Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Commission & Green Team Advisory Committee
February 24, 2022 Meeting Minutes
Adequate notice of the time and place of this meeting was given under the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act and was posted and sent to the officially designated newspapers in compliance with the law.
Attendance
Green Team Advisory Committee Members present: Peter Ritchings, Cathy Sogorka, Rob Mercado, Patricia Kile, MJ Gradel.
Environmental Commission Members present: Chair Peter Ritchings, Anne Lightburn, Cathy Sogorka, Patty Villani, Kitty Stillufsen.
Absent: Council Liaison Mike Ramos
Green Team Meeting:
The Green Team Advisory Committee Meeting commenced at approximately 7:05 p.m.
Cathy Sogorka led a discussion of Sustainable Jersey Status and possible actions for 2022. The potential 2022 actions were based upon areas of interest expressed to Cathy Sogorka by members of the Environmental Commission and Green Team.
Cathy went through a series of potential 2022 actions and assigned possible managers to work on each action.
Environmental Commission Meeting:
The Environmental Commission Meeting commenced the approximately 7:30 p.m.
Patti Villani agreed to serve as Environmental Commission Secretary for 2022 with a principal role of taking meeting notes and preparing meeting minutes.
Commission Chair Peter Ritchings went through the few mail items and other notices and announcements that the Commission may have received.
One of the items received by the Commission was a February 14, 2022 notice of an application submitted on behalf of Ocean Wind II, LLC to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) seeking a Coastal General Permit #23 associated with geotechnical survey borings associated with potential offshore wind projects.
Shade Tree Commission & Open Space Advisory Committee
Anne Lightburn provided an update of the activities of the Shade Tree Commission.
Planning Board
Chair Peter Ritchings advised the Commission of Planning Board Action since the last meeting which included applications for outdoor dining area approval and reviewing signage for a number of business establishments.
Ongoing Business Status Reports:
During the Commission meeting, there was further discussion regarding formulating an ordinance requiring a certain amount of greenspace/landscape, particularly with regards to residential properties that are redeveloped.
There it was further discussed regarding developing and adopting an ordinance prohibiting the use of chemical pesticides on public properties.
The Environmental Commission learned during the meeting that the Little Library installed on Arnold Avenue actually originated as an Antrim School student project led by Art Teacher Kim Carr.
During the meeting there was a discussion regarding possible design and installation of anti-idling signage at the inlet parking area.
The Environmental Commission meeting concluded at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully,
Peter Ritchings
