N.B. forms Sustainable Advisory Committee

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The township is creating a blueprint for how to make the town green.

The Sustainable North Brunswick Advisory Committee has been officially established, taking over for the former North Brunswick 2030 Committee. The mission is to educate residents about how to save energy and money while making the township more sustainable.

The initial goals of the organization include creating a green team, community outreach, green fairs incorporated into Heritage Day, energy audits, school programs, anti-idling education programs, green purchasing, a "green fleet" of grounds and maintenance vehicles, recycling and waste reduction, and an innovative demonstration project about solar energy based on a new solar hot water heating system installed at the township municipal building.

"Our goal is to get everybody involved and to promote more green initiatives in town, and to educate the public about success stories in town," said committee member Glenn Sandor, who is the town's director of the Department of Public Works.

The North Brunswick organization is currently in the process of applying for a $25,000 grant from Wal-Mart through Sustainable New Jersey.

An additional grant from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities would pay up to $100,000 to do an energy audit of township buildings as long as the township provides a 25-percent match.

There is also the opportunity for a Clean Energy Program rebate for changing the light bulbs around the municipal building to more energy-efficient ones, and perhaps could fund light sensors in the building.

LED lights are being installed in the parking lot of the township library to replace the existing 30-year-old standard fixtures.

"Whenever we are improving or upgrading, we think about using more energyefficient measures," Sandor said.

Once the committee reaches 100 points on a scale determined by Sustainable New Jersey, it will become officially certified. Sustainable New Jersey was an initiative of the League of Municipalities to give direction to municipalities on how to become sustainable, and involved the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Sustainable State Institute at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the Rutgers Center For Green Building.

The members of the committee each have their own area of specialty or interest. Council President Ralph Andrews initiated the 2030 Committee, and as chair of Sustainable North Brunswick, would like to work toward reducing the town's carbon footprint, which is the total amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted.

He would also like to provide information about rebate programs such as one he took advantage of recently when buying a washing machine: by purchasing a washer that uses less energy and less water from a local retailer, he was able to take advantage of reduced sales tax, discounts and a rebate provided by the state government. Though he paid a little more for the purchase, he said within a year the cost should cover itself.

"We want to look at ways that help our community and then embrace these things so it can happen more and more in town," he said.

Erin Ramirez is a teacher at North Brunswick Township High School and advises the Environmental Club. Debbie Druker is a teacher at Parsons Elementary School and works with the Girl Scouts.

"It seems if we can educate younger kids, this'll be the way they'll want to live their lives," Andrews said. "We have to think of what we want North Brunswick to be in the future. You have to plan for those who come after you. You gotta leave them with something good."

Lisa Baldino is the township's assistant purchasing agent and helped with a grant application for an energy audit and is researching green purchasing from Rutgers University. Thomas Vigna is the township planner and wants to develop sustainable land use pledges for the Master Plan. Rich Zangara is the vice chair of the township Planning Board. Lou Ann Benson is the director of the Department of Parks & Recreation and assists the Environmental Commission and the Open Space Committee.

"We think this is a good, solid footprint so that everybody will be on the same page and know the goals," Benson said. "It just starts with one step built upon another."

The committee will meet monthly. Anyone interested in sharing their ideas, assisting with the programs or participating in the committee's goals can contact Benson at 732-247-0922 ext. 475 or LBenson@northbrunswickonline. com.

Contact Jennifer Amato at

jamato@gmnews.com.