WEST AMWELL: Workers sought for ‘green’ initiatives

To become a member, contact the West Amwell Environmental Commission, 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road, Lambertville, 08530, or the municipal clerk at 397-2054

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   WEST AMWELL — The township’s Environmental Commission is forming a “Green Team” and is seeking volunteers.
   The team’s formation is one of the measures necessary to earn certification from a program called Sustainable Jersey. The program offers opportunities for grant funding and tools for promoting sustainability.
   ”Sustainable Jersey’s ‘Green Team’ is about saving money, saving the environment and saving something for the next and future generations,” said Environmental Commission Chairwoman Catherine Urbanski.
   The program, whose motto is “a better tomorrow, one community at a time,” lists both required and elective actions communities can implement to achieve certification as a sustainable community.
   ”Green Team members will work together to provide public education, develop short- and long-term plans for individual homeowners and our township, will identify municipal resources and build support networks,” Ms. Urbanski said.
   In addition to tools and financial incentives, Sustainable Jersey will provide guidance and training to municipalities.
   Sustainable Jersey and the formation of Green Teams around the state “is a science-based, politically relevant effort to align the interests and resources” of “state and local, public and private, for the common purpose of achieving a sustainable New Jersey and world,” according to Sustainable Jersey’s Web site.
   The program says there are a number of different ways to get involved. A municipality can register and seek certification as West Amwell is doing. Businesses can become sponsors.
   Certified municipalities can qualify for grants funded by Wal-Mart and other grant opportunities funded by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Office of Clean Energy, according to Sustainable Jersey.
   In West Amwell, the Environmental Commission will act as the core of the Green Team. It is responsible for recruiting additional volunteers.
   The Township Committee approved the team’s formation April 1.
   ”Becoming a member of the Green Team will allow for residents to help direct the impact of future development and will assist with the planning for the future of our township,” Ms. Urbanski said.
   She brought the proposal to form a Green Team to the Township Committee last month.
   Ms. Urbanski said, “Through involving the community at large, sustainable development can help preserve the natural resources of our community for future generations.
   ”The Environmental Commission is spearheading the Green Team. We ask that any interested residents, businesses, nonprofits, schools, etc., become members. We must all work together for the sake of sustaining and improving the lifestyle of all of our residents.”
   To become a member, contact the West Amwell Environmental Commission, 150 Rocktown-Lambertville Road, Lambertville, 08530, or the municipal clerk at 397-2054.
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