[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5975199,"mediaKeyId","5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a","parentId",5861836,"title","Resident urges comment against proposed Raritan Bay pipeline and calls for city support of Climate Superfund Act","audioSeconds",174,"startMs",4580000,"endMs",4754000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a&start=4580&end=4754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a/thumbnail_4580000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5975199/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Resident-urges-comment-against-proposed-Raritan-Bay-pipeline-and-calls-for-city-support-of-Climate-Superfund-Act","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975199-8107fc00d29b882587d5cb6766cce68b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775815912&Signature=e0I0Z~TQTaeuEvhXD~CHoEKc4xaes1WImcQNTR-uECZ6ft0eAbYhRYHlSTGiQ95tESkBe9eglP3br7499oScXah0NwAosvluT2QSil6qZ5mp-91Bau0J8YBQmljL67qGeLJumiGPWlIRffCZg0YSrtOb2W~-ti1p-Jkz5iwgHvC87t5j-GNBGC4XRhY6GCzlJxGXoB2bcIoZ6M9h8UCXTWjdirpmwSJ4HLTlxJa9QZGGC04EpmKrdOGwHa8vY-PXcS55SKWVN9~uKPF4mt3tTJ~JeS35ZRc-xL5GT5P-n1UcPE8Is7cwu8Hl1iDQMtGVyo1ZsjeCU~6hgUchG9-S1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of New Brunswick, NJ","date","2025-09-24T12:33:51Z","article","A New Brunswick resident and organizer for Food & Water Watch used the commission's public‑comment period on Sept. 20 to urge action on two environmental items: an underwater pipeline proposal and a state bill called the Climate Superfund Act.

Who spoke and what they asked

Charlie, a New Brunswick resident and central Jersey organizer for Food & Water Watch, described the Williams Companies' proposal for an underwater natural‑gas pipeline under Raritan Bay and associated compressor‑station work in Franklin Township. He said opponents previously defeated the project twice and urged residents to submit comments to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection during an active public comment period.

\"The Williams Companies wants to build a huge underwater pipeline under the Raritan Bay, and it involves a new, gas fired compressor station in Franklin Township,\" Charlie said. He noted a public hearing had lasted four hours and that most speakers were opposed.

Charlie also asked the commission to press the City Council to pass a local resolution supporting the Climate Superfund Act, a state measure intended to accelerate cleanup of contaminated sites. He reported that more than 50 New Jersey municipalities had passed supportive resolutions but that New Brunswick had not. \"I wanted to bring that to your attention,\" he said, asking commissioners to encourage council action.

Commission response

The chair thanked Charlie and invited the commission and staff to share the material and suggested local media (NewBrunswickToday) could help publicize deadlines and hearings. Commission members expressed support for sharing comment instructions and materials with the public.

Ending

The commission asked staff to circulate Charlie's materials and to consider outreach options to encourage public comment before the DEP deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Brunswick Environmental Commission Meeting - 9/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter representing Food & Water Watch urged residents to submit DEP comments opposing a proposed Raritan Bay pipeline and asked the commission to press city leaders to endorse the Climate Superfund Act; commissioners said they would share information.","taxTitle","New Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey","taxId",5537,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975205,"Commission discusses small pollinator gardens and green infrastructure champion outreach",145,4081000,4226000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a&start=4081&end=4226","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a/thumbnail_4081000.jpg","/articles/5975205/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Commission-discusses-small-pollinator-gardens-and-green-infrastructure-champion-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975205-3d5ed4125b499b078291592c551a2ffa/orig.mp4?Expires=1775815912&Signature=Nxt9sNCKUnFlfWIrWmVLlr~cTPDXcNqkAOxYMSNVN3RHPQ-Een4hvg2xhWPSPwfprfc5Wsy~oEEMWFbpPt-7jZ~3RdJan50BQf9d2UlunKJLvcpfOoQYFnE3Jtido05bb~C5VvW9NS0GAFsc6m~7bKdf0~A8tlrhPEqJ71RzH4~Pc~pLKoc3VbsJjNN1jzEGkmPicO-Cd7lBIY48PK33~9PqfLwZDxvnimlaQz2QFkqBmJ~9Ec0nO~aT0krrIiV-zzaGKkdysjJhq7DUor3ZmsOWSfgunQMHX4ikMSmlO0iIShz4swkWgecgaW3p9O7uGT4hai2XVSvjajADCX0G9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission discussed modest pollinator‑friendly plantings and small rain‑garden projects in underused roadside triangles and along canal walkways, referencing a newly installed rain garden near Lewis and Cortland streets and state programs that support roadside pollinator zones.

Why it matters: pollinator gardens and low‑mow corridors can increase native habitat and help meet stormwater management goals with minimal maintenance or costly infrastructure.

What was discussed

Denise (commission member) described a newly fenced rain garden at a small triangle near Lewis and Cortland streets and said the installation included signage describing its stormwater purpose. \"It used to have a tree in the middle of it... and now it's fenced off, and it's a rain garden, and there's a New Brunswick official logo on the sign. It has a little write up about it being a rain garden,\" Denise said.

Commissioners suggested identifying other small, low‑maintenance sites—medians, triangles and underused right‑of‑way—where native plantings could be encouraged. Members also referenced the State Department of Transportation's roadside pollinator program as a potential funding or technical partner.

Next steps

Denise will share information about the state DOT roadside pollinator program and the recent rain‑garden installation so the commission can identify candidate sites and evaluate ownership/jurisdiction (city, county, or state) and any required approvals. Members noted PSE&G and other right‑of‑way managers may have related programs (no formal partnership discussed).

Ending

Commissioners agreed to return with a short list of potential pilot sites and to follow up on grant or program opportunities for small‑scale pollinator planting projects.","Members proposed modest, low‑maintenance pollinator plantings along city sidewalks and noted a recent Department of Engineering rain garden project; commissioners agreed to circulate program details and state DOT grant opportunities.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975210,"Commission to revisit TAC packet review process and restore planning‑board liaison link",366,3116000,3482000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a&start=3116&end=3482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a/thumbnail_3116000.jpg","/articles/5975210/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Commission-to-revisit-TAC-packet-review-process-and-restore-planningboard-liaison-link","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975210-9ca43528902c96099853b311ef4b016d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775815912&Signature=S1qapRijVuth9lHniV2UkQ6jQb922SlNEnsoBR4vk9PrOaPUoyteMPqXX5~ZJamMxsDmIneuHWS5-CNzOkiOdP-087CQQ2sNq-WjV3n6tCf90l43xwzjJFB9icyvVU~vMqtaaN8nMbJGIwiGBrOnCs9Hya7hbYA5NjS1L2BAtAf0Dxzp~-s6m5stXj5wdOUAcAG9S4d2ZJ~37RKnV7C-Q~GDTn27O4bTKGml5OCUclweJcQFAiRlQORHIoGZ5qGHXp7ydvCNSACMkTcrCTL17EVbHvEWsfos9UDhcPEy0u6yVL3axnH~ghat10sYS3AN0lOJSm4zGxLr8nMHaqNZgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Brunswick Environmental Commission discussed the process for reviewing Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) packets and asked city staff to resume circulating TAC materials so commissioners can review proposals before planning‑board deadlines.

Why it matters: the TAC packet review is the commission’s principal channel to recommend environmental practices—such as native planting, permeable surfaces and adequate trash/recycling for new development—to the planning board. Commissioners said the prior workflow, which relied on a planning‑board liaison, has lapsed and the commission should reestablish a clear path for consolidated feedback.

Discussion and requests

Commission members said a form created by a former liaison—Josh—was intended to capture and consolidate the commission's recommendations but may not have been fully implemented. One commissioner cautioned that the form currently submits multiple, separate recommendations rather than a consolidated set of suggested changes for a single project. \"The form does not consolidate our recommendations. It submits all recommendations,\" a member said.

Erin, a city staff member, agreed to resume sending TAC packets to the commission for review. \"I can start sending them again. I can send them to the commission,\" Erin said. Commissioners asked that staff include the form link and a suggested set of standard recommendations (for example, native plants and permeable paving) to streamline reviews.

Next steps

- Erin will resume circulating TAC packets and include the link to the TAC review form.
- Denise will reach out to Josh and Anne (former liaison and committee contact) to confirm the intended workflow and whether the form should consolidate recommendations automatically.
- Commissioners suggested preparing a short list of default recommendations (native plants, permeable surfaces) to include in routine comments.

Ending

Members agreed to follow up offline and bring the form and a proposed standard recommendation list back to the commission for adoption so the liaison can forward consolidated comments to the planning board on behalf of the commission.","Members asked staff to resume sending Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) project packets and agreed to check an existing form that was intended to consolidate the commission’s recommendations to the planning board.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975215,"Commission pauses local 'Skip the Stuff' push pending state bill progress",141,2496000,2637000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a&start=2496&end=2637","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a/thumbnail_2496000.jpg","/articles/5975215/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Commission-pauses-local-Skip-the-Stuff-push-pending-state-bill-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975215-93e69ba8a91891998734d4193e20b9cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775815912&Signature=NE08~k80Gh~wmTRYnShv3MXiwZQAy~E68uymZMQJ96DXenhAWmxl4mc9owu9DtRXJKTDfUrSrct-k9sG5ktjYU0A1JgVcygLDPAX5f9nBQwrINHGO04YqLjiJz6ctDTWX3q98Ll4VXmFjWhb7HGtwn2F8aasNBxp4YR1NxAjbtuDQ8Ivdf2feJm0WeAD-q0YxXCKrhwCmfj2myBqTRfDL5wXsHAEFHDbfjsv58QabbmE930FvGg8zKfIcnM2fy3e2H00Clc2Fa9AQU2R7GaBJbZb~o5CM9RQ5IsbbQMuVIuRTBoW54dJ7ZPDtpdE0qlhPZk3DI5He9IkbokTpv8IRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The New Brunswick Environmental Commission discussed outreach to food service businesses on single‑use disposable items and decided to await the status of a state legislative effort popularly described as the \"Skip the Stuff\" initiative before launching a local lobbying push.

Why it matters: commissioners said a statewide mandate would be more effective and efficient than a municipality‑by‑municipality effort; several members said they would monitor the Assembly and Senate progress and use existing flyers from the nonprofit Anjek to support local business education if needed.

What was said

Glenn (commission member) said he had not seen recent movement in Trenton. \"I haven't heard anything on the progression of that through the legislature,\" he said. Glenn and others reported subscribing to updates from advocates tracking the bill.

The commission noted that Anjek (a nonprofit) already produces business‑facing flyers explaining how to reduce single‑use packaging. \"I actually have the flyers that Anjek sent me for businesses to put up,\" a commission member said, offering to distribute them if the state effort does not advance.

Next steps

Members agreed to monitor the bill's progress and to hold off on a local lobbying campaign until the Legislature moves; commissioners also said they will be prepared to distribute educational materials from Anjek to businesses if the statewide campaign stalls.

Ending

The commission concluded there was little value in a separate local ordinance push while the state legislative process remains unresolved and asked staff to report back if the bill progresses locally.
","Members agreed not to pursue a local business campaign to replace single‑use food service ware until New Jersey's pending legislation moves forward; commissioners have county‑level flyers and materials ready to distribute if state action stalls.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5975219,"Commission to push landlord outreach, promotes Recycle Coach while city weighs new recycling bin policy",2610,446000,3056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a&start=446&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5861836-90d38d9314c50b1f5509641adcfc7c1a/thumbnail_446000.jpg","/articles/5975219/New-Brunswick/Middlesex-County/New-Jersey/Commission-to-push-landlord-outreach-promotes-Recycle-Coach-while-city-weighs-new-recycling-bin-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5975219-6a40de7c94789079b7b7a24b2fc8ab07/orig.mp4?Expires=1775815912&Signature=nNmIusocEi6Ot7XelyyAuBf2qQBX8qrILLEYEyRYAB9ogpmEqgJJimq1NuTtBt~7h25aUbyb60In8Jxj1vkRvAgp3Cx~Z7daWnW4HXySUzH5QLMsMjXmv~y~loHQqN5XrqMLkt8lZwCndgXwnYxJldzealjipdB~EBcY8Iu0eKYbee0Tdt3S7YjPZnNPjVGq3c-MuuE3TJAcyLeWK2fyk2ZPHA8AAlOqTMg0p5nnut1vorhtayYdWJUM6ru89lvvXJHGHF26o8jnLjSLyXKHtTNkA7hZSmcxTXUlAXV0HkGSxbF0RkQL4uNaMWa7Ycjf~w9W19XNBiv6nPzOarYFUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the New Brunswick Environmental Commission agreed Sept. 20 to draft materials for property owners and managers to improve recycling and property‑maintenance practices while city staff continue reviewing a county proposal on standardized 95‑gallon recycling bins.

The commission tasked Glenn (commission member) and Jamie (commission member) to assemble content that could be inserted into the city’s rent‑control packet and distributed to landlords and management companies, with the explicit goal of getting recycling guidance directly into the hands of occupants and owners. Erin, a city staff member, urged the commission to promote the Recycle Coach smartphone app as a way to deliver schedules, item‑by‑item guidance and emergency alerts to residents.

Why it matters: commissioners said better distribution of simple recycling instructions could reduce illegal dumping and curbside overflow that leads to stormwater pollution and litter. The city’s eventual decision about replacing curbside containers with county‑sized, wheeled 95‑gallon carts will affect storage and handling for single‑family homes, multi‑unit buildings and properties that contract private collection.

Commission discussion and next steps

Glenn said the immediate action is to produce a short, landlord‑facing insert for the rent‑control packet so landlords can give tenants clear directions at move‑in and move‑out. \"That's why I wanna include something in the rental rent control packet,\" Glenn said, explaining landlords typically receive the mailer and are the logical channel to reach transient tenants.

Erin described the Recycle Coach app's features and recommended the commission promote it. \"It would be super helpful if the commission wanted to take on the role of, promoting the the app, recycle coach,\" Erin said, noting the app can push schedules, search items and send emergency notices.

Aaron, a city public‑works staff member, cautioned that the app covers only properties served by the city’s collection contract and not buildings with private haulers. \"The recycle coach app is only for, like, people that have, like, city trash,\" he said.

Several commissioners and residents described practical obstacles in multi‑unit buildings: space limits for large wheeled carts, frequent turnover from student rentals, and rooms or chutes that collect cardboard and bulk items. Jamie said some buildings are already posting laminated county flyers near trash rooms and that managements are beginning to use cameras and fines to curb illegal drop‑off.

On the bins question, Erin said administration had not made a final decision about whether to adopt the county’s single‑size 95‑gallon recycling cart model. \"The answer is administration has not made a final decision,\" she said. Commissioners noted the county's single‑size approach introduces tradeoffs: large wheeled carts can ease curbside collection but create storage problems and access issues for people without driveways or with narrow lot setbacks.

What the commission directed

- Glenn and Jamie will draft landlord/management guidance that covers recycling basics, property maintenance expectations and references to existing city resources and county flyers. They will coordinate with Erin to have the materials included in the next rent‑control mailing and available for management companies to forward to tenants.
- Erin will promote Recycle Coach through available city channels and supply the commission with the city’s current outreach assets for reproduction.
- The commission will not pursue a local push for business‑level recycling rules tied to statewide legislation until the Legislature's progress is clearer (separate agenda item).

Clarifications and constraints

Commissioners emphasized distribution limitations: the rent‑control packet goes to the property address, which may not reach short‑term tenants who move in after the January mailing. Aaron said private haulers for large congregate buildings typically use county facilities and that the Department of Public Works does not provide bulk services to properties with private contracts.

Timeline and follow up

Commissioners set an action for Glenn and Jamie to confer and return a draft to the commission before the October meeting so it can be finalized for the next mailing cycle. Erin will report back when administration reaches a decision on adopting county‑sized carts.

Ending

Members said education and simpler materials for landlords and managers were the most immediate, feasible steps while the city and county weigh equipment standardization and operational changes.","New Brunswick Environmental Commission members agreed to draft guidance for property owners and to promote the Recycle Coach app as an education tool while the city and Middlesex County decide whether to adopt 95‑gallon, wheeled recycling containers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges comment against proposed Raritan Bay pipeline and calls for city support of Climate Superfund Act

Commission discusses small pollinator gardens and green infrastructure champion outreach

Commission to revisit TAC packet review process and restore planning‑board liaison link

Commission pauses local 'Skip the Stuff' push pending state bill progress

Commission to push landlord outreach, promotes Recycle Coach while city weighs new recycling bin policy