Activity Report
December 2002

• MATRIX:
  We're going public with our position by sending a letter to Governor McGreevey. We're also planning letters to the editor and press releases.

• PRINCETON RIDGE:
  December 3 Smart Growth Office public hearing's decision has been delayed. Frank Castellana (a resident and litigant) presented. The likely outcome is that the northernmost parcel will not be built on.

• PENNS NECK AREA EIS:
  A long-eared owl has been sighted at Sarnoff. Mary Penney went with Lou Beck (a birder from Washington Crossing Audubon), Pam Newitt (a Ewing resident who brought the owl to our attention) and others walked the site on 5 January and saw the owl. Paperwork is being filed with the State. The EIS project team leaders, however, are not willing to give time to Pam to present what she's found. We are continuing to ask for time for this to be discussed, and will bring the subject up even if we are not given time.

• TRENTON-MERCER AIRPORT EXPANSION:
  The Sierra Club's comments on the EA have found their way to the FAA's regional planning meeting via BRAAM, a Bucks County residents' group opoposing the airport expansion.

• OPEN SPACE IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP:
  North Crosswicks farmland has been designated as agricultural. There is a question about whether the Township will try to preserve the land. We're keeping our eyes on this, because the Master Plan is being revised. The resolution was that no changes to the Plan will be made, but the open space/recreation component is being handled separately. It will be released in a few weeks and there will be two public hearings.

• LAWRENCE-HOPEWELL BIKE TRAIL/POLE FARM:
  We contacted Mike Suber from the Princeton Freewheelers. He passed our concerns along and told us that the trail planners are interested in the Pole Farm vision statement, which we will give to the trail planners. We haven't heard back from Mr. Ragazzo (the Mercer County Parks Director) about the Pole Farm master plan and the bike trail. We will try to contact Carole Beske (the Parks Commission Chairwoman) to find out what's going on. Our main concern is that there's no master plan for the park, and planning a bike trail shouldn't be done without a master plan first. According to Ragazzo, the Pole Farm wasn't a pressing item.