At the forefront of the meeting’s agenda was the frustration expressed by the commission over the payment process related to a 319 grant from 2016. The grant, which is aimed at addressing water quality issues, has been plagued by procedural difficulties, notably the requirement for certificates of insurance and a policy change mid-application. The commission voiced concerns about the reasonableness of these changes and deliberated on the possibility of obtaining insurance through the Joint Insurance Fund. Additionally, a meeting regarding an FL building was proposed to further discuss related matters.

In financial matters, the commission deliberated authorizing a payment to a construction company and addressed the hold on another grant. Moreover, the commission is taking proactive measures to educate new lakefront property owners by distributing a guide designed to inform them about the care and stewardship of lakefront properties.

The commission’s environmental efforts were also highlighted by the progress reported in goose remediation initiatives. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to maintain the health and ecological balance of Deal Lake.

In a display of community engagement and support for the next generation of environmental stewards, the commission was approached by a high school student, Zaden Lee, who presented his science research project on coastal lakes in New Jersey. He sought assistance in obtaining water quality data and stormwater management system maps. Members of the commission responded positively, offering to supply Zaden with various reports and facilitate connections with experts in the field to aid his research.

Additionally, the commission discussed a recent conference call with the New Jersey Public Lakes of New Jersey. The call covered a range of topics including shoreline protection, fishing, and the issuance of violation notices. During this discussion, the commission highlighted a pressing need for more help due to staffing shortages in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which may impact the management and preservation of public lakes.

The meeting concluded without a public session, and it was announced that the next meeting would be conducted exclusively via Zoom on July 18th, following a motion to adjourn.