Township to study septic capacity for new growth U.F. hopes to get a $7,000 grant for $14,000 analysis BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer UPPER FREEHOLD - The township plans to analyze its septic capacity and groundwater supply. In support of Smart Growth Planning, the township is applying for a $7,000 grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) for the study. The Township Committee unanimously passed a resolution for the grant application and an execution of agreement at its Nov. 2 meeting. Mayor Stephen Fleischacker said the grant would help the township study its groundwater capacity and whether septic system use is degrading groundwater quality. With the exception of the Hovnanian Heritage Green and Four Seasons developments, all township development relies on the use of septic systems. Fleischacker said ANJEC would fund half of the $14,000 study, which he said links to the master plan revision process. "It's important to understand groundwater quality and the limitations of septic systems here in town," he said. The township applied for a $20,000 matching Smart Growth Planning Grant from ANJEC in March 2005. However, the township did not receive any money from that application. Fleischacker said that the township learned from last year's experience that by presenting ANJEC with a "menu" of items in its proposal, the organization could select to fund a part, or parts of the $20,000 proposal. "During our debriefing last year when we did not receive any award because we submitted an 'all or nothing' proposal, we learned that because many communities are submitting excellent proposals, the competition is fierce," Fleischacker said. "ANJEC prefers to distribute available funds to as many worthy New Jersey communities rather than awarding the maximum to one community, which limits funds to others." The 2006 grant application states that the township would contract with Planner Mark Remsa to conduct an analysis of Upper Freehold's environmental systems, focusing on septic capacity and groundwater supply, and modeling impacts that would result from existing and alternative zoning scenarios. The application also states, "The [planner] will work with a project team comprising representatives of the Planning Board, Environmental Advisory Committee, and township staff, and will participate in public meetings on the project." When the analysis is complete, the project team will submit its report and recommendations to the Planning Board. Fleischacker cited an ANJEC Web site article that states, "Good planning should include some aspect of capacity analysis so the natural and built systems are not overloaded and a balance is achieved between the natural and developed systems." The article continues, "The state Planning Commission recommends municipalities use capacity analysis as a basis for exploring alternate growth patterns and addressing sustainability." Fleischacker said the Township Committee canceled its Oct. 19 meeting so he and other township representatives could attend an ANJEC meeting about density transfers. In an effort to preserve the rural character of the township and to minimize sprawl, the township planner has suggested revising the master plan to create receiving areas in town that would get the potential development densities of other sending areas in town. According to Fleischacker, ANJEC intends to use Upper Freehold as a model community for density transfers. He said that environmental experts at the ANJEC meeting were looking at send/receive mapping in the township from a totally independent point of view. For more information about ANJEC and its Smart Growth planning material, visit www.anjec.org.