At the forefront of the meeting was the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan. Members were instructed not to share the draft, as it was yet to be presented to the Town Council. Discussion centered around minor grammatical and formatting edits proposed by a member named Barbara. More significantly, the omission of details regarding historical and cultural sites, including a historic district application mentioned at a zoning board meeting, was highlighted as a crucial gap. Members also noted the absence of Lake Mohawk beaches and wildlife habitats in the Pimple Hills area in the draft. There was consensus to allocate time for a review of the draft before the next meeting on September 27, acknowledging the need for further comments and clarifications.

The results of the public survey connected to the Open Space and Recreation Plan were also reviewed. Some graphs in the survey results were unclear and needed clarification. A member thanked the subcommittee responsible for the survey, praising the quality of their work. The plan’s next steps involve forwarding it to the Town Council for review, although it could not be officially adopted by the commission at this meeting.

In another discussion, the commission revisited the municipal tree replacement ordinance. Members expressed overall satisfaction with the draft, agreeing on the necessity of including a comprehensive list of native species available in Sussex County to ensure diverse options for tree replacement. The next step involves sending the draft to the relevant township department for further review.

The commission also discussed the Green Infrastructure Plan from 2021. A member provided context on its development and relevance, noting that this plan and others, created in collaboration with a specific organization, had not been credited in the Sustainable Jersey certification process. These documents were valuable for future certification points, and there was consideration of incorporating them into the Open Space and Recreation Plan. An individual expressed an intention to reach out to contacts for further clarification on these documents’ availability and usage.

Additionally, the commission explored potential collaboration with local schools, particularly Mohawk Avenue School, which is considering a Sustainable New Jersey application. A sensitive area near the Lake Mohawk pool, adjacent to the Wallkill River’s headwaters, was identified as a potential site for sustainable projects. The Lake Mohawk Preservation group is already fundraising for environmental stewardship projects, and the commission discussed using grants to support these initiatives. There was a suggestion to relocate the crew team to the Lake Mohawk area for low-impact uses that enhance the space without developing it for housing.

The commission further deliberated on integrating these discussions into the ongoing Open Space and Recreation Plan and incorporating them into the Sustainable Jersey certification process. The timeline for recertification was noted, with a due date set for July 2025. There was a discussion on establishing a subcommittee to manage the Sustainable Jersey submission, with members expressing a desire to create a comprehensive list of actions to take over the next year. A spreadsheet of existing actions from the last certification submission was mentioned as a useful tracking tool.

A new business item concerning the Electric Vehicle (EV) recognition program was introduced. A member shared information from Easy Ride about a program that honors organizations for their sustainable transportation efforts, offering a tiered certification system that is free to apply for until the end of October 2024. The commission expressed interest in applying for this program, recognizing the potential benefits of their existing EV charging stations.

Updates from commission members included the completion of service by Ethan, the AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, who had assisted with a rain barrel workshop. Jenna Black, the new ambassador, was introduced and is expected to attend future meetings. Additionally, Cara Johnson from Sparta Middle School shared plans for a new initiative to recycle soft plastic materials, starting with a pilot project involving students. Collaboration with Ocean State Job Lot as a drop-off center for plastic film was highlighted, with hopes to expand this to include the town as a collection site. The goal is to collect enough plastic for the school to earn benches as rewards for their recycling efforts.

The upcoming Northwest New Jersey Rivers Conference, scheduled for October 18 at Centenary University, was announced. The event will feature workshops focused on water quality and pollution, with several commission members planning to participate. The conference will emphasize water protection, covering topics like microplastics and stream restoration. Members expressed enthusiasm for the conference, recalling positive experiences from the previous year.