard of Maser Consulting who has been working on the Green Acres application on the Pierce property. Ms. Kelsey advised that the Notice of this Public Hearing on the Township's NJDEP Green Acres Program Planning Incentive Acquisition application was published as a display ad on Thursday, January 19,20 17 in the Tri-Town News. NJDEP Green Acres Program Planning Incentive Acquisition The Planning Incentive Acquisition program provides matching grants to qualifying local governments for the acquisition of land for conservation and recreation purposes. To qualify for this funding, local governments must have a Green Acres-approved Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), and either an open space tax or an alternate funding source approved by Green Acres. The Township is eligible for a 50% matching grant, as compared to 25% grant through the Green Acres standard acquisition program. In addition, the Township may submit one planning incentive application to acquire any eligible property identified in its OSRP. If the properties proposed to be acquired are not listed on the OSRP, the OSRP shall be updated to include such properties. Applications are due on February 15'20 17.

2 PAGE 2 Application Details The Township is requesting funding to acquire the Pierce Property for future use as recreation and open space. The project will result in the acquisition of Block 52, Lots 7, 11, and , located along Maxim Road in the Township of Howell. The project specifically meets a proposed action fiom the Township's November 2003 Open Space and Recreation Plan to "expand the area of Bear Swamp Natural Preserve" as the proposed property is located across Maxim Road fiom the Bear Swamp Natural Area. The Township is in the process of updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) to include a list of properties that it wishes to acquire for recreation and conservation purposes. Should the Township receive an award, the fimds can be used to acquire a property listed in the OSRP, including the Pierce Farm Property Project Cost and Funding Request: The Township is requesting assistance for the full project cost of $1,348, in the form of: o 50% grant: $674, % low-interest loan: $674, T&M Associates present: Pat Jeffery and Township Planner Stan Slachetka. Mr. Slachetka stated that the Pierce property is located near the Bear Swamp area. This Public Hearing is a requirement of the Green Acres application and to hear comments fiom the public. Mayor Berger questioned what would the benefits be to the town to purchase this property. Director Community Development Herrman responded that the purchase has environmental benefits. Township Planner Slachetka responded that benefits would be to advance goals of the Master Plan, Open Space and Recreation Plan and to take steps for the land use policies. Mr. Slachetka stated that the Open Space and Recreation Plan is to be updated and determining appropriate usage of the property is critical. Councilwoman Smith responded that the south branch of the Squankum Book is now a pristine brook that provides drinking water for many people and this is a very important investment. 5. Heaving of Citizens Joan Osborne, 28 Bronia Street, Environmental Commission Chair. Ms. Osborne stated that the Environmental Commission has reviewed the proposed application to obtain the Pierce Farm under the Green Acres Grant. The Commission has unanimously agreed that it cannot make any recommendation without additional information including past use of soils, a Letter of Interpretation from the NJDEP to determine wetlands and buffers on the property; an appraisal of value, determination of whether the property has historical landmarks or historical value, information on intended recreational or conservational use of the property. Councilwoman Smith stated this is the first step in the process. The items Ms. Osborne listed will be done during the application process.

3 PAGE 3 Barbara Dixel, 62A Piazza Vittoria, The Villages. Mrs. Dixel stated that this is a good acquisition and supports the project stating that Bear Swamp is an important part of Howell History. On another note, Mrs. Dixel asked the Council to consider acquiring the property in front of The Villages, Block 143, Lots 23 and 24, as this property is in the Manasquan River Greenway and wouldn't want this piece of property to be developed. Elizabeth Naskiewicz, 150 Maxim Road. Ms. Naskiewicz stated that she has been involved with open space since 1985 starting as a member of the Environmental Commission, Bear Swamp Advisor and currently sits as a member on the Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee. The Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee supports the grant application of the Pierce Farm property. Ms. Naskiewicz read into the record the Committee's Letter of Support: On behalfof the Howell Township Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee, we would like to express our support.for the Township's grant application to fund the acquisition ofthe Pierce Farm property, located at Block 52, Lots 7,11, and As per ordinance, the Lake Restoration and Wildlife Management Committee was established to deal with the maintenance and management of Township owned lakes, ponds, and the wildlife habitat existing within the Township. Due to the acquisition of large tracts of contiguous lands by the Township, consideration has to be given to the surface waters that exist within them and the wildlife that are dependent upon them for survival. It is recognized that this interrelationship can only be maintained in a healthy state by monitoring these two activities so that they complement each other. These parcels are intersected by the south branch of Squankum Brook, one of the main volume feeder streams whichjow into the Manasquan River; a major watershed for this geographic area. The property is located directly upstream of that portion of the brook which has been remediated recently to improve the habitat for the propagation of Native Brook Trout. This project was a combined effort between Howell Township, Trout Unlimited, US Fish & Wildlife Service and NJDEP; the cost being a joint grant,for over $90, This area is primarily listed as wetlands and perks thousands ofgallons ofnatural rain water to our aquijers during rainfalls, thus being important for quality drinking water for several local communities sewiced by the Manasyuan watershed. It has been the policy ofpast governing bodies, with the support of County and State entities, to purchase critical watershed lands to protect the ground water recharge of remaining open space. The property adjoins the Bear Swamp Natural Area, which is a contiguous Green Belt from the Manasquan Reservoir to Allaire Park.

4 PAGE 4 Since Howell supplies a major portion of the groundwater that feeds the Manasquan River, it is of utmost importance that this land he protectedfvom disturbance and any change away from large lot zoning. This is necessary should any events transpire in the future that permits land that is deemed undevelopable now to attain infrastructure, thus, making it open season on that which protects one of our most valuable natural resources. Any sort of development of this property, other than open space, would be a threat to the stream, watershed and resident wildlife in addition to migrating wildlife. This area is an important staging area for the migrating American Woodcock {scolopax minor). These birds need open areas with wetlands for feeding and resting area while migrating from southern states in the spring, north to Canada, and returning in the fall each year. The property is also home to River Otter (rare to this area) and also many other regularly seen wildlife in this area. The only way to permanentlyprotect these parcels is to add them to the Township's Open Space Roster. We must take this action when the land becomes available rather than wait and hope the courts don't someday over rule our desire to keep this property as a valuable ground water recharge area. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to move forward with the application to purchase this property through funding by Green Acres, with any assistance from Monnzouth Conservation, the County or our Township Open Space Fund that may be necessary. Charles Senders, Member of the Environmental Commission. Mr. Senders stated that he supports the maintenance of the property in its natural state but is also concerned about open space throughout the whole town. Mr. Senders stated that there are limited funds in town and there are other properties to look at for open space acquisition. Nancy Piskatelli, Resident of Howell. Ms. Piskatelli stated that she came to Howell Township for the open space and school system and supported the project. Don Smith, 54 Vanderveer Road. Mr. Smith stated that after listening to the comments this evening from the Environmental Commission, it appears that the Green Acres application process needs to be explained. Mr. Smith stated that he supported the application. Director Community Development Henman stated that this Public Hearing is the initial step on the Green Acres Application. It is an opportunity for the public to voice their support or opposition to the project. Kelsey Howard of Maser Consulting will continue with paperwork to Green Acres. Green Acres will start dialogue with the Township and we would order appraisals on the property. Green Acres will advise by letter if the Township is to receive the hding along with things that are necessary to do, such as Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection, soil investigations, and any other areas of concern.

5 PAGE 5 Bill Kasting, Executive Director, Monmouth Conservation Foundation. Mr. Kasting stated that the Monmouth Conservation Foundation is strictly concerned with land conservation in Monmouth County. This property meets a lot of the goals. Mr. Kasting explained that the application doesn't commit the Township or the owner, as you have to agree on the selling price and other contingencies. If this specific project falls through, the Township can use those monies elsewhere.. Close Heaving of Citizens Council discussion. All members of the governing body supported the application with the NJDEP, Green Acres Program, Pierce Farm Property, Block 52, Lots 7, I 1 and , Maxim Road. 6. Meeting Dates Budget Meeting - Tuesday, February 21,2017 6:00 P.M. "Cancelled Febvuauy 21 Regular Meeting and Council will have a Budget Meeting instead Regular Meeting - Tuesday, March 7,2017 Executive Session 6:30 P.M. Regular Session 7:30 P.M. Regular Meeting - Tuesday, March 21,2017 Executive Session 6:30 P.M. Regular Session 7:30 P.M. 7. Adjour*nment ilwoman Smith made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilman Walsh. Roll Ayes: Mrs. O'Donnell, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Nicastro, Mayor Berger. Meeting ~ownshi~ ~lk.rk Township of Howell