Margate's Native Plant Demonstration Garden outside the Municipal Building.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE Sustainable Margate, the city's green team, recently learned it will be recertified by the Sustainable Jersey organization at the Bronze Level.
Sustainable Margate Chairman Steve Jasiecki Thursday, Nov. 4 provided members of the Board of Commissioners with a report outlining the actions taken over the last several years to receive the designation. The city was first certified in 2014 and recertified in 2017.
According to Jasiecki, green team volunteers successfully completed 18 action items, which resulted in 185 points. Sustainable Jersey requires municipalities obtain 150 points for certification at the Bronze Level. Having the certification enables the city to obtain grant funds to accomplish sustainability goals.
Some of the actions include conducting community education and outreach programs, including educating the public about the 2020 Census, and the dangers of lead in water, paint and toys; purchasing a water filter tower, which encourages residents to avoid single-use plastic bottles; and erecting a cleaning basket kiosk on the beach. The team also works with the Margate Business Association to distribute reusable bags at community events and at the Margate Community Farmers Market.
The city was also awarded points for implementing an interlocal Bicycle Pedestrian and Safety Plan and a Safe Routes To Schools program, which have made streets surrounding the city's schools safer for students.
Volunteers have also advocated to save the city's tree canopy and obtained grant funding to develop a Community Forestry Management Plan, which the Planning Board will use as a guide for future ordinances. In addition to creating a demonstration garden at the Municipal Building for residents to learn which native plants will thrive in their gardens, the green team conducted an Arbor Day event last April that included planting a variety of tree species on a field next to the Anne Pancoast Dog Park. Residents can visit the park to see and learn about native tree species.
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The city will receive the designation and a bronze plaque at a luncheon to be held at the NJ League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City on Nov. 16.
We had the cooperation of the Police and Fire departments, Public Works and various departments that got us through the certification, which is a positive step toward sustainability for our town, Jasiecki said.
Commissioner Maury Blumberg congratulated the green team on its accomplishment.
Thank you for the efforts you put in on a volunteer basis, Blumberg said. It makes Margate look good.
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