Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • September 2, 2009 Mahwah Commission to be agent for Sustainable Jersey by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah Council has authorized the Mahwah Environmental Commission to serve as the township’s agent for the Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification process, which could make Mahwah eligible for grants funded by Wal-Mart. Sustainable Jersey is an initiative of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Mayors’ Committee for a Green Future, the Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey, The New Jersey Sustainable State Institute at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Rutgers Center for Green Building, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and a coalition of New Jersey nonprofits, state agencies, and experts in the field. According to the organization’s website, Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for New Jersey municipalities that want to go green, control costs and save money, and take steps to sustain residents’ quality of life over the long term. The program encompasses issues such as global warming, pollution, biodiversity, land use, air and water quality, equity, buying local, local living economies, and sustainable agriculture. Softball champions Pictured is Mahwah’s 2009 softball championship team. Front row (left to right): Jeff Durante, Paul Krichian, Team Captain Anthony Mazzella, Brian Chiandusse, and Tim O’Keefe. Back row: Nick DeFreese, Bill Kessler, John Sprofera, Scott Wichard, Mike DeSocio Sr., Michael DeSocio Jr., Elliot Feldman, Todd Mulvey, Andy O’Connell, and Jake Collins. Not pictured: Jim Noone. Under the program there are concrete actions municipalities can implement to become certified, and guidance and tools are provided to enable communities to make progress on each action. Sustainable Jersey also identifies existing and new incentives for municipalities to make progress toward certification. One of the steps toward certification is the passage of a sustainability land use pledge that is a public affirmation of a municipality’s intention to align its land use decision making and policies to support sustainable development. The pledge states that well planned land use can create transportation choices, provide for a range of housing options, create walkable communities, preserve open space, and allow for continued use of vital natural resources. The council would have to pledge to do certain things when making future land use decisions. For example, the governing body would have to: consider factors such as walkability, bikability, access to transit, and proximity to other uses when approving site plans for new or relocated municipal facilities; foster a diverse mix of housing types to meet the needs of people of all ages and walks of life through the use of zoning and revenue generation powers; and preserve (continued on page 17) 555 Russell Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481 (just west of Rt. 208) • 201-891-4595 • www.gumc.org Grace United Methodist Church The people of Grace invite you and your family to join with us in worship and fellowship as we begin the fall season SUNDAY WORSHIP: 9 AM & 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES: 9 AM & 11 AM: Infants to Grade 5 10 AM Grades 6 – 12 and Adults As of Sunday, 9/13/09 “Let the little children come unto me...” 3 Youth Choirs – Ages 4 through Grade 12 4 Fellowship Groups ranging from Age 4 through senior high CHOIRS & FELLOWSHIP GROUPS FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH Grace Weekday Nursery School has classes for children ages 3 to 5 Pat from Janine GraceChurch3x3(9-2-09) 3 col x 3” 9-2-09 joan/janine GoTimeBootCamp3x3(9-2-09) 3 x 3” Serving Northern New Jersey LICENSED BY THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIC# 29703 MIDLAND PARK, NJ – 201.988.5428