Bordentown City Environmental Commission

Bordentown City Environmental Commission MINUTES from Meeting of April 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Submitted by Lynn Robinson The meeting was called to order at 7:04pm by chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw. Members present: Joel Dowshen, Dan Preston, Ralph Tolomeo, Ralph Simon, Cathy Elliott Shaw, Mike MacEwan, Lynn Robinson. Guest Present: John Brodowski, Dan Aubrey, Chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw read public Meeting Statement. Meeting minutes for March 13, 2024 were approved. Correspondence - Cathy received a letter from Liz Bockman asking if we were interested in participating in the Stem Fair to be held at the high school on April 24, 2024. Reports and Recap  Planning Board Report (Lynn) The Spot, on the corner of Park Street and Farnsworth Avenue was approved for renovations with specific site plan waivers.  D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports (Joel) Linda Meade from the Association of Land Trust Executives had an event at the Gardeners’s House. Joel represented Bordentown. Afterwards 25 people went to lunch at Under the Moon. Joel reported that our visitors enjoyed Bordentown.  Creative Team meeting (Dan) This was more of an informational meeting. There were a few events planned such as creating Bird Houses out of recyclable materials, a Halloween project and Painted Rocks event. Interest is big in recycling and The Green Fair. Brainstorming some action plans will be on the agenda for the next meeting.  Green Team meeting March 25, 2024 – we provided information about BCEC/Green Team initiatives; obtained information about meeting availability; obtained information about areas of interest. We are currently working on these actions: o Litter clean-up scheduled for April 20. Partnership with Bordentown Rotary Club and Spartan Boot Camp (Jeff Richardson) o Cigarette butt (and other tobacco products) recycling through TerraCycle, a partnership with the Downtown Business Association (Jim Heupel). Jim asked if the BCEC can purchase 2 or 3 containers @ $133 each. o Green business awards, specifically recognizing restaurants that are using sustainable/eco-friendly practices. (Brooke) o Green Team participation @ Green Fair o Next meeting April 22, 2024, however we may shift to the third Monday of the month – to be discussed   Budget - We have $4,500 in our budget. We should have enough to purchase the containers as well as the Banner that was discussed last month.  Clean Energy - Dan will send us the clean air link. He thinks it is something we should push. Maybe one of the companies will come to the Green Fair. Discussion Items  City Wide Yard Sale – Banner cost at UPS is $9/ square foot. Suggest printed area 2.5’ by 15’ long. Total cost approximately$340 plus any other fees. (Are there other ways to get the information out to the community and outsiders? Volunteers are needed to work on this initiative to promote the event.)  Outreach and education at Green Fair – ideas? We don’t do enough to let people know what we do and what we have accomplished. We should do this at the Green Fair.  May 8 BCEC meeting – by Zoom or in person? It was decided that our next meeting would be in person.  Stem Fair – Is anyone interested in having a table at the Stem Fair.  Green Fair - There are 45 exhibitors registered. None of our local eateries can participate. Information and updates (discussion only if needed)  Trails Work Group – next step is to work with City Commissioners to appoint members. Interested people should fill out the volunteer form.  Invasive Species Remediation – next meeting is Sunday. Members in this group are Ralph, Dan, Brooke, and Cathy.  Green Team – still seeking a Co-chair Upcoming events: April 13 Arbor Day Planting (Shade Tree Committee) April 14 Garden Workday April 22 Green Team Meeting April 30, 2024 @ 7 pm Presentation about Native Plants (Brooke coordinating) May 11 from 9 am to noon paper shredding (Township Public Works yard) May 11 Citywide yard sale May 15 Public Works pizza party (tentative) June 8 10 am to 3 pm Green Fair June 25 Earth talk – noise pollution *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** John Brodowski: Suggested a drainage area next to Empire Pizza, which is a consistent area of waste. Maybe we could see how business owners manage their waste. --Japanese knotweed—It spreads like crazy. How do we get rid of it? Adjournment at 8:15pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2024, at 7:00 pm – IN PERSON