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Sustainable Jersey Certification Report

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This is the Sustainable Jersey Certification Report of Raritan Twp, a Sustainable Jersey bronze certified applicant.

Raritan Twp was certified on September 22, 2023 with 220 points. Listed below is information regarding Raritan Twp’s Sustainable Jersey efforts and materials associated with the applicant’s certified actions.

Contact Information

The designated Sustainable Jersey contact for Raritan Twp is:

Name:David Moutner
Title/Position:Green Team Chair / Green Team and Environmental Commission
Address:1 Municipal Drive
Flemington, NJ 08822

Actions Implemented

Each approved action and supporting documentation for which Raritan Twp was approved for in 2023 appears below. Note: Standards for the actions below may have changed and the documentation listed may no longer satisfy requirements for that action.

  • Community Partnership & Outreach

    Green Team

    10 Points
    Bronze Required Silver Required

    Program Summary: The Green Team functions under the umbrella of the Environmental Commission. In 2022 we expanded team from four to six members in anticipation of the work needed to retain bronze level certification in 2022. The team has met monthly (second Thursday of each month) immediately preceding the Environmental Commission meeting of which a number of Green Team members are also members. 2022 was a challenging year for the Raritan Township Green Team. One of the biggest challenges was the expiration of all but 30 points towards the Township’s Sustainable Jersey Bronze Certification. Lead by the Green Team and supported by the Environmental Commission, Donna Drewes, The Township Committee and staff, an all out effort was undertaken to earn the additional 120 points needed for the Township to retain its Bronze certification. The effort of the Green Team surpassed that goal, earning 190 points and securing Bronze certification until 2025. In 2023 the Green Team identified new actions to focus on for our recertification efforts in 2023 and began working on these actions. In April of 2023 the Green Team hosted a amazing Green Fair in partnership with the Environmental Commission that offered a wide variety of nonprofit environmental and conservation organizations along with municipal and county organizations. The Green Team also took the lead to prepare and submit two Sustainable Jersey grant applications. In 2022 we received a $2,000 PSEG Foundation and Sustainable Jersey Grant to plant a native plant and pollinator garden in front of the municipal building. In 2023 we prepared and submitted a $10,000 Residential Food Waste Recycling and Composting grant to Sustainable Jersey. This grant was awarded in May 2023 and the Green Team quickly mobilized to launch the free residential food waste collection program at two existing farmers markets - Stangl Factory Farmer's Market on Saturday and The Hunterdon Land Trust's Sunday market. This program will continue through the end of 2023 and involved mobilizing volunteers to host the collection sited each Saturday and Sunday morning.

    Green Fair

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Green Team held a Green Fair at the Raritan Township Municipal Building on Saturday May 1, 2021. The focus of the Fair was to highlight the work of municipal and local environmental organizations and provide an educational experience for attendees. The fair was funded through the allocated funds in the Environmental Commission budget for 2021. The Green fair included: a Rain Barrel Workshop by Raritan Headwaters, The Compost Man-Food Waste Recycling Program, information on the Raritan Township community Garden, Hunterdon Land Trust and information on Electric Vehicle charging.

  • Energy

    Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

    15 Points

    Program Summary: In 2020 the Township adopted an ordinance to purchase and construct a total of four public charging stations for electric vehicles. Two at the Municipal building and two at Lenape Park. The charging stations provide residents easy access to charge their personal electric vehicles on Township owned property, as well as, provide a station for potential Township vehicles. The charging stations are all level 2 and have been advertised on goHunterdon website. https://www.gohunterdon.org/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-in-hunterdon-county and are listed on ChargeHub https://chargehub.com/en/charging-stations-map.html Please see attached photos, ChargeHub map locations and letter providing the details of installation from Councilman Sipos.

  • Food

    Farmland Preservation Plans

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Farmland Preservation plan plan is intended to be an integral element of the Raritan Township Master Plan. The specific agricultural and preservation goals and policies set forth in the plan are intended to complement the Township’s 2018 Master Plan and Raritan Township’s overall planning vision. The document addresses both the State’s guidelines for a Comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan and Municipal Land Use Law requirements for a Farmland Preservation Plan element. The Plan was adopted and reviewed by the Raritan Township Planning Board at their March 24, 2021 meeting and by the Township Committee. The Open Space Committee, in conjunction with the Agricultural Advisory Committee actively pursues preservation of farmland in Raritan Township and makes recommendations to the Raritan Township Committee. Between June 2021 and June 2022 the Committees have actively pursued farmland preservation in Raritan Township. The Open Space Committee meets monthly and goes over updates of farmland preservation projects we are pursuing and regularly consults with the Agricultural Advisory Committee on those prospective projects. The Open Space Committee also communicates regularly with Stefanie Miller, Acquisition Program Manager with the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) regarding current projects. We send a representative to the monthly meeting of State, County and Municipal staff and volunteers involved in farmland preservation projects to discuss project updates. Recently the SADC completed preservation of the 150-acre Bowlby farm in Raritan Township, a project Raritan Township has been pursuing for several years. Between 2021 and 2022 the Open Space Committee communicated with several additional owners of active farms regarding interest in Farmland Preservation. The Open Space Committee also attended a hearing conducted by Hunterdon County and provided input to the update of the Hunterdon County Farmland Preservation Plan.

    Community Gardens

    20 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Community Garden was started in 2011 with the help of the Garden Club of New Jersey. They engaged with township officials who offered the use of a grassy area within the municipal building complex. Working with the Department of Public Works and the Township Engineer an area approximately 0.3 acres in size was divided into 38 individual garden plots. In addition to the land, the Township provides water, equipment storage, garbage disposal and mowing of the grassy areas. A few years later, the Flemington Home Depot donated materials to erect a deer proof fence. Since its’ inception, approximately 25 individuals each year have leased plots to grow many varieties vegetables and flowers. Individual plots are leased on a yearly basis, mainly to residents of Raritan Township but also to residents in surrounding communities. Gardeners are required to maintain their plots throughout the growing season and are prohibited from using pesticides as the gardeners are required to use organic practices. As the Garden Rules state, “ Only certified organic materials will be used.” Gardeners also need to clean out their plots before the start of winter. In 2019 the gardeners started a program to donate excess produce from their plots to the Flemington Food Pantry. Once a week, gardeners left their excess produce in coolers left at the garden for delivery to the Food Pantry the next morning. In our first year approximately 150 pounds of food was donated, mainly consisting of tomatoes, herbs, squash, cucumbers and green beans. During the 2021 garden season we dedicated a plot exclusively for the Food Pantry. Gardeners donated seeds and plants and maintained the plot. That plot, along with individual donations, resulted in 557 pounds of fresh produce being donated in 2021. In 2022 we recruited a few more volunteers to help with the food pantry deliveries and over the season donated 527 lbs of food to the food pantry.

  • Innovative Projects

    Innovative Community Project 1

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Native Plant and Pollinator Garden was planted in October of 2022 with a red bud tree, 20 various shrubs and 720 native grasses and perennials. The garden was designed by the Township’s landscape architect and planted with the help of the Environmental Commission, Green Team, boy scout troop and other volunteers. It provides an additional habitat for pollinators near our existing rain gardens and Community Garden. The Garden was dedicated in April of 2023 at the Township’s Green Fair. An area of approximately 2000 square feet of under river stone and mulch was transformed into a oasis for butterflies and pollinating insects. The pollinator garden supplements the nearby rain gardens and community garden to provide additional native habitat in an otherwise manicured area. With individual labels for the different plants and descriptive literature about the plantings available in the lobby of the municipal building, the garden provides guidance to homeowners on the benefits of using native plantings in their own landscaping and specific examples of the different varieties of plants they might use. A QR code on the sign also directs residents to the Jersey Friendly Yards website supported by Rutgers where extensive information on pollinators and other water quality friendly practices can be found. Environmental Commission Member Amy Greene also registered the new garden with the HomeGrown National Park program and a sign with a QR code is posted in the garden area as well. This program seeks to regenerate biodiversity and ecosystem function by planting native plants and creating new ecological networks. The pollinator garden has become a true asset to the ecosystem and the community. The Green Team has launched a new initiate to recruit volunteers to not only join the Green Team but to volunteer to assist with maintenance of the pollinator garden, rain gardens and trail maintenance in the township. Using social media, flyers and direct recruitment at events we have been successful in recruiting volunteers to help with the pollinator garden. Funding to support the garden was through a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey PSEG Grant and additional funds from the Township and in-kind and volunteer donations.

  • Land Use & Transportation

    Sustainable Land Use Pledge

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Committee adopted Resolution 22-128 adopting the Sustainable Land Use Pledge at the May 17, 2022 Township Committee meeting. The Sustainable Land Use Pledge highlights the wise land use planning that the township has undertaken in the past and will help guide the community in the future. The adopted Pledge was distributed to the Chairs of the Planning Board, Environmental Commission, Zoning Board and Open Space Committee via email by Karen Gilbert, Township Administrator on May 19, 2022.

  • Natural Resources

    Environmental Commission

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township established an Environmental Commission many years ago. The latest change to the ordinance was in 1999. It increased the commission membership to seven members and two alternate members. We have a representative from the township's Planning Board and Open Space Committee serving on the Environmental Commission as well as a liaison to our governing body, the Raritan Township Committee. The ordinance for the Environmental Commission can be found in our online codes at https://ecode360.com/36095621 and a copy of the ordinance is attached. The Raritan Township Environmental Commission continues to serve the community by providing the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment with environmental reviews of applications. The Commission also participates in community events to provide education on various topics, provides support for grant funding opportunities, and partners with environmental organizations on various projects. A full listing of our 2022 activities is attached. The Environmental Commission maintains it's annual membership with the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, earns Forestry CEUs and collaborates with the Raritan Township Green Team on projects and programs throughout the year.

    Environmental Commission Site Plan Review

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Environmental Commission reviews all site plan and subdivision submissions to the township Planning Board and Board of Adjustment. Plans are reviewed for environmental concerns and recommendations are made to those boards regarding approvals. A spreadsheet of reviewed submissions and comments made to the governing boards for 2022 is provided. There is also a sample of one of our township projects where our comments were particularly helpful. Please see attached Site Plan Inventory for 2022 and an Environmental Commission comment page for a September application.

    Open Space Plans

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township has a active open space preservation program. Please see the attached 2019 Open Space Plan, Map showing the existing open space properties and the Resolution 19-2019 by the Planning Board adopting the Open Space plan. Over the last Ten Years numerous Open Space Properties have been purchased by the Township following the plan developed by the Open Space Committee. Through out 2019 the Open Space Committee worked with the townships planner to update the townships open space plan. On September 25, 2019 the Raritan Township Planning Board formally adopted the new plan as an element of our Master Plan. Properties that have ben purchased have been kept in their natural state and are used for passive recreation. Some have been added to the yearly Hunting program.

    Community Forestry Management Plan & NJUCF Accreditation

    20 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township is pleased to achieve NJ Urban and Community Forestry Accreditation Status for 2022. Four township Environmental Commission and Green Team members earned 20.5 CEU's during 2022 which contributed to our successful accreditation. Activities in 2022 included forest stewardship activities in our municipal parkland, tree planting and maintenance and Arbor Day tree giveaways in conjunction with our annual Green Fair.

    Tree Planting *New 2026*

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township Continues to be active in its goal of preserving trees and reforestation throughout Open Space properties. Partnerships between Raritan Valley College, local Boy Scout troops, Hunterdon Land Trust, volunteers from the Open Space Committee and Environmental Commission along with community volunteers have enthusiastically supported these tree planting and maintenance efforts. Please see Tree Program that details tree planting and maintenance activities for the past 3 years.

  • Operations & Maintenance

    Green Grounds & Maintenance Policy

    10 Points

    Program Summary: An Environmentally Conscience Grounds and Maintenance policy was adopted by municipal resolution on August 16, 2011. The policy incorporated all of the components recommended by the Sustainable Jersey program. For the 2022 certification cycle the Township decided to update and readopt the policy. On July 19, 2022 the Township Committee adopted Resolution 22-191 adopting the updated Environmentally Conscious Grounds and Maintenance Policy. Lisa Fania, Township Clerk distributed Resolution 22-191 along with the policy to the department heads, chairs of the boards and commissions in the township via email dated July 22, 2022. A copy of the resolution of adoption can be found on the municipal website at Website link to policy resolution https://ecode360.com/documents/RA0805/public/671621411.pdf The township has been engaged in several environmentally conscience practices, in some cases for many years. The Department of Public Works operates a leaf composting facility which turns the leaves collected by the township in the fall into compost. The compost is made available to municipal residents and is also used by DPW on public properties. In addition, trees and limbs resulting from maintenance on public properties are chipped and reused in parks and for landscaping at several sites. The Township continues to maintain the pesticide free zones in two parks, Mine Brook Park and Morales Preserve established in 2007.

    Recycled Materials & Composting

    10 Points

    Program Summary: Our municipal composting facility brings in both leaves and brush to our location at 204 Pennsylvania Avenue. Public Works Employees from roadways and parks collect the materials. During the fall the Township collects residential leaves and brings the leaves to the Townships DEP approved composting site behind the DPW facility. Township residents bring brush material to the recycling facility. Upon arrival to the compost facility the materials are separated in a window fashion or pile based upon the county approved layout. A tub grinder is brought in, and both the brush and leaves are processed on site. Once processed, the materials are available for pickup and delivery as noted on the attached handout. The Township believes that offering these services and allowing the residents to bring materials directly to our facility reduces the amount of material dumped in places such as steams, culverts, as well as in and on catch basins. This eliminates the extra work and risk of water backflow damages to structures and roadways. In 2021 we brought in a total of 372.60 tons of brush and 2,578 tons of leaves. By offering the processed materials for pickup and delivery the material can be used again by residents without hassle or waste of material. We offer free pickup bins for wood chips, wood mulch, and leaf compost that residents can access Monday through Friday 7:30am-3:30pm and Saturday 7:30-12:00. At the end of 2021 we had no remaining leaf mulch and approximately 40 yards of wood mulch that was put into the free bins and gone before February 2022. Wood mulch is also used by Public Works Employees at Township parks, buildings, and some open space locations. Based on a conservative estimate of retail value of the wood mulch at $12.00/yard, we estimate that the township has saved residents an estimated $400 for wood chips. The township utilized approximately 60 yards on municipal parks with at an estimated savings of $720. An estimated 3,300 yards leaf compost material was produced with an estimated value of $82,500 at $25/yard.

  • Public Information & Engagement

    Online Municipal Public Service Systems

    15 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township website provides a resource to the community to access useful information about routine, non-emergency public services, permits, registrations, status of establishment licenses, allows for tax payments and renewal of pet licenses. Notices about community happenings and non-emergency public services are available on the Home page and in the News Section of the website. There is also a mobile version of the website for access from mobile devices. The Township also uses NIXLE for both nonemergency and emergency notifications and residents can sign up on the Police OEM web page. Raritan Township Mobile311 citizen website allows township residents to communicate electronically with the Department of Public Works regarding non-emergency requests and concerns. Citizens can access the site from a computer, smartphone, or tablet at http://raritan.mobile311.com. Citizens can create an account, log in, and report issues to Raritan Township Department of Public Works. Issues are automatically converted to work requests and routed to the Department of Public Works. Citizens and Raritan Township employees can attach photos and notes to their requests. Users can track the status of their requests and view comments entered by the Department of Public Works in response to their request. *** please note the signup location is through the application website link of http://raritan.mobile311.com and a link to that website is provided on the townships website*** Raritan Township Also implemented SDL Spatial database logic, for municipal block and lot files. This is accessible to Raritan Township residents to view attachments and property data, construction permit status. Information processed by the Clerks Office including establishment licenses, games of chance permits and other items are also displayed. Finally the SDL portal includes block and lot information on Engineering and Fire Protection inspections. Raritan Township Tax Accessor office webpage includes a link that allows residents to pay their taxes online. Links to all of the webpages included above are included in the attached documentaiton.

  • Waste Management

    Prescription Drug Safety & Disposal

    10 Points
    Bronze Priority Silver Priority

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township Police Department hosts a permeant Prescription Drug Drop Box in the entryway of the Police Department at Two Municipal Drive. Residents can drop off unused or unneeded prescription drug Monday-Friday between 7:00 am and 7 pm. After Hours – anyone wishing to dispose of medication after hours or on weekends may utilize the phone on the exterior of the building to dispatch an officer for assistance in accessing the drop box. Raritan Township promoted the availability of this important resource in the Fall 2021 Municipal Newsletter along with posting signs in the municipal building outside of the meeting/court room. The Raritan Township Police Department provides information on the program on their Department website at https://raritantownshippolice.com/project-medicine-drop-box This service is made through a cooperative effort between the Raritan Township Police Department, the NJ Attorney General’s Office, and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. This effort is designed to help prevent abuse and diversion of prescription drugs. The mailbox is frequently emptied and the contents are transferred to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office where they are kept until they are destroyed in the presence of Officers at a refuse processing facility. Yearly total of items collected for 2020 was - 134lbs and in 2021 the township collected 234 pounds of medicine.

    Household Hazardous Waste

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township encourages residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste at the municipal recycling center. In 2021 the Township accepted used motor oil and consumer electronics. The township advertised the arability of these services on the municipal website recycling page, in the recycling information handout provided to all residents when they purchase recycling or e-waste permits and in the municipal newsletter. The amounts of materials collected and the location of disposal as noted on the tonnage report include: Hunterdon (10) Raritan (21) Residential Used Motor Oil (16) 1.32 Tons MXI, INC PA 297 Zimmerman Lane Out Of State Langhorn 19047 (267) 590-0043 Hunterdon (10) Raritan (21) Residential Consumer Electronics (21) 13.61 Tons Newtech Recycling NJ 600 Apgar Drive Somerset (18) Somerville (18) 08873 (732) 564-3110

    Non-Mandated Materials Recycling

    5 Points

    Program Summary: Raritan Township offers it's residents the opportunity to recycle used clothing onsite at their municipal Recycling Center. The Township Cooperates with two vendors - Goodwill Industries and OGS/Am Vets that the township authorizes to provide onsite collection boxes. The collected items from Goodwill are sorted and unusable clothing is recycled and usable clothing is sold in the Goodwill Store in Trenton. The materials that OGS/Am Vets collects is recycled on the secondary market and proceeds are shared with Am Vets. The Goodwill boxes collected 76.15 tons of clothing and Am Vets collected 8.2 tons of clothing as noted on the Raritan Township Tonnage Report. The Township advertises the availability of the clothing boxes on the Recycling website, in the recycling informational handout provided to residents when the purchasing their recycling permits and in the fall 2021 municipal Newsletter. Copies of the clothing bin licenses approved by the Township Committee are provided in the documentation. The tonnage report list the following clothing/textiles recycled items: Hunterdon (10) Raritan (21) Residential Textiles (29) 76.15 Turnkey Enterprises NJ 801 W. Vulcanite Avenue Warren (21) Alpha (02) 08865 (908) 213-9202 Hunterdon (10) Raritan (21) Residential Textiles (29) 8.2 Helpsy (AM VETS) NY 201 Ferris Ave Out Of State Whiteplains 10603 (800) 244-6350

    Recycling Depot

    10 Points

    Program Summary: The Raritan Township recycling center is located at the township public works facility, 204 Pennsylvania Ave, Flemington, NJ. The center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30-3:00 and Saturday from 7:30 to noon. Raritan Township Department of Public Works operates the facility and has a dedicated Recycling Coordinator. The township has a webpage which lists the hours of operation, materials collected, permit requirements and other miscellaneous information. In addition, a municipal newsletter includes information on the services that can be found at the recycling center- including recycling, free compost and mulch, along with brush disposal. The recycling depot has been in operation for many years, expanding to include more materials to meet state mandates and residents requirements. The center is available to residents for a $5 annual fee per household for recycled materials that permits 3 unlimited drop offs. The center offers an additional non-recyclable drop-off service for a $30 annual fee. Scrap metal collected is sold to offset the cost of operating the center. The remaining cost of operation is provided by the municipality. The Public Work and Recycling information can be found at https://www.raritan-township.com/resident/trash