Clinton Township Newsletter

8 M a r c h 2 0 1 4 www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com C L I N T O N T OW N S H I P M U N I C I PA L N E W S w w w. t o w n s h i p . c l i n t o n . n j . u s / Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Clinton Township, as with the rest of Hunterdon County, gets its potable water from groundwater aquifers which are defined as geologic formations that can supply drinking water. Aquifer material can be solid rock, rocks with fractures and cracks, or individual grains of rock that contain water within cracks or between individual grains of rock; the amount of air space in the aquifer material ("pore space") determines permeability. Therefore, the greater the permeability within the geologic formation, the greater the availability of potable water within the aquifer (e.g, limestone vs granite). Because Hunterdon County obtains all of its potable water from groundwater, it has been designated by the US Environ- mental Protection Agency (USEPA) as a "sole source" aquifer. Groundwater comes from rain that percolates through the soil which is known as "recharge". Most of our area has moderate recharge with some high recharge areas scattered throughout. In addition, because the types of aquifer materials underlying Clinton Township are naturally rich in iron or calcium, our ground- water is considered "hard". Clinton Township's groundwater is a good source of drinking water but, it can be negatively affected due to the presence of pollution sources such as failing septic systems, leaking underground storage tanks, and storm water runoff that may contain toxicants such as nitrates from fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum products, and harmful bacteria. These chemicals can then leach from soil into groundwater. You can do your part to ensure good groundwater quality in Clinton Township by: • Limiting the impervious surfaces (asphalt, concrete, etc.) on your property to allow for groundwater recharge. If possible, use pavers, gravel, crushed rock, etc. as an alternate. • Limiting the amount of fertilizer and/or pesticides used on lawns. • Ensure that your septic system is in good working order. • Regularly check underground/above ground storage tanks for oil leak. • Dispose of the following during Hunterdon County's hazardous waste collection days: • used oil/gasoline (may also be taken to local gas stations) • unwanted chemicals (pesticides, paints, turpentine, household cleaners, etc.) • unwanted electronics (e.g., TVs, computers, cell phones, anything with a plug) • Dispose of unused/unwanted medications, including prescription drugs, at the Readington Township Police Department drop box. You do not have to be a Readington Twp. resident to use the box. Other Hunterdon loca- tions with drop boxes include law enforcement offices in Holland Township, Lambertville, and Flemington. Improper disposal of chemicals and/or medications can affect not only your drinking water but the entire aquifer and cause environ- mental harm whether you have a septic system (groundwater) or hooked up to a sewage authority (streams/rivers). yo u R D R i n k i n g wat e R If you wish to test you drinking water well, the Clinton Township Environmental Commission will be selling testing kits in July 2014; detailed information will be provided at a later date. If you have any questions about your drinking water well, please contact the Clinton Township Environmental Commission at: environcommission@clintontwpnj.com. NOTE: We are looking for volunteers to help ensure the environmental quality of Clinton Township. Please contact Laurie Gneiding (Chair) of the Clinton Township Environmental Commission at: environcommission@clintontwpnj.com. The Clinton Township Police Department would like to alert residents to be aware of an increase in burglaries in recent months. Townships in the surrounding area are reporting an increase also. Residents are asked to be certain to lock their doors, even when at home. Cars should be locked in the evening hours. Several scams have been reported to the Clerk's office as well. Solicita- tion door-to-door is prohibited without a permit issued by the Clerk's Office and requires a police background check. Any questionable activity, suspicious vehicle or person should be reported to the Police immediately and, if safe to do so, obtain a license plate number. The main number for the Police Department is 908.735.6000. In an emergency, dial 911. Grow your own fresh vegetables and herbs, while interacting socially with others who share your interest in this wonderful activity. Some plots are still available for the Clinton Township Community Garden located across the northern border of Bundt Park. Full plots are $60 and half plots are $30 for the season. For more information, please email Harmen Vos at: vosharmen@aol.com PARKING PROHIBITION FOR SNOW PLOWING AND REMOVAL Whenever snow has fallen and the accumulation is such that it covers the streets or highways, an emergency shall exist, and no vehicle shall be parked on the streets or highways or portions thereof indicated. The above parking prohibitions shall remain in effect after the snow has ceased until the streets have been plowed sufficiently and to the extent that parking will not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. Any unoccupied vehicle parked or standing in violation shall be deemed a nuisance and a menace to the safe and proper regulation of traffic and any police officer may provide for the removal of such vehicle. The owner shall pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle. The above regulations apply to all municipal streets in the Township.

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