Commission accepting new members to help review policy on various environmental issues.
By: Josh Appelbaum
The Environmental Commission has a full slate for 2005 that includes finding some new members.
The commission reorganized Jan. 10 and named Peter Sibley its chairman. However, the commission still needs to find one regular member and two alternate members.
The commission is an advisory board charged with reviewing policy on open space preservation, water resource management, air pollution control, solid waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection.
The commission will need to find replacements for regular member David Stout, who left to serve a three-year term on the Township Committee, former member Edwin Liu and former first alternate Anna Drago. Tom Patterson, a second alternate last year, will serve as regular member for 2005.
Commission member James Golubieski said the commission reviews planning and zoning adjustment applications and makes recommendations concerning their environmental impact.
James Applegate, a commission member, said new members don’t necessarily have to have a background in the environment.
"I think we’re looking for all kinds of people. I think its valuable to have folks who have an interest in the township, that aren’t professionally active with environmental issues, that can step back and look at the big picture," said Mr. Applegate, who has served on the commission since 1995.
Among the commission’s other goals this year is the management of newly obtained natural resources, namely the Cranbury Brook Preserve, on the West property, said Mr. Applegate. The preserve was set aside by the Township Committee for passive recreation and the establishment of a nature preserve.
Mr. Applegate, a former Rutgers Cook College professor of natural resources, said the commission will decide on how best to keep the property natural. That includes surveying the types of flora, fauna and wetlands present on site and regulating how often the property’s grass is cut.
He said the commission is looking at four or five different management plans and will seek grants from natural resource conservancy organizations for management of open space lands.
Mr. Golubieski said the commission also will examine how the township meets new state storm water regulations.
Mr. Golubieski said another focus of the commission this year will be education and interaction with the community, starting with a soil testing program for Cranbury residents.
He said the commission will provide soil testing kits to residents and give suggestions for soil fertilization for personal gardens and lawns.

