Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Green Team Advisory Committee and Environmental Commission
Meeting Minutes – June 12, 2018
Green Team Meeting commenced at approximately 7:05 PM.
Environmental Commission Members present:
Chair Peter Ritchings, Cathy Sogorka, Dave Russell, Anne Lightburn
Commission Members absent with reason:
Patty Villani, Cary Mulkeen and Council Liaison Paul Kanitra.
Green Team Members present:
Dee, Carol Ann Ammirata, Debbie Harris and Penny Davis
Also present: EDF Fellow Erin Lannon
Cathy Sogorka summarized the Sustainable Jersey submission and review schedule, indicating the first review will be conducted in mid-July at which time the Green Team will be advised whether the application is approved or requires revisions. There are number of other deadlines including September 9th, mid-October with a final review November 18. Erin Lannon commented that the initial feedback from Sustainable Jersey regarding Point Pleasant Beach’s application was favorable. There was a discussion with a quick summary of the status of certain Sustainable Jersey actions. Dave Russell commented on the status of the Town Planner Calendar, indicating that artwork for the calendar is due during July. Carol Ann Ammirata is working on a number of initiatives and is coordinating with Stephanie Dalton with regards to school actions. It was mentioned that Maryann English is part of the recently formed Cultural Arts Committee.
The Green team meeting ended at approximately 7:30 PM.
Environmental Commission Meeting
The Commission had not received any mail or applications that warranted review and comment.
Anne Lightburn reported that the current Environmental Commission budget is approximately $3,700.00. The Commission began discussing future projects that may require the expenditure from the budget.
Anne Lightburn advised the Environmental Commission of recent Shade Tree Commission actions and future tree planting goals.
Chair Peter Ritchings provided a brief summary of recent Planning Board actions which involved approval for restaurants to occupy vacant retail spaces downtown.
Ongoing Business/Status Reports
The Commission again discussed the Lake of the Lily shoreline landscape restoration indicating that the contractor this coming fall is scheduled to replace trees that either weren’t planted or did not survive. The Commission continues to advise Mayor and Council and the Borough Administrator that in addition to a number of absent trees, the apparent number of shrubs planted that are present does not appear to match the Landscape Plan and that some of the invasive species targeted for eradication are becoming reestablished.
The Commission discussed the proposed Little Silver Lake Landscape Plan. The Commission’s primary concern is with regards to watering and maintenance after the plants are introduced and who is responsible for watering and maintenance, whether the contractor is obligated to ensure a certain degree of plant survival for a period of time?
There was a discussion regarding the recently enacted Plastic Ban Ordinance. The discussion centered on having an expanded ordinance to include a number of other plastic products and also enforcement and notification of businesses in town regarding the effective plan. Many of the Commission members observe that businesses throughout town are still using plastic bags regularly. There was a discussion of a number of recently enacted ordinances in New Jersey and elsewhere that included a wide variety of plastic products and also Styrofoam containers.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Randall Avenue public waterfront access spot and the idea of enhancing that location a bit by adding some additional shrubs. The Commission agreed that that spot could be improved a bit with the addition of a few native shrubs.
Upcoming Events
The Environmental Commission along with St. Mary’s Environmental Stewardship Ministry is presenting the documentary film, “A Plastic Ocean on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 7 PM at the Municipal building.
There will be a composting demonstration on Sunday, July 15th Point Pleasant Beach Farmers Market. Commission Member Patti Villani is conducting the demonstration.
The Environmental Commission meeting adjourned at approximately 8:27 PM.
Seafood Festival, September 13, 2018, Environmental Commission has agreed again to have a table/booth. Anne Lightburn mentioned the idea to have an Environmental Quiz for visitors to the booth to complete.
