Bordentown City Environmental Commission

Bordentown City Environmental Commission MEETING MINUTES – FEBRUARY 9, 2022 Submitted by Lynn Robinson Ralph Tolomeo, chairperson called the meeting to order. Member present included Joel Dowshen, Ralph Tolomeo, Cathy Shaw, Kati Sereduk, Lauren Drumm, Mike McEwan, Peggy Peak, Dan Preston, Ralph Simon, Lynn Robinson Guest: Albie Delgado The meeting minutes for December 8, 2021 and January 12, 2022 were approved. Priority Items --Deputy Commissioner Myers status report on City plans for EV Charging Stations The city is looking at a Hybrid Police Car. We have a grant for the EV station. The city is in the process of looking for a location for the station. It will probably be at the Divine Word area. --AARP Community Challenge Grant Program Kelli Grala said she would help with a grant on behalf of the city. The grant could be as much as $28,000. A resolution from the city will be needed. This could be a project that touches all ages and/or could be something beneficial to our seniors. The deadline to submit is in March. Send any ideas you have to Kathy. --Planning Board Report: 1) Status of Ocean Spray Development & 2) Point Breeze (Divine Word) The Planning Board did not have a meeting this month. --D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports There has been discussion on who will be responsible for making a calendar to schedule when people will be able to use it. The state may be responsible. There is nothing definite yet. Point Breeze The city finally got a signed contract. The 3rd building will be demolished. The Friends of Abbott Marshland may want to use the Point Breeze land for fundraiser projects. D & R Greenway may have a soft opening in the spring. Katie has volunteered her family to adopt a trail. We need one more person to adopt another trail. --BCEC & Green Team Membership Recruitment We need one more member for the BCEC. The Green team needs more members also. --2022 BCEC Budget Money was spent on doggie waste bags, seminars for members, NJEC dues, sign for Lime Kilm (2021). 2022 Initiatives --Sustainable NJ/Green Team re-certification David Kois is involved in helping with the Sustainable Jersey application. Actions that expired need to be updated. We want to share the list of what was not approved to see if there is any area of particular interest that members may want to pursue. Then we can decide how to proceed. Some actions we have not submitted may be good for the city. --2022 Green Fair status report The Green Fair Committee met with the Green Fair Township Committee and everyone is excited to move forward. Anyone wishing to work on the planning phase please let Kathy know. It will be held June 11th. Parking is an issue for the township residents. We are looking for available parking lots and perhaps the use of the shuttle. --Coordination of joint meeting with Township BCEC Ralph will talk to Mike Van Clef to see if we can schedule a virtual meeting. --Invasive species remediation—both insect (SLF) & vegetation The Girl Scouts are going to do a squash and walk event. --Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) There are five or six people working on parts of the report. We are diligently working on this project. --Pedestrian and Bicycle crossings of Rte 130 & 206 We plan on having a joint meeting with the township to discuss this project. Four members can attend this meeting. Lauren and Dan will be attending with Ralph. --NJ ban on plastics (bags & straws) Ralph participated in this webinar. Peggy said the bulk of the Clean Communities money went to buying new receptacles. Question --- Does the BCEC want to use money for more receptacles? --Rain Barrel Workshop Scheduled The workshop is scheduled for April 23rd. It will be limited to 25 residents. BCEC might be able to pick up the cost of $45 a rain barrel that would be about $1100. We might even split the cost with the township. --BCEC Strorage area Clean Up and Organization We are still working on the storage area and clean up. --Update from Park Committee The parks committee wants to involve the community in some volunteer activities. West Street Park renovations should be underway. It will be named Chief Frances Lee Memorial Park. A survey has been sent to the residents around the Oliver Street Park. --Community Asset Map Ralph Simon showed us the Bordentown City interactive map and demonstrated how it works. 2022 BCEC Calendar of Events --Saturday, April 9--City Shade Tree Commission annual tree planting --Friday, April 22—Earth Day—Plans?? --Saturday, April 23—Rain Barrel Workshop at Carslake (10 a.m.-noon) --Saturdays, May 7 & October 8-- 9 to noon)--Paper Shredder co- sponsored with Township --Wednesday in May 11—at noon at Carslake--Annual Public Works Pizza Party --Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22—Street Fair (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) --Saturday, June 4 & Sunday, June 5—Citywide yard sale --Saturday, June 11—Green Fair --Saturday, Oct. 1st & Sunday, Oct 2nd Cranberry Fest (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** There were no public comments. Meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm Next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 7:00 pm via zoom.