MEETING MINUTES
GREEN BOOK FLOOD CONTROL COMMISSION
DRAFT
SITE: Plainfield Library
DATE: October 4, 2006
TIME: 7:30 PM
NOTE:
Adequate notice of this meeting was provided informing the public of time and place according to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Law (Chapter 231, P.L. 1975).
IN ATTENDANCE:
Joe Debler – Piscataway Frank D’Aversa -Plainfield resident Theodore Bassman-Scotch Plains George M Vecverdes – MBNJ,
Richard O’Connor-Engineer GBFCC Carl Turner – Plainfield Engineer
Melonie Marano – Green Brook Tony Addario - Watchung
Aimin Shi – Middlesex Cty Engineer’s Off. John Gausz - Watchung
Mark Hardenburg – Piscataway Adrian O. Mapp - UC Freeholder
John O’Connor –USAC of Engineers John Sweeney – Boro of Middlesex
Frank Righetti – North Plainfield Mary Lou Viswat – Middlesex Boro
Alice Tempel – South Plainfield Barbara James - ASM, Green
Ed Zuskowski – Bound Brook Colleen O’Shea - Bridgewater Twp
Robert W Billian – Bound Brook Frank Meeks - Treasurer
CORRESPONDENCE:
A letter from Mayor Robinson-Briggs was read extending her pleasure in hosting the GBFCC meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
The only expenditure noted was $26.00 for postage for notices. Income is up to date. Plainfield received their invoices in February.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
:
1. Legislative – Chairman Joe Debler called the offices of Senator Lautenberg and the ACOE obtaining no information in regard to FY2007 budget appropriations. He noted the House has passed the budget but the Senate won’t vote until after November elections. If the budget is passed, the money would be available in early 2007.
2. Finance Committee – Chairman Adrian Mapp met with the Finance Committee to review and discuss the status of finances over the past 5 years. They discussed what the budget might look like for 2007 and hope to have a final draft of ideas/plan by November. Mr. Mapp indicated the budget would be less than what has been seen in the past few years as a result of the recent changes implemented by the GBFCC.
3. Chairman Debler noted that the Commission’s meeting minutes are now available on the website (http://www.gbfcc.org/). Anyone with no access to a computer may access the site at any local library. Paper copies will also be available at the Commission meetings. A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the meeting minutes of September 6, 2006.
PROJECT REPORTS
John O’Connor, P.E. (US Army Corps of Engineers) reported for Charles Defendorf of NJDEP who was unable to attend due to family commitments.
1. October 1, 2006 was the start of the fiscal year for the Federal government. There was no impact on current projects.
2. Flood Control project – monies will continue to be requested as needed.
3. $5 million will be available to complete the Finderne Farm project and initiate the Talmadge Avenue bridge raising.
4. Finderne Farm – the project is 90-95% complete. Completion date is scheduled for March 2007. Completion in March will give opportunity to view the plants that are now in and re-plant if necessary.
5. Somerset county park athletic fields are also being worked on for completion in the spring.
6. Levee System (Rt 22 & 28/Shop Rite) – final inspection was done in September. Punch list items were noted for the contractor to complete.
7. Levee R-1 – final inspection was completed on September 4, 2006. Punch list items were noted with the contractor and will be taken care of.
8. Billion Baseball field – was completed in May 2005. A geo-textile fabric was not installed properly thereby causing a drainage deficiency in the infield. The contractor is putting in a new infield and will be completed this week. The outfield is still heavily used for soccer but will not impact the work being done on the infield.
9. Talmadge Avenue
– is under advertisement. The real estate acquisition is ongoing. Based on funding, it should be awarded in November.
10. UpperBasin Study – after a meeting with the DEP, a scope of plan study was provided. If in agreement with the study parameters, the parties involved to agree so that the study can be done when appropriations are available. Mr. Debler has spoken with Senator Lautenberg’s office regarding authorizing the upper basin study.
11. ConrailBridge demolition (spans Raritan and Metuchen Rd in MiddlesexCounty) – for bended spur removal. A sole source contractor is still in negotiations and hopes to come to agreement this month. Money had been secured in 2005 for this project.
QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
1. Adrian Mapp questioned who was paying for the work that was re-done on the baseball field. John O’Connor advised it the sole responsibility of the construction division contractor.
2. Adrian Mapp questioned what will happen in 2007 fiscal year, what to expect from funding or any indication by the representatives of requests that will be made on behalf of the Commission. Joe Debler hoped the Asst. Secretary of the Army would provide a funding line item from the Administration budget instead of a zero amount so that Congress doesn’t have to struggle to add a line item in the budget. John O’Connor also noted that Rep. Ferguson invited the Asst. Secretary of the Army to see/tour the project and the work that is incomplete to have a grasp of the situation.
3 Mary Lou Viswat (Environmental Commissioner-Middlesex) questioned how close the bridge construction will disturb vegetation and whose responsibility to cleanup. John O’Connor indicated the embankment is contaminated and will require special handling to remove the bridge and any contaminants. Under the flood control project, the NJDEP will pay for cleanup.
4. Joe Debler advised there were some communications from Dunellen that will be reported at the next meeting by William Robbins, Township Clerk.
5. Mark Hardenburg questioned the Commissions’ formal address whereby a difference was noted. Joe Debler said the Plainfield post office address is correct whether “Netherwood Station” is used or not.
6. Frank D’Aversa (Plainfield resident) questioned if the upper basin had been discussed and the possibility of funding. John O’Connor indicated there had been discussion and the Asst. Secretary Woodley did not make any promises for funding.
7. John Gausz (Watchung) questioned at what point they will see what is in the agreement. Joe Debler informed him that a plan of study had been submitted to the state. When they agree and a study authorization is received, a scooping program will be started.
8. A Bound Brook resident would like to know if an update is needed on the house being torn down or any other property being demolished. John O’Connor advised they are looking to cut off utilities and demolish the property shortly and negotiations are ongoing with municipalities for any other parcels of land set for demolition.
9. Question was raised if there was any change in Tyco. No changes were reported.
10. Alice Tempel questioned where responsibility lies in respect to dumping. Joe Debler advised that the NJDEP is responsible and should refer her question(s) to Charlie Defendorf (NJDEP).
BY-LAWS
Discussion on the by-laws determined they would be introduced and adopted at this time. Should additional comments be forthcoming from other individuals, then those by-laws could be amended. A motion was made, seconded and approved as amended
SPECIAL NOTE
Chairman Debler reminded individuals present to provide Tina Totten with their e-mail address (postcard) so as to cut down on future postage. Starting in January 2007, only those without any access to computers will be mailed meeting notices if they advise Tina.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Green Brook Flood Commission will be Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 7:30pm in North Plainfield.
The December meeting will be December 6, 2006 at 7:30pm in SomersetCounty.
ADJOURNMENT