18:17The invasive species cleanup is set to take place at River Park and along the trails near Colum. The initiative is expected to involve collaboration with Amy Wagner, a former township employee now at the county level, who plans to coordinate with the president of the Master Gardeners. Discussions centered on the logistics of the cleanup, including the potential installation of a shed for storing tools on a residential property. Financing these tools through private donations and grants was suggested.

The “Scariest Drain Challenge” is designed to motivate residents to clean their local drains by taking before-and-after photos, particularly with a Halloween theme to increase participation. This initiative, which has seen limited engagement so far, aims to amplify community involvement by using social media and town signage for promotion. A member highlighted the challenge’s timing, running from Halloween to Thanksgiving, and noted potential participation constraints due to its post-Halloween start. There was debate about whether leaves collected by lawn services should count towards the challenge, with a consensus to encourage resident-driven cleanup efforts rather than relying on external services.

0:00The commission also addressed the West Side Stormwater Project, which remains in the planning stages. A draft response to the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust outlined a proposal to install tree boxes, or bioswales, to manage stormwater runoff at intersections on Farall Farm Road and Nursery Road. Attention was given to maintenance responsibilities, particularly during the initial planting phase, with questions about whether homeowners would be tasked with ongoing upkeep.

Exploration of potential projects at the community garden featured prominently in the meeting. Members expressed interest in creating a rain or pollinator garden adjacent to the community garden, despite concerns about the oversight historically required for such projects. It was suggested that any new initiatives should operate independently to minimize the burden on community garden members.

Additionally, the commission reviewed a recently passed resolution supporting the B City initiative, which promotes planting native species. There was discussion about implementing these plantings at municipal buildings, examining the feasibility and coordination required with the township. The idea of integrating these efforts into Eagle Scout projects was also considered, providing a framework for youth involvement in local environmental stewardship.

18:17Leaf management was another topic of interest, with plans to feature an article on the subject in the township newsletter. A member suggested leveraging a podcast about leaves, which had been circulating, to further inform residents. The importance of managing leaves without fertilizers was emphasized, alongside the need for guidance on tree care.

The commission touched on various grant statuses, including RGI grants and the Community Energy Plan Grant. The latter involved updates to energy tracking, with ongoing efforts required to monitor these projects as part of the Sustainable Jersey certification process. An upcoming meeting was proposed to organize projects of interest, although scheduling conflicts were noted due to the academic commitments of a council member involved.