GREEN RIDGEWOOD AGENDA
October 5, 2023 7:30-9:00 PM
RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE HALL, SENIOR LOUNGE
Administration
1. Attendees
Green Ridgewood: Yvone Nava, Justin Manger, David Refkin, Justin Jonsson, Sophia Florida, Beth Gould Creller.
Green Team: Adam Peterseil, Michael Faherty.
Liaisons: Pam Perron (Village Council), Frank Mortimer (Park & Rec), Vivian Ewell (GR Student), Sofia Morino (GT Student), Saurabh Dani (Board of Ed), Jill Fasano.
Other Guests: Joan Hubertus, Walter Rothaug, Lisa Summers (LWV), Ellie Gruber (LWV), George Wolfson, Alina Mordkovich, Miles Luo (RHS), Carolyn Jacoby (STC), Rurik Halaby
2. Approved July 13 minutes and September 14 minutes.
Updates/Discussion
3. Chair Report and Green Ridgewood Committee Membership (Terms) – David
Green Ridgewood: 3 GR members (Sophia, Beth and Justin) membership expiring on Dec. 31. They have expressed interest to continue in their roles.
Green team has two openings: Joan and Alina have now filled those positions and will be official once council votes on October 11th.
Village Council Liaison Report (including Leaf Blower Forum) – Pam. Leaf blower panel discussion last month. Great attendance with controversial feedback from landscapers. Pam and the subcommittee will meet to rework and evolve the existing ordinance draft and make relevant changes taking into account Montclair and Maplewood’s learnings. Next forum will take place January 24th at the library (these library events can count towards Sustainable Jersey points)
Ridgewood Water has hired a company to assess leaks in the water mains.
They also purchased lab equipment for $180K for VOC testing (cost avoidance of $80K annually).
Consultant hired to outline a plan to remove: Lead service lines.
Two open houses: 10/16 in Ridgewood 6-8pm, 10/24 in Midland Park 6-8pm. Jill Fasano will circulate a flyer with additional details and will be published on the Village website.
4. Board of Education Liaison Report – Saurabh (10 Minutes)
Science supervisor has introduced a new academy “EPIC”. The main content is a book called “All you can save” that reviews natural disasters, impact to Climate Change, etc.
Facilities committee. PSEG paid up to 80% for these units and the remaining will be paid by energy savings over next 5 years (8 HVAC rooftop units at RHS, 12 units at Hawes and 3 at Ridge).
Ridge and Glen have outdated HVAC systems. There is a project to replace them with Heat pumps. Roughly $12M project, 50% funded by grants. This is a prototype that the Board of Ed is looking to replicate to the remainder of the schools.
Tree shade commission has also been partnering with Board of ed.
5. Pollinator Pathway Proposal – Eleanor Gruber (12-15 minutes)
Eleanor Gruber and Lisa Summers on behalf of the League of Women’s Voters, came to present the Pollinator Pathway Initiative.
A Pollinator Pathway is a public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Even the smallest green spaces, like flower boxes and curb strips, can be part of a pathway.[1]
The request is to create Pollinator corridors in Ridgewood that could reach other communities. Recent studies show that even small pods have a benefit and increase pollinators. It can involve students, garden clubs, scouts, residents, etc. which would foster behavior change.
Their request is to be an intricate part of Earth Day Festival (tent, table, space for plants and good location) with the aim to make a link with climate change.
6. Report on Bergen Hub Activities/Priorities – David
There may be an opportunity to Join forces to tackle emergency management, Rivers and streams during heavy rains and flooding, etc.
George Wolfson brought up the idea that we should take a look at new approaches to address the continuing flooding challenges in the Village. After a discussion it was determined that a meeting will be set by David and George with the Resiliency Flooding and Stormwater subcommittee to exchange ideas.
7. Green Team Update – Mike
We have confirmed that we have taken our points from 140 to 245 (and potentially 260), accomplished 19 total actions, and have retained Bronze level certification. This is thanks to the efforts of everyone on the team and our Village partners as well. We are awaiting added feedback from the SJ team as well.
8. School Activities – Miles/Sofia/Vivian
Sofia: RHS meeting to review their second sustainability day with a focus on Recycling. Green Ridgewood is invited to come and share any available content.
RHS has a Home Sustainability Audit that AP Environmental Science students review. There’s an idea to give it scale beyond the high school.
Vivian discussed Fast Fashion. Upcycle clothes theme for Sustainability Day.
Tree planting, 16 trees are still alive.
RHS aiming to get recertified Bronze with Sustainable Jersey. Currently adding up to 330 points.
Elementary School meet ups at Beth’s house on the 3rd Friday of every month at 11am. Anyone interested reach out to Beth.
9. 2024 Budget Meetings (RW and Engineering) -David/Pam/Beth/Justin M
It’s in the village budget to install one EV Charger at RW. This is a pre-curser for EV purchases in 2025 by RW.
Discussion to increase the number of recycling bins in the village as well as increase the education and visibility as to what goes in which bin.
10. Priorities for 2023-2024 and Earth Day – All
Will review in the November meeting. Potential focus on energy/carbon reduction and working with the schools.
11. Meeting with Keith Kazmark, Priorities/Budget – David/Pam
There is a need to oversee our financial account. Justin Jonsson will lead this pillar. More discussion to come in future meetings.
12. Master Plan & GR
a. Updated Power Point sent to Planning Board – David
Awaiting feedback from the planning board regarding our priorities and are aiming to review at the October 16th meeting.
b. Subcommittee Report Outs:
i. Communications- Caitlin
Newsletter update. Draft ready to issue the first one early November. We will leverage the email distribution list we have collected during our events. This will get published in our GR platforms and school e-news.
ii. Green Building & Sustainability – Beth
Topics under this subcommittee that have been reviewed: Leaf Blowers, renewable energy (on hold), carbon footprint education and EVs.
iii. Resource Management – Justin M
iv. Resilience, Flooding and Stormwater – David (see above) and
Circular driveway discussion related to additional impervious surfaces.
Discussion/Strategy
13. Finances – Where to invest our funds? – Set up Subc? Justin J to lead.
14. Potential Field Trip: Leaf Composting – Fall event; Other?
Other
15. Future Meeting Dates – November 2, December 7, January 4
16. Other Business
Minutes submitted by Yvone Nava
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