Environmental Advisory Committee

WESTWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Westwood EAC Monthly Meeting Minutes June 2016 Meeting Date: June 20th, 2016 Meeting Location: Westwood Borough Hall Meeting Opening & Roll Call Monthly Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Meeting was called to order at 1930 EST by Mr. Waugh, Chair of EAC… “This meeting, which conforms to the OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS LAW, CHAPTER 231, PUBLIC LAWS OF 1975, is a regular Environmental Committee meeting. Notices have been filed with our local official newspapers and posted on the Municipal Bulletin Board” Roll Call Present Absent Michael Waugh, Chair (MW) X Boniface Kiamue (BK) X Christine Blaney (CB) X Peter Grefrath, Committee Liaison (PG) X Joseph Helmy (JH) X Heidi Sandiford (HS) X Wilhelm Wang, Minutes, Secretary (WW) X Public Forum Public Forum was opened by Chairman and moved to closure with no participant present: Member Moved Second Ayes Nays Absent Abstain Blaney
Grefrath
Helmy
Kiamue
Sandiford
Wang
Waugh
Passing of the Minutes May meeting minutes were reviewed and passed by all EAC members present. Committee Liaison’s Report Mr. Grefrath provided updates on the following to the EAC: • Reusable bag subject is tabled for June 21st Council meeting… Bring used bag for show-and-tell • Have reminded CFO to move and place on Council’s agenda in the June 21st meeting Page 1 of 3  WESTWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Westwood EAC Monthly Meeting Minutes June 2016 Old Business Rain Garden Project / Watershed Clean-up / Grant Application Activities (C. Blaney) • Rain Garden Project Constructions is moved to fall 2016. • Joint grant application submitted with Bergen Swan seeking $3,000 based on watershed cleanup collaborations. EAC is expected to split with Bergen Swan. Action: P. Grefrath to remind Council of EAC productive efforts of getting external funding Borough Green Team Activities: Green Purchasing Policy Upon further research and inquiry, Borough Council had adopted a Green Purchasing Resolution in the initial application to Sustainable New Jersey recognition. However, status of such resolution remain uncertain today. Action: W. Wang to follow up on past Green Purchasing resolution and any current activities Action Update (June 22nd): Westwood Resolution 10-213 was in fact adopted on 07/20/2010 wherein an “Environmental Purchasing Task Force” were to be established and “By September 2010, the Task Force shall encourage a minimum of one department to perform a pilot or demonstration study of environmentally preferable purchasing…” Structure and content of the current draft extends the 2010 resolution. Neverthless, per Borough Clerk, however, “this was a Sustainable Jersey initiative that didn’t really go anywhere once we passed the reso…” Anti-Idling Policy, Plastic Bag Recycling Action: B. Kiamue / M. Waugh • Actions remain open from last meeting with concerns remain in effective enforcement. Use of Plastic Bags – Public Education and Outreach Trial plastic bag collection station has been set up with one at the Borough Hall Action: All EAC Member to promote collection in community and periodically monitor collection volume for transferring to collection hub by Stop-and-Shop. Page 2 of 3  WESTWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Westwood EAC Monthly Meeting Minutes June 2016 Two recent NJ State Assembly Bills have been introduced in recent months pertaining to assessing user fees on plastic bags aimed at to curb and eventual ban on use of single-use non-compostable plastic bags, i.e., AB3671 and AB2396, noting that AB3671 has just passed second reading on May 19. EAC will continue to sponsor Trex community plastic bag collection and recycling efforts and monitor state legislature activities on the same issue. Action: P. Grefrath to communicate to Council of EAC recommendation in support of passage of AB 3671, AB2396 or similar legislative actions. Community Garden: Garden plots are into full growing season in earnest. New Business: Pollinator workshop to be held June 23rd at 1900 to 2100 in association with Rutgers at Girls Scout Park. Looking for support and assistance. Next Meeting – Monday, July 18th, 2016 Borough Hall at 1930. Upcoming 2016 Meetings as Scheduled: August – No meeting September 19th October 17th , November 21st, December 19th Meeting adjourned by the Chair and seconded by the Secretary promptly at 2021. Page 3 of 3