Green Team Committee Dec. 29, 2018 Agenda Summary
BOROUGH OF SOUTH RIVER
GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE
AGENDA SUMMARY
December 29, 2018 -- Meeting at 48 Washington Street, 12:45 p.m.
GREEN TEAM COMMITTEE MISSION
The general purpose for the Green Team shall include but not be limited to: Managing South River's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program; Encouraging the borough staff to pursue sustainable practices where possible and implement the Borough Council's environmental goals; At the recommendation of the Borough Council, work with the existing groups within the borough whose actions affect environmental issues so as to eliminate duplication and assure that important tasks are covered; Provide suggestions for further research and action by the Borough Council; At the direction of the Borough Council, provide advice and suggestions to the Borough Board of Adjustment and the Borough Historic Preservation Commission to assure that environmental issues are considered in their deliberations and action; Manage and organize various ad-hoc environmental groups within the borough; Solicit and evaluate environmental ideas and suggestions from the community; and Promote the causes of sustainability within the Borough.
The general purpose for the Green Team shall include but not be limited to: Managing South River's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program; Encouraging the borough staff to pursue sustainable practices where possible and implement the Borough Council's environmental goals; At the recommendation of the Borough Council, work with the existing groups within the borough whose actions affect environmental issues so as to eliminate duplication and assure that important tasks are covered; Provide suggestions for further research and action by the Borough Council; At the direction of the Borough Council, provide advice and suggestions to the Borough Board of Adjustment and the Borough Historic Preservation Commission to assure that environmental issues are considered in their deliberations and action; Manage and organize various ad-hoc environmental groups within the borough; Solicit and evaluate environmental ideas and suggestions from the community; and Promote the causes of sustainability within the Borough.
MEETING STATEMENT
Under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, notice of the time and place of this meeting has been filed with the Borough Clerk, posted and sent to the officially designated newspaper, the Home News Tribune, and forwarded to the East Brunswick Sentinel.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
____Councilwoman Sandra Adelino (Council Liaison)*
____Sergio Labrego ____Denise Batista ____Joseph Hyland ____Richard Alai*
____Mark Barry ____Ruell Brown* ____William Solnosky
____Ronaldo Rosales (Junior Member)* ____Brook Matthews (Junior Member)*
*Term expires Dec. 31, 2018. Regular and junior members wishing to be reappointed should send a letter to the Borough Clerk.
*Term expires Dec. 31, 2018. Regular and junior members wishing to be reappointed should send a letter to the Borough Clerk.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The Green Team Committee values and welcomes public comment. We request that speakers limit themselves to five minutes, to give an opportunity for all to be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the Green Team Committee at the Borough Clerk’s Office during normal business hours, or e-mailed to southrivergreenteam@gmail.com
SUSTAINABLE JERSEY CERTIFICATION
■ Completed items
■ Near complete items
■ Other items
REPORTS
■ Council Liaison Report
■ Chairman's Report
■ Chairman's Report
NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
■ Meeting Calendar for 2019
■ Code Blue
■ Meeting Calendar for 2019
■ Code Blue
■ Developing and encouraging green infrastructure
■ Resolutions for Council: Plastics pledge, OPRA/OPMA
■ Recycling
■ Future Presentations - cancelled
■ 2019 Budget - budget request submitted, see attachment
OLD BUSINESS
■ Ordinances on Water Conservation, Soil/Fill Importation, Grease Traps, Unsolicited Newspapers/Advertising Materials
■ Ordinance updating Green Team membership and terms - vetoed by mayor on grounds that volunteers working with minors should have background checks.
■ Community service from municipal court
RESOLUTIONS
■ Thanking Public Works employees for their assistance throughout the year
■ Sustainability Leaders of the Year
■ Establish Natural Resources subcommittee of Green Team
PUBLIC COMMENT
COMMITTEE COMMENT
NEXT MEETING DATE No future meeting scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT
Updated 12/27/2018 10:15 a.m.
This summary is for informational purposes. There may be additions or deletions prior to the meeting. The final agenda will be published here later in the week.
To: Borough Administrator Jack Layne
Chief Financial Officer Joseph Zanga
Budget Committee
Finance Committee
From: Mark Barry, Chairman (2018), Green Team Committee
Re: 2019 Budget Request
Dated: 12/17/2018
The Green Team Committee was established in 2017 to lead and coordinate sustainability activities for the Borough.
In 2017, no budget allocation was made for the Green Team. In 2018, a budget request of $5,000 resulted in a budget of $1,000 for the year for miscellaneous expenses. For 2019, we are requesting $4,000 in Borough funding, plus an additional $4,500 from grant funds the Borough generally receives.
This memorandum will explain some of what we do and what we plan to do with an increased budget allocation.
The Green Team leverages the skills and expertise of team members to develop plans, implement programs, and assist with educational opportunities that support the creation of a sustainable community. Obtaining Sustainable Jersey certification for the Borough is a goal of the Green Team with pursuing a greener and more sustainable community as the main goal.
In 2019, the Green Team will be working on a number of initiatives. They are listed here, by subcommittee:
Community Garden-- creation of pollinator garden, bee keeping, bat houses, nursery for street tree replacement, flower nursery for community beautification projects, Adopt-a-Spot (or street) for clean-ups and beautification.
River Advocacy-- floodplain restoration and tree planting, recommending creation of a local river advocacy community group and/or permanent inter-municipal advisory board, study riparian land use zoning, Blue Acres property reactivation, Brownfields inventory and land use, flood resiliency.
Natural Resources-- green infrastructure planning and implementation, assist in Environmental Resources Inventory (Natural Resources Inventory) research, review processes in Community Forestry Plan and tree planting/inventory, plastics/recycling education and reusable bag distribution.
Transparency and Open Government Task Force-- study and issue report of recommendations on improving access to government and records, produce a guide to preparing public body minutes, review public information and publicity efforts of the borough and school district.
Creative South River-- encourage creative arts respecting inclusiveness and diversity, pursue arts funding and grants, mural installations to combat graffiti.
The main Green Team Committee will, of course, continue to take a role in advocating for the environment and sustainability by pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification, making recommendations to the South River governing body and undertaking public education efforts on all matters green.
In 2018, both the Green Team and the Borough Council passed resolutions entering into a partnership with Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership to collaborate on matters of mutual interest. In 2019, the Green Team hopes to expand partnerships with other organizations in the interest of a better and more sustainable community. In addition to sharing information and combining talent resources, these partnerships are looked upon favorably when we apply for grant funding.
Much of what the Green Team does is funded through grants, donated goods and services, volunteer work, and pro bono work of professionals. A complete account of 2017-2018 activities will appear in the Green Team’s Annual Report, scheduled for acceptance at the end of this year.
However, not everything is free or donated in this world. For 2019, we are carefully requesting the following:
● Green Team membership in ANJEC -- This is an add-on to Environmental/Shade Tree membership that allows Green Team members to participate in training and have access to ANJEC resources. $260.00
● Conferences, training and general supplies-- In 2018, approximately $75.00 was spent to launch a reusable shopping bag program. We declined member requests for seminars and workshops since our budget was so limited. $1,000.00
● Creative South River-- Training and grant writing workshops, supplies for events, licensing and program fees. In 2018, approximately $55.00 was spent to purchase four folding tables for use by Creative South River programming. Licensing and program fees in 2018 of approximately $1,200 were funded by donors, however we do not expect the same entities to provide funds year after year. $1,500.00
● Supplies and equipment for volunteer tree planting and community clean-ups-- In 2018, approximately $400.00 was spent on hand tools and supplies for this purpose. We need an auger, either rented or purchased for tree planting. In addition, we need additional hand tools. It is utterly embarrassing to assemble volunteers from outside and from within the Borough for clean-ups and require them to bring their own tools and gloves. We encouraged the Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board to allocate some of their remaining 2018 budget toward these supplies and purchase on their own for use in clean-ups; they declined. $1,240.00
In addition to the above, we are requesting allocation of certain grant funds for Green Team managed initiatives.
●Murals to combat graffiti-- Under the direction of Creative South River, Borough students will participate in the creation of murals within the downtown and waterfront areas. Funds requested out of Clean Communities Grant. $2,500.00
● Reusable Bag Distribution and Recycling Brochure --Reusable shopping bags cut down plastics pollution in the environment. We are proposing expanding a reusable bag distribution already in place. In addition, a recycling education has been a challenge since notice was given by the Borough’s recycling provider that many pick-ups are contaminated. We are proposing a simple brochure to be distributed in public places and by mail that educates the public. Multiple efforts need to be made with social media, Borough media, and face to face education. Funds requested out of Recycling Tonnage Grant. $2,000.00
MEMORANDUM
To: Borough Administrator Jack Layne
Chief Financial Officer Joseph Zanga
Budget Committee
Finance Committee
From: Mark Barry, Chairman (2018), Green Team Committee
Re: 2019 Budget Request
Dated: 12/17/2018
The Green Team Committee was established in 2017 to lead and coordinate sustainability activities for the Borough.
In 2017, no budget allocation was made for the Green Team. In 2018, a budget request of $5,000 resulted in a budget of $1,000 for the year for miscellaneous expenses. For 2019, we are requesting $4,000 in Borough funding, plus an additional $4,500 from grant funds the Borough generally receives.
This memorandum will explain some of what we do and what we plan to do with an increased budget allocation.
The Green Team leverages the skills and expertise of team members to develop plans, implement programs, and assist with educational opportunities that support the creation of a sustainable community. Obtaining Sustainable Jersey certification for the Borough is a goal of the Green Team with pursuing a greener and more sustainable community as the main goal.
In 2019, the Green Team will be working on a number of initiatives. They are listed here, by subcommittee:
Community Garden-- creation of pollinator garden, bee keeping, bat houses, nursery for street tree replacement, flower nursery for community beautification projects, Adopt-a-Spot (or street) for clean-ups and beautification.
River Advocacy-- floodplain restoration and tree planting, recommending creation of a local river advocacy community group and/or permanent inter-municipal advisory board, study riparian land use zoning, Blue Acres property reactivation, Brownfields inventory and land use, flood resiliency.
Natural Resources-- green infrastructure planning and implementation, assist in Environmental Resources Inventory (Natural Resources Inventory) research, review processes in Community Forestry Plan and tree planting/inventory, plastics/recycling education and reusable bag distribution.
Transparency and Open Government Task Force-- study and issue report of recommendations on improving access to government and records, produce a guide to preparing public body minutes, review public information and publicity efforts of the borough and school district.
Creative South River-- encourage creative arts respecting inclusiveness and diversity, pursue arts funding and grants, mural installations to combat graffiti.
The main Green Team Committee will, of course, continue to take a role in advocating for the environment and sustainability by pursuing Sustainable Jersey certification, making recommendations to the South River governing body and undertaking public education efforts on all matters green.
In 2018, both the Green Team and the Borough Council passed resolutions entering into a partnership with Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership to collaborate on matters of mutual interest. In 2019, the Green Team hopes to expand partnerships with other organizations in the interest of a better and more sustainable community. In addition to sharing information and combining talent resources, these partnerships are looked upon favorably when we apply for grant funding.
Much of what the Green Team does is funded through grants, donated goods and services, volunteer work, and pro bono work of professionals. A complete account of 2017-2018 activities will appear in the Green Team’s Annual Report, scheduled for acceptance at the end of this year.
However, not everything is free or donated in this world. For 2019, we are carefully requesting the following:
● Green Team membership in ANJEC -- This is an add-on to Environmental/Shade Tree membership that allows Green Team members to participate in training and have access to ANJEC resources. $260.00
● Conferences, training and general supplies-- In 2018, approximately $75.00 was spent to launch a reusable shopping bag program. We declined member requests for seminars and workshops since our budget was so limited. $1,000.00
● Creative South River-- Training and grant writing workshops, supplies for events, licensing and program fees. In 2018, approximately $55.00 was spent to purchase four folding tables for use by Creative South River programming. Licensing and program fees in 2018 of approximately $1,200 were funded by donors, however we do not expect the same entities to provide funds year after year. $1,500.00
● Supplies and equipment for volunteer tree planting and community clean-ups-- In 2018, approximately $400.00 was spent on hand tools and supplies for this purpose. We need an auger, either rented or purchased for tree planting. In addition, we need additional hand tools. It is utterly embarrassing to assemble volunteers from outside and from within the Borough for clean-ups and require them to bring their own tools and gloves. We encouraged the Environmental Commission and Shade Tree Advisory Board to allocate some of their remaining 2018 budget toward these supplies and purchase on their own for use in clean-ups; they declined. $1,240.00
In addition to the above, we are requesting allocation of certain grant funds for Green Team managed initiatives.
●Murals to combat graffiti-- Under the direction of Creative South River, Borough students will participate in the creation of murals within the downtown and waterfront areas. Funds requested out of Clean Communities Grant. $2,500.00
● Reusable Bag Distribution and Recycling Brochure --Reusable shopping bags cut down plastics pollution in the environment. We are proposing expanding a reusable bag distribution already in place. In addition, a recycling education has been a challenge since notice was given by the Borough’s recycling provider that many pick-ups are contaminated. We are proposing a simple brochure to be distributed in public places and by mail that educates the public. Multiple efforts need to be made with social media, Borough media, and face to face education. Funds requested out of Recycling Tonnage Grant. $2,000.00
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