What the VEC does?
The
Verona Environmental Commission was established by Ordinance No.
9-92 on August 3, 1992. The Commission is comprised of seven members
(one of whom is also a member of the Planning Board), plus two
alternates. All members are Verona residents, serve without compensation and are appointed by the Mayor.
The
role of the Commission is to study and make recommendations to the
Township Council and the Planning Board concerning open space
preservation, water resources management, air pollution control, solid
waste management, noise control, soil and landscape protection, environmental appearance, marine resources and protection of flora and fauna throughout the Township.
The
Commission interacts with neighboring community environmental
commissions and the Essex County Environmental Center. It review
all applications sent to the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment
to evaluate their impact on the environment.
The VEC provides environmental information and programs for residents and protects the Township's environmental resources for health and well being of present and future residents. The VEC in Verona's Fair
The
VEC participated in Verona Fair in the Square in 2010 and 2011. At the
commission's table visitors played the game "How Long it Takes to
Decompose" and and "Identify the Household Hazardous Waste Items". Residents also signed the VEC's recycling pledge and those who needed a new recycling bin ordered a free one.
Pictured
is former Verona Mayor Teena Schwartz visiting the VEC table at the fair,
commission members Tony Saltalamacchia, Jim Loudon and Chairman Jerry
Shimonaski. Elementary School PresentationsVEC members created a presentation about Verona's Recycling Programs with local pictures and information targeting third and fourth grade students.
Later on the VEC presented this program at the
following schools: Forest Ave., Laning Ave., F.N.Brown,
Brookdale Ave. (pictured left) and Our Lady of the Lake. This program is plan to run in all 5 school every 2 years. SEE MORE PICTURES HERE
Verona celebrated Earth Day
The VEC celebrated Earth Day at the Verona Recycling Center on April 30th. Residents brought their recyclable items and filled two large dumpsters with cardboard. Two hundreds green and more than one hundred and fifty blue recycling containers were distributed. The VEC would like to thank Mike Inglesino from the Recycling Center for helping all day during the event. Posters teaching how to reuse and recycle plastic shopping bags were displayed, encouraging to use reusable cloth bags instead. Thank you all for such a wonderful celebration!Steps to Go Green
The VEC participated in "Steps to Go Green", a fair sponsored by the Caldwell, West Caldwell and Roseland Environmental Commissions. The event took place in October 2010 at the Caldwell College Cafeteria. Admission was free. The commission presented the program "Idle Free Verona" and played the game "How long it takes to decompose" with the visitors. We would like to tank Ann Marchioni, Caldwell Environmental Commission's Chairperson, for inviting us. Pictured from left, VEC members Tony Saltalamacchia, Tara Bratek, James Loudon, Virginia Citrano and Gloria Machnowski.ANJEC Training
A new member of the Verona Environmental Commission participated on the "Training to protect Natural Resources" held by the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions in 2010. Pictured are some of the attendees during Nelson Dittmar presentation (ANJEC Board of Trustees). The event took place in the Geraldine R. Dodge LEEDS Certified Building, 14 Maple Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey.
Peckman River Clean-Up
VHS Students Removed Half a Ton of Trash. More than 60 Verona High School students participated in the annual Peckman River Clean-Up on May 21st 2010. Students were assisted by VHS Vice Principal Dave Galbierczyk, VEC Chairman Jerry Shimonaski and VHS teachers Linda Barone, Jan Korman, Chris Tamburro and Carl Cascone. SEE MORE PICTURES HERE
The Caldwell and Roseland Environmental Commissions sponsored a Green Fair in October 2009.The fair took place at Caldwell College and featured green, sustainable and healthy vendors, speakers and presentations, a silent auction, raffles and fun activities for the whole family. We exhibited our “Idle Free Verona” presentation and poster contest, the VEC Treasured Tree Program and Paper Recycling at Verona Schools’ displays. Pictured between Jerry and Gloria from the VEC is Ann Marchioni, Caldwell Environmental Commission's Chairperson. Thank you for inviting us to this successful event!Non-Point Source Pollution
 The Verona Environmental Commission made a presentation on Non-point source pollution (pollution caused by human activity) to HBW 8th graders. Pictured are former VEC members Andrew Robinson and Carrie Dietz, Area 4 Watershed Ambassador and retired HBW science teacher, Mike Somers.
(Peckman River Cleanup).Go Green, Save Green Fair | CredentialsAll current members have completed the course on the responsibilities of an Environmental Commissioner given by ANJEC (Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissioners) or Rutgers University's Environmental Stewards program. VEC's current Chairman has completed the Leadership course given by ANJEC. Several of our members have attended presentations on Green Buildings, Water Protection and Air Pollution. The current Chairman is the Townships representative to the County Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC).
VEC Accomplishments • Implemented paper and cardboard recycling at all Verona public schools.
• 2010 Community Service Recognition at the Mayor's Charity Affair (pictured right).
• 2009 Environmental Achievement Award from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.
• Installed “No Idling” signage at HBW middle school, four elementary schools and Community Center.
• Created presentation on idling posted on YouTube.
• Created presentation on recycling that was given at all public elementary schools, as well as at Our Lady of the Lake School.
• Organized annual Peckman River clean-up.
• Celebrated Earth Day at the Recycling Center and distributed recycling bins to residents.
• Assisted Verona School District in switching to green cleaning products.
• Attended all Hilltop meetings of the Planning Board and all TCI expansion meetings by the Board of Adjustment.
• Sponsored three annual poster contests on idling at all elementary schools.
• Mounted three “Idle Free Verona” exhibits at the Verona Library and Essex County Environmental Center.
• Created the Treasured Tree Program and the online tree tour.
• Developed the VEC's Web site www.veronaec.org using free online software.
Who's in the Environmental Commission?
|
| Name |
Position |
Term Expires
|
|
Gerard Shimonaski |
Chairman |
2014 |
Gloria Machnowski
|
Vice-Chairwomen |
2013 |
|
Virginia Citrano |
Commissioner
|
2014 |
Kevin Ryan
James
Loudon |
Council Liaison
Commissioner
|
2012
2013
|
Tom
Freeman
Tony Saltalamacchia
|
Planning Board
Commissioner
|
2013
2014
|
Marjorie Williams
Kerry Bass
|
Alternate #1
Alternate #2
|
2013
2013
| Former MembersThe first VEC Chairman was Marc Kaplan followed by Teena Schwartz (current Verona Mayor), Chris Pierce, Lydia Bashwiner, David Freschi and Cinzia Cortese. List of VEC members from 1992 to 2010Marc Kaplan, Beverly DeCheser, Ed Condon (Planning Board Rep.), Larry Gasparo (Planning Board Rep.), Teena Schwartz, Megan Ambroso, Thomas Cocchiola, Robert Masiello, Bill Oser (Planning Board Rep.), Chris Pierce, Lydia Bashwiner, Chris Daniels, Lori Tanner, Jack Grebe, Hans Erdenberger, Joe Carpinelli (Planning Board Rep.), Jerry Caprio, Andrew Robinson, Eric Kohlstaat, Rich Williamson, Jason Apter, David Freschi, Gerard Shimonaski, Cinzia Cortese, Mark Newell, Karen Pensiero (Planning Board Rep.), Genaro Salierno, Deborah Jacobsen, Anne Stires, Gloria Machnowski, James Loudon, Tom Freeman (Planning Board Rep.), Virginia Citrano and Anthony Saltalamacchia. If you are a former VEC member and your name is not listed please contact us. The names were taken from the minutes found in the archives. How can a Non-Member participate?Any
Verona resident may attend a meeting of the Environmental Commission.
If you can't attend, but have an idea to improve Verona's environment,
please contact us.
VEC Awards:
2010 Mayor’s Charity Affair
The VEC would like to thank Mayor Teena Schwartz and the 2010 Mayor’s
Charity Affair Committee for recognizing our Community Service.
Congratulations to all 2010 honorees and to all former VEC members
without whom this recognition could not be possible. Pictured from
left, VEC current Chairman Gerard Shimonaski and VEC first Chairman Marc
Kaplan.
The 17th Annual Mayor’s Charity Affair took place on May 23rd at Mayfair
Farms in West Orange. The purpose of the event was to raise funds that
will be donated to Verona organizations and programs that reach all
residents. READ MORE
2009 ANJEC Award for the VEC
The Verona Environmental Commission received an Environmental
Achievement Award at ANJEC’s 2009 Environmental Congress held at Cook
Campus Center, Rutgers University in New Brunswick on October 17th. The
award recognizes the Commission's successful efforts in establishing
paper recycling in all of Verona's schools. READ MORE
About this Web siteThis
Web site was created by VEC volunteers in August 2009 using free
on-line software. All content and works posted are for educational
purposes only. Included photographs are either courtesy of volunteers or
public domain pictures. VEC member Gloria Machnowski is in charge of
updating and maintaining this Web site.
|
