Bloomfield Council to Vote on Sustainable Jersey Registration
At their regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2009, at 7:30 p.m., the Bloomfield Township Council is expected to did not vote to register the Township’s intent to seek certification from Sustainable Jersey, a new program launched to provide a roadmap to sustainable practices for New Jersey’s municipalities. Due to some glitches, the Council will again consider it at the March 9 conference meeting and then hopefully hold a vote on March 16.
The certification process is intended to help towns save money as well as becoming more sustainable. It includes a number of actions muncipalities can take in a variety of categories, each worth a number of points. For each action, an online toolkit provides the steps required, resources available, and examples. The towns achieving certification will be recognized at the NJ League of Municipalities conference in November.
Registering for the program will boost Bloomfield’s priority in getting a comprehensive energy audit of the the town’s buildings under the state’s Local Government Energy Audit program, with the possibility of having 100% of the cost of the audit rebated back to the Township. Bloomfield could also be eligible for one of the four $25,000 grants or ten $10,000 grants offered by Sustainable Jersey with funding provided by Walmart. A preliminary review by Greener Bloomfield indicates that the necessary points could be readily achieved.
Members of Greener Bloomfield and others who wish to encourage the township to seek certification are welcome to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
