Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)

Minutes of January 13, 2016

Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room

Minutes Prepared by Katie Nosker

Meeting Called to Order at 7:30 P.M.

Attendance: Ralph Tolemeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Co-Chair), Leah Ingalsbe-Ducey, Katie Nosker, Mike Tuney, Andy Richardson, Keith Onsdorff, Joe Malone (Mayor)

(Members of the public present): Cathy Elliott-Shaw

Minutes: Minutes from December 9, 2015 approved.

Communications, Announcements, New Business:

• BCEC Membership Recruiting
  1. Ralph encourages everyone to recruit new members
  2. Mike Tuney is appointed to the Planning Board
• Planning Board Report
  1. Katie drafted memo of support to the Planning Board regarding the Ocean Spray site. BCEC supports the comment and makes edits. BCEC would like to meet with Interface Design to discuss plans. Katie will make edits and send to Mike Tuney for presentation to the Planning Board.
  2. Joe Malone reports on Planning Board and other city activities:
     1. 5 houses were approved in the Feed Mill site
     2. A developer, Chris Vernon, is working on a hotel on the McGuire Chevrolet site. The plan is to break ground in April. Part of the property is in the City, while part is in the township. This property will have a large digital sign that the city will be able to use to promote events. Developer is considering a shuttle from the hotel to the City’s downtown.

• The City is working with Fieldsboro on some shared services, including police and other services

1. Joe Malone wants to start an Executive Council to demonstrate how Bordentown’s form of government works
2. The City now owns properties that are derelict. The plan is to raze them or turn them over.
3. A gazebo is going to be constructed on the beach soon. The permits for this have been acquired. Another gazebo will be going up at Hilltop Park.

• The City has a grant for playground equipment. They will be replacing equipment in City parks
• Radiological contaminants have been found in Bordentown City water, which is shared with other municipalities. A temporary filtration system has been installed. The City is taking samples to determine if contaminants are reaching city homes. New wells are being drilled. This is a 6-9 month process. The City held a hearing about this issue. Joe Malone stated that he could ask the engineering firm do an Earth Talk in May on this issue

• Green Team Report
  1. Sustainable Jersey actions are a priority for the green team. They are submitting actions periodically as we progress toward spring
     1. Ralph is working on prescription drug collection action
     2. Katie and Mike are working on an action for the BCEC to provide recommendations to the Planning Board

• Leah is working on a community garden action and reusable bags action

1. Joel is working on a recycling action
2. Andy is working on a school garden action

1. January is Radon awareness month – check your homes!

• BCEC Budget
  1. Any budget requests should be sent to Ralph
  2. Joe Malone wants to set up an ordinance to guarantee funds to BCEC and other city entities. This will be more permanent than resolutions, which are currently used
  3. BCEC is able to do fundraisers if they choose – perhaps for community garden activities
  4. BCEC is a member of ANJEC. We pay annual dues to belong to this group.
• Fall/Winter BCEC Newsletter – prepared by Joel, newsletter is approved. He will hold off on emailing it until the submission procedures are finalized with the City. Survey is included in the newsletter

Ongoing Projects:

• Community Garden Update
  • Leah will talk with Grace about fee collection and registration.
  • City will distribute Community Garden flyer
• Earth Talks and Events:
  • Leah will conduct community garden earth talk on March 22^nd at 7pm
  • Consider pollination station to do Earth talk on February 2^nd
  • Street Fair – May 21^st and 22^nd
  • Pat Skelly has been awarded the 2015 Excellence in Environmental Education Award. There will be a dinner and conference on January 22nd

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Next BCEC Meeting: Wednesday February 10, 2016 @ 7:30 PM

Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)

Minutes of February 10, 2016

Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room

Minutes Prepared by Katie Nosker

Meeting Called to Order at 7:30 P.M.

Attendance: Ralph Tolemeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Co-Chair), Leah Ingalsbe-Ducey, Katie Nosker, Mike Tuney, Joe Malone (Mayor)

(Members of the public present): Ralph Simon, Mike Maloney

Minutes: Minutes from January 13, 2016 approved.

Communications, Announcements, New Business:

• BCEC Membership Recruiting
  1. Ralph encourages everyone to recruit new members
• Green Team Report
  1. Ralph reports on behalf of Cathy. Cathy would like to encourage participation from BCEC in the Green Team, and would like to encourage new members to attend
  2. Cathy inquires if BCEC would like to develop a position regarding:
     1. The pipeline
     2. The hazardous waste proposal across the Delaware
  3. BCEC determines that they will individually research these items and come prepared for discussion next time
• Planning Board Report
  1. Mike Tuney reports that a 4 story hotel with 128 rooms and a car wash have been approved on the McGuire Chevrolet site
  2. Joe Malone reports that a temporary system has been installed to remove radon from the City’s water. The City is now bidding to drill new wells. The radon levels are down. Bordentown does not have a lead problem in the water. The city is adding a sequestering agent to coat pipes
• BCEC Budget
  1. Any budget requests should be sent to Ralph. Ralph will work with Mayor Malone
  2. Joe Malone wants to set up an ordinance to guarantee funds to BCEC and other city entities. This will be more permanent than resolutions, which are currently used
  3. BCEC is able to do fundraisers if they choose – perhaps for community garden activities
  4. BCEC is a member of ANJEC. We pay annual dues to belong to this group.
• Fall/Winter BCEC Newsletter – prepared by Joel, newsletter has been sent
• Community Garden
  1. Leah will work with Grace on accepting money and applications for plots
  2. Current is considering running an article about the garden in their next publication
  3. The garden will be officially named for Ellen Wehrman. Joe Malone suggests that if BCEC writes a memo to him, he can make this official at the city level.
  4. An opening will be done in May
• Website – Joel is now in charge of the website. He has moved the website to a new server and is updating the format and content

Ongoing Projects:

• Earth Talks and Events:
  • Leah will conduct community garden earth talk on March 22^nd at 7pm. This will include discussions on backyard composting, tilling, plot size and the creation of a management committee
  • Rain Barrel workshop in April
  • April 2^nd at 12pm – cleanup of Hilltop Park with the Kiwanis
  • Street Fair – May 21^st and 22^nd. Topics will be the community garden, composting and the Green Fair
  • Earth Talk by Bordentown City Water Department in May
  • Green Fair – June 11
  • Cranberry Festival – October

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Next BCEC Meeting: Wednesday March 9, 2016 @ 7:30 PM.

Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)

Minutes of December 9, 2015

Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room

Minutes Prepared by Katie Nosker

Meeting Called to Order at 7:30 P.M.

Attendance: Ralph Tolemeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Co-Chair), Leah Ingalsbe-Ducey, Katie Nosker, Mike Lahr

(Members of the public present): Cathy Elliott-Shaw

Minutes: Minutes from November 11, 2015 approved.

Communications, Announcements, New Business:

• BCEC Membership Recruiting
  1. Mike Lahr is stepping down from the Planning Board and BCEC as of the end of 2015
  2. Ralph encourages everyone to recruit new members
  3. Katie Nosker is considered for liaison position with Planning Board
• Planning Board Report
  1. Ralph Tolemeo reported on the Planning Board Meeting on Novemb7th. Interface Design reported on their past community and focus group meetings, and presented 3 potential scenarios:
     1. A reuse option that was all commercial
     2. A mixed use option that contained commercial and residential – most people supported the mixed use option, including Mayor and potential developer of the site

• A residential only option

1. This could be a potential area for the Environmental Commission to provide comments, such as:
   1. The Environmental Commission would like to see the Thornton Creek Trail fixed up and maintained
   2. Permeable paving

• Comprehensive stormwater management plan

1. Traffic calming

1. Mike Lahr reported on an emergency meeting of the planning board in which it was announced that the McGuire Chevy Site was officially declared an area in need of redevelopment, and that the site will be developed into a Fairfield Inn Extended Stay facility with a car wash

• Green Team Report
  1. Sustainable Jersey actions are a priority for the green team. They are submitting actions periodically as we progress toward spring
     1. Action requiring the BCEC to submit a site plan review was discussed. Cathy thinks submission is possible for this action whether or not we have
  2. On November 28^th Cathy and Cindy were on a panel regarding large, medium and small town Green Teams at the League of Municipalities conference. Conference was a success
• 2015 BCEC Budget Report – Ralph reported that $153 are left in the budget
• 2016 BCEC Budget Proposal – Green Fair, Community Garden, Green Team, speakers and plants for gardens around town and/or for the schools were agreed upon priorities. BCEC adds $1000 for community garden. Group agrees that BCEC should purchase shopping bags, and doggie bag dispensers. Other requests should be submitted to Ralph
• Fall/Winter BCEC Newsletter – prepared by Joel, newsletter is approved. He will hold off on emailing it until the submission procedures are finalized with the City. Survey is included in the newsletter

Ongoing Projects:

• Community Garden Update
  • Ralph will talk with the Mayor to determine who in City Hall will be collecting the applications and fees
• Earth Talks and Events:
  • Leah will find a presenter to talk on Community Gardens on Feb 2^nd at 7pm

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Next BCEC Meeting: Wednesday January 13, 2016 @ 7:30 PM