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Accomplishments


BEC Accomplishments

  • SUSTAINABILITY PLAN:  Supported the development of a Sustainabilty Plan, which requirements are incorporated into the municipal downtown redevelopment plan that will foster LEEDs-based development.
  • WATER CONSERVATION PILOT PROJECT:  Supported participation in this Rutgers and DEP pilot project, which will develop model programs to help all municipalities reduce potable water usage.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY:  In 2008 developed and adopted an Environmental Resource Inventory, which can be used by the municial governing body, municipal boards and commissions, schools, and local groups to enhance awareness and education, and improve local decision-making in planning and environmental areas.
  • TREASURE TRAIL:  Created a Treasure Trail of eductational signs, through support by the Marine Sciencs Consortium, at the 1st Avenue Natural Beach, Silver Lake, and Maclearie Park, and currently developing a walking eco-history tour.
  • GREEN TEAM:  Fostered a partnership among the Environmental Commission, the Shade Tree Commission, the Beautification Committe and the Arts Council to work on environmental and aesthetic improvements in the downtown area.
  • ELECTRONICS RECYCLING:  Suggested and supported Department of Public Works’ decision to add electronics waste recycling at the borough recycling center.
  • ENERGY USAGE:  in 2009, the commission will focus on reducing public and private energy usage through a the use of a Cool Cities protocol.
  • IPM: Instrumental in making Belmar the second municipality in Monmouth County to adopt a resolution (in 1995) supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. St. Rose Grammar School became the first school in Monmouth county to adopt IPM and Belmar Elementary School was the third.
  • MUTT MITTS: Helped make Belmar first community in New Jersey to combat pet pollution by placing mutt mitt dispensers at Silver Lake, Lake Como and Shark River for use by pet owners in picking up after their pets. Mutt mitts are biodegradable, photodegradable, compostable and ocean-dumpable.
  • GEESE POLLUTION: Developed educational signs to discourage the feeding of geese and other wildlife at Silver Lake and Shark River. The Mayor and Council passed an ordinance with a fine to combat the geese pollution problem.
  • SEWER FILTERS: Piloted the use of retro-fit filters with oil absorbing geo-foam mesh to improve the water run-off and effectiveness of our antiquated sewer system.
  • STORM DRAINS: Worked with local Eagle Scout Jimmy Ciallella in 1997 to label more than 300 storm drains to let people know what body of water they drain into. This project was repeated in 2003 by the Belmar Boy Scout Troop 40.
  • ROUNDTABLE: Spearheaded creation of the Shark River Environmental Roundtable in 1995 to focus on environmental concerns effecting the estuary.
  • NO DISCHARGE AREA: The Shark and Manasquan rivers were the first in New Jersey to be declared a “federally designated no discharge area” after the Roundtable spent nearly three years lobbying Monmouth County, NJ DEP and the federal EPA.
  • CABLE SHOW: Along with SRER, supported Think Environmentally , a 30-minute television show broadcast on cablevision from Marlboro to Lavallette, and hosted/created by Councilman John Szeliga, former BEC commissioner.
  • COMMUNITY GARDEN: Instrumental in completion of Belmar’s “Magical Garden” Community Garden and Greenhouse, the first of its kind in the state.
  • SHARK RIVER TOUR: Played a key role in the development of a self-guided bike/walking/driving tour of the Shark River.
  • PSA’s: Created a television public service announcements (PSA) on non-source pollution, environmental responsibilities of personal watercraft users and a message to boaters to “pump don’t dump.” (The PSA received an award from ANJEC.)
  • OSPREY POLES: With the Roundtable, received a grant from Saturn of Eatontown to build osprey towers on 1st Avenue beach, in Musquash Cove in Neptune and in Wall. Ospreys are a threatened and high-level environmental indicator species. In 1999, the Neptune tower had the first known breeding pair of ospreys in the estuary, producing two healthy young!
  • ECO-WATCH: Continue to produce Eco-Watch, a newsletter mailed to all borough residents. (The newsletter received a special achievement award from Rutger’s University School of Government in 1999.)
  • CLEAN-UPS: Continue to sponsor annual clean-ups along the banks of waterways.
  • UNDERWATER CLEAN-UP: Continue to work with the Roundtable, Divers Two dive shop and more than 100 divers to conduct an annual underwater clean-up of the Shark River — the largest in NJ. In the first five years, more than 16,400 pounds of debris has been removed from the river bottom.
  • BOROUGH-WIDE GARAGE SALE: Sponsor annual garage sale designed to promote community and donate/sell items that otherwise would wind up in landfill.
  • FREE NATURE WALKS: Offer popular series of walks/talks at Silver Lake, Shell Beach and Shark River to promote appreciation for our natural resources.
  • ADOPT-A-SPOT: Began program with volunteer residents/groups who remove litter from particular public spots throughout the borough.
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