IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Contacts:

Lawrence Ragonese (DEP) (609) 292-2994

Donna Leusner (DOH) (609) 984-7160

Larry Hajna (DEP) (609) 984-1795

May 7, 2013

Christie Administration Encourages Residents to Remove Standing Water on Property to Reduce Mosquito Population

(13/P47) TRENTON – To prevent mosquitoes this summer, the Departments of Health and Environmental Protection are asking homeowners, businesses and contractors working on rebuilding to drain sources of standing water outdoors and routinely check property for containers collecting water where mosquitoes can breed.

―While we typically don’t identify human illnesses from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV) until late summer here in New Jersey, it’s never too early to drain sources of standing water and reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed,‖ said Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd.

Last year, New Jersey had the largest amount of human cases on record in the state—48 human cases of WNV. Concerns are elevated this year because of Superstorm Sandy has increased potential opportunities for mosquito breeding, which could increase the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV.

―This season will be especially challenging because Superstorm Sandy has created new places for mosquitoes to breed such as wet debris piles and depressions left by fallen trees,‖ the Commissioner explained. ―It’s important to remove or clean or repair anything that can collect rain or sprinkler water – such as debris, clogged or damaged gutters or old car tires.‖

Steps that residents, business owners and contractors can take to reduce populations of the insect on their properties include:

At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans

Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out

Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water

Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home

―Mosquito control agencies in coastal counties are doing their best to treat sources of standing water caused by Sandy,‖ said Claudia O’Malley, principal biologist in the DEP’s Office of Mosquito Control. ―However, many of these sources are in places that are hard to reach, such as marshes or coastal forests, so it is even more important that homeowners do their part to offset a potential increase in mosquito breeding. Look very carefully around your property for anything that could hold water in which mosquitos can lay eggs. If you are starting to rebuild, make sure standing water is not collecting on tarps or in any receptacles.

Additional tips on how to limit mosquitoes on your property include:

Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property

Drill holes in the bottom and elevate recycling containers that are left outdoors

Repair and clean storm-damaged roof gutters, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Roof gutters are easily overlooked but can produce millions of mosquitoes each season

Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use

Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in bird baths

Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Water gardens are fashionable but become major mosquito producers if they are allowed to stagnate

Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, including those that are not being used. A swimming pool that is left untended can produce enough mosquitoes to result in neighborhood-wide complaints. Be aware mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on pool covers

Repair and maintain barriers, such as window and door screens, to prevent mosquitoes from entering buildings. Barriers over rain barrels or cistern and septic pipes will deny female mosquitoes the opportunity to lay eggs on water

If you have problems controlling mosquitoes, contact your county mosquito control agency by calling 1-888-NO-NJ WNV WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms of more serious illness include severe headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis. The elderly and immune-compromised are at higher risk of more severe disease. As part of surveillance activities, the Department of Health’s Public Health Environmental Laboratory this month began testing dead crows, blue jays and other select bird species, which serve as indicators of West Nile virus activity. Residents who encounter dead or ill birds should call their local health department for specific instructions for storage if the dead bird is suitable for testing. When handling a dead bird or animal for disposal, use gloves and carefully place the bird in double-plastic bags. New Jersey’s WNV surveillance, control, and prevention activities involve the coordinated efforts of a number of federal, state and local agencies. These include the Department of Health, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Mosquito Control Commission, the Rutgers Center for Vector Biology, and local health and mosquito control agencies.

For more information on WNV and New Jersey’s efforts to limit its impact, visit the Department of Health’s West Nile web page at http://nj.gov/health/cd/westnile/index.shtml, the Department of Environmental Protection’s web page at http://www.nj.gov/dep/mosquito or call 1-888-NO-NJ WNV. ####

SOUTHAMPTONTOWNSHIP MEETING AGENDA

Workshop Meeting

May 7, 2013 at 8 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

STATEMENT OF CONFORMANCE WITH OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW

ROLL CALL

ORDINANCES:  Second Reading and Publication:

Ordinance No. 2013-05

Ordinance to Amend and Supplement Ordinance 1982-1 Entitled “An Ordinance to Re-Appropriate Bond Ordinance for Renovations for Old Town Hall.

Open Public Hearing:

Public Comment:

Close Public Hearing:

Motion to adopt:                                       Seconded:

Roll call vote:

First Reading

Ordinance No. 2013-06

Ordinance to Amending Ordinance 2012-6 Requiring Background Checks for Youth Sports Organizations Volunteers

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2013-59

A Resolution of the Township of Southampton Authorizing Preparation of Estimated Tax Bills

Resolution 2013-60

A Resolution of the Township of Southampton Authorizing Preparation of Estimated Tax Bills

Resolution 2013-61

A Resolution of the Township of Southampton Rescinding Resolution No. 2012-114

Resolution 2013-62

A Resolution of the Township of Southampton Amending Resolution 2010-117 for the CERT

APPROVAL OF BILLS FOR PAYMENT:

DISCUSSION TOPICS:

EMS SERVICES / PROPOSAL

COMITTEE REPORTS:

CLERK/ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:

Approval of Raffle License – Leisuretowne Civic League

SOLICITOR’S REPORT:

ENGINEER’S REPORT:  

PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

ADJOURNMENT:

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA

May 9, 2013 @ 7:30 P.M.

 Call to order.

 Flag salute.

 Roll call:

 Reading of Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act.

 Adoption of the minutes of the April 11, 2013 meeting as presented prior to this meeting.

 Resolutions

 2013-6z

Jose Lopez

 Block 404, Lot 11.04

 745 Cherry Street, Variance

New Applications           

Allied Recycling, Block 2401, Lot 36.02, 440 New Road, Minor Site plan.

Requesting to be continued

Jose & Grace Miqueo, Block 1205, Lot 2, 209 Buddtown Road, Interpretation

Requesting to be continued

Delilah Vandergrift, Block 2902.01, Lot 1.04,315 Hawkin Road, Bulk Variance

Douglas Cramer, Block 1202, Lot 6, 2127 RT 206, Use Variance

Discussion/Public Comment

Motion for adjournment

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SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP OFF

(BUSINESS WASTE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED)

SATURDAY, May 11, 2013

MUNICIPAL GARAGE PARKING LOT

8 A.M. TO NOON

Latex and oil-based paints, paint solvents, waste oil, aerosols, driveway sealers, anti-freeze, batteries, medicine, lighting ballasts (must be removed from fixture), smoke detectors, and thermostats will be accepted.

PRODUCT MUST BE IN SEALED CONTAINERS – LEAKING CONTAINERS WILL BE REFUSED

NO PESTICIDES, HERBICIDES, FUNGICIDES OR POOL CHEMICALS

Proof of residency is required. 

TOWNSHIP OF SOUTHAMPTON

SOUTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP

CLEANUP DAY

The Township will hold its Annual Cleanup Day

on Saturday, May 11, 2013.  Dumpsters will be

placed at the Public Works Garage on

Buddtown Road from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This is a yard, road Cleanup Day and not

for demolished buildings.

PLEASE – NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS!

Charles E. Oatman

Clean Community Coordinator

2013 MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

Southampton Township will be holding its 134^th consecutive Memorial Day Parade in the Village of Vincentown on Monday, May 27^th at 10:00 a.m.  The parade is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in New Jersey.  The parade will be preceded by services honoring veterans starting at 8:00 a.m. at Memorial Field, 8:20 a.m. at the Baptist Cemetery, 8:45 a.m. at the Methodist Cemetery and

9:15 a.m. at the Grange Hall.  After the parade a ceremony will be held at the Veteran’s Monument on Main Street near Allen’s Oil followed by a luncheon at the Grange Hall to honor all veterans.

Any veteran that does not belong to an organization that is already signed up to participate is welcome to participate and should call Sandy Lange at 609-859-2736.

In case of rain, after 9:45 a.m. a recorded message will be placed on 609-859-2736 indicating the new plans for the parade.