Westfield Now Part of Sustainable Jersey Program

The Town Council last night unanimously voted to approve Westfield's entry into the Sustainable Jersey environmental program.

The move, anticipated since Mayor Andy Skibitsky first proposed the measure during last week's workshop meeting, puts the town into a position to receive priority for state environmental grants. As a part of the program, the town will establish a green team to spearhead new environmental initiatives.

To receive certification from the program, the town will have to assemble 100 points from a menu of options regarding the environment. Under certification, the town will be able to trumpet a commitment to environmentalism, according to Sustainable Jersey officials. Westfield is the 193rd community in New Jersey to enter the program and the 10th in Union County. No town has been certified yet, with the first round of certifications being announced next month. Cranford is likely to submit for certification with over 200 points.

The adoption of the resolution was anti-climatic to some as the vote followed a contentious discussion surrounding the proposed environmental commission. A similar debate occurred last week when the mayor first made the proposal. The debate included public questioning of the council by Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Brennan, who had asked for the vote to be delayed until Skibitsky returned from a business trip in Europe. Brennan accused Skibitsky of making the proposal in response to Brennan's environmental agenda.

"Sustainable Jersey gives us a framework on the environment," Acting Mayor Mark Ciarrocca said. "We've been focusing on the environment and the great thing about Sustainable Jersey is that it gives you criteria."