Medford Township has recently announced it is looking to fill seats for a newly created Green Team.
Township council is extending an open invitation to residents interested in serving on a new Green Team Advisory Committee. This committee will operate as a subcommittee of the township’s Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee, which meets the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Cranberry Hall Senior Center, in an attempt to focus attention on “green” issues.
The Green Team will focus on strengthening Medford’s environmental policies, municipal ordinances and operating procedures to lessen the environmental impact of its operations.
Also, by creating this team, the town is able to apply for more grants through a state program called Sustainable New Jersey.
“A lot of people obviously make a choice to live in Medford because they enjoy the natural assets that are around them and they want to see those assets celebrated,” said Medford Zoning Officer Beth Portocalis.
Before, some of the town’s environmental initiatives, such as replacing Main Street lights with LEDs, lost the opportunity to be funded by the state because they had been replaced before the state created the specific grant funding. In a sense, some environmental initiatives in towns, including Medford, can be “too ahead of the curve” for the state, according to Portocalis.
The team, among other things, would ensure that the town is eligible for environmental programs, with a goal of ultimately saving money through state grants.
“The ultimate work of the Green Team is to not only educate, but stay ahead of the curve. To find ways the council can legislate different issues to help the town and taxpayers,” said Portocalis.
The GTAC will consist of up to 11 members, who must be residents or employees of Medford Township. The members will be appointed annually by the township council, but their initial term of appointment will be through Dec. 31, 2020. The seats are expected to be filled in early August.
Residents interested in serving on the committee shall complete the Application for Appointment to Citizen Advisory Boards, which can be found on the homepage or boards page of the township website (www.medfordtownship.com) and in the Medford Municipal Building at 17 N. Main St. This completed application, along with a brief cover letter and/or statement of qualifications to serve, must be submitted to the attention of Kathy Burger, Township Manager & Clerk, 17 N. Main St., Medford, New Jersey 08055 or by e-mail to kburger@medfordtownship.com by July 8.
For more information or to request an application be emailed or mailed, contact the Township Manager/Clerk’s Office at (609) 654-2608 x334.
