September 14, 2020

Point Pleasant Beach Environmental Commission & Green Team Advisory Committee

September 14, 2020 Meeting Minutes

 

 

This meeting was conducted remotely, online via Zoom, with the invitation being forwarded by Council Representative, Doug Vitale.

 

Meeting commenced at approximately 6:30 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: Peter Ritchings, Cathy Sogorka

 

Environmental Commission Members present: Chair Peter Ritchings, Anne Lightburn, Cathy Sogorka, Cary Mulkeen, and Christopher Porzio

 

Environment Commission Members absent with reason: Council Liaison Cayrn Byrnes and Patti Villani

 

Guests in attendance:  Kat Flanders

 

Green Team Meeting:

 

The Green Team Advisory Committee meeting commenced at approximately 6:30 PM.

 

Cathy Sogorka led the discussion regarding the Status for Sustainable Jersey Effort and a continued discussion of those actions in progress towards maintaining Bronze Certification and striving for Silver Certification.  The application remains “locked” and should be accessible again in mid-Late July.

 

Cathy Sogorka went through a quick summary of the Sustainable Jersey Point Tally Free Completed Actions.

 

The Green Team Advisory Committee meeting concluded at approximately 6:50 p.m.

 

Environmental Commission Meeting:

 

Report of Officers:

 

There was no mail or application notices for the Commission to discuss during this meeting.

 

Treasurer Report:

 

Treasurer Anne Lightburn has advised that the approved 2020 Environmental Commission budget is $4,000.00. Expenditures to date total $1,245.12 leaving a budget balance of $2,754.88.

 

Council Status Report

 

There was no Council Status Report at this meeting.

 

Committee Task Force & Project Status

 

Shade Tree Commission & Open Space Advisory Committee

 

Anne Lightburn updated the Environmental Commission on the actions of the Shade Tree Commission.

 

Among the Shade Tree Commission items, it is reported that New Jersey will be providing approximately twenty five (25) trees to be planted along Richmond Avenue as part of the Good Neighbor Program. The Shade Tree Commission will be planting approximately fifteen (15) trees on Broadway, and property owners have been notified, through the Fisher Family Fund 12th Street trees will be planted.

 

The Shade Tree Commission’s Big Beautiful Tree Program has been publicized and there has been some interest in purchasing trees.

 

The Shade Tree Commission is putting tree guards at certain trees along on Richmond Avenue where it has been observed that bikes are locked to the trees damaging the bark.

 

Planning Board

 

Chair Peter Ritchings advised that the September Planning Board Meeting did not involve any applications rather a review of revisions to certain development related ordinances.

 

Ongoing Business Status Reports:

 

The Commission further discussed a volunteer project involving the clean-up and re-planting of the landscape area along Arnold Avenue, generally between the Post Office and Fire Station. The project will largely be carried out by High School student volunteers with the assistance and oversight of the Commission and a Landscape Professional.

 

Chair Peter Ritchings advised the Commission regarding a potential dune violation and has had communications with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Enforcement and the Coastal Engineering Office.

 

 

 

Upcoming Events:

 

Marine Mammal Stranding Center presentation rescheduled to be determined

 

Next Green Team/Environmental Commission Meeting October 12, 2020.

 

Cathy Sogorka made a motion to adjourn, a second by Anne Lightburn and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:20 p.m.

 

Respectfully,

 

Peter Ritchings