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South River separates Environmental Commission from Shade Tree Commission; residents question staffing
Summary
Ordinance 2026-06 replaces the combined advisory board with two distinct commissions (Environmental Commission/Green Team and Shade Tree Commission). Residents raised concerns about staffing and capacity; council said the change aligns with state statutes and grants enforcement authority for tree matters.
The council adopted Ordinance 2026-06 on March 23, 2026, repealing the prior combined Environmental Commission/Green Team/Shade Tree Advisory Board and creating two separate bodies: an Environmental Commission (to act as the Green Team) and a Shade Tree Commission. The ordinance establishes membership counts (seven regular members, two alternates, two junior members, two advisory consultants), terms of office, duties, and procedural rules for each commission.
During the public hearing, resident Lisa Byrne said the existing committee "does not have the manpower to be separated," and Emily Grasso echoed concerns about staffing and how the two boards will be supported. Councilman Nick Giannakopoulos responded that South River is following state statute by forming the two commissions and said the Shade Tree Commission will have authority to enforce tree ordinances; Borough Attorney John DeLuca said he would need to research whether the council could later recombine the bodies.
