Politics & Government

Skibitsky Proposes Environmental Initiative

Mayor's plan reopens debate on environmental commission.

During last night's Town Council workshop meeting, Mayor Andy Skibitsky announced a new initiative for Westfield to seek Sustainable Jersey certification.

Under the program, which was launched by the New Jersey League of Municipalities, Rutgers University, the state Board of Public Utilities and other groups, the town would form a study committee to plan and implement new environmental initiatives in order to seek the certification. The certification would allow the town to establish itself as a municipal environmental leader in the state.

The plan, which will be voted upon at next Tuesday's official Council meeting, would form a new "green team" under the leadership of Town Administrator Jim Gildea, which would put together a new environmental plan for the town. The plan's action items would be based on the menu of options from the Sustainable Jersey program. Each menu option offers a set amount of points with 100 points being needed to obtain certification.

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"Over a hundred municipalities are involved in it and none has been certified yet," Skibitsky said of the program, which was founded in February.

The menu options include such initiatives as forming a green team, incorporating environmental justice into planning and zoning, having a natural resources inventory, promoting local commerce and adopting a green purchasing plan. The green team formation would net the town 10 points and it's possible Skibitsky's Westfield First program, which encourages downtown shopping could bring another 10 points.

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While Council members seemed generally supportive of the proposal, Skibitsky's plan reignited the debate over the creation of an environmental commission in town. Third Ward Councilman Dave Haas, the commission's biggest proponent, questioned whether the creation of a commission, under discussion for more than two years, could come back with a push to achieve certification under this program.

"I am wondering how this would overlap with that," Haas said, noting the creation of a commission would net another 10 points for the town.

The Council debated the merits of a commission with opponents stressing the potential for the state controlling more of the town's business and the potential for delays in the consideration of land use applications. Haas sought to defend the proposal by noting examples from other communities which have formed commissions. Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins, who worked with Haas on a study of a commission, said that while she had some concerns over the creation of a commission she was supportive of Skibitsky's plan.

"At first blush, I think this is awesome," she said. "It is perfect and it is the right fit for us. I did not know how we would start this whole thing."

The Council is likely to ask the newly formed green team to review the proposal for an environmental commission as part of their deliberations. The green team will include town employees and elected officials, along with representatives from the Board of Education, the library, the Downtown Westfield Corporation, local non-profits and the ministry. Council members noted that they would also like the green team to review initial costs of the each project of the town, along with potential savings.

"I will be excited about this, if the town saves money," Councilman Frank Arena said. "A lot of green stuff out there can decrease costs for a town or state."


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