Bordentown City Environmental Commission

MINUTES FOR JULY 12, 2023 MEETING VIA ZOOM Submitted by Lynn Robinson Ralph Tolomeo, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. The Public Meeting Statement was read. The minutes from the last meetings were approved after the correction of the spelling of Dan Aubrey’s last name. Members Present: Joel Dowshen, Ralph Tolomeo, Brooke McMinn, Lauren Drumm, Margaret Peak, Cathy Elliot Shaw, Lynn Robinson, Mike MacEwan, Guest: Dan Aubrey. Current Events --Planning Board Report: There was not anything relevant for the good of the environment. --D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports  A ceremony will be held at the Gazebo on Friday at 2:00 to welcome visitors from our sister city in France.  There has been extensive trail work being done by Northern Park.  The city received a $475,000 NJDOT grant to improve connectivity on Park Street between the New City Hall and the downtown area. The City will work with the County on the plans.  There is progress on the New Police Department. Money was approved. Renovations will take around eight months and will start in the fall. --BCEC & Green Team Membership Recruitment Gabryella Pulsinelli will become a member when the Commissioners take action. --Green Infrastructure: Reduction Action Plan & Feasibility Study We have not heard anything further from Rutgers. --Status Report – ANJEC Grant for Oliver Street Park Completion We need to install the sign with landscaping and a bicycle rack. --2023 BCEC Budget (& Expenditures) We have approximately $6,000. We have spent approximately $1,000. We need to finalize the money spent for the Green Fair, our part for the cost of the Shredding Project and the Pizza Party. We would also like to purchase four composters to give away as prizes. ***A special thank you to Peg for helping us with the budget process and necessary steps for spending the money. Also a special thank you to the Commissioners for putting money in the budget for BCEC use. --Planning Needs for remainder of 2023 & Calendar year 2024:  Paper Shredding co-op with Township Saturday, September 30 – 9 am to noon  Cranberry Festival: Saturday & Sunday, October 6 & 7 – 10 am to 4 pm  Rescheduling Citywide yard sale from 1st Saturday in June to Last Saturday in May (2024)  Booth @ Farmers’ Market – last Sundays of July, August, September – Staffing & Theme Lynn Robinson and Dan Aubrey volunteered for this project. Cathy will submit an application requesting space.  Full impact report and perhaps a social media campaign. Start with creating a list of accomplishments. Make a display board to show at the Farmer’s Market. Brooke, Cathy, Joel and Ralph will work on this project.  Sharing the Workload - more assistance to Cathy with planning and implementing various projects - two pollinator gardens need to be maintained (Lime Kilm & Hilltop) - storm water planters need to be maintained - assistance in planning an Eco Friendly Garden Tour  --Discussion: Potential for Earth Talk on Noise Pollution (Sep or Oct) – with Dan Aubrey Noise Pollution Awareness is helpful. It was suggested that we make this presentation more conversational and less lecture. - Presentations at Commissioner’s Meetings - Topic: Green Infrastructure Commissioner Myers thought it would be a good idea to have more presentations from the BCEC. We will be planning a short presentation for the August meeting. Topic Adjournment Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, August 9, 2023 at 7:00 via Zoom