By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR The West Windsor Environmental Commission’s Climate Action Plan is underway to make the township more environmentally friendly by slashing the town’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Michael Hornsby, the chair of the Environmental Commission, attended the June 25 council meeting to talk about the climate plan’s progress and the commission’s endeavor to make the plan as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Mr. Hornsby said the plan utilizes a “carbon footprint,” which is an estimate of all the carbon dioxide emitted from community activities and municipal operations. From there, the commission is able to look at various tasks that would best reduce the emissions over time.
The commission won a $25,000 grant from Sustainable Jersey last year, which is being used to pay Jason Kliwinksi, a consultant of the Spiezle Architectural Group, to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the plan.
Mr. Hornsby said the intent is to prioritize tasks to reduce the emissions and then roll the selected tasks into the climate plan.
”It’s good to have Jason Kliwinski on board helping us out, but we’re more than happy to have participants from the municipal body, the public and township businesses,” said Mr. Hornsby. “We invite all stakeholders to help us frame this out and have their say in how it should be prioritized.”
In addition to the climate plan, the commission has been working with the West Windsor Historical Society, the township and a consultant to develop concepts for an environmental education center at the Schenk farm.
In 2004, the town received $150,000 in contributions to go toward the education center. The center is slated to go in the small room located off the side of the barn and is targeted for fourth and fifth graders.
Councilman Bryan Maher described Mr. Hornsby’s presentation as “insightful,” but was concerned on how much of the $150,000 was going toward the consultant.
”I want to make sure as much of that $150,000 as possible goes into Schenk farm and not consultant we spend enough on consultants,” said Mr. Maher, with a pause. “And lawyers.”
Mr. Hornsby was unable to give an exact number, but estimated the consultant fee would be in “the low tens of thousands” and said the bulk would go toward the construction of exhibits.

