Bordentown City Environmental Commission

Bordentown City Environmental Commission MINUTES from Meeting of June 12, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom Submitted by Lynn Robinson The meeting was called to order at 7:05pm by chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw. Members present: Joel Dowshen, Dan Preston, Ralph Tolomeo, Ralph Simon, Cathy Elliott Shaw, Lynn Robinson. Lauren Drumm, Brooke McMinn Guest Present: Dan Aubrey, Chairperson Cathy Elliott Shaw read public Meeting Statement. Meeting minutes for May 8, 2024 were approved. Correspondence - None Reports and Recap  Planning Board Report (Lynn) The meeting of June 11, 2024 was cancelled.  D&R Greenway & Abbott Marshland Reports (Joel) Joel listed programs coming in June and July. The programs are free. The Mayor of Bordentown Township came up with the idea of having Abbott Day in the City. Joel attached the resolution. The Gardener House is getting more popular now that it is open on weekends. Brooke McMinn is responsible for the upkeep of the garden.  Creative Team (Dan) – no update  Green Team meeting May 20, 2024 – we identified actions that can be taken in four areas that most people have indicated are a priority: Community Clean Ups; Parks and Trails; Invasive Species; and Recycling. See attached summary. Someone had an idea of a native plant trail. The Green Team Members were asked to pursue the areas of interest to them.  Green Fair – thank you to everyone who made the day a success. The Green Fair was packed with vendors and visitors. Attendance was great. Kids were excited about the passports and we actually ran out of the 50 children passports that were made. The Abbott Marshlands had a table and they were very happy. The Plant Swap table went well. Many people took plants. The Green Fair was a success again this year. The committee will have a pot luck dinner to discuss the Green Fair. Discussion Items  Pollinator gardens – maintenance - We need to set up a rotating system to help maintain the gardens. We need more volunteers.  Proposed purchases: o Rain barrel workshop – approximately $200 (July 27, 2024 @ 10:00am) o Purchase postcards for Green Fair 2025 and beyond $270 (for 500 post cards) The Historical Society distributed Green Fair postcards at the Garden Tour. o Cigarette waste receptacles approximately $66 (for 2)  o Deer Survey – approximately $350 We have spent $1,435 to date. We have enough money to purchase all of the above items plus the Cranberry Fest expenses. We agreed to use the money for the items listed.  Invasive Species Remediation – plans for July through September We will focus on the pollinator gardens in July and August. We will go back to the Knotweed in September. Information and updates (discussion only if needed)  Trails Work Group – members appointed at 6/10/24 Board of Commissioners meeting. The City officially started a trails committee. Joel, Dan and Cathy are members of this committee. Cathy asked if there could be representation from the township and other areas. Cathy shared the vision that she wrote for the committee.  Al Barker stepped down from being Chairperson of the Shade Tree Commission. Upcoming events: June 17 Green Team meeting June 25 Earthtalk – noise pollution – We have a flyer and blurp for the Noise Pollution Workshop. It will be held at Old city Hall on Crosswicks Street. July 27 Rain Barrel workshop ((Carslake Community Center @ 10.00am) September – public works pizza party, date TBD Quarterly Check-In Report (Q1 in March, Q2 in June, Q3 in Sept, Q4 in Dec) Representatives of these subcommittees/initiatives will present a status report on a quarterly basis.  Farmer’s Market  Community Garden *****PUBLIC COMMENT**** NONE Adjournment At 7:51pm Next meeting: WEDNESDAY, July 10, 2024, at 7:00 pm (Via Zoom)