RAMSEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING – JUNE 10, 2014
The June meeting of the Ramsey Environmental Commission was called to order
by Chairman Nerney at 7:40 p.m. Also present were Mr. Morris, Mr. Ranzi, and Ms.
Sahler, Commissioners, and Mrs. Dey, Administrative Assistant. Mr. Kirk, Mr.
Goudelias, Ms. Miller, Mr. Ramiza, Ms. Strollo, and Council Liaison Weber were absent.
In accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, public notice of the
meeting was published in The Ridgewood News on December 27, 2013 and in The
Record on December 27, 2013 and posted in the Municipal Building.
MINUTES
Approval of the May 13, 2014 minutes was tabled until the next meeting. It was
decided to cancel the July 8th meeting and hold the August 12th meeting so that plans for
Ramsey Day can be discussed and developed. It is assumed that the Environmental
Commission and the Recycling Committee will work together again.
CORRESPONDENCE
MinutesBoard of Adjustment-April 16, 2014
Planning Board-April 15, 2014, May 6, 2014, meeting agendas
Shade Tree Commission-April 17, 2014
OLD BUSINESS
633 ROUTE 17 SOUTH, RAMSEY AUTO GROUP
Volvo is proposing a small addition which will provide an enclosed drop-off area
for service calls. They are also proposing to eliminate some of the existing nonconformities. Their Planning Board hearing has not been completed. Ms. Sahler and Ms.
Strollo are handling the project for the Environmental Commission.
492 NORTH FRANKLIN TURNPIKE, DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL
The proposed plan is for an alumni pavilion and cold storage building. Mr.
Morris reviewed the project for the Environmental Commission and a letter was sent to
the Planning Board.
V BOYS-RAMSEY HOLDINGS, LLC, 966 ROUTE 17 NORTH, BLOCK 4301,
LOT 14.1
A Wawa and gas station have been proposed for the former Cury’s site. The
property is located in the B-3 Highway Commercial district. Bears Cove, a Planned
United Development (PUD), is located to the rear of the property. The attorney for
Bear’s Cove appealed the process on the basis that the zoning officer was not installed by
ordinance and therefore his decision that the project should be heard by the Planning
Environmental Commission
-2-
June 10, 2014
Board has been questioned. At this point, the project is being heard by both the Planning
Board and the Board of Adjustment regarding different issues. Mr. Nerney’s letter on
behalf of the Environmental Commission has been forwarded to the Planning Board.
SUSTAINABLE JERSEY
Information about Sustainable Jersey was reviewed. Mr. Goudelias received the
Green Team resolution. One hundred fifty points are needed for Sustainable Jersey
bronze certification; more than four hundred municipalities in New Jersey have at least
bronze certification. Silver certification requires three hundred fifty points. Ninety
points never expire or at least will not expire by the next deadline. Projects and their
point totals include Natural Resource Inventory (20), Tree Protection Ordinance (10),
Inventory and Upgrade all Buildings (50), Construction and Demo Waste Recycling
Ordinance (10), Community Outreach and Education (10), Green Team (10), Farmers’
Market (10), Community Paper Shredding Day (5), Recycling Depot (10), Community
Forestry Plan and Canopy Goal (20), Anti-Idling Education and Enforcement Program
(10), Building Healthier Communities (20), and Environmental Commission (10). The
prescription drug take-back program is new to Ramsey’s submission and earns another
ten points. Nineteen pounds of prescription drugs were collected in 2010, compared with
more than eighty pounds in 2014. Mrs. Dey, Mr. Goudelias, Mr. Nerney, Mr. Smith, and
Ms. Strollo have been appointed to the Green Team; Ms. Kymer who attended the May
meeting has also been appointed. According to Mr. Goudelias’ calculations, two hundred
five points will be submitted. The Sustainable Jersey application is due in June, with a
completion deadline by November. Once the application is submitted, a Green Team
meeting will be scheduled.
ANNUAL CLEAN-UP
The annual borough clean-up took place on Saturday, April 12th. Mr. Morris
submitted the paperwork for the annual $300 grant which was received and which has
been turned over to the borough.
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
A committee from the high school has selected the winner of the $500
scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded on Monday, June 16th.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Board of Health
The Board of Health initiative, Lighten Up Ramsey, a borough-wide weight loss
of 1000 pounds, was very successful; the thousand-pound goal was almost reached.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Environmental Commission,
Mr. Nerney moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:02 p.m., seconded by Ms. Sahler,
and passed.
NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2014
Meeting Date: August 12, 2014
RAMSEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA
General
 Attendance/Roll Call
Public Comment #1
Discussion/Approval of Minutes
 May 13th meeting, June 10th meeting
Developments/Site Plans
Correspondence/Announcements
Old Business
 633 Route 17 South, Ramsey Auto Group
 966 Route 17 North, V Boys-Ramsey Holdings
 Sustainable Jersey
 Green Team
 Annual Scholarship
Report of the Council Liaison
Commissioner Comments
New Business
 Ramsey Day
Public Comment #2
Committee/Commission Reviews (Commissioner assignments)
 Board of Adjustment-May 21, 2014, June 18, 2014 (Strollo)
 Board of Health-(all)
 Board of Public Works-(Nerney)
 Design Review Board-(Kirk)
 Planning Board-May 20, 2014, June 3, 2014, June 17, 2014, July 1, 2014, meeting
agendas (all)
 Shade Tree Commission-June 19, 2014 (Morris)
Adjournment