Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Commission & Green Team Advisory Committee
May 27, 2021 Meeting Minutes
This meeting was conducted remotely, online via Zoom, with the invitation being forwarded by Council Representative, Doug Vitale.
This meeting started at approximately 7:03 p.m.
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, Patty Kile, Louise Stillufsen and MJ Gradel
Environmental Commission Members present: Chair Peter Ritchings, Anne Lightburn, Cathy Sogorka, Patty Villani, Cary Mulkeen and Robert Hayes.
Absent: Council Liaison Caryn Byrnes &Christopher Porzio
Others present: Clem Bremer.
Green Team Meeting:
Cathy Sogorka led a discussion of Regarding Sustainable Jersey Goals Objectives and the status of certain actions. The Sustainable Jersey Application Deadline is June 6, 2021. The Green Team Advisory Committee agreed to focus on certain actions including anti-idling and electric vehicle charging stations. MJ Gradel initiated a discussion of several Sustainable Jersey Actions that the Green Team may choose to undertake.
The Green Team is also asking Council Liaison Caryn Byrnes to have the council approve the Green Grounds and Maintenance Policy. There was a relevant discussion related to the point pleasant beach board of education’s recent decision not to treat school grounds including athletic fields with chemical fertilizers and herbicides in favor of seeking natural and organic alternatives.
Cathy Sogorko also indicated that the Sustainable Jersey Action related to arts and creative cultures are likely to get underway in May.
There was a general discussion regarding any number of activities in point pleasant beach that may qualify for points once the information is uploaded into the Sustainable Jersey website. Some of the actions mentioned included beach and or community cleanups and some of the actions of the shade tree Commission.
Other SJ actions discussed included a recycling related action, prescription drug disposal at the borough hall an electrical vehicle charging stations. There was also quick tally of the sustainable jersey points attained
Environmental Commission Meeting:
The Environmental Commission Meeting commenced the approximately 7:35 p.m.
There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the 2021 Budget Request.
Environmental Commission mail included notice of an application submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental protection and JDP seeking a waterfront development permit required in connection with the proposed Harvard Ave kayak launch
Shade Tree Commission & Open Space Advisory Committee
Anne Lightburn was not present at the beginning of the meeting and provided in email summary of the activities of the Shade Tree Commission.
There was a discussion regarding the efforts of MJ Gradel to have JCP&L re-landscape the area of recent vegetation removal along New Jersey Avenue.
Planning Board
Chair Peter Ritchings advised the Commission of Planning Board Action since the last meeting which focused primarily on ordinance review, comment and approval.
Ongoing Business Status Reports:
There was a brief discussion regarding the Arnold Avenue Relandscaping Project any idea of installing a little library at that location. The cigarette receptacle had been purchased and placed adjacent to the bench in this landscaped area.
There was again a discussion regarding renewing the Commission’s efforts to establish an anti-idling initiative. It was agreed that the Commission would postpone the anti idling initiative for now.
There was also a discussion regarding revitalizing a previously proposed environmental/landscape related municipal ordinance.
Patti Villani offered to spearhead the effort to devise a landscape related ordinance. Peter Ritchings indicated he would assist by conducting research regarding other example municipal ordinances.
Environmental Commission agreed to again participate in the seafood festival this year.
a motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Cathy Sogorka with Cary Mulkeen as second all in attendance were in agreement.
The Environmental Commission meeting concluded at approximately 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully,
Peter Ritchings
