All right, I'm going to bring the meeting for a member of the environmental commission to order. And we'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Pursuant to the open public meetings act, notice of this meeting was sent to the primary press, the Trenton Times and Home News Tribune on January 3rd, 2025,
posted on the bulletin board, posted on the township's website, and sent to those who requested a copy of this notice. >> John >> here, >> Dela >> here, Steven >> Gabe >> here,
>> Jason >> here, >> Teresa >> here, and Yeah. >> Okay. Take a look at the minutes from the October 20th meeting for you and take a quick look and see if
there's any corrections, additions, or changes. Please let us know. I make a motion. Second. >> All right. All in favor say I. >> I. >> And move on to our reports
beginning with the township committee and Dr. Rogers. Hi. This is an exciting day. Look at all the people on this. Uh hopefully you guys be new. Whoever will be up next.
Um anyway, uh couple things. I thought I would just report out a couple things that are happening in happening in New Jersey that there is a drought um warning out and because of that jade tree will not be planting the trees um
this fall and uh because really doesn't have a good way of watering trees. So spring hopefully things will be better then. Um, the other thing that I thought I would report out about the Shady Tree is they've had uh they had a library
meeting and another walk and those were really well attended. So, if we ever, you know, the environmental commission wants to do something like that, uh, the public did ask for more walks. I know in the past sometimes they were not that well
attended. So, you know, I think it's really important that publicity or not. Yeah. So, was that was that a joint thing like me meeting and then walk or was they separate? >> Um, one was a library just talking about
trees and I think I think that's what it was about. And then the other Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, um, I thought that was really cool. Another thing that's happening in the state is that it is running season and I put that out. You know, I let the mayor know, you know, P
sends information and um, and you know, this is a dangerous time on the road. So, um, that was put in the mayor's update, too. So, and environmental conditions, but that's kind of important. We used to have a,
uh, hunting program, but it really became a little too complicated. And, um, um, and, um, hunters really just didn't want I think we didn't get hunters back that we would hope would come back year after year. So that's
kind of what I would say. Um and um uh on the other side um I've been involved with um the MS4 storm water permitting. Um
there's new requirements for it and Teresa were part of helping with phase one was mapping and it was really cool. I got to see the draft of our of our hard work of finding all the inlets and how they've been connected. Um, so
we'll get to be able to see the map of where all our storm water goes. It's pretty exciting. All the towns have to do this. Um, as part of storm water, Jason probably too, right? You're probably involved with that stuff. Are
you involved with that stuff? >> Oh, you were? Yeah. Um so phase two um there's uh is coming up and that's for next year and um that is called the whip. It's the watershed improvement
plan and we're in um this watershed institute reached out to us to be part of a 10 town watershed approach so we could go in as a town and give our improvement plans.
So this was under the clean water act. So it's for water quality and not necessarily flooding. So it's um so we want to reduce you know our TMDLs a certain percent and
um we want to identify 84% or something like that. Um and um anyway um% TSS and 80% nutrients. >> Yeah. something. Yeah, thank you. Um and
um that's probably but um the the the cool thing is the wershed is trying to do it at a regional level. So we would be part of the 10 pound regional upper upper Milstone
um watershed group and there's all this kind of jocking of okay cost a certain amount how much would cranberry pay you know how much would Roosevelt pay that has like maybe 1.7% of this upper Milstone watershed area um and will all
the towns you know participate So it's it's it's you know it's a good thing to do it alto together because as we know water doesn't have any boundaries um but the practicality is we're in that process
>> and I had a webinar on that last week I I I registered for it and I unfortunately wasn't able to attend so riding season my >> yeah had an accident with a gear so yes very well aware of
Um, so, so yes. So, but yeah, so I did get the link to follow up on that and unfortunately I didn't get a chance to do it before I got here, but yes, Ang did have a thing about the storm water utility and um, I think it was >> Yeah, the utility hasn't been mentioned.
>> Yeah, there was a time they gave a presentation about how all that stuff works and >> the overlapping of different communities and how they're going to tie in to do all that stuff. I'll follow up with that and report back to you guys on how that was looking. >> Yeah. So, December 11th, we're going to
have this meeting again. Maybe one of you guys could attend um it's it's virtual just to hear uh what the proposal is and um and uh and what what the second phase is supposed to come up
with actual projects ways to reduce these. So you know it could be improving retention bases. It could be actually stream mitigation. So and um so
>> so Barbara is that grouping supposed to be like the precursor to a storm water use? >> So as I I think like phase two is you know not too expensive. So basic you know where you have to you know you get
a consultant or your engineer township engineer it depends what whether we go alone or with this group and um um so and then the projects are determined. So how do you pay for those projects?
Okay. And so that's where that second phase of each pay for their own. Yeah, that kind of sounds like the same problem. But they have very small population, very small footprint, but a lot of
ground. Um and then you have towns that are more densely populated, more perous, right, per person, but they cover a smaller area. So kind of what's the fair way to do it? Is it is it geographical
area? Is it population? Is it impervious? But I think for your purposes with the WQ or quality, it's different than what a total utility would have to take care of because once you start talking about quantity is really where I think people
are going to get a little. It's going to get complicated. But even a water quality group depending on what the cost of those improvements would be complicated. >> Yeah. Well, like this phase two, it would be based on purpose color. We're
lucky because our this is the other complication. We're lucky because our town is 100% in that watershed that's going to be studied versus some are in like three different subw. So is there any sort of inclination or
leaning as to whether to go it alone or >> um so December 11th the WA Institute is leading this and they have other regionals. Um I was going to try to find notes I scribbled all over the place um that um there's there's the Stony Brook
watershed already has a group that's like Warren etc. And then there's another at the lower I think the lower Milstone there's a group there. Um so they're doing it. So the model's there that um that the regional approach there's three of three different
regional approaches that the waterershed do. So um >> do we have a townroach? >> What's that >> the town our town? It's really dependent on will like Monroe which has a big percentage you
know um will um will certain counts >> so we'll make our decision based on our neighbors >> like if we're the only one it wouldn't work >> no that's what I'm saying >> yeah we need to find out >> we want to know but I would the town be open to this is as a township committee
we would have to commit to this you know committed >> that's the thing we're still in theformational side and they have to get we have to get buy into actual township committee Um, >> and I was just wondering if there was any conversation. >> It hasn't. We're still at the information. That's why I'm bringing it
up to you guys and just kind of >> sounds aspirational. It sounds like a great idea. >> Yeah. >> Because it really see it would be Yeah. Maybe one of you guys could be on on one of you. >> Yeah, you guys could be on this call and
then maybe you know the EC could weigh in as an advisory. That's why I'm bringing it up. So, um you know, I mean I just think that definitely should chime in or
listen in, but I'm wondering if another outcome for this. So one thing is to have something like a utility, not a but where you have to chip in costs and so forth. But another thing, another
outcome could be that you have the towns joining forces to secure grants or other funding together, >> right? where you go to whatever agency, state or nonprofit and you know you have
a little bit more better case better case I would think. So that could be one of the >> discussion items for this whatever this group is. Obviously it's amorphous at the moment but >> I can see that as being a a positive
thing >> and that's whatever the D funding. >> Yes, >> that's the D approach. >> That that's what we're understanding. Okay. Yeah. Like you know and like let's say we go alone and it's a watershed improvement plan. Well, we're only a piece of the watershed. So we would like
and if we don't agree with the other towns, we're gonna have to go back and then tweet it. You know, >> that's kind of how we are where we are today with storm water management is that everybody was responsible to do it on their own. All hundreds of municipalities state each
did their best maybe, sometimes at worst, but you know it it's a case where once the once you got to your neighbor's town, you stopped thinking about it. Was no longer your problem. just went down. >> So, yeah, I think the only true way
to take care of it is as a group and right um yeah, if you're applying for grants, they want that money to be utilized, not just handed out. And so, it's harder to think, oh, let's you know, all the administrations in a grant, let's give a little here, let's give a little here, let's give a little
here. It gets a little gets a little bit much. They want to get rid of they want the money to be spent in a positive way, not on administration costs. >> So the watershed institute just sent me a guide that they're using for their other reach for wershed. So I'll for
person I get you know the interconnection there no boundaries when I'm talking um you know there's no boundaries for water. But the practicality of it is difficult,
you know, having so many pounds and how to send you the um the watershed institute. They just sent me guidelines today. >> Okay. >> And then yeah, I'll send you the link in one. Okay. Great. Thanks. Thank you.
Thank you. >> All right. So the um yes I would like the DRC committee but um I will ask the report because the same issue
came up planning board and it didn't have any major environmental didn't have any environmental um issues in fact probably a net plus but I will go on to plan board and Jason
can tell you about it. Okay, DRC and board both heard the same development over the last month and it was the u uh Amazon was reworking some additional parking on site over on
cranberry. Yeah. Station. >> It's station and then it goes >> when you make a left on Brickyard by the drum place. >> It's Heights Town Cranberry Station
Road. >> Cranberry Station Road. >> We're the Amazon. >> We were at the meeting. People were like, "What's the name of that road?" >> As many names. >> Yeah. Um anyway, so uh when when uh
Amazon originally uh developed the site or uh worked with it on spec to make it Amazon with the owner of the uh of the site, they had made it so that they had 100% more parking than what they that a normal warehouse would require anticipating that they'd have a very
large workforce. But as their workforce has become more automated over time uh or workforce has become more automated their activities have become more automated less people are required to work there. So they have a large surplus
of spots but at the same time they um they also had a uh too small a parking area for empty trailers. Once upon a time before COVID, they could easily bring their empty
sea boxes or or trailers back to the port. Port would, you know, take them, stack them, keep them. Nowadays, um the port doesn't accept empty trailers or boxes and Amazon has been forced to keep them on site. So when they empty him out
on site, they put him uh they put him in a short hall and drive them somewhere a little bit further north and park in the large parking lot up there. Putting trucks back on the road is carrying trailers back on the roads and because they empty because they couldn't keep them on site and then when they wanted
to fill them they go retrieve that trailer, bring it back to site, fill it back up and truck it out. So, they came to us back in March uh with an idea to turn some of their parking into a trailer parking lot. Um but that plan
included uh you know re-entering uh Heightstown Cranberry Station Road to get to the new parking area and at that time we uh we asked them to reconsider their circulation and stay within the property. They came back to DRC, worked
closely with them, got a lot of answers, came back to planning board with the stuff that they worked out with DRC like it's supposed to work and we were able to improve that uh keeping uh so they stay in property to circulate. They don't leave the town with trailers and
come back into town with trailers taking truck trips off the table and we thought it was a pretty nice fix overall. So I guess the environmental impact is less truck trips. uh safety, less drug treatments. I I don't I don't think there's a loss on that at all. So, you
know, it's we we thought it was actually a great solution to a problem we didn't know we had. >> And also, they were going to like spiffy up the entrance. >> That's right. Yeah. >> It was kind of
>> It was like the stairs didn't line up with the door. Looked all kind of weird. >> A nice outdoor area. a nice outdoor area for the employees that are there, >> right? >> Jason, are they gonna keep the parking lot? Did I hear something about the parking lot being potentially changed
like reduced? So they they are taking the well overall it's uh the parking area net is the same but they are parking 44 trailers where they used to have hundreds of parking
spots. >> So they're not tear up by returning back to >> they are they're returning they're they're just doing a net uh yeah net swap of pvious. So, it's a it's a think
about the south portion of the building had a big roughly rectangular area all cars and they're taking the western third or so of it and reriping it and refencing it for empties,
>> right? And yeah, where they're where they're digging. So, in order to do the internal road, they had to make it acceptable for truck turns. So they so they had to uh realign some curbs over there where they turned added asphalt. They went in turn and dug out asphalt
and they're going to turn that back to green. And then they're going to add some trees, too. So >> So there was some green. >> Yeah, >> there was some green. A little bit. >> They're going to fill it in a little bit more. Do more uh >> few more trees. >> The word I always forget where you hide
stuff with green stuff. I still can't >> ask my full time logest so I understand but my question is how do we guarantee that it's not going to be just more volume between warehouse as opposed to
them saying we're positioning empties because from my experience um if you set a container out past two days you're empty merge and Amazon doesn't pay to merge um they they flip the containers back and forth as soon as possible. >> Right.
>> So, it's just my question for environmental step. >> We may have asked them 20 times throughout the meeting. You're not going to add it capacity, right? I I know it's tough because we don't really have a lot of ways to see that they are are adding.
You said, you know, and you are you going to do it? You know, you'd hope that as since they're testifying, since the people who represent the operations are there and they're saying to us as a planning board, we're not going to do
that. And they were all sworn in. So, you'd hope that to their word, they're telling the truth as far as >> my intuition is that >> automation creates efficiency, faster terms, more trucks,
>> right? I mean, I I I wouldn't disagree with you at all. >> Okay. So, thank you for the planning board. And that brings us to parks and recreation. Sally O'Brien. >> Yes, I'm Sally Orady, the parks and leison on. And of course, I'd like to
welcome Troy. >> It's great having you on this department. Um and um we did not meet since you guys met because we meet this Wednesday. So, I do not have a parks report. So, I am I am just here to take notes to bring back to parks. Uh but on
a personal note, I did attend the tree walk in Heritage Park and it was very informative and we added a lot of history to it too because there are quite a few memorials in Heritage Park that people don't know about. So we talked a lot about that. So it was a good a good day.
Any questions? Yeah. Okay. All right. That brings us to old business and start with adopt a catchbas initiative. >> No, we were just going to pass the resolution off to TC.
>> That's right. So, that is presumably somewhere. We'll we'll remind we'll remind the TC about that. >> Excellent. Excellent. And and following up on that, I over like the the last week and a half, I actually there was a
couple of news stories about the apartments and condos by the by the overpass on 133 when you're going into East Windsor by the Shopright, how there was a a lot of flooding over there because the storm drains were clogged with leaves. And there were pictures of residents out there cleaning out all the
storm drains. So just little bit of food for thought. >> Wow. >> Residents. >> Yeah, >> that's great. >> That's not cranberry. But >> no, but still. Yeah. >> Make sure you tell them about >> Yeah. Storm class.
Okay. So, it'll be next meeting hopefully. >> Pass. Okay. >> Good. So, >> it's MS4 points, too. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Excellent. Thank you. And so, that
brings us to community wildlife habitat certification. >> Uh, no updates at the moment. Right. >> And with the outdoor classroom, um I'm happy to set up a tour of the
school. I would say in the spring, it would probably just be nicer once everything kind of pops up. Again, most of it's gone dormant. Um the painting is continuing in the fall. Um as long as it's like, you know, comfortable to be out there painting with your gloves. Um,
I did want to update that the school reached out to me about planting trees and I um referred them to Cathy's not shade tree, but that we were obviously like, you know, support or show off, you know, advised if they had anything concrete to
>> in the in the outdoor classroom >> uh anywhere on property as part of the like sustainable jersey type of thing. So, we obviously just kind of said, of course, we would love to support that. you know, our tree expert is Kathy Eastston. She could say like what species to plant and all of that, but
then I did warn them that they did have to prepare um some sort of maintenance or care plan that was on their shoulders because we would not be able to rely on DPW to to water the trees and stuff. So, whatever they had planned, um they would
need to figure out >> Yeah. pruning. Yeah. All of that a care maintenance plan that would not rely on the township per saying. I'll come back to that. >> And then one last thing, I've been asked to visit the garden club at the school
and I did um a lesson on seed dispersion, like like different kind of seeds and how they travel. Um and they've asked me to come again. I'm not sure what other lesson I'll do. I have to like my notes and stuff. But um yeah, I hope to get more of these like EC
teams um out there at the school through Garden Club, which is third grade, third, fourth, and fifth grade. >> Does that count towards the climate curriculum? >> Possibly. I have to ask um
Miss Shiffman. Um, but uh it's possible. I'm not I'm not for sure because I know this shade trees. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, I'll ask I'll ask. >> And are they going to keep the bird
feeder going, >> you know, >> in the colder weather? >> Yeah. I mean, like that was the goal to have it out there like in the winter to support the birds in the winter. Um, we've been waiting for their technology supervisor to come back. Um, and then
officially set up the school account. Um, and I just told them to let me know, you know, if they have any trouble, but so far no news. Hopefully, no news is good news, but I can I can check for sure. >> All right. Excellent. Is that a special bird feeder?
>> Oh, yeah. Okay. >> Literally, it is a smart bird feeder. It has a solar panel. It has a solar panel up top that um that like gives energy to a video camera that any that has a motion sensor. So when a
bird comes to visit, it captures like a live video and stores it so the kids can see it later in the classroom. >> Yeah. >> Cool. >> Yeah. >> Smart for smart birds. All right. Uh preserve management uh and trail
maintenance. I will report that the Yunami Woods foot bridge is clear so far. Uh previously I had reported that it had gotten completely damned essentially with water flowing over the
top of the bridge and and scouring downstream. erosion TSS right into Cranberry Brook. You don't want that. So I went after the LA most recent I don't want to say heaven but bigger
rainstorm and um it was flowing nicely and was starting to fill in that big hole that had been eroded underneath the bank of the br downstream of the bridge and hopefully will uh continue to trap
sediment that way. I also went up through the Brook Trail and and cleared the big stuff. I'll put it that way because there's a ton of small stuff in the and that's an ongoing issue. But I cleared the big stuff which needed
clearing also. And since it's fall now, it's you can walk it fine. But um we're still hoping to have a project with a with a platform boardwalk for those areas in the flood plane and uh that is
to be determined but hopefully that will happen. Anything else on any of the preserves? Anybody see anything? Hear anything? Excuse me. Brook Trail is the one that's after the pump house. >> Brook
the sign I went to walk the sign. >> Yes, we need a new sign for that. And um so thank you actually for bringing that up because we need signs for that one for Pin Oaks in one area and there's another one I'm not remembering. But
>> weren't there a few in Reinhardt also that you did? >> Well, I did those. >> Oh, you did those, right? >> I did those. Um, yeah. I did those but um I have a whole a whole list. It's a little bit extensive. But in terms of those kinds of signs, which are a little bit bigger
and and actually UAMI Woods needs a new sign that if you ever if you've seen that sign, it's kind of it's getting a little old. So I in our budget I proposed some funding for those signs. I had to estimate a little bit. So we'll
see how it goes. >> Um and we'll see if we get approved. But that is in the works for coming up because that sign was like a little handmade thing. Nice sign, but it kind of was it still there? >> Yeah.
>> It was just down. >> Yes, it was. Yeah, it was kind of hanging there. >> I'll send pictures. >> You send pictures. >> Yeah, send pictures. Send pictures. Yeah. Yeah. So, that one definitely sign. >> What where do we leave off on signage that like reminded folks of the like
expectations on the trail? Things like curving dogs, leashing dogs, do dil type of things. Because I from my window I see pin oak and it's like every day I see dogs off leash.
>> Yeah, that's a good point. >> School buses arriving and then the bus dogs coming from the school bus that >> So that is a township sign >> and you you know you know the one in the cranberry preserve, right? It's the same
one that's in the parks. >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Pretty substantial. Yes. has all the >> and we do not have that in the other preserves. >> Yeah. >> So, >> but is it a state law?
>> It is a it probably a town or state law, but you have to remind people still needs it still needs to be posted. >> Things need to be posted. And um so that I didn't
necessarily keep in mind. We may get some help from the town on those because those are a little bit different. >> Yeah. >> Um maybe I wonder if they have because they're all the same. I wonder if the town has
extras of those. What do you think? >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> But I call the cops because they need to enforce it. You know, just let them know there's this dog on leash and then the cops just give them a warning. >> Especially if it's the same person at
the same time. It's pretty easy to Yeah, we should uh communicate that. Um that's a good point. I hadn't that was not on my radar necessarily. >> I recall years ago we tried to we
decided not to have sides all over the place. >> Well, there was a there was an argument made and I think it was by our good friend Jim Applegate who said that >> I don't want to do his voice. Does anyone know Jim Applegate? Wonderful man who passed away.
>> But um had a great >> Yeah. Anyway, you know, I wasn't exactly sure the argument he was making, but you know, he didn't like going to wild places and then no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 14 times in a row.
And I understand that. But on the other hand, it's a It's near a busy enough area that you may have to reconsider that. And it's in the Cranberry Preserve. It's right there. This that sign that lays out lays
down the law. Maybe a smaller version >> would be appropriate for some of these other places. So, I will think about that. I hadn't been looking thinking about that at all. >> Also, we opted against the trash cans, right? because that's a bigger expense
and more >> that creates a problem because then you get three times the trash than you would normally get >> and so I that's reasonable. Um >> well for signage is there any >> real is it necessary to put up signage
where we don't know that an issue may occur or should we just focus as it occurs and >> you know I mean that one is a little bit easier access in town >> just walk down the road it's not a drive
out right >> so maybe we could start with that one Okay, we'll check the sign budget, >> which is not even as good as Okay. Um, thank you, Stephen, for that. Um, did you have to walk down the um the Brook
at all? Just curious. A second pair of started. >> Yeah. >> Brook starts. Brooks walked the bestami wood. >> Oh, good. Okay. And it was comfortable
to walk through. >> Yeah. >> Great. Yes, I did put up the trail markers on the the yellow trail that is in Adami Woods. There was previously two extra trails, but the other one has
overgrown, so we just have the one extra track. You have to check though because Paul Mullen just put another geocache in your so you have to make sure that there's a trail. >> He replaced the geocache and he showed
me pictures of it. I could not find it. I had my GPS. Um then I went back and he sent me a closer photo. I was like, "Oh, that was that." Anyway, I'm not really a geocache. I'm not like I don't have the right eyes or
something. >> You said people have been finding it. >> Yes. Yes. So, that one had had been deactivated and he redid it. So, that one's up. But that one's that is on a a trail. Very well. Marin across. >> Yeah, there's a tree. There's a couple
stepping trees. I felt like it wasn't so urgent um to bring that up yet, but we'll see how it goes. I had to replace some signs there that had been I don't want to say vandalized. They had
been removed. Trail markers but forcibly. >> What's that? >> Forcibly forcibly removed. Okay. >> Geocaches. Yeah. Apparently all the other ones are there. There was a report that the Cranberry Brook Preserve geocache was a
little damp, but still functional as geocaches go. So, I think we're okay with that. Um, okay. Anything else on trails or preserves? I think that's good. Also on preserves
in the proposed budget is to attend to the the gravel path along Pin Elks. So hopefully we will get approved for that as well. All right. So um brings us to
Sustainable Jersey. Um the main thing about Sustainable Jersey is they sent out a note about a month ago that they are revamping the program. So all of like 2026.
So, nobody will be applying, but you can still work on the the applications. So, we can we can take our time and we can just step through things. >> And then
>> that's right. >> And then um the schools will be re the school program will be revamped in 2027. Oh, really? >> All right. All right. Thank you for that. So, we have a little
>> Okay. And then the So, community energy plan. Now, here's the big issue. And I did send around, but um actually your email bounced. >> Did it >> again? just um
a rough draft of a well hopefully not so rough a draft of an SOP to solicit consultants. I spoke with my Lena from
sustainable Jersey who sent me a list which actually I dug digging through ancient emails. I had the list but I didn't know I had the list but anyway I looked at the list carefully went through many many consultants many
consultants that they cannot recommend but they list for our benefit and basically these are people who h have some experience with looking at energy amongst other things but it ranges
because you can imagine they're engineering firms who are consulting on bridge building and you know doing a little bit of community work that maybe wasn't the right firm for us. Anyway, so I went through them all and picked out a few. I haven't contacted any of them yet
because I need to send them this as a solicitation as an ask if they're interested to send a proposed plan and a and a budget. So, we're going to solicit the um engineers
um potentially from a list of possible candidates and not a it's not going to be a public solicitation. >> That's the way I was I spoke to our administrator >> and that's what I was told was okay as
long as we get three bids. >> Or is it a request for qualifications? >> It's that too. >> Okay. It's also that too because we have to evaluate what they send us to see if it >> if we think they can do the job. Then
from there you might have to go to the the the public bid process but it's limited to those who are prequalified based on >> that may be the case but the that was >> so I guess >> I asked but I didn't get a detailed um
procedure >> right yeah I guess and I have experience pursuing >> so you know and also being previously worked at the county I prepared tons of or
so. Yeah, that's why I had no question. Sometimes we would go to a already pre-qualified list of consultants. Now, prior to that, we would pick three that we thought would do a good job and as long as all three came back, we felt like three was fair. Um sometimes we put
in newspaper newspaper >> but uh in a public portal and uh but are we are we taking costs with it? >> I don't know if we should submit >> you're just going to go for
qualifications or qualifications and cost and then >> yeah so a couple things. So I guess what I'm getting through is it's complicated and we just want to know what you're dealing with here. >> Well, I think the thing is,
you know, if we get back three would be a a good number, >> okay, >> to choose from. The list was not qualified by anybody, >> right? So we don't have a pre-qualified. >> It's not a pre-qualified list. >> So and but we are going to solicit directly to consultants
and are we asking them for a cost? Okay. >> Rasing for the cost. We >> What's What's our grant amount? >> The grant amount is nominally 10,000k, but I don't know if we can spend all of that on this.
Is that a fair? >> And also, if it's under the township purchasing threshold, it doesn't need to necessarily. And I think that's the other thing is >> it's not a huge amount, >> right? >> Yeah. The state law is somewhere I think it's 15 grand. >> 15. Yeah.
>> So, I think because of the size and >> but you might want to mention >> the amount of >> I have a feeling everyone as soon as I say New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, they know exactly what this is and they'll be like, uh, no, we're
not doing that. Or, yes, give that to the new >> person. >> Well, you know, I mean, you know how it goes. >> What's that? >> It's a PP. So everybody got the same $10,000 >> for the community energy plan.
>> Just just making sure because you put it out there and somebody gives you a nice $70,000 plan because they're like, "Well, the 10,000 is a down payment and it sounds good for the rest." >> No, >> but I mean I could put a range. You you
might want to just identify that we want to utilize the grant amount or something like that. That's on the grant. That's public domain anyway. But indicate that we're not looking to spend double >> within within the budget of the
>> budget of the >> So we don't $100,000 might get you a really nice plan. I think the big thing too is the public outreach. That's like a big piece of this, >> right? >> Yeah, that's really the main thing
because uh the draft report is pretty easy for this one in terms of the template. The template is very straightforward. The data has already been provided. They just have to put the put the data in
where it needs to go. So if somebody's done like 10 of these, this is already scrunched out. >> So they have the real thing is it's the public thing and it's um one and four one and four are the key. Now they do
have to revise if we give them comments and sustainable Jersey gives suggestions. They're going to be busy doing their sustainable jersey plan. >> So they may not have any comments, but they do have to revise the draft.
>> I think I think this is a fair scope for what we're asking. >> It's not a big amount. >> Sounds as though a lot of this is pre-developed. >> A lot of it's pre-developed. >> It's really the two public meetings are the work. >> That is the work. Um, but this would be
a good, you know, somebody starting out as a consultant, you know, this is a good project. >> Do we want to set some sort of bar for the public meeting, an old public meeting that one person of the public attends? Do we want to uh indicate what
a successful public meeting would entail? >> Tell me what that is. I might share. >> I think I think that's a good idea. And it could be held in the library. It doesn't have to be here. >> Probably shouldn't be here. >> No, it should be at the library.
>> Yeah. More public access that way. Encourage more people to go. >> Cookies can hybrid. >> But shouldn't that be like they suggest these wonderful ideas? But I think in terms of a minimum,
>> we could definitely steer it so that you know I'm I have a suspicion of what works and what doesn't work just from having held many public meetings. You know, part of this could be, you know,
to convene the meeting, you know, at least one which would be sufficient to provide adequate public input >> from a broad range of the public. I don't know. I mean then we can kind of hit them up with the how about a hybrid
why don't we this way you know >> but how about are you looking at low moderate income like like you know solar forum solar like you know >> well those are the initiatives yes we have we have all those
>> can we I don't know how I guess you can't identify people but a certain percentage of our community how do we get them >> how how long does a contract I don't know >> because if it's the year
>> so next week >> I was going to say >> by the original calendar >> the reason I asked >> but they changed the calendar they changed the calendar >> we have we have creative we have some really nice events in town where we have a consultant and we want to do this they
can have a table and have hundreds of people walk by them they can >> don't have a lot of those in winter >> no so If did what's the one we used in the spring? Do we still do that? Health and wellness.
>> No, that's now August. >> National Night Out. >> August. >> I don't know. They pushed the the whole when did it start now? >> It was originally 12 month. It was, but
the timeline that they sent went beyond what they said. But it got completely >> should we add >> my >> She might not. >> Maybe maybe we just add a little bit of
rider in here, you know, attend Cranberry Public uh event, you know, as a form of outreach as well or something like that. >> Make it number five. number one a just so that they kind of get an
expectation of what it is that we are looking for them to do which is yeah get all the people who aren't normally getable >> yeah this is the challenge I know that's why I'm trying to throw it out
>> attend the public event um >> high school graduation >> there's a craft show March pancake breakfast. >> The classroom is big enough. >> But that is not
that clean. >> April's right in front of Sally's house. So I'll check >> it's right it's the week before >> right
>> right around the spring clean up >> I'll check on the end date of the grand It's not really the cranberry cranberry. >> The public needs to respond to the initiatives that we already selected and
suggests their own if they want to. That's something that is stated >> and and what's also stated is they have to respond to the report. You have to get public input on the report after we
weigh in after if they do sustainable Jersey weighs in um parallel to the township. So the final report gets comment from the public which is like attached comment and from the township committee. I think they can
change but um those are the two things that were like you have to do everything else was the draft that these comments happen. >> They come in on the revised report. I'm not going to call it the final report.
>> Okay. So they're going to draft the report. We will review it and allegedly Sustainable Jersey is going to review it. Then they revise it. So that's number two. That then gets comment from
the public and is submitted to the town and the town is the one who transmits it to the the BP. So the only reason I'm saying can we find an event or a public event where we can get people because there's a good contingent of people in town that participate on everything.
They come to township committee meetings they watch it at home. Um but it's the same it's the same people all the time and there are hundreds of people in this town that are not necessarily involved
thousands perhaps even. show. You giggle. >> It would be nice. It would be nice to engage people outside of the same group. Yeah. Just just bring more public involvement. >> I don't know. I don't know. But I mean
we can we can withhold u choosing anything until we get a consultant on board. See what great ideas they have. >> Well that's it. I mean, >> I just don't want Facebook. >> I think they're going to come in with
their Facebook. >> That's been a mixed record. >> But yeah, we can we can see what strategies they really go above and beyond and I like that, you know. see what the consultants have.
>> All right. So, if you have other things, um I was going to send this to the abbreviated list. Um if so, I mean that's I went I went now if you want to see the list of consultants,
I'm happy to send that to you and you can wait through that. It's not thrilling reading, but um I I made I chose four. I was going to start to send it to those who I think would do a good job.
>> I could be completely off on that, right? Because I'm waiting through the website. >> The letter that you're sending out, that model I >> That was not deadline. um
>> on the bid. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Just making sure. >> Yeah. >> But >> perfect. I think it's great. >> But I will revise it. No, I'll revis about the um budget within the budget.
>> Yeah, I think that's I think that's fair. So they have an expectation and then whatever >> sufficient public Yeah. deadines. >> This is sort of like what they have to do. of what you thinking about putting it out soon.
>> I I I'm worried this thing's gonna expire on >> I think it's expire quickly. >> Quickly. >> Well, like all of a sudden, >> yeah, >> I mean, I figured I'll send it out. I'll get the bids back and then I'm assuming I have to talk to the administrator
about that, right? >> You think like three weeks, four week turn? >> I guess so because Thanksgiving and >> Yeah, you gota give >> so December 5th maybe. That's the Friday after as a consultant
I would not enjoy that deadline >> 12 chances are they're not look at it. Is there a link to what's needed or you've already highlighted it? I mean, that's what >> I highlighted, but um I'll check if there's a link >> because then it could just refer to
what's required, right? >> Well, there's a link for what I'm sorry. There's a link for I don't know if there's a link. There's information >> that's >> about what needs to go into a community energy plan,
>> but that's not doesn't describe what they have to do. It really doesn't describe what they have to do. I I found I found it's very it's it's like it's aimed at us in the
township on here's the template. Stick this data in here. it's powerpoints, you know, but I'll see if there's a link because I could include the link. >> Well, to Barbara's point earlier is that the people that we may ask to do this already know what this is about.
>> That's what I'm thinking. I mean, I think as soon as they read that first line, they're like, "Oh, it's one of those, Jim. Say no." >> It's one of those five. That's I mean, >> yeah. But I mean, if they don't know, they'll
ask and then you can give them whatever, >> right? If they don't know, they might respond, "Oh, I haven't heard of this program. Can you tell me more about it?" You're >> not. >> I'll give him a chance. I'll explain it. >> Yeah, fair enough. >> I have to I have to be fair. I can't
just >> All right. So, I think we uh That's independent. Last thing. Okay. So, new business accomplishments for 2025, which is not yet over. We're still accomplishing
things. >> We are. >> And goals for 2026. I'm working on those lists and uh I should have them for the December meeting. Do we know the date of the December meeting, by the way?
That's ominous. But anyway, um I may I may need someone to sit in once meeting as chair. >> So if you're dying to do that, >> maybe the 15th, >> the third.
>> All right. So Yeah. Okay. So, that's very good. Anything else on new business accomplishments and goals? If you have accomplishments and goals that you would like to include on those, send them to me. Uh, we open up
to the public comment. As the public has commented, I think we're are ready to adjourn. Do I have a motion to adjurnn? Motion. Do >> I have a second? Second. All in favor say I. I. >> Opposed?