Lee Byrd-Chairman

John Bitar

Bruce A. Harris-Council Liaision

Richard D. Ligertwood

Barbara Montague-Secretary

John Tancredi

Joan Thuebel

Ruth Dekker-1st Alternate

Commission info:

The Environmental Commission is concerned with all items on the New Jersey State Environmental Agenda: clean air; environmental quality; clean water; waste management; open space and wildlife preservation. The Environmental Commission meets on the third Wednesday of every month except August and December, at 8 PM at the Chatham Borough municipal building. 

Past activities of the Chatham Borough Environmental Commission include:

• Development of an Open Space Inventory, the first step in creation of an Open Space Plan to preserve lands for conservation and recreation.
• Together with the Chatham Township Environmental Commission, surveyed residents to determine which environmental issues were their highest concerns.

Ongoing activities of the Environmental Commission include:

• Developing and maintaining a Nature trail along the Passaic River.
• Preparing an update of the Borough Environmental Resources Inventory.
• Implementing the recommendations of the Passaic River Coalition's regional Passaic River Riparian Corridor Master Plan, including developing a protective berm alongside the Passaic River at Shepard Kollock Park.
• Assisting residents at the Borough Recycling Depot.
• Writing newspaper articles to educate residents about our environment and how to protect it.
• Providing educational material for Fishawack Day.
• Maintaining contact with County and State agencies to encourage upkeep of Days Brook, the Route 24 Exit Ramp, and other areas.
• Maintaining contact with other planning and environmental committees, boards and groups in the Borough, Township and surrounding areas.

We are members of the Great Swamp Watershed Association, the Morris Land Conservancy, the Morris County Environmental Commissioner Network and the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. We attend seminars and training offered by various State, County and local groups relative to the environment.

The Commission also sponsors projects by volunteers to help clean up our environment. Past volunteer projects have included construction of bat houses for natural mosquito control; installation of bluebird houses in park areas; extension of the Passaic River Trail; and removal of debris from Days Brook.

Organic Landscaper List:

The Chatham Township Environmental Commission has a list of landscapers that offer organic lawn care. Please check the Chatham Township website: www.chathamtownship.org