In a part of the meeting, board members focused on ordinance number 2582, which proposed changes to the township’s soil erosion and sedimentation control regulations. The ordinance aimed to streamline enforcement by delegating responsibilities for major soil disturbances to the Somerset Union Soil Conservation Service while retaining township oversight for smaller disturbances. This move was intended to enhance regulatory efficiency and align with the township’s 2023 master plan goals of environmental protection.

However, the board’s deliberations were dominated by concerns over the ordinance’s penalty provisions. A key point of contention was the inclusion of potential jail time for violations, which some members deemed disproportionate, especially for homeowners compared to larger developers. The planner clarified that the new ordinance would forgo specific penalties for a broader range established under the township’s general land use provisions. This shift raised concerns about the possible burden on residents, with penalties ranging from $1,000 fines to jail time, contrasting sharply with the previous penalties of $25 to $3,000.

A motion was made and unanimously passed to recommend the removal of the jail time provision from the ordinance, favoring specific penalties to avoid default penalties under section 2165. Board members expressed a desire for consistency across township regulations, particularly with respect to the interaction between the new ordinance and existing tree removal penalties. Despite these concerns, the board concluded that the ordinance was not inconsistent with the township’s master plan, approving a motion to this effect.

Beyond the ordinance debate, the board approved a resolution involving a change order for the planning board attorney, Jonathan E. Drill. The resolution increased his professional services contract by $6,000, raising the total to $8,500. This approval followed a standard procedural motion and roll call vote.

The meeting also included a discussion on the planning board’s schedule and upcoming applications. Given the absence of immediate applications, the board decided to cancel the August 5th meeting, with plans to reassess the necessity of the August 19th meeting based on attendance concerns.

In addition to the board’s main agenda items, members took the opportunity to welcome a new board secretary, acknowledging her prior experience with the zoning board. The meeting concluded with a sense of camaraderie, with members looking forward to future gatherings, including a holiday event in December.