973-383-9977 FAX
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Download information about the Gypsy Moths
We are coming up on our Spring Detention Basin Planting Day. Volunteers and Environmental Commissioners will be joining forces to do more habitat restoration. Our schedule isn't finalized, but we're shooting for Friday, May 8th. The drainage facility next to the municipal building will be sprayed with "Rodeo," a glyphosate herbicide prior to our work there, which will consist of adding more shrubs and warm season grasses that should not be cut. We are also targeting the basin at Lakeview Ridge and will probably do more planting at Ballantine. We are cancelling our May 7th meeting in anticipation of Planting Day.
2008 Jefferson Award recipient: Lois de Vries
Environment
In 2007, Andover Township
Environmental Commission reviewed and reported on 18 development
applications, completed the Natural Resource Inventory
and
a Build-Out Analysis, raised $7,000 in grant monies to help fund the
township's Open Space Plan, continued its volunteer stream-monitoring
program, and hosted speakers on invasive plants and open space
stewardship. In
2008, the Commission applied for $11,000+ in grant funds to produce a
Hydrogeology Report essential to the future planning and protection of
township water resources. The public's concern about water wells and the
Germany Flats Aquifer was identified during the public hearing process
for the Open Space Plan. Major projects for 2008 are the continuation of
the stream-monitoring program, a pilot program for turning detention
basins into stormwater gardens and wildlife habitat, and partnering with
the Frelinghuysen Arboretum to present an all-day symposium on the same
topic. The
Commission continues to advocate for constraints, tree canopy
protection, and carbonate rock ordinances and is researching a native
plant ordinance.
Your Environmental Commission
is a citizen advisory group that makes recommendations to the Planning
Board regarding environmental issues within the Township. The
Commissioners represent residents’ long-term interests by acting as
advocates for the environment, reviewing development applications,
sponsoring public awareness programs, and evaluating the impact of
potential environmental problems.
Volunteers who currently serve on the Commission include:
Christine Kretzmer
Carla Kostelnik
Harvey Hummel
Diane Gillespie
Linda Hubbard
Kathryn Richardson
Environmental Commission meetings are open to the public. Please refer to
the Township Calendar for the schedule. A link can be found in the
column to the left of this page. If you are
interested in serving on the Environmental Commission, please call
973-383-4280, ext. 245, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm to ask for an
application."
Mission Statement
The mission of the Andover Township Environmental Commission is to foster,
protect, preserve, and maintain the natural resources and rural character
of the township by encouraging environmentally healthy and sound
development, and promoting awareness of nature-friendly practices and
options among municipal officials, residents, and business people.
Accomplishments
The Dark Skies Initiative
In 2003, all Township property owners were mailed a copy of a brochure
that explains the negative effects of light pollution on our town. The
brochure was funded with the aid of a matching grant from the NJ
Department of Environmental Protection, Environmental Services Program,
and Andover Township. Additional copies are available at the Municipal
Building, from the Planning Board Secretary, Mary Spector.
Light pollution will become more of an issue as our town’s business and
residential populations continue to increase. It needs to be addressed
before our view of the night sky is degraded any further. Try viewing the
skies above Morristown or Denville and you will quickly realize how
fortunate we are and how much we stand to lose by not acting now to
protect our dark skies.
In addition to sky glow, misdirected or excessive outdoor lighting can
create roadside glare, affecting drivers’ ability to see the road, and
becoming a nuisance by spilling over onto neighboring properties. To learn
more about the effects of light pollution and how others are dealing with
it, visit the Dark Sky website at
www.darksky.org.