Welcome to the electronic edition of our Town Talk newsletter.
David Lefkovits has recreated the newsletter in a new format to broaden its audience and reduce its cost both to our checkbook and to the environment. Since the theme of this edition of Town Talk is Spring and the environment, a paperless format is very appropriate.
Reducing the Town's environmental footprint is an important goal for all of us and we are doing what we can to reduce the amount of energy that we use and the amount of waste that we generate. We are also working this year with our new Shade Tree Commission to renew our commitment to preserving and protecting a very important town asset-our shade trees.
Many are aware that we now have single stream recycling in town. That means that you no longer have to separate your recycling into glass, plastic, cans and paper. All of your recyclables can now be placed into the same container and left at the curb. To make it even easier, we have instituted weekly recycling pickup. The results have been very positive. The amount of municipal waste and its cost have been reduced and the
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amount of recycled material has increased substantially. But we have reached a plateau and we need more residents to participate in the program. Please help us to spread the word! Encourage you neighbors to throw all of their recyclable waste into one large can and bring it to the curb. The more we recycle the more we reduce cost to the town and to the environment. Check our website www.glenridgenj.org for more information on recycling in town.
Our shade trees have suffered in recent years from age, disease, drought, and improper care. In the last two years, we have spent much more on taking down old and sick trees than we have on planting new trees. To turn this around, a Shade Tree Commission was established in Town to "develop a flexible strategic plan, practical goals and defined steps to ensure that shade trees are planted, maintained and monitored over time. This commitment to healthy trees represents a long-term investment in the beauty, biodiversity and historic character of Glen Ridge." The Shade tree commission will have a table at this year's Eco Fair. Stop by and see what they are planning and, if you are interested in donating a tree, pick up a form and fill it out. It will take time to reverse the decline in our shade tree inventory, but we will turn it around to the benefit of all of us.
- Mayor Peter Hughes
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