Environmental Minutes | February 1, 2023

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

Meeting February 1, 2023, at 7:00 PM

Pledge to Flag

_√_ Karen Polidoro (Chair), _√_ Rupa Siegal (Council Liaison)

_√_ Renee Haider, _√_ Roger Dreyling

_√_ Ken Konya, _√_ Joe Slomian

_√_ Giada Schwam (Student Liaison),

_√_ Siddhi Patil (Student Associate)

_√_ Mihir Majmundar,

_√_ John Riggs

_√_ Surabhi Agarwal

_√_ Theresa Zamorski (Secretary)

Adoption of Minutes–: A Motion to approve the January 4, 2023, minutes made by Renee Haider and seconded by Joe Slomian. All in favor.

Applicant A. Amazon

Amended Site Plan and Variance application.

6 Farrington Boulevard

Block 8 Lot 8.5

Speaker: Joseph Paparo, ESQ

Daniel Russi, Amazon

Dan Disario, Langan Engineering

The commission had the following concerns:
The commission understands that Amazon is a tenant and does not own the facility. However, we recommend that the facility provide EV charging stations in addition to EV “make ready” spaces. We also recommend the facility also consider installing infrastructure for solar energy consumption.
The Commission recommends that all “flex” vehicles do not idle while loading/unloading the vehicles on the property.
The Commission is encouraging all applicants to landscape with buffers between neighboring properties and roadways, and around the facility’s rain garden with as many New Jersey native flowering plants/bushes/trees as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual and perennial plantings. These buffers also act to improve local ai and water quality.
The Commission is encouraging all applicants to schedule meetings with, and seek recommendations from, The Commission prior to seeking Zoning and/or Planning board approval in all future applications submittals.

Applicant B: Monroe Veterans Affordable Housing

Block 41 Lot 14

Preliminary Major Site Plan

The commission recommends that all lighting be LED, dark sky (downward facing), and motion sensitive, to eliminate as much light pollution as possible during the evening hours.
The Commission is encouraging all applicants to landscape, with buffers between neighboring properties and roadways, and around facility’s rain garden with as many New Jersey native flowering plants/bushes/trees as possible to encourage pollinators (bees, birds, insects, mammals, etc.) to thrive, including a mixture of annual and perennial plantings. These buffers are aesthetically pleasing and also act to improve local air, noise, and water quality.
The Commission recommends that the berm to be installed along Cranbury Half Acre Road be planted with a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees so there is a dense canopy throughout all season, especially during the months when the deciduous trees lose their leaves.
Please consider installation of EV charging stations instead of only EV ready statins and consider incorporating as many of the attached eco-friendly design options as possible.
All tree removal and replacement plans should be reviewed and approved by the Shade Tree Commission and the township tree Assessor.
The Commission recommends that the trash “pads” used to temporarily store the facility’s garbage containers be revised to include a secure enclosure with secured dumpsters for trash and recycling.

Monroe Township Green Team

The Monroe Township Highschool Green Team is continuing to work on the final report for the refillable water stations and beginning to complete the new grant application.
The School Community Asset Mapping committee began mapping out the many assets by splitting up Monroe into five sections: Brookside, Barclay Brook, Jamesburg, Applegarth, and Woodland.

Preschool Collab

Student Volunteers began prepping materials and activities for the three-day event on February 8^th, 13^th, and 16^th in conjunction with the Shade Tree Commission on the last day of the event.

EcoNight Prep

The EcoNight Event Team began planning for the 4^th annual EcoNight that will be taking place at Monroe Township Highschool on Thursday, April 13^th this spring.
Members can begin to fill out the EcoNight exhibit registration form as soon as they have their exhibit idea planned.

Sustainable Jersey Grant

The Monroe Township Green Team is applying for the new Grants Cycle at sustainable Jersey. The Grant Team and EAC Executives hope to work with the Unified/Falcon Life/TAPS/Self-Contained class programs to restore the Greenhouse at Monroe Township Highschool.
We are planning to work towards submitting the application for the $2000.00 grant for our school greenhouse.
The specifics of this project are still in the works, but so far, we plan to work with local greenhouses and use the grant money to restore the exiting high school greenhouse.

Trails and Bike Paths Committee- Coordinator Karen Polidoro – Nothing to report.
Storm Water & Streams Committee- Coordinator Joe Slomian- Stream clean up is set for April 15, 2023
Energy Committee – Coordinator Ken Konya-Nothing to report.
Open Space- Coordinator John Riggs-No Status on Masterplan.
Education Committee Report- Coordinator Renee Haider –

Sustainable New Jersey – Coordinator Renee Haider-
Green Fair Committee Report – Coordinator Mihir Majmundar- Green Fair Date is set for September 23, 2023.