Tree restoration urged for Bossert Park
By Jennifer Bradley, Packet Media Group
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Issues regarding sustainability and the environment were brought up in several contexts at the Township Committee meeting on Monday.
Committeewoman Jill Popko highlighted sustainability when she said that Bordentown won a grant from sustainable NJAC. She said the committee will be meeting with NJAC to send out a plan for an updated Environmental Resource Inventory in the next month.
”With the NJAC grant and that update, we will be 20 points closer to our sustainable certification,” said Ms. Popko. “Our sustainable certification is really building steam.”
According to Ms. Popko, the Green Fair held in Bordentown City on Saturday, June 9, also helped with sustainability and environmental awareness.
The fair featured a variety of environmentally friendly products and services. Bordentown Township had a table at the event, and the fair was well attended and a great success, Ms. Popko said.
Ms. Popko also directed the attention of the committee to the lack of trees in Bossert Park. She said that Bossert Park is experiencing erosion and tree loss and suggested that the committee look into using trees from its tree bank to address the issue.
Deputy Mayor Michael Dauber discussed the environment in a different way by introducing a discussion on the new bike path in Bordentown.
”One thing I noticed was that nobody is going to stop for you on Route 528,” he said.
Mr. Dauber asked what could be done to make the path safer, since signs are already put up.
Police Chief Frank Nucera said that he was considering adding more hashmarks to crosswalks so they become more prominent.
Ms. Popko suggested adding a yellow blinking light to signify the path, but the committee shot this down as too expensive.
Mr. Dauber also said that a resident living close to the bike path complained about the no stopping or standing sign near her property, so Mr. Dauber received permission to move the sign closer to the actual crosswalk where it will have a minimal impact.
A member of the public complained about not being able to see the bike paths, but Mr. Dauber said there is a master map of the paths for people to reference.
An additional issue that was brought up in the meeting was the company Amazon’s search for warehouse space. Committeeman Jim Cann said that Bordentown is one of the potential sites for this warehouse. He said the Bordentown location is ideal for Amazon because of the access to main roads such as Route 206, Route 130 and the New Jersey Turnpike. The location is also close to the regional rail line in Hamilton.
Mr. Cann said Amazon was considering a site in Cranbury as well, but he is unsure if Cranbury has space approved. According to Mr. Cann, Bordentown already has 1.24 million square feet approved and ready to go. He said it was a shot in the dark, but he is doing the best he can to give Bordentown an edge in this decision.
In other news, the resignation of Committeewoman Anita DiMattia was announced at the beginning of the meeting. Colleen Eckert, the township clerk, read from an email that Ms. DiMattia sent briefly explaining her resignation.
”There was an email from former Committeewoman DiMattia that stated due to relocation she must resign as a municipal committeewoman effective immediately,” said Ms. Eckert.

