By John Tredrea, Special Writer
WEST AMWELL The township was honored by Sustainable Jersey for being eco-friendly at the Township Committee’s March 25 meeting.
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit program that certifies municipalities as working toward a sustainable state one that responsibly blends environmentally practices with working toward economic growth.
A certification plaque was presented to the Township Committee by Pam Mount of Sustainable Jersey. Ms. Mount, a former mayor of Lawrence Township, owns and operates Terhune Orchards with her husband, Gary, in that town.
”Municipalities that achieve the certification are considered by their peers, by state government and by the experts and civic organizations in New Jersey to be among the leading municipalities in the state,” a Sustainable Jersey spokesperson said. “The certification is a rigorous and meaningful designation.”
In other business, adopted at the meeting was an ordinance that amends the township code on dogs and other animals. The ordinance pertains to various fees animal owners are charged.
It also covers violations, penalties and the township’s authority to seize animals when it is deemed necessary and the authority of animal control officers to perform their duties without interference.
Work also is nearing completion on township land, near the municipal building, on a solar energy project that will be used by that building.
”We may be ready to start using it in July,” Township Clerk Lora Olsen said.

