By SHANNON CAULFIELD
The Shamong Sun
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is evaluating elevations in Burlington County for Base Flood Evaluations Maps, township manager Sue Onorato said during the Dec. 4 township committee meeting.
According to the FEMA website, when FEMA proposes new or modified flood hazard determinations, it must, in accordance with Part 67 of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations, provide the affected communities with a 90-day appeal period. Flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of any Base Flood Elevation, base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Map.
According to FEMA, the process is done in three steps, through publishing a proposed flood hazard determination notice for comment in the Federal Register, a website that aggregates federal documents for the public.
FEMA also notifies the chief executive officer of the community by sending a proposed flood hazard determination letter by mail.
The final step of the hazard map process is publishing the proposed flood hazard determination on the FEMA website and in a prominent local newspaper at least twice during the 10-day period immediately following the notification of the community CEO.
“We’re waiting on the official maps to see what the effect is for the township,” said Onorato.
Clustering Ordinance
The township will wait to hear from the Joint Land Use Board before taking any action on the clustering ordinance, which was up for public hearing at the meeting.
According to the ordinance, the township is required to revise its land use ordinances to remain consistent with the requirements of Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan, for the portions of the township within the Pinelands National Reserve. The clustering ordinance implements revisions that will conform the township’s land use legislation with the requirements of the CMP amended through 2010. The changes apply to wetlands management, forestry and residential cluster development.
Joint Insurance Fund
The township received its Joint Insurance Fund Safety First course on blood borne pathogens. Additionally, the insurance fund awarded the township with $10,545 from its 2012 dividend.
“The money will be applied to the 2013 insurance premium,” said Onorato.
No other action was taken at the meeting.
The next township committee meeting will be held Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building located at 105 Willow Grove Rd.
