Bordentown City Environmental Commission

BCEC MINUTES from AUGUST 9, 2023 Meeting Submitted by Lynn Robinson Meeting called to order by Chairperson Ralph Tolomeo at 7:05pm. via Zoom. Members Present: Ralph Tolomeo, Joel Dowshen, Dan Preston, Cathy Shaw, Lauren Drumm, Mike MacEwan, Brooke McMinn, Lynn Robinson. Visitor: Mike Skelly Minutes were approved for June and July 2023. Current Events --Planning Board Report: There was nothing discussed that needed input from the BCEC. --D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports The Discovery Center is really beautiful and now has air conditioning. It is open on Thursdays and Sundays. The garden is in full bloom. The vegetables will be given to the restaurants in Bordentown. Joel is appealing to the BCEC to go to the website, look at the programs and get involved. There is no update for on-site city facilities. Grace Archer has retired effective July 31 st. --BCEC & Green Team Membership Recruitment Request that Gabriella become a member and hopefully will be on the agenda next month. --Green Infrastructure: Reduction Action Plan & Feasibility Study Rutgers completed the site inspections in July. The next steps will be concept plans for selected sites to be sent to the city for the city’s use. --Status Report – ANJEC Grant for Oliver Street Park Completion The Oliver Street Park sign is ready. We need to decide where to place the sign. There is $500 left which will be used to purchase plants. The planting will take place in October or November. --2023 BCEC Budget (& Expenditures) We have not received any new information about our budget. We need to find out if the Pizza Party and the Ads have been paid. We need to purchase award items and shelving for storage area. Pizza Box Project….The pizza boxes were used in the Hilltop, Lime Kilm and community gardens however Farmer Jeff uses the bulk of the boxes. Farmer Jeff has asked to be compensated for picking up pizza boxes (basically for gas and time). We agreed that money (at least $500) should be set aside for this project. We will ask Peggy if there are any procedures in place to pay a fee (contribution) to Farmer Jeff to defray his expenses. --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) BCEC booth @ Farmers’ Market – last Sundays of July, August, September – Staffing & Theme: Next scheduled – Sunday, August 27, 2023, 9am to 1pm --BCEC – Reorganization Ralph is stepping down in his position as chairperson of the BCEC. (The BCEC has been in existence since 2002. Ralph has been chairperson for over a decade.) He has asked the Commissioners to appoint Cathy as the chairperson and they have agreed. Ralph will remain a member of the BCEC. --Discussion: Potential for Earth Talk on Noise Pollution (Sep or Oct) – with Dan Aubrey It was suggested that we do a survey on noise pollution at the Cranberry Fest as well as present at the Commissioners’ Meeting. Cathy will be presenting on Green Infrastructure at the next meeting. Suggestion: It was suggested that we form a committee for trail planning and building. Brooke, Joel, Mike and Dan are interested in spearheading this committee. Cathy will work with Joe Myers to get this started. NO PUBLIC COMMENT - BCEC Meeting Adjourned Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, September 13, 2023 at 7:00 via Zoom