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.