The commission’s support for the New Jersey Climate Super Fund Bill emerged as a primary focus. During the public comment period, a resident proposed that the commission adopt a resolution in favor of the bill, which seeks to impose financial responsibility on significant carbon emitters for damages linked to climate change. These industries, which have reportedly released over a billion metric tons of carbon since 1995, are the bill’s primary targets. The proposal drew parallels to existing Superfund legislation aimed at environmental cleanup and was supported by another resident who believed that the commission’s backing could enhance the bill’s prospects at the township council level.

This initiative was not met without scrutiny. During discussions, queries were raised concerning the veracity of a claim within the proposed resolution that fossil fuel companies had knowledge of the link between their products and climate change. The commission decided to include a reference in the resolution’s final draft. The commission members agreed to emphasize the township council’s historical actions against climate change in the resolution’s “whereas” clauses.

In addition to climate accountability, the commission also tackled local environmental concerns, notably the township’s recycling practices. The group discussed the potential drafting of an ordinance to ban the sale of plastic bottles, inspired by similar measures in a Massachusetts town. This discussion was fueled by a revelation that Franklin Township’s recycling rates hover around 9%, with concerns that collected recyclables often end up in regular waste streams. A member pointed out the ineffectiveness of using plastic utensils at council meetings, proposing a switch to reusable glass bottles. A broader conversation about the impact of microplastics on human health was initiated, highlighting a recent film screening on the subject and suggesting that public awareness of such health implications could rally support for the initiative to reduce plastic usage.

The New Jersey state development and redevelopment plan, currently undergoing its first update in nearly two decades, was another significant agenda item. A preliminary draft of the plan was released, sparking discussions on its aspirational yet vague goals. There was a consensus on the need for actionable strategies, particularly in areas like carbon sequestration in disadvantaged communities and green space preservation. The commission committed to a review to ensure that the plan aligns with local land use policies and set a timeline for submitting feedback to the planning board.

The meeting also covered the complexities of watershed-based planning, a recommended but challenging approach due to misaligned municipal boundaries. The commission supported the idea of stormwater management and flood control at the watershed level, acknowledging its potential benefits if feasible. A proposal for a reward program to incentivize landowners and developers to engage in wetlands restoration garnered interest as a means to align with the commission’s sustainability goals.

Further discussions revealed ongoing environmental issues within the township, such as lead contamination in water and paint, the progress of anti-idling signage installations at local schools, and the unresolved legal matters involving an unlicensed junkyard. Community engagement was highlighted, particularly in addressing idling cars near parks, with proposals for citizen enforcement and informational outreach.

In administrative matters, the commission prepared for its upcoming reorganization meeting, with plans to appoint a new chair and vice chair. Committee assignments were also a topic of interest, with a focus on organizing the commission to better strategize future objectives. The group looked forward to an event on regenerative agriculture scheduled for early February, emphasizing member participation and budget considerations for the event.