MINUTES
Hammonton Green Committee
Regular Monthly Meeting
October 3, 2011
Hammonton Town Hall
Attendees:
GC Members: Dan Bachalis, Susan Gietka, Susan Coan, Adam Witcraft, Rebecca French-Mesch
Absent: Celeste Safeer-Carr, Mike Henshaw, Enrique Lago
Friends of the Green Committee: Barbara Neary, Amy Menzel, Kerri Patton
Other Guests: N/A
Old Business:
Green Day IV analysis – what worked, what can be improved, how it can be expanded
Dan led a discussion evaluating the 4th Annual Green Day Festival. The evaluation details will be sent as a separate attachment.
Eye-Opening Film Series, November 17
We confirmed that the screening of “Tapped”, along with a discussion of the quality of the Cohansey-McKinley Aquifer and the Hammonton water supply will be held at the Eagle Theatre on November’s Third Thursday, 11/17/2011. Amy will acquire a bio from our speaker, Rich Bizub of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance. Susan G will ask Celeste to create a flyer for distribution to area businesses. Dan will submit a brief press release to the AC Press’s “Shore Happenings”, and Rebecca will submit a listing to “Natural Awakenings”. Amy will submit a public service event listing to Stockton College’s radio station WLFR.
New Business
Committee vacancy
Susan G announced she will be leaving the Committee after December, to devote more time to her family and career pursuits. With the existing vacancy created by the resignation of Caroline DiGiovanni, the Committee will be looking for two new voting members.
Halloween costume swap, October 15
The Committee is sponsoring a free costume swap on Saturday, October 15, at the Hammonton Library from 2-6 pm. Sara Rooney is the Event Coordinator. Sara will be submitting a notice to the Gazette, as well as getting the flyer printed; interested members should be available to distribute flyers to area venues. All members are urged to participate, as there will be a need for people to sort and hang costumes, help attendees to pick costumes, etc. Members and Friends should arrive at the Library no later than 1pm to assist.
Food Day, October 24 – Green Media Group activity
To commemorate National Food Day, we will be holding a screening of either “Forks over Knives” (deals with the disease-causing American diet and its alternatives), or “Two Angry Moms” (about the struggle to improve school lunches). Susan Coan will host the event at her house beginning at 7:30 PM.
Make a Difference Day, October 22 – Green Living Series activity
Although time is tight for a “Make a Difference Day” event, the Committee approved a motion to participate in the ACUA’s “Adopt-a-Road” program, specifically the section of Egg Harbor Road that fronts the Hammonton Lake Park and the Smith Tract (aka, “Hammonton State Park”, according to a NJDEP Fish & Wildlife listing). Amy will speak with Gustavo Perez to coordinate our entry into the program. Dan will draw up a brief press release and call for volunteers. Stay tuned for more details about this event.
Climate Reality Project climate change presentation has a corps of 3,000 presenters, with about 18 of them in New Jersey, available for these presentations. We’ll see if we can have this program for Earth Day 2012.
Sustainable Jersey (and other) events to attend
Dan noted he’s planning to attend; if anyone is interested in carpooling, let him know.
Third Annual Sustainable Jersey Awards Luncheon, Tuesday, November 15, 2011, noon to 1:30.
This featured event is part of the NJ League of Municipalities annual convention. Although tickets are $35 apiece, Susan Coan noted that the Town will receive one complimentary ticket; she will check to see if additional tickets may be available. Hammonton will be among the municipalities honored at the event, which will also feature speakers and additional town recognitions.
As part of our discussion of the Eye-Opening Film Series, we discussed having the SJ Surfrider Foundation come to present and discuss the film “Bag It”. We also discussed the possibility of requesting a Council resolution regarding plastic bags. This will be added to our discussion at November’s meeting, regarding development of our 2012 agenda.
Next meeting: Monday, November 7, 2011, 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, 3rd Floor Conference room
(Agenda will include Green Committee plans for 2012. Bring all your ideas and energy! Bring a friend (or two or three!))