Borough of Point Pleasant Beach POINT PLEASANT BEACH
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
July 27, 2023 Meeting Minutes
CHAIR:
Peter Ritchings
COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Mike Ramos, COUNCIL LIAISON
Courtney Bixby
MJ Gradel
Cindy Kells
Anne Lightburn
Cary Mulkeen
Guests:
June Cuzzo, Mark O’Connell
***Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm
Green Team Meeting
Members present: MJ Gradel, Louise Stillufsen
Sustainable Jersey -Action Status and Update- Louise Stillufsen
Point Pleasant Beach Green Team Sustainable Jersey July 2023 Report
The final 2023 SJ submission is July 27th.
I will be submitting our final application Thursday July 27th.
There are a number of actions which I will be marking as Planned, and will not gain points in 2023.
Ex: Kristen O’Rourke is working on several actions that are new to us including Brownfields Inventory and Prioritization, Energy Efficiency for Municipal Facilities and Green Infrastructure Planning
I am working on Tobacco Free Community, a new action replacing a previous action “Tobacco Free Public Places”.
Planning will allow the Green Team to continue working on actions that expire in 2023, provide time for new actions to obtain documentation, and give us a head start for the first 2024 submissions due next February.
We currently hold enough points to maintain Bronze Status for 2023.
Thank you for all your help!
Respectfully submitted,
Louise Stillufsen
Agenda
• Feedback from the Sustainable Jersey Summit and new ideas -Anne Lightbum reported the SJ will provide tech support. See above under energy audit.
• Animals in the Community – June Cuzzo reported that on August 10th, there will be a presentation at the Pleasure Park camp. There will be 12 therapy dogs, and individuals will speak about the Animal Welfare Committee, wild animals and pet licensing
• Anti-Idling Initiative – MJ Gradel reported that on Tuesday morning she will meet with representatives from All Points to discuss signage for Antrim and the inlet areas. MJ will update the press release for the Anti-Idling campaign.
Sustainable Jersey Submission Dates
• Mid June – Return date of actions submitted on May 12th
• July 27th – Third round and final 2023 submission date
Sustainable Jersey Recognition and Awards Luncheon
• Mid November- NJ League of Municipalities Conference/Sustainable Jersey Luncheon
Environmental Commission Meeting
All members were present
Report of Officers
Chairperson: Mail received is the Notice of Permit Application for Development of the Gull Island Dredged Material Management Facility
Committee Task Force and Project Status Reports
Council Status Report-
Shade Tree/Environmental Commission: There was discussion regarding a pollinator garden that will be located on Chicago Avenue on the east side of Little Silver Lake. There has been an invasion of sumac and Mark O’Connell (landscaper) can till this area to stop this invasion. A motion was made by Cindy Kells to allocate $400. to have Mark prepare the ground (remove sumac and till the grass) for the new garden. MJ Gradel seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Mark’s estimate is $300. He will outline and help design this area.
*After Mark looked at the area, it was decided to add an additional corner to be prepared for a total cost (both areas) of $400.
*Cindy and Cary volunteered to help maintain the area once it is completed.
*Cary suggested setting up a plan and template to use this same design around town.
*Pete will find out what the deadline is to plant
Open Space Advisory Committee: Discussion was held to nominate an EC Representative to serve on the Open Space Advisory Committee. MJ made a motion to have Anne serve as Liaison. Cindy seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous. Cary will serve as an alternate to the Committee.
Planning Board Actions
Ongoing Business – Status Report
• Pollinator Garden Projects-see above for report
• Student Garden – Cindy reached out to Kim Hoffman, advisor for the Antrim Garden Club. She will be in contact again once they have settled into the new school year. Ideally, the garden should be designed during the winter months and planted in the spring. We hope to have the HS Environmental Club students and the Antrim Garden club members collaborate on a design.
• ANJEC Open Space Grant Application (pending)
• Landscape requirement ordinance (work in progress)
• Gas blower ordinance: there was discussion regarding this ordinance. Some towns limit hours of use. Mark mentioned that landscapers use blowers to push materials down storm drains and into the street. Anne suggested that the ordinance should be enforced during the summer months. MJ volunteered to see if there are ordinances in other local towns. It is noted that towns such as Montclair and Westfield do have ordinances.
• Anti-idling signage/educational material–see above for anti-idling information.
New Business
● Food waste in schools: It was discussed that leftover food might be donated to Dotties House. The school received a grant through SJ that will stop/limit the use of styrofoam. Questions regarding this topic: What other opportunities are available to limit waste-shared table? What are other districts doing to limit waste? June Cuzzo will spearhead research regarding this issue/topic.
Motion to adjourn at 8:02pm was made by Cary. Cindy seconded the motion.
Upcoming Events
Next meeting August 24, 2023 7:00 PM
