Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Commission
Meeting Minutes
July 23, 2019
Meeting commenced at approximately 7:05 PM with the Sunshine Law/Roll Call.
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: Debbie Harris, Dee Zoll, Madeline House and Kelly Romanowski
Green Team Advisory Committee Members Absent: Carol Ann Ammirata (resigned?), Karen Mills, Stephanie Dalton, Kimberly Deitz, John Trout
Environmental Commission Members present: Chair Peter Ritchings, Council Liaison Paul Kanitra , Anne Lightburn, Cathy Sogorka, Patti Villani, and Cary Mulkeen
Environmental Commission Members absent with reason: Dave Russell
Guests in Attendance: Ms. Kaitlyn Njoroge of the Ocean Star
Green Team Meeting:
The Green Team Advisory Committee Meeting commenced at approximately 7:05 PM.
Cathy Sogorka provided a summary status for the Sustainable Jersey effort and a discussion of those actions in progress towards the Silver Certification. The Sustainable Jersey application was “unlocked” of as of July 29, 2019. There are a number of “Must Revise” actions which will be discussed during the August 27 meeting.
For the benefit of the Ocean Star reporter present, Green Team and Environmental Commission members provided a description of the Sustainable Jersey Certification Program.
The meeting of the Green Team Advisory Committee adjourned at approximately 7:35 PM.
Environmental Commission Meeting:
Report of Officers:
Chair Ritchings shared with the Commission a single mail item dated July 19, 2019 from ANJEC regarding efforts to reduce the use of single use plastic bags and polystyrene containers.
Chair Ritchings again asked an Environmental Commission member to volunteer in the role of Commission Secretary solely for the purpose of recording meeting notes and converting them to minutes for Commission review and approval and to be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk as required. No one volunteered.
Treasurer Report:
Headed by Anne Lightburn, there was a discussion of the Environmental Commission budget and expenditure ideas. The Commission voted to acquire a projector for use in Environmental Commission sponsored presentations and outreach programs. Last year’s successful viewing of the documentary film “A Plastic Ocean’ relied upon the use of a borrowed projector. It is estimated that the projector would cost between $200.00 and $300.00. The projector to be acquired and the actual cost are yet to be confirmed.
Committee Task Force & Project Status:
Borough Council Status Report:
Council Liaison Kanitra arrived at the meeting late and updated the Green Team Advisory Committee members and Environmental Commission members present on a number of recent actions on the part of the governing body. Commission Liaison Kanitra advised the Commission of the recent plastic straw ban enacted by the governing body. The Commission was also updated on the status of the Municipal building basement repairs and the opportunity to provide storage for Environmental Commission files/materials. The Council Status Report also included a further discussion of the use of recycling stickers on individual property owners’ cans for curbside collection as well as the Environmental Commission funded stickers to be placed on public recycling receptacles. There was a discussion of the upcoming tug-of-war and an opportunity for the Environmental Commission to have table/booth as a public outreach vehicle.
Shade Tree Commission & Open Space Advisory Committee
Anne Lightburn updated the Environmental commission on the actions of the Shade Tree Commission and Open Space Advisory Committee.
Planning Board
Chair Peter Ritchings advised that there were no June Planning Board applications.
Ongoing Business Status Reports:
A number of these agenda items were discussed during the Council Status Report. A number of Environmental Commission members present commented upon the continued lack of compliance observed regarding the single use plastic bag ban implemented in May 2018.
There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the street end plantings established by the Commission and maintained by volunteers. There was an agreement that no new plants needed to be added at this time.
Cathy Sogorka agreed to serve as Liaison to the Chamber of Commerce.
There was a brief discussion regarding additional plantings at the Randall Ave waterfront access/right of way.
Upcoming Events:
Next meeting has been scheduled to 8/27/19
Under Upcoming Events on the Meeting Agenda, there was a discussion of Seafood Festival participation and preparation.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:20 PM.
Respectfully,
Chair, Peter Ritchings
