1 Collyer Lane, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Phone: 908-204-3001; Fax: 908-204-3015; Website: www.bernards.org
Resolution #2014-0096
Acceptance of Bernards Township Environmental Commission
2013 Annual Report
WHEREAS, pursuant to 2-18.5. of the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of
Bernards, the Environmental Commission shall make an annual report to the Township
Committee; and.
WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission is submitting a report pursuant to this requirement.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Township Committee of the Township of
Bernards, that the following report be accepted.
Agenda and date Voted:
02/11/2014
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify this is a true and exact copy of a resolution adopted
by the Bernards Township Committee on 02/11/2014.
Denise Szabo, Municipal Clerk
January 23, 2012
The following is a summary of the 2013 activities of the Bernards Township Environmental Commission ("EC"
or "Commission").
Mission Statement:
The Bernards Township Environmental Commission is responsible for ensuring that environmental issues
within Bernards Township NJ are given the right priority in order to protect and preserve natural resources of
the Township and surrounding areas including land, water, air, and bios (flora, fauna, and wildlife).
Goals:
The Commission accomplishes its mission via:
a) taking proactive stances on local environmental matters, and strengthening the local planning process
b) coordinating rational, balanced reviews of development applications for the appropriate township bodies
c) increasing public awareness and understanding of local and regional environmental issues
d) keeping abreast of, and being involved in, environmental issues that affect our surrounding areas and
communities
2013 Summary:
As an advisory body, the EC continued to provide commentary to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment,
and Township Committee regarding environmental impacts and issues. During 2013, the EC:
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Analyzed 30 Board of Adjustment applications
Analyzed 3 Planning Board applications
Reviewed 1 DEP applications for awareness
Budget:
In 2013, the EC under ran its budget spending $569.45 vs. a $2350 budget
2013 Accomplishments:
The EC accomplished its mission in 2013 through the following alphabetized initiatives:
Association of NJ Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) Training:
The EC members attended an ANJEC training night in October, sponsored by the Bernardsville Environmental
Commission. All that attended felt it was a highly successful endeavor and would will like to sponsor one this year
inviting all neighboring towns to defer the cost on different subjects.
Charter Day:
The EC tried to encourage an awareness of the impact of plastic bags on our environment we played the “Bag It”
DVD on a TV screen and discussed ways we could reduce our use of plastic bags. We presented lighting
alternatives to traditional incandescent bulbs in order to obtain substantial energy savings including pros and cons of
CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LED (light emitting diode) bulbs. We discussed the importance and benefits
of planting native species. We gave away free Eastern Redbud seedlings to those interested.
2013 Lawn Pesticides:
The EC received an April 2013 inquiry from an HOA member concerned about lack of notification in her
community. The EC provided guidance on NJ DEP notification laws.
The EC sponsored and moderated a May 2013 roundtable on lawn care with trustees from four BT Home Owner
Associations. Also included was a representative from The Rutgers Cooperative Extension Organic Land Care
Certification Program and the materials supplier to BT for its municipal sports fields, which have been managed
successfully w/o lawn pesticides for 5 yrs now. The roundtable provided a forum for information exchange among
the HOA trustees regarding their progress in moving away from lawn pesticides. Two case studies were examined:
1) one BT HOA has a program, which has used no routine (or blanket) lawn pesticides for over a decade now, and
2) the BT municipal program whereby all municipal lawns (including all sports fields) are managed w/o any lawn
pesticides.
The EC received a Sept 2013 inquiry from another HOA's member concerned that his condo board dismissed a
directive from his autistic son's physician to cease using lawn pesticides in the proximity of the child's home since
the child's condition prevents bodily elimination of toxins. The EC reviewed correspondences submitted by the
resident, and provided him with facts concerning BT's Resolution relating to lawn care.
Millington Quarry Interim Rehabilitation Plan/Resolution:
The EC presented a letter of recommendation to the Township Committee urging them to vote” no” on the
Millington Quarry IRP/Resolution adopted by the Planning Board on May 7, 2013.
The EC felt the resolution was premature from an environmental perspective for many reasons including lack of a
remediation plan, MOA and the Meadow were not addressed, an importation of ‘rip-rap” to name a few. The letter
was submitted to Denise Szabo for distribution to the Township Committee on May 13, 2013.
Five in 5 Campaign:
The Bernards Township Environmental and Shade Tree commissions jointly launched a tree-replenishment initiative
at Charter Day in May asking area residents to join in planting more than 5,000 trees over the next five years. The
program is off to an excellent start. The initiative is known as: “Five in 5” and was designed to encourage Bernards
Township residents to replace some of the more than 15,000 trees lost to super storm Sandy in October 2012. The
EC and STC have invited interested residents, civic groups, scout troops and others to support the tree-planting
initiative by suggesting projects and getting involved with Five in 5.
In support of the effort, the Township IT group created a landing information about Five in 5 with a link from the
Township home page.
The Five in 5 page also includes a questionnaire that asks residents to report their plantings. According to the Shade
Tree Commission, more than 1,200 trees were planted in the first year of the program.
Riparian Buffer Ordinance:
The environmental commission developed a draft ordinance amending the stream buffer ordinance to include the
new flood hazard rules and riparian buffers the master plan recommended amending ordinances to include the new
rules
Schools/Education:
The EC has been in contact with teachers from Ridge High School and the Principal at Mount Prospect to develop a
relationship so that students will be educated about how to live a more environmentally.
2014 Goals:
Provide analysis of ongoing applications.
Perform tree removal permit site reviews.
Charter Day participation
Examine environmentally related opportunities with the BT school district
Continue Open Space monitoring
Hold an ANJEC training session (s).
Continue work with the Shade Tree Commission on “Five in 5” tree replacement
Monitor township water discharge into fresh water
Eco friendly pet waste bags/and refuge containers
Environmental Impact of the Millington Quarry Interim Rehabilitation Plan/Resolution
The EC looks forward to continuing to serve Bernards Township and its residents in 2014.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Bernards Township Environmental Commission
Paula Florey Axt
Environmental Commission Chairperson, 2013