Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)

Minutes of October 9, 2013

Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room

Minutes prepared by Leah Ducey

Meeting called to order at 7:30 p
 

Attendance: (Quorum present) Ralph Tolomeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Vice-chair), Michael Tunney, Leah Ducey, Don Stein, Charles Kunkel, Mike Lahr, Andy Richardson

(Members of the public present): Mayor Malone, Cathy Elliott-Shaw, Cindy Gallagher

September minutes approved with changes.
 

Public comment:  none
 

Communications and Announcements:

1. Lime Kiln Park update:  On  9/27 the butterfly garden was weeded and new plantings planted with the help of Diana Raichel and volunteers. Mike Tunney and Don Stein will brush hog in 2 weeks.
2. Oliver Street Park update: brush hog in 2 weeks,
3. Greenteam updates: The Greenteam would like a page on the BCEC website; they would like to update the recycling guide; railroad ave was weeded and so was the jug handle on Crosswicks and 130 and mums were planted.
4. Library Native plant garden– needs to be cleaned up and new plants added and thin older plants. Best time for this is spring.
5. Community Garden- Mayor Malone received a go ahead on the Clare Estate Property, he will finalize and then the CG committee will begin garden plans.
6. Great turnout for Cranberry Festival with a lot of people showing interest in BCEC events.

BCEC Events:

1. 10/9 Abbott Marsh Tour- meet at light rail parking lot.
2. Possible talk on energy audits Dec 3 or 10^th.

Planning Board:

1. The Park st Townhouses are moving ahead with Illumiati construction- dealing with light and drainage issues.
2. New duplex on Willow St is being approved.

BCEC 2013 Budget:

1. $500 has been allotted for Greenteam.
2. Mayor Malone said we raise money but must be deposited in city account. No raffles.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 (the next meeting will be December 11th, 2013 at 7:30pm.)

Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)
Minutes of November 13, 2013
Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room
Minutes prepared by Leah Ducey

Meeting called to order at 7:30 pm

Attendance: (Quorum present) Ralph Tolomeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Vice-chair), Michael Tunney, Leah Ducey, Don Stein, Charles Kunkel, Andy Richardson

(Members of the public present): Mayor Malone

October minutes approved.

Public comment:  none

Communications and Announcements:

1. Lime Kiln Park update:  Mike Tunney and Don Stein will brush hog.
2. Oliver Street Park update: Mike Tunney and Don Stein will brush hog. We to come up with a plan for spring maintenance.
3. Greenteam updates: Won Silver award for Sustainable Jersey!! And Sustainable Small Community Award!  They are updating the recycling pamphlet to include info on recycling Rx drugs and cell phones.
4. Library Native plant garden– needs to be cleaned up and new plants added and thin older plants. Best time for this is spring.
5. Community Garden- Mayor Malone to follow up with Clare Estates.
6. BCEC Sub-Committees- please tell Ralph which committee you would like to join.
7. Fall/winter newsletter is being worked on by Joel Dowshen.
8. The Creative team is working a creative asset map for town and wants a city calendar that lists all Bordentown Events, not just ones sponsored by DBA.
9. Sustainable Jersey grants are out 2k and 20k- any ideas on what to apply for- electric car to follow sweeper or community garden.
10. Hilltop Park plans need input from BCEC.
11. Bill and Carol Perroni won the rain barrel from the cranberry festival.

BCEC Events:

1. No December Earth Talk
2. Possible Water and Sewer plant talk.

Planning Board:

No report

BCEC 2013 Budget:

– No new updates

Meeting Adjourned at 8:50 (the next meeting will be December 11th, 2013 at 7:30 pm.)

Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room

Minutes prepared by Leah Ducey

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm

 Attendance: (Quorum present) Ralph Tolomeo (Chair)), Michael Tunney, Leah Ducey, Don Stein, Charles Kunkel, Andy Richardson

(Members of the public present): Cindy Gallagher

January minutes approved. No meeting February because of snow.

 Public comment:  none

Communications and Announcements:

1. Lime Kiln Park update:  Kiwannis to volunteer on trail maintenance 4/5 from 9-1.
2. Oliver Street Park update: Mike Tunney and Don Stein will brush hog. We to come up with a plan for spring maintenance.
3. Greenteam updates: 5^th annual Green Fair June 14, won a $2000 grant from Sustainable Jersey to help with Green Fair, need people to help with the following Sustainable Jersey Actions: Companion animal management and Wildlife Interaction plan- please email greenteam if interested. Next meeting is March 15^th at 7:00 at Carslake.
4. Community Garden- on hold until next round of Sustainable Jersey grants.
5. Brooke McMinn and Father Tucker will not be reappointed to BCEC. Need to replace them.
6. Held the following Earth Talks and they went well: How to Boil a Frog and Energy Audit Info session.
7. The BCEC will buy a sandwich board to advertise events in town.
8. Shade tree planting is 4/5 and volunteers are needed.

BCEC Events:

1.  4/26 Rainbarrel Workshop at Carslake
2. 4/26 Kids Creek Exploration with the Watershed Ambassador.
3. Street Fair May 17-18^th.

Planning Board:

1. Senior Center Pants Factory needs to expand basement and city has to make a larger contribution.- BCEC has no concerns.
2. Lot on Willow will be developed into a duplex house- BCEC has no concerns.

BCEC 2013 Budget:

1. Paid $70 for May Street fair registration
2. Paid $350 for ANJEC dues

Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 (the next meeting will be April 9th at 7:30pm.)

Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC)
Minutes of April 9, 2014
Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room
Minutes prepared by Leah Ducey

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm

Attendance: (Quorum present) Ralph Tolomeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Vice Chair), Michael Lahr, Leah Ducey, Don Stein, Andy Richardson

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

March minutes approved.

Public comment:  none

Communications and Announcements:

1. Lime Kiln Park update:  Dianna Raichel from the D&R Greenway brought 2 volunteers and cleaned up the butterfly garden; benches for Lime Kiln?
2. Oliver Street Park update: Dianna Raichel is going to give the BCEC advice on the next plan of action for Oliver Street Park; the Mayor is looking into fencing for the culvert; Don Stein and Mike Tunney brush hogged the park.
3. Greenteam updates: 5^th annual Green Fair June 14- volunteers needed please reach out to bordentowncitygreenteam@gmail.com; in touch with USDA about a working on the People and wildlife Intercation plan for sustainable Jersey- an expert on vultures is being contacted for a possible EarthTalk.
4. Community Garden- Meeting with Roger from BTEC about how the township went about setting up a Community Garden May 3^rd.
5. Kiwannis club helped clean up Native Plant Garden at the Library.
6. Mayoral Report– Hilltop Park hill is being cleared to enhance view of Crosswicks Creek and the Marinas, vegetation will be put in place to control erosion. Canopy in park will also be thinned to allow more natural light into park.
7. Lambertville has an optional town composting program- Ralph will look into details.
8. Leah will email Joel BCEC spring eco event flier.

BCEC Events:

1.  4/26 Rainbarrel Workshop at Carslake
2. 4/26 Kids Creek Exploration with the Watershed Ambassador.
3. Street Fair May 17-18^th.

Planning Board:

1. 2^nd and Park Street Parking issue is being resolved to add greenery and control storm water runoff to Hamlet.
2. Marcellos is upgrading the deck area to an enclosed area- BCEC has no objections.
3. 2 lots on Chesnut St are being made equal size.

BCEC 2013 Budget:

No update

Meeting Adjourned at 9:22 (the next meeting will be May 14th at 7:30pm.)

Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC) Minutes of May 14, 2014 Carslake Community Center Senior’s Room Minutes prepared by Leah Ducey

Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm Attendance: (Quorum present) Ralph Tolomeo (Chair), Joel Dowshen (Vice-Chair), Michael Lahr, Leah Ducey (Members of the public present): Mayor Malone, Cathy Elliott-Shaw April minutes approved.  Public comment:  none Communications and Announcements:

1. Lime Kiln Park update:  Mulch needs to be spread on trail.
2. Oliver Street Park update: Mike Tunney and Don Stein will brush hog. Mayor Malone asked that the BCEC come up with a list of needs for the park and he will see if there is grant money to help obtain supplies.
3. Greenteam updates: Postcards need to be delivered to local businesses for Green Fair, help promote the Green Fair on Facebook, there are yard signs on Cathy’s porch you can take and display.
4. Community Garden Update– Member of the green team and BCEC met with Jill Popko of the Bordentown Township greenteam to discuss their challenges and successes of starting a community garden; the BT greenteam would like to pair with BC greenteam to start a garden at the high school.

The BCEC bought a sandwich board to advertise events in town.

5. BCEC Events– 9 people attended the rainbarrel workshop, the drug drop off was a huge success and the stream walk was cancelled the day of.
6. Hilltop Park is almost finished and the fence should be up shortly.

BCEC Events:

1. Green Fair 6/14
2. Possible Vulture Talk with APHIS-USDA rep October 16 or 23?
3. Native plant talk?

Planning Board:

1. Park st water management issue passed and construction can start
2. Old Roma bank to reconfigure parking lot- no concerns.

BCEC 2013 Budget:

1. No new news

Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 (the next meeting will be June 11th at 7:30pm.)