By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
The Township Committee gave additional support March 9 for a sustainable Hillsborough with the approval of a resolution supporting participation in the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program.
”We must now obtain certification as a sustainable community,” Mayor Frank DelCore said. “It will be helpful for getting grants in the future.”
Phil Ludvigsen, of the Sustainable Hillsborough Steering Committee, agreed about the need for the certification.
”Participation in Sustainable Jersey allows Hillsborough to have access to the various tools and information only available to the participating municipalities,” he said. “We are excited about the possibilities and look forward to working with the township.”
The resolution also appointed Assistant Planner and Zoning Officer Rebecca Marshall as the township’s agent for the process.
”We could be one of a handful of others, and the first in New Jersey, to be able to look into these grants and programs,” Committeeman Anthony Ferrera said at the meeting.
In addition to the resolution, the Township Committee also appointed to the steering committee Mr. Ludvigsen, Harry Skeele, Paul Drake, Steve Bales, Saul Wendroff, Thuy Ang Le and Gene Huntington with alternates Ed Clerico, Ann Harris and Sam Conard.
The Hillsborough Steering Committee initially was named in January as the official coordinating body for the program. It is responsible for collaborating with municipal departments, providing recommendations for best practices in town, presenting recommendations to the Township Committee and holding informational town hall meetings for residents, among other responsibilities.
A strategic plan for the Sustainable Hillsborough program was approved by the Township Committee in September and outlines an action plan for creating an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable community for current and future residents.
As the committee continues its work with the Sustainable Hillsborough program, Mr. Ludvigsen said there are several events and projects lined up to inform the public of the work being done. For example, he said, the committee is planning its first annual Hillsborough Sustainability Family Fair on May 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the municipal building.
There will be 38 participants at the fair including Culinary Creations, the Girl and Boy Scouts and the Rutgers Environmental Stewards program with booths to help people understand sustainable practices for the future.
Ms. Le said, there will be a display at the library throughout May, showing recycling practices in the county and exhibiting environmental projects from elementary school kids.
Mr. Ludvigsen said, the Hillsborough High School industrial arts class is holding a contest to develop a Sustainable Hillsborough logo with the winner to be selected in a few weeks. The winning logo, according to Ms. Le, will be put on a banner and presented at the fair.
”The main objective is to make the town aware of sustainable practices,” Ms. Le said. “Then they’ll participate in them.”

