I have to say >> Christy um is someone there able to do the sunshine act and >> y >> okay perfect call to order at 7:33 Three. This is a regular meeting of the Environmental Commission of the Bureau
of Fair Haven. In accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, public meetings may be held in person or by means of communication equipment to include streaming services and other online meeting platforms. This meeting is being held in person and through the Zoom meeting platform being
broadcast from Burough Hall, 748 River Road, Fair Digen, New Jersey. Public participation for this meeting on March 11th, 2026 is available by calling phone number or through Zoom. Members of the public will be on mute until it is time for questions, comments, which will be
announced. At that time, the public has the opportunity to question comment by phone or through Zoom by the raise hand button and when called on at the appropriate time. Notice of this meeting was sent to Gad Park Press, the tour times, and the Star Ledger on January 30th, 2026. posted on the burough
website, the Bolton board and the municipal building and has remained continuously posted as required under the stat. With adequate notice having been given, the environmental commission secretary is directed to include this statement in the minutes of the meeting.
>> Great. Thank you. Um, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice
for all. >> All right. Um roll call please. >> Anna Anthony >> here. here. >> William Dorner, >> present. >> Kelly Flanigan. >> Uh, yes. Here.
>> The Jetsy. >> Susan Globus, >> present. >> Jesse Murray, absent. John Pelanetti, >> Gary Patterson is absent. John Peters is absent. Councilwoman Dimelli and
Councilwoman Mlei and Burough Secretary Larson are also present. You have a quum. >> Great. Thank you. Um, can I get a motion to approve the February 18th meeting minutes? >> So, move.
>> I'll second it. >> Great. Thank you. Um, all approved say I >> Great. Any opposed? Okay. Thank you. Um, so meetings are approved. Uh let's move on to the
current business, the 2026 EC priorities. Um taking from last week's dis or last month's discussions on what our priorities for this year are based on uh member input, we came or drew up that water story, communication,
uh deer management, and the Christmas tree disposal are the priorities that we'd like to um address this year. Um, I would love to see if there are people that would want to take ownership or or
be part of that those different pri um priorities. Um, Christmas tree disposal bill, could we put you on that? >> Well, actually, I did a little research on it. >> Okay. >> I have a little speech on it whenever
you're ready. >> Uh, great. If you want to um share with us, we'd love to hear that. Okay, I just did I just did a brief look into it and it said, "Using Christmas trees on the shoreline is a popular low tech method for coastal restoration, but is
increasingly controversial among environmental experts. While they can jumpstart dune growth, they also pose risk to local wildlife and can be a cleanup nuisance if not managed properly correctly. The pros the case for coastal
reuse sand trapping the dense needle heavy branches act as a natural windbreak slowing down wind blowing sand and causing it to deposit which helps build up protective dooms. It's cost effective is a lowcost alternative to
expensive hard engineering solutions like seaw walls or even traditional sand fencing. biodegradable bul habitat. As trees eventually break down, typically in three to five years, they provide nutrients like oxygen to help native
beach grasses grow. There's marine benefits. In some cases, trees are submerged to create brushbacks, barriers, or underwater reefs that pro provide shelter for juvenile fish and other aquatic life. Water diversion. It
provides a productive second life for millions of trees that would otherwise end up in landfills. The cons why some states prohibit it. Storm displacement. During major storms, wind and waves can easily uproot the trees. Instead of
protecting the shore, they can be dragged away, leaving large decentralizing holes in in the dunes, which actually accelerate erosion. Wildlife hazards. Improperly placed trees can block the paths of nesting
shore birds such as the endangered piper clover or trapped sea turtle hatchlings trying to reach the ocean. Smothering vegetation. If the trees are laid too densely, they can carpet the ground, preventing the growth of native
grasses like American beach grass, whose deep roots are essential for long-term dune stability. Litter and debris if not stripped properly of decor decorations, tinsel and and plast ornaments can produce
microlastics and toxins into the marine ecosystem. Even natural trees can become unsightly an unsightly fire hazard or a nuisance once they turn brown and dry out. So
from what I gathered at this point, I don't think it's the way we should go. I think there's more negatives than there are positives. That's just my two cents. >> Go ahead, Michael. >> Well, I was just wondering, I mean, it
does make me think of living shoreline where everyone seems to be very aligned. So, could this just more change to pushing for living shoreline or doing more research on living shorelines? And cuz I I mean is that part of the water story or is that >> you know what I'm like I'm I know that everyone's been talking about living
shorelines especially at 21 Fairhaven Road and everyone's been pushing it. >> So if you're What were you What did you like about the Christmas trees like that? It was a natural way. >> It was a natural way to like you know along the Atlantic Ocean there in the shoreline you know you have the what you build it up the sand doesn't erode away.
So you would think the same thing >> when you read about a couple of these negatives. Yeah. Yeah, >> even though it's like one negative outweighs how many positives and that's what always bothers me. >> Yeah. But I wonder if the living like leaning towards living shoreline still gives you kind of what you're hoping for here just without Christmas trees like a
different version of it. So that was just >> my two cent. >> I think it was also just a way of like can we um instead of haul these Christmas trees all out like is there another way to dispose of them that's also benefiting um locally >> you know what to do with that kind of
waste. Um but yeah. Yeah. I mean there's definitely negatives might outweigh the benefits based on your research there, Bill. >> Well, I just >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> I'm just saying that's just a brief thing that I just looked into. I didn't
do any deep dive into the topic, but I just did a little cursory research and it's like, you know, when you start pointing out negatives, you don't you get beat up on the negatives, not the positives. And that's unfortunately the problem. Do we want to ask Scrumson if they've
seen any needle moved? I mean, they've been doing it for years >> at Victory Park. >> If you have a contact there, you know, maybe in >> I can reach out to the um to the gang. Yeah, I think that
>> hall and see >> and there's no I mean there there there wouldn't be an option I wonder with DPW even like mulching that stuff to be used for the natural area for wood chips for the past. I mean like if if that's what you're trying to also kind uh you know
come up with an alternative to just hauling them and and driving them 30 miles out to wherever we do like if there's a way to utilize those resources in house within the burough properties you're on
the trail and whatnot that would be like the idea >> right >> um okay yeah I mean maybe those two avenues to check in what the potential would be for the DPW to reuse those as wood chip fill for the past and then
also connect with um Rumson and see what their findings and and results have been for doing that. I think that's a great thing. Um okay, so more work on that regard, but thank you Bill for getting that started and taking that on yourself. I love it. Um dear management,
I know and I'm just working backwards. Um, dear management, I know it came up from Gary and I think the the burrow, uh, I mean, Michael and Christina, you might be able to talk about it. Was that going to come back out on the agenda or not, or is that just a kind of a mute
point at this point? >> It's not a mute point. Um, and we need to discuss it further to see if we can get it on the agenda. Um, I can't say yes or no at this point, but I think it should get back on the agenda, but >> we'll let you know. >> Okay. Thank you.
um communication and website. Uh I did invite Betty Anne Buruby from the from the burrow. She's going to come to our April meeting um where we're going to hopefully invite other groups and members to come. Her being the point
person at the burrow and and the contact for the burrow communication through the buzz or the focus letters. um she just wanted to make sure that she presents herself and makes herself available to these different groups and for any of the communication um in terms
of website edits. Uh Michael or Christina, do you guys want to talk about that and and if people did have constructive feedback um to to come to you directly? >> Yeah, they can come to me directly. So I
met with Betty the other day. this is a good time to do it because we are doing at some point soon we'll do a website integration where we're going to get more capabilities on the website. So I'd love to have this be part of that integration. Um and one of the things I
talked to Betsy uh Betsy Betty Ann about is streamlining our communications obviously um and asking everyone like the same making sure she gets to you guys every single month. So, make sure that every single month when she makes that ask for any information that we're
getting it back to her. Uh, I think you guys have been good about it, but not it's not consistent. So, if we could get that consistent, but the website updates, if anyone wants to give me ideas, I'd love to hear them. Um, this is a good time to do that. >> Yeah. Um, Michael and I are both um the
liaison for communications as well, and we're in the process of appalling it. So, >> yeah. So, we're re we're look we're making a communications plan. Um, a lot of this is like the communication between the committees also and the burrow and the council. Um, which leads me to a quick question. We have a couple
asks here, you know, like who's going to So, like the Christmas trees, we're going to ask about if we could do the Christmas trees. Kelly, how do you want to get these questions asked? Do you want Christy to ask them or do you want me to ask them? You know, like because I feel
like every time we leave a list, we leave with a list of stuff. I want to make sure that we're kind of doing it the same way each time. So, do you want to ask those questions? You want me to ask the questions? Christie, how do you how would you like to do it? >> Well, I think in in regards So, for instance, the Christmas Truth, I think Bill's taken a great on himself and
ownership like Bill, you're comfortable reaching out and then here's the thing, right? Do I reach out to the DPW or can he reach out to the DPW or does he reach out through you to the to Nick, right? Probably that way. >> Yeah. So when I talked to Chris about this the streamlining communication Chris York he said that really
everything should come through you okay >> or through like Christie and you >> okay >> we have to follow the chain of command basically >> and I think it will help with any kind of confusion just so that we know that >> so if it's okay it'll go through you or I'm happy to help facilitate any
questions but it should be kind of me you or Christina. Okay, that's fine. And and so I guess if anybody has questions that they want to ask, you know, or or Bill, if you know, just if there's any other further questions that you have regarding that you'd just like to to ask
of DPW, send me an email and then I can forward that or synthesize that on to Chris York and >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. And I again the website we really want to make it more dynamic and I know that that's been a conversation every single committee I've been in and having real time
information. So really take a look at it. I mean I have plenty of ideas. I know Christine has ideas but I want to hear from the committees what what you think is lacking on there. >> Okay. Great. And that could just be directly through you. So that doesn't need a point for your management. I
think I'm just going to leave that with you guys too because >> we've kind of exercised and exhausted what we can do. But with having DPW in and and all the other speakers, I think the the remainder has to right I think through
through you guys. Okay. Now moving on to the water story. Um ask dad uh the water story. Um this >> is that me or is that is that John and
I? >> Um I think that's part of you guys, right? The water monitoring for sure. I think the water story as a larger, it's a very more complex action. And I think this is where I'm happy to kind of
synthesize that out and strategize it so that people can have ownership of storm water or water quality or different parts of it. So like Anna, you and John would be on that water quality and monitoring, right? Um and then
like we can have other people with John Peters hopefully would would help out with the um drinking water. Um we did reach out to Nick Porchensky. I'll I'll work with him too and see what the DPW has already done in terms of water. Um
and then so I I I just apologize. I haven't kind of um Yes. I I haven't um had a chance to tackle that yet, but um Anna and John, if you guys have updates for your water quality project um and
and uh education, please by all means um if you want to talk about it now. >> Don, you're on mute. >> I don't think you're on mute, but there's definitely >> There we go. Is that better?
The microphone was muted. I apologize. Um, go ahead, Anna. You have updates, don't you? >> Yeah, we had a call with um, Clean Ocean Action uh, this past week. So, we got in touch with the group over there. They were really helpful. Swarna um, sent us
a PowerPoint presentation. So to boil it down, >> yeah, >> there's no the way that the D classifies bodies of water. We are like an estuary water b body and then they
they monitor the ocean essentially. So that's when we get the the alerts that, you know, you can't swim in the ocean because of bacterial levels. And because those are two different bodies of water in their in their purview. Um, and that
the river is not legally classified for swimming like the ocean is, there's no official threshold that allows anyone to say like this water is safe to swim today. Um, so that is kind of the hang-up that Clean
Ocean Action has been dealing with. We all agreed that it's a problem, but the issue is is that there's no recognized um bacterial level at that that would hinder us from putting this data out there because it's kind of unchecked
data. There's it would there's no standard that it would compute to. So, um, Swarna said like, "We recognize it's a problem. We want to do something about it." They do a ton of checking. Like, we all know that Robin O'Neal is actively involved in it. So, the data is it's out
there. It's just a matter of um not, you know, maybe even appealing to the D and saying like, "We use these for swim, we use this body of water for swimming, we use it for for boating, kids fall in, like you can't just leave us out of this classification because it's not a recognized swimming body of water." Um,
so that's a push that we could all make as these coastal towns to then say like you need to start recognizing this because you know we talked about it last summer the the readings were in the thousands more than they should be. So there is an issue here and there is a
pretty severe issue in Fair Haven specifically. So it was a good level set of like this isn't something that we're able to monitor monitor right now but we know that we need to and how can we all do that together. So, um, my takeaway from it was it was a good first
conversation. We finally got on their radar. It took us a few months to even get a hold of Clean Ocean Action. So, we've got them on the line to speak now. And, um, it'll be a lot more of us trying to figure out ways to appeal to
the D to register these um, our our little rivers as uh, places that need to be monitored in a more uh, tactical way. So, I think it was >> Yeah. Go ahead, John. What I took from what she what she provided us and maybe I'm wrong is that there isn't
>> data readily available online at a regular cadence or am I wrong? >> Yeah, she basically said like it'll just be a little delayed, you know, we get it when we get it on a Monday and then >> um so there's always that issue as well.
So like us trying to aggregate a super local information site was a little >> like it's not always in the same spot basically the data is what she was saying right >> but if there is like a a hazard or warning or you know that would come
immediately correct like that would put out and be like >> because I know that happened when Redbank had the sewage spill >> right exactly >> like things like that could be generated >> yeah and Kelly like totally Right. We could also we could if that's if this
never gets off the ground like if they're like no we're we're only focusing on swimming bodies of water. Okay. Well then we can find a different story for the data. That is like you're you could pull up a website that says like three days ago it rained heavily. This is not the time to be swimming in
this water. You know what I'm saying? So like to give to give kids and people that information is I think important. Even if we can't like like technically say that there is a a threshold that's being met, we could find a different way
to tell a story of like maybe don't fall in off your OPI boat today sort of situation. So >> but it was a again really great conversation. we're, you know, we're going to meet with them probably in the next two or two weeks or so. Um, and
hopefully have even more. And this could be something that as a a consortium that we've talked about where it's like the Red Banks, the Rumsons, the any of these waterfront, you know, we could make a push to the D if we get if we can get our act together and say like, okay,
you guys really need to start monitoring these because they they all connect. I mean it's just like it'd be it's ridiculous to think that the ocean doesn't have an impact on the shrewberry and the Navis River. So if there's bacteria there, right? Or vice versa. If there's bacteria there at a a lethal
dosage, then you know we need to be checking ourselves. >> Yeah. Now, I also wanted to touch something on the like the So, Kelly, you brought up last time the um the runoff from like um the the geese
feces and stuff like that. >> Is that something that we want to prioritize? Because I happen to just have a a a chance happen stance conversation with someone who
um who who has been um part of developing a product literally for the last 30 years that is now a very heavily used product to control geese population in in a local area and I wanted to see if they would
bring us you know that they could talk to us about it because I know that you brought it up in the last meeting was you know that that that um we are getting populations of geese and it is affecting local runoff. Um, so I'm gonna stop
there and let you give me some input on that. >> Yeah. Um, definitely with the fecal matter as well too. I mean that is the D covers a lot of that too. Um, I think and and Robin O'Neal can talk
better about that. I don't know if she's in the audience. Um, but the the clean ocean action and DP both kind of measure different parameters and metrics. Um, and they're not always in communication
with each other as well either. And I think that's what we were trying to be like, is there a way to aggregate this data and make it more correctable for everyone? Right. >> Um, but geese does play a huge role of it. Um, >> well, I know we talked about we talked
about dog cutouts last week or last last time we met last week >> for the Marter Pond stuff. >> Yeah, for Marter Pond. And there's actually a really coste effective product that is a safe biological spray
that makes the grass look as well as taste. Half the time they don't even taste it because it looks funny to them. I learned a lot about how geese eyeballs work in the last like after meeting this person. Um, so it makes the grass look
iridescent to them, which apparently geese don't like to eat iridescent grass. And it it it actually helps us twofold. One, it keeps the geese from landing and eating. So if they're not if it doesn't look like turf that's tasty
to them, they don't sit there and poop every 12 minutes. um nor um it also it there's also a cutting schedule where you cut the grass a lot less once this has been sprayed. So it kind of works in two ways. And I just thought they would
come and do a presentation. It it I mean obviously it's the town's call if they want to use cardboard cutouts over a you know biological spray or a bio you know a bio it's a biochemical meaning that it's not you know it it's it's not a
harmful chemical I guess is the right way to put it but um so I just thought it was really interesting that I just happened to run into someone who knows all about geese population >> lives in Redbank right around the corner. Um, so just want that >> that is interesting. I mean, and we
could always, you know, discuss as a board whether we wanted to invite that person here or >> or, you know, if that person was interested in going to Love Where You Live Day or talking to the >> Yeah. >> you know, people that are running it as well because um just as an alternative. >> That's a good idea, >> you know.
>> Yeah. I mean, as a I guess um this is kind of a a you know, a council person question. Would the town be open to something other than the cardboard cutouts or to something that would spray?
>> Why don't you send um me an email with information? I can forward it to DJ and we can work on connecting that and getting that moved along because it sounds like a great option and you did a really great job with your research. >> Yeah. And it's got 30 years worth of ex like there's so many stories behind it
because it's been around since apparently for the last 30 years and um it's highly effective and supposedly relatively cost effective once you start using it. So >> it sounds it sounds exciting. So yeah, just shoot I think my email's on the website. So I've got your Okay. So J,
just shoot me an email and I'll >> I know where to finding a lot of people do. John, if you could copy me on that, >> too. Yeah, I'll totally send it because I I mean, I was like flabbergasted by the whole thing, not knowing that it
existed and apparently it's timeested and, you know, township approved. So, okay, I will send you some information on it. >> Thanks, John. Okay. >> Can I go back? Can I go back? Sorry, Kelly. I have a couple questions about the um maybe for Anna, maybe for you.
So, just so I understand. So D and Clean Ocean Action are the only two people who do any testing. And you're saying that they're they have different metrics. There's no other group that does any testing. What about like the Isn't there like a Two River authority or something? Or >> Yeah, the one that Brian's in charge of.
>> He's the head of >> John Peters, I think, is on it too maybe. No, >> the sewers authority. You're right. >> So yeah. Is that Do they do any testing? >> That's my That's D. That's just so it's just a subset of the D >> rolls up into them
>> and they're the ones who do the testing. Then >> D does the testing. the Two River water uh the Two River uh council or commission that that Brian started takes the data from the the DP and their
um >> verify it >> their labels right and and like okay we got downgraded why is this happening and let's talk with that town that runoff of where that happens like they're the ones that takes that data and kind of reaches out to the different municipalities to
figure out how they can improve the their offshore um you know water quality. >> Gotcha. Okay, that's my question. Thank you. >> And and and what the the end result at least my my part in it is trying to
aggregate the information so that it isn't just you know when it's when it's uh uh of a high level that's when people are like oh gosh let's listen. I would rather if like, you know, people got that interested in it that they looked at it weekly, monthly,
you know, yearly type thing or daily, you know, uh, weekly, monthly, um, in being able to pull it to a more local level like what it looks like for Fair Haven directly and then be able to go from that micro level to a macro level
where you get Redbank and all of that involved. um you know, how do we get that on a dashboard, on a website? Where do we get that information? And it's being put out there that I don't really care about the cadence as long as I could scrape it and pull it in. And
that's what I think I would like to be the next steps with me and Anna to have the discussion with Farna and and all of them. Is there a way for us to pull in the information and present it so that it's a link on, you know, this cool website that we're going to make more
interactive and, you know, you could click it and see what the water levels are on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. >> Yeah, >> cool idea. I think it's that would be really helpful. >> Yeah, I agree. Um, and think about how
many people use that like just, you know, even working with Riverats or the Yacht Club or different entities on the water as well too. >> People live here because they love the water. So if they if they start to know that that information is readily available on a micro and a macro level,
>> they'll look at it and then it it it gives us some, you know, credence, >> right? All right. You look at your weather app and then the water app. >> Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Yep. Awesome. Um,
great. Okay. So, then I will, um, that would be wonderful if you guys keep going with that, moving in that direction, and then the other parts, the water story, I'll kind of break down and digest, and then we can see who might want to run with those different parts and take ownership of them. Um, but this
is um, a great group effort. So, I appreciate, >> can I ask you something quickly? I didn't see any um, of the plans coming back or any of the data from Rich. Did he send that yet? No, because Nick wanted more clarity and direction of what type of stuff he was looking for. So, I have to delve into that and like get specifics for him.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um, all right. Moving on. Skip this. There's a couple things on the agenda that we might not have any updates for, but we wanted to keep in the event that we just don't want to forget about them or lose them off track. So, skip the stuff and
construction dust ordinance review. Um, obviously with skip the stuff having been passed in the state level, we're just trying to figure out what that means in terms of education and compliance for the town of
Fair Haven. I don't know, Michael or Christine, if you have anything to um update on that. If not, it's okay to we can >> I don't, but I will get you an update on that. >> Sure. Um, Fourth Creek and Navasync River update.
Uh I don't think in terms of the D have not been out and and tested that um you know since the winter and and all the snow and everything. So I don't have any updates on those uh yet. Um and I don't know if Clean
Ocean Action if you guys Anna or John speaking to Sworn if she updated you on anything with the river or if Robin's in there. >> He's not. >> Nope. >> No. >> Okay. >> Okay. So we'll just keep monitoring that. I'm sure we'll have an update by
the April meeting. Uh, Marter Pond and Shoreline Property Suggestions, Gary I know, is not here, but I will email him and see what the progress is on that. And it would be great to get something out before
the April or by April so that, you know, as people are starting to work on their yards, um, that would be helpful information. uh living shoreline grant Nick is reaching back out again. Everything was kind of delayed and slowed with the the water um and the winter the ice being
frozen over. So we don't have a date for when Stevens will come out and look at this. Um that's not happening. uh McCarter Park open space preservation. Anna and John,
any updates on that or is that does that fall under something different now? No, I that's kind of this like broader conversation that we've been having about bringing all of these different groups together.
>> Okay. >> Um >> go ahead. Go. >> Yeah. And so I was going to say so that we can just kind of collab, you know, move and join into the next part on the agenda, which is that collaborative environmental meeting. Um, for >> Yeah. I would say you could get this part off the agenda and then this would
be just like the open meeting with all of the all of the different smaller subset groups and then figuring out priorities for them, that sort of thing. >> Okay. Um, and I I apologize, but Chrissy, do we have a list of those from
the from last meeting of who we wanted to reach out to to invite to our April meeting? >> Uh, I think you said the third street trail, the natural area, the bird sanctuary, shade tree.
>> I think that was part of >> garden club. >> Did you want something from the planning or I guess you have bill? Yeah. >> Okay. >> You were gonna further discuss what the agenda would be and who you wanted to invite.
>> Right. Um right. A representative from from each group. Um and then the agenda. Um anybody want to input on what we should be what should the agenda look like? >> I think that's something I said I would
work on, Kell, and I just haven't had a minute to do it. But I can do it. I'll reach I can send you um maybe we can collaborate on it. >> Yeah. >> Like in the time leading up and then we can get it in front of the group and see
who's able to come at least to the April meeting. I just I'd need a minute to sit down and do it. >> Great. And and I don't I don't think it needs like specifics. >> No. Yeah. It could be just like a kickoff of the of the stuff that we've been talking about. >> Wait, hold on a second.
>> Okay. Um, great. Anna, if you want to draft something or put something down and then share it, that would be great. >> Yeah, I'll work on that. >> Okay. And then we can um ideally invite them >> obviously before spring break and and all that. So, just to give them a heads
up. Um, I think that'd be good. And >> yeah, we'll give them like what what our intention is, what we plan to talk about. Um, Third Street Trail, Natural Area, Shade Tree, Bird Sanctuary, Garden, >> Martond, >> Marter Friends of Marter Pond or the
actual committee. >> I don't know if the committee is actually >> Okay, let's do friends. >> Let's do friends. >> Yeah, I'm the liazison for the Marter Pond and nothing has happened yet. So, >> yeah. All right, we'll go friends on it and >> they're active. >> Okay. >> Um, >> okay.
>> And and we can um invite Nick see if he wants to join in. Yeah, that's a good idea, >> Nick P. Let's see. Chris. >> Okay. All right. That that's on me. I'll get that going this this week. >> Great. Thanks, Anna. >> Yeah.
>> Um Okay. And perfect. Um, another thing that that's not on here as well is we are going to be doing um presenting our annual report and the greens seal business on the
council meeting on April 13th on that Monday. Um Christie, in in the years past the annual report, does that as a draft go out to members to get their feedback if there's anything that's that's missing or wanted to add or
anything? >> In the past, um I've just worked on it with the chair alone and the chair presented it to council. Um, council will receive it from you the Wednesday before so they'll have time to review it prior to your meeting.
>> If I wanted to um share a draft and if anyone had comments or feedback or was like, "Oh, you forgot this or it would be great to add that." Could I Is that possible? >> Yeah, you can just have me do it. You can have me send it because there's a
friendly reminder to avoid the open. You can't reply all. that you can't do. >> Yeah. >> Just it'd be nice to get everyone's like approval off of it and make sure that you know their eyes see it before
um council I I feel um and and see having not have it completed for this meeting. I just I'd like to share it with the larger group prior. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Ellie, I don't know if you heard um Chrissy say though, you can't have a shared document and that was a question
that came up at the last meeting. Could you guys have like a shared um database? >> That's fine. But but if I just sent a a draft >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. No, I just wanted to reiterate because we I did check with Christie and Chris after to see if you could do that, but unfortunately because you're commission.
>> Okay, no problem. >> Right. Okay, great. Um and then wonderful. Moving on to administrative items. Is there anybody in the audience from the green team that would like to give an update? Um,
hi. Hi Bonnie. Hi Susan. Um, I need to say Bonnie to Bat. Um, we just had our green team meeting and we were talking about um the sports swap is on March
28th at the community center from 9 to 12. Um, there's they were working on the drop off. where exactly that would be located. I think there'll be more information to follow. Um
although that's March 20. Yeah. So I don't know when soon. There was some talk they they got approval to be at city hall or the community center. They just wanted to know how it was going to be secured at night and safe. So I I don't know what the outcome was. So that's to find out from Sigourney, but
there will be a drop off somewhere in the burrow hopefully. >> Okay. And um love read day is uh Sunday, April 26th 1 to 4 at the community center. It will be inside and outside.
Um depending on you know what activity you have you I know um we have some people that want to be inside and be outside. Um, I don't know what the EC I know Jonathan
Peters had talked about the two this river reclamation authority maybe presenting something on that. I don't know if he pinned him down to do that. Kelly, >> um, no. I
>> wasn't he saying that he really wanted he works with them and we're so lucky that we have this relationship and I don't know that anybody I certainly don't I get the bill from them which I seems to have gone up tremendously since
I first moved here 10 years ago. Um but I I would love to learn more about what they do and his role. So, I I don't know if DC had an idea of what they were going to do at the looked at. >> I
>> Yep. Right. I know. Um and I apologize. Am I not My face isn't on the um >> I don't know why I can't seem to get a camera. I was seeing I was like I wasn't >> Do you have the slider on top? >> Nope. I don't know. Anyway, maybe it's a
way that I'm in here, but I don't even have an option to put There we go. I wasn't a panelist, that's why. No, still not there. >> Now you're on mute. >> Well, you're blurry. Oh, there we go. >> Now I have the ability to change that.
So, I apologize. I didn't even realize that, but I was like, I didn't see myself talking into a screen until I saw the blank black screen of Kelly Flanigan with Bonnie. So, in addition to uh let me the day we
were talking about the solar event that Robin is thinking about having at her house and your name came up Steve as trying to just figure out how this could happen. Um it's Sunday May 3rd. Um we
have Andrew works in the solar industry. We have Steve who is a um has solar on his house and we have Sarah Pelle who is uh works in the industry too. And we were thinking about having kind of a panel maybe, you know, not a a long
discussion because it's going to be a cocktail party and panel. Yeah. Okay. Now Steve's definitely in. But um so anyway, that's in the works. The solar talk. Um what else did we talk
about the green team? Um just FYI, tomorrow at the community center there is at noon a tree pruning workshop with uh Bill Brash who was just a wonderful guy who helped the shade tree do our community bars management plan. Um I was
over there today getting the laptop squared away. Um, but you can if you attend from 12 to 1, you will learn some fascinating things about trees that you didn't know about purchasing them and making sure they look good when you purchase them and then taking care of them when they're young so that they
grow into a big healthy tree. Um, you can get continuing education unit credits for the town by signing in and um, you know, and we the shade tree commission needs them every year to qualify as a tree city. So, it's a nice
thing to do with the town. Um, our DPW is going to be there. Um, that's really what we were doing for and residents. Um, what else do we have? Um, >> it's not green team, but we have the third street trail clean up this weekend.
>> Yes, street trail from >> Sorry, >> 10 to one. >> 10 to one. Thank you. Um, so we are there are two huge piles of wood chips that were dropped off. So we need to redo the P. So if you have a wheelbarrow,
>> I know you want to come. There's also uh DPW has been over there chopping up a bunch of the fallen trees. So we're going to have um we'll bring firewood out to the parking lot and try to give away some of the firewood. Um and just
you know some ivy and some clean up. Um it's always fun. It's always nice to be out in nature. It's always fun to chat with everybody, catch up with things going on. So, any recruiting you could do would be great. Uh Mark does have a sign of genius out there. Um I think he
has 15 people on or so, so we're hoping he can get more. Um but yeah, so wear gloves, not nice clothes, and uh bring your clippers and your if you have wheelbarrow, that would be great. Um,
so and bring your young, strong sons and daughters if you have them. >> Great. >> Thank you, Bonnie. Um, yeah, I I guess we we should as a commit commission talk about um Love Where You Live Day. I know
we've discussed in the past we kind of wanted to highlight the ERRI um and we have a chance of of being able to purchase some more um copies of the ERRI um that that we can have on display. Um
we also wanted to talk about maybe having a map where people experienced flooding in town um just as a help like to get the data with the water store. And I think by if just doing a little bit more of that water story research, maybe we can
um introduce some of these initiatives, right, that Anna and John are working on. Um some other things that are pertaining to the water story, collecting data, what do people want to know about? I wonder if what are some questions pertaining to your water or like you know um maybe that's a good way
to interact with it. >> Yeah, if you can somehow have a map. The other thing that I think would be great is pinpointing flooding spots and where people think we need trees. If we could collect that data on that same map um to help the Shade Tree Commission put
together their planting plan, that would be fabulous. >> Sure. And that would also draw the connection between flooding and trees, right? >> Yeah. >> I think that would be great. >> That would be wonderful. And so I think from the commission part
too is just trying to get people to to come and and to kind of help with that tablescape and that display of information. Um so hopefully before next April meeting Christie if we could sign up like a signup genius we I mean there
could be shifts. It's very um it's a fun day. It's right in the middle of town at this you know great new community center. Um, I think it'd be, you know, there's a lot going on. Um, it's always a great event. So, um, you know, maybe
we can have a couple different shifts, people signing up for it, and we can work on maybe what type of data or or materials we need for that. Now, remember, we did approve funding for that day. So, if there's any print
materials, as long as we have something in advance, we can um, with a little bit of leeway. And that goes for the green team, too. So, if you guys have any ideas of what type of um costs that might come up or things that you might need to to get ahead on, um
please send my way and and let us know. We can uh take that out of the budget as well. Okay. Anything else? Um that's a great green team update. Uh this sports swap is wonderful. So, clean out your sheds now
and your and your garages. Um, and that'll be March 28th. It's always a great turnout. Okay. Anything else with green team? >> No. >> Okay. Planning board update. Is there anything?
>> Not me. >> I have a question for Christina and Michael. Do you want me to send that email to your FH burrow? >> Yes, please. Yeah, >> I will do that now. >> Okay. If we don't have anything up there
to um move on, we'll then move on. Um >> council update. >> Sure. Do you want me to touch on the green seal? What's going on with that? >> Sure. >> So, I know some of you are aware. I'm not sure everyone knows. So the green seal historically I guess started in
about 2001 was passed by >> 2021 sorry um was passed by the EC and the green team was has been running but at the last meeting we had discussed having the burrow help promote it and in that discussion and in that ask
the administration was aware that they hadn't known about this which people knew about it but they felt that they hadn't known about it and were had questions about why this was happening. They had some concerns about the requirements that were being asked on the of the businesses. Uh Kelly
explained that these come straight from the sustainable jersey. They're only recommendations and they just asked that people do five of the I don't know third what is it 30 um suggestions. So it's now sort of back on the drawing board.
Uh it is on the agenda correct on April 23rd. Kelly >> April 13th I believe right? >> April 13th. Sorry. April 13th to be discussed and put up. >> Kelly, actually, can you remind me? Is it up for a vote or just to be discussed? That was a question I wasn't
sure. Okay. So, I'll find out about that. >> Christie might know. >> You don't know? >> I just know you're on the agenda. >> Yeah. So, the short of it is, and I I'd like it on the record that I support this program. So, I'm definitely behind it. I think it's a great program. I've
seen it work in Long Branch and I see actually how the burrow or the city of Long Branch has supported it. So, I absolutely support this. Um, as do I >> as does Christina. So, um, we will do everything we can to help you guys um, push this forward, but it will it sounds
like it's going to have to go to a vote for the um, the council to vote on it whether it can continue. >> Yeah. And I had an idea, we were talking about at the green meeting, asking the businesses that currently have this award if they could write a letter of
support or something so that we could have kind of ammunition to give or to provide to the other council members to show them that this is something the community wants and that we should work to keep it. >> Yeah. Mhm.
>> And just to let you know, the other concern was that they felt that that there was like an unfairness with the businesses. So if a business was part of this that they might get more business because of it than the other businesses. But my opinion is that it's open to everyone
and everyone and they're really minor things that they're being asked to do like any business kind of probably does five of them already. So it's not that they it's so open to the public and open to any business that >> Susan doesn't concern. >> Susan, would you want to speak to it
just a little bit? I mean, you presented it um last June at >> Yes. Well, it's voluntary, so the businesses have a choice as to whether or not they want to participate. And I just have a question. When you say
whether or not it goes forward, do are you talking about the entire green seal program specifically as part of sustainable New Jersey or all of sustainable? No, in the burrow of Fair Haven. So, Sustainable Jersey is for it
and supporting it. It's our burrow. That's >> the vote is whether or not Fair Haven continues to participate in sustainable. >> No, we're just in the green seal or is allowed to continue this green seal program. But but even at the um you know Susan,
what was the uh reactions from business owners when you presented this last June? >> Well, it was favorable and those who wanted to participate. As Michael said, there were a five or so minimum
requirements and people they weren't asked to start to do them. They already were doing them. So whether or not they wanted the acknowledgement, it was completely voluntary. >> So >> right. And so I think it's important to
understand too like you presented it also sent an email to the entire business association about it. Right. So with the application it was just readily available for people that anybody had any interest in participating in it. There was ample time. It's a rolling
application. And it's, you know, right? Okay. Got it. So, you know, this is just all important information to kind of gather for that 13th meeting.
>> I have one question going back to the uh green team was mentioned that part of the thing on Sunday is the uh the chips that are ground up. Where do they go? How's that any different than like the Christmas trees? Where did where would they wind
up >> the chips? We we get Frontier um to drop off the chips. >> So, we have all these chips. What I'm just saying is where do they go? Because earlier we were talking about like the Christmas trees and part of it maybe was recycling them and using those chips.
But if there's all these chips to be moved, where are they going? >> They're going on the paths. >> Okay, >> we're going to redo the pads because they're particularly muddy after all. >> Well, they have a reason. They repurpose. They're not being disposed of anywhere. are going back into the environment. >> Yes. Yes. We're going to redo the path
right now. And I I actually rebuilding an existing walkway with >> with the Yes. >> Yep. >> And I did ask about the Christmas trees. I kind of mentioned that to Nick um and
Dave uh when we were on the path talking about this project and I said, "I've heard that towns have a wood chipper and they just chip all the Christmas trees up and then they don't have to dump them up the brush grind." Um and
there was, you know, they kind of went, "Well, we'd have to rent the ship over. We'd have to make sure everybody got their trees over to the firehouse or whatever." feel like, you know, people don't want to put their dead Christmas tree in their car and take it anywhere. And then do they get the DBW come up? It
just I I don't know. There were a lot of questions about how you would make it work from DBW's point of view. I don't know. I thought it was a great way to not have them all stacked up in the brush grind and then have to pay to get mozzarell.
But as you say, there's potential issues with recycling the trees. The tub doesn't have a chipper. >> Uh, no. No. Chippers are really dangerous as Dave Carl pointed out to me like, you know, not just anybody uses it.
>> Um, yeah, you have to rent some, you know, somebody has to bring it in. So, >> yeah. >> Um, yeah, it's not like a family at a firehouse, but um, it would be I don't know. I just thought it I've heard of towns that do this, right? They they got them all up and used.
>> Well, you would think like a town like Fair Haven with all your natural areas, you know, you have 10% of the town's natural and all these natural paths. You would have the equipment to do that. >> Yeah. >> Um we we don't have a shipper. >> Okay.
>> We have to rent it. >> Yeah. I know. We used to have a town mulch pile and they actually stopped because it was spreading the notwheat problem. So, I guess they may have gotten rid of that um >> you know that equipment.
>> At one point they did have a big mulch pile. I remember using it every year. >> Yeah, I remember. >> And then I had it not be broke. >> Uh yeah. All right. Well, still, you know, things to consider. >> Any other council updates?
>> No. Yeah. No, nothing I can think of. We've had some very short meetings which is pretty awesome. >> Okay. >> Unusual. >> Not going to lift. >> Um any uh other business from the commission that that has not been um
addressed or they'd like to bring up? >> Okay. Any public? >> Oh, >> I just have a question. I guess I missed the last EC meeting and I know you're not totally sure what you're doing when you invite all the the shade tree and
and you know everybody here next meeting is there a kind of an idea what what are what are you trying to collect? What information are you looking for? >> Yeah, Kell, I'm happy to talk about the meeting that we had with Nick Bon. We
met with um Nick and Josh and Chris at the end of last year. I think it was like December. Um, and we've talked about kind of putting this uh standing EC meeting to use in a positive way that would bring together these different
groups and help um help Nick have more oversight on what's going on and what what are the asks from the different groups in town and using the environmental commission as like this conduit where we are the ones that can bring these people here, talk about what's going on. And so that gives us an
idea of where the needs are. That gives Nick an idea of what to prioritize. Right now he's kind of looking at this in in silos as opposed to like, okay, if the third story trail needs something, how does he prioritize that over the natural area, over the bird sanctuary?
So it would give him and any resident an opportunity to come in and say, I think you guys are over mowing McCarter Park. Um, why are you doing that? they know that the meetings are the same time every month mandated by the state. Um,
and it would give us an opportunity to kind of bring this bring a more holistic approach to the way that DPW is managing all of these open spaces. So, we told Nick that we would act as this like representative for these smaller it's it's a lot of groups. It's a lot of open
space. So, it's a lot for him to manage and we figured if there was one opportunity a month for them to come in and and talk about those things, he would have a better understanding of where the priorities are in town. So, we kind of offered the EC in that capacity
to be the ones to help with it. So, it's it's kind of a DPW wish list. You're looking >> No, it's more of a of a like committee wish list that DPW can help help manage. Realistically, it will help them manage their workload. Um, I think
that they're just like putting out they're getting emails and they're going to to do it and then other people are like, well, why aren't we being helped here and what about our our priorities? And nobody really knows what what the priorities are for DPW. So my take on it and Kelly correct me if I'm wrong was
Nick was like yeah that that would be great like we could we could use that to see what's going on and um you know the governing body has in some capacity the ability to do that but there are also experts that sit up on the EC that know
these things um more intimately. So, with all of those people in the room, we we just think it would be a better it would get things done a little a little easier. >> Well, I know Carolyn Ferguson just put together um this is a list of what we'd
like done. This is our wish list really for the national >> and sent it to Nick and Chris and >> we can do bang bang bang bang bang. But it was it was very I think helpful for him to see what do you want and and you
know he could say the time and like you'd like this done by you know um yeah I mean I >> and I think >> nobody I I don't I don't know if there's a DPW calendar schedule. I don't really know how that will then work. >> I I tried to grill him a little bit on
this cuz I know that you guys had that conversation and it was really helpful. I think some of what happened too was that some of the stuff he was already doing but it wasn't getting relayed back to the committee that it was being done or had been done. So I think that's part of it too is the communication side of
it. So I think your idea of having someone central is is a good one so that everyone kind of knows what's happening because I but they're more Yeah. I have a question though. Um Anna >> you said something that about meeting once a month.
>> Who would be meeting once a month? You said mandated by the state. Do you mean like >> the EC? I'm talking about that the EC is mandated by the state. It's never going away. You've got all of these different groups that like >> the friends of Marter Pond who's leading that like that it just things keep popping up and we're just trying to get
a handle on >> like coring them and making sure that the the resources that we have as a burrow are being applied in a way. So like one one example is you shouldn't do this to this park that's the same as the
baseball diamonds. The the mowing at Marter Park should not be the same as they are at Fair Haven Fields. >> We don't know how that >> I don't know what their what their reasoning behind the mowing mowing of Marter Park is. But >> to be able to sit there and have someone who lives on Fair Haven Road say like
this is kicking up a lot of >> dirt. Can we do something? They know that they can come to the EC meeting, have a conversation about it, and it will be heard and relayed to DPW. I think that is really what's driving this. >> Kelly and Anna, I think that you it
would be really important to have Nick at this meeting. >> For sure. No. Yeah, absolutely. That was the plan. Open to it. >> He was very supportive of it and he's like, it makes sense and I think it it will streamline things for him and for his department as well. Definitely. >> Um I just, you know, we all work better
collaboratively. Um we did win the collaboration award. Um so just >> you know trying to get those open communications and dialogues and to help um you know the employee employees of of this burough as well you know. >> Yeah. I also think it will help help
people see what DPW is actually doing. I mean if if someone thinks that they're you know there's they're not doing it here you'll get the full picture as well. So just giving them an opportunity to come and um have some transparency around it I think will be helpful. So Nick was
open to it. I think we left that we would if he wanted to walk through the park systems we'd make some time available for him just to to get a an understanding of what their resources are in each of the 15 parks open spaces that we own at this point are. Um so
we'll plan for that in in hopefully May. Yeah. And so maybe Anna we um maybe the first person to reach out to we can reach out to Nick and just see his availability and you know um >> and Anna he does he does actually do a walkthrough with the natural area people
every was it once a regular regular. >> Yeah regularly. So that is something that he is doing with them that I know that has been helpful for them. >> Totally great. No he was he's looks great. This is more so to be able to take some of the burden off of DPW.
>> Yeah. >> Have them leave m Don't mow Marter. Go find somewhere else to mow. Leave it. Leave it alone. >> So, >> that's really that what's guiding this. >> Great. And then, you know, as we're thinking about um
uh the, you know, spring is right around the corner, there's communication we want to put out to words like the no mo may or don't do your winter cleanup. so quickly because everyone thought it was spring already these past three days. It's like don't try to clean up your
yard yet. Um those critters are um still ne nesting, etc. Like if there's anything like that, I wonder if um you know where we can be right. Is there
somebody that wants to kind of own communication or help with our social media or or like writing little things like that that we can pass on to Betty? Is there anybody on um >> the the green team Instagram has all
that stuff on it? I mean, does everybody follow that? It's >> Yeah, I I I know. So, I'm just wondering, but that's, you know, just to see if we could be more aligned or less burden on, you know, that one individual that runs the green team that's not even
on the green team >> technically. >> That's true. >> Um, >> Kelly, so one thing I'm really working with Betty on is condensing the information, having the same messaging there so we're not losing any of the
information, but condensing the content. So when you're sending stuff, really try to make it like short and to the point because there's so much in what we're sending now that I think everything's getting lost. So like a a quick graphic and a quick statement like some quick
facts like nothing too >> and Right. And I but I also wonder if this is just like from the commission and maybe even somebody from the green team too to look at the calendar and just kind of be like what are the communication that we want to emphasize each month, right? Like if it's >> Yeah. March like don't clean up and rake
your leaves yet like they're still resting right like in April you know don't put the I don't know or different alternatives to fertilizing your lawn or or different things and the no you know I wonder if there's different seasonal messages that we have the same
throughout the year you know each year but just kind of so we can >> you know not bombard people randomly sporadically but if we wanted to >> you could create the whole you could create if you could create the whole calendar for the year if someone just
did that that would be great give that to Betty >> right >> um the other thing that I hope you're okay with this but one thing that I was trying to do is have the messaging kind of cross-promoted on all of who you're talking about like shade tree natural area EC and green team so what I've
asked Bettyanne is that anytime the green team sends something anytime the natural sends something she sends it out to all the committees and commissions so that you guys can post it on your social media as well so that everything that the green team's doing, the natural area people will see. So we're at least the
communication's a little more streamlined between all the committees because I think there's a lot of crossover too. So >> like for example, the shade tree just started the resident tree buying program. Yes. Right. Spurred the everybody sharing it down. >> Yep. So I asked Betty to share with
everyone the sh the tree buying program so that everyone's seeing it. I think the audience is would be interested in seeing the same stuff. So, >> okay, >> great. Um, any other more public comments?
>> No. Okay. Uh, do I have a motion to >> Wait, wait, Kelly, there's someone. >> Okay, >> Paul. Go ahead, Paul. >> Hi, guys. It's Carolyn. >> Hi, Carolyn. >> I'm Carolyn Ferguson. Uh I uh first I'd
like to just speak on behalf of the FHBA. So uh the Fair Haven Business Association. I'm one of the vice presidents. Um I uh want to just comment on the green seal program. Uh Susan Globus did come to our meeting last June
and offered the businesses the ability to uh apply for the sustainable New Jersey seal. Uh, as M. Michael said, really businesses didn't then start doing something new. It was really getting credit for stuff they were
already doing. Um, I know a number of businesses took advantage of this and reached out to Susan. I don't know how many. Um but uh the business association in general, just a little context in Fair Haven, we think there's approximately 150 businesses and that
includes everything from the businesses you see and are very visible to businesses that are in people's homes and you may not even know exist. So we have a very wide range of business sizes. Um and like I was always very surprised to learn that there might be
150 businesses in Fair Haven. There might be even more than that. Um but uh uh 70 of those businesses are members of the business association. So after Susan attended our meeting and spoke in our
notes, we also took her offer and shared it with all of the members of the business association. So that's not all the businesses in Fair Haven, but the 70 businesses that are members of the business association uh were offered to participate. Um, and I think it was
wellreceived by the business association. Those that were interested applied. I think the others appreciated what was happening and thought about that. I think the great thing about it was that it like for some people they were just learning about it and they may
not have applied this year but probably thought about like I'm not going to do this this year but next year now I kind of get it. I'm going to be ready with my list and I understand that's not that hard. So, um I think we found it to be a positive experience. Um then, uh
shifting over, I'm also the chair of the natural area. Um so, there's a few things there I just wanted to share. Um you guys were talking about the chips and I I think Bonnie explained this, but I just want to make sure everyone understands. Uh the walking trails are
covered with wood chips. The source of those wood chips is the company Frontier. They're a tree company. They do work for Fair Haven and everywhere else. Um, they're always looking to get rid of wood chips. So, if we call them, like within a day or two, they come and
give us a giant pile of wood chips. Got it. So, that's where the wood chips are coming from that we currently put down on the trails. Uh, and the and by we, I mean Fair Haven. Uh, so the DPW takes them and puts them on the trails in the natural area. Um, at some volunteer
days, volunteers, uh, do the same. So, >> and >> uh, and they're free and Frontier as an endless supply of chips that they're always looking to get rid of. >> Um, okay. The next thing for us, uh, we are going to be doing our annual report
to the burough council on March 23rd. uh if anyone wants to come and listen we would love to uh uh share information and collaborate with you. U and then one of the items in our report is basically this the state of the natural area and
um you know that we have a problem with deer management and damage caused by the deer overpopulation. Uh one of the significant things that we are going to report that you guys should know also um on uh Mammoth County Parks
comes out once a year and uh walks through the park and does an uh through the natural area does an evaluation and provides a written report. They're super helpful. We have a great collaboration with them. Anytime we have questions, need advice, we email them. They get
right back to us. So they've been a great partner. um the meadow area of the natural area, they have informed us that that whole area really uh has been completely ruined. Uh that it's they
called it sick. Um and really what that means is that it's been taken over by invasive plants and that the ecological value of those meadows has is no more. Um that was always a very vibrant place.
You know, it's named after Doris and Dick Moraler, people who are very active uh in the natural area committee in the 90s and the early 2000s. At one point, they cataloged like 140 types of birds in the meadow there. Um so for us to
learn that that meadow really is effectively dead, it, you know, it's very distressing. Um, and the cure for it is basically to start from scratch, you know, and that's really an expensive, time-consuming
thing. It's to mow it down, rake everything up, and start planting seeds to make a new meadow. Um, so, you know, I think that's really uh serious news. Um, you know, we continue,
you know, this continues to show us the the impact that the deer of our population is having. You know, as if we think of the natural air as an asset, you know, it's really being destroyed and it's got it's under it's had a lot
of damage. Um, and we need some sort of solution or we just have to kind of give up. Um, you know, there's there's things, right? We, you know, of course, a hunt is a possibility. Fencing the entire thing in as a possibility. Um, if
anyone has any other ideas that we should at least consider, we'll be eager to have uh hear them. Um, so I just wanted to share kind of that news, you know, and to let you know that this is a significant impact, I would think, ecologically,
uh, to that area that we've lost this asset. And that's it for me today. >> Thank you, Carolyn. Um, >> thanks Carolyn. >> Appreciate you sharing all those on on the green business seal and the natural area as well.
>> Great. And you know, I think these themes, you know, hopefully for for the April meeting, right, when we're inviting other groups, like perhaps that there's these these collaborative crosscutting themes that are happening amongst these groups and and maybe we
can, you know, collectively all join efforts to, you know, if deer management is a priority amongst more than just the natural area and, you know, in other ways or or how we can help with that meadow. Um, you know, I I think that
would be important um to bring up again at that meeting. >> Okay. And you guys know we've been restoring the Northwest area, but really like that work has only it's kind of still in the beginning stages and like
to not even kind of be halfway through that and to learn that this other giant area now needs complete restoration, it's very daunting. Yeah. Well, um, thank you for sharing that and, uh, look forward to hearing
what council has to say to at your at your annual report in March. >> Great. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Uh, any other comments from the public? >> Can I just say one thing on piggybacking
on Carolina? Um I mean it's a the natural area is a 40 acre piece of property that the town's pretty much said to a group of volunteers who are not trained or not professionals watch over it for us with the help of DPW. Um
that little group has tried very hard and gotten you know lots of volunteers to help. Um we've gotten some expertise here and there. Um the big thing is you know funding. We get money from the community appeal. Um, but
kind of really what we need is a dedicated person that is a trained park person to kind of help us. I think um, you know, I mean, we have the park service, but it just it it just feels like um I don't know, as Caroline was
saying, like we're trying so hard. We're putting so much effort and time into it. It's it's hard. I mean, we discussed I know that this open space tax has been drifted out there and there are lots of surrounding towns a lot that do it. In fact, there are some now that are upping
that are doubling it. I mean, most of them start out with a project that they're trying to fund. Like Maswan had a park, but they wanted to buy a new store >> and so they started, you know, I don't know, um, like 0.05 I know Bob because it's like not very much money and now
they're going back to get it. >> What does that mean? Like $55 of >> Yeah, I mean I I know it's it's money. It's taxes. Um I just feel if we had this very specifically dedicated tax
money to our open spaces. It wouldn't be used for it would be used to just to help kind of >> hire people to take care of it because it's it's overwhelming. It's such a special part of this town. Um and I know everybody around us appreciates this. I
mean everybody from Redbank and Rumson Little Silver. I mean they every time I'm in there they're thank you so much. They you know it's it's just such a treasure that we have and I'd love to figure out a way to draw more attention to it and support and commitment. Do we have a set goal for the revenue that we
want to generate from that tax? Have >> we set a goal there? >> Was that John? >> Yeah. I don't think there's a set goal because there's not fully buy in on an open space tax. But >> no, I know because we keep throwing around this 50 cent or $55 statement,
but you know what? what would it actually generate across the 2100 households and what and and and how are we allocating it to know that >> what would the goal be? >> Yeah question. >> Yeah. I mean my point is you know before
we start saying let's set a tax I think we need to set a goal you know you know how many how many acres do we have what would the cost be what is set a cost deficit or basically a deficit of if we were to implement what we want to
implement what would it cost and then therefore we could see what a a potential tax would be and you know you got to remember we're only talking about 2100 households So if each person gives a dollar, that's
$2,100, you know. Um, so what is it truly per year per household to get to our lowest possible goal? Our medium goal and our perfect goal. I
mean, we're a very small town compared to the surrounding towns. So when it comes to attacks, it just doesn't go as far as I mean even Rumson. Rumson's twice the size and that's the second smallest town, you know. Then you get to Little Silver, then you get to
Middletown and you're talking about, you know, serious space and serious amounts of numbers of households. So when we're talking about a tax going across 2100 households, it's, you know, you have to
generate a certain amount of money for it to be a goal. So when we start saying a tax, we want to be able to quantify that. >> Yeah, that's a very good point. >> Very good point, John. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, any other questions or comments?
>> No. Okay, then if we're uh no more, then we'll make a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Motion. >> Thank you. Okay. And second. I got two right there. I know. At the same time. Who was the second?
>> All done. >> Great. Thank you, Bill. Um Okay. So, meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for attending. I appreciate it. and um see you in April. And and just be aware that the April meeting is pushed back a week
due to spring break. And so it will be um April 16th, 17th, >> 18th. >> 18th. >> No, >> 15th. Sorry, >> the 15th.
>> Okay. So be April 15th. >> All right. Thank you all. Have a wonderful night. >> Bye. >> Bye. Thanks, guys. >> Bye. >> 15th. April 15th. These are my questions like I didn't do.