About Us

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.

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 last Saturday, March 13th, 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.

2009 Environmental Award

The VEC received a 2009 ANJEC Environmental Achievement Award at the 36th Annual Environmental Congress on October 17, 2009. The award recognizes the Commission's successful efforts in establishing paper recycling in all of Verona's schools.The Congress was held at Cook Campus Center, Rutgers University in New Brunswick. READ MORE

Go Green, Save Green Fair

The Caldwell and Roseland Environmental Commissions sponsored a Green Fair on October 24th.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!

The VEC in Verona's Fair

The VEC participated in Verona Fair in the Square on December 4, 2010. At the commission's table visitors played the game "How Long it Takes to Decompose" and were reminded about the items that should be recycled in Verona. Residents also signed the VEC's recycling pledge and those who needed a new recycling bin ordered a free one.

Pictured is Verona Mayor Teena Schwartz visiting the VEC table at the fair, commission members Tony Saltalamacchia, Jim Loudon and Chairman Jerry Shimonaski.

Credentials

All 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).

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
Tara Bratek Marjorie Williams Kerry Bass	Commissioner Alternate #1 Alternate #2	2014 2013 2013

Former Members

The 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 2010

Marc 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.

About this Web site

This 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.

Subpages (2): 2010 Mayor’s Charity Affair Awards

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Oct 10, 2010 8:14 PM