Environmental Commission

A film screening and panel discussion about a proposed “Green Amendment” to the state Constitution is set for 7-8 p.m. November 14 at the Board of Education administration building, 2301 Route 27. The event is sponsored by the Franklin Township Environmental Commission. The after-movie panel will include state Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-16), one of amendment’s prime sponsors; activist, author and …

Certain new developments would be required to post anti-idling signs under ordinance amendments approved June 11 by the Township Council. The amendments were recommended by the township Environmental Commission in August 2023. The amendments “will work towards preventing instances of idling, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the release of harmful pollutants, and educate the public about the negative impacts of …

Submitted by the FTEC. The Franklin Township Environmental Commission invites all residents for engaging presentations prepared in collaboration with the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association (NJEVA). Title: Electric Vehicles – The Good and the Ugly When: Monday, April 29th 2024 at 7 PM Where: The Council Chamber, 475 Demott Lane. Cost: FREE (no registration necessary) All residents are welcome to …

CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS – Seeley’s Run was the target of the annual John Clyde Stream Cleanup on April 13. Pictured are the volunteers before starting their work. (Photo courtesy of the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership.) About 100 people were expected to gather in a rear parking lot at Somerset Village on Easton Avenue April 13 for the annual stream cleanup sponsored …

NO MORE WAREHOUSES – Environmental Commissioner Robin Suydam said at the meeting that too many trees have already been sacrificed for development. The Environmental Commission on October 16 decided to recommend that the Township Zoning Board of Adjustment not approve an application for a warehouse at Weston Canal and Cottontail roads. The application, submitted by Somerset Properties Realty, calls for …

Environmental Commission member Arnold Schmidt makes a point with a picture he took of a tree in the Municipal Complex. Work that began in October showed some results December 5, when the Environmental Commission sent several recommended changes to the township tree ordinance to the Township Council. The recommendations involve changing the definition of a tree in terms of trunk …

Environmental Commission member Robin Suydam suggested that the Commission broaden the scope of a proposed “green roof” ordinance. Members of the township’s Environmental Commission will soon begin crafting a proposed ordinance that would require large new commercial buildings to have some form of “green” roof in their design. That design could include solar or wind energy capturing units, or complete …