Bordentown City Environmental Commission

Bordentown City Environmental Commission MINUTES from Meeting of May 8, 2024 (in person) Prepared by Cathy Elliott-Shaw The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw. Members present: Joel Dowshen, Dan Preston, Ralph Simon, Cathy Elliott Shaw, Brooke McMinn, Lauren Drumm Guest Present: Anna Hart, Dan Aubrey Chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw read public Meeting Statement. Meeting minutes from April 10, 2024 were approved. Correspondence - none Reports and Recap  Planning Board Report (Lynn) o Lynn reported via email that the May 6, 2024 planning board meeting was very short and there were no new updates to share with the BCEC.  D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports (Joel) o Joel shared the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands Strategic Plan Summary 2024-2026 (attached to minutes), which will support the newly structured 501 c3 organization. o BCEC members were invited to the Abbott Marshlands Council meeting on May 17 at 1 pm at the Gardener's House at Point Breeze.  Creative Team meeting (Dan) o “What’s in a Birdhouse?” event - Approximately 9 bird houses made from upcycled/recycled material are on display in local shop windows during the month of May o Rock painting planned for Green Fair on June 8 o Jack-o-lantern walk @ Hilltop Park planned for the fall. Details to follow.  BRHS students (Brooke) o Brooke and Cathy met seven special needs students and three teachers at Hilltop Park o discussed the importance of pollinators and pollinator garden o discussed why gardens are mulched; students spread mulch in garden beds; talked about the park, proximity to river, train  April 30 Native Plant Talk (Brooke) o Presentation by Brooke, with special guest Kelly Rypkema, NJ Native Plant Society. The meeting was well attended and there was very positive feedback.  Green Team meeting April 22, 2024 –The following items were discussed:: o Litter clean-up held April 20. Partnership with Bordentown Rotary Club and Spartan Boot Camp (Jeff Richardson). Jeff shared a synopsis by email. o Cigarette butt (and other tobacco products) recycling through TerraCycle, a partnership with the Downtown Business Association (Jim Heupel). We cannot purchase receptacles through Terracycle and are looking into an alternative. o Green business awards, specifically recognizing restaurants that are using sustainable and eco-friendly practices. (Katie Ireland offered to assist Brooke) o Green Team participation @ Green Fair o Meetings have been changed to the third Monday of the month.  Budget - We have $4,500 in our budget. We spent $100 updating the banner for the City-Wide Yard sale.   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 Sunday, May 12 ( update - was postponed to May 19). Ralph Simon will be away over the summer. The group will target knotweed at Spring Street Park in June; focus on pollinator garden maintenance in July and August. Members of this group are Ralph, Dan, Brooke, and Cathy.  Green Team – still seeking a Co-chair Upcoming events: May 11 from 9 am to noon paper shredding (Township Public Works yard) May 11 Citywide yard sale May 15 Public Works pizza party June 8 10 am to 3 pm Green Fair June 25 Earth talk – noise pollution *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** Adjournment at 8:15pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, June 12, 2024, at 7:00 pm – via Zoom