EDISON — A new non-profit organization has formed to help beautify and increase the quality of life of the fifth largest township in the state.
John Poyner, a commissioner for the Edison Township Environmental Commission, shared the formation of Beautiful Edison, which has been formed with the mission to assist in existing or new projects, programs or initiatives, with the Township Council on Nov. 8
“We aim to improve the general landscape of the township of Edison,” he said. “When we reference landscape, we define it in a broad spectrum, presently both natural and man made.”
A formal presentation about Beautiful Edison will be held at 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Clara Barton First Aid Squad, 1079 Amboy Ave., Edison.
Poyner said having been involved in the community for the past three years, he has seen some difficulties arise with how projects can be funded and the organization of the work being done.
“Not to neglect what the township already does, but acknowledging there is a finite amount of resources available,” he said. “We believe there are resources currently not being tapped into and we can help improve the quality of life for the residents of Edison.”
Poyner said the new organization would potentially have access to more state and county grant applications as some require non-profit assistance.
“We wish to be a central location for a number of parties to pool resources together,” he said, adding the organization can be a central location for communication. “We wish to be a relief to the township regarding resources that it uses. If we are able to help contribute financially or through labor it is a benefit to the township, therefore a benefit to residents and taxpayers simultaneously.”
Poyner said the organization has a state ST-5 exempt organization certificate and a tax identification number.
“We have approval of donations, solicitations and, most importantly, we have a letter of determination from the IRS,” he said. “Additionally, we do have bylaws.”
Poyner said the organization believes it can provide additional resources for the township for park upgrades, roadside cleanups and/or facade upgrades.
He said the initial impetus, which led to the formation of the organization, was an interest in the Swales Park upgrade on Park Way and Elm Street.
“There were several parties interested in the park upgrade,” he said. “We met with the mayor [Thomas Lankey] and he informed us of a grant application the township was working on at the time to which Swales Park was not a part of [the grant application].”
Since then, upgrades to Swales Park were added to the discussed grant application and were approved with the goal the interested parties would contribute funds towards specific improvements, Poyner said.
Poyner said as they look into the future, the organization wishes to be involved in the township’s adopt-a park program and help establish an adopt-a-street program.
He noted the organization would be able to support things like Councilman Joe Coyle’s beautification efforts through his bakery of an adopt-a-highway initiative at the intersection of Route 1 and Amboy Avenue.
“We wish to establish strong relations with Edison to share in the focus of improving the quality of life for its residents,” he said.