Knowlton re-establishes Environmental Commission; elects co-chairs and forwards amended bylaws to Township Committee

Knowlton Township’s re-established Environmental Commission — which also serves as the Naturally Knowlton Green Team — met June 16 at the municipal building and elected Jaime Murray and Tara Mezzanotte as Co-Chairs and Mezzanotte as Secretary.

Township Committeewoman Adele Starrs called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. and confirmed the session was recorded and noticed under the Open Public Meetings Act (N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.). A quorum was present: Michelle St. Andre, Jaime Murray, Vince Gaeta, Rick Clarkson, Jim Ashe and Tara Mezzanotte; Lenny Clifford was absent.

The commission adopted its 2026 meeting schedule, which sets regular meetings for the first Tuesday of each month and work sessions on the third Tuesday, and approved Bylaws that the body will forward to the Township Committee for formal adoption. The approved bylaws include clarified language in Article VII distinguishing when the body is exercising statutory Environmental Commission authority (advisory recommendations, land-use reviews, bylaws and resolutions) from when it is acting operationally as the Naturally Knowlton Green Team (Sustainable Jersey actions, outreach, volunteer coordination and other non-statutory matters).

Members previewed, but did not vote on, a proposed Green Team action to study whether conditions of approval attached to past non-residential development permits have been implemented. The proposed motion — read to the Commission — stated the study "shall apply the same standard to every property within its scope and shall result in an advisory report of findings to the Township Committee and Land Use Board. The study confers no regulatory or enforcement authority on the Commission, and any findings shall be advisory and shall not constitute a determination of violation or noncompliance." Commissioners raised questions about the Commission’s authority and potential liability; they agreed to seek guidance from the Township Attorney and held the matter for further review.

Other potential actions discussed included drafting a Dark-Sky Lighting Ordinance, developing a Native and Non-Invasive Landscaping ordinance (leader: Michelle St. Andre), a community birdhouse build and habitat installation, tire-recycling coordination, a newsletter, and pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification when the program is again accepting new actions. Members also agreed to prepare orientation materials for new commissioners and to finalize content for the Commission web page, including how (or whether) to publicly list Green Team volunteers.

The Commission noted two upcoming Land Use Board referrals (the Burdge residential application and a Simpton Road application) to be reviewed at future meetings for education and question development rather than formal opinions; the Land Use Board attorney indicated that, under the Commission’s proposed advisory approach, dual-serving members need not recuse themselves from Commission discussion. The minutes record correspondence regarding a Freshwater Wetlands General Permit #24 application for a septic repair at 143 Rt. 46 that will be circulated to members.

The meeting also noted community items: the I-80 Stacked Stone Rockslide Barrier (Knowlton–Hardwick) was named to Preservation New Jersey’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites list; the Commission created an official email account to be managed through the Township Clerk for recordkeeping. There was no public comment. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.

The Commission’s actions at the meeting were recorded in the minutes and will be transmitted to the Township Committee where indicated; the Commission has no authority to enforce land-use conditions or to obligate municipal funds without Township Committee approval.