Commission Aims For Green Awareness, Funding

Cranford residents will see more eco-minded flyers, speakers, and hopefully, more green-dedicated funding by the end of the year.

Nelson Ditmar, chair of the Cranford Environmental Commission, laid out his goals for 2010 at a February 9 township meeting. Some goals are farther along than others, but Dittmar feels–and the township committee largely agrees–that the environmental commission is on the right track.

A big goal, Sustainable Jersey certification, would present the town with the chance to trumpet its environmental credentials, while also placing the town at the front of the line for certain environmental grants should the need arise.

Cranford currently has 30 of 150 total points, but a lecture series, plans for a community garden and a resource inventory will push the point total to 60. The goal is to be certified by 2010.

Other goals focused on promotion and education.

Ditmar aims to make residents more aware of Cranford's unique environmental situations and problems. He wants to produce more educational articles for media outlets like Patch, and will launch a flyer campaign to promote the commission's Web site My Green Cranford and e-newsletter. He will continue to speak about eco issues at Cranford schools and businesses, and will seek recognition for "green" business at the annual Pride in Cranford awards. The environmental commission also wants to involve Cranford's youth more, and have invited the Board of Education's Mary Sudiak to be an associate member.

This year, the environmental commission would like to see more Cranford businesses LEED certifies. LEED, an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, recognizes ecologically friendly building practices. A local architect has taken an interest in Cranford's efforts and now advises the commission on all things LEED.

The township committee would like to see more integration between the various environmentally-minded groups in the area, such as the Hanson Park Conservancy and the Rahway River Association. They proposed more collaboration between the environmental commission and the Rahway River Keeper, headed by local conservationist Mike Rediger.  

"His initiative is something that we should all encourage," said Commissioner David Robinson.

"We want the river at the front of what Cranford's all about," said Deputy Mayor Martha Garcia. "It's something special about Cranford."

Garcia also introduced plans for a study of the effect deer have on the local flora and fauna population. The study would have a 20-feet by 20-feet area fenced off for two years to compare the plants inside the fence–where the deer can't get to them-- to those on the outside. The study could be done with minimal expense to the town.

Township attorney Carl Woodward III asked "under whose auspices" would the study be run, but added it was a "really worthwhile project."

The township committee greeted most of these items with approval and enthusiasm.