Here are some aerial photographs taken above Armacost Park on Friday, July 16th, 2010. The Avalon Borough Council has contracted with Windward Consulting, LLC of Clifton, New Jersey to develop a conceptual design for the restoration of the park. The photographs detail the various growth in the park from different angles. Photographs taken by Scott Wahl, Avalon Public Information Officer, with cooperation from the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

JULY 20, 2010 MEETING MINUTES

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Chairman Reynolds. Roll call was taken.

Present: Beth Tipping, Bobbi Herb, Debanne Macaluso, Kevin Coyle, Terry Sasdelli, Brian Reynolds

Absent: Terry Strobaugh

Chairman Reynolds read the Open Public Meetings Act. A motion to approve the June 15, 2010 meeting minutes was made by Terry Sasdelli and seconded by Debanne Macaluso. Approved by all.

The Chairman advised the Commission that the Borough Solicitor has been requested to provide a template MOA to Bob Scully for 84 E. 11^th Street.

A contract for $6,000 to Windward Consulting LLC for Armacost Park has been approved by Borough Council. Scott Wahl and Paul Schroeck (of Windward) took pictures of the park on July 16^th. Margaret Griffin of 74^th Street left a voice mail message expressing her displeasure over the prospect of work being done at the Park.

The MOA has been executed for the 74^th Street Pilot Program. Escrow funds have been received. Work will start on the Kelley property first. Pine trees will be marked with a ribbon and removed. Wild cherry trees will be shaken. Bill Macomber and DPW will start on the Butler property and Borough property within the next two weeks. Brian will distribute a color coded document from The Lomax Consulting Group which designates the heights for the trees in the area. Recommends in 2012 that certain areas will warrant future investigations.

A draft should be ready by July 23^rd for the Forestry Management Plan based upon a conversation that Brian had with Tim Raker of The Lomax Consulting Group.

Beth told the members about a meeting on August 5^th that she and Bobbi will attend sponsored by the Wildlife Action Plan Workshop.

Brian asked if any of the Commission members could attend the next meeting of the AHLOA Avalon Blvd. Beautification meeting on August 4^th at 7:00 at which time suggestions for the Planning Board will be brought up.

Adjournment at 5:00 pm.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

JUNE 15, 2010 MEETING MINUTES 

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Chairman Reynolds. Roll call was taken.

Present: Beth Tipping, Bobbi Herb, Debanne Macaluso, Kevin Coyle, Terry Strobaugh, Brian Reynolds

Absent: Terry Sasdelli

Chairman Reynolds read the Open Public Meetings Act. A motion to approve the May 18, 2010 meeting minutes was made by Terry Strobaugh and seconded by Kevin Coyle. Approved by all.

The Armacost Park proposal is scheduled for discussion at the June 23 Borough Council meeting. Paul Schroeck from Windward Consulting will be at the June 23^rd meeting. Mr. Schroeck has expressed an interest in reviewing Stone Harbor’s Master Plan for their bird sanctuary.

Three meetings are scheduled during the summer months regarding the AHLOA Avalon Boulevard beautification initiative. AHLOA would like to present this to the Planning/Zoning Board later this summer and eventually to Borough Council. Brian asked the EC members to give him their suggestions/comments and he will pass them on to Mike Matt. He recommended that Commission members attend subsequent meetings on the first Wednesday in July and August at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers.

The Borough is waiting for the signed MOA for the 74^th Street Pilot Program.

Brian received a request from Irene Vosbikian of 4299 Dune Drive who wants two pine trees removed from Borough property in the dunes located behind Bayberry Dr. at 43^rd Street.

84 E. 11^th Street proposal. Bob Scully of Ferguson Dechert and Harry Haberman of Haberman Landscaping were present. Bob has been in contact with The Lomax Consulting Group who made some recommendations for plantings. Lomax said that dune grass should not be planted there due to lack of sand. Property owner would be responsible for maintenance. Brian wants more definitive idea of their approach – beach plum and bayberry are what Harry is suggesting. Brian told Bob Scully to have something more detailed for the EC members including drawings of the drip system.

Brian distributed an e-mail from Sue Keen regarding Bill Soens’ e-mail relative to tree in front of Avalon Real Estate. Brian feels trees should be trimmed not topped or removed. Brian asked EC members for any additional comments.

Resolution passed by Planning/Zoning Board and sent to Borough Council regarding trees overhanging into the streets. This Resolution states it is the responsibility of the homeowner concerning those trees.

Green Team Fair – looking for companies that install water saver irrigation systems. Old systems can be retrofitted.

Adjournment at 5:25 pm.

AVALON ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION

3100 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202

May 18^th, 2010

Present: Brian Reynolds, Beth Tipping, Kevin Coyle, Bobbi Herb, Terry Strobaugh, Debanne Macaluso, Terry Sasdelli, and Sue Keen acting Secretary for Carol Mengel

The Borough of Avalon’s Business Administrator, Andrew Bednarek was in attendance.

The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by Dr. Brian Reynolds and the “Open Public Meeting Act” was read. Roll call was taken by Sue Keen.

The minutes from April 20^th, were approved by Terry Strobaugh and seconded by Beth Tipping.

Brian introduced Paul Schroeck from Windward Environmental Solutions, who was here to discuss the rehabilitation proposal for Armacost Park. Paul looked at the Park which is over grown and put together a proposal featuring a couple concepts to review for short and long term benefits. A project overview and scope of work was read by Paul from the correspondence sent on May 11^th, to Andy Bednarek. He discussed that one important item would be that people are attracted to migrating birds and bird watching in general. Andy advised the Commission the funds are in the budget for this proposal. Terry Strobaugh asked if Dr. Stewart Farrell could be asked to look at the Armacost situation. Both Brian and Andy concurred that this was doable. Terry also asked for more information on Windward Environmental Solutions. Paul gave the website for the members to pull-up and review, windwardes.com and Paul offered information on his background.

The fresh water situation was a very important issue and discussed. Brian asked the members to give suggestions to him by May 31^st, and Andy requested the members to be at the Avalon Borough Council Work Session on June 9^th with the a letter from the Environmental Commission. A motion was made to draft a letter in support of rehabilitation of Armacost Park, Debanne made the motion and Terry Strobaugh seconded. Paul talked about Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary. Since it’s clean up and restructuring, they now have birds from all over coming to the sanctuary. Bobbi advised the members that the Garden Club had a speaker on Birding and how popular this has become. A list of trees that attracts a variety of birds was given out at the Avalon Garden Club. Copies were passed out at the Environmental Commission meeting. Paul said that the park could have a diverse number of species.

The utilization of other groups was discussed: e.g. Stockton and Rowan College, U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Avalon Garden Club and Sea Watch, and possibly starting a “Friends of the Armacost Park”. Paul was also going to look into obtaining the Management Plan that Stone Harbor used for their Bird Sanctuary. Andy discussed the need for a matrix of the phases and the need to look at the impact of the phases.

Brian asked if there was any other business. Terry Strobaugh asked if there had been any beach clean ups, and the answer was yes the “Clean Ocean Action” was here on April 25^th. Terry also asked about the recycling numbers on the bottom of plastics. Brian told Terry that the CMC MUA has a break down available of all the numbers. Where can the Hurricane Guide be located was asked by Terry. Sue Keen said she would refer to Scott Wahl our Public Information Officer.

Since there was no other business a motion to adjourn was made by Beth Tipping and seconded by Terry Sasdelli.

Dune Vegetation Management Plan