Clean Communities Act; Litter Education 5/23/16 Caucus
By: Katherine Massopust
PERTH AMBOY – Councilman Fernando Irizarry questioned the proposed installation of showers on Waterfront beaches. “All this is going to do is to encourage people to swim. There are people who don’t follow signs. I don’t see why we are putting this in the design. Next, the City will be recommending putting lifeguards on the beach.”
Annie Hindenlang – Executive Director Office of Economic and Community Development Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency who was in the audience came up to speak, “It is to be provided for volleyball (on the Waterfront) – not swimmers.”
“People are going to go swimming,” Irizarry insisted.
“The shower has been in the works for a number of years,” Councilman Bill Petrick stated.
“One of the reasons there is no swimming is the condition of the water,” Council President Lisa Nanton stated.
Hindenlang then added, “There will be totally new tennis courts where the old ones are and rest-rooms, the kind that can be moved if another storm comes along like Sandy.”
Councilman Fernando Irizarry asked about R-250 Authorizing the insertion of revenue in the CY2016 Budget pursuant to NJSA 40A:4-87 (Chapter 159, P.L. 1948) for a Clean Communities Grant in the amount of $77,475.18 from the State of New Jersey.
Irizarry asked, “What are these excess funds for?”
Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator Geri Barcheski answered, “The money is used for Ambassadors. 3-4 Ambassadors are employed for the season – while it’s still warm enough (to around October). All non-profits can apply for $500 for their organization. All they need to do is clean for 3 hours and have at least 25+ people participating in the cleanup. This teaches children to clean. We supply the bags for cleaners. Part of the grant money goes to environmental education. We try to get to every elementary school. In other programs we outreach to the community.”
Council President Lisa Nanton said, “In England, they have trash receptacles that are in shapes of frogs or puppies. They are near ice cream shops or fast food restaurants.”
Barcheski answered, “I think that’s an excellent concept. We’ve made great pushes to get receptacles in front of every bodega. In the beginning, it’s a learning process and a learning curve. It doesn’t happen overnight. You must educate and teach. They’re starting to get it. Most litter is recyclable: plastic, cans, etc. The overall recycling tonnage has increased from 40,000 tons to 170,000 tons. That’s quite an improvement. The Litter Critter makes his appearance as much as possible.”
