Team formed to help towns go green

By: centraljersey.com
Victoria Hurley-Schubert
Staff Writer
It’s getting easier to be greener in Princeton. A Green Team Advisory Committee has been formed by the borough and township governing bodies.
The committee will focus on green community initiatives, such as a program called BYO Bag to reduce plastic bag use, that are easy to replicate and affordable to implement.
"It’s a continuation of what we are already doing," said Lee Solow, planner for both municipalities. "A few years back we developed the Sustainable Princeton Plan. This resolution creates a Green Team, which is necessary to get us certified under Sustainable Jersey."
The goals of the group include a report on the status of the process for certification under Sustainable Jersey.
Sustainable Jersey is a program and resources for municipalities to encourage green municipal operations and gives points for green initiatives.
The monthly farmers market and the existing energy audit are also worth points. Points are accumulated for a bronze or silver recognition.
One example of green initiatives already happening is the 50 leaf corrals in both municipalities. Residents were encouraged to put leaves in them instead of onto the streets. The goal was to encourage composting and to keep the leaf debris out of the stormwater drains, said Diane Landis, sustainability coordinator. The corrals were provided by Sustainable Princeton, a group founded by the Princeton Environmental Commission.
The Green Team will also report on the success, challenges and problems with creating a greener municipal operation.
They will research, analyze and develop strategies for sustainable green initiatives and municipal operations.
Appointees to the team are Mildred Trotman, borough mayor; Chad Goerner, township mayor; Matthew Wasserman, Princeton Environmental Commission chairman; Wendy Kaczerski, Princeton Environmental Commission member; Mark Censits, Princeton Merchants Association president; Mr. Solow and Ms. Landis.
The appointments are through Dec. 31.
Princeton Borough, Princeton Township and Princeton Regional Schools have also entered into a service contract with Gable Associates for solar energy consulting services to explore the feasibility and economic benefit of utilizing solar energy through the installation of ground-mounted solar projects.
The proposed project site would be the Princeton Sewer Operating Committee landfill site on River Road and roof mounted/parking canopy solar systems at several municipal or school sites.
A solar installation could generate one megawatt of power, but a study will provide more conclusive data, said Mr. Solow.
"The contract is two parts. One is to conduct a technical study to see if it’s technically feasible to see if we can do solar panels on the municipal building roofs or ground. If we go ahead with a project there are options," and advising on those options would be the second part of the contract and putting together a bid spec for the municipalities to put out.
Two federal tax credits that would provide funds for solar projects are set to expire at the end of this year. Gable will also advise on ways to maximize this potential and best ways to fund solar projects.
Borough officials are also looking for information to explore the economic and technical potential for solar projects in the borough and township.
The initial cost of $14,000 will be split equally between the three parties, each paying a. $4,666.66 share. If a proposal is accepted, the borough, township and schools will enter into a shared services agreement.