Environmental Advisory Council Meeting Agenda
August 11, 2026
7:00 PM
August 11, 2026
7:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:59pm.
Attendees: Anne Duzan, Cheryl Spaulding, Mike Irwin, Leslie Sheller, Lindsey Beacher, Debra Town, JoEllen McBride – Office and Sustainability Coordinator
Public: Helen Eckel-Weiner
Public Comment – no public comment
Minutes to consider: June 9, 2026; July 14, 2026
Ms. Town motioned to approve the June 9, 2026 minutes
Mr. Irwin seconded
Vote: Unanimous (6-0)
Ms. Sheller motioned to approve the July 14, 2026 minutes
Mr. Irwin seconded
Vote: (3-0) Ms. Spaulding, Ms. Beacher, and Ms. Town abstained
Old business:
Budget request
The group went over workshops, events, and materials they needed for next year. The group decided to focus on workshops and clean-up events. They would like to hold the winter sowing workshop again and add in a veggie workshop. They also want to hold informational workshops before clean-up events on identifying invasive species. Other workshops will cover moths, fireflies, weatherizing your home, bicycle prep, and how to compost. They also discussed offering single-use battery recycling and creating a community garden. They also decided not to order a bunch of giveaway items for sustainability reasons.
Tree Plan
Ms. Spaulding suggested focusing on the current holes in the Zoning and SLDO pertaining to trees. The group agreed to spend the next 6 months reviewing the ordinances and comparing with other municipalities.
Specimen Tree Form and Tracking
The group decided to table this idea until we have a better idea of the specimen tree identification on township properties
Sustainability Certificates and form
The group liked the idea of giving out certificates to businesses for adopting sustainable practices.
Newsletter topics
Ms. Town wrote an article on fishing line that we can use for September’s newsletter. Mr. Irwin volunteered to write an article on pesticides for October. Ms. McBride shared that the article Ms. Beacher wrote on Heat Islands will be added to a blog on the website. The group also discussed writing articles on disposing of harder to recycle items such as medications, electronics, etc.
Sustainability website
Ms. McBride shared the table she added to the webpage showing the progress of the task force recommendations. The group agreed to go through the recommendations at another meeting and identify ones that are in progress or achieved. The group decided to remove the table until it was up to date and possibly only list the items that are in progress or achieved.
Community Day – check out materials from Education and Outreach company?
The group looked at the items from the company and really liked the Rosie the River Otter stickers. The group decided to not order new items and use the coloring books we still have. We may order the stickers though but that would be all.
New Business:
Tour of Total Recycle – Identify weekday options to send them
The group decided that a tour during a weekday would be hard to schedule.
Trail Development Support Ordinance Review
The group was happy about the review and noted that we were only lacking on 3 of the items listed in the review. The group tabled this until the next meeting due to time.
Tree Measuring (Anne/Lindsey)
Ms. Duzan and Ms. Beacher started measuring trees on Spackman Davis Farm to begin compiling a Specimen Tree list on Township Properties. They shared their spreadsheet and discussed next steps. The group also discussed methods for measuring the height of trees and adding trees to a GIS map in the future.
Model Natural Landscape Ordinance
The group liked the idea of having an ordinance that helps distinguish between people not taking care of their property with those who are planting natural landscapes.
Upcoming Events
No events discussed
Parks and Rec update/upcoming events
Community day was discussed. Ms. Town, Mr. Irwin, Ms. Sheller are all out of town that day. They also discussed the upcoming clean-up days in the fall.
Ms. Duzan summarized the call that she, Ms. Swan, and Ms. McBride had with Trellis4Tomorrow. This non-profit will build the beds and irrigation system for a community garden. The group discussed the possibility of building the beds and irrigation system ourselves with the help of residents.
Sustainability Coordinator Updates
Recycling webpage
Ms. McBride added a page to the Township website that lists where residents can go to recycle hard to recycle items. She asked for any feedback and suggestions of other places to list.
The group also discussed that the next meeting on September 8 may not have a quorum or most participants may be online. The group discussed moving the next meeting to September 22. Ms. McBride said she would discuss with Ms. Swan and advertise any meeting changes to the public.
Adjournment
Ms. Town motioned to adjourn.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
The meeting adjourned at 9:20pm
The meeting was called to order at 6:59pm.
Attendees: Anne Duzan, Cheryl Spaulding, Mike Irwin, Leslie Sheller, Lindsey Beacher, Debra Town, JoEllen McBride – Office and Sustainability Coordinator
Public: Helen Eckel-Weiner
Public Comment – no public comment
Minutes to consider: June 9, 2026; July 14, 2026
Ms. Town motioned to approve the June 9, 2026 minutes
Mr. Irwin seconded
Vote: Unanimous (6-0)
Ms. Sheller motioned to approve the July 14, 2026 minutes
Mr. Irwin seconded
Vote: (3-0) Ms. Spaulding, Ms. Beacher, and Ms. Town abstained
Old business:
Budget request
The group went over workshops, events, and materials they needed for next year. The group decided to focus on workshops and clean-up events. They would like to hold the winter sowing workshop again and add in a veggie workshop. They also want to hold informational workshops before clean-up events on identifying invasive species. Other workshops will cover moths, fireflies, weatherizing your home, bicycle prep, and how to compost. They also discussed offering single-use battery recycling and creating a community garden. They also decided not to order a bunch of giveaway items for sustainability reasons.
Tree Plan
Ms. Spaulding suggested focusing on the current holes in the Zoning and SLDO pertaining to trees. The group agreed to spend the next 6 months reviewing the ordinances and comparing with other municipalities.
Specimen Tree Form and Tracking
The group decided to table this idea until we have a better idea of the specimen tree identification on township properties
Sustainability Certificates and form
The group liked the idea of giving out certificates to businesses for adopting sustainable practices.
Newsletter topics
Ms. Town wrote an article on fishing line that we can use for September’s newsletter. Mr. Irwin volunteered to write an article on pesticides for October. Ms. McBride shared that the article Ms. Beacher wrote on Heat Islands will be added to a blog on the website. The group also discussed writing articles on disposing of harder to recycle items such as medications, electronics, etc.
Sustainability website
Ms. McBride shared the table she added to the webpage showing the progress of the task force recommendations. The group agreed to go through the recommendations at another meeting and identify ones that are in progress or achieved. The group decided to remove the table until it was up to date and possibly only list the items that are in progress or achieved.
Community Day – check out materials from Education and Outreach company?
The group looked at the items from the company and really liked the Rosie the River Otter stickers. The group decided to not order new items and use the coloring books we still have. We may order the stickers though but that would be all.
New Business:
Tour of Total Recycle – Identify weekday options to send them
The group decided that a tour during a weekday would be hard to schedule.
Trail Development Support Ordinance Review
The group was happy about the review and noted that we were only lacking on 3 of the items listed in the review. The group tabled this until the next meeting due to time.
Tree Measuring (Anne/Lindsey)
Ms. Duzan and Ms. Beacher started measuring trees on Spackman Davis Farm to begin compiling a Specimen Tree list on Township Properties. They shared their spreadsheet and discussed next steps. The group also discussed methods for measuring the height of trees and adding trees to a GIS map in the future.
Model Natural Landscape Ordinance
The group liked the idea of having an ordinance that helps distinguish between people not taking care of their property with those who are planting natural landscapes.
Upcoming Events
No events discussed
Parks and Rec update/upcoming events
Community day was discussed. Ms. Town, Mr. Irwin, Ms. Sheller are all out of town that day. They also discussed the upcoming clean-up days in the fall.
Ms. Duzan summarized the call that she, Ms. Swan, and Ms. McBride had with Trellis4Tomorrow. This non-profit will build the beds and irrigation system for a community garden. The group discussed the possibility of building the beds and irrigation system ourselves with the help of residents.
Sustainability Coordinator Updates
Recycling webpage
Ms. McBride added a page to the Township website that lists where residents can go to recycle hard to recycle items. She asked for any feedback and suggestions of other places to list.
The group also discussed that the next meeting on September 8 may not have a quorum or most participants may be online. The group discussed moving the next meeting to September 22. Ms. McBride said she would discuss with Ms. Swan and advertise any meeting changes to the public.
Adjournment
Ms. Town motioned to adjourn.
Ms. Beacher seconded.
Vote: unanimous (6-0)
The meeting adjourned at 9:20pm
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