Berry already has some Commission experience, occupying a vacant seat for about two months last year, and he has a background in environmental issues. As presi- dent of Skylands CLEAN, he heads up the advocacy group that gets involved in environmental issues affecting Ringwood and several neighboring municipalities.
Now in the lead, Berry has several items on his agenda, including keeping the Commission committed. Last year, he noted, there were times the Commission didn't meet due to lack of a quorum.
"We're in a fortunate position," said Berry. "There are no crises that the Environmental Commission has to jump into. That frees us up to look at ideas at what we can do to enhance the quality of fife in the borough"
One action item for Berry will be researching to see if the borough's recycling program can expand to include more types of plastics.
Currently, said Berry, the borough only recycles the two most common types of plastics, such as soda and water bottles. But many other foods, such as yogurt, come in other types of plastics.
If the borough recycles more, it might be able to reduce its amount of garbage, he said. Berry also plans to investigate any revenue possibilities from expanding the program.
The Commission also supports the local boards, such as the planning board and the zoning board of adjustment, said Berry, by commenting on apt)lications or ordinances where there might be environmental concerns.
But highest on the Commission's action item fist is reviewing the borough's updated Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) and Master Plan reexamination.
Both are being handled through the Planning Board, said Berry. But the Commission also has a chance to review them and comment
NRIs contain maps and descriptions of a municipality's geology, soil, surface and ground water sources, climate, wildlife and other information so officials can better understand how land use changes will affect them.
Often, said Beny, Commission members have to do their own NRIs or spend money to hire someone from the outside to research and analyze the technical data.
However, thnks to a 2004 grant from ANJEC awarded to the borough, said Berry, the NRI update is included in the Master Plan reexamination, as well as the writing of any new ordinances that may result.
Commission members have just received a draft version of the updated NRI and a hard copy of what has been done so far on the Master Plan reexamination, said Berry. The Commission will review them shortly.
The new plan might be finished in the spring sometime , estimated Berry
Berry's other hope for the near future is for the Commission to have its own web site, but he added that there were no current plans until the group could get technical assistance.
Aside from its special projects, Berry said the Commission would regularly review board of adjustment applications and comment as it sees necessary.