Washington Borough is clearly doing something right! Thanks to the efforts of the Washington Green Team in association with the Borough and the Washington Business Improvement District, Washington recently achieved Sustainable Jersey certification after meeting rigorous requirements.

Washington Borough is one of 83 towns that have attained certification in 2019 and was honored at the Sustainable Jersey awards luncheon on Nov. 19 during the League of Municipalities in Atlantic City. Mayor David Higgins accepted the award on behalf of the Borough. 

To become Sustainable Jersey certified, Washington Borough submitted documentation to show it had completed a balance of the required sustainability actions, meeting a minimum of 150 action points. In addition to reaching 150 points, each certified community had to create a green team and select at least 2 out of 12 priority action options. Washington Borough did two of the 12 priority actions by completing prescription drug safety and disposal, and a sustainable land use pledge.

“We are very proud of the progress we have made in public information and engagement, solar energy, supporting local food sources, promoting local businesses, and shade tree planting and maintenance programs” said Suzi Marr, Green Team Chairperson.

“Our green team hosts an annual Green Fest and seasonal Farmers’ Market in cooperation with the Washington Business Improvement District,” added Councilwoman Josephine Noone, who coordinates the Farmers’ Market. “Sustainable Jersey bronze certification was a cooperative team effort between our mayor and council, the Washington BID, our borough manager, staff and DPW, and our green team volunteers.”

“Congratulations to all of the municipalities that have achieved certification this year,” said Randy Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “Earning certification involves more than just implementing sustainable actions. It takes extraordinary leadership and a real commitment to making our communities better. As New Jersey tops the list as one of the fastest-warming states in the nation, the next ten years will be a critical period for making progress. Sustainable Jersey certified towns are a force for change as they create a path forward to advance sustainability.” 

Certified towns excelled in areas such as improving energy efficiency, health and wellness, reducing waste, sustaining local economies, protecting natural resources and advancing the arts.

Sustainable Jersey provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 80 percent or 450 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 339 school districts and 884 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program.

Sustainable Jersey’s partners include the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program. Program underwriters include the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Clean Energy Program, the PSEG Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Sustainable Jersey Grants program for municipalities is funded by PSEG Foundation and the Gardinier Environmental Fund. Platinum and 10th Anniversary sponsors are South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas and PSEG. The Gold Sponsor is Elizabethtown Gas, Silver Sponsors are NJM Insurance Group, Bayshore Recycling, Northfield Bank, New Jersey American Water, Jersey Central Power & Light, Atlantic Health System, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The Bronze Sponsors are Covanta, Greener by Design, Ørsted, Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & Cappelli LLC, First Environment, Roux Associates, Republic Services, The ECG Group and Bryan Electric.

For more information about Washington’s Green Team, contact Suzi Marr by email, suzology.sm@gmail.com. For more information about Sustainable Jersey, go to www.SustainableJersey.com.

Photo: Rear left to right, Samantha A. McGraw, Program Manager, Sustainable Jersey, Matt Polsky, Consultant, Suzi Marr (Green Team Chairperson), Jonathan James (DPW Supervisor), Washington Borough Mayor David Higgins, Borough Manager Matthew Hall, and Randall Solomon, Executive Director, Sustainable Jersey. Seated are Mary Ann Raimond, Administrative Assistant, Washington Business Improvement District, Melanie Thiel, WBID Executive Director, Councilwoman Josephine Noone, and Deputy Mayor Ethel Conry.