Sustainable Jersey Point Structure

The Sustainable Jersey program, which Mayor Andy Skibitsky announced last week he wanted Westfield to join, has brought about debate from members of the Town Council.

The program, which could allow the town to receive good public relations along with priority for state grants, bases itself on a point structure. A town needs to gather 100 points in order to qualify for certification from the Sustainable Jersey organization. No towns in New Jersey have yet got the certification, but the first round will be made next month. Nine other communities in Union County are registered with the program, with Cranford likely to submit over 200 points in its bid for certification.

The certification comes from various items on a check list provided by the Sustainable Jersey organization. Below is the complete check list and the assigned point values for each item.

Community Partnership and Outreach

Create Green Team - 10 points

Community Education and Outreach - 10 points

School Programs and Partnerships - 10 points

Green Challenges and Community Programs - 10 points for each action

Green Fairs - 10 to 20 points

Diversity and Equity

Diversity on Boards and Commissions - 10 points

Incorporate Environmental Justice in Planning and Zoning - 10 points

Energy Efficiency

Energy Audits for Municipal Facilities - 30 points

Energy Star Buildings - 10 to 30 points

Green House Gas

Municipal Carbon Footprint - 10 points

Community Carbon Footprint - 10 points

Climate Action Plan - 10 to 30 points

Green Design

Green Design Commercial and Residential Buildings - 10 to 30 points

Upgrade and Retrofit Municipal Building - 10 to 30 points

Health and Wellness

Mayors Wellness Campaign - 10 to 20 points

Anti-Idling Education and Environment Program - 10 to 20 points

Land Use and Transportation

Sustainable Land Use Pledge - 10 points

Sustainability Master Plan Element - 10 to 20 points

Complete Streets Program - 10 points

Local Economies

Local Food Production and Gardens - 10 points for each action

Buy Local Programs - 10 points

Green Business Recognition Program - 10 points

Green Jobs and Economic Development - 10 points

Natural Resources

Natural Resource Inventory - 10 to 20 points

Natural Resource Protection Ordinances - 10 points for each action

Water Conservation Ordinance - 10 points

Environmental Commission - 10 points

Tree and Woodlands Management - 10 to 20 points

Operations and Maintenance

Green Purchasing Program - 10 to 20 points

Grounds and Maintenance - 10 to 20 points

Green Fleets - 10 to 30 points

Sustainability Planning

Community Asset Mapping - 10 points

Community Visioning - 10 points

Sustainable Community Plan - 10 to 40 points

Water Reduction and Recycling

Recycling - 10 points for each action

Waste Reduction - 10 points for each action

Innovation Demonstration Projects

Alternative Energy - 10 to 30 points

Water Infiltration Techniques - 10 to 20 points

Other - 10 to 20 points