Bordentown City Environmental Commission

BCEC MEETING MINUTES FROM MAY 10, 2023 AT 7PM VIA ZOOM Submitted by Lynn Robinson The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by Chairperson Ralph Tolomeo Public Meeting Statement was read. Members present: Ralph Tolomeo, Joel Dowshen, Chloe Arnold, Lauren Drumm, Dan Preston, Cathy Elliot-Shaw, Lynn Robinson, Brooke McMinn, Visitor: Gabryella Pulsinelli Minutes with amendments were approved for March and April, 2023. Current Events Earth Day Cleanup.... The Parks Committee led the cleanup. They concentrated on Lime Kilm Park. The Park is more manicured than natural. There are some people who want to care for our parks. Stem Fair – The BCEC did not participate in the Stem Fair this year. ECCO House & Garden Tour Approximately 60 to 70 people went through the tour. The feedback was good. We gave away all natural plant seeds and plants. This was a good effort to show people what we are doing to be more ECCO friendly. Invasive Species Report at Commissioners Meeting It was great to have Mike present to the Commissioners. Commissioner Myers has already stepped up to participate in helping. It was a great presentation. It got everyone’s attention. The cost of the study was $1500. --Planning Board Report: There was nothing to report. --D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports The City is trying to put bids out for the Police Department. The bids came in too high so they have to rebid. The Gala was nicely received and nicely done. The Garden House opens to the public on May 20th. The garden is getting ready to be planted. Approximately 60% has been composted. Abbott Marshland Report Some people have graduated from the Abbott Ambassadors’ Program. There have been a lot of walks through the Marshlands. Dan and Joel are on the Stewardship Committee. -- The Mayor from our Sister City will be here to visit with the Historical Committee. --BCEC & Green Team Membership Recruitment Reappointments in 2023 & welcome to Brooke McMinn Ralph Tolomeo, Lynn, Dan and Cathy have been reappointed. Brooke McMinn has rejoined since returning to Bordentown from Alabama. Gabryella Pulsinelli is interested in joining.  --Green Infrastructure: Reduction Action Plan & Feasibility Study The quality of what Rutgers can do is so much better than what we can do. We need to put together a sub committee. We also need to get input from the commissioners. --Status Report==ANJEC Grant for Oliver Street Park Completion We have $500 left. Maybe it can be used for landscaping. The sign which is in storage needs to be installed at the Park. --2023 BCEC Budget (& Expenditures) We have a temporary budget. We should be given our exact amount soon. The Street Fair cost $110. --Planning Needs: (Members are encouraged to volunteer for all events.) Plogging Event—Saturday, May 13 We are preparing for 10 to 12 people. We need to supply trash bags and gloves. The event will begin and end at Tindall Road and starts at 10:00am. Annual Public Works Pizza Party—Wednesday, May 17 at 12 noon, Carslake Annual Street Fair—Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. To 5 p.m. We need a theme for this event. Annual Citywide Yard Sale—Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. To 3 p.m. We will advertise in The Current Newspaper for this event. City Farmers Market--1st Sunday in June through October 29th BCEC needs to do an outreach at this event. We need to have a table each week. Green Fair—Sat., June 10th from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Including setup & break down --Pizza Box Recycling Consider having a crew to flatten the boxes. Meeting was Adjourned at 8:22pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, June 14, 2023 at 7:00 via Zoom