Silver Certification West Windsor Township Pathway to Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification presented by Michael Hornsby, Chair West Windsor Environmental Commission presented to New Jersey Institute of Technology April 2013

West Windsor Township Pathway to Sustainable Jersey Certification  Sustainable Jersey Program Overview  Sustainable Jersey Certification  West Windsor’s Sustainability Accomplishments

Sustainable Jersey Overview  Voluntary certification program -- go green, control costs, and sustain/improve quality of life  Concrete actions  Tools and guidance  Certified communities = among NJ’s leading municipalities.

Sustainable Jersey Overview  Encompasses the three components of sustainability  Prosperity: support local economy and use of community resources  Planet: practice responsible environmental management  People: embrace social equity and fairness  Sponsors  New Jersey State League of Municipalities  Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey  NJDEP Office of Planning and Sustainable Communities  NJ BPU Office of Clean Energy

Certification Process  Documentation-driven. Deadline Sept 15.  Two levels:  Bronze 150 points.  Silver 350 points  EC: 150+ points can be documented - projecting Bronze Certification.  Announcement of certified communities -- NJ State League of Municipalities Convention, November  Three-year certification

Certification does not indicate that a municipality is "sustainable." It indicates that the municipality has taken the first significant step on the journey toward sustainability.

Community Partnership & Outreach  GroWW environmental fair and 2009  Environmental Commission Website  Community Paper Shredding Day  Community Garden  GroWW garden tour  Girl Scouts Pinelands Ecology Trip

Land Use & Transportation  Open space conservation and preservation planning - extremely successful greenbelt, farmland preservation, and parklands programs  Redevelopment plan for the Princeton Junction area promoting smart growth, sustainable green building initiatives, brownfields development, alternative transportation, and community gathering  Parking standards ordinance including provisions for pervious pavements

Land Use & Transportation  Sidewalk system promoting walking and biking  Extensive bicycle lanes and paths in concert with Township road projects.  Trolley Line Trail through the center of the community to promote exercise and alternative means of transportation  West Windsor Township portion of the Capital to Coast Trail.  Pilot “rain garden” to treat pavement stormwater runoff at the Ronald R. Rogers Arboretum

Natural Resources  Natural Resource Inventory  Annual Stream Cleanup with Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

Green Design  Green Building checklist for land use permit applications to promote implementation of more sustainable “green” building practices  Promote participation in the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification under the USGBC for several private land development applications, including PNC bank, Carnegie Center 701, and Princeton Theological Seminary as well as encourage green design considerations for all applicants, where appropriate

Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction  Township office computer after hours shut down  Calculated Municipal and Community Carbon Footprint  NJ Office of Clean Energy’s Clean Power Choice Program  Solar PV powered pedestrian crossing signs near Dutch Neck School  Educated BoE on Solar Power for Schools - WW-P News, July, 2010

Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas Reduction  Energy audits and efficient electric fixture upgrade - Municipal Office Building and Senior Center  Energy Star rated appliances for Senior Center expansion  Solar PV pedestrian light at the Senior Center  Solar PV panels on the Senior Center  Project Porchlight: distributed ~ 3, 000 CFLs

Sustainability Planning  Sustainable West Windsor Plan  Sustainability Element adopted into the Township Master Plan  Sustainable Jersey Registration

Operations & Maintenance  Municipal Fleet Inventory  Hybrid Electric/Gas Vehicle  Stormwater Management Best Practices Pamphlets  Landscape Contractor registration  Integrated Pesticide Management (IPM) brochure

West Windsor Highlighted In Sustainable Jersey Program  West Windsor Sustainability Plan  West Windsor Farmer’s Market  Green Practices Checklist (Green Building Scorecard)

Council Resolutions to Support Sustainable Jersey Certification  Green Building Policy/Resolution- completed  Sustainable Land Use Resolution-completed  Complete Streets Resolution – July 19  Anti-idling Resolution – July 19  Wind Energy Ordinance (Under Development)

Steps Toward Certification Pass Resolution Form Green Team Register Municipality Complete SJ Action Items

Sample Actions

Innovative Climate Action Plan Report from Winners of the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program presented by SHING-FU HSUEH Mayor, West Windsor Township

Silver Certification West Windsor Township Pathway to Sustainable Jersey Silver Certification presented by Michael Hornsby, Chair West Windsor Environmental Commission presented to New Jersey Institute of Technology February/March 2012