Environmental Advisory Committee Meeting - Reorganization

Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTE OF THE BOROUGH OF WALDWICK HELD ON THURSDAY JANUARY 15, 2026 OPENING PORTION • Call to Order: o Executive Director Tom McCormick called the meeting to order and read the Statement of Compliance. • Pledge of Allegiance made. • Roll Call: o Tom McCormick conducted the roll call. Present were: ▪ Thomas McCormick ▪ Meghan Bisi ▪ David Isaacs ▪ Dan Montella ▪ David Zilkowski • Green Team Members: o Mark Ramundo o Michelle Weber • Approval of Minutes: o The minutes from the December 18 meeting were approved. PUBLIC PORTION • Mayor Tom Giordano reported that Councilwoman Angela Smith will coordinate with David Zilkowski regarding Beautification Committee plans. • He also noted that follow-up items from the meeting should be communicated to Tatiana and Melissa from the Boro administration at the end of the meeting. • Meghan Bisi proposed two new names for Green Team recruitment. • The Committee discussed a potential Chamber of Commerce ordinance or promotional initiative titled “Skip the Stuff.” o It is a statewide initiative in New Jersey aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. It’s designed to cut down on unnecessary disposable plastic and other one-use food service items — such as forks, spoons, knives, napkins, straws, stirrers, and condiment packets — by requiring food businesses to only provide these items when customers ask for them. o This proposal is being put out for discussion with town council. OLD BUSINESS • EPS drive on January 3, 2026: 1|Page Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 o 30 CY dumpster was about 80% filled. o Plastic bags collected for Trex program were dropped off at ACME in Allendale. o Bags from prior collections were successfully reused. o Waldwick volunteers included David Zilkowski, Dan Montella, Meghan Bisi, David Isaacs, and Caleb Isaacs. o Mark Savastano and another representative from Allendale participated in the EPS drive o Patti Almberg (River Edge) delivered more than ten bags and offered voluntary disposal contributions ($5 per bag). o The committed discussed that taking this money is unacceptable as it must first be discussed and cleared by the town council. o Mark Savastano from Allendale is proposing a monthly collection on the third Saturday of each month at a Bergen County location, open to all county residents, including those from Waldwick. Some in the meeting expressed mixed opinions regarding this proposal. o The committee discussed that clearer guidance is needed regarding acceptable and unacceptable materials for EPS collection events to stop folks from brining unacceptable materials. • Scout & Small Projects Inventory for Beautification Committee & Green Team Upkeep: o Dan Montella presented a draft site inventory map with links to informational slides. The map may be placed on the Borough website upon completion. o The Committee discussed identifying businesses willing to “adopt a spot.” o Maintenance projects were recognized as suitable opportunities for school service hours, Scouts, Environmental Clubs, and National Honor Society participation. o Discussed that Melissa from boro admin can help with the set up a tracking form for maintenance activities. o A grant list for pollinator gardens from the Audubon Society will be provided. • Green Team and Beautification Committee Recruitment o The Committee agreed to utilize the February 19, 2026 meeting as a recruitment event, to be held at the Waldwick Public Library. Tom to follow up with Tatiana on this. • Environmental Advisory Committee news bulletin o Dan Montella presented the late winter / early spring 2026 bulletin. o The bulletin includes the April 18, 2026 EPS collection event. o The Committee discussed including the Slow Mow Summer initiative. • Slow mow summer o The Committee discussed continuing the Slow Mow Summer program. o Sharpened stakes will be needed this year. • Deer signs o Proposed hotspot locations will be discussed with Troy Siefert (Police Department). o Tatiana will be consulted regarding funding availability and identified hotspot areas. • Wildflower seed mix: o Seed packets are targeted for distribution prior to the March 26, 2026 meeting. o Mark Ramundo will verify prior supplier information. o Follow-up with Tatiana is required.. 2|Page Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 • Wyckoff Ave Property for Green Acres Program. o Future Green Acres Program plans remain uncertain. o Michelle Weber proposed exploring the feasibility of utilizing the Wyckoff Avenue property as a Sustainable Jersey showcase project. • ANJEC and Sustainable Jersey o Tom M. will verify the status of ANJEC membership dues. • Committee T-Shirts o Tom to follow up on the order. • EPS Collection & Town wide Cleanup: o The Committee discussed the potential for coordinating town-wide cleanup events with future EPS collection dates. Further discussion with the Borough is required.. • Earth Day 2026 o No discussion, no updates. o (The Borough has scheduled Earth Day activities for April 18, 2026. The Committee agreed to update calendars accordingly and notify Tatiana.) • Flower Boxes, Boro Park Solar Lighting and Backyard Composting o Tom M. to follow up with boro administrator Tatiana • Water Conservation Initiative: o No discussion, no updates. • Whites Pond Restocking: o No updates. • Coordination Quarterly with Boro Office o The Committee discussed establishing quarterly coordination meetings with Borough Administration to review project progress and grant initiatives, including the grant proposals for Hopper Ave Flower Boxes, Boro Park Solar Lights and Town / Backyard Composting NEW BUSINESS • None CORRESPONDENCE • None. ADJOURNMENT • A motion to adjourn the meeting and meeting concluded at approximately 8:30 PM. 3|Page Regular Meeting Minutes January 15, 2026 Next meeting will be February 19, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers (or Public Library) 4|Page