December 13, 2006

The Wantage Township Board of Health held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at the Wantage Township Municipal Building, 888 State Route 23 South, Wantage, New Jersey 07461 at 7:30 p.m.

Members present: Dr. Arthur H. Braunwell, Mrs. Susan Floyd, Mrs. Gloria Li Trenta (arrived at 7:50 pm), Mr. Daniel Pelt and Mr. Joseph Greenaway. Absent: None. Also present was Jeanne McBride, Secretary and Michael Plaza, Sussex County Sanitarian.

Mr. Greenaway made the following statement: “This meeting is being held in compliance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, Public laws of 1975 Chapter 231. It has been properly advertised and certified”.

On motion by Dr. Braunwell, seconded by Mr. Greenaway, the minutes of November 8, 2006 were approved as presented and ordered filed.

Roll call: Dr. Braunwell, Mr. Greenaway, yes, carried.

Mr. Pelt made a motion to discuss the New Business part of the agenda first. Dr. Braunwell seconded the motion. Ayes: Mr. Pelt, Mrs. Floyd, Mr. Pelt, Mr. Greenaway. Nays: None. Absent Mr. Li Trenta

Ken Wentink, 30 Old Clove Road, Wantage NJ, attended the meeting as the Power of Attorney for Janet Buck, 212 Boylston St., Watertown, Massachusetts. Mr. Wentink is seeking a variance for a septic application for Block 69.01, Lot 24, 80 North Shore Drive. The Sussex County Department of Health and Human Services denied the application because the distance between the proposed septic bed and water course is approx. 21-33 feet (code requires 50 feet). Mr. Wentink explained the area close to the house is hard shale and due to cost and aesthetic value to the house, the owner wishes to leave very old, tall trees. The only option for the septic bed is to reduce the size of the bed or to place it close to the water. Mr. Greenaway asked about an existing system, Mr. Wentink explained that many of the old summer homes in Lake Neepaulin have metal tanks with pipes to nowhere, he was not sure what was there. The Board reviewed the plans submitted by Mr. Wentink and agreed this was the best design.

Mr. Pelt made the motion to approve the variance for the septic application located at Block 69.01, Lot 24, 80 North Shore Drive, requested by Mr. Wentink. Mrs. Floyd seconded the motion. Ayes: Dr. Braunwell, Mrs. Floyd, Mr. Pelt, Mr. Greenaway. Nays: None. Abstain: Mrs. Li Trenta.

Mr. McCabe from Mader Development Company, 83 Main Street, Newton NJ requested a variance for a Septic Application Block 59, Lot 65, Vista Road, Lake Neepaulin. The variance is required because the distance to the wells is less than the required 100 feet for lots 64, 65 and 66. Lot 64 has 81’ feet of casing in their well, there is no information on the well located on Lot 66. Mr. Pelt explained to Mr. McCabe in order to approve the application the Board of Health must know that the well located on Lot 66 has 50 feet of casing. The Board explained to Mr. McCabe that Mr. Gonnoud, the owner of Lott 66, must give his approval to go into his well to check his casing. Mr. McCabe requested we postpone the variance for the septic application. Mr. McCabe would like the contract purchaser to have additional time to speak with Mr. Gonnoud. Mr. Pelt made the motion not to take any action at this time, Dr. Braunwell seconded the motion. Ayes: Dr. Braunwell, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Li Trenta, Mr. Pelt. Nays: None. Abstain: Mr. Greenaway.

Dr. Braunwell made a motion to open the meeting to the public at this time, seconded by Mrs. Li Trenta. Ayes: Dr. Braunwell, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Li Trenta, Mr. Pelt. Mr. Greenaway. Nays: None.

Dennis Negele, 2 Glen Road, Wantage requested an update on the Special Meeting held on July 6, 2006. Mr. Plaza stated he has not been contacted by Mr. Helmrich for an excavation inspection. Mr. Negele is concerned about trash on the property and the removal of the red house. Mr. Greenaway explained the removal of the house is a building department issue but we will have Mike Plaza inspect the debris complaint.
Mr. Greenaway suggested that Mr. Plaza take photographs of the property.

Mr. Greenaway stated we would now close that portion of the meeting and continue with the agenda.

READING OF REPORTS
Sussex County Health Department October-November 2006
Sanitarian Michael Plaza October-November 2006
Secretary November 2006
Registrar November 2006

DISCUSSION OF REPORTS
Mr. Plaza reported the following:

Water samples taken from the Library and the Beemerville Firehouse both came back negative.

A Notice of Violation was given to a well driller for not securing a permit before drilling a well.

A resident on Clark Road complained of an odor from a compost pile, no odor was detected on two separate inspections.

Shasta Kennels will receive certification after passing a routine inspection.

A Notice of Violation was issued to Mainland Properties for solid waste behind 205 Route 23. The property has been cleaned up.

Dye was placed in a septic on Armstrong Road after a resident complained of water running onto Armstrong. The water is not coming from a septic but an underground spring.

Samples were taken from a pond on Mountainview Drive. The samples did not indicate a septic problem.

The dog bite incident on Holland Road is being heard in the court. There is no further information at this time.

The DEP contacted the Sussex County Board of Health to verify debris is being removed from wetlands on Brown Road. A fine was issued in the amount of $100.00 per day; nothing can be done with the property until the debris is removed.

A family of raccoons was eating the Halloween decorations at Franklin Sussex Auto Mall, all but one of the raccoons were scared away. The raccoon was tested and came back negative for rabies.

Sussex County Community College is now running the Food Handlers Safety Course. It is a three hour course and the cost is $29.00. The next course is scheduled for Spring.

During a routine septic inspection in the Toll Brothers Development it was noted that they were blasting 20-25 feet from a well. Mr. Plaza said he would pressure test the well as a precaution.

The new tavern on Route 565 never submitted plans to the Board of Health, they have 15 days to get in the proper documentation.

BILLS

New Jersey Herald – Rabies Clinic $224.06; $186.72
MGL Forms-System (Food Handlers Permit Books) $149.00

CORRESPONDENCE

NJ LINCS HEALTH ALERT NETWORK: Re-proposed to re-adopt rules governing Animal Facility Operation, ect.
NEWSBRIEF: fourth quarter

DISCUSSION OF CORRESPONDENCE

OLD BUSINESS

DISCUSSION

ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Pelt and seconded by Dr. Braunwell. Ayes: Dr. Braunwell, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. LiTrenta, Mr. Pelt, Mr. Greenaway. Nays: None.

Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne McBride, Board Secretary