The Greenwood Lake Commission
2.25.2015
132 WindermereAve
Village of Greenwood Lake, NY 10925
Salute to the American Flag
George Vurno led the Salute to the Flag.
Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm. George Vurno, Paul Zarrillo, Paul Sullivan, Clint Smith, Eric Hastings, Floyd DeAngelo, Dan Bello, Martin Brand, Bill Link, and Dale VanNimwegen were present. Ed Krull, was absent.
Special guest included Barry Cheney a Legislative Representative from Orange County, Murry Tirad the attorney for the Village of Greenwood Lake, Andrew Abdul from the West Milford Environmental Commission, and Kevin Keane the VP of the Mahwah headquarters for HDR.
George Vurno opened the meeting by letting the new DEC representative on the Commission Martin Brand introduce himself. Martin Brand also introduced his colleague Michael Flaherty who is to serve as an alternate in case Martin Brand was unable to attend a meeting. Martin Brand expressed an interest in working with the Commission and stated he saw great value in preserving the resources Greenwood Lake provides.
George Vurno then introduced Kevin Keane from HDR, who gave a Power Point presentation of a dredge study conducted by his company. The full presentation can be found on the Commission website GWLC.org. George opened up the floor for approval of minutes and payment of bills.
Resolution: Payment of Bills, February 25th 2015
Motioned by: Floyd DeAngelo
Seconded: Paul Sullivan
Name Yes No Abstained
Paul Zarrillo Co-Chair X
George Vurno Co-Chair X
Paul Sullivan X
Clint Smith X
Bill Link X
Dale Vannimwegen X
Ed Krull
Floyd DeAngelo X
Eric Hastings X
DEP
Martin Brand X
Resolution: Payment of Bills, February 25th 2015
Motioned by: Dale VanNimwegen
Seconded: Floyd DeAngelo
Name Yes No Abstained
Paul Zarrillo Co-Chair X
George Vurno Co-Chair X
Paul Sullivan X
Clint Smith X
Bill Link X
Dale Vannimwegen X
Ed Krull
Floyd DeAngelo X
Eric Hastings X
DEP
Martin Brand X
Reports
After the presentation Dale VanNimwegen opened with the Treasurer’s Report. Dale had collected a set of financials off of the program Quickbooks in order to better understand the financial state of the Commission. Dale also reported that she is working with our old accountant to obtain files as far back as 2008 to fill in all the gaps so that the Commission can plan ahead. Dale did report that this task was made more difficult by the lack of steady revenue the Commission receives. Dale is also working to remove the weed harvesters off of the books as they have been transferred to West Milford and the Village of Greenwood Lake.
Dale also mentioned that she has been in contact with Karen Dauphiniaus who is our contact in Albany regarding the Morohan Grant. Dale reported that a few more forms needed to be filled out before the remaining funds can be transferred to the Commission. Dale is also working on a way to streamline the multiple accounts the Commission must maintain in both states in order to better manage the financial of the Commission.
Paul Sullivan reported that he has been working closely with Ed Farmer who is a grant writing expert retained by Passaic County and is currently working with him to acquire grants for the Commission, which would be used to identify and re-mediate sources of pollution as well as fight invasive species. Paul Sullivan also reported that he is in talks with representatives from Passaic County to receive funds for the Commission. Paul also reported that Passaic County had requested to see a budget for the Commission, which Dale was happy to share with Paul Sullivan and the Commission. The information the County requested is being forwarded and Paul Sullivan reported that he would have more information soon.
Floyd DeAngelo reported that he was in talks with Orange County representatives and believed a discussion will begin soon about allocating funds for the Commission.
Paul Zarrillo reported that there is still an issue with obtaining registration for the West Milford weed harvester from Motor Vehicle. Paul is in talks with Lou Signorino of the West Milford Council and believes the proper steps are being taken. Paul also reported that the boat races which occurred last year in Greenwood Lake is returning to Greenwood Lake this year, but planned on holding the event the first weekend in June, which is earlier than last year. As a result Paul believes that the Commission needs to begin preparation for the races. Paul also reported that Dale VanNimwegen and George Vurno have been added to the signature card at Lakeland Bank, but not Sterling Bank and is communicating with them to add the new signatures. Paul also reported that he has been communicating with Seton Hall and Fairleigh Dickinson about conducting water surveys on Greenwood Lake, which would be at a reduced or possible no cost to the Commission. Dan Bello also mentioned that Drew University has a similar program. Paul wants the Commission to conduct testing on sediment in the water and also mentioned that the removal of the water chestnuts and fan wort, which are invasive plant species in various areas with the NY arm of Greenwood Lake which need to be addressed this spring and summer. Paul also reported that a pipe had burst in the Commission office located on Greenwood Lake Turnpike. The pipe burst resulted in several inches of water and some minor damage to the files inside the office. Paul is communicating with the landlord to remedy the situation and to assess the full damage. Paul Zarrillo also reported that he is still working with the West Milford Township Administrator to better implement a town wide septic ordinance. Paul also reported that he has spoken with the manager of Sportsman Marina to monitor docks that were never removed from the lake in the fall, which could become dangerous navigational and safety issues if they were to break apart from the winter ice.
Paul Zarrillo then asked Dan Bello if there had been any progress in officially appointing him to the Commission, and is the DEP was aware of any regulation on the length of docks on Greenwood Lake. Dan Bello reported that he believed the appointment will be made official by next meeting and there was no regulation he knew of regarding the length of docks on the lake.
Paul Zarrillo also requested permission from the Commission to follow up with the Marine Police and Coast Guard to host boat safety courses on the lake. The Commission decided to go with the prevailing rates from other groups offering the class and believe that it could be a small source of revenue for the Commission. The Commission agreed to follow up.
Eric Hastings reported that he is communicating with West Milford to repair one of the weed harvesters. Eric asked Dale is the Awosting Association still had spare parts and supplies which the Commission stored at their facility. Dale reported that the parts were being collected and accounted for and that she is following up.
New Business
The Commission moved to approve the amendments to the By-Laws and the Procurement Procedures discussed at the last meeting. The Commission decided to table appointments to committees until next meeting.
Resolution: Approval of amended by laws and procurement procedures, February 25th 2015
Motioned by: Dale VanNimwegen
Seconded: Clint Smith
Name Yes No Abstained
Paul Zarrillo Co-Chair X
George Vurno Co-Chair X
Paul Sullivan X
Clint Smith X
Bill Link X
Dale Vannimwegen X
Ed Krull
Floyd DeAngelo X
Eric Hastings X
DEP
Martin Brand X
Resolution: Appointment of George Vurno as NY Co-Chair, February 25th 2015
Motioned by: Floyd DeAngelo
Seconded: Paul Sullivan
Name Yes No Abstained
Paul Zarrillo Co-Chair X
George Vurno Co-Chair X
Paul Sullivan X
Clint Smith X
Bill Link X
Dale Vannimwegen X
Ed Krull
Floyd DeAngelo X
Eric Hastings X
DEP
Martin Brand X
Resolution: Appointment of Paul Zarrillo as NJ Co-Chair, February 25th 2015
Motioned by: Paul Zarrillo
Seconded: Eric Hastings
Name Yes No Abstained
Paul Zarrillo Co-Chair X
George Vurno Co-Chair X
Paul Sullivan X
Clint Smith X
Bill Link X
Dale Vannimwegen X
Ed Krull
Floyd DeAngelo X
Eric Hastings X
DEP
Martin Brand X
Public Input
Andrew Abdul from the West Milford Environmental Commission shared an article with the Commission regarding dangers to domestic pets that public lake pose. AndrewAbdul also reported that the Township of West Milford was looking into the cost water monitoring equipment to be used in Greenwood Lake and Belcher's Creek, and that he would have more to report at the next meeting.
Paul Sullivan made a motion to close the meeting at 9:35pm, Dale VanNimwegen seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Our next meeting will be March 25th at 7pm, in West Milford Town Hall, located at 1480 Union Valley Road. If you needed to contact us you may do so you by visiting our website GWLC.org, emailing us at info@GWLC.org, or calling our office at 973-506-7800.