By John Tredrea, Special Writer
LAMBERTVILLE — The city, one of 125 towns out of 378 registered New Jersey municipalities that have attained Sustainable Jersey certification, participated in the Jan. 29 Sustainable Jersey Special Recognition Ceremony, held at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe.
”Lambertville has met the rigorous requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey certification,” said Clerk Cindy Ege.
To become Sustainable Jersey-certified, Lambertville submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points to be certified at the bronze level.
Sustainable Jersey’s participating communities represent over half the state’s municipalities and nearly 75 percent of its population,” Ms. Ege said.
”Collectively the 378 participating Sustainable Jersey towns have the power to ensure a more sustainable future,” said Pam Mount, chairwoman of the Sustainable Jersey board of trustees and a former mayor of Lawrence Township.
”The certified towns have joined a first-rate group of municipalities that are leading the way with impressive sustainability initiatives in New Jersey while providing a model for towns across the United States.”
Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency and health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources, and addressing diversity and equity, Ms. Mount said.
SHE NOTED that Lambertville is a 1-square-mile community with a bustling central business district, scenic vistas and a rich array of historic architecture. The city was first settled in the 18th century and became a popular stopping point for stagecoaches on the New York to Philadelphia route along the old York Road. Before any bridges were constructed, Coryell’s Ferry carried travelers on the Old York Road across the Delaware River at Lambertville and New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Forty-one of Sustainable Jersey’s recently certified municipalities accepted cheers and congratulations from their peers at the event in Monroe.
”More than 200 people attended an evening of surprises, great hospitality and award announcements,” Ms. Ege added.
Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey. Launched in 2009, Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity. It provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward communities as they pursue sustainability programs.
Sustainable Jersey is totally voluntary and each town can choose whether it wants to get certified and what actions it wants to do in order to achieve enough points to get certified.
