Bordentown City Environmental Commission

Bordentown City Environmental Commission –Nov. 8, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Minutes submitted by Lynn Robinson Meeting called to order by Chairperson Cathy Elliott-Shaw at 7:03 Roll Call – Cathy Elliott-Shaw, Joel Dowshen, Ralph Tolomeo, Mike MacEwan, Ralph Simon, Brooke McMinn; Visitors: Ana Hart, Deputy Mayor Myers, Dan Aubrey, Madelyn and Byron Dennis; Minutes of last meeting were approved after corrections. Correspondence  Email from Roger Long, who is creating a pollinator garden at DDUU, and looking for advice. If anyone is interested in partnering with him, please let Cathy know. Brooke volunteered to assist.  Conversation with Creative Team. The Team is planning a Youth Art Exhibit for Dec. 2 and 3 at Old City Hall. This is in conjunction with Leaping Dog Art Studio. Several Bordentown resident artists will have work on display.  Email from Pete Reider asking for ideas for his son’s Eagle Scout project. Any suggestions? They have decided on another idea.  Sent email supporting Advanced Solar Products proposal for community solar at Elizabeth Street property. A letter of support was sent on behalf of BCEC.  Email from property owner adjacent to Oliver Street Park with questions about future plans for the park (referred to Deputy Mayor Myers). Deputy Mayor thanked Brooke and Cathy and students for their work at the Oliver Street Park. A design phase will be underway next year. Reports  Green Infrastructure – City received NJ DEP grant $115,000 for bioretention system at Carslake (Deputy Mayor Myers) The City has not seen the grant agreement yet so we cannot get started. Hopefully Cathy will be able to give an update at next month’s meeting. This will be another step towards better storm water management.  New Trails Committee – eight people are interested (Deputy Mayor Myers) The City has a grant to evaluate pedestrian access along Park Street to Point Breeze. This committee will decide where trails should be located and put a plan in place for maintenance. Green Acres has been generous with funding and we can apply for grants.  Invasive Species Remediation (Team = Dan, Brooke, Ralph T. and Cathy) Reviewed Mike’s report to see how we can get started managing the species. We will start in Lime Kilm Ally Park. We can schedule some workdays to cut vines in that area. Hopefully we can started in early spring. We will restore trails. We need to formally understand where the boundaries of our parks are to be sure people have not encroached on the land.  ANJEC Grant for Oliver Street Park (Brooke) There are 12 different native plant species; around 215 square feet. The students did a great job. Most of the money was spent from the grant. Hopefully we can spend the remainder of the money for material to label some of the plants. The grant is ready to be closed out. We have a few photos that can be used.  Nov 1 Volunteers for a Day of Service –eleven students from Doane Academy assisted with planting at Oliver Street Park, flattened pizza boxes and discussed pumpkin collection (Brooke and Cathy) The students helped to flatten the pizza boxes. Our public works crew helped with the work. Brooke’s work with the students was great including telling her interesting background to the students.   Planning Board Report; BCEC Participation in Planning & Zoning Board Applications (Lynn) The Planning Board Meeting was cancelled.  D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports (Joel) Police department renovations are going well however asbestos was found. Also funding is needed for phase one improvements which would be lighting. Gym has to be renovated with upgrades before it can be used. Possibly it might be ready in the spring. There will be some revenue once the gym is up and running. The person in charge of the Gardener’s house is leaving. Abbott Marshland broke off from the D& R Greenway so now they have to bring in their own funding. There was a fundraiser last week which was very successful.  Pumpkin Collection 2023 –running through Nov. 30 – One Compost Can is the community composting business that will be taking the pumpkins to their farm for composting Discussion Items and updates  Table at Farmers Market – October table cancelled due to lack of participation; any additional volunteers for November 19? Two people are needed to volunteer.  Green Team engagement strategy ideas –suggest a meet and greet on January 15 (MLK Day)- thoughts? We could have an open forum where people can meet some of the Green Team members. Visitor Madelyn Dennis agrees that it would be a good ideal for a January meeting.  Pizza boxes – program will be paused at least through the winter. Need help with signage.  BCEC storage area –clean up and re-organization underway. Propose shelving purchase not to exceed $140.00, if needed. Susan Malloy helped Cathy with the storage area. More shelving is needed in the storage area and we would like to purchase materials.  2023 BCEC Budget (& Expenditures) – balance is approximately $3,591. Are there further purchases for this year (deadline is 12/1/23)? We will be purchasing 3 composters. We should buy more doggy bags. We don’t need to purchase a hand truck because Ralph Tolomeo has volunteered to give his hand truck to the committee.  SJ Grant for municipal Solar Feasibility Study ($10,000) – contract awarded at October Commission meeting  Conversations about the Environment (formerly Earth Talks) Dan Aubrey proposed a presentation about bee keeping. Suggested dates are January 30 or April 30. Or would we like to schedule presentations on both of those dates (April dovetails with Earth Day) Yasmin and Dan Aubrey will be giving a talk on bees and bee keeping on January 30 th. Noise pollution and knot weed control were other suggested topics. Upcoming events: November 19 Farmers Market Upcoming opportunities Burlington County Green Teams round table -November 4 postponed, new date TBD *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** Madelyn and Byron Dennis introduced themselves and told of their interest in volunteering to help with some of our projects. Ana Hart introduced herself and also expressed interest in volunteering her services. Dan Aubrey would like to get started on a press release on our Earth Talk. Adjournment at 8:12pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, December 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm (Via Zoom or in person – for discussion)