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Thursday, May 19, 2016 8:00 PM AAC Agenda 1. The meeting was called to order at 8:10 PM, and the Sunshine Law notice read. Present were: C. Blumig, C. Feibel, A. Puchalek, A. Puskas, and G. Randolph; F. Varacalli; township manager B. Vornlocker and Council liaison T. Chase. Absent: F. Hasner. 2. A motion was made by G. Randolph to approve the minutes with changes of the March 24th meeting. Motion seconded by C. Febiel. Blumig abstained. All other members were in favor. Motion passed. 3. The minutes of the March 24 meeting were approved. 4. Financial report: the Open Space Trust Fund presently stands at approximately $12,700,000, with the annual bond payment just having been made and the quarterly tax returns yet to be deposited. 5. C. Blumig made a motion to open the meeting to the public. G. Randolph seconded the motion. All members in favor. Motion passed. Mr. David Chrin, Old Georgetown Rd. spoke about his recent Twp. Planning Incentive Grant application to have the township purchase development rights, farmland preservation, on two lots not already preserved. The applciaiton listed onmn lot and Mr. Chrin added an additional lot to his application during this time. C. Blumig made a motion to close the meeting to the public. G. Randolph seconded the motion. All members in favor. Motion passed. Meeting was closed to the public. The public session was then closed. 4. The township manager spoke about Councilwoman Sherman’s efforts to publicize farm markets in the township, as part of the Destination Marketing program. B. Vornlocker asked if there were any towns in farm that may be working towards creating a agri-tourism specific farm like Norz Hill in Hillsborough. Do any farmers wish to invite tourists onto their farms? The Committee commented that the farm in town most similar to Norz Hill is Snyders Farm on S. Middlebush Rd. The Committee said that trying to create that type of farm is dependent on the interest of the farmer who also needs to have the capital to make those changes. The Snyder farm is a successful example, well attended. Puchalek commented that once a farm is opened to the public, the public may show up at any time. Blumig mentioned tours to her farm from Brookdale Community College. T. Chase mentioned a conversation with Juanita Painson, Chamber of Commerce member and real estate agent, who expressed interest in starting a farm market, perhaps at Laird’s store. A tour of open space properties for hotel managers is planned for June. Varacalli reported on farm leases extended – Terhune and Manioudakis leases are in their last year before full rebid. Harris has leased the Memorial Forest (Toto) fields. Middlebush Farms has leased Scott Farm/Marden Preserve. Soil testing was discussed. Puchalek suggested that leased properties’ soils should be tested in the 1st, 3rd and 5th years of a five-year lease period. Puskas asked what the penalty would be for letting land go bad, as shown by 3rd and 5th year tests. The only realistic penalty could be barring the lessee from ever bidding again if he/she has let the soil go bad. Could this penalty be applied also to the lease of other properties? Legal advice will be sought on this question. Such a penalty would have to be stated in the text of the lease. Parts of the Gunther property which have not been cultivated recently were discussed. Puchalek asked whether lessees had to demonstrate that they were capable of farming. Vornlocker said that this could not be required – since a bidder could acquire or rent equipment after winning a bid – although for work on historic houses both the state and the municipality must pre-certify bidders as approved for historic work. The Agricultural Advisory Committee recommended that Varacalli communicate that the lessee needs to return the land to tillable acres. In addition, Varacalli will ask the lessee whether he is planning to plant the property; if not, the township will terminate the lease (his annual lease payment has been received). Vornlocker will send him a registered letter, telling him that his lease will be terminated if he doesn’t plant the property. The Agriculture Directory is complete, but needs an introductory paragraph. The Township has created the Agriculture Directory and will be posted on the Twp. web site in the next week or two once the introductory paragraph is completed. The goal of the directory is to provide residents and visitors to the various farms in town that sell products to the public to encourage the buy local and support the agriculture community in town. Vornlocker brought up the suggestion by township engineer Zilinek that the township have its own tree farm, perhaps on the rear field at Catalpa. Blumig commented on the labor involved. National Agriculture Day can be celebrated at any time during the year; when is the best time for farmers. It will most likely be July, but different for different farmers, depending on their crops. Varacalli will reach out to the farmers to gauge their availability. This question can be added to the e-mail Varacalli will send to farmers selling to the public asking whether they are willing to be listed on the township web site. A farmers’ market is important to publicize township agriculture. It is desirable to sell to non-residents as well as residents. Vornlocker mentioned that South Middlebush Rd has heavy traffic of non-township residents, which Snyder farm and Puchalek’s farm stand are well positioned to sell to. Extensive discussion ensued. Vornlocker suggested that we have township Information Technology set up an on-line survey through the township web site, to determine interest among residents. Farmland preservation: Varacalli will send out the usual letter to farmers, asking if they would like to preserve their land. Discussion ensued about how initial contact with farmers should be made (Committee members may encourage farmers to investigate preserving their farms, but all negotiation on terms should be with the township manager). Farmers could be invited to an Agriculture Committee meeting. C. Blumig made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss possible acquisition of development rights. G. Randloph seconded the motion. All members in favor. Motion passed. The committee went into executive session at about 10:10 PM. C. Blumig made a motion to come out of executive session. G. Randolph seconded the motion. All members in favor. Motion passed. Executive session ended at 10:22 PM. C. Feibel made a motion to adjourn the meeting. G, Randolph seconded the motion. All members in favor. Motion passed. The meeting was then adjourned.