Green Township Environmental Advisory Committee elects Michael Wood as chair

At its Feb. 3, 2026 reorganization meeting, the Green Township Environmental Advisory Committee elected Michael Wood as chair and approved its 2026 meeting schedule.

Fausto Moyano nominated Wood for chair and Ellen Lessin seconded; the motion passed "all in favor," and Wood read and signed the Oath of Office as chair. Earlier in the meeting, Wood read and accepted the Oath of Office as a committee member for a three-year term; Christopher Sullivan read and accepted the Oath of Office as Committee Member Alternate No. 1 for a two-year term.

The committee opened with recorded public notice under the 1975 Open Public Meetings Act and approved the minutes of the Nov. 4, 2025 meeting after Cynthia Moyano read them. The minutes approval motion was made by Fausto Moyano and seconded by Michael Wood; members voted unanimously to carry the motion.

Committee members approved the calendar of 2026 meeting dates after a motion by Cynthia Moyano, seconded by Michael Wood. Nomination of a vice-chair was tabled because the current vice-chair, Matt Fox, was not in attendance; the committee deferred that appointment to a future meeting.

The group discussed signage and native-plant selections for committee projects. Ellen Lessin presented an example sign from Gravity Designworks and said Gravity will produce a sign using information supplied by the committee; Cynthia Moyano provided recommended native plants and trees for that signage, and Lessin agreed to forward the plant list to Gravity Designworks.

Lessin also reviewed grant opportunities. After examining materials, the committee determined it could not pursue the Sussex County Trails Grant Program. ANJEC’s list of grants and educational programs was circulated for member review. Members discussed the potential need to form a Green Team to pursue Sustainable NJ grants and agreed to table that discussion until it becomes necessary.

Lessin proposed forming a relationship with Dark Moon Nature Preserve on Hibler Road, noting the preserve recently received a $1,500 grant. She recommended pursuing similar funding for fencing, signage and bird and bat houses; the idea was raised for future pursuit but no formal motion to apply was recorded.

The committee reviewed but did not update its spreadsheet of short-, medium- and long-term goals; Michael Wood and the committee secretary agreed on changes to be made for the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.