RAMSEY ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING – MAY 13, 2014
The May meeting of the Ramsey Environmental Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairman Strollo at 7:37 p.m. Also present were Mr. Kirk, Mr. Goudelias, Mr.
Morris, Mr. Ramiza, Ms. Sahler, Commissioners, and Council Liaison Weber. Ms.
Miller, Mr. Nerney, and Mr. Ranzi were absent. Due to the absence of Mrs. Dey,
Administrative Assistant, the meeting was tape recorded.
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
On motion by Mr. Ramiza, seconded by Mr. Kirk, the minutes of the March 11,
2014 meeting were accepted as received. On motion by Mr. Morris, seconded by Ms.
Sahler, the minutes of the April 8, 2014 meeting were accepted as received.
PUBLIC COMMENT #1
Ms. Reeva Kymer was present to observe the meeting. She shared information about her background.
CORRESPONDENCE
Minutes-
Board of Public Works-March 10, 2014
Shade Tree Commission-February 20, 2014
DEVELOPMENTS/SITE PLANS
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 will handle 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 will review the project for the Environmental Commission.

Environmental Commission
OLD BUSINESS
- 2 - May 13, 2014
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
Board has been questioned. Ms. Strollo provided a pertinent update. 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.
KONICA MINOLTA, 100 WILLIAMS DRIVE
Mr. Nerney handled the project which includes an ADA compliant front entrance.
The project was heard by the Planning Board. They are adding two generators, making three in total. There is a question about whether they need air quality permits. There is no change in impervious coverage. This project will be removed from the Environmental
Commission agenda.
SUSTAINABLE JERSEY
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. He noted that 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. 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 12 th
. Approximately sixty people participated. It was a quieter day than other clean-up days, probably because

Environmental Commission - 3 - May 13, 2014 of its tie-in with Spring Break. Mr. Morris submitted the paperwork for the annual $300 grant. He has the report which includes the total number of filled garbage bags and recyclables bags. Mr. Ramiza returned the equipment from the county. Ms. Strollo thanked all of the participants.
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP
A committee from the high school has selected the winner of the $500 scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded on Monday, June 16 th
.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL LIAISON
A presentation about the cell tower will be made at the June Planning Board meeting.
The new municipal pool is expected to open for Memorial Day weekend.
Bids are out for road resurfacing. There is a list of the roads to be resurfaced.
Relay for Life will take place at the high school in June.
An approved subdivision of homes located by Finch Park will be going forward now that a water issue has been resolved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Board of Adjustment
A sign variance was requested by Sports Authority in the Kohl’s Shopping
Center.
The digital sign at St. Paul’s was approved.
Board of Health
The Board of Health initiative, Lighten Up Ramsey, a borough-wide weight loss of 1000 pounds, has been very successful.
Planning Board
24 Hour Fitness, adjacent to Pathmark, will appear before the Planning Board.
Shade Tree Commission
There was a major tree removal project on Hosking Way.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Environmental Commission,
Mr. Kirk moved that the meeting be adjourned, seconded by Mr. Ramiza, and passed.
NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014

General

Attendance/Roll Call
Public Comment #1
Discussion/Approval of Minutes

May 13 th meeting
Developments/Site Plans
Correspondence/Announcements
Old Business

633 Route 17 South, Ramsey Auto Group

492 North Franklin Turnpike, Don Bosco High School

966 Route 17 North, V Boys-Ramsey Holdings

Sustainable Jersey

Green Team

Annual Scholarship
Report of the Council Liaison
Commissioner Comments
New Business

Summer meeting cancellation, July 8 or August 12
Public Comment #2
Committee/Commission Reviews (Commissioner assignments)

Board of Adjustment-April 16, 2014 (Strollo)

Board of Health-(all)

Board of Public Works-(Nerney)

Design Review Board-(Kirk)

Planning Board-April 15, 2014, May 6, 2014, meeting agendas (all)

Shade Tree Commission-April 17, 2014 (Morris)
Adjournment