Bordentown City Environmental Commission

BCEC MINUTES from December 13, 2023 Meeting via Zoom Submitted by Lynn Robinson Meeting called to order by Chairperson Cathy Elliot Shaw at 7:06 The following members were in attendance: Cathy Elliot Shaw, Joel Dowshen, Ralph Tolomeo, Lynn Robinson, Dan Preston, Brook McMinn Ralph Simon, Mike MacEwan Visitors: Dan Aubrey, Peg Peak, Jess Muha The October and November 8, 2023 minutes were approved. Correspondence  Thank you note from Doane Academy students was read by Cathy.  Thank you note from Pat Colemen, Friends of the Abbott Marshlands, for donation in Ralph’s honor and for our commitment to the environment.  Email from Jeff Tober regarding Project Pizza Box (shared via email) He wants to pause the pizza program.  Email from Liz Bakeman, requesting an activity for 7 students with complex disabilities (her suggestions include park clean up or gardening) Cathy would like someone to be a point person to work with this group. Brooke McMinn volunteered. Cathy suggested some ideas for this group. Reports  Planning Board Report; BCEC Participation in Planning & Zoning Board Applications (Lynn) Our sub-committee met with the owner of a house on Mary Street to discuss variances needed to make changes on the property. One of the restaurants on Farnsworth Avenue wants to add a brewery.  D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports (Joel) The Discovery Center is now open on weekends. The Center is going to develop some literature and the Historical Society is putting together a brochure to be left at the Discovery Center telling them where to come to see more history about Bonapart. --Last week there was a presentation from a professor from Rider who did the tree surveys. He is also writing a book. --Joel is part of a group working on a strategic plan for the Abbott  Marshlands. --Police Station is off schedule because a little asbestos was found and has to be removed before the project can move forward.  ANJEC Grant for Oliver Street Park (Brooke) The report will be complete after we add the financial portion.  Project Pizza Box has been paused (Cathy) There are signs on the bins indicating the project is on pause.  Pumpkin Collection 2023 – 1,100+ lbs. collected by One Compost Can. Dolph Guerds proposed adding hay bales, corn stalks and mums next year. He can supply a large collection container. Our next step is to review this idea with Deputy Myers and Peg. Discussion Items and updates  Creative Team – we are seeking a BCEC member who can serve as a liaison to the Creative Team. Are any BCEC members interested? If interested please talk with Cathy. The Creative Team was created in 2013. It consists of people who are interested in supporting the arts in Bordentown. The Mayor appoints members and there is a line item in the BCEC budget. Dan has volunteered to be the liaison for the group.  Green Team – we are seeking a Co-chair. Are any BCEC members interested? A community meet and greet is scheduled for January 15 from 6 to 8 pm. The Green Team needs more members. In the past they did many projects in Bordentown. Please talk to Cathy if you are interested in co-chairing with her.  Trails Committee - introductory meeting postponed until after city commissioners formally establish committee. Not sure if it will be a committee under the BCEC or the Parks committee. The committee needs to coordinate with the trails at Point Breeze, Abbott Marshlands and the Delaware Heritage Trails as well as Bordentown trails  Invasive Species Remediation – no updates; propose meeting in January 2024. We need to meet to identify next steps.  BCEC storage area –clean up and re-organization continues. Mike is helping with the new shelving. There is a lot of paper work in crates that need to filed.  2023 BCEC Budget (& Expenditures) – balance is approximately $3,517.   2024 BCEC proposed budget Bordentown City Environmental Commission proposed budget 2024 ANJEC membership $525.00 Cranberry Festival $100.00 Green Fair $600.00 Document printing (ERI and other ) $500.00 Volunteer Tee Shirts $600.00 Composters $350.00 Speaker gratuities $400.00 paper shredding $1,400.00 Materials for events $600.00 Website maintenance $150.00 hand cart $240.00 Creative Team $1,200.00 Total $6,665.00 Ralph Tolomeo suggested more money might be needed for our ANJEC dues. Dan and Ralph had some suggestions on invasive species ideas for next year as well as materials to be used for our projects which should be considered for the budget. Cathy added that we should think about other budget items we may need to be more effective and efficient with our projects. Upcoming events: January 15, 2024, 6 – 8 pm Green Team Meet and Greet @ Old City Hall January 30, 2024 @ 7 pm Presentation by Yasmin Qzailbash, member of the Central Jersey Beekeeping Association. April 30, 2024 Presentation about Native Plants (Brooke coordinating) Upcoming opportunities Burlington County Green Teams round table -December 17 Cathy and Brooke will be attending. *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** Our visitor Jess Muha introduced himself. He likes butterflies and pollinator gardening and trails. He wants to volunteer to work on some projects in those areas. Dan Aubrey said he is getting information to put in the newspaper about the upcoming Beekeeping presentation. Adjournment at 8:03pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, January 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Via Zoom or in person – for discussion)