WEST AMWELL: Open space plans occupy committee

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   WEST AMWELL — The West Amwell Township Committee has backed a proposed open space acquisition by two nonprofit organizations, township Clerk Lora Olsen said.
   At its Sept. 26 meeting, the committee endorsed in writing the effort of the D&R Land Trust and the Hunterdon Land Trust to purchase a 43-acre tract off Wooden Lane and permanently preserve it as open space.
   Wooden Lane runs north-south off county Route 518 in the southern section of the township.
   Also at its Sept. 26 meeting, Ms. Olsen said, the committee voted to add a tract, nearly 22 acres in size and near Barry Road, to the township’s open space inventory. The tract, in the southern portion of the township, is earmarked for recreational use and is to be permanently preserved as open space. The matter will be forwarded to the township Planning Board for further review.
   The township fared well on its 2011 audit, Ms. Olsen said. On Sept. 26, Auditor Charles Case reported to the committee on the audit he performed .
   Ms. Olsen said he made a few minor recommendations that will be implemented. Under state law, all municipalities in New Jersey must be audited annually by an independent firm, which must summarize its findings at a public meeting of the governing body. The audit itself is a public document available for inspection at the municipal building.
   Also at the Sept. 26 meeting, the committee thanked Cathy Urbanski, a member of the township’s Environmental Commission, for compiling a binder with information about invasive plant species. The binder contains data about the species and photos of them.
   Ms. Olsen said the township expects to receive a $500,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. It will be used to improve water quality and flood control of the Alexauken Creek. The money will be used to implement recommendations of a study of the creek, including restorations of some stream banks. The study was funded by a previous DEP grant.
   The committee announced that Hunterdon County’s collection of electronic items residents no longer want will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 13, at the county complex on Route 12.
   The Committee also announced that municipal offices will be closed Oct. 8 in observance of Columbus Day.