Environmental Commission Holds First Meeting; Sets Sights on Wood Burning Furnaces

DENNISVILLE – The new Dennis Township Environmental Commission held its first meeting March 19 to organize and set some agenda items for upcoming meetings. Mayor John Murphy opened the meeting by telling the commission that he served on a previous incarnation of the Environmental Commission 12 years ago. “I loved it and I learned a lot,” Murphy said.
Before wishing the members luck, Murphy demanded one thing of the new commission, respect. “I cannot have any commission member be disrespectful. I ask that you respect each other, and the public. They all have different opinions, and whether we personally agree or not, they all deserve respect.”
Committee member Albert DiCicco said, “We wanted those with environmental ambition, not political ambition. This is a strong commission of residents, and you’re the environmental experts here.”
First order of business was a discussion on regulating the installation and operation of outdoor wood furnaces. These furnaces, or boilers, are constructed outside of the home, usually on a concrete or stone pad. They are used to supply heat and hot water to the home. Commission member Alma George, who spoke about the need for the regulations before township committee in November, said that the furnaces pose not only an environmental threat, but also a public safety risk if not properly regulated. “No one is doing inspections, not plumbers, not electricians. It’s only as good as the person welding it together.”
There are four outdoor wood furnaces known to exist in Dennis Township, and one is no longer in service, according to George. How a new ordinance would apply to those units is unclear, but the members were in agreement that some inspection and regulation of existing units would be necessary as a matter of public safety.
“Boilers have always been regulated inside. Why would moving them outside exempt them from regulation?” George said.
Dennis Township is not the first municipality to consider outdoor furnace regulation; Lower Township banned use of such units in 2012. While the commission’s discussions did not include an outright ban, ideas include permits for construction and pollution controls. Further discussion is expected before the commission will make a recommendation to township committee.
Commission Member Sue Slotterback discussed reviving several municipal gardens located around township hall and the Dennis Township Museum. The commission will seek help in maintaining the gardens from the Master Gardeners Program. Slotterback urged her fellow commission members to use native plants in any gardening or beautification projects. “I love impatiens and geraniums, but it sends the wrong message.” Members also urged any local gardening clubs interested in helping maintain the municipal gardens to attend a meeting or send a letter.
The Environmental Commission will meet the third Wednesday of each month, 5:30 p.m. at township hall. Minutes of the meetings will be accessible through the township website. The commission is subject to the Open Public Records Act.
Members are: Chairperson Bob Penrose, Vice Chairperson Ray Rebmann, Gerald McManus, Sue Slotterback, Rick Erwin, Alma George, and Frank Hoff as an alternate. There are two vacancies, one regular and one alternate. Interested candidates should contact the Township Clerk at 861-9700.
To contact Don Tozer, email dtozer@cmcherald.com.