The “No More Scary Drain” contest emerged as a centerpiece of the meeting’s agenda. The contest encouraged residents from both Berkeley Heights and Chatham to adopt and maintain storm drains, leading to environmental benefits. An article about this initiative, published in TAPinto on December 29, gained substantial traction, ranking among the top three articles of the week. The visibility of the contest was largely credited to the efforts of a commission member, Richard, who was instrumental in getting the word out. As a result, the program has been recognized by the National Adopt a Drain Program at Hanline University as a national model, poised to inspire similar initiatives in other municipalities across the United States. This acknowledgment highlights the program’s potential to impact stormwater management and community involvement nationwide.

In addition to the “No More Scary Drain” contest, the commission discussed the broader implications of such community-driven programs. The increase in drain adoptions and cleanups in both participating towns underscored the contest’s effectiveness. While Berkeley Heights reported more cleanups and additional drain adoptions, the collaborative nature of the initiative emphasized mutual benefits for both communities. The commission expressed hope that this model would continue to foster a spirit of friendly competition and environmental stewardship among residents.

Discussions revealed a previous misunderstanding regarding remote meeting permissions, with clarification provided that remote meetings are allowed only during declared emergencies. The commission deliberated on aligning local practices with state agency precedents, which continue to use Zoom for meetings. The possibility of future legislation allowing broader remote meeting options was noted.

Budget deliberations formed another critical part of the meeting, with the commission reviewing financial requests for the upcoming year. Notably, a request was made for $2,000 from the township to support a sustainable Jersey grant for a natural resource inventory, with a total estimated cost of $20,000. The commission outlined plans to apply for a $10,000 grant and utilize $8,000 from an Exxon grant to fund the project. Additionally, funding for the “Adopt a Drain” program was considered. Adjustments to line items were discussed to accommodate these proposals.

The property extension application for a property on Roosevelt Avenue also garnered attention. The proposed extension would increase the impervious coverage beyond the permissible limit in an R-15 zone, raising environmental concerns. Although the property is not in a floodplain, its proximity to wetlands necessitated further evaluation of potential impacts. The commission recommended implementing a stormwater management plan to mitigate runoff, advocating for rain gardens and redirecting downspouts to vegetative swales to retain stormwater on-site.

The meeting continued with discussions on upcoming environmental initiatives, including plans for the “Clean Water Challenge” cleanups scheduled from March 1 to April 30. These efforts aim to encourage volunteer cleanups along waterways, with a proposed cleanup date of March 22. The commission also expressed enthusiasm for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) grant approval, planning the next steps for tree planting projects.

Additional topics included the status of the “bcity USA” application and the need for updates on the proposed pollinator garden at the community garden. Concerns about the environmental impact of artificial turf were raised, acknowledging differing opinions on its cost-effectiveness versus natural grass. The commission emphasized the importance of exploring these issues further in upcoming meetings.