Jennifer stated she is waiting for a return call from Tony Petrongolo from Bureau of Lands Managment in regards to potentially using Fish and Wildlife site as a drying out area for the thompsons creek dredge materials. She has called 2 times.
Jen stated she spoke with the Bureau of Coastal Engineering, NJDEP Aids to navigation: southern office regarding a request for channel markers in front of Thompsons creek to prevent people from placing crab traps at the site and also to request a sign to say call VHF 10 in order to insure only one boat passes through the creek each time.
Jen spoke with Greg from Owens and Little Engineering Associates who gave her an easier copy of the depth survey performed in August 2009 and he stated he will contact NJDEP to confirm that they received the Lagoon opening grant application. (NJDEP sends the engineer and confirmation letter but they did not receive it yet.)
Jen phoned Mr. Ken Ratzman twice, of the Tidelands dept of NJDEP and he said he was not the one who reviewed the application. She then inquired:
a. who reviews it?
b. when does council vote on it?
c. what is next step?
d. anything i can do in the meantime?
e. Does West Creek project need to be completed first?
f. if approved, what is the approximate time of project initiation?
Jen contacted Mike Kennish and gave him a tour of our issues by boat. He agrees of the shall owing areas, and recommends water testing. He will have a conference call with the heads of various DEP departments to gain more knowledge.
Jen spoke to Joe Soul (Fish and Wildlife Conservation officer- but does marine enforcement)- he is going to check on the commercial crab pots that were not labeled near Thompsons creek on Tuesday but the pots were removed the weekend prior!) Joe said if pots were impeding navigation they can be removed and if Thompsons creek does not have markers people can put traps anywhere because some may not know it is an entrance to a waterfront community. The department would not give out names of commercial owners due to privacy. Jerry Schultz made a motion to purchase 2 signs for the Paradise Cove section at each entrance to Thompsons Creek, James Gibb seconded the motion.
Jerry stated it will prevent a head-on collision, this is a good safety tool. John stated channel “9” is the official marine channel. “Monitor channel 9 for entrance to Thompsons creek”—was Councilman Jim Edwards suggestion for the signs. John stated to check with the Marine Police for suggestion as to the verbiage for the signs.
Mayor Eggert contacted John in regard to a meeting he attended with Chris Christie and spoke on behalf of Waterways Commission. He will be addressing the issues our commission is working on to this political avenue. Jerry asked if we wrote to John Adler recently and members agreed to write to him repeatedly with our concerns.
John sent out the questionnaire to the TEC (Tuckerton Environmental Commission) and Terry Brady with concerns over correspondence addressing the matter of the widening of the dock at 396 Kingfisher Road Lagoon. He has not heard back from them. He has been approached by Council people who seem irritated by the TEC’s letter sent out on Borough Letterhead to the NJ DEP. When correspondence is sent on official Borough paper it needs to be approved by Terry Brady. John questioned who measured the lagoon at 396 Kingfisher.
Bill Evans stated Wayne Tonnessen is a member of both land Use Board and TEC, which has been against regulations in the past. This issue will be brought up to the Borough solicitor.
Councilman, Jim Edwards was in attendance this evening. Jim wanst to get clarification on the letters sent out by the TEC. Jim commented that It is the Mayor’s responsibility to mediate over the commissions since he appoints their members.
John stated we are an advisory committee!
Jerry suggested placing signage on the Lagoons, stating the name of the creek. He asked that we use funds from our budget for this particular project. We may be able to utilize street signs that may become outdated in the near future.
Jerry brought up the subject of signs on the bulkhead. John agreed this would not be obstructive to the property owner, it is a good idea. Jim stated public works department may be able to prepare the signs for the names of the lagoons
Mike Savage passed an e-mail to John concerning information he received about the possibility of funding from a grant. John stated they needed to get the number of homes down to 10 or less approved for the flood plane, or alternatively give up their right to FEMA insurance in order to qualify. John presented this inquiry to Harold Spedding, who stated once that number is approached we may be able to apply for the grant.
Having no other business, the Tuckerton Waterways Meeting was adjourned on a motion by Bill Evans and seconded by Jerry Schultz.